Thanks for the support! This chapter sets up the end of the war and diverges from canon while following the main outline. Also, Hermione will get more and more screen time as we leave canon behind.
No more little background stuff since some of it will be incorporated into the story later. I might just make a separate story to serve as an index of sorts for all the background work about population, money, and culture stuff that's part of this world and often influences the story.
TW: fantasy racism, racial slurs,
23 March 1998, Lestrange Manor
"Draco, Rigel, move this scum outside," said Bellatrix, indicating the unconscious men. "If you can't finish them off, leave them in the courtyard. The prisoners can go to the cellar. We can't harm Potter, the Dark Lord wants him for himself."
Rigel watched Bellatrix as she passed about. She was manic, muttering to herself and shaking.
"What are you going on about?" Lucius demanded. "We must call the Dark Lord."
"No! You have no idea of the danger we're in!" shrieked Bellatrix. She kept pacing, stepping around the snatchers on the floor and pausing to study the sword in her hand. A thin stream of fire issued from her wand and burned a hole in the carpet, barely missing a snatcher.
Rigel ignored the argument, waiting Bellatrix to move away from the carpet. It would be easier to move the snatchers if they were all wrapped up in the carpet. Finally, Bellatrix stepped aside, muttering about the sword.
Draco walked around and stood at the opposite side of the carpet. Together they lifted in the air, slowly guiding towards the doors. It was surprisingly easy given the weights they had to balance, but they made it out of the room with little trouble once the door was opened. They left the door open, knowing that they would be expected to return promptly. Bellatrix would likely have further others for them.
"Was that Potter?" Rigel asked. He recognized Weasley and Granger easily enough. Slightly different hair aside, they matched the pictures of their wanted posters, but Potter, if it was truly him, didn't match his. His face was swollen and covered in bruises, even his eyes weren't the simple green they were supposed to be. Bellatrix had suggested a stinging hex by Granger, but Draco had remained hesitant.
"I-I'm not sure," Draco said. He was staring decisively at the carpet, refusing to meet Rigel's eyes. "He didn't look right."
That was true, but Draco's hesitation seemed to go beyond fear of misidentifying Potter. He had been reluctant to identify Weasley and Granger, only agreeing after Narcissa had declared that she was sure it was them.
"Draco, you know what this would mean for us, for our family, don't you?" Rigel asked. he could understand Draco's hesitancy to a degree, but handing Potter to the Dark Lord would not only place them in good graces again, it could potentially end the resistance. There were still pockets of active resistance, the Order's members making stands to save muggles and smuggle mudbloods out.
"I know!" Draco declared. "But I'm not sure. If it's not Potter, we'll be punished, all of us."
Rigel nodded, understanding that while Draco had been spared the Cruciatus, he knew what it did, had seen enough of his father's status to know it would happen if they failed. And Rigel knew Draco worried about Narcissa, he did as well but the opportunity before them was too good to pass up.
"Is that why you hesitated? Draco, this could end the war. If it's truly Potter, if we give him to the Dark Lord, the resistance would lose all hope. They would have nothing to fight for without him."
"If you're so sure it's him, why didn't you say anything?" Draco demanded. "You've seen Potter before, look into his eyes and declare it's him, sentence him to death at the Dark Lord's hand."
Draco flicked his wrist, ending the spell and dropping his half of the carpet. The snatchers hit the ground and rolled over each other onto the courtyard.
Rigel paused. He had never interacted with Potter much, knew him more through a few Quidditch games and stories from Draco. Potter to him, was just an abstract story, not someone he knew. To Draco, Potter was a very real person who he'd known for years and Draco couldn't look at him and decide his fate. Draco had never killed anyone, had not been forced to commit countless atrocities. It was too much to ask him to have an active hand in Potter's death, not when he had known him. However antagonistic their relationship had been, there were years of memories there. Draco didn't care about Potter, but he was simply to connected to act.
"I understand," Rigel said. He thought back to his first kill. In a way, as much as that night haunted him, it was easy to put off, to ignore. The muggle had meant nothing to him, not before and not after. When he thought of what he'd done, he'd thought only of his helplessness, the loss of control, and agency to make his choice. He looked back and chastised himself for being foolish, for using a spell he did not know, for not realizing what he was doing. He hadn't spared a thought to the muggle who had suffered, who'd died screaming at his hand, from a spell he'd cast without a thought. If he'd known what the spell would do, he wouldn't have cast it and that muggle was nothing to him.
It was unfair to ask Draco to take an active part in Potter's eventual death, regardless of what it would mean. Rigel doubted he would have been able to had he been in Draco's shoes. To identify potter was to sentence him to death. They would not cast the spell, but they would be his undoing all the same.
"Are you going to finish them off?" Draco asked.
Rigel looked down at the snatchers. It would be simple to use, quick and painless, certainly better whatever hell Bellatrix would put them through. He raised his wand, preparing himself. It should be easy, kill them, it would show Draco the strength it took, but Rigel couldn't speak. The words echoed around his mind, but he couldn't say them.
"Bellatrix will enjoy finishing them off," he said instead.
Draco stared him for a long moment before nodding. They walked back to the manor in silence. Neither of them willing to talk about their combined failures. They were in the hallway when they heard the unmistakable sound of spells clashing. They took of running, bursting into the drawing room to in time to see Bellatrix holding Granger captive while Potter and Weasley froze.
Potter and Weasley dropped their wands and Draco collected them. Rigel stood off to the side, not far from Bellatrix and her captive. Granger appeared almost unconscious, with blood on her arm and shaking slightly, the clear effect of the Cruciatus.
A slight squeaking sound drew everyone's attention and Rigel looked up to see a house-elf hanging from the chandelier. The chandelier dropped. Bellatrix threw Granger away from her as she sprinted away. Rigel threw himself to the side, ducking behind a table as it hit the ground. The resounding crash sprayed the surrounding area in glass.
Rigel looked around, spotting Weasley tugging Granger away from the crash, towards the house-elf. Bellatrix was screaming, shouting at the elf, but Rigel paid them no mind as he crouched behind the furniture. Weasley and Granger had no wand, but the house-elf had taken Bellatrix's wand along with Narcissa's. Rigel stayed crouched as he advanced slowly. He had to hurry.
Potter joined Weasley, the two of them holding Granger up. The elf joined for them, all the while ranting about friendship. Across the room, Bellatrix screeched. Rigel dove forward, stretching out. His hand grasped a leg and he felt the tugging sensation of apparation.
The room spun and Rigel closed his eyes to avoid getting dizzy. A moment later they were crashing to the ground. Rigel struggled to get to his, sliding on the wet sand, adjusting his grip on his wand he finally stood. They were near the shore somewhere. Granger was on the ground, unconscious by the looks of it. Weasley was getting up, but he had no wand.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Weasley screamed.
Rigel didn't get a chance to answer. A bright light crashed into him and sent him flying. He crashed on the shore, water from the tide sweeping over him. He choked, struggling as water covered his face. He sat up slightly, gasping for air. He looked up and spotted a blond head approaching. Then a bright light hit him.
Hermione opened her eyes and sat up, a scream forming in her throat until a familiar face appeared. Fleur was sitting beside her bed. Hermione blinked, shaking slightly. She couldn't remember how she got there. All she could remember was pain, Bellatrix's laughter. She vaguely remembered Ron and Harry screaming, trying to get to her, but she didn't know how they got out.
"You are safe now, 'ermione." Fleur said. She held out a glass of water.
Hermione eagerly drank the water, spilling some of it as her hands refused to stop shaking. Her throat hurt. Every part of her seemed to hurt and she could barely control her hands.
"It will wear off soon, you woke earlier than I anticipated," Fleur said. "It's only been an hour. Here, takes this, it will sooth the shaking."
Hermione took the dark vial without question. She knew little about treating the after effects of the Cruciatus, but Fleur seemed to know what to do.
"What happened?" Hermione asked. The potion's effects weren't instant, but she felt a sense of calm as her muscles slowed their spasms. "The last thing I remember is … Harry and Ron, they came back for me."
"Of course. Ze house-elf, Dobby, saved them. First, he brought other prisoners here. Bill and I helped them get settled while we waited for the rest of you. Zen he went back for you, Harry and Ron," Fleur paused looking rather sad. "On ze way back, Bellatrix struck him with a knife, and Rigel managed to grab a hold and was taken along. We've subdued him but Dobby did not survive."
"What others? The goblin?" Bellatrix had not been satisfied with Hermione's answer and summoned a goblin. Not long after, chaos had erupted.
"Luna Lovegood, Dean Thomas, and Mr. Ollivander were all there. Dobby brought them here first. I 'ave treated them for their injuries, Ollivander and Griphook's the worst."
"Wait, you said Rigel's here?" Rigel and Draco had not been there for her torture. Hermione remembered Bellatrix ordering them to dispose of the Snatchers, they had not yet returned when Bellatrix had called for the goblin.
Fleur nodded. "He grabbed a hold of Ronald as Dobby apparated. He was transported along, but Bill and I managed to subdue him upon landing. Dobby's injuries created a rather rough landing for all and we caught him off guard. But enough about him, we must discuss you. I gave you several potions for pain and muscle problems, zee small cuts are fading from a paste that you can keep applying until zey are gone, but I was unable to do anything about the wound on your arm."
Hermione looked down on her left arm, noting the bandage covering the wound. She didn't need to check to see what was there. Bellatrix had been quite clear about what she was doing, narrating along as she carved the word into her.
"It is dark magic, zere is no hope of removing the scar. It is permanent. If you'd like, I could show you glamor charms to hide it, or pastes zat will do the same," Fleur said. "Ze boys will come see you, zey have been waiting anxiously for you."
Hermione nodded. She leaned back, letting her body relax on the bed. The potion had calmed her muscles, but her mind was still racing. Fleur left the room, leaving her with instructions to call if she needed anything and a reminder to drink more of the potion if she needed.
Fleur had barely left the room when Harry and Ron burst in. They looked tired and Harry looked torn between grief and worry. Dobby had meant a lot to him and knowing Harry, he felt responsible for the elf's death.
"Hey, how are you feeling? Fleur said everything was fine. You're okay now right?" Ron asked. He was the first to reach her, taking the seat Fleur had vacated. He started to lean in, to hug her, or maybe a kiss, but he seemed to lose his will, instead he took her hand. It was nice to see Ron openly caring about her, sometimes she wondered how much she meant to him.
"I'm fine, or I will be soon enough," Hermione said. Harry stood back, looking awkward. "I'm sorry about Dobby."
"We'll get out chance to avenge him," Harry said. His eyes were burning with his anger. Bellatrix had taken someone important to him again. "Actually, we should talk about our next step. I mean, if you're feeling up for it?"
"I am, really I'll be up and about in no time," Hermione said. As devastating as the Cruciatus was, Bellatrix had taken great joy in carving into her. In a way, the physical pain of a knife digging into her had saved her from any prolonged aftereffects of the Cruciatus. "Do you have something in mind?"
"Gringotts. I think the Lestranges's have a Horcrux in their vault, that's why Bellatrix was so terrified of calling him," Harry said.
"That makes sense. She kept asking how we did it, how we got it out. She didn't mention anything else that was in her vault, but she seemed terrified to think we got inside, the sword was just proof that we had," Hermione said. Bellatrix had focused on how they got the sword, refusing to believe it was fake. She didn't care why they had it, only how they got it.
"Yeah, so I was thinking and if she does have a Horcrux in her vault, we have to get into Gringotts. Griphook, the goblin, he's recovering here. I was hoping we could talk him into helping us," Harry replied.
"I'm not sure he'd betray his people for us." Harry started to protest but Hermione held up a hand to stop him. "We might not have done anything to him, Harry, but humans were the ones that tortured him and whatever his reason for leaving Gringotts, we can't expect that he'll betray his people."
"We have to try," Harry said.
"Not like we have other ideas," Ron said. "Though I still think we ought to see if they'd be willing to trade us a Horcrux for Lestrange."
Hermione frowned. She'd forgotten about Lestrange. "What did you do with him anyway?"
"We tied him up, with magic and with some rope, made sure that he couldn't call his house-elf to get him out. Bill was keeping watch over him last I saw. He didn't get a chance to anything before Bill and Fleur took him down, but I'm not sure what we can do with him now that he's here," Harry shrugged. "The Fidelius is tricky."
"Bill and I talked and we're not sure if he knows where we are, or if he could find his back if he left or we let him go. Bill the secret keeper, but I know its location and I gave it to Dobby. With Lestrange tagging along, it's possible he'd be able to find it if he tried," Ron said. "For now, Bill thinks we ought to keep here, or maybe send him along to another Order member. If… if someone gets captured, like Luna did, then we could see about maybe trading him."
"Maybe we could use him to get into the vault," Hermione said.
"It would probably make things easier," Harry said. "First we need to talk to Griphook. Are you okay to come along?"
Hermione paused. She felt weak and exhausted, but the potions had calmed her muscles and dimmed her pain. She could deal with the minor ache long enough to talk to Griphook. "Yeah, just help me up."
Their meeting with Griphook didn't go as planned. Harry had been rather impatient, obviously bothered by his scar and Ron had nearly ended their chances by arguing that goblins should share the secret of their crafts with wizards if they wanted to know about wandlore. In the end, Griphook asked for time.
After speaking with Griphook, Harry rushed to speak with Mr. Ollivander. Only after did he tell Hermione and Ron the whole truth. The Elder Wand was real and Voldemort had taken it from Dumbledore's grave. It was almost impossible for Hermione to believe, but she had no way to dispute it. The thought of Voldemort with the most powerful wand in the world was terrifying, but she supported Harry's decision to focus on the Horcruxes, not matter what Ron said. Without the destroying the Horcruxes, there would be no hope of defeating Voldemort. Legendary wand or not, the Horcruxes were far more valuable to defeating Voldemort.
Rigel woke up to pain. His mark felt as like it was on fire, a pain so strong it would have hurt less to simple saw his arm off. Groaning slightly, he opened his eyes, blinking rapidly to adjust to the darkness around him. He was lying on his stomach on a cold stone floor. He tried to move and realized that he was restrained. Grunting, he tried to shift, but his body refused to respond. He was immobilized.
He looked around, his eyes scanning the dark room but he could scarcely see. The room was dark, save for a lone candle hanging on the wall far away from him. Judging by the lack of windows, structure pillars and general cold, he was in some sort of cellar. It was devoid of anything that could give its location away, nothing to speak of the identity of its owner.
Minutes passed and still nothing happened. Rigel gave up on trying to move, the ropes were wound tightly around his chest, binding his arms to his side in a rather painful grip. The immobilization charm was strong too, keeping him on his stomach and every breath seemed to tighten the ropes around him.
Finally, Rigel heard movement. A door opened and he heard footsteps as someone descended some stairs. Then the room brightened as several candles flickered on. Rigel blinked rapidly to adjust. He could see his captor now and Rigel scowled at the redhead.
"You're awake. That'll make this easier. I've brought you food." Weasely, the eldest if Rigel was remember correctly, set a small tray of bread and cheese on an old wooden table. Then he used magic to maneuver Rigel into a sitting position on a chair before loosening the immobilization charm. "I'm lowering the charm, don't make any attempt to escape, try to call a house-elf or attack."
There was a threat there, but Rigel didn't care. He had to get out.
"Where am I?" Rigel demanded once he regained control of his mouth.
"I'm not going to unbind your hands, but the food's yours if you want it," Bill said.
"I demand an answer, Weasley!" Rigel growled. He had to get out, get back to his family. His mark was still burning, a reminder of his master's anger. Anger that his family would suffer for.
"You've got 5 minutes to eat, if you don't we've got others who will take your share."
Rigel glared at Bill, the burning in his arm eclipsing everything else. He had no desire to eat, especially if they expected him to eat like an animal and shove his face on the tray. He'd rather die than debase himself like that.
"Suit yourself, you're not getting anything else until tomorrow morning. You're our prisoner now, but unlike your kind, we won't torture you, and you'll get decent food three times a day. Nothing too fancy like I'm sure you're used to, but respectable enough. Learn to behave and we might even let you use your hands," Bill said.
With a flick of Bill's wand, Rigel felt his mouth numbing, a sign of a rather powerful silencing charm. Then his entire body became rigid, immobile, and unable to respond to any commands. Only his eyes remained free. He was forcibly lifted out of the seat and lowered to the floor. He was nearly only a few inches ground when he was dropped the rest of the way, but the tight ropes made it feel like his chest was going to cave in. He groaned, a weak sound dimmed by the immobilization spell. If he could have gasped for air, he would have. The ropes remained as rigid as ever and combined with the burning in his arm had Rigel fighting to stay conscious.
A moment later and he was in the air again. This time, he was dropped on a slightly softer surface. Weasley had dropped some bedding on the ground, a small cushion to serve as a pillow. He could still feel the hardness of the floor beneath, but Weasley at least put his head on the cushion. Then Weasley left, taking the tray of food with him. The candles flared and then blinked out. Rigel could only groan as the pain in his arm flared stronger again.
He had no idea how long he laid there, exhausted and in pain but unable to do anything about it. Eventually, his eyes felt heavy and he started to drift off.
April 5 1998, Shell Cottage
"I have visited the Lestranges' vault only once," Griphook said, "on the occasion I was told to place inside it the false sword. It is one of the most ancient chambers. The oldest Wizarding families store their treasures at the deepest level, where the vaults are largest and best protected. But before that, you must first convince the goblins to take you there. You will need the boy, Madam Lestrange's son."
"What? Why?" Ron asked.
"You said that he didn't have access to the vault," Hermione said. Initially Harry had wanted to force Lestrange to get the Horcrux out of his family's vault but Griphook had made it clear that he didn't have access. With his parents still alive, Rigel only had access to smaller vaults and could only enter the main vault with permission of his parents, something they'd never done before.
"Young Mister Lestrange doesn't have access to the vault, no, but as a true born Lestrange he can pass any test set out. Normally the only method of identification required is wands," Griphook said.
"We have Bellatrix's wand and Malfoy's," Ron said.
"But they know that," Harry replied.
"Yes," Griphook agreed. "By now the bank will be aware that Madam Lestrange has acquired a new wand and will present another test to anyone carrying her wand."
"I take it, Polyjuice won't fool them?" Hermione said.
"No, it'll be suspected," Griphook paused, looking reluctant to reveal Gringotts information again. "The Lestrange family vault is one of the oldest in Gringotts. It is highly protected and anyone attempting to enter it will be subject to severe scrutiny. They will require a blood test."
"Blood?" Ron asked.
"Polyjuice change blood doesn't it?" Harry turned to Hermione.
"It doesn't, not the version I have," Hermione said. "Blood magic is complex, dangerous, and dark, Harry. It's nearly impossible to change your blood. The only way I know of is through a special version of Polyjuice potion. It's brewed differently and requires multiple samples of the intended target's blood."
"Can't we do that then? Use Lestrange's blood?" Ron asked. "You know he'll never help us."
"Even if I knew how to make it and could brew it properly it takes months to brew," Hermione said. A book at Grimmauld Place had the recipe and brewing instructions but Hermione had left it behind. It was a dark book that offered no information on Horcruxes so she'd never packed it.
"We need him," Griphook said.
"The goblins won't except Bellatrix to take the test?" Harry asked.
"To ask for such a test of someone of Madam Lestrange's status is a grave insult," Griphook said. He turned to Hermione, his dark eyes gleaming. "You will refuse, but offer up her son."
"Won't they know that he's our captive?" Hermione asked.
"They might, but it is a risk you will have to take if you wish to enter the vault," Griphook said. "It would be an embarrassment for the Lestrange family to have their heir captured by the rebels. They might keep that information quite."
"Lestrange won't help us," Harry stated.
"You must find a way," Griphook said.
"We'll see what we can do," Harry said.
Harry nodded to Griphook and stood up. Together, Harry, Ron, and Hermione left the small room and climbed down the stairs. The living room was empty as the various inhabitants of the cottage, apart from Olivander, walked by the beach.
"He's mental," Ron declared.
"We could try the Imperius," Harry suggested.
"Harry, he's a Death Eater, he's bound to know more about that curse than any of us and likely how to counter it," Hermione said.
"We don't have other options," Harry said. "What else is there? He'll never help willingly. We have nothing to offer him and he's terrified of Vo-, of You-Know-Who."
Hermione took a deep breath and glared at Ron to keep him quite. In the time they'd been at Shell Cottage, Harry had nearly said the name twice, despite knowing it was cursed. After years of speaking it, when he was excited or angered, Harry barely refrained from finishing it.
"He's terrified of You-Know-Who but he cares about the Malfoys. I saw him take blame to spare Lucius from the Cruciatus. Even if we could offer him freedom, a chance to escape the Death Eaters, he won't take it." Harry explained.
"It doesn't change the fact that he's much more experienced with Unforgiveables than us," Hermione replied.
"We have to try. If it doesn't work, if he can resist than he'll stay tied up and we'll find another way," Harry said.
"What if he plays along, acts like it works until he's free and then attacks. Or calls his house-elf. House-elves aren't bound by the Fidelius, not like humans. If summoned by their master, house-elves can apparate to locations under the Fidelius with no problem and once they've arrived they can come and go, even bring others with them if their master orders them. If he gets free and calls his house-elf, Bellatrix and the others will find us before we can get away," Hermione said.
"I know, but we don't have a choice," Harry said. "You heard Griphook, it's the only way."
"Ze only way for what?" It was Fleur. She stepped into the room, shrugging off a light coat. The trio glanced at each other, wondering how much she'd heard.
"Fleur, we, er …" Harry trailed off.
"I 'eard you about Rigel, but I do not understand what you plan," Fleur said.
"We need his help," Hermione said. "But we know he won't help and we can't trust him even if he agreed."
Fleur glanced between the three of them. Her beautiful face was impassive but her eyes were hard. She didn't approve. "You wish to use ze Imperius on Rigel."
"We don't have a lot of options," Ron said.
"Rigel is a powerful wizard, 'e will not be easy to control," Fleur said. "But you are desperate, you need him. Why?"
"It's a secret," Harry said.
Fleur stared skeptically at them. "You will not tell me why?"
"No," Harry said.
"Very well zen. I will not stop you, but Bill and I should be there. We will need numbers in case he resists," Fleur said.
"Yeah, definitely," Harry said.
Fleur nodded and left to get Bill. Hermione grabbed her wand, or rather Bellatrix's wand. She had used it to cast several small spells, but it still did not yield. The spells worked, but they were difficult to control and lacked the power her spells had possessed before.
"How are we going to do this?" Ron asked.
Ron and Harry looked to Hermione. She shook her head. "No, I can't. I've never used it before and I doubt I could with this wand."
"It's just a wand," Ron said.
"This is Bellatrix's wand and you want me to use it to cast an Unforgiveable on her son? I can barely cast simple spells with it," Hermione replied.
"I'll do it," Harry said.
The door burst open and Bill stepped, Fleur at his heels. Both looked rather cross.
"You want to use the Imperius on Rigel?" Bill glanced between Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "Even if you could cast it successfully on him, you don't know how long it would last. He could play along until the opportune moment and attack."
"We know the risks," Hermione said. She understood Bill's anger, but Harry was right. They needed Griphook's help and Griphook made it clear Lestrange's help was needed. "We wouldn't do this if there was another way."
"You need him to enter a vault don't you?" Bill asked.
"We need something from Bellatrix's vault. It's important, we need it to win, but we can't tell you what it is or what it does," Harry said.
Bill and Fleur exchanged a glance. "All right, we should do this now, while the others are out," he said.
"I will go first," Fleur said.
Fleur spun around and opened the door towards the cellar. Harry and Ron followed her, leaving Bill and Hermione behind.
"I hope you three know what you're doing," Bill said as he started down the stairs.
Hermione didn't reply. They had no idea what they were doing. For months they'd wandered around trying to destroy a Horcrux before finally succeeding. And they had just bargained away their only known way of destroying Horcruxes for the chance to find more of them. They were running on luck and faith.
The cellar of Shell Cottage was tiny with a low ceiling only a few inches about Bill's head. To make room for the captive, Bill and Fleur had cleared away the cellar shelves, leaving the room bare except for the chair that Rigel Lestrange was tied to. Bound by ropes, a gag, and magic, Lestrange was immobile apart from his eyes which circled between the room's occupants.
For a moment nobody moved. Then Harry stepped forward.
"Imperio," Harry said. Bill flicked his wand, ending the body-bind. "Blink your eyes four times."
Lestrange twitched before straining against the ropes. He growled slightly, muffled by the gag but the intent was obvious. Harry's Imperio hadn't worked. Lestrange glared at Harry and relaxed against the ropes. He looked smug as he leaned back against the chair. He knew they needed him for something and they would have to bargain.
"We're going to take the silencing charm off you now. Don't try anything," Harry warned.
Bill waited for a moment before flicking his wand to release the charm. Then, Fleur stepped forward and carefully removed the gag on Lestrange. He stared at Fleur intently, their blue eyes locked until she stood up.
"Legilimency is different for Veelas," Fleur said as she backed away. She smiled slightly, apparently amused by his attempt to read her mind.
Bill looked far from amused. He glared intently at Lestrange but the Slytherin ignored him. Instead, Lestrange smirked at Harry. For a captive he was confident to the point of smugness. It was irritating.
"So who is it?" Lestrange asked. "Tell me it's not a Weasley. I'm worth ten of you."
"We need to enter your parents' Gringotts vault," Harry said before Ron could lash out.
"You want to steal from my family?" Lestrange scowled.
"It's not gold we're after," Harry said. "Your Master, he gave them something important to store in the vault. We need it and you're going to help us get it."
"Even if I wanted to help you, I can't get into that vault."
"You can't, but Bellatrix can and she could give you access," Harry replied.
Lestrange stared at Harry. He was clearly confused. "And how do you plan to get her to do that?"
"She won't, but I will," Hermione said. Lestrange turned to her, his eyes scrutinizing her. "Polyjuice."
"Then what do you need me for?" Lestrange asked.
"I have her wand," Hermione said. Lestrange glanced at the wand briefly before turning away. "But by now she'll have warned them of someone trying to get into her vault. We need you to pass any tests they may try."
"Help us, get us into that vault and we'll let you go," Harry said. It was the only offer they had.
Lestrange looked around the room. His face betrayed no emotion. "I'll help you get to the vault and you'll let me go, with my wand, and no attempt to stop me?"
"Yes," Harry said.
"Swear it, an Unbreakable Vow," Lestrange demanded.
"We'll think about it," Bill cut in before Harry could respond. He flicked his wand and Lestrange stiffed in his the chair. Lestrange's blue eyes glared daggers at Bill, but he couldn't speak anymore.
"Bill, it's our decision," Harry said.
"Upstairs, now," Bill said.
"I will stay," Fleur said. She held her hand up to stop Bill's protest. "He is bound and silenced. He is no threat to me."
Bill hesitated for a moment before nodding slightly. With one last look at Lestrange, they trotted up the stairs. As soon as the door to the cellar was closed, Bill exploded.
"You can't be considering it!" Bill screamed. "It's absolutely ridiculous. He's a Death Eater, you can't trust his word."
"An Unbreakable Vow would bind him too," Hermione said. It was dangerous, but they needed to get into the vault.
"Only two people enter the Vow, anymore and you risk the spell backfiring and killing everyone. Harry, Lestrange will demand you make the Vow, that your bind yourself."
"His life would be on the line too," Harry replied.
"He's a Death Eater, one who has fought multiple times. He's our prisoner, his life is already out of his control. An Unbreakable Vow is a small chance to pay to deliver Harry Potter's body to his master," Bill said.
"He can't risk that," Hermione said. "Vol- You-Know-Who wants Harry alive. At the manor, they could have easily killed Harry, but they waited to call their master. He wants to kill Harry himself. Lestrange isn't risking anything."
"We need to get into the vault," Ron said.
"Say that you do, that Lestrange fulfills his end of the bargain, will you really be able to stand by and let him go, knowing that he will return to his family, that he will return to fighting for his master, to committing atrocities in his name?"
"It's our only option," Harry said.
Bill sighed. Hermione understood Bill's hesitation but they were running out of time and options. They had wasted so much time after capturing the locket. They'd spent months wandering around while Voldemort and his forces only grew in numbers and strength. They couldn't afford to wait much longer.
"Fine, but I will cast the spell, decide the wording," Bill said.
The moment the door slammed closed, Rigel heard raised voices. He couldn't make out the words but his captors were clearly arguing. Fleur looked towards the door for a moment before moving to stand in front of him.
"I was surprised when I heard you had joined zee Death Eaters," Fleur said. "When I was at Hogwarts, I recall you defending from your housemates who thought me a half-breed. You dismissed your uncle's letter insisting you find a suitable date to the Yule Ball. I did not think you interested in the Death Eaters or their rhetoric."
Rigel stared at Fleur. She was watching him, her gaze soft and relaxed. She didn't fear him, nor did she seem to hate him for his actions. Rigel said nothing. His fifth year at Hogwarts felt so far away.
"You defied your uncle, and yet you joined an organization that not only champions those beliefs but is set on destroying anyone who does not meet their standards. I suppose you parents were very convincing."
Rigel said nothing. He had not known Fleur's heritage when he approached her. At first, it had been only rumors, rumors he'd ignored. Then came Skeeter's article, he'd ignored that too. Skeeter was a gossip, but primarily a liar known to twist the truth into whatever she thought would sell more papers. He'd never dared to ask Fleur for a conformation and he'd ignored Lucius' letters.
"I suppose I cannot fault you for choosing your family," Fleur said. "Though I was hurt that you never once wrote, not even to tell me you no longer wished to have anything to do with me."
Rigel stared at Fleur, his mind racing. He had put Fleur out of his mind once he began his training. There had been no room for Fleur when his mind was consumed with improving, determined to show that he was worthy of the legacy that weighed him down.
The door opened and Rigel looked to see Potter and Granger leading the Weasleys down the stairs. The group seemed quite determined, if not at ease. Fleur flicked her wand and Rigel felt the silencing charm lift.
"I'll make the Vow with you," Potter stated.
"Let's talk terms them. You unbind me, none of this tying me up, no silencing either. I get my wand back as well," Rigel stated.
"You won't get your wand, not until we reach the bank but you'll be free to move," Potter said.
"Fine, but you'll swear not to place me under another bind or another silencing spell. And when I've done my part, gotten you to the vault, you'll let me walk away, no trying to stop me, and neither will your lackeys," Rigel said glancing pointedly at Granger and Weasley. "And I get something proper to sleep on, not just bedding on the floor."
"You'll get all of us into the vault and help us get what we want. After we have what we want, you'll leave without interfering or trying to hurt Harry, Ron, or myself. You'll walk away," Granger countered. "You'll be free to roam around the house but you won't call your house-elf, contact any of your family, or make any more to alert anyone of your status, location, or anything about us. No passing information or trying to escape."
"No trying to read anyone's mind. You'll be under watch outside of this room, and you won't go outside the house unless given permission and accompanied by at least 2 people," added Fleur's husband. "At night, you'll be locked in here."
"Fine, but none of you will attack me," Rigel said.
"That's too vague and involving too many people," Bill said. "A compromise, Harry swears to not allow anyone to harm you and you'll swear to not attack anyone either. You have nothing to fear from us, we're not like your people."
Rigel scowled. He didn't like many of those rules, but he had no choice. He couldn't see a loophole, but either way, it was his only chance. The Death Eaters weren't one to take prisoners, it was likely that he would remain their prisoner for quite a long time if he didn't take the deal.
"It's a deal then," Rigel said. "Release me, binding magic will invalidate the Vow."
Fleur stepped forward, flicking her wand. The ropes holding him down slacked and slowly fell off him. Then the heavy invisible weight on his legs disappeared, the magic tying him to the chair fading.
Rigel tested his limbs, rotating his wrists slowly as his captors spread out. Fleur remained in front of him, while the youngest Weasley stepped around him to stand behind him. It was clear that if he tried anything they would take him down. As if he would be foolish enough to try to attack them when they had just given him the key to his freedom. Helping Potter was a small price to pay for freedom. He would worry about the Dark Lord's reaction later, when he was free.
He stood up slowly, making sure they wouldn't mistake any movements as threats.
"Let's get this over with then," Rigel said.
He held out his right arm, smirking at Potter. Potter hesitated a moment before gripping Rigel's arm. Older Weasley stepped forward, casting the binding ropes over their joined arms. Weasley began speaking, reciting the words to bind Rigel and Potter for the next few days. Rigel smiled at the weary look on Potter's face.
"It's done," Bill said.
Rigel and Potter stared at each other. There was nothing that indicated they'd just made an Unbreakable Vow. They would feel nothing unless they tried to go against the terms of the vow. Finally Potter looked away.
"We should get started planning, with Griphook," Potter said. "Don't do anything to anger him."
"I have no quarrel with him, it's more likely he's got one with me given his previous captivity," Rigel said. He had never partaken in torturing the captives at the manor, but he had certainly never freed them or done anything to ease their suffering. It would have been a mistake to aid them in any way, but he expected that the captives would be resentful.
"Let's go," Potter ordered.
Rigel frowned. He'd spent several days tied down, barely eating and forced to relief himself in his clothes before being scrugified clean. It'd had been humiliating. Mostly, Rigel was hungry. He'd never gone without food before and his pride had kept him from eating most of the time they brought him food. Fleur had been kind enough to bring him a soup he could sip when it was her turn to give him his meals but Bill, Thomas, and Potter had brought him food and expected him to eat it without freeing his hands. Rigel had refused to eat like an animal.
"Ze planning can wait, Rigel needs new clothes, a chance to wash and some proper food," Fleur said.
"We have t-"
"Planning can wait, we should give him some time," Granger said.
The two Weasleys shrugged and Potter gave in.
"Fine, but tomorrow we start," Potter said. He and his lackeys headed up the stairs leaving Rigel alone with Fleur and her husband.
"Go, I will help him get settled in," Fleur said. Bill hesitated. "The Vow will not allow him to harm me and someone ought to speak with the others, let them know what we've agreed to."
Finally, Bill nodded and followed the others up the stairs. For a moment, Fleur and Rigel remained silent. Rigel sat down; he'd gotten little sleep over the past days. Nightmares tormented him and the silencing and immobilization charms kept him from even reacting properly to them. He slept only when his body could no longer stay awake.
"What would you like to do first? I can find some clothes for you, or perhaps you would like some food? I know you have not eaten much," Fleur said.
"A bath would be nice," Rigel said. The he remembered that he had agreed to be watched every moment he was outside the cellar. "Am I allowed to go to a bathroom alone? Or shall I have an escort? Or perhaps I'm expected to just use the sea? I could hear the ocean so we must be close to it."
Fleur frowned at his tone. "If you need to relieve yourself, you can go alone, but baths are longer, you would have to be watched. Or I can bring you water and transfigure something into a tub here to give you privacy. No one will begrudge you privacy, but we have risks to assess."
Rigel started at her. She appeared honest, though he could not claim to know her enough to be able to tell and Legilimency apparently worked differently for her so even if he'd been inclined to rea her mind, it would be useless. That reminded him, he owed her an apology.
"I'm sorry about before, I shouldn't have tried to read your mind," Rigel said. "It was wrong, I should have never tried."
"Apology accepted. I understand this is an unusual situation, now what would you prefer?" Fleur asked.
Rigel considered her offer. He wanted a bath and he was sick of the cellar. A lack of privacy didn't particularly bother him, not with Fleur at least. They'd slept together the night of the Yule Ball.
"I'd like to leave this room, so the bathroom it is. You'll be there?" He wasn't comfortable being naked with the others in the house, not when he had no wand. Potter had sworn to keep him from harm, but that didn't guarantee that the others wouldn't try something. It wouldn't break the vow if they did something behind his back.
"No one will harm you," Fleur said. "But yes, will accompany you."
Rigel nodded. They ascended the stairs slowly, Fleur leading the way. Rigel wondered if she did it on purpose, to test his resolve or she simply saw no need to hold him at wand point.
They arrived at a small sitting room where Granger and the two Weasleys were waiting. All three held their wands in their hands, looking surprised to see Rigel following Fleur. He spared them a glance before turning to the nearest window. The sun was setting over the sea on the horizon.
"Fleur?"
"He is no threat, Bill," Fleur said. "Zere is no reason for you all to be here."
"Are you sure?" Granger asked.
Rigel kept his back to them. He stood rigid as he stared out the window. He could feel their eyes on him, as if waiting for him to strike.
"I'm fine. Bill, Rigel needs new clothes, he should not remain in zee same robes."
There was a pause and then Bill spoke.
"Okay."
There was movement and Rigel turned to see his would-be guards leaving. They all headed up the stairs, each looking back.
"Zis way, there's a bathroom here zat you can use," Fleur said.
The bathroom was smaller than he was used to, but there was room enough for two people without them being pressed together. There was a small tub against the wall underneath a window and long countered across from it. Fleur flicked her wand, turning on the faucet.
Rigel tugged at his robes, pulling them over his head. Like a true pureblood aristocrat, he wore no underclothes. He tossed the robes aside and slide into the tub with a content sigh. The water was warm and Rigel closed his eyes as he settled down. Part of him wondered who else had used the tub, whether it was clean, but mostly he didn't care.
Fleur handed him some soup and settled on the counter across from the tub. Rigel barely spared her a glance as he washed himself. She didn't speak, for which he was grateful and spent the time knitting something.
There was a knock on the door and Fleur answered quickly. She poked her head out, keeping the door close to give him some privacy. There was a muffled voice and then Fleur closed the door. She held some clothing in her arms, all dark colors.
"We will have to adjust zem, but they will be better than your current robes. I can have them washed if you'd like, but I do not think it wise to wear them until zey are needed," Fleur said.
Rigel nodded. The robes weren't Death Eater robes, but they were fine robes, clearly belonging to someone with wealth. Given that all the occupants of the house seemed to wear some type of muggle clothing, he would have looked extremely out of place.
Hope you guys liked it! Next chapter was going to cover the actual break-in itself, but there's a lot of character interactions that I want to cover so that's been pushed back. There are so many characters in the cottage right now that have barely had scenes and I really want to explore.
I hope that you'll like the expanded cast and while I don't think I'll go beyond Rigel and Hermione's POVs, I do plan to include other characters more. The expanded focus on Hermione also gives more time to Harry and Ron, but I do want to get more characters involved. I know it's been Malfoy heavy for a quite a bit and I want to include more of the Order and others.
Anyway, let me know what you guys think or if you have any questions.
