Into the Lava

Several hundred feet above the roiling sea of lava, Amosta, Amelia, and the old goblin Bogrod stood on a protruding rock platform on the steep cliff face, staring at the magical barrier.

With her back pressed against the scorching rock wall, Amelia stared blankly at the boiling lava for a long while before coming back to herself. Realizing something, she hurriedly looked at Amosta, but there was no disappointment on his face.

Amosta was also observing the lava below. He narrowed his eyes, his piercing gaze seemingly trying to penetrate the barrier of magma and discover what lay beneath. Unfortunately, lava, a natural creation imbued with extraordinary power, had thrown the magic in the space into utter chaos. Amosta could not see what was below.

"Do you have any way to confirm whether the vault below is intact?"

After a while, Amosta gave up and lowered his gaze to Bogrod.

Amosta's question made Bogrod even more terrified. He could tell that Amosta Breen cared deeply about the things inside Salazar Slytherin's vault. Well, obviously. What wizard could refuse the legacy of the great Slytherin?

Whether among wizards or in the eyes of the goblin higher-ups, Amosta Breen had the power to ruin him. Besides, it had been the goblins' responsibility that Slytherin's vault had sunk into the lava in the first place.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Breen, I... we—"

The old goblin bent so low that his lowered head was nearly touching his feet.

Yet Amosta did not seem angry. Instead, he stared thoughtfully at the family crest in his palm, which still gave off a faint coolness.

Would Salazar Slytherin really make such a low-level mistake, allowing the vault he had specially left behind to sink into the lava and be destroyed?

Before Amosta's eyes appeared the statue of Slytherin