"Harry, what's going on?" Hermione hissed.

"Sshhh. Quiet," Harry whispered. He tore his gaze from his godfather and Tonks and waved his wand. The four bags floated off the ground by inches. They slowly floated towards Harry.

"What are you doing here, Sirius?" Bellatrix said.

"Did you kill all the goblins or just scare them away?" Sirius stated.

"When we killed a few the others took off," Bellatrix replied. Sirius nodded. He saw something out the corner of his eye. He turned his head, pretending to be examining the room. He stopped himself from gasping out loud when he made eye contact with Harry.

Harry was quietly grabbing the bags and passing them behind himself. He stopped as he stared at Sirius. After a few minutes, Harry disappeared around the corner.

"Tonks, we're leaving," Sirius suddenly said.

Tonks gaped. "Why aren't we trying to capture them?" she whispered.

"Come on," he grabbed her hand and dragged her away.

When they were outside, she spoke, "Okay. What was that?"

"Harry's there," Sirius said.

"What? How do you know that?"

"I saw him. He was grabbing the bags he's using."

"Why would he be here?"

"I think he was captured. I think he's escaping."

"That place is huge and probably crawling with Death Eaters."

"I know."

"Harry, what's going on?" Ginny asked as they ran past the cell.

"Sirius and Tonks are here," Harry replied. They all stopped as Harry peered around a corner.

"What?" Ginny frowned.

"I know," Harry nodded. They were moving again, slowly walking down the corridor.

"Why didn't you say anything to them?" Hermione asked.

"Because Death Eaters probably would have killed us and them on the spot. Besides, it's better if we don't talk to anyone. It's safer," Harry looked around another corner. A Death Eater was coming. "Ah, hell," he muttered. He looked around, trying to find somewhere for them to hide. His eyes fell on a large crevasse in the wall. It was deep. It was big enough for all of them to fit in a single file.

"Harry-" Hermione whispered.

"Get in there," Harry pushed everyone towards the crevasse. They slipped in, Harry last. "Stay quiet," he muttered. They watched as a cloaked and masked person slowly walked by their hiding place. Harry took a chance and looked into the corridor. The Death Eater disappeared around a corner. "Stay here a second," he told his friends. He slipped out and peeked around the corner again. It was empty. He quietly called for his friends and they walked. After a long while, the corridor ended. There was a steel door.

"Is it locked?" Ron asked.

Harry grasped the large handle and pulled hard. It began to slowly open. "Nope," he said when the opening was large enough for one person at a time. "Okay, go," he said to everyone. They went through and Harry followed. He closed the door.

It took him a moment to realize it was pitch black. He, Ron, and Hermione lit their wands. With the combined light, they were able to see their surroundings pretty well. They all gaped.

"What the hell?" Ron gasped. They were in a small, circular room. There was another steel door opposite them. Filling the space were goblins. The all stared at the trio, Ginny, Lavender, and Luna.

"I thought the goblins had been killed?" Hermione gazed around. There had to be at least eight or more.

"They've all been captives," Ginny whispered.

"Hello, Mr. Potter," one of the goblins greeted. It was Griphook, the goblin that had brought Harry to his vault when he was eleven.

"Griphook?" Harry said.

"It is I," Griphook nodded.

"This is insane," Ron stated.

"Harry, we have to help them. They'll die here," Hermione whispered.

"I wish we could, Hermione, but we don't even know how we're helping ourselves. We have to get Ginny, Luna, and Lavender out of here, but we don't know how to get out. Then we have to find the goblet when there's hundreds of vaults in this place," Harry replied.

"Harry-"

"Goblet, Mr. Potter?" Griphook spoke. "What does this goblet look like?"

Harry furrowed his eyebrows. "Here. I'll show you. I have a replica," he pulled it out. "We need the real one. It's in a vault here but we don't know which one."

"I know the goblet of which you seek."

"You do? Do you know where it is?" Harry asked.

"Yes, I do. It's in vault eight hundred twenty-three."

"Eight hundred twenty-three," Harry repeated, trying to memorize it.

"Correct."

"Thank you so much!" Harry turned to his friends. "Okay. We've got a vault number. We just need to find it. Now we have to get to the main floor and get you three out," he glanced at Ginny, Luna, and Lavender.

"Excuse me, Mr. Potter," Griphook pulled on Harry's sweater, making him turn. "I can help."

"How?"

"I can take you to the main floor and to the vault. I'll help as long as I can trust you'll get me out of here when the task is done," Griphook explained.

"What about all the others?" Harry asked.

"If I get out, I can get help and save them," the goblin answered. "Do we have a deal, Mr. Potter?"

Harry thought. "Deal," he nodded.

"Good. Let's go," Griphook headed for the other door.

"Come on," Harry motioned his friends to follow.

"You said he looked like he was escaping?" Remus confirmed Sirius' words. Sirius nodded. "There's not much we can do. I bet you anything he'll get out."

"Gringotts is filled with Death Eaters," Tonks said.

"He's strong and smart. He's made it a month and a half already," Remus replied.

"Has it really been that long?" Kingsley wondered.

"In about a week and a half it'll be two months," Sirius nodded.

"Wow. How much does he have left to do?" Kingsley asked.

"He said they had four more Horcruxes. Then Voldemort," Remus answered.

"They're doing well," Kingsley said. He turned as Auror Tara Richards came up to him.

"What was Harry doing there anyways?" Remus wondered aloud.

"I think he was captured," Sirius said.

"Sounds logical," Remus nodded. "Smart if he got out."

"Sirius," Kingsley said. Sirius walked to him and Kingsley whispered in his ear.

"No. You're kidding?" Sirius groaned. Kingsley shook his head. "Hell!"

"What is it, Padfoot?"

"Madam Hooch is dead," Sirius said angrily. Tonks and Remus gasped.

"Oh no," Tonks whispered. "What happened?"

"She was found in Hogsmeade. Near where the Shrieking Shack used to be. Killing curse. Madam Rosmerta found her," Sirius explained. He grabbed his cloak. "Come on," He left his office and headed outside. Kingsley and Tonks followed. Remus went back to his department.

"I can't believe she's dead," Tonks sighed. She and Sirius were looking down at the body of the flying instructor at Hogwarts, Madam Hooch.

"I know," Sirius nodded. He looked around. Kingsley was talking to Madam Rosmerta from the Three Broomsticks. The other Aurors were either examining the scene or standing off to the side, chatting with each other about anything, Sirius guessed, other than the new murder. He watched Kingsley walk over.

"She's hysterical. She was close to Hooch," he sighed.

"We have to catch these damn Death Eaters," Sirius said.

"They're like cockroaches. You corner one, another takes off in the opposite direction," Tonks smiled. The others laughed.

"It's horrible that we're getting used to seeing our friends dead," Kingsley stated.

"I know. I hate it," Sirius nodded.

"So now what?" Tonks wondered.

"We have to catch them before anyone else dies," Sirius answered.

"How?" Tonks said.

"Wait for them to screw up then move in," Sirius said.

"Sirius, it's been over a decade since Death Eaters came into existence. Over a decade since Aurors started trying to catch them. They've never made a mistake. They won't now just because they've killed a bunch of our friends and made up overly pissed," Kingsley crossed his arms. Sirius stared at him. Kingsley was right. He was holding onto something that would never happen.

Sirius sighed.

What do they do now?

"Harry, are you sure about this?" Ron asked. They had been following Griphook for at least twenty minutes. The goblin had led them through many rooms and even a few passages in the walls.

"Yes, I'm sure. We can trust him," Harry nodded.

"Well, are we almost there? We're kind of in a hurry," Hermione stated.

"Almost, Miss Granger. Be patient," Griphook answered. They fell quiet again and continued to follow. After about fifteen minutes, they came to a dead end.

"Perfect. Dead end," Ron groaned.

"This is no dead end, Mr. Weasley. This is a secret passage. It leads to the inside of vault seven hundred thirteen," Griphook explained.

"Brilliant," Harry smiled.

"We must be careful. Keep your wands out. Death Eaters will be around more. We have to move quickly and quietly. It may be difficult with so many but I believe we can make it."

"How far to the main floor?" Harry asked.

"It is two floors up."

"How will we get there?" Ron added.

"By using secret passages in other vaults."

"Good. Wands out," Harry said. He, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Lavender pulled out their wands. They looked at Luna. "Come on, Luna. We need your help too," Harry said to her. She nodded and took out her wand.

"Ready? Let's go," Griphook pushed one of the bricks and the wall sunk into the floor. Harry looked around anxiously. The moving wall was very loud. "They won't hear it." Griphook spoke. Harry looked at the goblin skeptically. "Follow me," he stepped into the dimly lit room. The trio, Ginny, Lavender, and Luna followed. The vault was completely empty.

"How are we getting out of this vault? The door's locked." Lavender squeaked as the wall reappeared.

"I will open the door."

"What vault is this again?" Harry asked.

"Vault seven hundred thirteen," Griphook said.

"Seven-one-three. This vault held the Philosopher's Stone six years ago. The vault Quirrell broke into," Harry whispered to Ron.

"Oh, yeah. It is."

"Focus, boys," Griphook said. They quieted and looked at the door. The goblin ran a finger through the air inches from the large door. They all watched as the locks clicked and slid open. Griphook nodded at them and pushed the door open enough so Harry could poke his head out. It seemed to be deserted.

"Clear," Harry muttered. They climbed out.

"Which way?" Hermione asked, looking left and right.

"Left. Stay close to the wall. Move quickly and quietly," Griphook instructed. They nodded in understanding and moved as close to the wall as they could. Hermione grasped Ron's hand. Harry was surprised when Ginny took his hand.

He glanced at her. He wanted to be with her. Would she still want him? Would she forgive him for everything he had put her through?

"Stop," Griphook hissed. Harry stopped and looked up ahead. A Death Eater was heading their way.

"What do we do? There's no where to hide," Luna said.

"Harry," Hermione looked at him. He stared at her then nodded. He turned back around and stared at the Death Eater. He jerked his wand and the Death Eater fell to the ground abruptly.

"Whoa," Ginny muttered.

"Let's go," Harry said and they started walking again.

They had been walking for at least a half hour or more. They had gone through two vaults, up two sets of stairs, and through a long secret passage. They had met up with four more Death Eaters and Harry knocked them out with his wandless magic. Harry was surprised Death Eaters weren't running around looking for them. Surely they had realized they were gone. Someone had to have found at least one of the unconscious Death Eaters. Harry sighed. They had been walking down a long, straight corridor for around fifteen minutes. Harry stopped. He had heard something.

"Harry?" Ginny whispered.

Harry turned around to face the way they had come. He knew he had heard something. It had been a loud crashing noise.

"Harry?" Ginny repeated.

Harry looked at everyone. They were all staring at him. "I heard something. A crashing sound."

CRASH!

The sound had come again, only much louder. Much closer. Suddenly a shadow began growing on the opposite wall a little way down the corridor.

"Run," Harry muttered. They all turned and started running. Ginny screamed as a jet of light just missed her arm. Harry glanced behind them quickly. Four Death Eaters were chasing them, sending random spells.

Tego texi tectum, self, Ginny Weasley, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Luna Lovegood, Griphook and…Harry's spell was broken off as Luna Lovegood screamed behind him. He looked. Lavender wasn't with them anymore. She was on the floor. He re-focused.

Tego texi tectum, self, Ginny Weasley, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Luna Lovegood, and Griphook. The familiar wind swished around his body then separated and settled on everyone, including him. Out the corner of his eye, he saw Ginny looking at him curiously. He ignored it and continued running, occasionally sending a spell.

"In here!" Griphook shouted and lead them through a steel door. Spells bounced off the door as they shut it.

"This won't hold them!" Harry cried.

"Just come on. These stairs lead to the main floor," Griphook pointed to a spiral staircase behind them.

"Go!" Harry shouted. They all started up the stairs. They screamed as the door was blown off. Harry, being last, looked over the side. The Death Eaters were running up the stairs. Harry turned back to continue and stumbled. He was feeling light-headed.

"Harry, are you okay?" Ginny went to him.

"Fine. Let's go. Hurry," he lied. They started running again. Ginny screamed as light skimmed her shoulder.

"Hurry!" Hermione yelled. Harry looked up. They had reached the top of the stairwell and there was a square opening in the ceiling. Ron, Hermione, and Griphook had gone through and were helping Luna. Harry looked over the side again. The Death Eaters were gone. He frowned and looked around, gripping his wand tightly.

"Harry!" Ron called. Harry turned his gaze to the opening. Everyone was through but him. "Come on!" Harry looked over the railing again then went to the opening. He pocketed his wand and grabbed the sides of the opening. He jumped a little and hauled himself through. When he was through, he collapsed on the floor, breathing hard. He was getting weaker but he wouldn't take the shield away.

"Harry, what's wrong?" Ginny asked.

"He's being stupid," Ron said. "We have to get somewhere safe and fast."

"Over here," Griphook took off. Ron helped Harry up and they all followed. A few minutes later, they were at a vault. "We will be safe in here. They cannot penetrate the walls."

"Good," Ron gasped under Harry's weight. They watched the goblin unlock the large door and as it swung open. They all clambered into the empty vault and the door locked.

"Harry?" Ginny said as Ron had him sit against a wall.

"Harry, break the shield. We don't need it. We're safe," Ron told his best friend. Harry gave a tiny nod and let go of the shield. He felt the wind rush around him then disappear. "You're an idiot, Harry. You could have killed yourself," Ron sighed.

"At least you would all be safe," Harry whispered.

"But you'd be gone. I'd rather be in danger," Ron replied.

"We have to get Luna and Ginny out of here."

"I know, but you're not doing anything. You have to rest. Get your magic back," Ron said. "I still can't believe you did that. You knew it would weaken you. Almost kill you."

"I wanted to make sure everyone was safe. I didn't reach Lavender in time. She was killed."

"Yeah," Ron nodded.

"Get Ginny and Luna out of here, Ron. They can't stay any longer," Harry stated.

"I will. Just rest. Hermione will be here with you and Griphook," Ron stood and went to the others.

"Is he okay?" Ginny asked.

"Yeah, he just has to rest for a bit. He put the shield on all of us and himself. He said he didn't get to Lavender in time," Ron replied.

"I knew I felt something." Hermione said.

"All right, Harry was going to do this but he can't, so I'm doing it. Hermione, you'll be staying here with Griphook and Harry. Ginny and Luna, I have to get you out of this building," Ron began explaining.

"I don't want to leave. I want to help," Ginny argued.

"Ginny, you can't. You have to get out of here," Ron shook his head.

"But where do I go? I can't go home," Ginny wondered.

Ron thought. "Go to the Ministry and talk to Harry's uncles. You can stay at their place. You too, Luna," he finally said.

"Fine," Ginny stated. She turned and walked to Harry. She knelt beside him. "How're you feeling?"

"I'm fine. Just tired," Harry answered.

"I don't want to leave."

"You have to," Harry stared in her eyes.

"You three have to come back. You said you'd never leave me. I'm holding you to that."

"I know. Ginny, it's time for you to go."

"I know."

"Goodbye, Ginny."

"It's not goodbye yet and it never will be," she leaned her head towards his and found his lips.

When they parted, Harry whispered, "Go. Go."

She had tears streaking her face. She stood and went to her brother's side. "You ready, Ginny?" Ron asked. She nodded. "Okay," Ron nodded at Griphook who unlocked the door. Ron pushed it open a bit and poked his head out. It seemed deserted but he knew better than to believe they were in the clear. He took a deep breath. "Be back in a bit."

Hermione kissed him. "Be careful," she whispered.

"I will," he nodded and kissed her again. He turned back to the door and hopped out, Ginny and Luna behind him.

"Hermione, come sit," Harry said as Hermione watched the door close.

She slowly went to him and sat beside him. "I'm ready to go home."

"I know. We all are," Harry nodded. "Hey, Ron will be fine. He'll be back soon."

"I hope so," she rested her head on the wall, her eyes sliding shut. Harry's were already shut and he was gone.

"I'm home," Harry whispered, staring at the house in front of him. He ran up the driveway and through the door. "Remus? Sirius? I'm back!" he called. There was no answer, making him frown. Something was wrong. Harry walked upstairs. A rusty smell hit him when he reached the top. He looked at the floor where dark spots glimmered in the fading, golden sunlight.

Harry slowly went to Remus' bedroom door. For a couple seconds, he stood and stared at the door, afraid, no, terrified of what was behind it. He slowly extended his arm and grasped the doorknob. He turned it and pushed. Harry gave the door a small push and it swung open. He screamed.

Remus was on the bed, silver chains all over his body. They had been left on a while, for some had melted into the skin. Harry turned away from his uncle. This wasn't right. Remus wasn't a werewolf anymore. Silver didn't affect him. But it was Remus dead on that bed. Harry stood and stumbled to Sirius' door. He didn't hesitate. He immediately pushed the door open. He screamed again and the flow of tears increased.

Sirius, too, was on his bed but had an arrow sticking out of his chest and was covered in deep cuts. The arrow had penetrated his heart while he was dying from 'Sectumsempra'. Harry collapsed onto the floor. His uncles were dead.

"No! Remus! Sirius! No! NO!" Harry cried. His eyes snapped open. He had tears going down his cheeks.

"Harry?" Hermione said. Harry looked around. Ron hadn't returned yet.

"How long have I been asleep?" he asked.

"Not long. Only about ten to fifteen minutes."

"Good. Where's Ron? Still out?"

"Yeah."

Ron whipped around when he heard a sound. There was nothing and no one there. He turned back and continued leading the way. They were almost at the front doors. They had been fortunate so far. There had been no Death Eaters yet.

"Come on," he whispered and approached a corner. Ron peeked around. "Hell." There were two Death Eaters standing at the doors.

"What?" Ginny asked.

"There're two Death Eaters guarding the doors."

"How do we get out?" Ginny said. Ron sighed and stared at his sister.