Chapter 72: Swords, Coins, and Cups

What would you say to someone on the evening before they were planning on robbing a bank? Especially when you knew that bank happened to be one of the most heavily guarded places in the world? And to top it all off, they happen to be on the Governments most wanted list at the moment. He did not know whether to applaud them for their daring or question their sanity in such a dangerous plan.

He had to see though… needed to know if they could, truly, pull this off. He knew that breaking and entering was oftentimes the easy part… rather, the biggest difficulty is always escaping alive. Yet, those three just continue to escape out of the most impossible situations. So Albus was sure that if there was anyone here who could pull this off it would be them.

It had been a month since that happy moment when Remus came to the house to announce Teddy Lupin's birth. It was now the very first of May and the four of them had decided that they were now ready. It had taken them some time, but they had planned it all out, prepared as best as they could, and had managed to pull out the single black hair from the sweater that Hermione had been wearing that terrible day at Malfoy Manor.

Albus hated this… to think that one of them would be impersonating Bellatrix. He didn't even bother to try and joke about wondering if this was the right hair this time. He hadn't forgotten about the first time that Hermione had drunk Polyjuice Potion and the cat hair…

Hermione seemed worried about this as well, and looked suspiciously at the hair when they found it. Yet there was little doubt in any of their faces at whose it was. Still, she did not look any happier about that, and Albus could not blame her.

"And you'll be using her actual wand," Harry told her that night, "So I reckon you'll be pretty convincing."

That only seemed to repulse her as she looked at the wand; yet she forced herself to pick it up, looking ready to drop it like she thought that it would bite.

"I hate this thing," she confessed. "I really hate it. It feels all wrong, it doesn't work properly for me… It's like a bit of her."

Ah yes, Hermione did not win that wand so it would not change its allegiance simply because she held it. He remembered how she had once insisted that different wands made no difference, and dismissed how Harry hated using that borrowed wand. He could tell that Harry was remembering it to, yet he didn't say anything as she continued to glare at the wand in her hands.

"It'll probably help you get in character, though," Ron offered. "Think what that wand's done!"

Albus sighed, knowing that was the very worst thing that he could have said. Who would want to think of all the awful things that wand had done? It would just make it seem all the worse.

"But that's my point!" Hermione cried out, staring at the wand in horror. "This is the wand that tortured Neville's mum and dad, and who knows how many other people? This is the wand that killed Sirius!"

Albus sighed, knowing that it would be better to snap it, yet Hermione no longer had another wand and was stuck with this one for the moment. Luckily they had saved Ollivander, who had already made and sent Luna a brand new wand as his way of thanking her for all the comfort that she had given him while he was imprisoned in the Manor. Albus had been keeping an eye on him as well since he was moved out of Shell Cottage. Under Molly's care, he was improving greatly and was already starting to become stronger. He wanted to help create new wands for their side, though it was clear that it was taking a heavy toll on his weakened state.

As well as finding the materials needed to create new wands, it was very difficult for him to do so with his health compromised. Still, Albus was sure that once he had fully recovered he would be more than able to create new wands for all three of them. But though he was not an expert in wandlore, he could guess why he made a new wand for Luna already. He had spent a great deal of time with Luna while they were imprisoned together, and he knew that Ollivander was able to guess the best properties that her wand should have as well as remembering the same kind of wand that she bought when she first went to his shop.

He was a master wandmaker after all, and he knew better than anyone the best characteristics that a wand looks for in a person.

"I miss my wand," Hermione said miserably. "I wish Mr. Ollivander could have made me another one too."

Albus gave her a kind look, wishing that he could help her with that. But she would have to bear with the borrowed wand, at least for now.

At that moment, the door opened and Griphook had come in. Almost at the same time, Harry pulled the sword closer to him like he thought that something would happen to it should it be out of his sights. Albus bit his lower lip, knowing that was not the best idea. Harry shouldn't have done that, it was only going to make Griphook suspect all the more that they were planning. Though he would be very surprised if the goblin hadn't already guessed it.

Harry seemed to notice that he made this mistake and merely pretended that he was just checking the sword over before he spoke, "We've just been checking the last-minute stuff, Griphook. We've told Bill and Fleur we're leaving tomorrow, and we've told them not to get up to see us off."

Yes, Albus saw that… Fleur had been upset though she didn't say anything. Luna and Dean were both starting to ask questions like where were they going and how long they were leaving for… but Bill just nodded in a resigned way. He seemed to guess that it was best that as few people knew about this as possible.

Hermione would need a little time to take disguise herself before they left, and Albus doubted that they would've taken kindly to seeing Bellatrix Lestrange walking across their lawn. Though he noticed that they looked like they would've wanted to say goodbye before they left. He knew why… with the kinds of dangers in the world these days, who knows when… or if… they'll see them again.

Albus shook his head, trying not to think about this as he forced himself to keep watching, silently telling himself that they were as prepared as they could be. They had managed to get another tent and had packed several weeks' worth of good food, as well as other supplies. They had planned it all out and were as ready as they were ever going to be for this task, yet still he knew just how reckless and dangerous this was.

Griphook, not least of all.

He rarely ever left the three of them alone for too long, just watching and waiting… always appearing when they least expected it. He knew that Griphook was on the lookout for the first sign of treachery—though if he guessed right, the goblin was already planning what to do should that happen. The thing with goblins is that they always honored their end of a deal… but they were masters at loopholes.

They still haven't come up when they were going to do about the sword though, with Ron suggesting that they'll just have to wing it and hope for the best. Though he wasn't sure how much winging these three could keep up with. But he did notice that they do seem to react better to things than painstakingly planning them out.

There wasn't much else that could be done about it now. For after a sleepless night, they got up at the crack of dawn and silently packed anything that they left out the night before. No one spoke as they crept around the house, trying not to wake anyone up, yet it was too late for that. Everyone was awake, though they didn't bother getting up since there was nothing that they could do to stop them.

Harry seemed to be in the worst of shape, though Albus could understand that since they were about to attempt to pull of what no one had ever done before. But knowing how pessimistic that Harry was, he hoped that he was at least trying to stay positive. He always seemed to think that the worst was always going to happen. They had Griphook there to help them, and they had come up with several plans on any difficulty that might be waiting for them.

Though it was hard to remain optimistic here. He couldn't blame him for any of the doubts that were surely lingering in his mind.

Hermione had already taken the Polyjuice Potion by the time that the boys were ready. They slipped out into the chilly air, and walked swiftly from the house, pausing for only a moment when they passed Dobby's grave. Harry looked long and hard at it where the first shoots of flowers were beginning to come up. Albus felt his heart ache at the sight of seeing the grief on his face, wanting nothing more than to reach out and offer some words of comfort.

Yet at that moment, Hermione had come out, disguised perfectly as Bellatrix, and walking alongside Griphook. Though he knew that it was really Hermione there, Albus couldn't help but feel loathing rising up inside him at the sight of Bellatrix's face.

Still, it was a slight relief to be able to hear a hint of Hermione in Bellatrix's hoarse voice. She better learn to mask that better, however, it did make this whole situation not as bad to be able to hear her there.

"She tasted disgusting, worse than Gurdyroots!" Hermione hissed out.

Albus didn't even want to imagine what she would taste like, imagining the most bitter and sour taste that he could picture. Hermione then told Ron to come closer so that she could disguise him as well. After a little bickering about the beard, though Albus couldn't help but chuckle as he stroked his own long beard, Ron was ready.

They had decided that it would be best for Ron to have a fake identity since they no longer had any Polyjuice Potion or hairs to use to impersonate another Death Eater. Bellatrix's presence should be able to protect him… under normal circumstances. It shouldn't be too difficult for even the other Death Eaters preferred to ignore her. And it was smart to have a fake identity rather than try to pretend to be someone more well-known. Harry was to be under the Invisibility Cloak with Girphook and follow behind them…

There were so many things that could go wrong with this plan… yet what other choice was there?

Once everything was ready, they glanced back at Shell Cottage one last time, before they left—walking until they were outside the boundary wall where the Fidelius Charm stopped and they Disapparated. Stopping only for Harry and Griphook to get under the cloak.

"Perfect," Hermione said, looking at them from all over just to make sure that she couldn't see anything. "I can't see a thing. Let's go."

They left, leaving the safety of Shell Cottage behind—though it was hard to imagine any place a 'safe' anymore with the world how it was. A moment later here they were, right outside the Leaky Cauldron, preparing to head to Diagon Alley. They slipped quickly across the street without the Muggles noticing them, and inside the tavern.

Even during the first war, Albus could never remember seeing the Leaky Cauldron as empty as it was now. Here, it was only the barman Tom and some warlocks were muttering in the corner, trying to hide in the shadows…

Though Albus had to admit that he didn't have the time to go to too many pubs during the first war.

As soon as they saw Hermione walk in, they all froze in terror and Tom choked out nervously, "Madam Lestrange."

"Good morning," Hermione said as she walked passed him, causing Tom to stare at her in great surprise.

Albus knew why… Hermione couldn't act that pleasant. She had to get them to believe that she was Bellatrix… in other words, she needed to act like she thought that she was superior and better than everyone around her. Hermione was too kind-hearted for this… to be able to treat everyone around her like they were mere insects.

"Too polite," he heard Harry's voice whisper as they slipped into the tiny back alleyway where the entrance was to Diagon Alley. "You need to treat people like they're scum."

More so actually… he didn't think that there was anyone, other than her master, that Bellatrix didn't treat as if they were inferior.

"Okay, okay!" she hissed back as she pulled out Bellatrix's wand, looking at it with contempt, before she opened the entrance. Albus felt his heart ache at the sight of it all. It was mostly deserted, with dozens of shops having been nailed and boarded up, showing that the owners either went into hiding or were dead. There were hardly any shoppers walking along the streets, yet there were dozens of people sat in the empty buildings, beggars all pleading with passersby's for gold, insisting that they were all truly wizards.

Muggle-borns…

Though he guessed that he shouldn't be so surprised… Azkaban was now filled with nothing but Muggle-borns and blood traitors. Where else were they going to be sent to once they filled it up?

It was like they took all the magic from this place. He hated seeing Diagon Alley look this dark, he had never seen it this bad before. He stared around grimly at the street, looking at the new shops that were dedicated to the Dark Arts, and Harry's own wanted poster plastered over many windows. He did not wish to see what Knockturn Alley looked like these days, though he was sure that the people there were thrilled with this new world order.

The beggars took one look at Hermione and coward, trying to hide themselves from her view like they thought that she would kill them if they looked at her too long. Though, knowing Bellatrix, that wouldn't at all surprise him. But one man, with a bloodied bandage over his eye jumped up and went straight at her.

"My children," he bellowed, pointing at her. "Where are my children? What has he done with them? You know, you know!"

Oh no…

Albus looked away, knowing that they had to do something to stop him. He heard the man stumbling forward, most likely going straight for Hermione, but there was a loud bang, and the sounds of a body hitting the ground. With a sigh, he looked back in time to see that it had been Ron who was there, with his wand outstretched…

But the man was just stunned… thankfully they didn't have to do more than that.

Harsh… but it was what was needed to be done. There was no choice. And he was sure that Ron never meant to do any real harm either. He was trying to protect Hermione… no other reason.

It sure seemed to convince those around them that they were the real deal. For the people around them, shoppers and beggars all slipped away, eager to leave before they would be next. But they weren't the only ones.

Albus could see it in Hermione's and Ron's disguised faces, they were looking like they were contemplating on leaving. There was no point in trying to blend in any longer, though maybe it was better this way. If they left, they would have to start over from scratch and it would be harder next time… they have to keep going. Besides, the plan could still work, since that was what most Death Eaters would do… and no one was going to say anything about Bellatrix being there if they could help it…

"Why, Madam Lestrange!" called a voice behind them and Albus winced, knowing that this on the other hand might be a problem. He looked to see that it was Travers, a Death Eater alright… one of the same ones who had shown up to Xenophilius's house the day that the trio visited him, and nowhere near as bright as some of the others, but he was still dangerous. They need to be very careful…

They were already off to a bad start for Hermione did not recognize him and had drawn herself up to her full height, and snarled, "And what do you want?"

Not the tone she should use for another Death Eater… though that would've been perfect for anyone else…

Travers stopped dead, looking offended as he said coolly, "I merely sought to greet you, but if my presence is not welcome…"

Yes, he was already suspicious… they better think fast before he could do something that would expose them.

"No, no, not at all, Travers," said Hermione quickly, trying to cover up her mistake, "How are you?"

"Well, I confess I am surprised to see you out and about, Bellatrix," he stated, coming forward.

"Really? Why?" asked Hermione, and Albus hoped that he was the only one who heard that hint of nervousness there.

"Well," Travers coughed, "I heard that the Inhabitants of Malfoy Manor were confined to the house, after the… ah… escape."

He had been afraid of that. Voldemort had dealt with everyone who had been at the Manor that day, making sure that they were all punished severely. This wasn't good… though there was a much less of a risk of the real Bellatrix showing up, this was still becoming more dangerous by the moment. She needed to come up with an excuse to be walking around Diagon Alley now. He hoped that Hermione would be able to keep calm here… to his relief, she did.

"The Dark Lord forgives those who have served him most faithfully in the past," she said in the most perfect imitation of Bellatrix's most self-important manner. "Perhaps your credit is not as good with him as mine is, Travers."

"Clever girl…" Albus whispered with a smile. That had to be the very best thing that she could have said. And though Travers looked insulted, he looked less suspicious before he glanced down at the unconscious man at his feet.

"How did it offend you?" he sneered at the man and Albus's eyes narrowed.

'It'… he had said. He's a person not an 'it'. A man who only wanted his family back.

"It does not matter, it will not do so again," said Hermione coolly, though Albus could see that the anger and distaste in her gaze was channeled towards Travers, making herself seem a little more convincing in the process.

"Some of these wandless can be troublesome," said Travers. "While they do nothing but beg I have no objection, but one of them actually asked me to plead her case in the Ministry last week. 'I'm a witch, sir, I'm a witch, let me prove it to you!" he said in a squeaky impersonation.

Albus felt his hands clench tightly at the tone, anger boiling inside him before Travers asked her curiously whose wand she was using at the moment since he heard that hers was stolen. Just one thing after another. What happened at the manor was talked a lot about among the Death Eaters, most likely with glee at the idea of some of the well-known Death Eaters had let Harry escape from their own home.

Bellatrix's disgrace most of all would be espeically talked about… they all would want to hear about her being punished. He believed that they would like to hear about how she had lost favor with Voldemort… so that one of them may take that place instead.

"I have my wand here," said Hermione coldly, holding up Bellatrix's wand. "I don't know what rumors you have been listening to, Travers, but you seem sadly misinformed."

Travers seemed a little taken aback at that, and he turned instead to Ron, asking who he was.

"This is Dragomir Despard," she introduced him, "He speaks very little English, but he is in sympathy with the Dark Lord's aims. He has traveled here from Transylvania to see our new regime."

Another thing that seemed suspicious, for it is doubtful that Bellatrix would ever feel the need to stoop herself as low as showing a foreigner around. Yet again, if she was disgraced, they could pull this off as a punishment for her as well.

"Indeed? How do you do, Dragomir?" Travers asked, and shook Ron's hand with two fingers, like he was afraid of dirtying his hands. Just one more thing that they would find beneath them…

So what brings you and your-ah-sympathetic friend to Diagon Alley this early?" Travers asked.

"I need to visit Gringotts," Hermione said self-importantly.

"Alas, I also," said Travers, grinning at the thought of the bank. "Gold, filthy gold! We cannot live without it, yet I confess I deplore the necessity of consorting with our long-fingered friends."

Albus shook his head, having a good idea to what Griphook thought of that. But more importantly, he was starting to wonder if they were going to catch a break here… just what they didn't need… a Death Eater coming along with them.

"Shall we?" said Travers, gesturing Hermione forward. With no other choice, they followed after him, heading straight towards Gringotts at the very end of the street. A Death Eater was the last thing that they needed, now with him there, there wasn't any way that they could try and communicate with each other.

He knew that Harry was still following closely behind them, but it was here at the front doors was their first real obstacle…

There were two wizards holding onto Probity Probes, and standing on either side of the entrance. It was hard to believe that the goblins were putting up with all this.

"Ah, Probity Probes," signed Travers theatrically, "so crude-but so effective!"

Unfortunately, he was right. Something that they would have to get passed without drawing suspicion. If they allowed them to use them on them, then they would discover that they were all disguised. Travers set off first, up the steps and let the two wizards pass the Probes up and down his body. Knowing that they would have to time this perfectly, he watched as the very tip of a wand appeared from underneath the cloak, and he heard Harry's voice whisper 'Confundo'.

Albus nodded, knowing that Travers didn't spot anything wrong as he went up the stairs and to the first doors. As the two wizards became dazed and confused for a moment, Hermione had quickly passed them before they noticed that she was there.

"One moment, madam," said the guard, raising his Probe.

"But you've just done that!" Hermione snapped in a commanding, arrogant voice and he almost believed her for a moment. Travers was looking back at them just as the guard was looking at the Probes in their hands and said, "Yeah, you've just checked them, Marius."

Travers turned back to the doors and Albus sighed, glad that someone as clever as Severus hadn't with them instead, for he would've noticed that something wasn't right at once. Yet, if they slipped up even more, even he would put it all together that something was wrong.

Hermione stepped forward first, with Ron right at her side, and he was sure that Harry and Griphook were close behind. They left the dazed guards behind, heading through the bronze doors, and then to the inner doors that were made of silver… and the words engraved upon them:

Enter stranger but take heed,

Of what awaits the sin of greed.

For those who take but do not earn,

Must pay most dearly in their turn.

So if you seek beneath our floors,

A treasure that was never yours.

Thief, you have been warned beware,

Of finding more than treasure there.

Albus shook his head as he stared at those words. Seeing those words there, really put into perceptive just how mad this was. If they could pull this off, then it would be a miracle. His anxiety suddenly jumping up, he followed after them until they were standing in the marble hall. Passing the long counter where the goblins were serving their first customers for the day, the little group headed straight up to an old goblin, who was examining a coin through an eyeglass.

"Leprechaun," he muttered, tossing it aside as Travers came up and passed a tiny key to him. Albus was just thinking that he would hate to be the person who tried to pass a Leprechaun coin off to a goblin, when Hermione stepped forward.

At the sight of her, the goblin turned pale and said in a startled voice, "Madam Lestrange! Dear me!" How-how may I help you today?"

"I wish to enter my vault," Hermione said firmly and the goblin recoiled at her sharp tone. Yet, as Albus looked around, he noticed that Travers and several other goblins were all staring over at her and Albus was hoping that it was just because they thought that she was Bellatrix.

"You have… identification?" asked the goblin.

"Identification? I-I have never been asked for identification before!" Hermione said, trying to sound furious and annoyed.

Normally everyone would need a key, but that's not always the case. There is no key to some of the oldest vaults, usually their wands would be enough, however.

But here, Albus saw that they already knew that something was wrong… he could tell from the looks on the goblin's faces that they, at least, suspected that something was up. They had to have been warned that there might be an imposter coming. He had been afraid of this… Bellatrix might've realized her mistake after they left, after all. She would want to make sure that her vault was safe in case something like this were to happen. They had to get out of there now… but to leave while the Horcrux was just below them? Even if they did escape now, the goblins were never going to let an attempted break-in go without consequence.

This could be their only chance…

"Your wand will do, madam," said the goblin and Albus bit his lower lip. That will as good as tell them that their imposters… if they were warned that there might be a break-in, then they would already know that her wand was also stolen.

"Act now, act now," whispered Griphook's voice from somewhere next to him, "the Imperious Curse!"

Albus turned to look in the direction of the voice, not liking that plan in the least. Yet a part of him reasoned that it had to be done. He knew that Harry would never want to use such a spell willing, but what other choice was there? And besides, it was to save them… it wasn't like he would force anyone to do anything terrible… they have to get into that vault, and Harry wouldn't want to let them get captured again just because he didn't want to use a curse…

Yet… now that he thought about it, they were no longer considered to be 'unforgivables' in this new regime. And he watched as Harry's voice whispered, "Imperio."

Albus gulped hard as he watched as the goblin's eyes became slightly dazed and dream-like as he took the wand from Hermione and examined it closely.

"Ah, you have had a new wand made, Madam Lestrange!" he stated.

"What?" Hermione asked in bafflement, "No, no, that's mine-"

Hermione… please… she would expose them if she didn't play along. Though he reminded himself that she couldn't have guessed that the goblin was Imperised at the moment.

"A new wand?" Travers asked as he came over to them, the goblins still watching closely. "But how could you have done, which wandmaker did you use?"

Now that he was asking questions, Travers was the one who was going to risk blowing it all for them, and he knew that that spell would have to be used on him as well. A second later, he watched as Travers eyes became glazed over like the goblin's as well as he looked at the wand.

"Oh yes, I see," he said, "yes, very handsome, and is it working well? I always think wands require a little breaking in, don't you?"

Hermione couldn't have looked more baffled to what was going on, yet she didn't say anything else. She had to know that Travers should've started saying something after she told him that it was Bellatrix's wand. But she let it go as the old goblin clapped his hands and a younger goblin appeared, telling him that they would need the Clankers.

Ah, yes, he overheard what those were during their many hours of planning with Griphook. But they would worry about what was waiting for them once they got down there. Soon, the younger goblin reappeared, with a leather bag, where the Clankers were.

"Good, good! So if you will follow me, Madam Lestrange," said the old goblin, hopping down off his stool and vanishing from sight. "I shall take you to your vault."

Normally, he would worry that they had slipped up here since the goblins at the counter hardly ever leave their desks to personally take someone down to their vaults. But with everyone already guessing what was going on, this no longer mattered. The goblin was jogging happily towards them…

It doesn't seem like Harry got that curse right… which he was glad for in a way. But now Travers was drawing even more attention by standing there with his mouth wide open, and looking like he was in a deep daydream. He sighed, wondering just how they were going to pull this off… they couldn't have drawn any more attention to them if they tried.

"Wait – Bogrod!" another goblin called, scurrying from around the counter and looking ready to stop them as he gave a bow to Hermione and added in a whisper to Bogrod, "We have instructions. Forgive me, Madam, but there have been special orders regarding the vault of Lestrange."

But Bogrod shook him off, "I am aware of the instructions, Madam Lestrange wishes to visit her vault… Very old family… old clients… This way, please… "

That did it…

He looked at the surrounding goblins and they were all looking like they were getting ready to start sounding the alarms on them at that moment. They obviously know that something is wrong and they will try to stop them. They had Bogrod lead them to one of the doors off the hall that would lead them to the tunnels. Travers was standing behind them with his expression faraway and dreamy, before he followed after them meekly in their wake. They slipped through the door and into the stone passageway, and once they had shut the door behind them, Harry pulled the cloak off him and Giphook jumped down to the ground.

Hermione and Ron were startled by what they were doing, but even more shocked that Bogrod and Travers were just standing there.

"They're Imperiused," Harry explained as the two were still standing there with blank expressions. "I don't think I did it strongly enough, I don't know…"

Albus half-expected Hermione to scold him for even thinking to use that spell, but she didn't say a word, rather having an expression of grim acceptance. Besides, it's not like there was anything that they could do at the moment, it gave them some time, but not much of it. They have so much to do…

"What do we do?" Ron asked, looking between his friends. "Shall we get out now, while we can?"

No… they can't. They were never going to get this close again. This was their only chance since they've come this far. Besides, he doubted that they would be able to get out nearly as easily since the goblins were already preparing themselves. He quickly checked on them and he wasn't surprised to see that they were already on their way…

They only had a few minutes to make up their minds.

"We've got this far, I say we go on," Harry said at once.

"Good!" said Griphook, looking at the goblin next to him. "So, we need Bogrod to control the cart; I no longer have the authority. But there will not be room for the wizard."

Harry then pointed his wand at Travers, and replaced the curse on him, making him turn and walk along the tracks and out of sights.

"What are you making him do?" Hermione asked.

"Hide," said Harry and Albus nodded approvingly. He then had Bogrod summon a cart for them, and he watched as it came trundling along the tracks towards them. They were almost out of time, for he was checking on the hall and he saw that the goblins were calling for guards. Wizards and goblins were piling into the hall.

They're trying to figure out what to do and were arguing about how to go about it. He knew how vicious goblins could get if they caught thieves… they had to hurry as fast as possible. Once they all piled into the cart, they headed off, passing Travers, who was trying to squeeze into a large crack into the wall, and then heading downwards to where the Lestrange vault was.

The break-neck ride was heading deeper into the earth, far deeper than most ever went. Albus was beside Harry and could see it in his face that he was scolding himself for this plan. He wished that he could tell him that on paper it seemed like a reasonable idea. Besides, they needed the wand so that they could get into the vault, alone.

Yet as the deeper they went, the more his own fear was growing. That was when the worst thing to happen to them yet appeared in front of them. At a sudden turn, he saw that there was a waterfall pouring over a portion of the tracks in front of them. He knew at once what it was and it was Griphook who screamed out, "No!"

The Thief's Downfall… it'll take away all their disguises. He had never been down this far in the vaults, but he knew that the goblins were going to be putting up their best defenses these days. They zoomed right through it, and then the cart flipped over and threw them all out of it.

"NO!" Albus shouted out, unable to stop himself. The cart flew off the tracks and smashed into the passage wall as the five of them were falling down towards the ground. Hermione waved her wand wildly and preformed a Cushioning Charm, stopping in midair for a moment before landing on the floor without a scratch.

He sighed in relief. Hermione… what would they do without you? She was becoming so much better at thinking on her feet. They all quickly jumped up and were looking at each other in shock to see that they were back to their normal faces and dripping wet. Not that they'll really need those disguises anymore, anyway. Their cover was already blown.

"The Thief's Downfall!" Griphook stated as he pushed himself back to his feet, staring at the water that was continuing to fall. "It washes away all enchantment, all magical concealment! They know there are imposers in Gringotts, they have set off defenses against us!"

Hermione was fishing out her beaded bag, making sure that she hadn't lost it, while Harry was looking at his cloak, both relaxing when they discovered that they still had them. Good… they will still need them and everything else they got to be getting out of here. But at that moment Bogrod was shaking his head, staring around him in confusion, wondering why he was down here and Albus knew that the feeble Imperius Curse had been lifted off him.

"We need him," Griphook said, looking at him, "we cannot enter the vault without a Gringott's goblin. And we need the Clankers!"

Harry acted at once, putting Bogrod under another weak Imperius Curse, while Ron had gathered up the leather bag that was lying several yards away from them.

"Harry!" Hermione called, looking back at the waterfall with wide eyes. "I think I can hear people coming!"

She was right, as usual, for a small army was already making their way towards them in several more carts, and she was already planning on stopping them. She used Bellatrix's wand to cast a Shield Charm, breaking the flow of the enchanted water and having it fly up the passageway to block anyone coming. Yet Albus knew that would only stall them for a little while. At the least, it should buy them some time and confuse them for a while.

However, how in the world are they going to escape now? There was only one way out, and that would mean fighting their way through all those goblins and wizards coming to stop them. No… he shook his head, knowing that they had to focus on the vault first and foremost.

"Good thinking," Harry panted tiredly. "Lead the way, Griphook!"

"How are we going to get out again?" Ron asked, now forced to just run along after Griphook, with Bogrod jogging right behind them.

Harry was focusing more on listening for what was waiting for them, saying absent-mindedly, "Let's worry about that when we have to." He then asked Griphook just how much farther they had to go.

"Not far, Harry Potter, not far…" he responded, and Albus realized that they were lucky… the waterfall could have hit them a lot sooner… they must have only just finished arguing in the hallway upstairs and just activated any and all defenses… they must've passed most of the others by the time they reached the Thief's Downfall.

But the worst was waiting for them just ahead… and when they turned the next corner, there it was…

He had heard the many rumors and stories about what was guarding the vaults, though until he heard about it from Griphook, he wasn't sure that he believed some of them. Yet… was the abuse of such a creature really worth the protection of those vaults? He knew he sounded like Hagrid, but it was true…

A dragon was tethered to the ground in front of them, forced to stand guard over the deepest vaults in this place. It was sick… no doubt about it… for the shining scales were all pale and crumbling. It's once yellow eyes were mostly blind, while its great spiked wings were folded close to its scarred body… with such little space to even open them. It was bound with heavy chains, which were all connected to enormous pegs that were driven into the floor, and it was spitting out fire when it heard them coming.

Thankfully, they all went running back up the passageway and missed the flames in time.

"It is partially blind," panted Griphook, "but even more savage for that. However, we have the means to control it. It has learned what to expect when the Clankers come. Give them to me."

He watched as they all fished out small metal instruments that made loud ringing noises around the cavern as they shook them. The poor beast had been trained to expect terrible pain when it hears the noise, and so it would retreat, allowing them near the vaults. It was the only way that they could've used it as a guard, yet his heart ached at the thought of such a life…

Though he was hypocritical if thinking such things of the goblins when he was guilty of much of the same thing. The only difference it wasn't a dragon whom he had imprisoned and allowed to suffer…

He slapped his face and he forced himself to watch. It went surprisingly smoothly… for the most part. For the dragon retreated as fast as it could, shaking at the noise, and allowing them to draw close to the doors. Griphook ordered Harry to make sure that Bogrod press his hand to the door to open it. Harry did what he was told and the entrance opened up, realizing the inside of the vault and the entire room was filled with treasure—from floor to ceiling.

Golden coins and goblets, silver armor, the skins of strange creatures – some with long spines, other with drooping wings – potions in jeweled flasks, and a skull still wearing a crown. They piled inside and Harry told them all, "Search, fast!"

Albus was also looking around, having an idea as to which Horcrux was here. Yet, as soon as they were inside, the door appeared behind them and sealed them in, and well as plunging them all into total darkness.

"No matter, Bogrod will be able to release us!" said Griphook as Ron gave a shout of surprise. "Light your wands, can't you? And hurry, we have little time!"

Though that was good, it was going to be much harder to search by wandlight. They all lit their wands and were quickly searching around them, trying to find the Horcrux. Harry was searching around where the fake sword of Gryffindor was placed on the shelf, surrounded by golden chains. Ron and Hermione were also carefully wandering off, looking around… and that was when Hermione spotted a jeweled goblet from a pile of coins.

"Hermione, don't…" Albus tried to warn her from grabbing the cup.

"Harry, could this be—?" she began, picking it up, but with a scream she dropped it. He didn't blame her, for now there were blisters on her fingers like she had picked up a hot pan. This was another thing that he should've seen coming… it wasn't going to be easy to steal something from a high security vault. But things were made worse for at that moment the goblet hit the floor and it multiplied, at least a dozen identical cups rolling around them.

"It burned me!" moaned Hermione, sucking her blistered fingers.

"They have added Germino and Flagrante Curses!" said Griphook. "Everything you touch will burn and multiply, but the copies are worthless – and if you continue to handle the treasure, you will eventually be crushed to death by the weight of expanding gold!"

So simple… yet brilliant…

They couldn't hope to tell the real treasure from the fakes… the longer that you touch it, the more would appear… and the more that would be touching you… until you were covered and crushed to death. Just what they didn't need… how were they going to get the Horcrux without touching anything?

"Okay, don't touch anything!" said Harry desperately, but at that moment, Ron had nudged one of the goblets curiously with his foot, only to cause more to explode out of it, and burning part of his shoe away as the heat from the fake gold burnt it.

"Stand still, don't move!" said Hermione, clutching at Ron as he jumped back with a howl.

"Just look around!" Harry said quickly and Albus nodded encouragingly. "Remember, the cup's small and gold, it's got a badger engraved on it, two handles – otherwise see if you can spot Ravenclaw's symbol anywhere, the eagle –"

Albus nodded, though to be honest, he wasn't sure about that last part… Ravenclaw wasn't the type to have her mark put on anything even if it belonged to her… but how were they going to know what to look for then? He was hoping that it was the cup… for Harry at least knew what it looked like. The three of them were looking around at every little thing, searching for it, yet there was so much in the room that it was impossible for them not to touch anything. Harry accidently touched several Galleons, causing a shower of them to hit the floor, and the heat they were generating was getting so hot that it was like someone had set a fire.

At long last, they finally got lucky for Harry spotted it… up on one of the highest shelves, he saw it and called to the others, "It's there, it's up there!"

"Yes," Albus whispered, a feeble smile on his face at the sight of it as they all turned to see the cup… the same cup that he had only seen in a memory… an artifact that belonged to Helga Hufflpuff, and had been stolen by Tom from poor Hepzibah Smith.

"And how the hell are we going to get up there without touching anything?" Ron asked, staring up at it as Hermione had forgotten all about the warning that Griphook had given her during their hours of planning, having tried summoning it to her.

"No use, no use!" he snarled up at her as the cup just sat there among the dust.

"Then what do we do?" Harry demanded, glaring down at him. "If you want the sword, Griphook, then you'll have to help us more than – wait! Can I touch stuff with the sword? Hermione, give it here!"

Albus froze, not sure that it was wise to bring the sword out now… yet there was no other option. Hermione went to her beaded bag, and then pulled out the sword, handing it out to him, who seized it by its hilt and carefully tested it out on a silver flagon that was close by. He touched it with the tip, yet it didn't multiply…

Not that it would've… for that blade was goblin made, and therefore unaffected by curses.

"If I can just poke the sword through a handle – but how am I going to get up there?" he asked, looking up at the cup, which was far out of reach for them. The heat was slowly continuing to rise from the enchanted gold, meanwhile they could hear the sounds of clanking going on from the outside, and he knew that it meant that they were almost out of time.

"Hurry, Harry," he said, his heart beating hard, knowing just what was going to happen if they were caught. But even if they got the cup, how were they going to escape from here? There was no way out but through the door, where just about every goblin in Gringotts was waiting for them, and he could see the fear in each one of their faces.

"Hermione," Harry said desperately, "I've got to get up there, we've got to get rid of it –"

Hermione had an idea and she raised up her wand, and whispered, "Levicorpus."

From what felt like a century ago, Albus remembered how there was a time in Hogwarts where students were being hoisted up by their ankles, and left hanging there. He wasn't sure just where they learned that spell, but it was hopefully enough. Nevertheless, as he was heaved up into the air, Harry's head collided with a suit of armor, causing dozens more replicas spilling out and onto the full, filling it up. With cries of pain, the other four were knocked backwards, into more objects, which caused them to start multiplying as well. They were already half-buried in the burning treasure, with Harry having just thrust the sword through one of the handles of the cup, hooking it onto the blade.

Hermione was desperately trying to protect them from the burning metal, though it won't work; Griphook screamed in agony, slipping out of sight, as Ron and Hermione were struggling to keep Bogrod from disappearing below them. Harry threw his arm down and grabbed Griphook's fingers, pulling him up as he howled in pain.

"Liberatocorpus!" yelled Harry, and with a crash he and Griphook landed on the surface of the swelling treasure, with both the cup and the sword flying out of Harry's hands.

No! If they lost those here, they would never find them.

"Get it!" Harry yelled out, the metal burning him as Griphook clambered onto his shoulders, determined to avoid getting buried again. "Where's the sword? It had the cup on it!"

"There!" Griphook shouted just as the clanging sound was just outside the door. Griphook lunged and reached for the sword. Albus knew it, he knew that the goblin was never expecting them to hand over the sword, and he was taking his chance to escape. With one hand holding onto Harry's hair so that he did not fall into the burning gold, he grabbed the hilt of the sword and swung it up and out of his reach, the little cup being flung off into the air.

Get the cup… forget the sword for now, it would be a blow to them, but they had to focus on the Horcrux more than that. Harry followed it with his eyes, and reflexes he had seen him use from his Quidditch training, he jumped, diving and caught it. Albus watched how it was scalding his hands, yet he didn't dare let go even as countless more fake cups burst around him. Right at that moment, the vault door opened up and they slid out, like rapid waters or an avalanche, and onto the crowd of goblins waiting for them.

As the gold rained down upon them, Harry shoved the cup into his pocket, where Albus flinched at the sight of the severe burns on his hands. Griphook took his chance to escape by jumping from Harry's shoulders when he could, he sprinted for cover from the surrounding goblins, waving the sword and crying out, "Thieves! Thieves! Help! Thieves!"

Traitorous yes, but it was smart for him to do. He will find safety among his kind for they wouldn't think that he had betrayed them. All he would have to do was tell them that they forced him to take them down here… he was just using this as his chance to escape. And besides, like Albus thought, he did uphold his end of the bargain by getting them down here and exchanging the cup for the sword.

But that was not important now, the trio had to get out of here. So as Griphook vanished into the crowd, with the goblins all holding onto daggers and swords, Harry, Ron and Hermione all began to stun all those around them. But there were too many of them, and at that moment, several other wizards came running from around the corner.

Though the guards weren't what he was worried out, it was the goblins who would punish them for daring to break in and steal something. He didn't want to think about what they would do. At that moment, however, the dragon roared, the sounds of the clanging having faded for a moment, and a gush of flame flew over them. At that, the wizards went running back up the passageway, as the goblins all ducked to avoid the fire.

That was when Harry was looking at the dragon with wide eyes on his burnt face. And Albus knew, at once, what he was planning.

"Harry…" Albus tried to warn, but too late. Harry pointed his wand at the chains, breaking them open with bangs.

And people thought that he, himself, was mad… but then again, desperate times call for desperate measures.

"This way!" Harry yelled, still stunning anyone who came too near them, as he bolted straight for the dragon.

"I can't believe this…" Albus said, not sure if he should laugh or pull his hair out at the sight of it. Merlin's beard… not even expert dragon tamers were crazy enough to try and ride a dragon, all those who had tried all ended up killed. Though he had to admit, that if there was one way of getting through a horde of furious, bloodthirsty goblins, this was it.

"Harry – Harry – what are you doing?" Hermione screamed at him as he pulled himself up behind the dragon and onto its back, shouting at them to just hurry and climb up.

The dragon had only realized that it was free just as Ron and Hermione went running at it as well, pulling themselves up with Harry just as it roared and reared up. Albus couldn't believe that this was happening as the three clung on tightly, the dragon opening its wings wide and began to force itself out. The goblins all shrieked and ran for it as the dragon leapt up, crawling and flying upwards. It was still almost blind, and so it was knocking itself around as it was struggling to pull itself up through the passageways.

"We'll never get out, it's too big!" Hermione screamed, out. Albus would normally agree with that, however, he was willing to bet that dragon wanted to get out even more than they did. The dragon roared, blasting the tunnel and the floors above it with flames, and continuing to force it's way straight upwards. The sounds were so loud that Albus knew that they had to be heard from the street above them, while Hermione was now helping the dragon, blasting away parts of the tunnel that the dragon missed.

Seeing her doing this, caused Harry and Ron to copy her as well, and together they were blasting the ceiling apart, leaving devastation in their wake. After some minutes, their spells combined with the dragon's strength, they burst out of the darkness of the passageways and right into the marble hallway. Once again, Albus couldn't believe this, they were actually going to pull this off…

At the sight of the dragon, all the goblins and wizards in the hall, shrieked and ran for cover as the dragon spread its wings out. It turned its scarred head around, smelling the fresh air that was just in front of it. It followed the smell, with the trio still clinging to its back, they forced their way through out onto the streets after breaking through the metal doors. Outside, with more people yelling and screaming for cover, the dragon reared its head up, breathing in the fresh air for the first time. It staggered out on shaky legs, its wings spread all the way, and threw itself into the sky.

Albus opened his eyes and was back in the mist. He was breathing hard like he had been running, his heart was hammering inside him and a smile was on his face as he fought the tears. That was one of the most amazing things he had ever seen. He was stunned that they were able to pull this off, having broken in and robbed a Horcrux from Gringotts. That was going to be down for history books…

It went rather well… all in all… it could've been worse.

He shut his eyes once more to see what was happening, and he was gliding alongside the dragon, the trio still clinging onto its back desperately. So used to years of being trapped in the dark, that Dumbledore wouldn't have been surprised to suspect that the sunlight may have blinded it completely, and so the creature couldn't see where it was going at all. But that didn't seem to be worrying it, for it was following its nose and focused only on getting away.

He gulped and watched as the three of them just clung on for dear life, as they climbed higher and higher into the sky. London had shrunk so that the buildings were all just specks, and they were flying off as the dragon's wings beat furiously to keep it airborne. The whole time, Ron was swearing out every profanity known to man—and even some that he had come up with on his own—while Hermione was sobbing in terror.

The dragon would be able to find a place to land even though it couldn't see, the fact that it's blind would hold it back nearly as bad as one would think. The problem now was how those three going to get off its back without it noticing? The dragon flew farther and farther north as the sun was sinking higher into the sky, and they were now over a beautiful countryside, that were all parceled out in patches of green and brown, over roads and rivers winding through the landscape like strips of matte and glossy ribbon.

"What do you reckon it's looking for?" Ron yelled at one point in the late afternoon.

Water was Albus's first guess, as well as food… but most likely looking for a place that was as far away from the goblins and Gringotts as possible. Yet, from its condition, he doubted that the dragon would be able to remain in the air for too much longer, it looked like it used up most of its strength escaping. Giving how thin and pale it's scales were, he didn't know just what kind of species it was in this state, as well as what exactly it had been trained to do other than fearing the Clankers.

"No idea," Harry bellow back, shaking from cold as it got colder and colder. However, it seems like the dragon had more strength than he first thought, for the sun was continuing to dip lower in the sky, and the afternoon had turned to twilight in what felt like no time at all. They flew over whole cities and town, watching them slip out of their sights, and its massive shadow gliding over the earth like a cloud. But at long last, the dragon's strength seemed to be giving out. Something that Ron noticed first.

"Is it my imagination," shouted Ron, and Albus wondered if they had been afraid of letting the dragon know that they were there, "or are we losing height?"

It wasn't his imagination, for the dragon was getting ready to land. They were now in a beautiful area, that had several large lakes, and green mountains in the background while the sun was setting in the distance—with the light reflecting off the surface of the water—and that was probably what caught the dragon's attention, even with damaged eyes. The dragon seemed to sense that it was far enough from its prison that it felt that it was safe to rest and drink and so lower and lower they flew, with their scaly friend struggling to find a landing place with its limited sight.

"I say we jump when it gets low enough!" Harry called back to the others as he looked over the dragon's beating wings to see that they were directly over the water now. "Straight into the water before it realizes we're here!"

To be honest, Albus liked to think that maybe the dragon did know and was allowing them to ride it as its way to thank them for helping it. As if the dragon knew what they were planning, it flew a little lower over the lake and they took their chance, jumping off and plummeted straight to the water, and disappearing below the surface. Albus hovered over the three enormous ripples in the water, waiting and about a minute later, they all pushed themselves up to the surface, gasping for air. The dragon flew onwards, swooping over the lake, and low enough that it was able to taste the water, landing on a distant bank, and proceeded to drink its fill.

Albus sighed in relief, just in awe of what he saw. If he didn't see it with his own eyes, he never would've believed it, though perhaps he should stop being so surprised when it came to these three. But ever since he was young, he had heard all the stories about Gringotts, the impenetrable building that even the most clever and skilled wizards could never hope to steal from. But they had done it… done what no one else had done… three teenagers, barely of age, had broken in and stolen from a high-security vault and escaped on a dragon.

At that moment, he knew that Potterwatch was now telling everyone who was listening in, about the break-in, and already the rumors and stories were starting.

As for the trio, completely exhausted, they slowly made their way for the closest shore, struggling through reeds and mud until they collapsed onto the grass, gasping for air and shuddering from cold. They all looked ready to fall asleep there, but Harry was the first to his feet and began to cast the usual protective spells around them, while Hermione fished out some essence of dittany, pumpkin juice, and dry robes for them all. Albus only just realized the many burns that were covering their bodies, and their old clothes were completely singed away in places as they winced in pain every time they moved. As they treated their wounds and drank, they were talking.

"Well, on the upside," said Ron, "we got the Horcrux. On the downside-"

"- no sword," said Harry through gritted teeth, as he watched the burns heal on his legs heal.

Even though they no longer have a surefire way of destroying it, he didn't believe that this Horcrux poised as much danger as the locket had since it had been left dormant for so long. There are other ways of destroying a Horcrux, and though they had no means right now, he had faith that they would be able to find a way soon enough.

"No sword," repeated Ron just as sourly. "That double-crossing little scab…"

Yes, Albus wasn't happy about that, but it wasn't truly double-crossing in his eyes, just fulfilling his end of the agreement in a ruthless way… something that goblins are known for is being ruthless.

Harry reached into his pocket and he took the small, golden cup out and set it down in front of them as they drank their bottles of juice, just looking at it.

"At least we can't wear it this time, that'd look a bit weird hanging around our necks," said Ron, in an optimistic way as he wiped his mouth.

There was one good thing, though Albus doubted that it would be able to cause another rift between the three of them again, he felt that it was better off that they left it alone.

Hermione, meanwhile, was looking across the lake to where the dragon was still drinking, and Albus wondered just how much it was savoring its freedom.

"What'll happen to it, do you think?" she asked worriedly, "Will it be alright?"

Oh, he wasn't worried… he was sure that it would be rounded up eventually, especially giving the publicity that the dragon was sure to get, and the dragon tamers were sure to take care of it. That, or it would be free from here on out, and Albus hoped that it would be able to live out its remaining years in peace.

"You sound like Hagrid," said Ron with a roll of his eyes, "It's a dragon, Hermione, it can look after itself. It's us we need to worry about."

"What do you mean?" she asked, as if everything that happened to them in the last few hours were already forgotten.

"Well I don't know how to break this to you," said Ron in a serious voice as he looked between his friends, "but I think they might have noticed we broke into Gringotts."

'What gave you that impression, Ron?' Albus thought with a smile just as all three of them started to laugh. They fell back onto the grass and just laughed like young children after a long day of playing together. Albus found their laughing contagious and couldn't help but join in as well as they continued savior the fact that they were alive and free as well.

If only he had known that it would be the last time for them, for a long time, to have a chance to hold onto any remaining child innocence.

(And so we pass the robbery and are heading into the final stretch. Hogwarts is next… as well as the war. But also, we meet up with Aberforth again in the next chapter. What is Dumbledore going to be thinking when his little brother comes out and tells them the truth about the past? How will Dumbledore handle it? And what about Snape? He will soon allow Harry to see his memories and Dumbledore will have to face up to what he had done. I am guessing… three to four more chapters plus an epilogue to this story. Hope you are looking forward to what happens next. And hope you enjoyed this chapter.)