Don't Panic: A Wizard's Guide to Westeros (HP × ASOIAF)

Don't Panic Ch13: Family Secrets

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Later that evening, Harry quietly met by the crypt entrance with Lord Edwyle, and Ser Cassel, the lord's most trusted sworn sword – to seek out the hidden chamber.

With flaming torches in hand, the trio ventured into the crypts. Harry made sure they stumbled around in their search, not wanting to reveal that he already knew the chamber's location. He subtly guided them towards the hidden wall, making sure they noticed that the smoke from their torches seemed to flow through cracks in the wall, hinting at a concealed space.

As they reviewed the wall in front of them Lord Edwyle searched for a lever or some handle, pressing against the wall and trying various methods to uncover an entrance. In the process, he fortuitously cut his hand on a sharp stone. His Stark blood spilled onto the wall, and a deep rumbling echoed through the crypt as the wall began to sink into the floor, revealing the hidden chamber behind.

As Lord Edwyle looked over the gathered hoard in front of him in astonishment, he couldn't help but feel that luck was on their side, and quietly gave thanks to the Old Gods for their grace. Glancing to the centre he stood in awe of the throne, sitting in silent watch over the treasury, a throne that, if not for the Dragons, he would sit upon as King. He sighed at that fruitless thought and turned to the bountiful plies of gold coins.

It was no Lannister gold hoard, in-fact he was sure it was fairly modest compared to many of the great houses. It was likely just a portion of the kingdom's treasury at the time they bent the knee. It would have been suspicious to the conquering Targaryen's if Torrhen Stark had hidden the entire treasury.

The piles were, however, a mite larger than the gold piles he would usually have gathered together in preparation for the start of winter. This was quite the boon.

With winter having just passed, the Stark treasury was largely depleted. He thought, with a smile, that this gold could drive a far stronger start to the usual frenzy of summer building activities. He'd be able to afford more seed for planting, with plenty of gold left-over to set aside for much needed infrastructure projects.

He suspected many of the suggestions from Harry and Maester Garrick could be funded with this gold. It was like a weight lifted off his shoulders, he felt lighter than he had all winter. He thanked the Old Gods for this trio of wandering foreign nobles masquerading as merchants. That they decided to visit Winterfell was a blessing; one he could never have seen coming, but was very grateful for nonetheless.

As they delved into the hidden chamber, Harry directed Lord Edwyle and Ser Cassel's attention towards the scrolls at the back. He picked up one of them, feigning interest while knowing that it contained instructions on Stark magics and a small map to the wardstone hidden deeper in the crypt.

While Harry pretended to examine the rest of the chamber's contents, Lord Edwyle studied the writings on the scroll. His eyebrows rose higher and higher as he read about the ancient magics mentioned within. Although sceptical, he couldn't help but feel curious. He hadn't mentioned it, but it hadn't passed his notice that the wall blocking their entrance to this chamber seemed to move as if by some magic, and it seemed to activate only when his blood came in contact. Never let it be said he was unobservant.

After considering his companions on this expedition, he chose to trust them, and showed Harry and Ser Cassel the map he'd found. They agreed that now was as good a time as any to investigate, and set off deeper into the maze of crypts, leaving the gold and artefacts to be moved later.

The air grew colder as they ventured deeper into the labyrinthine passages, the torchlight casting eerie shadows on the dusty walls adorned with cobwebs. The atmosphere was heavy with the weight of the countless Stark ancestors buried within, their stone likenesses watching the trio with silent, solemn gazes.