Disclaimer: All rights to Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling and Warner Media, I'm just a fan.
Authors Note: Thanks to everyone who has supported the story so far by reading, reviewing, favouriting and following it.
A special thanks to the following person anthony-machin6 who is the latest person to favourite the story. Thank you for the support, it means a lot.
Chapter Sixty Nine:
"That exam was exhausting!", Ron muttered as he, Harry, Neville and Hermione walked out of the Great Hall alongside the other Seventh Years who were chattering away excitedly, looking forward to the weekend. One of their final ones as Hogwarts students.
"Not just exhausting but boring as hell", Harry added.
"Glad History of Magic is done", Neville agreed, "never did enjoy studying under Binns".
Hermione sniffed. "Maybe if the three of you had paid more attention in class for the last seven years instead of copying off of me you'd have found the exam a bit easier". Harry, Ron and Neville all rolled their eyes.
"Why don't we pop down and see Hagrid?", Harry suggested.
"I'm up for it", Ron said in agreement. "We haven't seen him for a week or more what with exams and revision".
Hermione and Neville immediately voiced their support for this.
Just as the foursome reached the doors to the outside of the castle however they heard a familiar voice call out "Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville. Wait there a moment".
When they turned around they found Sirius and Remus standing in front of them.
"What's up?", Harry asked as his godfather and uncle approached.
"Dumbledore wants to see the four of you in his office now", Sirius informed them.
All four Gryffindor's cast each other nervous looks. Remus chuckled and told them "you're not in any trouble so don't worry on that score". The four friends breathed a collective sigh of relief and followed Remus and Sirius up through the castle.
They had just reached the stone gargoyle guarding the spiral staircase to Dumbledore's living quarters when Harry couldn't wait any longer and burst out "what is going on?!".
Sirius and Remus cast amused looks at the familiar display of impatience from the boy they both considered like a son.
Remus was the one to inform them all in his characteristically calm manner. "The Polyjuice potion for the bank infiltration has been successfully prepared ahead of schedule so Dumbledore wants to move the time forward for stealing the Cup".
"He'll explain everything, including the details when you meet with him in a minute", Sirius added.
"Strawberry bonbons", Remus gave the password. The gargoyle leapt aside and the six of them piled on to the staircase as it headed upwards.
Harry's heart was hammering in his chest. He couldn't deny the nerves that were gripping him. To infiltrate Gringott's and take the Cup of Hufflepuff was going to a major undertaking and though he knew it had to be done to eliminate one of the Horcruxes Harry hoped Dumbledore had a bloody good plan to do so.
They reached the doors to the Headmasters Office and before any of them even had an opportunity to knock on the door or push it open Dumbledore called out from within "come in my friends, no need to wait outside".
"How does he do that?", Neville asked no on in particular. Everyone else shrugged. Harry had been pondering this very same question for many years now and still had no answer.
The six of them entered through the doors that had just opened. As they made their way into the office Harry saw Professor Dumbledore standing in front of his desk with his back to them, dressed in his usual flamboyant purple robes with heeled boots and his purple pointed with stars and moons upon it.
The closer they got Harry could just about see that the Headmaster was staring down at something that lay spread across his desk, though it was not until they were all clustered around the desk in a group that he realised it was a large map with the words "Gringott's Bank" scrawled across the top.
"I am glad the six of you made such prompt timing. It is imperative that we flesh out the final details of the plan to seize the Cup and destroy it now. We have after all just one week until Voldemort strikes at this very castle and all of us within it", Dumbledore said.
Dumbledore looked at each of them and said. "The plan is this...", he gestured to the map, "...one of you will impersonate Bellatrix Lestrange using hairs taken from her head and placed in the Polyjuice Potion. That will be you Miss Granger. Mr Weasley you will enter the bank with her disguised as the Death Eater Travers, whom we managed to incapacitate and hide in my brother Aberforth's cellar. Mr Potter you will be hidden under your invisibility cloak with your wand at the ready in case of emergency".
Dumbledore looked at Neville. "You Mr Longbottom will conceal yourself and keep a look out alongside Remus and Sirius. Should Mr Potter, Mr Weasley or Miss Granger send out a Patronus you must storm the bank and rescue them".
The Headmaster allowed his words to sink in before asking, "are there any questions so far?". Everyone shook their heads and he continued, "with the capture of Bellatrix Lestrange we have the Lestrange vault key in our possession, there is a complication however and that is the fact that the waterfall known as the thief's downfall must be passed by those in the cart heading down to the vaults. There is no way to circumvent it meaning your disguises will be washed away and you will be tipped from the cart down to the level of one of the vaults".
Everyone looked alarmed at this. Dumbledore's solution was a grim and distasteful one. "In order to prevent the goblin who comes with you from alerting the guards and wrecking the plan, one of you will have to use...use the Imperius Curse upon them to keep them pliant".
Harry was appalled. He knew that in war certain things were necessary and he had killed people accidentally or otherwise but the idea of taking away a beings free will was abhorrent to him. Dumbledore's face was sad and it was clear that he had guessed Harry's thoughts "I am sorry to ask this of you my boy but you know the spell better than anyone here and are spellcasting expert, you must cast the spell".
"But Sir...".
Dumbledore held up a hand at his protest. "Believe me my boy, I understand your feelings. It is an awful spell but if you do not use it then the three of you will be in terrible danger. Goblins do not take kindly to their bank being broken into and will not hesitate to have you killed or maimed should you be found out".
Harry sighed heavily. If he had to do it...then he would. "Fine Sir, I'll do it. I'm not happy about it though".
Dumbledore, to Harry's surprise, smiled slightly. "I am glad to know you aren't for it's your compassion that sets you apart from Voldemort and his followers who would use the Imperius Curse happily and for fun as much as necessity". He came to the last part of the plan as he informed them "you must get the goblin to use the key to open the Lestrange vault. Once inside be very wary as it is highly likely traps have been set up and actually taking the Cup may not be as easy at it looks at first glance".
"This is all very well Professor", Ron interjected looking thoughtful as he surveyed the map in front of them, "but how exactly are we supposed to escape Gringott's once the Cup is in our possession?".
Dumbledore nodded approvingly at this question. "A fair and sensible question Ron. To answer I can only say that we have an inside man or perhaps in this case that should be an inside Goblin. Someone who is willing to help...for a price".
Harry wasn't surprised at a Goblin wanting payment for helping them but he wondered just who would be brave and foolish enough to mess with the Gringott's Goblins.
Harry's thoughts were answered mere seconds later as the office door opened admitting a familiar looking Goblin who was sharply dressed as always and looked to be in a much better state of health than he had been during the rescue at Malfoy Manor. "Griphook it is good to see you again, I hope you are prospering".
Harry bowed to the Goblin and urged the others to do so a mark of respect.
"I thank you for the welcome", Griphook replied politely before declaring, "let us get down to business".
Dumbledore indicated his willingness to do so and Griphook settled into a chair.
Dumbledore came straight to the point. "You have indicated your willingness in helping my team exit Gringott's safely, what is your price for doing so?".
Griphook was silent for a moment as if he knew what he was about to demand was something the others would not like. At length he said "the Sword of Godric Gryffindor is Goblin made. I wish to take it and return it to my people".
"That's outrageous!", Ron shouted. Neville was only half a heartbeat behind with his own angry reply.
Hermione, Remus and Sirius all looked stunned.
Harry turned to Dumbledore. "Professor you can't agree to such a demand. If I understand correctly the sword is mine as the last true descendent of Godric Gryffindor".
Dumbledore nodded. "That is so Harry. I take it you are refusing to hand the sword over then".
Harry shook his head. "You mistake my meaning Professor. I've done research on it. The sword must be handed over by the heir in order to make it a binding contract".
Harry turned to Griphook. "I pledge to hand the Sword of Gryffindor to you as payment for getting us safely into and out of Gringott's". Griphook grinned showing a number of sharp teeth.
"However...".
Griphook's face fell at the idea of a condition. "However you will only receive the sword once we are at the doors leading out of the bank and have the Cup of Helga Hufflepuff in our possession".
The Goblin looked offended and stood up suddenly. "You dare to insinuate I will not keep my word!".
Harry held up a hand. "No offense is intended Griphook it is merely a precaution. We cannot afford to take chances with such an important task".
The Goblin's anger seemed to subside and he actually smiled a little. "You are wise to be so wary Harry Potter. Very well I agree to your terms but the agreement must be made now, on parchment and with our blood to seal the bargain".
"Of course", Harry replied.
Parchment was fetched and using a knife both Harry and Griphook sliced their palms and dripped a sizeable amount of blood upon it using said blood to write their names at the bottom of a prepared agreement.
The success or failure of the whole task was now bound to Harry an Griphook keeping their word.
Lord Voldemort stormed into the Ministry of Magic from one of the main worker entrances. He moved swiftly across the marble floor of the Atrium, his jet black cloak billowing out behind him as his fearsome familiar Nagini slithered along by his side hissing at anyone and everyone.
Terrified Ministry staff and visitors bowed before the dark wizard. Some even wished him a hesitant good day causing one man with a thick bushy moustache to be blown backwards with a curse into the Daily Prophet news stand.
Death Eaters and Snatchers were obsequious and heaped praise on him as he passed while two Dementors glided silently by. Lord Voldemort cared not for the sycophants or the terrified Ministry workers and visitors for he was a man on a mission.
"I am going to see Minister Fudge...now", Voldemort coldly informed the receptionist on the front desk, barely stopping to here her terrified response of "yes my Lord".
Voldemort strode over to one of the lifts, which quickly emptied of the few Ministry employees inside who were desperate to escape his wrath. He stepped inside, waited for Nagini to slither in and then pressed the button with a wave of his wand.
The lift did not take long to reach the top floor of the Ministry building on which sat the office of Minister Fudge and his Secretary Dolores Umbridge.
Voldemort had no time for Fudge, he decided. The man was far too independent acting. Far too willing to overstep his bounds. True he had pushed through every decree laid down by Voldemort but equally he opposed some of the harsher measures necessary to defeat the terrorists and blood traitors. In addition to this he had still not forced that old fool Albus Dumbledore out of Hogwarts meaning that none of Voldemort's plans for the youth of Wizarding Britain could be put into operation.
Voldemort's sandals echoed on the marble flooring as he stormed along the corridor pushing people aside and heading straight for the office door marked "Dolores Umbridge Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic".
Without even so much as knocking, Voldemort aimed his wand at the door and muttered "Bombarda" in an almost bored voice and watched as the door exploded into shards of wood that flew in all directions. As the smoke cleared he stepped into the office to find Dolores Umbridge staring at him in shock and her secretary cowering in a corner of the room.
"I am here to see Minister Fudge", Voldemort informed Umbridge in a menacing tone as he ignored the whimpering girl in the corner.
Umbridge dusted herself off, stood up and said "of course my Lord" before heading over to the inner door that was marked "Cornelius Oswald Fudge Minister of Magic" in ornate gold lettering.
"Never mind opening the door I'll do it myself", Voldemort announced. He flicked his wand at the door, said "Bombarda" and again watched as the door exploded into wood fragments.
Voldemort strode across the outer office and into Fudge's office to find the Minister of Magic contemptibly hiding under his desk.
"Come out from there 'Minister'" Voldemort commanded pouring scorn on Fudge's title.
Fudge came out looking shaken and scared. "I..I...I'm sorry my Lord I had no idea you were coming or I'd have prepared a better welcome for you", he bowed low, so low he was touching the hem of Voldemort's robes.
"Never mind the welcome", Voldemort hissed, "I am here for one reason and one reason only. To hear that you have succeeded in taking control of Hogwarts. You know it a necessary step in my conquest of the Wizard World".
Fudge gulped heavily and shook harder. "I..I...Dumbledore refuses to stand aside and all our attempts to seize the castle by force have failed".
"You are pathetic", Voldemort spat, "even that old fool Dumbledore and that young fool Potter are better wizards than you". He shook his head and sneered, "to think I had such high hopes when I named you Minister once more but you proven to be nothing more than a failure. A leech. Not worthy of your high office".
Fudge clasped his hands together in supplication. "Please Lord Voldemort, give me a chance. Just one and I promise to seize the castle!".
"You are too late Fudge" Voldemort spat the name out as if the Minister were something disgusting beneath his shoe. "I have already given the order for the forces loyal to me to concentrate in the village of Hogsmeade, take it and move on to seize the castle. I have grown tired of waited and your empty promises".
Voldemort brandished his wand and pointed it threateningly at Fudge. "I warned you when I handed you the job that Lord Voldemort does not tolerate failure. You have failed and you must suffer the punishment".
"No!", Fudge screamed hysterically.
Voldemort aimed his wand at Fudge and murmured, "silence. Crucio!". The spell hit Fudge directly in the chest causing him to crash back against his desk, his limbs twitching wildly about as the spells effects tore through him.
Voldemort grinned evilly through a lipless mouth and after a full five minutes grew bored of Fudges screams and cries. Feeling disgusted by the Minister urinating himself he decided to end it. "Strike", he commanded of Nagini who pounced on the Minister with relish.
After some time of this Voldemort spoke again, "goodbye Cornelius, you pathetic worm. Avada Kedavra!". Just like that, the Minister of Magic of the United Kingdom, having been reduced to a drooling, panting mess, died on the floor of his office killed the instant the the jet of green light struck him full force in the chest.
"What have you done?!", a voice shrieked. Dolores Umbridge, Fudge's Undersecretary ran past him to stare down at Fudge in wide eyed shock.
"Look at me", Voldemort commanded of her. Umbridge, unable to speak momentarily, complied and seemed unafraid to stare into his glaring red eyes, something which impressed him. "You are the new Minister of Magic with immediate effect. You may choose your own personnel and impose your own policies within limits. You must at all times adhere to the policies and practices that I myself have laid down. You may now speak".
Umbridge bowed as her shock was replaced with a fanatical gleam in her blue eyes. "I understand my Lord and I will not fail you".
"See that you do not or you will suffer the same fate as Cornelius Fudge", Voldemort said before striding out of the office and making his way slowly back through the Ministry to the Atrium and an exit to the building.
Just outside of the Ministry building Voldemort glanced down at his familiar, "come Nagini. It is time we finished this once and for all. A short stay at Riddle Manor and then on to Hogwarts where I will vanquish that upstart Harry Potter for good".
"I'm still nervous about this plan", Neville muttered as he, Remus and Sirius bade good luck to Harry, Ron and Hermione in an alleyway near the Gringott's building.
Harry clapped a hand on his shoulder, grinned and said "don't be nervous Nev. We'll be fine you'll see. After all if we can survive Death Eaters, evil teachers, giant three headed dogs, giant spiders and a Basilisk what else can really harm us".
"You had to say it", Ron muttered from his left side.
With Griphook hidden under the cloak with Harry, the foursome set off towards the Gringott's building. When they reached it Harry noticed the respect paid by the guards to both Bellatrix, Hermione. And to Ron posing as Travers. It made him wary.
The four of them entered the bank and move slowly down the central aisle past rows of cashiers at desks and various customers engaged in transactions of every kind.
Eventually, the foursome reached a counter set at the very back of the main lobby. At the counter a Goblin was busy scratching away with a quill, so set on his work that he had evidently not noticed just who was standing in front of him.
Hermione cleared her throat artificially several times in an effort to gain the Goblins attention and was getting visibly rattled until Harry patted her arm to calm her. "I wish to make a withdrawal from my vault".
The Goblin looked up from his work and finally noticed that Bellatrix Lestrange was apparently standing before him looking rather irritated. The clear irritation on her face did not seem to faze the Goblin however merely asking calmly, "and do you have your key Mrs Lestrange?".
"Of course I do!", Hermione replied in Bellatrix' voice with an angry undertone.
"Show me", the Goblin stated.
Playing up the sort of annoyance and distain Bellatrix would show Hermione declared, "I hardly think that will be necessary".
"I am afraid I must insist Mrs Lestrange", the Goblin declared.
After a few tense moments masterfully played by Hermione, she extracted the key from her robe pocket and reluctantly handed it over.
"Thank you Mrs Lestrange, follow me please", the Goblin requested slightly less confrontational.
The foursome, including a still concealed Harry and Griphook, followed the Goblin up past the counter and into a tunnel just beyond that was familiar to Harry. He had been in this tunnel several times and climbed into the cart on the track several times in order to make withdrawals from his account.
The Goblin having picked up a lantern opened the door of the cart and gestured to Hermione and Ron to follow him in. Harry and Griphook snuck in under the guise of the cloak and soon they were off as the cart flew along the track twisting and turning as it past numerous vaults and a number of guards and customers.
"We are approaching the thief's downfall", Griphook whispered to Harry as they approached a waterfall. Harry nodded and passed the message on in a whisper to both Ron and Hermione who tried to keep their composure.
The cart reached the waterfall and, to the surprise of the Goblin accompanying them, the cart upended tipping them out on to a ledge. "Imposters!", the Goblin shrieked trying to get the attention of the guards above them. Harry wasted no time. As distasteful as it was he knew there was no choice. Quick as a flash he whipped out his wand, threw off his cloak and murmured "Imperio".
As the curse struck him the Goblin immediately calmed down. Harry ordered him to take them to the Lestrange family vault, help them open it and await further instructions. The Goblin duly started forwards while Griphook held them back for a moment, took out several odd shaped objects and handed them around to his companions explaining "the Lestrange's have a dragon chained up guarding their vault".
"A dragon?!", Hermione and Ron chorused.
"A dragon", Griphook confirmed, "and these objects make a loud vibrating noise which is the only way to subdue the dragon allowing people past it and into the vault".
"But that's horrible!", Hermione protested angrily, "and so is chaining it up!".
Harry was furious too but didn't blame Griphook, he blamed Bellatrix Lestrange and her insane husband for the outrage.
The four of them resumed their journey to the vault that far beyond them. After quite a long trek through several caverns they reached a large open section of cavern. Harry took a sharp breath at the sight of a large orange and black dragon which was dozing comfortably in front of them.
The dragon was the largest that Harry had ever seen in his life. Larger even than the Hungarian Horntail which he had been forced to face in the Triwizard Tournament back in his Fourth Year at Hogwarts. It lifted it's head, sniffed the air and then growled menacingly.
The four of them took a step back pulling the Imperiused Goblin with them. The dragon clapped it's large yellow eyes on them fixing them with a piercing stare. They barely had time to dive aside as the dragon let out a huge gout of fire from it's mouth.
Harry watched in horror as the flame encircled the Imperiused Goblin turning him into a flaming torch.
Once the flames had died away the four of them stared down at the charred remains of the Goblin and the unaffected Griphook grabbed the key from where it had fallen. "Use the dragon tamers now", he instructed calmly.
Torn between not wanting to cause the dragon pain and needing to get past it to the vault the three of them began to shake the dragon tamers alongside Griphook. The dragon bellowed in rage and they were forced to dodge several more times to avoid gouts of flame but soon enough the dragon was cowed, lowering itself to the ground and allowing them to pass with no further incident.
"Here it is, the Lestrange family vault", Griphook announced to them as the foursome reached it. Without looking back at them he warned "be wary, the Lestrange's have traps inside and I know not what sort they are".
The four of them found themselves face to face with a large, ornate iron door. It was circular in nature as were all of the vault doors and Harry was glad they had the key with them for he knew no way to destroy such a vast door even with magic.
"Stand back while I insert the key", Griphook instructed. Harry, Ron and Hermione did so.
Griphook inserted the key, turned it and the door, recognising the key as the genuine article began to shift slowly to the side.
A vast vault filled from floor to ceiling with every kind of treasure imaginable was the sight that met their gaze.
"I'd hate to try to count all this coin", Ron commented in amazement as he looked around upon entering the vault.
"Never mind all that Ron", said crossly, "focus on finding the Cup".
Ron shook his head and smiled apologetically, "right, sorry", he replied and began to search as did the others.
"There are so many objects here how will we know we've found the right one?", Hermione asked.
Harry reached into his jeans pocket and extracted a sketch on parchment. "I have a drawing of it here". He showed it to her. She nodded and continued to search.
"There it is up on that high shelf", Griphook said pointing a finger at the highest shelf.
Harry groaned, "how in the hell do we get up there?".
"Use the sword to hook it from a lower position?", Hermione suggested. Harry nodded and began to climb over a number of objects before gripping onto the shelves and hauling himself up.
After much effort Harry managed to reach the top shelf and clung on to with one hand while attempting to use the sword to hook the Cup. He was able to hook the Cup on his third try and shouted out in triumph "yes!...oh no...". The Cup slipped off of the sword blade and fell through the air before landing in Hermione's outstretched hands.
Hermione had caught the Cup without thinking and Ron yelled "Hermione drop it!" in horror as another Cup appeared and then another and another until soon the vault began to fill up with them.
Harry fell from the high shelf plunging down into the pile of Cups. He reached out for them desperately trying to find the real one.
Harry touched one and grimaced from the malevolence and horrible flashbacks that ensued. "It's this one!", he shouted as he held it aloft. Hermione grabbed it from him, thrust it into a backpack, sealed the backpack with ward spells and slung it on her back. "We have to go!", she yelled.
The foursome struggled out of the vault being carried on a sea of fake Cups before they reached the cavern in which the cowed dragon lay.
The dragon raised it's head at the noise of the Cups and their shrieks of horror. It was not happy about the noise but also seemed wary to Harry of the return of the dragon tamers if it responded.
"I have an idea Harry Potter", Griphook said and outlined his plan.
Once Griphook had told him Harry gaped at him like the Goblin had grown a second head. "You're mad!", he said aloud.
"Who's mad?", Ron asked.
"Griphook wants us to ride this dragon!", Harry gestured wildly at the dragon.
Spellfire struck nearby and all four of them turned to find guards running towards them. After returning fire for some time Griphook asked them, "do the three of you have any better plan?".
"We have to trust him Harry, lets go!", Hermione shouted.
Reluctantly, they all piled on to the dragons back and Harry aimed his wand at the chains keeping the creature in place. "Diffindo!". The chains sliced in two and the dragon flew upwards at ever increasing speed while Harry, Ron, Hermione and Griphook threw up their hands to shield themselves from the spellfire below and the shards of rock above them.
The dragon smashed through the ceiling of the cavern and continued, up and up until it flew straight through the floor of the Gringott's lobby sending marble, plaster and wood raining in all directions. Without stopping it hurtled through the ceiling of the lobby. Higher and higher it went as it smashed through the glass ceiling of the bank and flew through Diagon Alley and off into the unknown.
"We've done some crazy things together Harry but this...this is insane!", Ron yelled as the dragon flew on and on before descending down into a tree lined forest near a lake.
"The dragon is going to drop us, jump!", Harry ordered and the four of them leapt off the dragon's back plunging down into the cold water of the lake.
After picking themselves up and stepping out of the lake, Hermione used a drying charm on them all as Harry turned to Griphook, bowed and offered the sword. "You helped us Griphook so I keep my word, here is the sword".
"It was a pleasure doing business with you Harry Potter", Griphook replied and bowed to Harry, Ron and Hermione in turn.
The Goblin had just turned to leave when a blur of fur charged him, knocked him to the ground and tore out his throat in front of the horrified trio. Griphook fell to the ground dead.
The creature turned and growled at them. Harry knew the signs. Knew they were facing down a werewolf. The werewolf, a female, charged them and grabbed hold of Ron's leg with it's teeth.
"Flipendo! Locomotor Wibbly! Incarcerous! Stupefy!" Harry shouted in quick succession. The first spell disoriented the werewolf who fell and struck it's head hard on a nearby rock, the second made her unable stand, the third bound her in thick ropes and the fourth knocked her out.
"What the hell was that about?", Hermione swore uncharacteristically.
Harry shook his head. "No idea. But we'd better go. We'll take Griphook's body with us back to Hogwarts, least we can do".
Harry picked up Griphook and the sword. He and Ron held on to Hermione's arm and the three of them disapparated hoping to land in front of the gates to Hogwarts.
The last thought Harry had as the disapparation spell kicked in was that it had been a crazy day though no more crazy than he was used to in his life.