::24

They landed on a grassy knoll with the smell of the ocean in the air. Both Ron and Harry were trembling as they held Hermione between them. She had turned pale and had passed out since they Apparated away from the Malfoy Manor. Sai's hands were red and sticky with Hermione's blood, but he didn't even attempt to lessen the pressure as he kept his hands clamped over the cut. Above the slash to Hermione's wrist, the word MUD was cut in Hermione's flesh with ugly, ragged marks although the blood had since clotted.

"BILL!" Ron screamed, his eyes leaking a few tears. "BILL!"

Naruto looked around, taking in their grassy surroundings until he spotted a small cottage sitting out near the water. "There!" Naruto pointed, his finger trembling. "We need to get her inside!"

Sai let Ron take his place in keeping pressure on Hermione's cut while Harry helped Naruto to pick Hermione up and carry her so as not to jostle her too much. As they made their way haphazardly toward the cottage Luna suddenly came running toward them, her hair looking like a wild lion's mane.

"Harry! Ron!" She cried. Then she gasped and put her hand over her mouth when she saw Hermione.

"Luna!" Harry gaped in surprise. "What are you doing here? I thought…"

"I was locked up in the Malfoy Manor cellar." She quickly explained. "Ron brought me, Dean, Mr. Ollivander and Griphook here once Naruto and Sai said it was time to escape…"

They had reached the cottage by that point and Bill Weasley had rushed to greet them at the door. "Bloody hell." He said when he looked down at Hermione and the blood covering all of their hands. "Fleur!" He shouted as he moved out of the doorway and quickly ushered them through.

When Fleur Delacour-Weasley caught sight of Hermione, she went as white a sheet but she was thorough and adamant in her orders as she instructed the boys to deposit her in one of the beds and then screamed for them to get out. Not even Ron could protest his way around that one.

Naruto was sitting on the couch, his head in his hands. He had since discovered that Ron had taken them to his brother's place, aptly named Shell Cottage. Shells decorated the sandy shores outside the house where even now, Naruto could hear the waves crashing against them. There was an assortment of jars all over the house, each filled with shells Fleur likely collected. There were lights strung through the high rafters above their heads; a remnant of the past holiday season. But as Naruto sat there on the couch, his eyes stinging with tears and his heart heavy, he didn't much care what the house looked like.

Beside Naruto, Sai sat as still as a statue, looking down at his hands which had since dried into an ugly, crusty brown. He just sat there, staring and Naruto couldn't make heads or tails of what Sai was thinking, if he was even thinking anything at all. Bill was speaking with Ron in the kitchen, but every now and then Bill's voice would raise, offering a glimpse into their conversation.

"…were you thinking...?"

"…had no choice, Bill…have been captured either way…had to find Sakura."

Naruto tuned the conversation out after that. They didn't find Sakura, so everything had been a waste; Hermione risking her life had been a waste…

Harry stood outside, away from the oppressive atmosphere inside the cottage. His eyes were moist, but the tears didn't threaten to spill. Everything was his fault. Completely and utterly his fault. He should have never listened to Sai's plan; it should have been him that they allowed the Snatchers to capture, it should have been him that Bellatrix tortured. It didn't matter what the risk was, he shouldn't have allowed his friends to go through with such a plan.

Furthermore, he should have done something instead of just standing there behind the Invisibility Cloak. He should have just hexed Bellatrix and she would have been none the wiser. But he had been curious…curious as to why Bellatrix was so adamant on knowing where the sword had come from, to know why she was so paranoid. But he hadn't gotten any answers and now Hermione was hurt and it was all his fault.

The door behind him banged open and suddenly Naruto was at his side. But instead of the usual grin that accompanied the ninja's face, his expression was downcast and somber.

"Hermione's awake." Said Naruto, clamping a hand on Harry's shoulder, "Ron's in with her now."

Harry's heart leapt in his chest. "Is she going to be ok?"

"Fleur said she lost a lot of blood, but I think we got to her in time. She just has to rest a bit and drink a lot of fluids, I guess." Said Naruto. "C'mon, let's go see her."

Naruto pulled at Harry's arm, but Harry resisted. "I can't." He said stubbornly.

Naruto scrunched his eyebrows. "Why the hell not?" He asked.

Harry clenched his hands into fists. "This is my fault. Everything is my fault! And I can't…I can't…" Harry hung his head. "How am I supposed to look at her, knowing I could have stopped her pain and didn't."

"Harry…" Said Naruto awkwardly. They had their fair share of ups and downs since embarking on their mission, but Naruto couldn't remember Harry being this downtrodden since he had argued with Hermione and Ron about starting the D.A.

"I don't think Hermione is going to blame you for what happened…" Said Naruto.

"Doesn't matter." Said Harry. "I know what I did."

Naruto shook his head. "Listen, if you had revealed yourself to that crazy bitch any sooner than you did, we could have really been done for. She would have called You Know Who and then there wouldn't be any stopping him if he had you."

Speaking of Voldermort, Harry's scar suddenly prickled with irritation. He put his hand to it and a quick image flashed across his brain. The sun was still rising, but the sky was light enough to silhouette the castle from behind. The sun's first rays sparkled and shimmered on the water beneath him.

Voldermort. Why on earth was he going to Hogwarts?

"…thank Merlin Ginny was already at home for the holidays or she likely would have been the first one they captured…" Bill was saying as Naruto and Harry entered the living room.

Bill was sitting on the couch next to Ron and Sai while Fleur stood listening from the kitchen doorway. "What happened?" Harry asked immediately.

"I guess my cover's been blown." Said Ron shrugging. "Now that they know I'm on the run, they probably think me or Mum and Dad know where you are. Death Eaters began moving in on the Burrow so everyone's been moved to Aunt Muriel's."

Harry's expression hardened and Bill gave a soft sigh. "Don't give me that look, Harry. It's not your fault. I've been telling Dad it was bound to happen sooner or later. We're the biggest blood traitor family there is."

Still, the thought of the Burrow being abandoned made Harry's blood curdle. But Harry pushed it aside…he still had other things to talk about.

"I need to speak with Mr. Ollivander and Griphook." Said Harry.

Bill frowned as Ron stood up, looking confused. "Harry…don't you want to see how Hermione's doing…?"

Harry bristled. "Later." He said brusquely. "Right now, I just need to speak with Mr. Ollivander and Griphook…in private."

Bill shook his head as Fleur came to his side. "Harry…what the hell is going on here? I try not to ask too many questions…but with Ron showing up completely out of blue with a bunch of captives in tow and then you all come here, looking bloody and Hermione…"

"Bill," Said Harry cutting him off. "I really do apologize for intruding like this, but you're in the Order. You know Dumbledore has me…us on a mission. So right now, the only thing I need to do is talk to Mr. Ollivander and Griphook." Harry made sure to steel his expression so they knew he meant business. There wasn't any time to be wasted.

Both Bill and Ron studied Harry before Bill finally stood up, patted Fleur's shoulder and gestured for Harry to follow him.

"What's going on?" Asked Naruto as he and Sai followed Bill and Harry into one of the upstairs bedrooms.

"Today was a bust." Said Harry impatiently "We didn't find Sakura I but I think I have a plan that might give us some answers."

When they walked inside the room and Bill excused them, Harry turned to find Griphook lying on the bed. He looked a little worse for wear now that Harry could see him properly.

"I'll keep it short." Said Harry, his scar pricking painfully. "I need to break into a Gringotts vault."

Ron turned to him as if he thought Harry utterly mad, but Harry held up a hand to silence his protesting. Naruto and Sai exchanged confused glances.

"Impossible." Said Griphook.

"No, it's been done…" Said Ron, speaking reluctantly.

"Yeah," Said Harry. "The very day I met you."

"That vault was empty." Snapped Griphook. "The protection was minimal."

"Well…this vault will have pretty good protection. It belongs to the Lestranges." Said Harry. This time Ron looked as if he would truly pass out.

"You have no chance." Said Griphook flatly.

"We will if you help us." Said Harry.

When Harry finally finished speaking with Griphook, Naruto wondered if perhaps the whole ordeal at the Malfoy Manor hadn't left Harry a little loopy. Or perhaps he was just tired. The sun was already a spectacular blaze of red and orange as they journeyed down the hall to Mr. Ollivander's room.

"Harry…" Said Sai, "You really think there is a Horcrux in this vault? You really think it necessary to take the risk?"

Harry stopped short and bristled at the word before he put his hand to his forehead. "I do." He said quietly before pushing the door open to Ollivander's room.

They found Ollivander sitting up in bed when they entered. He, like Griphook, looked much worse for wear; his robes were tattered and smelly and his skin was sallow and sickly in color. Harry and Ron approached the bed while Sai and Naruto lingered behind them. "Mr. Ollivander," Said Harry, "Sorry to be disturbing your bed rest."

"Nonsense!" Said Ollivander, waving him off. "Mr. Weasley here saved my life. You both my ask anything of me."

Harry had hopes that Mr. Ollivander would tell him that there was some way of repairing his broken wand, but it was no such luck. Harry put the broken pieces away and moved to his next line of questioning.

"Ten inches, made of hawthorn and unicorn hair." Said Ollivander when Harry handed him another wand from his pocket. "This is Draco Malfoy's wand…although I suppose it might be your wand now."

"What do you mean by that?" Harry asked, his heart spiking as he took the wand back.

"Wandlore is a very mysterious and complex subject." Mr. Ollivander said, his eyes drifting off toward the window where the sun was shining in brightly. "Usually the wand picks the wizard, but there are certain…circumstances in which a wand's allegiance can be won."

Harry's heart began to thrum in his chest. Voldermort was closer to Hogwarts now and he was…excited. There was something going on and Harry believed he had a good idea what it was.

"So this wand will belong to me now?" Ron asked, pulling a wand from his own pocket. "I lost mine at the Malfoy Manor but…I took this one from Bellatrix Lestrange."

"The manner of taking is important, but generally speaking, yes." Ollivander said with a nod.

"So…it isn't necessary to kill a person to gain ownership over their wand." Said Harry slowly.

Ollivander's head snapped up at Harry's question. He gulped. "No…I should think that killing wouldn't be…necessary…" He said, slowly.

Harry nodded his head. "But there are…legends in which wands have passed from hand to hand through murder, aren't there?"

Ollivander looked down at the pristine white bed sheets below him. "Just one, I should think." He said quietly.

"And that's what You Know Who is looking for, isn't he?" Harry asked.

It took a minute for Naruto to understand what he was implying, but when he did, his blue eyes went as round as Ollivander's did. "Whoa, Harry you don't think…"

He received a sharp slap to the stomach, cutting him off. Naruto turned to see Sai staring at him. Slowly, Sai shook his head, as if to say don't interrupt. Naruto realized that Sai was interested in what Harry was getting at.

Ollivander gaped at Harry. "You…how do you know this?" He asked incredulously.

"It doesn't matter how I know." Said Harry.

"Y-Yes…" Said Ollivander hesitantly. "You Know Who was looking for a way to overcome the twin cores of your wands…but he also wanted to know everything about the wand variously known as the Deathstick, the Wand of Destiny…the Elder Wand."

Ron gasped as Naruto shouted an excited "I knew it!" Harry, however, did nothing. He took no satisfaction in knowing his prediction was correct.

"Mr. Ollivander, do you really think this wand exists?" Harry asked.

"Oh yes." Said Ollivander emphatically. "It is perfectly possible to trace the wand's passage through history. It does disappear at times, but it always resurfaces. An object such as that will always incite desire in others."

"And you told You Know Who that Gregorovitch had the wand, didn't you?"

Ollivander's eyes widened and he suddenly leaned forward. "He had me tortured, you know! The Cruciatus Curse…you have no idea…I had no choice…"

Harry closed his eyes; Ollivander's sudden defensiveness giving him all the answers he needed. "Thank you, Mr. Ollivander." Said Harry as his scar gave a sudden ache. "I apologize with bothering you with so many questions."

Harry left the room, gesturing for Ron, Naruto and Sai to follow after him. Harry made it through the back door before the pain from his scar became too much and he sagged against the wall, holding his head. Ron, however, didn't seem to notice.

"Harry! Do you know what this means?" Ron asked excitedly. "The Hallows exist! They really are real! Wait till Hermione hears about this…"

"Does You Know Who have the wand?" Sai asked, interrupting Ron's babbling. Ron immediately stopped short, and looked at Harry with a frightened expression.

Soon. He would have confirmation soon… "I believe he will soon." Said Harry as he closed his eyes and rested his head against the façade of the house.

"What?" Ron screeched. "But how…?"

"Gregorovitch had the Elder Wand a long time ago. I saw You Know Who trying to find him. But when he did, Gregorovitch didn't have the wand anymore…it was stolen from him." Harry explained.

"By who?" Asked Sai. "Is that who You Know Who is going to see now?"

Harry shook his head. "He doesn't have it. I didn't see…I didn't know that it had come to this already…he sent someone else…he trusted someone else to go check…" He was at the gates already…he would have it soon.

"But I suspected…" Harry continued. "I suspected he was after the wand and that's why I had to ask Ollivander…"

"But where is he now, Harry?" Ron asked anxiously. "Maybe there's still time! We can stop him! If You Know Who gets his hands on that wand…"

"It's at Hogwarts now." Harry said. He couldn't fight it anymore, couldn't stop himself from seeing Hogwarts, seeing how the light from the sun glinted off the surface of the lake as he made his way toward the tomb….

"It's too late." Harry mumbled before he collapsed onto the grass.

Sakura surveyed the scene before her with calm appraisal; the chandelier which had completely shattered across the floor, the dried blood and the three cowering wizards before her. Such idiocy and incompetence especially from some of the Dark Lord's closest followers made Sakura shake her head in disbelief.

"Where is he?" Bellatrix Lestrange asked. "I have much to explain…"

"The Dark Lord doesn't have time for such trivial matters." Sakura snapped. "Not when that which he needs is within his grasp."

Bellatrix's mouth seemed to tighten around the corners and she seemed to stand taller in her place. "Watch with whom you speak with, girl..." Bellatrix said, her tone dark, "Or I will…" The Dark Mark flexed threateningly on her forearm.

Sakura took one look at it before she burst into laughter. The sound was high and cold and it sounded so familiar that Narcissa glanced at her sister in alarm. "Or you'll do what?" Sakura asked, her eyes shining. "Will you call the Dark Lord on me?" She asked, pulling up the sleeve of her dark robe to reveal her own Dark Mark, branded just below her elbow on the inside of her arm.

Bellatrix stared at it, her eyes wide and even Narcissa shared her surprise. Lucius remained staring straight at the hardwood floor beneath him.

"The Dark Lord and I share a much deeper connection than any of you could ever imagine." Said Sakura with a serene smile. She caught sight of Bellatrix's expression and gave another laugh. "Oh, but Bella," She cooed. "Don't fret! The Dark Lord still holds you in high esteem."

Losing interest in the wizards, Sakura swayed over toward the two Oto ninja who stood awkwardly against the opposite wall. "And these two were bested as well? By a couple of wizards?" She sneered.

"We…" Began one Oto ninja.

Sakura's eyes flashed with menace. "I was not speaking to you." She snapped. Then she turned back toward the wizards. "Well?"

"It was because the ninja." Said Narcissa, speaking up. "One of them escaped from the cellar and the other…he…he must have come in with Potter." She said with a grimace. "If we had recognized Naruto Uzumaki and Sai…we would have made more of an effort to capture them."

Naruto Uzumaki. Inexplicably, the sound of his name made Sakura's heart begin to thud. Turning away from everyone, Sakura put a hand to her forehead. What was going on? It felt as if there was a beast suddenly inside of her, trying to claw its way out.

"We tried to kill him…Sai, that is." Said one of the Oto ninja quickly. "But that ANBU bastard is trickier than we thought."

The beast snarled inside of Sakura. She felt sick to her stomach. "You tried to kill him?" She asked quietly.

Before the Oto ninja could speak, Sakura had her kunai through his heart. She pushed his body down on the floor as the other ninja suddenly backed away, confused. Before he could flee, Sakura reached over and snapped his neck with a quick jerk of her wrists. The body fell to the floor with a thud as Sakura put another hand to her head. Her head still didn't feel right, but at least the beast stopped snarling.

"I'll explain to the Dark Lord why I thought it necessary to dispose of them." Said Sakura finally, after a moment of silence. "But you should clean this mess up. Nobody likes a mess." She said before quickly exiting the room.

Bingo Book

Undesirable #14

Naruto Uzumaki

Status: Ninja, Chunin (Konohagakure)

Family: Unknown

Security Status: MISSING. Strong likelihood that he is on a mission to find Sakura Haruno (Accepted). CONFIRMED – Is present in the wizarding world. May return to 12 Grimmauld Place

CONFIRMED IN LEAGUE WITH UNDESIRABLES #1, #15, #21 and #22 AFTER ESCAPING MALFOY MANOR

Note: If found, capture and bring to the Dark Lord or Orochimaru immediately. Do not harm.