Selena's mind rolled over the possibilities that her theory was correct. In the future, Voldemort placed very high protections around his personal property. That snake that was always at his side was under a continuous bubble charm. The diary that opened the chamber of secrets a few years ago was his one recording his days as a teenager. From the information Selena gathered it seemed very plausible that his teenage years were his best considering he was an orphan child.
"Professor, do you think he placed a horcrux in Gringotts?" selena asked approaching him when they were alone. Hermione and Draco were spending more time together since the argument the day before.
"What's your reasoning?" he replied as he set a pot of water to boil. Selena knew how to make money quickly and how to make it last. Together they began peeling potato manually. Severus refused to use magic when cooking and selena didn't mind as she always did it by hand anyway.
"He likes trophies since Harry's body…." She stopped her mind following another trail. "Where did Harry and Dumbledore go that evening?" she asked wondering why she hadn't thought of it before.
"Seems like we have a lot of leads," he commented realizing where she was going. "I don't bother about the oddities of Albus Dumbledore." He stared at her literally seeing the wheels turning.
"Hold on," she replied summoning a pen and a pad. It was the muggle ball point pen she used in the library. Instantly she began jutting down different theories. With Severus' help, the two of them refined it and came up it a plan that also went down on paper.
Hermione and Draco returned shortly before dinner. Selena and Severus prepared mashed potatoes and boiled eggs. There was also turkey bacon from breakfast and lunch. Selena found some really cheap ones and brought a lot. It was clear Severus wasn't please with their behavior but they had an important issue to convey.
After dinner neither Draco nor Hermione rose to clear away the dishes so Selena pulled her wand out and sent it off. "We have some information," Selena started since Severus seemed to be holding a glaring war with the tent roof. "We believe that the madman has one of his horcrux in Gringotts." Selena had taken to calling Voldemort by 'madman' after a comment on him by Draco.
"And how do you figure that?" Draco sneered but Hermione quickly hit his hand, trying to chide him. Draco locked eyes with her and the two seemed to have disappeared in their own world.
"I'll explain when you too stop making goggle eyes at each other." She replied annoyed at their behavior. Hermione and Draco shot her a pair of angry glances while the look in Severus' eyes registered amusement. Selena continued, "The madman lived as an orphan right?" Hermione nodded stiffly "so he wouldn't have any money but a building like Gringotts attracts people to it. He believes he is better than anyone and so would want something in there so what's better than his soul."
"It makes sense but the problem is how we are going to get in there. None of us can go out surely." Draco replied still a bit irritated.
"You said it a few days ago, we rob a bank." Severus spoke up.
"Are you mad?" Hermione shrieked. "How on earth are we going to rob a bank? The goblins guard their treasures with their lives." She took a deep breath and recited from memory, "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 never yours, Thief, you have been warned, beware Of finding more than treasure there."
"Yes but it's not for greed," selena pointed out, "and the madman could have stolen it."
"Not could, he would." Draco inputted but Hermione huffed.
"There is no way we could break into Gringotts." Hermione replied deciding to be stubborn.
"We have a plan." Selena said pulling Draco in as she handed him a paper with all the plans written on it. Silently his eyes moved back and forth as he read the words. Selena could see that Hermione wanted to join in but still thought to be stubborn. Accidently she caught Severus's eye and shared an amused look with him.
"Seems sound," Draco conceded as he handed the paper over to Hermione who grabbed it with false show of anger and read it through.
"Are you sure you want to pretend to be Bellatrix?" Hermione asked.
"Beats being Rodolphus," Selena shrugged, "Draco, are you Bellatrix's heir?"
"Yeah, but I don't know if she's written me off by now!" Draco replied looking curious as to her plan. "She might though."
"Bella cares about family and who else will it go to?" Severus replied with a slight chuckle. "Also we should take other things to throw them off our trail."
"So would Draco be able to touch the items inside?" Selena asked as she was aware that only the rightful owners could retrieve their treasures.
"It depends," Hermione replied getting up and heading for her purse. Without a word to the others she began digging through looking for, Selena guessed was a book.
Sure enough, Hermione pulled out a book. All of them with the exception of Draco huddled around the book reading alongside her. Unfortunately for them the book didn't have the required information. Severus didn't mind as he told them that they'll cross it when they reached there.
"So when will we be beginning this?" Hermione asked.
"After a few trips to the bank," Severus replied.
"Why?" Draco asked "we can go now!"
"It's better if we're prepared," came Severus's easy reply.
"But I've been to the Malfoy's vault many times they're in the same area as the L'estranges and the Blacks." he replied. "There is a waterfall that doesn't wet you and a dragon. The goblin has to place their hand on the door to keep it open." he replied.
Severus and selena exchanged glances. "We'll need a goblin." Hermione said finally.
"We could always imperious one," Severus replied nonchalant. "I'm curious about the waterfall."
"I've seen it but never passed through it." selena replied. "My family's vault is around there."
"How does it work?" Severus asked apparently unfamiliar with it.
"I don't know!" Hermione admitted as she scanned the book. Reaching to the end she looked confused and began again. Draco held a decidedly smug look. "There's nothing here." She huffed. Selena offered a sympatric smile to the girl but didn't say anything opting to leave it to the lovers to handle.
The following day was when they decided to act. Severus thought that having four people there was too much and didn't have confidence in numbers. Hermione and Draco decided that it was unfair to leave someone out so after a whole hour of arguing Draco and Hermione also disillusioned themselves and apparated to Diagon alley. Selena sighed as she morphed herself into Bellatrix L'estrange with confirmation from Severus and Draco.
She glared at them all for good measure and didn't allow the haughtiness and contempt slid from her face. She apparated with Severus who insisted that they moved with a sense of purpose. Severus was to be her mouth piece and say things that the real Bella would say. Softly and slightly shimmering he padded alongside her. She opened the doors to Gringotts after a contempt filled glare to each of the guards. "It's under Wizards' control," she whispered barely moving her lips. Severus didn't reply as he crossed the threshold along with her. Together they walked to the last of the Goblins with Draco and Hermione on their tails.
"Madam L'estrange, it is good to see you," the goblin said in an undisguised sneered.
"Matters not," Selena spat "let me see my vault." She commanded.
"As you wish," he replied then whistled high and loud. Another goblin came forth and proceeded to lead them away.
"Come, please, Madam L'estrange" he said as he too whistled but instead it was shrilled. A cart came rumbling through the open cave. Selena cast a glance where she thought Severus was and felt a tug on her arm in reply. Together all five of them climbed on and the cart rolled forward at first but soon was racing through the track as they climbed lower and lower. The surroundings rushed past them with a blur. Selena frankly didn't know front to back or up from down. Until a shower of cascaded water caught her eye in the distance, she tumbled through the deeper layers of Gringotts uncoordinated. Selena pulled out her wand and trained it onto the Goblin readied for anything. Suddenly the cart lunched.
sorry for the cliff hanger but you'll understand why soon.
reviews are always sweet!