AN: Hello….How are we all feeling after the little break from this story? I know it sucked after a post every day for 8 days but hey come on 8 chapters in a week is pretty good going for anyone with a fulltime job and a house to look after. And then of course the big sweep came into play. This chapter has been finished for ages but I didn't want to post and draw attention to myself and my stories. However I have decided that I don't care anymore, if they notice me and ask me to take my stories down it's not an issue as I have about 4 other sites that I post on and will happily redirect you all to them, one namely being , a site that was actually created because of the stupid sweep and already has over 1000 members. Anyway on with the chapter….
Disclaimer: All recognized characters and situations belong to J. K. Rowling. I make no money from writing this and own nothing in the Harry Potter universe.
"Harry, answer me. Where's Dobby?" Hermione insisted when neither of the boys answered her immediately.
"Hermione I think you should sit down" Harry prompted softly.
Hermione collapsed back onto the bed and put her head in her hands, she knew exactly what they were going to say, "What happened to him?"
"Bellatrix threw her knife as Dobby apparated us out of the Manor. It got Dobby in the chest," Harry explained gently, as Ron put his arm tensely around her shoulder.
Hermione began to sob, she didn't know what to say, she felt so guilty that the little elf gave up his life for her and her friends.
"We buried him here Hermione. If you want to go and say goodbye" Harry suggested.
Hermione looked up and wiping the tears from her face, nodded and stood up with the boys help.
They made it downstairs and out the backdoor without a word from anyone, Ruby joined the rest of the current occupants of the small cottage and explained where the trio was going.
They walked slowly down the beach and up the small hill to Dobby's grave. Harry stood behind Hermione and wrapped his arms around her, allowing her to lean back into his embrace. Ron stood awkwardly to the side until Hermione reached over and gripped his hand.
"We're going to beat them. We have to" Hermione affirmed.
…..
Once back in the house and settled at the dining table the trio discussed what to do once Hermione was able to move, as she still refused to listen to Harry when he said she should go into hiding. "We need to talk to Malfoy and find out what he knows," Harry stated. The others nodded and waited while Harry went into the living room and found Draco.
He was sitting with Bill and discussing where he would be sent once he had given all his information to Harry. He stood up when he saw Harry and followed him back into the kitchen and sat down opposite Hermione with Harry on his left and Ron on his right.
"Right, let's get down to it. How did the snatchers find us?" Harry asked.
"They traced your apparation. The trace placed on the Taboo lasts for hours, it wouldn't have mattered how many times you apparated. They couldn't see you so they waited, hidden in the trees. When Weaslebee went to get food they followed him and then used dark magic to undo your protective enchantments once they had a general idea of where to look" Malfoy explained.
"Why did you help us?" Ron jumped in before Harry could ask his next question.
Malfoy huffed and crossed his arms, "I've already told Potter, I'm not a death eater and I wanted out. I want to get my mother out too. By the way I want my wand back"
"Like we'd give it back to you so that you can turn it on one of us" Ron snapped.
"You really are thick Weaslebee, why the hell would I save Granger and allow myself to be brought to a place full of people that hate me, where I am completely outnumbered just to try something" Malfoy snapped back, turning his icy grey stare on Ron.
"We'll give you your wand back one you've been moved to a safe location" Hermione stopped the brewing argument.
"Is there anything useful you can tell us?" Harry prompted, before Ron could have a go at Draco again.
"I'll tell you what I know, I don't know if it's useful or not. To start Professor Burbage is dead. You Know Who killed her and that bloody snake ate her, right in front of his senior death eaters on my dining room table"
Silence surrounded the table for a few moments as the information was processed, especially for Hermione who had taken Muggle Studies at Hogwarts.
"I know that there is something in my aunt's vault at Gringott's; something other than the sword, which you obviously have now. I don't know what but I overheard her talking to my father about it and her reaction to the idea that you had been in her vault certainly confirmed it" Draco continued.
"He's after another wand. He tried to use my fathers' wand against Potter in the summer and it didn't work, so now he's looking for something stronger. He boasted about killing Gregorovitch, and as you know he had Mr. Ollivander in our dungeon for months, so this is definitely a top priority in his mind"
"We know about the wand thing. We think he's after the Elder Wand" Harry responded.
"The wand from the Three Brother's story? Don't be ridiculous Potter, that's just a story" Draco scoffed.
"We did a bit of research, there are people who believe in it. And we think You Know Who is one of them" Harry shrugged.
"My house is basically his headquarters. The body count is getting ridiculous, whatever you're going to do Potter, do it soon" Malfoy finished.
"We're going to have to get into your aunts vault" Hermione answered.
"You're not going anywhere," Harry growled.
"Not this again. Harry you can't do this without me and you know it" Hermione argued right back.
"Hermione I'm not having the baby put in danger again," Harry countered.
"Could you guys wait until ferret boy is not here to have a lovers spat," Ron grumbled.
"Weaslebee, you're a bigger man than I gave you credit for. Potter wouldn't be able to walk right now if I was you" Draco smirked.
"Shut it" Hermione snapped at him.
Draco held his hands up in surrender, barely containing his glee at watching the tension between the Golden Trio.
"Is there anything else?" Harry asked quickly, he could see both Ron and Hermione were ready to hurt Draco.
"I don't have anymore information but if you're going to try and get into my aunts vault you'll need me" Draco replied.
"What are you goi-" Ron began to argue but Hermione cut him off.
"He's right. I mean I know how we can get in but with tightened security everywhere, having him with us might help.
"How are we going to get in?" Harry asked, bewildered.
"I'll show you," she answered with a smile, holding her hands out for help to get up as she was still feeling a little weak.
They all walked up the stairs and into the room Hermione had been in.
On the bedside table in a vial was a single hair; "I plucked this off my clothes while Ruby was talking to me this morning. It's Bellatrix' hair. I'm going to use Polyjuice potion and turn into her, and we're going to be taken to the vault"
"Slight problem; with all the increased security they will want her wand presented, we don't have her wand" Draco pointed out from his spot in the doorway.
"You think that is the problem? And you called me thick" Ron exclaimed, "Hermione you can't use Polyjuice to turn into someone else while the baby is in you"
"Oh for heavens sake, not you too" Hermione grumbled at Ron, "I can and I will. I can use Polyjuice potion up until the third trimester, I'll be Bellatrix with a baby bump that I will be covering with a cloak. Now back to the wand problem. Anyone got any ideas?"
"Short of hexing the goblin that is serving you, I have no idea" Draco quipped.
"That's what we'll do then," Hermione continued in full planning mode.
"Hermione! What the hell has gotten into you? You're okay with hexing a goblin now?" Harry questioned in disbelief.
"Granger I'm liking this side of you"
"Shut it Malfoy" Harry snapped.
"Harry, that is what's gotten into me" Hermione pointed out of the window to Dobby's grave, "they are not going to get away with it. Dobby, Professor Burbage, Dumbledore, Sirius, Bill will never be the same again and Snape of all people is corrupting the students of Hogwarts! I'm going to do my part to end this, even if it means imperiousing a goblin"
Draco began to mockingly applaud Hermione.
"Malfoy if you don't pipe down I will happily give you a repeat of third year," Hermione warned him as her hand curled at her side.
"Hormonal much" he muttered as he retreated down the stairs.
"We should talk to Griphook" Hermione continued, "He might be able to tell us how to get in"
She led the way from the room and across the hall to where the goblin was resting.
"Griphook, may we speak to you?" she asked as all three boys followed her into the room.
Griphook nodded and sat up in the chair.
"I won't beat around the bush, we need to get into Gringotts. Into the Lestrange Vault as a matter of fact. We have a plan, any information you can give us that will help will be appreciated" Hermione laid the situation out for him.
"It is not possible" Griphook spoke up. "No one can break into Gringott's"
"We have a plan. We think it can work" Hermione tried to explain.
"It is not possible" Griphook insisted.
"Just listen you little ingrate," Draco snapped. Harry, Hermione and Ron all whipped their heads around to glare at Draco; offending Griphook was not going to entice him into helping.
"Malfoy if you have nothing helpful to say, keep your mouth shut" Hermione snapped.
"Griphook, please just listen. If there is anything you can add to our plan then we will be very grateful. You want this war over just as much as we do" Harry spoke up from his standing position behind Hermione who had sunk down on the bed; she was already exhausted.
"Fine, what is your fatal plan" Griphook grumbled.
"I will be using Polyjuice potion to turn into Bellatrix Lestrange. Malfoy will be coming with us, him being there will make it more believable that I am her, just in case Gringott's have been informed that we might be coming. We don't have her wand to present, so we are going to have to hex the goblin that serves us. We will be using the Imperious curse"
"Hermione what did you tell him that for" Ron groaned behind her.
"I am not going to lie, he deserves to know the truth, we are asking for his help" Hermione answered without taking her eyes from Griphook.
"Your plan may well get you past the front desk, but there are many obstacles. The Lestrange family vault is one of the oldest and most well protected, there are many enchantments. You will not get out of Gringott's alive"
"Griphook please, can you at least tell us what to expect?" Hermione beseeched.
Griphook breathed a sigh, "Fine. I can't be sure of everything, I never dealt with the Lestrange vault personally but I can tell you the normal security for that Vault. You will definitely have to pass through The Thief's Downfall, a waterfall that washes away all magical enchantments. Your Polyjuice potion will not withstand that. Once through that your cart will no longer move forward, more than likely you will fall to your deaths there. If somehow you make it past that, which you won't, a dragon will be guarding that vault. Whichever Goblin you curse to take you will have access to Clankers, these are the only way you will get past the Dragon. If you manage all that then you will have to contend with whatever curses have been placed on the vault, most commonly the Gemino or Flagrante or both. This is all the information I can give" Griphook finished.
"Thank you Griphook. We really appreciate it" Hermione nodded her head and walked past the boys and out of the room.
She went back to her own room and sat back on the bed, resting her still tired body against the pillow.
Harry, Ron and Draco followed her and once in the room with the door shut and silenced they began to plan.
AN: Ahh off to Gringott's we must go. Did we enjoy, lets see if we can get the review machine going again and get this chapter as many reviews as the previous one….
