Chapter 221: Conversation with Dumbledore
The situation with the magical world's treasury was similar. Although Gringotts was currently secure, many of the old wizarding families knew that should the goblins decide to start another war, the Galleons and magical artifacts stored within the bank would be at risk. Magical items would become resources for the goblins.
Only the hidden vaults of Gringotts' shareholder families—deep in the lowest levels—were exceptions. These vaults were sealed in such a way that even goblins were not authorized or able to open them.
While it was dangerous to let goblins hold control over the magical economy and banking systems, those in power had never found a viable alternative.
Back during the last goblin rebellion, magical history books claimed that the wizards had emerged victorious—but the truth was far more complicated.
The rebellion had triggered aggression from the elves, who had long watched the wizards with hostility. At the time, the highest-ranking magical authorities—the legendary wizards of the Elder Council—were deployed to deal with the more formidable elven threat.
That left only the great wizards of the era to confront the goblins, and the battle was brutal. Fewer than three out of every ten great wizards survived. Although the legendary wizards eventually drove the elves deep into the forests of America and Africa, they couldn't assist with the goblin conflict.
During the height of the goblin war, wizards had the upper hand, but the goblins, realizing that the legendary wizards had yet to enter the fray, began to reconsider their position. Neither side truly wanted the war to continue. However, while the wizards sought peace, the goblins' demands were firm.
They insisted on controlling the wizarding economy and establishing a bank of their own. Without those conditions, they were prepared to fight to the death.
The Elder Council and other magical leaders understood well that prolonging the war could spell doom for the entire magical world. At that time, wizards were also embroiled in conflict with Muggles on a smaller scale—especially under threat from the Church's witch hunts. The magical world's activity had already become increasingly restricted.
In the end, they had no choice but to accept the goblins' terms. However, they ensured that the founding families who led the wizarding world would own shares in the bank and maintain vaults the goblins couldn't control.
Thus, Gringotts was established, with branches constructed according to the territories of various families and underground vaults built to secure their wealth.
Phineas knew this history well. Because of that, he also understood just how impossible it would be to retrieve a magical artifact from a Gringotts vault that wasn't his.
Doing so would not only challenge Gringotts' authority—it would also provoke the goblins' fragile nerves. Not long ago, there had already been a high-profile theft from a vault in Gringotts' London branch. Although the Dark Lord had been unlucky—the vault he'd broken into had been emptied that very morning—the attempt alone had shaken the goblins' already unstable trust in wizards.
Attempting to break into Gringotts to retrieve Hufflepuff's cup from the Lestrange vault wasn't just difficult—it was politically dangerous.
If Phineas made that attempt, it could trigger another goblin rebellion.
And this time, the consequences could be catastrophic. The relationship between wizards and elves remained tense. Vampires lurked in the shadows. If a goblin war erupted again, it could expose the entire magical world to Muggles. The result? A Third Wizarding War was all but guaranteed.
Phineas wouldn't let that happen. His goal was clear now: to become the strongest wizard in the world, and then, through that power, find a way back to his original world—to return to his family and friends.
As for his friends here, he had few. George and Fred Weasley, Lee Jordan (the loudmouthed but loyal friend), and seniors like Pandora and Nicolas were his closest companions.
Harry, Ron, Neville, and Hagrid might be considered friends too, though more distantly. They didn't share secrets like the twins did.
Phineas imagined that by the time he became the world's greatest wizard and found a way to return home, he and the twins would have spent many years together—perhaps even lived a relatively normal life.
In that way, his eventual departure might resemble a quiet death—a normal goodbye.
Because of all this, Phineas knew he couldn't raid Gringotts for the cup—not alone.
Fortunately, he now had an ally: Dumbledore.
Hufflepuff's cup was a Horcrux, after all.
Ordinarily, when Phineas had destroyed the Resurrection Stone ring, Voldemort would have sensed it. But Voldemort was still barely a wraith, his soul in constant agony, and it seemed he hadn't noticed anything yet—not even the Horcruxes Phineas and Dumbledore had already destroyed.
Originally, Phineas had planned to give the cup to Dumbledore next year in exchange for certain conditions. But now it seemed the timeline had to change—the exchange had to happen sooner.
Had he known this, he wouldn't have handed over Ravenclaw's diadem this year.
Shaking his head at the thought, Phineas accepted that this was not the right time to open Hufflepuff's vault.
"Puff, take me back to Hogwarts. And leave a few elves here. I'll return soon."
He instructed the house-elf, then returned directly to Hogwarts—and straight to Dumbledore's office.
Though he knew he wasn't ready to unlock the treasure, impatience gnawed at him.
"Phineas? What brings you here?" Dumbledore asked, visibly surprised. Since Phineas had last delved into the secrets of the Deathly Hallows in this very office, their contact had been minimal.
Dumbledore knew Phineas didn't pay social visits. Their deals were always precise and calculated—and their next wasn't due until next year.
Of course, as a master Legilimens, Dumbledore could have pried into Phineas' thoughts. But he wouldn't.
He was not just a master wizard—he was a Headmaster, a teacher, and the greatest white wizard alive. Those titles didn't grant him strength—they imposed restraint. As the spiritual leader of the magical world, Dumbledore had to embody the light. If even he were to slip into darkness, all hope would be lost.
So he never used Legilimency on students without cause. It would betray the very trust he stood for.
Phineas, settling into the chair opposite Dumbledore, casually reached out to stroke Fawkes' feathers.
"I came to tell you about the next Horcrux."
Dumbledore blinked. "Why? You know one Horcrux a year is to your benefit. You wouldn't break that pattern just to defeat Tom."
Phineas shrugged. "I'm selfish. Always have been."
He leaned back, crossing his legs, and met Dumbledore's gaze.
"This Horcrux is Hufflepuff's cup. I need it—for something important. After you retrieve it, I need to preserve its properties before destroying the Horcrux. Then I'll use the cup for my own purposes."
Dumbledore's eyes lit up with curiosity. He rose, pacing slowly.
Eventually, he stopped and turned to Phineas.
"You've found Hufflepuff's heritage, haven't you? And the cup is the key?"
Phineas froze. "How did you guess that?"
Dumbledore returned to his seat, smiling.
"You told me yourself you'd received Ravenclaw's inheritance. That's why I brought you to see Nicholas Flamel last year."
Phineas nodded. "Yes, and they were linked."
"Then," Dumbledore continued, "last year's incident with the vampires wasn't exactly a secret. Everyone in the magical world heard. The earth-element spell you used—it's remarkably close to one in the records of Gryffindor's magic. But yours had more... intelligence. I suspected then that you'd found his inheritance, even if I didn't know where. When the twins and Lee Jordan suddenly demonstrated expert-level Transfiguration, I was sure of it."
Phineas pulled out a polished gem. "Gryffindor's inheritance was beneath the Black Lake. It was a one-time transfer to the four of us. That magic—the one you noticed—was actually something I developed using this."
Dumbledore examined the object.
"Not a Philosopher's Stone... though close. You made this?"
"With guidance from Gryffindor's teachings and Flamel's notes. It's powerful, but drains enormous magic."
Dumbledore smiled. "Very clever. You plan to use it for wand-making, don't you?"
Phineas blinked. "How did you guess that?"
"The shape. The polish. It's clearly designed for wandcraft. And Ravenclaw's legacy would include wand lore."
Phineas grinned. "Alright, you've caught me. But you still haven't said how you knew I needed the cup."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.
"This is your third year at Hogwarts. You received a founder's inheritance each year. That's not coincidence—it's intent. You also told me that handing over the cup next year would be the best deal for you. Yet now you're changing the timeline, and saying you need the cup itself. That can only mean it's important for something tied to Hufflepuff."
"And," Dumbledore continued, "I know Hufflepuff's cup only summons food. That's not what you're after. You need it because it's part of her legacy."
Phineas clapped softly. "You truly are the greatest white wizard. No wonder you were once Grindelwald's companion."
Dumbledore chuckled. "So I was right. Hufflepuff's inheritance is real. I won't ask where it is. If news of the founders' legacies spread, it could shift the entire magical world. But Phineas, I ask that you promise me: tell no one else. The weight of a founder's name is too heavy."
Phineas nodded. "I know. The temptation is too great. If you hadn't forged your own path to become a legendary wizard, even you might have succumbed."