After handling the witch and the goblin, the trio was ready to set off.
However, they had one more problem: they didn't have a cart.
In the tunnels, an automatic cart was essential, but they couldn't use the goblins' carts because of their special magical markings.
Unauthorized use would certainly be detected.
But Alaric was prepared. He pulled out a small cart, placed it on the track, and then dispelled the shrinking charm.
Now, they had their own mode of transportation.
"You actually brought this!" Penelope exclaimed. "When did you make this cart? I never saw it!"
They had been together every day, and Penelope knew he was preparing magical items and potions, but she hadn't seen him create this cart.
Given its size, it wasn't something Alaric could have secretly made.
"I didn't make it," Alaric shook his head.
"In fact, it's an old-fashioned Muggle mining cart that I ordered from a Muggle factory."
He crouched down to inspect the bottom of the cart.
"Hmm, seems the axles are a bit too narrow."
He waved his wand, using Transfiguration to adjust the wheels so they perfectly aligned with the tracks.
Next, he cast a spell on the handlebars to make them easier to control.
"Now we can go."
He jumped into the cart and helped the two girls into it.
With a pull of the handle, the cart suddenly surged forward, speeding up rapidly as it navigated the maze-like tunnels.
The cart zoomed around sharp turns, its rattling noise deafening to the girls.
They twisted and turned among stalactites, plunging deeper into the earth, the fierce wind making Penelope and Cho's hair whip backward.
They had to scream to keep their hair from blowing around.
After a long stretch, the cart encountered its first fork in the road.
Since this was not a Gringotts Mine Cart, they had to operate it manually.
However, the speed made it hard for Penelope to keep track of the forks. The rapid motion left her almost dizzy.
But Alaric wasn't relying on Penelope.
With him was someone suited to handle such situations. Cho, the Seeker from the Quidditch World Cup, had reflexes and dynamic vision well-suited for the task.
Alaric, who also had no problem with the speed, calmly reviewed the recorded directions from his parchment while the cart shook violently, comparing them with the current fork.
Cho held the handlebars steadily, ready to turn based on Alaric's instructions.
Alaric chose the route leading directly to the Lestrange vault.
Besides knowing that Horcruxes were there, the surface reason was that Bellatrix Lestrange was one of Voldemort's closest followers, aside from Lucius Malfoy.
The cart's speed was so high that they had to make every turn correctly in one go.
Otherwise, stopping and reversing would be a major hassle.
For Alaric and Cho, though, this was manageable.
When the first fork appeared, Alaric calmly directed.
"Left."
Cho turned the handlebars left. With a click, the cart sped past the fork and entered the left tunnel.
Next came left turn, right turn, right turn, left turn, a central fork, right turn, left turn...
Alaric and Cho's coordination was impeccable.
While Penelope, clinging to Alaric, was disoriented, Alaric and Cho's performance was as relaxed as chatting by a fire.
The shaking cart and the swift motion were inconsequential to them.
Eventually, after the final direction was given, the cart seemed to reach its destination.
The slope flattened, and the cart slowly came to a stop.
Cho jumped off first, and Alaric helped the disoriented Penelope out.
"I… I feel like I'm going to puke."
As soon as she got off, Penelope bent over, clutching her stomach and looking pale.
Some people just aren't built for intense motion, even with a dragon gene slightly improving things.
However, Penelope didn't actually vomit. She soon recovered her composure.
The trio continued forward.
After walking a few meters, Alaric suddenly frowned, and the girls mirrored his expression.
"Do you... sense that? The presence of a low-bloodline creature?" Penelope asked, looking at them.
"Certainly," Alaric nodded.
"Um, it seems to be a dragon," Cho said.
"I only felt this kind of presence from dragons. The dragons during the Triwizard Tournament gave me a similar feeling."
They turned a corner and saw the creature they had prepared for, though it still made them stop abruptly.
A massive fire dragon was chained to the ground in front of the deepest vaults, blocking access to the area.
Having been confined underground for so long, the dragon's scales had turned pale and loose.
Its eyes were cloudy pink, and its hind legs were shackled with heavy chains connected to large stakes driven deep into the stone floor.
Its spiked wings were folded at its sides. If spread, they would fill the entire chamber.
The dragon turned its ugly head toward them, letting out a roar that made the stones tremble.
It opened its mouth, spewing a blast of fire that forced them to step back.
"Its eyes are failing," Cho observed. "It seems to be blind."
"Yes, but that makes it more aggressive," Penelope remarked.
"I wonder how the goblins control it. Isn't it said that dragons can't be tamed?"
"Yes, dragons can't be tamed," Alaric agreed. "But dragons are intelligent. They can yield to power and pain. These dragons were 'tamed' in an inhumane way.
When they hear certain sounds, they recall the pain inflicted by the goblins and instinctively retreat, allowing authorized goblins and wizards to access the vaults."
"It's quite… cruel," Cho sighed and then asked, "So how do we deal with this big guy?"
"Do you forget how Hermione handled the Swedish Short-Snout?" Alaric countered.
"Being an Animagus who can turn into a dragon should make dealing with a regular fire dragon a piece of cake."
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