"Let's see Dumbledore's prodigy without his master around to save him this time." Voldemort taunted.
"Let's see you duel without running away like a dog with its tail between its legs." Harry said.
Voldemort shot a stun at Harry and he blocked it with a shield. Harry sent a whip of fire at Voldemort. It went back and forth for ten minutes with Harry matching Voldemort's every move with one of his own. "Enough of this! Crucio!" Voldemort cast.
Harry didn't move at all. "Oh, the agonizing pain of watching you fail." Harry rolled his eyes.
"Impossible!" Voldemort said.
"I'm immune to the Cruciatus and Imperious curses, Tom. Your three lackeys over here could have told you that as they tried it too." Harry revealed.
"Avada Kedavra!" Voldemort shot forward as Harry sent his own blast out and they met in the middle. Battling one another for power. "You should be dead!"
"And here I stand." Harry told him. Harry rose his power level slightly and used it to break the connection, then step to the side to avoid the blast, which hit one of his own death eaters. "Oh, that's unfortunate." He smiled.
"Arrogant brat." Voldemort seethed.
"But strong enough to fight you." Harry told him.
"We'll see about that! Expelliarmus!" Voldemort got the wand out of Harry's hand. "Let's see you stop me now." He shot the killing curse at Harry again as Harry closed his eyes.
"Harry!" Hermione and Ron yelled.
Harry brought his arms up and crossed them over his chest as the blast hit a solid barrier, but never touched Harry.
"No. No, that isn't possible." Bellatrix stared.
Harry glanced down to see a blue glow under his shirt and remembered the necklace Draco gave him for Christmas. 'Draco...' Harry thought. The necklace was charmed to protect the wearer? Did Draco know? Either way, it just saved his life. Harry looked back at Voldemort, tightening his hands to fists before he shot his arms out and down at his sides as the blast went off to the side and hit the wall. Harry kept an even face as Voldemort eyed the boy. Harry shot his hand out as a blast knocked Voldemort against the wall. "Dobby, now!" Harry summoned.
Dobby appeared and snapped his fingers to make the chandelier fall, causing Bellatrix to push Hermione away from her in order to avoid the crash. Hermione was pulled into Ron's arms. Dobby appeared next to the group; Ron, Hermione, the goblin who had the sword, and then Harry who backed up and gave an amused grin.
"Stupid elf, you could have killed me!" Bellatrix growled out.
"Dobby never meant to kill, only maim or seriously injure…" Dobby said.
"You dare disobey your masters! You're a Malfoy elf! You obey me!" Bellatrix said.
"Your sister was a Malfoy, not you, Bellatrix." Harry commented.
"Dobby has no master. Dobby is a free elf! And Dobby has come to save his friends and Harry Potter." Dobby told the woman.
"See ya next time." Harry winked as Bellatrix threw her dagger out at them. Dobby saw it and quickly took them out of the room in a flash.
Severus had to work so hard to react to how Harry just handled that situation. It was brilliantly done and if he lived through this, Severus was slapping the man on the back and telling him good job. Either way, they were out and safe.
. . .
Harry landed face down in the sand on a beach, he could hear the waves hitting the shore as he pushed up and saw Ron with Hermione, who was still shaken up from what she underwent with Bellatrix. Running up was Bill Weasley, and his wife, Fleur Delacour, now Weasley, though.
"Ron! Hermione! Harry, are you alright?" Bill asked.
"I think so," Ron said as he stayed where he was, holding Hermione.
"Where's…Dobby?" Harry asked looking around.
"Harry Potter…" The elf's voice was heard as Harry pinpointed it and looked over and immediately shocked at the sight. Dobby stood there, a dagger in his midsection.
"Dobby…" Harry rushed over, stumbling along the way and quickly held his friend as he lost his balance. Harry took the dagger away, seeing the blood staining Dobby's shirt. "Hang on. Hang in there, Dobby. It's going to be alright," Harry said. "Uh…Hermione. Hermione, something in your bag?" Hermione shook her head to him. "Come on, help me…Please!" Harry held Dobby close to him.
"Such a beautiful place…" Dobby smiled some. "To be with friends. Dobby is a happy elf to be with his friend, Harry Potter,"
Harry bowed his head down, tears leaking from his eyes as Dobby stopped breathing. "No! Dobby, no!" Harry sobbed. After five minutes, Luna came up to Harry and knelt down.
"We should close his eyes, don't you think?" Luna suggested. Harry could only nod as Luna moved her fingers to close Dobby's eyes. "There, now he's just sleeping." She added softly
Bless Luna's heart, she was sweet and carefree. "I-I want to bury him. Properly, without magic…" Harry said as he looked to the others. Bill and Fleur were down next to Ron and Hermione, even the goblin wasn't far. The others could only nod to Harry's request, what else could they do? This was someone else Bellatrix had taken from him. Voldemort took Harry's parents. Bellatrix took Sirius and Dobby now. How many more had to die?
. . .
Bill brought a blanket to wrap up Dobby as they all worked together to dig a hole and make a headstone. Harry set Dobby in the hole as everyone came to pay their respects to the elf who had helped them over the years. Harry did use magic to carve the headstone to read; Here Lies Dobby, A Free Elf. Eventually, everyone gets inside the house and sits around. Ollivander and Griphook are resting in guest rooms, but the rest sit peacefully at the table. Bill gets everyone up to speed that the Weasley's have become targets because of Ron traveling with Harry, but Bill assures everyone is safe and sound and mentions that Ollivander and Griphook, the goblin with them, would be moved to safety as well.
"We're good here, it's a safe house for the order. What's left of it anyway," Bill said.
"Who is left?" Ron asked.
"Remus and Tonks have gone into hiding as she's due to give birth next month. Kingsley, those of us who are of age for the Weasley family." Bill said.
"We need to find those last horcruxes. Voldemort's gonna be out for blood after what just happened at the manor…" Harry sighed. "On the bright side…I think I might know where one is."
"Where?" Hermione inquired.
"Bellatrix was claiming the sword was in her vault, and kept asking what else was stolen…I think one of them is in her vault," Harry stated. "For that…We need to break into Gringotts."
"We should talk to Griphook," Ron suggested. "He worked at Gringotts, I'm sure he'd have an idea how to get in and past the measures."
"Then let's go talk to Griphook, then I need to speak to Ollivander if he's up for talking." Harry got up. Bill lead Harry to Griphook's room and opened the door for him. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stepped in and saw Griphook in the chair, hands together and across from him against the wall was the sword of Gryffindor. "How are you?" Harry asked.
"Alive," Griphook replied. "I see you buried the elf. Curious creature you are,"
"I'm sure you don't remember me," Harry said.
"I took you and the giant to your vault seven years ago, Mr. Harry Potter." Griphook replied. "Now a question for you. How did you come across the sword of Gryffindor."
"It's complicated." Harry said. "Why does Bellatrix Lestrange think it should be in her vault?" He asked.
"It's complicated," Griphook repeated.
Harry sighed. "The sword presented itself to us in a time of need. We didn't steal it."
"There is a sword in Madam Lestrange's vault, identical to this one. But it's a fake." Griphook explained. "It was placed there, just this past summer by an acquaintance."
"Surely she would have known the difference?" Harry remarked.
"It's a very good replica. Only a goblin would know that this one here," Griphook motioned to the sword on the wall. "Is the true sword of Gryffindor."
"Who is the acquaintance?" Hermione inquired.
"A Hogwarts Professor. As I understand it…He's now headmaster." Griphook said.
"Snape?" Harry asked and Griphook nodded.
That just made Harry more confused. Everything about Snape didn't make sense. Everything he said to Harry, to Draco…Just back at the manor, and now learning this? Was Severus actually on their side? He'd said he was on the winning side, where the power level matters. Severus knew of Harry's power level thing, was that a reference. For now, he needed to shake it off and focus on the hunt. If anything, Severus was buying them more time.
"Griphook, we need to get into Gringotts and we need to get into Bellatrix's vault. Can you help us?" Harry asked.
"Oh, I can indeed. But for this to work, you'll need disguises to get access to the vault chambers. I would suggest the girl go as Bellatrix herself, and one of you two boys, a guard death eater." Griphook said.
"I've got Bellatrix's hair on me from when she carved my arm," Hermione admitted. "I can use Polyjuice potion and transfigure Ron or Harry into someone else."
"I want something in return." Griphook stated.
"What?" Harry asked.
Griphook motioned to the sword. "That."
Harry was hesitant, but they needed to get the cup. It's not like they couldn't get it back later, or the sword might just reappear to them again. "Done."
"We'll go in time. Going too soon will alert of problems, let it calm down. I'm sure Madam Lestrange has already gone to see if the sword is there and the one she saw us with is a fake. And she'll be checking that whatever object you're after is there. Aside, I need time to rest." Griphook stated.
"We'll go when you are better," Harry said.
The group left the room and were into the hall. Bill led them down to Ollivander's room and let them in.
"Ah, Harry Potter," Ollivander greeted. "What brings you by?"
"How are you feeling, Mr. Ollivander?" Harry asked, coming closer to him.
"It'll take some time, but I'm getting stronger every day. I'll be back to making wands soon." Ollivander smiled. "Now, what can I do for you, my boy?"
"We were hoping you could identify these wands we collected at the manor." Harry brought them out. "Tell us if they're safe to use."
Ollivander put out his hand for one as Harry gave him a light brown one. "Nine and a Quarter long, Chestnut and…Dragon Heartstring core. Very brittle. This wand belonged to Peter Pettigrew, and it was his second. He got this back in 1996." Ollivander informed. "I sense it's allegiance has changed."
"You say that the wand chooses the wizard, so why would allegiance change?" Ron asked.
"Some wands can be won in battle, and so the wand chooses the victor of such." Ollivander informed calmly.
"What's this wand?" Harry asked, giving him a black, somewhat curved wand.
"Twelve and Three-Quarters, Walnut, another Dragon Heartstring core. This wand is Bellatrix Lestrange's. Very unyielding, do be careful with it." Ollivander said.
"And just this one as last." Harry gave him another wand.
"Ah. Twelve-inch, Ash…And Kelpie Hair. Very pliable. Loyal to its owner, it may not work the same for you as it would Mr. Theodore Nott Junior." Ollivander stated.
"Sir, would it possible to fix a wand once snapped?" Harry inquired.
"Some can," Ollivander replied. "Why do you ask?"
"My holly with phoenix feather broke on a curse rebound back on Christmas Eve." Harry explained.
"I'm afraid it is beyond repair, Mr. Potter. Not without a more powerful wand to restore it back." Ollivander told him.
"More powerful wand? Like say the…Elder Wand?" Harry questioned.
"That would be what I'm referring to, Mr. Potter," Ollivander smiled.
"Sir, what do you know of the Deathly Hallows?" Harry inquired.
"It's rumored there are three. One, is the Elder wand just mentioned. The cloak of Invisibility to hide you from your enemies, and the Resurrection stone, to bring back loved ones from the dead. Together, they make one the master of death. But few," He paused. "Truly believe that such objects exist."
"Do you?" Hermione asked lightly. "Believe they exist, sir?" She added.
"I see no reason to put stark into an old wives tale." Ollivander said.
"You're lying," Harry stated firmly, but respectfully. "You know one exists, you told you know who about it. I saw it in a vision because I'm connected to his mind," He informed. "You told him about the Elder wand and where he could go looking for it."
"He tortured me," Ollivander said grimly. "Besides, I only conveyed rumors. There's no telling whether he'll find it."
"He has found it, sir," Harry informed. "He went from you to Gregorovich, who spoke of a young boy who stole it from him. That boy was Gellert Grindelwald…And last vision I saw, Grindelwald told him where to find it, and then Voldemort killed him." Harry stood up. "We'll leave you to rest."
"He's after you, Mr. Potter," Ollivander said. "If it's true that he has the Elder wand, I'm afraid…You really don't stand a chance."
Harry looked back at the man. "I've never stood a chance, sir. By all rights, I should already be dead. Should have died when I was a baby. Should have died at eleven, at twelve, fourteen, fifteen…But I am not. I don't need the chance, Mr. Ollivander. I won't die until he dies with me."
Harry left the room without another word, then Hermione and Ron followed him out. Harry sighed out and gave Hermione Bellatrix's wand. "You're gonna need this when you take on her look. The bank uses wand checks to ensure the person is who they say they are. I'll hold onto the other two."
"Harry?" Hermione asked.
"No, I'm not alright." Harry said. "Since we're here for a bit, I'm gonna get some rest." He walked away from them and went to his temporary room. Harry plopped down on the bed, eyes closed.
'Harry?' Draco asked. 'Are you alright? I overheard Sev talking about you being at the manor with the others and fought Voldemort.'
'I'm fine.' Harry replied. 'Tired, though.'
'You sound stressed,' Draco mentioned.
'I'm upset.' Harry told him.
'What happened?' Draco questioned.
'…Dobby's gone.' Harry said softly. 'He's the one who apparated us out of the manor, Bellatrix threw her knife in the middle of said apparition; it made it through and pierced Dobby. We couldn't save him.'
'Harry, I'm so sorry…I loved Dobby when he worked for my family. I know my father was terrible to him…But he always played with me when I was younger.' Draco sighed.
'We've buried him where we currently are. You know…The first time I met him was second year and before I went home; I made him promise to never try and save my life again. He kept it all these years until today. Where he gave his life to save mine…' Harry tried not to cry again.
'Where are you, Harry? I'm apparating to you.' Draco said.
'I can't tell you. It's an Order safe-house and under a specific charm that doesn't let anyone other than the secret keeper speak of it.' Harry revealed.
'Fidelius Charm?' Draco asked.
'Yes,' Harry confirmed.
'Please tell me the search is almost over?' Draco sighed. "I can't stand not being able to be there for you.'
"Hopefully soon,' Harry said. 'Being at the manor, while prisoners, gave us a hint to the possible location of another,' He informed.
'Where?' Draco questioned.
'We theorized a while back that Voldemort might be using the Hogwarts Founders items, aside the sword of Gryffindor. There was Slytherin's Locket, and Hermione named Hufflepuff's cup and something of Ravenclaw's too. We don't know Ravenclaw's yet. The diary was special to Voldemort, and so was his mother's ring. The cup, whatever of Ravenclaw's and the snake. Voldemort himself is a vessel to part of his soul, so he makes seven. When the other three are destroyed, Voldemort will be mortal and we can kill him.' Harry explained.
'That's great progress, love. Where's the hint for the next item?' Draco asked.
'We think Voldemort might have entrusted objects to his most loyal followers. The diary was maintained by your father, after all. When we were at the manor, Bellatrix lost it with rage to learn we had the sword, which she swore was in her vault. She tortured Hermione, carved Mudblood into her arm asking how we got the sword and what else we took from her vault. So we think she has one. That's our next destination,' Harry stated.
"Gringotts? Harry, you know that no one has EVER broken in there, don't you?' Draco reminded.
'What choice do we have? Imperio Bellatrix to make her go in there. Don't think it's the wisest to return to the manor. We've got a plan to get in…' Harry said.
'Do I want to know?' Draco muttered.
'We've got a former Gringotts goblin with us, who had been prisoner at the manor. Griphook. He agreed to help us get in…If we give him the sword.' Harry remarked.
'Are you mad? Harry, you need that to destroy them.' Draco scolded.
'Sacrifices have to be made to see this through, babe. The sword isn't the only thing that can destroy them. If you remember, the diary was destroyed with a Basilisk fang and there are a couple of those down in the chamber of secrets. So we'll collect the two items first, and then we'll be back to destroy them. I know the way out of it from second year, I can get back in the same way without have to ever enter the castle.' Harry said.
'Just be careful, please?' Draco hoped. 'I don't want to lose you.'
'I'm doing the best I can,' Harry reassured. 'It'll be over soon.'
'Can't wait.' Draco sighed gently.
'We're hanging where we are for a bit so Griphook, the goblin needs to recover…So does Hermione. We're all taking a needed break before we hit exhaustion and mourning Dobby…' Harry said.
'Good, you deserve it, love. I'll leave you to rest. But I'm here if you need me.' Draco smiled.
'Thanks babe. I'll talk to you soon,' Harry said.
The connection cut as Harry decided to get comfortable and eventually, fall asleep. However as Harry was officially going into sleep; his mind took him through Voldemort's eyes where the man was approaching Dumbledore's tomb. Voldemort moved everything out of the way and cracked the tomb open and stared down at Dumbledore before he gripped the Elder wand in Dumbledore's hands and against his chest. Voldemort smirked as he shot it in the air, releasing a powerful wave of power looking a lot like lightning.
'So he's finally got the wand? Good. I want to beat him when he thinks he's invincible. Enjoy it while you can, Tom…I'm gonna enjoy ripping everything away from you as you have me.' Harry thought before he made sure his shields were up and he let sleep take him to a dream of a happier world with his boyfriend and his friends; a world without Voldemort that Harry was going to ensure came true.