Content warning: There's a raunchy scene at the end of this chapter. It isn't too bad (I've honestly read worse in young adult books that had a 12+ rating), but if that isn't your thing, it's not detrimental to the plot if you skip it. It will be after the French dialogue if you want close out beforehand. It won't hurt my feelings if you do as your comfort is more important :)
~Jules
Part IV: Revolution
Chapter XVI: In Which They Make a Deal
Corinna had sent a Patronus to Aunt Andromeda and Dora later that evening, reassuring them that she was still alive and no longer kidnapped. The fact that she could produce a corporeal Patronus with Draco's wand made her believe that she had won its loyalty, whatever that meant in the grand scheme of things. The hardest part was thinking of something happy as everything she thought about seemed to be associated with Uncle Ted in some way.
They sent one back. It was Dora's wolf who was glad to hear from Corinna and hoped whatever needed to be done was over with as quickly as possible. In Dora's words, she could pop any day now.
It did not get past Corinna how neither of them mentioned Uncle Ted. That wasn't something one discussed when you only had a short window to send a message.
The next three days of waiting seemed to blur together.
Dobby was more than happy to cook and clean for the army that was staying at Shell Cottage, and everyone else was more than happy to let him since they would let him do whatever made him happiest and safest. Since all of those at Malfoy Manor saw him, so he can't return to his employ at the school. If it wasn't for him, they would all be dead. Of course, he did not see that version of events that occurred. He only saw how Corinna took the knife for him, something he was constantly bringing up and something Corinna wanted to constantly forget that happened.
Corinna and Harry also found themselves sitting out on the beach just to escape the chaos of the cottage. She even wore shorter sleeves when the warm breeze would come by. There was a scar due to how deep the cut went, but at least Corinna did not see it without having to contort her neck and arm. Corinna did not need another constant reminder of how vile her mother is.
"This place would be nice, if it wasn't so crowded," said Harry as they laid out on a towel, looking up at the sky full of fluffy white clouds. Corinna sometimes forgot how much she missed just being outside.
"Real estate shopping, already?" asked Corinna as she moved closer to Harry's side. She also had a hard time believing he was also here at times. Despite the odds, they were both alive and in the same place.
"Definitely not," said Harry. "That would require to think that there is a future past this war."
Corinna could understand the sentiment. She felt the exact same way at Bill and Fleur's wedding. Her heart pounded loudly in her chest as she wondered if Harry, when he allowed himself to imagine a Voldemort-free future, if he saw Corinna with him as well. She liked to think he does, but she was afraid that she was merely projecting.
Corinna closed her eyes. The sunlight burned red under her lids and she could almost feel the ocean as the waves lapped up onto the shore. But what she mostly focused on was Harry's breathing. She constantly needed the reassurance that he was here and he was alive.
When she felt a stare on her, she blinked her eyes open and turned her head. "What?" she asked. "Do I have another bug on me?" She was still very much annoyed with herself when something landed on her nose and she squealed in fright, her voice going up quite a few octaves in the process. She did not know why she could stare pure evil in the face, but the moment a stupid bug landed on her she reverted back to an eight-year-old.
"No," Harry reassured. "I just…I still can't believe sometimes that you're here."
Corinna felt that, if they were both having similar feelings, it was completely messed up. Everything about their situation was messed up, though. She couldn't even begin to list all the reasons why that was, and not for a lack of trying.
Harry had brought a hand up to rest on Corinna's cheek. She lifted herself up to let Harry twist around to full face her. "Harry," she mumbled, fully aware of the burning sensation building in the pit of her stomach. She was under him as he shifted to be fully over her. She jutted her chin up to meet Harry's kiss. She did not even get a chance to slip her tongue between his lips before he was moving his lips along her jaw.
He trailed quick kisses along her jaw line, and she fully let her head fall back to give him plenty of real estate. He hesitated at her pulse point, feeling her heartrate quicken along with his. He opened his mouth slightly, his teeth scraping against the sensitive skin, sending shocking pulses from where he touched her. She squirmed underneath, pulling on his jumper.
"'Arry," a voice carried over from the cottage and they both froze. "Coreenna. Grip'ook would like to speak to you."
Harry swore under his breath as he sat up. His face was flush with color as he called back to Fleur that they would be up in a minute.
"It's as if that stupid goblin knows," Corinna muttered as she quickly flattened out her hair and shaking the sand from her clothes. They climbed up to the cottage overlooking the water and filed inside. They met up with Ron and Hermione outside of the bedroom they had Griphook staying in.
Griphook sat in the bed in a similar fashion as he had three days ago when they first tried to appeal to him. He was in much better spirits now, more color in his face and his legs seeming to almost be fully on the mend, but he still seemed inclined to be waited on, not that Dobby really minded since Harry had asked him to get on Griphook's good side.
"I have reached my decision, Carina Lestrange." It took Corinna a moment to remember that she decided to let Griphook think she was a Lestrange. "Though the goblins of Gringotts will consider it base treachery, I have decided to help you."
"That's great!" said Corinna, and she could feel Harry shuddering with relief next to her. "Griphook, thank you, we're really—"
"In return," continued the goblin, and Corinna had to bite her tongue to keep from talking, "for payment."
Of course, it was too much to ask for him to do something out of the kindness of his heart.
"How much do you want? I've got gold." Probably not enough for what Griphook might want, but the others would probably help add to the pot.
"Not gold. I've got gold." Corinna did not like the sight of the wicked grin on his face, showing his pointed teeth in all their glory. "I want the sword. The sword of Godric Gryffindor."
"You can't have that," said Harry. "I'm sorry."
"Then we have a problem."
"We can give you something else," said Ron eagerly. "I'll bet the Lestranges have got loads of stuff, you can take your pick once we get into the vault."
"I am not a thief, boy," said Griphook, miffed by the audacity of Ron's words. "I am not trying to procure treasures to which I have no right!"
"I am a Lestrange," Corinna reminded, the words bitter on her tongue. "It's not stealing if it's my family."
"You have no right to the vault, so it is not yours. If you had, you wouldn't need me."
Corinna had to concede that point.
"The sword's ours—" Harry began to say.
"It is not!"
"We're Gryffindors, and it was Godric Gryffindor's—" Ron argued.
"And before it was Gryffindor's, whose was it?"
"No one's. It was made for him, wasn't it?"
"No!" Griphook pointed a spindly finger right at Ron, seeming to be shaken with anger. "Wizarding arrogance again! That sword was Ragnuk the First's, taken from him by Godric Gryffindor! It is a lost treasure, a masterpiece of goblin work! It belongs with the goblins! The sword is the price of my hire, take it or leave it!"
Corinna glanced at Harry and he made a motion for the door. "We need to discuss this, Griphook, if that's all right. Could you give us a few minutes?"
Griphook sneered but gave them a short nod in affirmation.
They took the discussion out to the abandoned sitting room, a surprising feat considering how many people were still at the cottage. Harry leaned against the hearth, staring at the short orange flames. Corinna stood off to the side, her arms crossed over her chest. Ron and Hermione stuck close together.
"He's having a laugh," muttered Ron, looking sour. "We can't let him have that sword."
It was another thing she needed to be caught up on: the importance of the sword. Hermione explained that the goblin metal used to forge the sword absorbs the power of whatever it comes into contact with. Since Harry used it to stab the basilisk in their second year, the sword has its venom. The venom, in turn, can be used to destroy Horcruxes. Without the sword, they had no sure way to destroy Hufflepuff's cup once they get their hands on it.
"Is it true?" Harry asked Hermione. "Was the sword stolen by Gryffindor?"
"I don't know," she said, a phrase that rarely left her mouth. "Wizarding history often skates over what the wizards have done to other magical races, but there's no account that I know of that says Gryffindor stole the sword."
"It'll be one of those goblin stories," said Ron, "about how the wizards are always trying to get one over on them. I suppose we should think ourselves lucky he hasn't asked for one of our wands."
"Goblins have got a good reason to dislike wizards, Ron," said Hermione. "They've been treated brutally in the past."
Corinna let Ron and Hermione argue, one of their favorite pastimes. Instead, she turned to fully face Harry, even if his back was turned toward her. He seemed to have aged since he was out on the beach and they could at least pretend to be normal teenagers for once.
"What are you thinking?" she asked softly, which did not seem to interrupt the back and forth between Ron and Hermione.
"I'm thinking that I can't see someone like Godric Gryffindor, who stood up for Muggle-borns and went up against pureblood-loving Slytherin, taking a sword that wasn't rightfully his," said Harry. "Where's the bravery in that?"
Corinna's heart pounded in her chest. It reminded her of her sorting, how it seemed that the Sorting Hat wanted to put her in Slytherin and she wasn't having any of it. Maybe that is where she truly belonged. She never felt brave like Harry, Ron, and Hermione seemed to exude. She could agree with some of the ideals that Slytherin house was supposed to represent: cunning, ambition, fraternity. But she would check the pureblood codswallop at the door. If it wasn't for the fact that she wanted to be the exact opposite of her grandfather and the reputation the Slytherins had, she might have ended up in that house.
A fact she was planning on only sharing with Terry.
"I would argue that it was a different time, but there are some who still believe to be above everyone else," said Corinna as she leaned against the wall next to the fireplace to try to catch Harry's eye.
"Maybe he's lying," said Harry, drawing his voice louder to cut off whatever Ron was saying. "Griphook. Maybe Gryffindor didn't take the sword. How do we know the goblin-version of history's right?"
"Does it make a difference?" asked Hermione.
"Changes how I feel about it." He straightened up and turned to the group at large. "We'll tell him he can have the sword after he's helped us get into that vault—but we'll be careful to avoid telling him exactly when he can have it."
"Sheesh, that is so underhanded, you would have thought I came up with it," said Corinna, as both her and Ron grinned at Harry.
"Harry, we can't—" said Hermione, looking alarmed as the prospect.
"He can have it," Harry continued, "after we used it on all of the Horcruxes. I'll make sure he gets it then. I'll keep my word."
"But that could be years!" said Hermione.
"I know that, but he needn't. I won't be lying, really."
Hermione huffed in annoyance as she looked to Corinna and Ron, as if begging for either of them to back her up. "I don't like it," she admitted.
"Nor do I, much," said Harry, giving a look that was a mixture of defiance and shame.
"Well, I think it's genius," said Ron, and he clapped his hands together. "Let's go and tell him."
Back in the bedroom, Corinna stood slightly in front of the others, but she could still feel Hermione's frown. She steeled her nerves as she looked right at the goblin, who still sneered at them for their earlier blunders about what he believed to be the true history of the sword of Godric Gryffindor.
"Griphook," she began, and his eyes never left hers, which was probably for the best since the others did not have the best poker faces. "We have come to an agreement. If you help us break into the Lestrange vault, you will get the sword of…" She thought a moment, "of Ragnuk the First afterwards." It was the best she could do to keep the timing vague. She could only hope that the use of the goblin name might work out in their favor, as if they might believe the goblin version of history.
"I have your word, Carina Lestrange, that you will give me the sword if I help you?"
"Yes," said Corinna.
"Then shake."
The goblin held out his hand and Corinna gladly enveloped her large hand in his. She thought she might have seen a spark of something in his eyes, but it was too late now. They might not have done an Unbreakable Vow, but their word was supposed to mean something.
"So, we begin!"
It was like sitting down with Neville, Ginny, and Luna to plan on stealing the Sword from Snape's office. But this time, it will be different. She won't fail. Granted, there probably wouldn't be Death Eater wannabes attacking first years in the winding tunnels of Gringotts.
"I have visited the Lestranges' vault only once," explained Griphook after the four of them gathered chairs so they could sit down in a semicircle around Griphook's bed, "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…"
Now that they were in the thick of it, Corinna thought it was nothing like planning to steal the sword. First off, they could only steal a few hours at a time during the evening before they inevitably had to go to their respected dorms. Instead, this seemed to be constantly planning with Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Corinna only coming out for mealtimes and when they inevitably crashed late into the night.
The days stretched into weeks as problems continued to arise, and even the solutions to said problems came with problems themselves.
"There's really only enough left for one of us," said Hermione as she studied their last vial of Polyjuice Potion. Even if they had the time to make it, they did not have the supplies. What Corinna had packed away to make more potions was also greatly depleted as Hermione had to make some things on the fly in order for their survival, and what Corinna had stocked for herself was away at Malfoy Manor.
"That'll be enough," said Harry, not looking up from the hand-drawn map of the deepest passageways.
She almost missed lessons with the Carrows. Almost.
Dobby, of course, was also a tremendous help in keeping Griphook happy. Despite the fact that he appreciated how Corinna saved the house-elf's life, he wasn't above using him like some wizards would. Griphook refused to eat the same foods as the rest of them, and preferred to eat in the solitude of his bedroom even after his legs were fully mended. He had no problems getting up off the bed to help draw diagrams and plans with the others, but he refused to go downstairs. Dobby was more than happy to, of course, not even commenting on the snide comments Griphook sent his way.
Ollivander was moved to Auntie Muriel's place once he was fully on the mend. He was eternally grateful for Fleur and Bill's hospitality, and even seemed to appreciate what Luna had done to help keep his spirits up. He must have been desperate, as Corinna wanted to pull her hair out whenever Luna talked about crumpled-horned snorkacks or how her and her father tried to replicate Ravenclaw's lost diadem.
Dean, who had to deal with the brunt of Luna's attention since the others were so busy, looked more than happy to be going with Ollivander to Auntie Muriel's to join the Weasleys. Corinna wasn't sure how Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were going to handle having their daughter's boyfriend around in such close quarters. She could see Mrs. Weasley freaking out if she found out what Ron and Harry—who she sees as a son—were up to. She would definitely have a few choice words for her oldest for allowing such sleeping arrangements.
Bill, Dean, Luna, and Ollivander set off just before dinner, and Fleur seemed to be right beside herself, picking at her food and constantly glancing out the window. Corinna could understand the feeling all too well. But, thankfully, Bill had arrived just as they were finishing up the first course, with news that Ollivander and Dean settled in just fine, and gave updates as to what the various Weasleys were up to.
"It was actually a sweet reunion," said Bill, referring to Dean and Ginny, "until Fred wolf-whistled and Mum noticed just how deep the kiss was.
Bill was just about to tuck into his meal when there was a loud banging on the front door. Everyone immediately had their wands out, Harry and Bill being the quickest of them all. "Who's there?" Bill demanded as he stood from the table and walked over to the door.
"It is I, Remus John Lupin!" Corinna was immediately on her feet, fearing the worse. "I am a werewolf, married to Nymphadora Tonks, and you, the Secret-Keeper of Shell Cottage, told me the address and bade me come in an emergency!"
"Lupin," Bill muttered as he ran over to the door and pulled it open, a feat against the wind.
Remus unceremoniously stepped inside, clutching a traveling cloak to his shoulders as his greying hair stood on end from the wind. He barely recovered as he rushed over to the table. Despite his pale features, he had the biggest grin on his face.
"It's a boy! We've named him Ted, after Dora's father!"
It took Corinna a moment to realize just what Remus had said, at which point, Hermione shrieked and gave an incoherent clarification. They were all quick to give him their congratulations, Ron somehow being the loudest, but it seemed that both Corinna and Harry were slightly speechless, especially when Remus came around and enveloped them both in a hug.
"You'll be godfather?" he said to Harry when he finally released the two of them.
"Me?" Harry stammered in surprise.
"You, yes, of course," said Remus quickly, and then turned to Corinna. "And you be godmother. I know it is unconventional to ask an unmarried couple to be godparents, but Dora and I wouldn't have it any other way. I believe her exact words were, 'fuck tradition.'"
Corinna could only nod, feeling tears well up in her eyes. All the excitement and worry she felt over the last few months in regards to Dora and her baby all came flooding out in joy and happiness.
Bill was rushing around to find a bottle of wine to celebrate the momentous occasion, and Remus gladly accepted the goblet despite his protests that he couldn't stay long. Corinna could understand why he would want to get back to his family. She even had the urge to go with them. If it wasn't for the stupid war…
"To Teddy Remus Lupin," said Remus as he and everyone else held their goblets aloft, "a great wizard in the making!"
"'Oo does 'e look like?" asked Fleur.
"I think he looks like Dora, but she thinks he is like me. Not much hair. It looked black when he was born, but I swear it's turned ginger in the hour since. Probably be blond by the time I get back. Andromeda says Tonks's hair started changing color the day that she was born." After draining his goblet, he told Bill to go on and top him off.
Corinna couldn't remember the last time she had felt this happy, if she ever had if she was to be honest. A new life joining the world, even one wrought with strife, was still something that should be cherished and celebrated. And celebrated, they all did as one bottle became two and two became more. It was almost a game to them at this point. Remus would say he needed to get back, and then he would find himself with more wine.
"No, no," said Remus, finally drawing the line when four empty bottles lined the table. "I really must get back." He set his goblet aside and pulled his travel cloak back over himself. "Goodbye, goodbye—I'll try and bring some pictures in a few days' time—they'll all be so glad to know that I've seen you—"
It was quick hugs and quick handshakes for the most part, but Remus lingered a moment after giving Corinna his goodbye hug. "They understand why you aren't coming home," he reassured, but it still did not help ease the guilt Corinna had been carrying around since December. "Just do what you need to in order to finally meet your godson."
She wasn't sure if it was the wine or the euphoria or what precisely, but she was finding it difficult to think at that moment. "That's all I want at this point."
Making sure his cloak was fastened, Remus braved the storm to Apparate back home, and that's when the numerous questions she wanted to ask Remus came flooding through her. Harry and Bill went about clearing the table while Ron and Hermione were talking in low voices as they headed for the sitting room. That left Corinna and Fleur to clear away the evidence of the food that no one was interested in eating any longer.
"Merraine," said Fleur, and it took Corinna a moment to remember that was the French term for godmother. "C'est un grand honnuer!"
"Je connaise," said Corinna, her mind still reeling that they would even ask her. Harry as godfather was a given, but she was already family. She was already dedicated to doing whatever it took to make sure that Teddy grew up happy and healthy and surrounded by people who love him.
"Cela signifie également que vous ne pourrez jamais romper!" said Fleur. She made it out to be a joke, Corinna knew, but it just reminded her of how Harry tried to break up with her at Dumbledore's funeral. Their nearly intimate moment earlier seemed to reassure her some that he wouldn't try to be a noble git again, but there was still that nagging thought in the back of her mind that he might find the need to try again.
"Tant pis!" said Corinna, deciding to keep up with the jovial nature of their conversation instead of the darker one that toiled in her mind. "Que vais-je faire?"
Fleur was about to carry some of the dishes into the kitchen, but she came back out when it seemed that Bill wanted to talk to Harry in private. "Donner des conseils, je suppose." But even Fleur did not look convinced at her words of Bill just giving Harry some advice about being a godfather. Bill had worked with goblins through his work at Gringotts. He was probably trying to warn them, but they were already in too deep with Griphook to change tactics now.
Corinna offered to stay up and help, but Fleur told her it was alright. She headed up the stairs and into the bedroom she shared with Harry.
It was easy to tell whose side was whose. Harry had discarded his clothes onto the floor, although he had managed to make his bed each morning. Corinna at least attempted to keep her things organized, but the frenzied nature of the last few weeks reared its ugly head in how her dirty clothes pile was much larger than her clean one—something they should remedy soon if their projected timeline was correct.
Normally Corinna opted for something more modest when she went to bed, wearing some flannel pajama bottoms and an oversized Auror Trainee shirt of Dora's that somehow ended up with her things and she never gave back. But she wasn't sure what made her do this, but she pulled out one of her nightgowns that was borderline lingerie with its soft silk and near see-through fabric.
She glanced back at the door, but she did not hear anything beyond it. She dug into her bag and found the potions that she had made up for their mission. Most of the vials were full of things that Hermione thought they might need, but Corinna had also brewed a couple with only wishful thinking keeping her going. Hermione would, of course, know exactly what was in the vials being who she was, as it was also a well-guarded tradition in the girls' dormitory. It was not something Snape or even Slughorn would teach them, but the instructions were passed along from the older girls to the younger through handwritten notes or shared in the confines of their dorms.
Corinna downed it in one go. The bitter liquid did not intermingle well with the ghost of the wine from earlier, but it was better than what could happen if they weren't safe.
She put everything back and lounged on top of the covers. She took the wand she set on the bedside table and muttered a quick Muffliato. She then grabbed the book that Fleur let her borrow. It was very French, in both language and topic.
Corinna did not look over when she heard the door open and Harry stepped inside. He seemed to freeze in the doorway, but he at least had a thought to close the door quickly behind him. She finally glanced away from the page she was pretending to read, enjoying the slackened jaw and wide eyes he was giving her.
"Like what you see?" she asked, closing the book without marking the page. It was a testament to where her mind truly was if she did not care about such a thing.
"Cor…" Harry didn't move from his spot, as if his feet were glued to the carpeting.
"Why don't you come join me?" she asked, turning onto her side as she watched him closely.
Harry stayed rooted in place, and Corinna was almost afraid she would have to fully spell it out for him. "Are you sure?" he asked in an impossibly low voice. "What if something happens? What if—"
"I already drank a contraception potion and put up a silencing charm," said Corinna, laying it out there without remorse or hesitation. "I have never been this sure about anything in my life."
The reassurances seemed to snap in Harry's mind because he was on the bed in just a couple of long strides. He crawled on top of Corinna and she eagerly sat up to lock their lips together. Harry's arms were locked on either side of Corinna, hovering over her where they weren't quite touching, but she could feel his heat intermingling with hers.
While Harry's tongue worked its way into Corinna's mouth, running along her teeth, he let his hand snake along her inner thigh, a shiver running through her at the simple touch. He was already pooling in the pit of her stomach as her body automatically reacted by seizing slightly. She dug her fingers into his back, instantly annoyed by how dressed he still was. She clawed at the fabric until the edge came into her grasp. Harry got the hint and, although he had to break away, he sat up and pulled the shirt off in one fluid motion.
It was evident that he had regained some of the weight that he had lost while being in the run, but he was still slight and peaky, something he always had been. But at that moment, none of it but all of it seemed to matter. All she saw was someone so handsome and brave and strong in so many other ways.
Before she could finish drinking him in, their lips were together again, and his hand had wandered higher, squeezing at her waist as she pressed herself against him. A gasp escaped his lips as he moved his mouth down to her neck. He found her pulse point again, seeming to be keen on finishing what he had started all those weeks ago.
While Harry nipped and kissed her neck, she blindly undid his belt, both wanting to let them take their time but also wanting to get on with it, particularly when she groped his crouch, causing his body to convulse and pull away from her neck. She gave him a mischievous grin as he tugged up her nightgown further until her entire stomach was exposed. It was then that she was glad she had ditched the bra earlier. All she had to do was sit up and slide the nightgown over her head. Now all she wore was her knickers, which were already wet with anticipation.
"Wow," Harry breathed as his eyes lingered over her chest. Although she never considered herself well endowed in that department, it wasn't like she was lacking. Harry still had plenty to hold onto as he groped her breast, massaging her nipple to a point under his palm.
Things did not last much longer after that as their impatience grew to a crescendo. Once they both managed to get their release, Corinna was slumped on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Harry had crashed down next to her, but he still seemed to want to touch her as much as possible despite the heat and sweat soaking them.
"That was…" Harry said around his panting, a dazed look in his eyes. Corinna wondered when he had lost his glasses in the process. She didn't remember taking them off him, she was too focused on getting him out of those stupid jeans and pants.
"Awkward," Corinna supplied. As much as it left her breathless and satisfied, it was still a learning process for both of them. Her smutty Muggle novels never seemed to touch on the fact that there was a bit more involved to get them both ready for each other, nor how messy the aftermath was. She had to grab her wand to clean themselves up or else they would be in for a sticky night.
"Yeah," said Harry around a laugh as he tugged Corinna over to him, so she flopped on top of his chest. She closed her eyes, satisfied. For the first time in a long time, her overactive thoughts did not plague her. There was only her and Harry, together as one.