Chapter 22

Flickaxe's Dilemma

Potter Manor

Flickaxe and Warcry came through the floo to a hostile audience. Harry was there with every house elf in his employ. He had also run Extendable Ears from his drawing room into his study so that Daphne and Draco could hear in the event that there was a problem. Mad-Eye Moody was behind a fake panel with instructions to capture the Goblins in the event that they tried to cause harm to Harry. Harry had done some research into just what would happen to the goblins should they be exposed. While the cannibalism aspect had surprised him, he was not as shocked as he might have been. After all, goblins were a warlike race with a thin veneer of civility showing to the public.

"Lord Potter-Black…" Flickaxe began.

"Please, sit." This was not a suggestion or invitation, and the goblins recognized it for what it was, a command to a subordinate. "Have some tea and snacks. I'm sorry that I don't have any of your regular snacks, beef jerky was all I could get at such short notice. The results of these negotiations will decide whether or not I will have goblin jerky for the next meeting, be it with you or your replacements." Harry's voice became hard. "Flickaxe, I was very disappointed that you have had mine and my friend's homes and workplaces wired. And that this is standard procedure for all important account holders. Tell me, what would happen if word got out that you were responsible for letting this secret get out? Disclosing goblin secrets…. And should I blow the whistle to the rest of the wizarding world, what do you think would happen to Gringotts and the Goblin Nation?"

Flickaxe gulped. "I would be slowly roasted alive over a low heat to draw out my suffering. The Goblin Nation would be completely destroyed, or at least have to fight a war that would decimate both our peoples. Gringotts would fall to the wizards since there are many more of you than there are Goblins."

"I thought so. Now, I must warn you that any sign of bad faith will result in you being delivered to your employers, trussed up, with a note telling them that you are responsible for the fall of your bank. There is no way that you can get anything past these 25 house elves." The elves were glaring daggers at the unfortunate goblins. "There are also others listening who will spread the word to every Gringotts account holder telling them of your duplicity. There will be protections in place long after this meeting is over, so don't get any ideas that I can have some sort of 'accident' Is all of this understood?"

The two goblins nodded in defeat. "Excellent. Let me tell you what I expect from you in the future…."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Three hours later, the two goblins headed back to their office, glad to have escaped with their skins intact. They had to give up a lot, but at least they would not become the main dishes for the next Board dinner. The terms of the agreement were as follows:

Harry and the other Nobles in his direct circle would allow limited monitoring, but they would have 'privacy zones' where the goblins could not follow. Harry originally wanted to do away with all monitoring, but the goblins were insistent that should that happen, their superiors would get suspicious and have them replaced, with new monitoring brought in. If the new monitoring was discovered, the goblins might panic and begin another bloody revolt.

The goblins were to pass on any information that they received about other account holders which might affect Harry and his allies.

In return for certain monetary considerations, goblin hit teams would be made available to Harry to assist him in shortening the war. This would go into effect immediately, with orders to the team to kidnap Bellatrix Lestrange. This had been Ron's idea to not only take care of a major problem, Bella, but also pull the ultimate prank on Voldemort.

The goblins were to find out, by any means necessary, what Voldemort's troop level was, names and locations. How this was to be done was not important to Harry, just that it be done. The Goblins assured him that they could do this. They were also to find out who all of Voldemort's sympathizers in the Ministry and Wizengamot were. Harry also wanted blackmail material on these people.

Lastly, the Flickaxe and Warcry were to begin to promote the idea of Gringotts and the Goblin Nation allying with Harry to defeat Voldemort. He wanted the Goblin's support, but did not want them to go public with it. Ron had come up with a long range plan to deal with Voldemort, but it would take the cooperation of the Goblin Nation to implement it.

In return, Harry would write a letter to the Gringotts Board telling them of his satisfaction with the way that Flickaxe was handling his accounts. The two goblins signed a blood oath to carry out the terms of the agreement. Harry did not sign since it was not really an agreement as much as it was a surrender. He simply gave his word to carry out his portion. Warcry was also enjoined from carrying out any subterfuge against Flickaxe.

After the goblins left, Moody, Draco and Daphne joined Harry in the drawing room. This was to be one of the privacy zones in Potter manor, with the others being the bedrooms and bathrooms. Flickaxe had reactivated the other rooms. A crew of House elves would take Warcry through the other homes and school areas to activate the ones allowed and remove the others. The other Nobles had similar plans for their homes and rooms. They would each "catch" their account holders monitoring them and use the same blackmail on their goblins. That way all of their account managers would be drawn into the conspiracy, each of them believing that they were the only ones. Harry briefly wondered what Griphook's reaction would be to all of this, but it was just a passing thought, Draco and Pansy would be the ones blackmailing him.

"Well, that was interesting," remarked Daphne. "You were sorted into the wrong house."

"Not at all, Lass," said Moody. "Just because someone is too brave for his own good doesn't mean that he can't be devious and underhanded."

"I'll take that as a complement, I think," said Harry. "Anyway, is everything in place to receive Bellatrix?"

"Sure is. When she arrives, I'll harvest the needed hair and shove her in my trunk. All I need to do is go spring our other 'guest' from custody. I should have her back in a very short while. Amelia is going to release her on a low bail. A 'grateful former student' will be putting up the cash for her bail. She is stupid enough to believe that she might still have a supporter from Hogwarts that might do that."

"And you have no problem using an Unforgivable on her?"

"None at all, Lad. Had to do it many times in the first war. And after all, it's the least of them. Not as if I am going to kill her after all."

"Yes, but he might."

"That's her problem, not mine. She acts like one of his toadies, after all. Besides, it might just mellow out both of them."

"That will be the day."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

12 Grimmauld Place

London

Less than a week after Harry had returned to school following the negotiations at Potter Manor, Flickaxe had Moody to announce the capture of Bellatrix Lestrange. Since Harry keyed Moody into the wards at Grimmauld Place, it was decided that she would be delivered there. Moody had already snatched Delores Umbridge following her release on bail from Ministry custody. At the present time, she was 'on ice' in Moody's trunk. He had promised her that if she cooperated with him that all charges would be dropped in her criminal trial. She bought the story and was giving a minimum of problems during her stay. She did not know that Harry and company was behind the operation, only that Moody would put pressure on Harry to drop all charges from his end. Without his testimony, the rest of the case would not be worth prosecuting.

The capture of Bellatrix had gone off without a hitch. Taking advantage of the goblin's policy of non-interference and neutrality, Voldemort had tasked Bella with the chore of exchanging a few hundred thousand pounds sterling for galleons to pay his Death Eaters and Ministry sympathizers. The muggle money had come from the rash of bank robberies he had been carrying out. The Death Eaters had gotten the robberies down to a science, dressing in muggle clothing, going into a bank and discretely putting the tellers under the Imperius Curse, having them deliver the contents of their drawers and vaults to the robbers, then continuing their day as if nothing had happened. Once away from the banks, the Death Eaters would drop their glamours and blend into the crowd. So far they had not hit any banks affiliated with Gringotts.

This particular day, Bella had entered Gringotts under a glamour carrying a bottomless bag. Because of the size of the transaction, the goblin teller steered her to a private room to conduct the transaction. She watched while the goblins counted out the pounds and tabulated the exchange rate. They passed the galleons over to her and watched while she put them in her bag. As she got ready to leave, she was stunned, bound and taken out of the room through a different door. The goblins then took her through the floo to Grimmauld Place, turning her over to Moody.

"So, are we square?" Moody asked when the prisoner had been turned over.

"Yes we are," said the Hit Goblin in charge of the operation. "We exchanged the British Pounds for Leprechaun Gold. It will disappear tomorrow so make sure that you do what you need to do before then. We kept the muggle money as payment for the snatch operation."

Moody grinned. "Old Snake Face is going to crap his pants when the gold disappears but he won't blame you. Nice doing business with you."

The Goblin gave a curt bow. "Likewise. Fair profit to you, sir." With that, the hit team left through the floo, using their own special floo powder that would take them into the secure area of the bank.

Moody levitated Bellatrix into his trunk in a separate compartment from Umbridge. He then firecalled the Headmistress and asked McGonagall to give Harry the message that phase one had been completed. Finishing that call, he grabbed another pinch of powder and called Severus Snape. A moment later, Snape came through the fireplace. Snape carried a vial of Veritaserum to be used in the questioning of Bellatrix. The two men went down into the trunk. Snape stared at Bellatrix for a while before administering the Veritaserum and enervating the prisoner.

"Having second thoughts, Snape?" asked Moody.

"Not at all. I'm just savoring the sight of my ex comrade in this position. There were several times that the Dark Lord delegated punishments to Bella, something with which she was very adept. I spent quite a bit of time under the Cruciatus Curse delivered by her. I just wish that I could watch when she is delivered to Madam Bones."

"That will be a while," said Moody. "She is to be a 'guest' here for some time. She has a lot to answer for. Now, shall we get to work?"

Snape took several hairs from Bella as Moody questioned her. The potions master then went up the ladder and down the other ladder to the compartment where Umbridge was residing. He put the hairs in a flask, shook it, and instructed Umbridge to take a sip. A moment later, there was a copy of Bellatrix standing there. He placed her under a mild compulsion spell and had her follow him up the ladder and then down into the other compartment. Once there, Moody took a moment from questioning Bella to place Umbridge under the Imperius. He then had her watch Bella so that she would learn Bella's mannerisms and speech patterns. Moody hit the jackpot when he found out that Bella and Voldemort were lovers. Even as the men were trying to wrap their minds around that concept, Moody got an evil on his face.

When Bella had answered all that Moody wanted, Snape administered the antidote to her, then they watched as she became aware of her surroundings. When she saw her double, she screamed in rage, fought her bonds, and cursed Snape for a traitor. Moody smiled, then stunned her. Moody had Umbridge exchange clothes with Bella, then gave Umbridge her instructions, led her up the ladder, and sent her out the floo back to Gringotts.

"Do you think that she will survive through tomorrow?" asked Snape.

"Do you really care?" Moody shot back.

"Not really, I was just wondering if I could get odds from Potter betting on her probable life span."

"Hmm…. Anything over a couple of hours would probably be a sucker bet."

"You're probably right. I just wish that I could be a fly on the wall when the Dark Lord finds out how seriously he has been had."

"Interesting though how the Dark Mark appeared on Umbridge when she polyjuiced Bella. Do you think that it is a working Mark or just a visual copy?"

"It should be a working one, polyjuice completely copies everything about the person. That is why Crouch lost a leg and an eye when he polyjuiced you a couple of years ago."

"Don't remind me. That was the most embarrassing time of my life, the way that mutt caught me off guard."

Snape sneered. "Constant Vigilance, my shiny red arse. I just have a lot of fun rubbing your nose in it."

"I'll tell you what. You forget about that and I'll forget the whole Death Eater thing."

Snape was stunned. Moody must really be embarrassed if he was going to forego reminding Severus of his past. He decided to get the promise in a tangible form. Raising his wand, he intoned, "I, Severus Snape, hereby swear on my magic that if Alastor Moody swears to not bring up my past, I will never again mention his kidnapping."

Moody nodded as the magic took hold. "One last time just for old times sake….."DEATHEATER!"

"SUCKER!!!"

Moody grinned. "I, Alastor Moody hereby swear on my magic to never again remind Severus Snape of his criminal past."

As the binding oaths took effect, Severus held out his hand. "Fresh start?"

Moody took the hand. "Works for me. By the way, you need to speak with Miss Granger. She has some news for you."

"Will do. Anything else?"

"That should be it. I'll call if anything new comes to light." With that, Snape went over to the fireplace and went home.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Voldemort's Hideout

Somewhere in Wales

Bella/Umbridge apparated to the outer edges of the wards, gave the password supplied by Bellatrix, then took another quick sip from the flask as the wards recognized the Dark Mark on her arm. It was fortunate that Voldemort had trusted Bella to be his secret keeper, figuring that she would die before giving the secret to any hostile force. His trust was well placed, but the combination of the stunner and the Veritaserum got past her defenses. She had let her guard slip in the supposedly friendly environs of Gringotts, a mistake that she would never again have the opportunity to either make or correct.

Entering the manor, she walked into the throne room, bowed in front of Voldemort and kissed the hem of his robe. Voldemort took his wand, tapped her on the head and instructed her to rise.

"Did the exchange go smoothly?"

"The exchange did Master, however it took longer to get back than planned. I had to dodge some Aurors. It meant apparating all over half of Britain to throw them off the trail."

"You've done well, Bella. Would you like to torture some muggles as a reward?"

"Actually Master," she said, licking her lips. "I can think of something else that would be a much better reward."

Voldemort gave a rare smile. "I believe that I can take time out of my busy schedule to reward my favorite servant. Go in the bedroom and get ready. I will tell the guard that we are not to be disturbed. That and take my energy potion." He quickly gave the guard the instruction and went in his private bathroom. Reaching up into the medicine cabinet, Voldemort pulled down a muggle prescription bottle and shook out two blue pills. Popping them down, he gave a quick peek at his watch. "Fifteen minutes to Paradise!"

Meanwhile, Bella/Umbridge slipped into the bedroom and, as per the instructions given by Moody, placed the goblin monitoring charm in the corner of the room, giving it an excellent view of the bed. She then took off her clothes and slipped into a red and black teddy with fishnet stockings and stiletto heels. She was posed with a riding crop when Voldemort came in the room. He gave her an appreciative look and transfigured his robes into a muggle school uniform. Bella sneered.

"It looks like Tommy has been a bad, bad boy. Mistress Bellatrix is going to have to punish you…"

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Almost an hour later the pair was relaxing in the throes of post coital bliss, with Bella's head on Voldemort's arm. He lit a cigarette and made a half turn to hand it to Bellatrix. It was the Dark Lord's misfortune that the polyjuice chose that moment to wear off. The finely chiseled features of Bellatrix Lestrange began to morph into a….toad?! Delores Umbridge turned toward him, pursed her lips, and reached for the cigarette.

"AARRRRGGGHH!!!!!"

Voldemort got an eyeful of the person with whom he was sharing his bed and promptly panicked. He rolled off the bed, clawing at his eyes while simultaneously throwing up. The throwing up did not damage him, the clawing did, effectively blinding him. The screams of pain brought his guards running into the room to protect their Master. The scene that greeted them was a naked Voldemort rolling on the floor while an equally naked Delores Umbridge was trying to stop him from hurting himself while yelling, "Baby! What's wrong? Please give your love kitten your mark!" The guards did the only thing that made sense. They turned their wands on themselves and shouted "Avada Kedavra!"

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Gringotts Bank

Flickaxe's Office

Warcry sat watching the newly installed (by Delores Umbridge) monitor in Voldemort's quarters. He did not have any problem watching Umbridge emerge from the body of Bella, probably because most humans looked quite a bit alike in his eyes. In fact, Umbridge seemed a bit more attractive to him after she changed, less human, so to speak. He snickered, watched until all of the parties left the room, then took the memories and bottled them. These would not go to Flickaxe, they were to be delivered to Lord Potter-Black for his viewing enjoyment. When he finished, he firecalled Moody and delivered the bottled memory.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Ministry of Magic

Two weeks later

The members of the press were beginning to get antsy. They had been called to cover a special session of the Wizengamot called by Lord Potter Black and Lord Longbottom. The purpose of the meeting had not been stated in advance, but there were rumors that it had something to do with Bellatrix Lestrange, or as she was now known, Bellatrix NoName. The press gallery watched as the members filed in, then the bailiff stepped foreward.

"Oyez, oyez! This special session of the Wizengamot is called by Lords Potter-Black and Longbottom! The purpose of this meeting is the public shaming and punishment of the criminal once known as Bellatrix Black-Lestrange! Lord Potter-Black, Lord Longbottom, you may bring forth the prisoner!"

There was a gasp as Harry and Neville stepped onto the floor of the courtroom with Bellatrix bound between them. They walked her over to the chair and deposited her into it. The chains of the chair wrapped themselves around her. The two Lords stepped back and Harry addressed the prisoner.

"Bellatrix, you have shamed the family with your criminal actions. You escaped Azkaban Prison where you were serving a deserved sentence for your crimes. Since that time, you have continued your terrorist activities, murdering and torturing innocent people, both magical and muggle without a single shred of common decency. I have dissolved your marriage to your fellow criminal, Rudolphus Lestrange and have banished you from the Black Family. I have also declared you anathema. Do you have anything to say for yourself before I carry out your punishment?"

"Ooh! Is the little pretend Lord going to send big, bad Bellatrix back to Azkaban?" Bella's face hardened and she sneered at Harry and Neville. "My Master will bring me back, just like he did before! And then I will finish what I started!" She looked pointedly at Neville when she said that. His face hardened and he returned her sneer.

"I don't believe so," said Harry. "Before I carry out the Family punishment, the government must be satisfied in their claims. You escaped from Azkaban, the automatic punishment for that crime is the Dementor's Kiss." He clapped his hands. "Dementor! Fulfill your duty!"

The room grew cold and Bellatrix saw the Dementor gliding toward her. For the first time in years, she was absolutely sane. And in this flash of sanity, she knew fear. During her time in Azkaban she did not fear the Dementors, she enjoyed their company, that is once she went insane. Now however, she saw not just death, but also damnation. In the seconds before the Dementor gripped her head and lowered its face to hers, she screamed, a heartrending scream filled with terror. That was quickly cut off as the Dementor removed her soul. Once the foul creature glided out of the courtroom, Harry cast a cutting curse at Bella's empty shell of a body, removing her head from her body. There was a wet thunk sound as the head hit the ground. Harry amplified his voice and announced, "Family honor has been satisfied." He and Neville turned as one and left the courtroom. Once out of view, Neville stopped Harry and put his hands on Harry's shoulders, looking him in the eyes.

"Thanks mate. Maybe now the nightmares will stop. The House of Longbottom owes a debt of honor to you for avenging my parents." The two young men hugged.

"Neville, if this can stop your nightmares, it was worth it. I just wish that it would stop mine. At least now Sirius is also avenged. I still have a long way to go to get rid of my demons."

"Harry, if it helps, I will be with you all the way on that journey." The two made their way out of the Ministry while the press photographers were still snapping their gory pictures for the next edition.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Voldemort's Hideout, Wales

Delores Umbridge admired her shiny new Dark Mark as she took the copy of The Daily Prophet from the lowly Death Eater recruit. Since she had come out from under the Imperius Curse placed on her by Moody, she had found a new mission in life. She was the person caring for the Dark Lord, changing the bandages on his eyes and nursing him back to health. Once she had gotten past that problem of the disappearing gold, she showed great imagination in disciplining Voldemort's rank and file Death Eaters while he was out of action. It was still touch and go as to whether or not Voldemort would be able to see, but she had a back up plan in the event that conventional treatment failed. She had apparated to Diagon Alley under a glamour and purchased a set of artificial eyes similar to the one worn by Mad-Eye Moody. She was keeping them a secret in the event that they were needed. She thought that it was strange that the only eyes the optometrist had in stock were emerald green but in retrospect she thought that the colour was eerily fitting.

Looking at the front page of the paper, she saw the photos of Bellatrix being kissed, then beheaded. She smiled in silent joy knowing that her competition for the affections of the Dark Lord had been dealt with by that Potter brat. It would not do for her to be vocal about her satisfaction, rather sympathize with her Master when he heard the news. This should enrage him to the point that he would tear Potter limb from limb when he healed. It was really too bad that Voldemort was a half blood. He was strong, but once he disposed of Potter and his little friends, he would be disposable. Tucking the paper under her arm, she walked into Voldemort's room. She put on her best sickly sweet voice.

"Master, I have some tragic news……"