Whips and cackles were all that could be heard, they echoed around the forest trees. The tall trunks proved to be good cover for the trio as some of the spells ended up hitting them or rebounding harmlessly away from them. Harry and Ron were quick to zoom past a patch of bushes contemplating if they should blast a few trees to create cover but they were out of luck because the trees were tall and barely had leaves above them.
"Get them!" the chasers would call out to them, "Get those blood traitors!" they did their best to spat at the trio while boosting their own morale. Harry only dared to look back once and he was amazed by the chasers they didn't seem to tire at all and they were gaining ground. His eyes shifted forward thankful that Hermione was near to him where he knew she was safe from harm. Ron was ahead of them both ready to alert them just in case there was somewhere they could hide in. Looking up Harry decided what the hell and casted charms at the trees causing the thick ones to fall behind him buying them some time.
Hermione turned around gasping for breath, she knew something they all did but she knew the boys would never admit it. They couldn't keep it up any longer, they're legs burned and pained like no other. She bit her lip and looked through her memory of all the spells to find one that could help her out. A thought came to her mind, her and Ron were not in the papers so the snatchers wouldn't recognize them but they could of course recognize Harry mainly because he was on the papers recently as Undesirable No. 1, they were all around any magical place like the ministry where the first saw them. Harry joked to her that it made him look tough in which she punched him on the shoulder for the stupid joke.
Harry turned the corner and carefully stepped down the hill, looking up he was curious why she was standing still looking the wrong direction. Then she raised her wand at him causing his eyes to swing open in surprise, she casted a spell at him straight on his face. The force of the spell caused him to fall onto his back which was something they didn't want, his face felt rather odd as if it was morphing. What did she do to him, he asked himself. He used his hands to push himself back up to his feet ready to ask Hermione what the heck she was thinking or doing but quickly shut his mouth when the snatchers appeared around them.
They cheered and hollered happily for catching them; Harry struggled against his captive's arms when they kicked Hermione to her knees. They wondered where Ron was hoping he made it out okay, but he was brought in a few minutes later with bruised markings on his face showing that he didn't go down willingly. "This runt gave me a bit of trouble but I got him whipped." the older snatcher who held him cackled making Ron sneer at him. He even dared to spit at his face which earned him a knee to the chest, which made Harry and Hermione want to call out his name in response but they kept themselves back not wanting to give the Snatchers more ammo to use against them. The older snatcher glared at them angrily his beard hair seemed to stand; Scabior appeared out of nowhere clapping bringing everyone's attention to him.
"Good job kiddos, good run… gave my boys quite a work out." Scabior said with a snicker, he waved his finger about walking over to Ron. "You kids shouldn't be out here; we have to take you in for questioning obviously." The worry of being tortured caused Harry to struggle against the Snatcher's hold on him. Scabior bent down in front of Harry and smiled "Play time is over…" he said slowly not losing the glare in his eye. He stood upright and looked over at one of his men nodding at them, the last thing Harry saw were his friends' bruised faces before a bag was wrapped around his head blocking his eyesight and bounded him to their mercy.
Harry's body grew tired struggling against his restraints, the apparating of them all didn't help at all. His stomach turned and made him queasy, wherever they were taking them it was somewhere far. Harry tried calling out to his friends to make sure they were okay, the snatchers didn't like that one bit quickly smacking him on the head and hard knocking him out. Hermione could feel tears fill her eyes after hearing Harry's voice cut short after calling out her name, she was so scared not knowing what will happen to them.
Harry's mind drifted somewhere else, taking him to the familiar sight of Hogwarts on a sunny day. Looking around he could see many students cheering and clinging to the pillars looking out to the lake. The tournament and the year had just ended and everyone was waving goodbye to the other school students as they departed. Harry smiled to himself just happy to have survived everything he experienced during the year which would top all his years in Hogwarts for sure. He quietly questioned if he should sick a dragon on Dudley for fun, but he brushed off the idea knowing that he would be the one to clean up afterwards but still.
Spotting his friends he leaned against a wall knowing that they'd appear next to him quickly. Ron hopped over the opening and sat next to Harry, he raised his eyebrow at his redheaded friend maybe sleeping in gave him super powers. He chuckled to himself daring not to say that aloud ruining the moment, Hermione appeared at the other side swinging by with one hand on the pillar. Ron spoke breaking the silence between the friends "Mark that done as another year, do you think we'll ever have a quiet year at Hogwarts?"
Ron looked at the both of them who quickly answered in unison "No." spoken in much disbelief. Quiet and normal are words that were instantly thrown out the window of the vocabulary since the whole troll incident. Ron looked at them somewhat hopeful "Course… I didn't think so, maybe next time we can slay more dragons eh?" Harry's eyes open wide and quickly shook his head "No Ron… no." not wanting another reason to be dragon food anytime ever. Ron frowned looking at his friend "Such a killjoy Harry…"
The two boys made their way towards the steps wanting to see the flying horses dragging the carriage away. Ron trying to convince Harry how cool it would be if the both of them fought against a dragon stating that they could learn from his brother Charlie making them invincible and able to take on multiple dragons at once. Harry looked over Ron's shoulder and couldn't see Hermione, turning around he saw her still by the pillar looking conflicted. Walking over giving her a caring look as if she could tell him anything, she looked up at him hopefully and spoke "Everything's going to change now… isn't it."
"Yes… but that doesn't necessarily mean for worse." Harry laid a hand on her shoulder reassuring her that everything would be fine. She smiled and nodded at him, then the two of them made their way back to Ron. "Alright… promise you'll write… the both of you." Hermione spoke hopeful that they were some truth in her words but Ron just gave out a small laugh "Oh you're not seeing me next to a quill… I would be mad to." Harry chuckled and Hermione shook her head at him.
"Harry will… won't you?" Hermione moved wrapping her arm around his, her own instinctual movements causing her to tense up being close to him. Harry looked at her too amused for her liking "Yeah… every week… or maybe once a month." he joked with them causing the both of them to laugh a bit. They made it outside, the roars of the other students filling their ears "You both are such idiots… remind me why we're friends?" she asked the both of them. Ron smirked at her resting his arms on the barricade that was in front of them "Come on Hermione… your life would be boring without us admit it."
"True." Hermione glanced over at Harry her heart beating faster at how close he was to her. "It would." she said softly before slowly taking his hand as if scared he will reject her which he didn't. He smiled and gladly accepted her hand, feeling the warmth her hand provided him to be soothing. Raising his head his eyes locked with hers and he could swear his heart beated faster than usual. "Harry…" her words were like a whisper but it gave him chills throughout his body.
"Harry! Mate! Wake up!" Ron hits him in the face shaking him free from his dreams and thoughts. Harry bolts awake realizing that he was only dreaming, memories of what happened just before came flooding in "Ron! You okay?" he asked gripping his arms with his hands. Ron smiled sadly and nodded; Harry looked around and saw nothing but darkness and chains. His face grew pale when the realization came to him "Where's Hermione? Where are we?" he demanded answers from Ron.
"Slow down mate… you were hit on the head take a breather." Ron said concerned for his friend's health. Harry stubbornly stood up on his own, shaking away any feelings of being tired or in pain "Ron…. I'm fine; now tell me where Hermione is." Harry's eyes were filled with fear not knowing the condition of the love of his life. Ron frowned knowing what happened to Hermione being the only one other than her awake through the entire ordeal.
Ron motioned towards the stairs making Harry's body quickly tense up in fear. Jumping to his feet "No!" Harry bolted towards the gates fearing for her safety looking up as far as he could past the bars of the gate. "Mate, its locked Pettigrew has the keys." Ron said reluctantly quickly sighing in defeat after he spoke. Harry bit his lip trying to repress his frustration but it didn't help one bit. Harry shook the gates in anger gritting his teeth glaring up the stairs.
Hermione had her knees pressed to the floor; she scowled at Bellatrix who paced about in front of her. "Did you kids really think you can evade the dark lord for as long as you did? Hahaha children…" she laughed to herself softly twirling her wand around. Looking back at Hermione she didn't like how the girl didn't fear her like everyone should. She jumped closer to her pointing her wand at her face in an attempt to make her show some fear but her frustration continued to bubble seeing no effect on the girl.
"You will tell me what you took from my vault!" Bellatrix called out loudly echoing around the room, Hermione bit her lip fighting back words staying strong in front of her. The Death Eater's hands twitched tempting her to use the cruciatus curse but she felt like that would be a last resort mainly because of how fun it was. "Speak! You dirty little Mudblood! Speak!" she screamed at her again right in front of her, but Hermione did not budge.
Harry scowled hearing the fowl name again, he swore to himself if anybody would call Hermione that ever again he wouldn't hold back his own built up fury. His feelings bubbling causing uncontrolled magic to happen around him, the surrounding stones started cracking and so did the floor beneath him. "Harry? Are you alright?" the sudden voice drew Harry away from the stairs and raised his eyebrow in surprise seeing an old friend. "Luna? What? I thought you would be in Hogwarts?" Harry looked at the Ravenclaw in disbelief as if he was hallucinating.
"I was… supposed to be, but the deatheaters stopped the Hogwarts Express and boarded it looking for you." Ron walked over to her lending his support as she continued. "But when they couldn't find you they got angry and started to threaten the entire train, but a Slytherin told them I was a friend of yours and decided to take me captive. The last thing I heard was Ginny and Neville's voices calling out for me." Luna looked down at her feet and Harry bit his lip stopping any more anger that came after hearing the story.
"I've been here for a month now; Ron tells me you've seen my father? How is he?" Luna said with a hopeful tone, Harry shook his head at her "I don't know Luna; the last we heard of him was when he was surrounded by deatheaters." Luna didn't hide her frown; Ron held her and looked up at Harry both knowing what truly happened. And they didn't dare to tell her that her own father ratted them out to the deatheaters, but in his defense it was to save her.
"Mr. Potter." Griphook walked into the light appearing in front of the wizards, "Ms. Lovegood has been here for a month, I merely double that time but one man has been here longer than that." Harry raised his eyebrow and shifted his head as if in question, Griphook turned his body and pointed at a frail old man in the corner looking like he could barely move. "That… sadly is Mr. Ollivander." Harry's heart ached looking at the man who started his journey by giving him his wand. His hair was in loose strands and his hands looked crusty, clearly he wasn't well fed "Mr. Ollivander is very weak Mr. Potter, I do not know the extent of what they did to him but what is clear is that he won't last any longer."
Bellatrix slaps Hermione causing her to fall to the floor, almost as quickly she pounces on her with a dark knife in hand. She held it close to her face in a means to scare her "I want you to squeal…" but Hermione didn't she kept strong in front of Bellatrix continuously scowling at her. "Blasted girl… let's see you stay quiet when this knife digs into your skin."
Bellatrix slowly lowered the knife towards Hermione's arm in an attempt to torture her making her talk. Hermione turned her head eyes on the knife; she bit her lip trying to hold back her screams not knowing how much pain the knife will cause her. Bellatrix enjoyed every second cackling and laughing as the knife grew closer to her bare skin, she wanted her to squeal and tell her everything. Both their eyes on the blade as it approached her skin only a few inches away, when Bellatrix expected the blade to touch her skin she stuck her tongue out in anticipation of the first drop of blood.
Hermione shut her eyes tightly bracing herself for the pain but nothing came, she opened her eyes and they widened in shock seeing Bellatrix's blade mere inches from her skin but she struggled which meant it could not go any further. "What magic is this?" Bellatrix spoke in anger trying to attack her wrist again with the knife multiple times but it could not penetrate whatever was holding her back. It was unclear if Hermione knew but it was Harry's love that was protecting her from harm, just as his mother's love protected him.
The witch snarled and stomped in frustration, getting to her feet she called for Draco who reluctantly walked over to his aunt. "Draco my dear, why don't you give your auntie a hand?" she gave a semi pout towards her nephew, taking his wand arm and raising it so that his wand was pointing at Hermione directly. "Maybe a familiar face will get you to squeal you Mudblood!" Bellatrix called out laughing as she did so, Draco's hand was shaky he was conflicted on what to do.
Harry was imagining the worse, not wanting to but every thought made him want to break the bars open. He banged against the bars with his fist "We have to save her Ron! We have to!" he called out to his friend turning to him. Ron looked up at him sadly knowing that they couldn't do anything as of now "Might save your strength there mate, we might need it."
"Harry mate you won't be helping her if you tire yourself out." Ron said carefully by Luna's side holding her hand for support. "Damn it!" Harry leaned his head against the bars breathing hard hearing truth in his friend's words. Shifting his body over far from the bars Harry pressed his back against the wall sliding down it before covering his face with his hands in frustration. His eyes burning from tears flowing down his cheeks helpless to help the love of his life. Then a sudden pop took his attention lifting his head he could not believe his eyes of who he saw in front of him "Dobby?"
The elf turned his head to see Harry "Harry Potter sir so good to see you, well certainly not in here." Dobby shrugged his shoulders and made his little whiney chuckle trying to make a joke. But Harry was still puzzled "How?" he asked aloud. "Only elves are allowed to go past the wards, I've been doing it for years sir." Dobby spoke as if nothing was wrong maybe it was just in his nature not to see that they were behind bars. Then Harry thought that the Malfoy house will probably make anyone want to go to prison for better care.
"Brilliant… but I have to ask Dobby, what are you doing here? I'm happy to see you in all but aren't you free? Why return to a place like this?" Harry raised his hand about motioning to the entirety of the dark room. "Yeah especially how those ferrets treated you?" Ron added walking closer to them both so he could be heard. Dobby fiddled with his cloth a bit as if questioning what he should say "Well… thing is Dobby can't say, but he… Dobby had a feeling Harry Potter sir needed Dobby's help."
Harry didn't miss his first words but decided against it knowing that they needed to be safe and out of harm's way before he has the luxury of asking questions. "We do need your help and thanks Dobby for coming no matter what the reason." Harry said to reassure Dobby he doesn't need to talk about it more which calmed the elf. Dobby looked up at Harry and smiled at him "Always delighted Sir."
Ron walked over to Harry as they spoke with the others for a few minutes discussing with each other making sure each one was thinking of the same thing. Dobby was tempted to listen in on their conversation even peering in with his head if possible but could only make out a few words. Once they all agreed and decided on a plan, Harry turned back to Dobby to tell him of it "Okay here's the plan Dobby; you take Griphook, Mr. Ollivander and Luna out of here right away." The three people in question walked towards Dobby hopeful and happy to be sent away from the terrible place. "But to where sir?" Dobby asked Harry looking up at him.
"I know a place." Ron said which earned both Harry and Dobby's attention; Harry nodded at his friend trusting his decision. "Good, Ron tell him where to take them and after you make sure they are safe come back for us and take us to the same place."
Harry believed that they could get Hermione safe and apparate out of this mess alive without anyone getting hurt. "Understood Harry Potter sir." Dobby nodded with a smile, Luna walked over to Dobby taking his hand "I'm ready whenever you are sir." She said politely making Ron smile at her nice behavior but it was beaten by Dobby's "Sir? Oo… I like this one very much. Today is such a great day."
Ron made a face as if to question what Dobby just said and Harry turned to him and gave him a gentle touch on the shoulder signaling it was okay. "I'm pretty sure he didn't mean that Ron." His redheaded friend look indifferent but decided that it was best to push those thoughts aside.
Harry watched as the other captives apparated away with Dobby, knowing that they were safe gave him some comfort. But that feeling went away instead he was now filled with determination to save his love and get out of here safely. "Help! One of the prisoners has escaped! He injured one of us, please help!" Ron wailed towards the stairs in order to get Wormtail's attention.
And it worked, Pettigrew made his way down the steps nearly fumbling the keys "What is all this ruckus about an escape? Escape from my watch is impossible; there is no way out of your stinking cell." Harry and Ron were against the wall avoiding the gaze of Pettigrew, he looked about and saw nobody there frustrated he opened the door with his keys "How in blazes did you escape!" he yelled angrily. He took a good three steps into the cell looking about before Harry and Ron both stunned him "Oh…" was his last word before he fell to the floor.
Harry grabbed the keys that he had dropped and turned around locking the door behind him. He glanced over at his friend who had his wand ready "Ron let's go!" he called out lo his friend who smiled "You don't have to tell me twice mate." They ran out like a war charge up the steps not missing a single one, Harry saw Hermione on the floor and his anger boiled.
"Reducto!" casted Ron to a nearby fireplace taking the attention of the Malfoys and Bellatrix, which Harry casted "Expelliarmus!" disarming Draco who had his wand pointed at Hermione. The wand flew into the air until Harry caught it in his hands. Draco swallowed hard before walking back to his parent's side, Narcissa and Bellatrix the only one with wands now. "Oh… we have some more guests…" Bellatrix spoke as if wanting to taunt the boys into doing something.
"Draco! Do you recognize Harry Potter there? If you do we can call the dark lord right now and your family will be rewarded greatly you know that." Her actions were questionable everyone should recognize Harry especially the death eaters, but maybe she had another motive in mind. Giving Draco a choice or reassurance that they still had control over him. Harry looked at him and he was conflicted looking anywhere but them, his parents walked closer to him assuring him of their support "Draco do it! I mean… surely that is him Draco." Lucius told his son desperate to denounce the shame that was brought upon the family.
"I…" Draco hesitated in confirming Harry to the others in his family. Harry was questioning him in his head thinking of some alternative in why he was doing what he was doing "I… he's…." he was so conflicted he could not even finish his own sentence before a conflicting thought came to mind. Lucius could not believe his eyes this should be an easy win for the Malfoys "What are you doing Draco…. Think about our family! Think about me… your mother." His last words about his mother made Draco lift his head and look towards his mother who cared about deeply. Narcissa gave him a reassuring loving smile as if to continue "He's…."
Everyone was interrupted by the squeaking sound that appeared above them, lifting all their heads to see Dobby the elf meddling with the chandelier chain. Bellatrix was about to question what he was doing but she couldn't get a word out before the chandelier made its way towards her. She screamed running and then diving to the other side of the room. The others stood bewildered at the scene, Dobby appeared behind Harry and Ron. "Is Harry Potter sir Ready?" Dobby asked ready to take Harry, Ron and Hermione away from the manor.
An ear bleeding scream came from Bellatrix causing them to look back at her "You stupid elf! You could have killed me!" she yelled at Dobby clutching herself after seeing that a few shards of glass had cut her arms. Dobby raised his chest "No Dobby meant to maim or seriously injure didn't mean to kill… or did he?" Harry quickly glanced over at Dobby after hearing the last part. Bellatrix gasped in surprise "You dare speak to your masters that way?!"
Dobby stood proud once more raising his hand high above his head "Masters? Dobby is a free elf! He has no masters! Only himself!" he said thumping his chest. While they were talking the trio made their way closer to Dobby waiting to be apparated away from the house. Bellatrix could not hide her frustration any longer turning to the other Malfoys she yelled "Kill them! Kill them all!"
Harry turned to Dobby fearing the barrage of spells "Dobby let's get out of here!" his elf friend nodded at him "Right Harry Potter sir." Ron raised a protego shield blocking the first round of spells thrown at them. They all took the elf's hands and prepared themselves to be apparated, Bellatrix frustrated even more at seeing them trying to leave clutched the knife tightly that she had in the other hand smiled at it and threw it towards the four. Her smile grew wider when she saw that the knife had apparated with them, knowing that one of them would probably be dead at the other end.
The three of them landed somewhat close to each other, each with a thud clearly by not knowing how to move about apparating. Harry felt his body ache and his stomach slowly recover, taking note how slow his body got to apparating. He coughed out a few times just to get his throat clear, he turned over expecting to feel the familiar touch of wet leaves but instead felt something flat. Opening his eyes he could see that it was sand that touched his cheek, curious Harry stood and looked about in front of him. It was the ocean, the waves crashing down to the shore was like an inviting roar that welcomed them to safety.
But Harry and the others knew all too well that during times like this safety is only temporary. Hearing sloppy wet footsteps beside him, he saw his friends Ron holding onto Hermione for support. He quickly ran to them hugging them tightly seeing that they were all safe. Pulling back slightly Harry looked at Ron who seemed to be clutching his shoulder with a red stain on it. He pondered for a bit wondering what could have happened to him, before Hermione took his attention "Harry look."
Following her eyes, those worried sad eyes towards a distasteful sight. Dobby stood alone holding his chest with his hands and finally releasing them to look at them tainted with his blood. "Dobby?" Harry asked in disbelief and a way asking him if he was okay, "Harry Potter sir?" Dobby attempted to walk over to him but he was too weak he reached out to him before collapsing onto the sand. Harry sprinted to his side lifting his head away from the sands; Hermione looked on in horror at the sight fighting her own tears knowing what was going to happen.
"No! No stay with me… Dobby… my friend." Harry sobbed out loud trying to keep Dobby awake, but his eyes couldn't find any wound and the blood was still coming. Dobby laughed weakly "Friend…. It's so good to be a friend of Harry Potter." His eyes were still open which Harry took as a good sign, he smiled at his words "You were always my friend Dobby, don't worry we'll make you well." He told Dobby but in truth it was for him to keep him calm, shifting about looking at his friends for help but they knew that there was nothing that could be done.
"Help me! Please! Guys…." Harry pleaded not wanting to lose hope for his friend that he held against his lap bleeding. "Dobby is truly happy… to be with friends." Harry swallowed hard at his words looking back down at him trying not to forget his face. "Yes you're with friends Dobby and you'll be fine, I'll just have to get you to the house." Harry moved his head gently but in some haste but he could feel that he was doing more harm than good. Looking up at his friends again he desperately called out "Help me!"
Harry's body started to tense up hard when he felt his friend's body grow cold. "Dobby is a free elf…. A free elf…" he started to recite which tore at Harry's soul, he caressed his face "Yes you are Dobby…." Harry said reassuring him of the fact that all of them knew. But his body continued to grow cold and his breathing slowed which worried Harry, Dobby coughed weakly for a bit then looked up at Harry with wide eyes before lowering them for the last time "Dobby is a free elf…. A free…." Before he could finish his sentence he finally gave out, one last breath was all Harry heard of him before he knew he was holding the remains of his friend.
All his emotions came flooding at once but Harry could not hold them in. Harry screams loudly into the sky with all his pain and emotion being released. Hermione sobbed into Ron's shoulder as the friend watched his other friend be in so much pain. Ron felt as if his cheeks were frozen knowing there was nothing he could do to help his friend. Harry kept screaming until his throat hurt and he finally collapsed back down in exhaustion. After hearing him suddenly stop Hermione quickly went to Harry's side and took his head to her chest comforting him "Harry, I'm so sorry…."
"I…. I couldn't save him." he said in sadness and despair as he sobbed onto her chest gripping a bit at her clothing. Hermione struggled to speak through her own tears but somehow she managed "I know… but you did your best and there was nothing you could have done. When we apparated the knife…. Must have formed within him." Harry nodded seeing no cut or knife anywhere, the sad truth that they lost him once they landed. Harry's heart ached tremendously "Mione…. It hurts so much."
"I know…. Shhhh it's okay Harry." Hermione caressed his face and ran her fingers through his hair comforting him. Harry resisted at first but he couldn't just not look at Dobby "I want to bury him…." he choked out alerting the both of them. "Of course mate." Ron walks over to the body and takes out his wand awaiting the right spell to cross his mind. But Harry called out to him before he could utter a spell "No…. I want to do it properly… without magic."
Ron got a shovel from the house and walked it over to Harry, whose eyes stung and rang red blurring his vision slightly. He rubbed his eyes dry to get his vision clear in order to do the task of digging properly. Looking down at the wrapped body next to him, his heart ached remembering what just happened moments before. He pushed the thoughts away to focus on the task he had set upon himself, taking the shovel and digging deep into the sand. At first his body was weak and bruised but his determination and will overpowered the pain making him easily lift heavy loads of sand.
The others watched from the house worried about him, Hermione's chest tightened feeling much déjà vu thinking about only a few years ago with Sirius. Her eyes were threatening to flood with tears; she raised her hand to her face to stop it. "Should we go help him or something?" Bill said looking out the window, Ron turned to his brother and sadly smiled at him "In time Bill, sometimes it serves Harry some good being alone with his thoughts." When he finished Ron gave a quick glance at Hermione who nodded quickly at his words.
Bill lowered his head excusing himself from the topic and returning to his wife. Fleur held her sides she was seemingly new to sad moments because mostly her family stood joyous and happy. "Let's make something; do you still have potatoes that we got last week?" Bill asked Fleur who nodded "We barely ate them my dear, I'd gladly make something for them… if that's what they would like." Fleur looked at the two friends awaiting their approval, Hermione turned to her still holding herself and nodded at her making Fleur smile sadly.
Harry took a large stone that was nearby and planted it above the start of the hole as a gravestone. He reached for his wand but his own words echoed in his head telling himself that he wouldn't use magic. His eyes dangerously looked for the knife but then remembered where it was, swallowing hard Harry grabbed a rock and hit it against another rock to sharpen the edge. His body grew weary with every strike but he did so with purpose, taking a look at it after six strikes he saw the edge had sharpened. Looking back at the gravestone with a heavy heart, Harry started to etch out "Here Lies Dobby, a friend in the truest form."
Standing up brushing his knees clean of any sand, Harry held the handle of the shovel. The moment has come, looking down at the hole where the body laid he looked on at the memories they shared together before that moment. His heart aching and his chest tensing up, he swallowed hard before grabbing the handle tight and started to scoop up from the pile he had set on the side. "Goodbye, my friend." He spoke sadly pouring the sand unto the covered body, each time the sand filled the hole his heart took a hit aching more and more.
"I can't take this Ron!" Hermione called out standing from her chair startling Ron a bit but he wasn't the little bit surprised. She made her way towards the door but Ron stopped her holding her by the sides "Hermione stop, remembering you were the one who told me that this was what we should let him do alone." She struggled against him slightly her tears finally start to form "But…" she said in a sort of whimper in protest, Ron shook his head slowly "Hermione… for Harry." Behind him Bill and Fleur lowered their heads as if they weren't listening in.
Harry knelt down in front of the grave and stared at the words he carved into the gravestone. His body and heart felt heavy like they wanted to get away, so he stood and took one last glance at the grave before heading out to the beach in a sprinting pace. Once he reached the shore he took off his shoes and socks to allow his feet to soak in the water, feeling a rush of cold claim his feet he allowed himself to breathe in and out to release all the tense feelings inside of him. Taking in the cool breeze and spreading his arms out he felt the same sensation of flying, the feeling of being free and all the dark feelings went away from his mind.
Hermione sat on a chair allowing herself to stop herself from running right out the door and into Harry's arms. She always hated seeing him like this, he has never had an easy life and it makes it much more hard for her to watch because of how much she loves him. She loves him so much that she has made it her life mission to make him smile for as long as she's able.
Ron was chatting with his brother and sister in law about what they were doing at the cottage and whatever happened to them after the wedding attack. Bill got into a long story with Ron, his brother listening intently to every detail not wanting to hear any of his family or friends getting hurt or possibly worse. Fleur would pitch in every so often to correct Bill whenever he would get something wrong which would earn a scowl from Bill and a smile from Ron. Bill would have continued but then the front door suddenly opened making most people in the house jump, Harry appeared to them all but Bill spoke first "Harry… I'm so sorry about your friend."
Harry looked about the room and all saw the concern in their faces, taking a deep breath he spoke "Thanks Bill… and Fleur for letting us stay here." He shifted his eyes to the floor still feeling a bit of emotion hitting him, Bill sadly smiled at him "Of course, you all are like family already." Bill's statement proved to lighten up the three, Fleur walked closer to her husband taking his hand and nodding showing that she agreed with him. Harry raised his gaze and nodded smiling a bit "Thanks…. Very much."
"Yep, we will do anything for family…. Times like these family is one of the most important things in our lives that we need to hold onto." Bill spoke in truth that everyone in the room knew, Hermione glanced at Harry and he did so also sharing a knowing glance between them. Their next move was to make themselves feel at home as possible, Hermione's mission was to get Harry some rest and be there just in case he has any nightmares or dark asked Bill if he could have the room with Luna, Bill at first couldn't hold back his smile but he convinced Ron to take the room across the hall.
Bill tended to Griphook while Fleur tended to Ollivander, the old wandmaker was just barely holding on but luckily for him Fleur had practiced healer techniques back at France. Bill exchanged banter with Griphook seeing as the both of them worked at Gringotts, the goblin poked at the boy while Bill poked back with jokes that could possibly give the twins a run for their money. The next few days everyone in the house tried to live as if there wasn't a war to be fought instead all they had was a life in the cottage.
Hermione closed the door behind her leaning her forehead against it still feeling worry towards Harry but happy that he's making progress to coming back. She made her way across the hall wanting to get some tea from the kitchen but when she passed two rooms she couldn't ignore the light yelling that came from Luna's room.
"I have to leave Ron." The blonde witch stood defiant against Ron, not knowing the real reason he wouldn't let her go. Ron as stubborn as ever kept his stand in the argument "You can't Luna… I can… the deatheaters will know you escaped and will look for you." he spoke in haste expressing much of his worry many of which came from the heart. Luna looked down and sighed a bit "I heard that Hogwarts was taken over by them, my father already believes I am there…. I'm safer there."
Ron ran his fingers through his hair in frustration turning around he spotted Hermione by the door and without thinking he called her out for assistance "Hermione help me out here!" he said desperately but Hermione knew better. "She's right Ron and she's entitled to her own decision don't you think?" she said trying to appeal to Ron while siding with Luna at the same time. "But… I… she's." Ron moved his head about trying to figure out what to say next but instead stormed out of the room leaving Luna worried.
"Is he alright?" Luna asked breaking the small silence that had fallen briefly upon them. Hermione looked back at the door and smiled sadly knowing Ron's strong emotions and how they can sometimes get the best of him "Yeah… he's fine, just worried and all… like we all are these days." Her last words making her heart ache referring to Harry in her thoughts, Luna taking slight notice of this probed in question "How is he?"
Looking back at the blonde witch it took Hermione a while but she then realized who she was referring to "Harry? He's… holding up, decided to give him some space to cope." Sometimes leaving him to deal with things on his own for a while works wonders at least that's what she hopes to happen. Luna smiled widely at her "That's nice of you Hermione." The brunette witch nodded slightly acknowledging her statement but still she always felt like she could do more for Harry than what she was already doing "Yeah just hope he gets through this, the last time… it left him a shadow for weeks."
Luna was present during the Ministry of Magic battle so she knew what she was talking about and she did notice the extra appearance of invisible magical creatures around Harry at the time. "He did not seem like himself, I always found it rather odd… but I understood why in the end." referring to her own reaction to her mother's death at the hands of an accident. At least that's what her father always told her, she was too young to comprehend what truly happened. But in her absence she has grown incredibly close to her father taking much of his attributes and making it her own.
The witch closed her bag shut by the zipper and extended the handle, Hermione looked at her and smiled at the strength she was showing going back to Hogwarts which was no doubt a cheerless place with the Death eaters in charge. She hugged her friend "Goodbye Luna safe travels, I think Bill is waiting downstairs to escort you out." When they pulled away Luna looked at her with a curious expression which quickly faded to a huge smile "Thank you Hermione and… if we don't see each other in quite a while I would like to give you congrats."
Hermione stood puzzled at what Luna was referring to considering they've been at the house the entire time "On what Luna?" the blonde witch did not have a quick answer but she just continued to smile back at her friend "You know what I'm talking about…. The fairies told me and now I know for sure." Luna tapped her friend on the shoulder and made her way out the door and down the hall. Her last words made her laugh a bit but the reality and truth of what she said confirmed her own suspicions.
Hearing the door close and Bill's voice along with Luna's fading away, Hermione made her way downstairs gaining the attention of Fleur who was watching the pair as they walked away from the cottage. "Oh Hermione, your friend Luna just left sadly you missed her." Hermione smiled at the girl she just met a few years back and now stands before her a married woman. It still amazes her how much time has passed since the triwizard tournament "I know Fleur, there's just something I want to talk to you about."
"Alright, what is it?" Fleur spoke openly inviting Hermione to speak without fear but this wasn't just something they could talk about out in the open. Hermione fidgeted with her clothes trying to calm herself from her nervousness about the situation she would be discussing with Fleur "Um, it's sort of private… very private. Do you have somewhere we can talk?" the French witch looked at her curious but then her own assumptions came to her mind and she quickly moved over to her "Of course…" she said leading the both of them to a secret room where they could speak in private. Hermione thanked her but her worries and nervous feelings were still there.
Harry felt a shiver go through his body and his skin felt like needles were attacking it. Closing his eyes he knew that he was getting a vision from the dark lord and by the intensity of the sensations it was a strong one. He could see that they were someplace dark and surrounded by water and trees, taking Harry quite a while to finally figure out where he was. Voldemort was at the black lake and he was walking towards Dumbledore's tomb. Harry tried to struggle against him forgetting that he couldn't move just watch helplessly as the dark lord looks down at the corpse of Dumbledore.
He could feel his hatred and disgust of the man but a hint of joy seeing that he was dead beneath him. Voldemort laughed to himself slightly before shifting his body a bit to claim what he was looking for, Dumbledore's wand. He took the wand and marveled at its power rejoicing at the touch of it in his hands, before turning to the sky and shooting up a beam of powerful magic causing thunderous roars. Laughing in pure bliss finding the power he was looking for, Harry's body tensed up at the power the dark lord now possessed. His mind screaming hoping it was a dream and not reality because if it was real the tides have turned for the worse.
Harry heard knocking come from the door with jolted him away from the vision, "Harry…" came a voice by the door. He turned around to see Bill Weasley by the door cautiously looking at him as if scared to tick him off. Harry awaited what he was about to say by looking at him "Harry… Mr. Ollivander has asked for you." he nodded and stood from the bed walking towards the hall towards Mr. Ollivander's room in which the old man has been in since their arrival. Harry took each step with a heavy mind, curious of what the wand maker had in store for him.