Chapter 11
The Lestrange family home was not a typical pureblood manor, but an old smuggler's inn in Cornwall.
"Jamaica Inn," murmured Hermione, staring at the ancient building.
"No, it says: The Stranger." Daphne indicated the sign that hung above the door.
Hermione didn't bother to explain her allusion, but asked "What now?"
"We can't go in the front door," Tracey pointed out. "I'm betting there's all sorts of nasty traps!"
"We won't." Harry led the way down to the beach. "We'll go in the way the smugglers used to, through the tunnels."
He drew a shrunken dinghy from his pocket and enlarged it. "Everybody in."
"The tunnels are probably warded too," Daphne pointed out.
"Shall we scout them, Harry?" inquired Luna. "It's safe for the seagulls."
"Good idea," Harry praised her, and Luna glowed. "Go now."
Daphne and Luna had recently found their animagus forms: Daphne's was identical with her patronus, but Luna's turned out to be a bluebird.
Daphne's greenfinch Sage and Luna's bluebird Joy took to the air; Sage was the first to return.
"There's a steel door at the top of a set of stairs," she informed them.
Joy alighted and transformed almost immediately after. "I didn't see anyone, but the door has a judas hole at the top."
"If we all hit it together, we can blast through!" Ron insisted.
"No, we need to take them by surprise," objected Neville.
"I don't think we can." Hermione sounded grim. "The place is probably booby-trapped six ways from Sunday!"
"Oh yes, it is," an amused voice commented.
Two cloaked figures stood on either side of the door, where they'd been disillusioned.
The one on the right spoke. "Littles come to play wif Bella? Now we'll have some fun!"
Harry realized, with a sickening lurch of his stomach, that he'd made a mistake. Because Narcissa had lied to Voldemort in the past, he'd assumed she would aid him once more, if only to benefit Draco.
He'd seen for himself that things had changed, yet he persisted in thinking his allies and enemies had not.
"Foolish boy!" Narcissa allowed her disdain to show. "Our lord will free Draco very soon. We need no help from you!"
Bellatrix giggled. "Time for a swim!"
Harry knew what was coming; as Bellatrix's cutting curse hit the dinghy, he blasted the sides of the tunnel and brought down rocks and debris, barely managing to shield his companions.
The two sisters were not as fortunate; the rockfall engulfed them.
Then Harry and his friends were in the water.
"Swim for the side!" he shouted.
A narrow ledge projected just above the water on either side of what had been the tunnel.
Harry pulled himself up and moved to help the others.
"Where's Neville?"
"Harry!" Neville Longbottom was flailing in the water. "I can't swim!"
Never had Harry been so thankful that he'd learned to swim for the second task of the Tri-wizard Tournament. He struck out for his friend, only to find Hermione beside him.
"The two of us are the strongest swimmers," she called. It was a good thing she was there; they reached a panicky Neville and had all they could do to bring him in.
Everyone was shivering as they crouched on the ledge; warming charms helped.
"Tide's coming in," Ron said hoarsely.
"Luna and I could fly out and get help," Daphne offered.
"Or call an elf," suggested Neville.
Harry considered their options. Only three of the people present were animagi: Luna, Daphne, and Harry himself. And Harry's form was a cheetah, not much use in the present circumstances.
He could not apparate out due to the anti-apparation wards. Other options would take time.
There was nothing else for it: Harry transfigured one of the rocks into a small row boat and everyone clambered aboard.
"Harry?" Hermione ventured. "That was a NEWT-level spell, beyond a fifth year."
He had known Hermione would pick up on that. "I'll explain later."
He'd have to; Hermione would never just let it go.
They paddled along the shore until they were beyond the wards, then made their way to land.
"Now what?" Ron demanded.
Harry grimaced. "We head home! Voldemort wasn't there, no magical signature. That means Nagini wasn't there either."
"When did you learn to sense magical signatures, Harry?" Hermione again, her voice stern.
"I'll explain later."
"With any luck, Narcissa and Bellatrix are both dead!" piped Tracey.
"I hope not; I wanted to kill Bellatrix," Neville muttered.
"I've a feeling you'll get your chance." Harry growled.
Tracey glared at the old inn. "I'll try my luck right now!" She cast Incendio and the building began to burn.
Hermione was horrified. "Tracey! For all we know, there are captives inside!"
Tracey was unrepentant. "If they've been subject to Bellatrix's tender mercies, they'd probably welcome death!"
The Daily Prophet trumpeted the news about the death of Narcissa Malfoy.
"It says she was killed in a rockfall along the Cornish coast," Hermione read aloud. "No mention of Bellatrix."
"Which means she is still alive," Harry commented.
Neville said nothing, but his eyes kindled with rage.
"What will you do now, Harry?" Luna inquired.
"I'm not sure."
"Yes, you are," Luna nodded. "Your idea was a good one; it's just that Narcissa was the wrong person. You need to talk to someone else, someone used to making deals."