"You understand, Mr. Weasley, that what is said in this room is not to be taken out of it," Frank leaned forward and peered at Bill.

"Yes, of course," Bill replied, his mind still reeling from the last comment. Immortal Ones? The Fae??

"Excellent." Frank leaned back once more. "You have been chosen for this task for a few reasons. When you first began here at Gringotts, you came highly recommended. Since then, you have proven your skills numerous times. In fact, you are one of our most able and qualified employees."

Bill was stunned. I guess Dad was right. "Thank you, sir."

Frank waved his hand as if in dismissal of the issue. "Yes, of course. It has also become evident how completely loyal you are to your family. In addition, it has been revealed that you are devoted to that in which you believe, willing to put yourself on the line for the sake of what you believe is right."

Queezink nodded. "These are very noble and admirable traits. They, and the others you possess, set you apart from those who equal you in magical abilities within this Institution. There are those who would not be so ready or willing."

"Indeed," interrupted Crinklow, "we are aware that you may not agree to the task we are setting before you without an explanation. In any case, it would not be wise to enter into it blindly. There are some... Secrets you will know, some of which are necessary to understand before you can accept the task. Others, you will discover along the way. Your dedication, loyalty, devotion, and trustworthiness made you the best choice, for we feel that we can inform you of them without much fear of betrayal." The three Goblins fell silent, intently watching Bill as though they expected him to say something.

Bill looked at each of them and took a deep breath. After a minute, he rubbed one hand over his forehead. "So... what you are basically telling me is that because of my skills as a Wizard and the fact that I am the least likely candidate of all your employees to tell everything I hear to The Daily Prophet, I have been chosen to go on a quest following the four-year-old footsteps of a man who attempted to steal something from the bank, possibly in the company of someone who belongs to a people that I have been told no longer exists? And, before I can accept, you have to tell me things that no Wizard has been told before? But before you can tell me, I have to accept the fact that I am the only man for the job?" They all nodded. Bill fought down the urge he had to panic. No pressure or anything. He rubbed his forehead again.

There was silence for another minute. "Well?" asked Frank. The goblins were starting to look concerned, which of course meant they were starting to look even more intimidating.

Bill sighed. "I just have one question." Frank nodded. "Is all this going to make sense after you are done explaining everything?"

Frank blinked and exchanged looks with Queezink and Crinklow. "Well... perhaps when it is all over. But what we will tell you should make things more clear."

Bill slumped into his chair. Do I really have much choice on the issue? He sighed again. "Alright, let me have it."

Crinklow leaned forward. "And do you swear to not reveal what you hear to any of your kind unless given permission?"

He swallowed hard. "I swear it." There was a loud BANG! and a flash of light and he felt magic coursing through him. Bill realised that he was gripping the arms of his chair so hard that his knuckles were white. "Um... what was that?" he asked as he pried his fingers up.

Queezink shrugged. "Just a precaution. Until the King of the Goblins chooses to release you, you are bound magically to not speak of what you shall hear. Should you attempt to break your word..." He grinned a nasty grin. "Well, let's just say it will not be nice."

Bill could not stop his half-grin. So much for being trusted by Goblins. "Right." Bill chuckled and shook his head. "Shall we continue, then?"

Crinklow nodded and opened a leather pouch that was lying on the table. He pulled out a folded piece of paper and placed it in front of him, folding his hands upon it. "You mentioned having been told that the Immortal Ones no longer exist. Your shock at our telling you that your task might include travelling with one of them indicates that you firmly believe this story. While this does well in falling in line with their wish to remain secret, I suggest you place that erroneous notion out of your mind."

"The Immortal Ones do exist, Mr. Weasley," put in Frank. "The idea that they could cease to do so is a ridiculous one at best. But, many years ago, they wished for it to become common thought among your kind that this is just what had happened. Times were becoming dangerous for those dealing with magic, something of which those of your kind who wield it are well aware. For their own protection, they slowly withdrew from this world, hiding themselves away. This was about the same time that the magic wielders of your kind began hiding their existence as well. However, the Immortal Ones believed that, though you may have had sympathies with them, the fact remained that you are Mortal, and human at that. It was thought to be best for even you to think they had disappeared. So it has been for hundreds of years. The Immortal Ones have lived in silence, disconnected from the Mortal World."

"That is," picked up Crinklow, "with a few minor exceptions." At this, he unfolded the piece of paper and slid it across the table to Bill. It was yellowed and stiff with age, covered in shifting geometric shapes. Some were intersected and connected by lines. There were various glyphs marking the page, but in a style Bill had never seen. He looked expectantly at Crinklow. "That is a simplified diagram of all the worlds and realms existing alongside each other, as well as the places where they have permanent connections."

Queezink leaned over and pointed at one circle. At his touch, it began to glow a vibrant emerald green. "That represents the Mortal World. This," he pointed to a faint, golden, pulsating circle within the first, "is the Magical Realm, existing completely within the bounds of the Mortal World. Though connected at all times, completely in sync with its parent world, only those who are aware of its existence can see it. To create this Realm was a fairly complicated bit of magic. One misstep and the Balance would have been completely upset. As fate would have it, it compliments its parent world perfectly."

He pointed at a nondescript shape and it began to glow gold with faint, silver threads swirling about within its boundaries. "That represents the Underground, the land of the Fae. There are many Realms within the Underground, though they are commonly referred to as Kingdoms." He dragged his finger from a point in the Underground to a point in the Magical Realm. One of the swirling silver threads followed his finger until it affixed itself to the Magical Realm. As it straightened out, it solidified. "That represents a connection between the Underground and the Magical Realm. It begins deep within the Kingdom of the Goblins, and ends beneath this very building."

Bill studied at the diagram for a moment longer, then leaned back in his chair once again. "Kingdom of the Goblins?"

Frank nodded. "The Goblins, though gifted with longevity, are not members of the race of the Immortal Ones," he said, answering Bill's unspoken question. "We are, however, subject to them. Or, at least, to one of them. For the King of the Goblins is no Goblin at all. And it is through his will alone that we are able to use the Underground as a place to store our Vaults. There are many spells and enchantments that guard the bank and the entrance to the path to the Vaults. However, the best protection remains the Underground itself."

"You see, Mr. Weasley," said Queezink, "would someone attempt to enter or traverse any part of the Underground without a proper guide or permission, he would quickly find himself confronted by all manner of curious creatures, many of whom would be sent from their rulers, and many of whom would be quite hostile. Some Kingdoms and their rulers would naturally be kinder than others. The Kingdom of the Goblins is not known for such kindness, nor is its King. Both can be harsh and unforgiving, with little patience for unwelcome guests. The spells and enchantments we have placed are, in some ways, more for the protection of would be thieves than for the items secured within the vaults. We would prefer to have them alive and in their right minds upon apprehension."

Bill pondered that for a moment before realizing something. "So the only reason Quirrell escaped when he attempted to steal the Philosopher's Stone was because he had a guide in the Underground?"

"Not exactly," answered Crinklow. "He was given a map, of sorts, by one of our employees, and another opened the door to the Underground for him. A discovery we were most displeased to make. We had assumed that he did have a guide until our investigation revealed otherwise. He appears to have managed on his own. He would have had to be a most powerful Wizard to get as far as he did and then escape again, which is why we are concerned he had assistance from the Dark Wizard. Though whether he escaped with his sanity is another question entirely."

"I would wager he was already on his way to losing it before he made the attempt," Bill mused.

Queezink smiled. "True. In any case, are things more clear?"

"Yes, I think -- wait," he cut himself off. The three Goblins looked at him. "You said I only get a guide if the delegation is successful, and if it isn't then I go alone. But what if he refuses to grant permission for me to take this journey through his Kingdom? And, for that matter, why couldn't one of you be this guide?"

The Goblins looked at him with blank expressions then exchanged glances. Bill began to get concerned that he had overstepped his bounds. "Well," began Frank, "it actually never occurred to us that he might refuse to allow you access. I doubt that will be a problem, however. As for why a Goblin cannot accompany you..." he trailed off and looked to the others. They seemed to shift uncomfortably in their seats and refused to meet Frank's eyes. What is this all about? wondered Bill.

"One of us cannot accompany you because," Crinklow paused in his explanation as though searching for the right words. "Because we are not... looked on with favour by the other inhabitants of the Underground."

Bill blinked. "Not looked on with favour? Even in the Kingdom of the Goblins?"

"Yes, well, our kind is not the only type of Goblins."

The Fae exist and there are other types of Goblins. What next? "Oh," Bill said. "Well then, now that I know something of the background of the situation, is there anything I need to know to prepare for my journey? What exactly will I be looking for?"

The Goblins seemed relieved that he was not going to push the matter of their disfavour any further. Queezink spoke up, "You will be given a copy of what this Quirrell was given prior to his venture Underground. We need to know if it would be possible for a skilled Wizard to duplicate his journey without the assistance of the Dark Wizard. We ask that you simply get as far as you can, making a detailed record of what you encounter. Though we are attempting to think positive, it is not expected that you get as far as he did, for we do not think that is possible. Simply do what you can. There is no way to duplicate exactly what this Quirrell experienced, but a close proximity to his journey can be expected."

"Alright," Bill paused. "Considering that Quirrell was unaccompanied, what is the purpose of my guide, should I get one?"

"To remove you from a situation in which you would be killed," said Crinklow.

"Or mentally damaged," put in Queezink.

"Well, yes of course," responded Crinklow.

Bill sighed. "I probably don't want to know the answer to this, but um... if I don't get a guide...?" he left his question unfinished.

Frank sighed as well. "Unfortunately, all we could then do is wish you luck."

Of course. "Very well. When do I receive the information Quirrell received?"

"Come back tomorrow afternoon, say around half four. Everything shall be prepared for you."

"Thank you. I believe I must head home now." Bill stood and picked up his bag. "I cannot exactly say it was a pleasure, considering the circumstances, but I do hope to meet you all again in more favourable circumstances."

Frank rose as well. "I shall let you out of the building, Mr. Weasley." He nodded to Crinklow and Queezink. "Gentlemen, I will return shortly." He opened the door for Bill, following him out and down the stairs. They walked in silence, past the two Goblins still looking through the tome, until they reached the doors. Frank turned to Bill. "I must say, Mr. Weasley, you took all this information, and the fact that there is a chance you will not return from your pending journey, rather well. Better than we expected, in fact."

"Thank you, sir." Bill paused, not sure if he should continue. "The thing is, you were right in that I am willing to do a great deal for what I believe in. I know some people would say that this is just a job, I just work for a bank. But really, no matter what the circumstances are, when dealing with You-Know-Who one cannot be too careful. I may have been young when he was last in full power, but I still remember the terror he invoked. Still invokes. Besides," Bill shrugged, "when I accepted this position, I knew it wasn't going to be a cushy job. Granted, I wasn't expecting this, but I was aware of the risks. I just do my best and try to come back in one piece."

"Mm... It seems we chose well." Frank waved his hands and the doors silently opened once more. He extended his hand. "It was a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Weasley."

They shook hands. "Thank you again. And best wishes for the success of the delegation. Good night, sir."

Frank nodded. "Good night, Mr. Weasley." With that, Bill walked down the front steps and down Diagon Alley.