"This is impossible, Hermione," Harry said. It had been almost three and a half hours and they hadn't found anything.
"Come on, Harry. You don't listen to yourself, do you?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"What are you talking about?"
"Nothing's impossible. There's always something," Hermione smiled. Harry stared at her. "Come on, Harry. Think."
Harry stayed quiet for a bit. "Nicolas Flamel," he suddenly said. He left the bedroom they were in on the second floor and went downstairs. He went into the living room, Ron and Hermione behind him. Harry grabbed a photo off the mantle that said 'Nicolas Flamel'. Harry turned it over and opened the back. There was a piece of parchment. He took it out. It was blank.
Hermione pointed her wand at it. "Aparecium," she muttered. They watched as black lines appeared on the parchment and formed words.
In the ostendo cenaculum.
"What the hell does that say?" Ron frowned.
"Cenaculum means 'attic' in English. And ostendo means…it means 'reveal'," Hermione told them.
"So it says 'in the reveal attic'? That makes no sense," Ron stated.
"I was just translating," Hermione shrugged.
"How can the wand be in the attic? There is no attic," Ron wondered.
"Hermione. You said these words mean 'reveal attic', right?" Harry asked.
"Yeah," she nodded.
"Maybe it's a spell," Harry muttered. "Ostendo cenaculum." It was quiet and the air was still.
"I don't think-" Ron's comment was cut off as the house began shaking violently. The Trio lost their balance and fell to the floor. After a few minutes, the house stopped and they were able to get up. "What happened?"
Harry led the way to the stairs. They were extending into the ceiling. "The attic appeared," he said. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stared at the staircase.
"Did he take the cure?" Sirius asked. He and Remus had a quill each and files in front of them at the kitchen table.
"Yeah, he did. After a while anyways. He didn't believe it was a cure," Remus nodded.
"Understandable since Fudge wouldn't believe us. The cure could have been available to everyone four years ago, had he believed us," Sirius said.
"Amelia should be able to change things now."
"Isn't she only the temporary minister?"
"She'll get the full job. Then she'll be able to change the things she's been trying to change for years," Remus replied.
"Hopefully. Things will be much better if she can change the Werewolf Law," Sirius stated.
"And the cure will finally be available," Remus added.
Sirius looked up. "Are you actually working, Moony?"
"Not really. I've read this report at least four times in the last fifteen minutes."
"I know what I want to do."
"What's that?"
"I want to go to Diagon Alley."
Remus frowned at him. "Why would you want to go there?"
"To look around."
Remus looked at him suspiciously. "Fine. Let's go. I blame you if we get attacked." He stood and headed upstairs. He went into Harry's bedroom. Ginny was lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. "Sirius and I are leaving for a bit. We'll be back soon."
"Okay."
Remus rejoined Sirius downstairs. "I still don't understand why you want to go. The place is completely abandoned. A ghost town." He slipped on his cloak.
"Like I said. I just want to look around," Sirius shrugged as they walked to the Apparation point.
"Should we go up there? How do we know it's safe?" Hermione wondered. They were still staring at the newly extended staircase.
"It's Dumbledore. It's safe. We also have to move quickly. Voldemort's going to realize Nagini's dead any minute and this place will be surrounded. We need the Elder Wand if we want to finish this," Harry explained. He slowly started up the stairs. Hermione and Ron stayed close behind. When they got to where the stairs went through the ceiling, they saw no door. It was solid roof.
"How do we get to the attic?" Ron said. "Turn into ghosts and fly through the ceiling then back?"
"Maybe you're onto something," Harry stated.
"I was kidding, Harry," Ron replied.
"I don't mean the ghost part. I mean, maybe we can go through the ceiling how we are," Harry said.
"You've hit your head way too many times, mate. We're solid and we can't go through a solid ceiling," Ron said.
"Watch." Harry raised his hand to the ceiling. Instead of hitting something solid, Harry's hand went right through. "Told you," he grinned and walked up through the ceiling.
"Things just keep getting weirder and weirder," Ron muttered as they joined Harry. The attic looked like any other attic. Full of boxes and things collecting dust.
"How did you know the clue was in the picture of Flamel?" Hermione asked, gazing around.
"It seemed obvious Flamel had the secret. Dumbledore and Flamel were close friends. They defeated Grindlewald together and took the wand. My guess is that Dumbledore would hide the wand and Flamel would hold the secret of where it was. Even after he died, he still held the secret. Even if you're dead, you can be hiding something," Harry explained.
"So it said the wand was in the attic. Where in the attic?" Ron raised an eyebrow. Harry looked at him pointedly. "We have to search, don't we?"
"Yeah," Harry nodded.
"Of course we do," Ron sighed. They split up and began searching the boxes.
"My Lord, I have distressing news." Bellatrix bowed low.
"Speak, Bellatrix," Voldemort ordered.
"My Lord, it seems Potter and his friends have arrived at the hiding place of the Elder Wand. I'm terribly sorry, my Lord, but they have taken Nagini's life."
"NO! It can't be!" Voldemort cried, angered and horrified.
"They have two Horcruxes left, my Lord. Then you will once again be mortal."
"Nagini, my beloved snake," Voldemort muttered. "I will not be returned to a mortal by a mere seventeen year old. Bellatrix, do whatever it takes to stop them, even if it means death," he told her.
"Yes, my Lord," Bellatrix bowed and left the room.
"Karkaroff. Snape. Come to me," Bellatrix said. Igor Karkaroff and Snape approached her.
"Yes, Bellatrix?"
"The Dark Lord has order us to do whatever it takes to stop Potter and his friends," Bellatrix replied.
"What do you have in mind?" Snape asked.
"You two will take a Polyjuice Potion and turn into my dear cousins, Remus and Sirius. When we show you two to Potter, he'll do anything to save his 'uncles'," Bellatrix explained.
"Very well," Snape agreed. Bellatrix handed Snape and Karkaroff goblets.
"Anything?" Harry asked.
"No."
"Nothing."
Harry sighed. "I'm exhausted." He sat on the floor and leaned against the wall, closing his eyes. He heard Ron and Hermione sit down. "We really need to get a watch so we know the time."
"I'll check downstairs," Ron offered and headed down the stairs.
"What if the wand's not here?" Hermione said.
Harry opened his eyes. "It's here. Dumbledore wouldn't have moved it. There's no reason to."
"You know how Dumbledore said Voldemort hasn't destroyed the wand because he didn't think it necessary?"
"Yeah."
"What if that wasn't the whole reason? What if he hasn't destroyed it because he can't find it?"
"But Dumbledore said-"
"Dumbledore said Voldemort knew it was somewhere in the house. I bet Voldemort never found where it was hidden," Hermione explained.
"Harry! Hermione!" Ron yelled and they ran downstairs.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked.
"We're out of time," Ron pointed to the window. Harry looked out. Bellatrix and Lucius were standing at the front of a large group of Death Eaters.
"We still need the wand though. We can't leave without it," Harry looked at his friends.
"We can't fight them, Harry. There's too many," Hermione told him.
"Potter!" Bellatrix yelled. "Get out here with your friends!"
"Harry, no. They'll kill us," Hermione shook her head.
"They'll kill us faster if we stay in here," Harry said. He opened the door and the trio walked out.
"Hello, Potter," Bellatrix smirked.
"Bellatrix," Harry said.
"Where is Nagini?" she asked.
Harry knew she already knew the answer. "She's dead."
"Just as I though. Killing her wasn't smart."
"Just tell your master he'll be mortal and destroyed soon. For good," Harry replied.
"The Dark Lord wants to make a trade," Bellatrix stated.
"What kind of trade?"
"If you give him the Elder Wand, you get your guardians back. Alive," Bellatrix sneered.
"What are you talking about?" Harry frowned. Bellatrix nodded at Lucius who dragged Remus and Sirius to his side. Their hands were bound. "NO!"
"Do we have a deal?" Bellatrix asked.
"I don't have the wand," Harry glared at her.
"But I think you do."
"Harry, before you do anything, think about it. It might not be them," Hermione whispered.
"She's right. Ask them something only Remus and Sirius would know," Ron agreed.
"Before I agree to anything, I have a question for Remus and Sirius," Harry said,
"Make it quick."
"Remus and Sirius, what form do your Patronuses take?" Harry asked. There was nothing but silence. "Get inside and hide. Now," he muttered. The trio very slowly backed up.
"Potter!" Bellatrix yelled. The trio turned around and ran inside, magically locking the door. Why, they didn't know. The Death Eaters would get in no matter what.
"Hide!" Harry said. They split up. Harry ran to a bedroom on the second floor and found a wardrobe. He opened the door and hid inside. He stayed completely still. He barely breathed. He heard a sound of shattering wood, telling him the Death Eaters were inside. He could hear a few pairs of footsteps on the stairs. He realized he was holding his breath but didn't let it out as he heard someone outside the wardrobe. After what felt like a century, the person left the room. Harry waited a few minutes before cautiously opening the door and stepping out.
The room was empty. Harry slowly moved to the door. There was another sound of breaking wood above him. People were in the attic. He had to find his friends. He jumped when he heard glass shatter downstairs. Where were Ron and Hermione?
Sirius and Remus walked through the magical wall in The Leaky Cauldron to Diagon Alley. Sirius couldn't help but think Diagon Alley looked worse every time he saw it. He and Remus didn't speak. They just walked down the road and gazed around. They came to Ollivander's, what was left anyways. There was only a small part of the sign still up, but, it too, was barely hanging on. The windows were shattered. The door was badly cracked and falling off the hinges.
Sirius and Remus went inside. It didn't look like a shop anymore. Wands were everywhere, many broken. Boxes and papers were strewn all over. A thickening layer of dust had taken up residence on the whole shop's interior. They went back into the abandoned street.
"Sirius, what are we doing here? Honestly," Remus asked.
"Honestly?" Sirius repeated. Remus crossed his arms. "All right. We are here to catch a Death Eater."
"What are you talking about?" Remus frowned.
"We're catching a Death Eater."
"Who?"
"Summer."
"How does coming here help catch her?"
"Because she's in there," Sirius pointed at Fred and George's joke shop.
"You've gone mad. How do you know that she's there?"
"Dumbledore told me," Sirius replied simply.
"You're horrible at explaining things."
Sirius rolled his eyes. "When you went to talk to Danny, I went to number twelve. I called Dumbledore there and we talked."
"About?"
"Harry and his friends. Horcruxes. Death Eaters. The big news topics of the world these days," Sirius answered.
"So what did he tell you?" Remus asked. They had resumed slowly walking down the debris-covered road.
"Harry and his friends have only two Horcruxes left."
"Two?" Remus' eyebrows furrowed. "I thought they had three?"
"They did. Nagini was one. They killed her," Sirius said. "Dumbledore said they have to find the Elder Wand to destroy the last two Horcruxes."
"Elder Wand? I think I've heard of that," Remus nodded.
"Yeah, well, it's hidden at Dumbledore's place. Harry and his friends went there. They may still be there, I don't know. All I know is that Death Eaters are going there. Voldemort ordered them to do anything to stop the trio."
"How does this relate to catching Summer?"
"Dumbledore said Summer was ordered to stay here. I don't know why. She's alone. We can get her."
"Again, I ask how?"
"It's two against one. Come on, Moony, please. Please help," Sirius pleaded.
Remus rolled his eyes and sighed. "After you."
"Yes!" Sirius exclaimed and they headed to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, Remus shaking his head. They both pulled their wands as they arrived at the entrance. Sirius quietly pushed the door open and they walked in. "We should split up," he whispered. Remus nodded and headed for the back of the store as Sirius wandered around the front. Sirius stopped short of turning a corner as he heard something come from behind a nearby door. He backed up and put his ear to the door.
"…as Bellatrix and Lucius. And Snape. Especially Draco. He's only seventeen. He'll never be able to do it-" a woman was speaking quietly.
"Padfoot, there's-" he touched Sirius' shoulder, making the Auror jump.
"Don't do that. You'll kill me."
"Welcome to my world," Remus raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing?"
"Listening. It's here. Summer's in there," Sirius whispered, not wanting the Death Eater to hear them.
"Let's do this then. I'm ready to go home. It's late," Remus sighed and raised his wand. Sirius rolled his eyes and raised his wand as well. He counted to three in his head then kicked the door open. They both ducked as a jet of red light soared by them.
"Expelliarmus!" Remus yelled. Summer's wand flew in the air and he caught i.
"Stupefy!" Sirius shouted but Summer ducked.
"Incarcerous!" Remus yelled. There was a thud as the spell hit the Death Eater and she fell to the floor.
"Snap her wand," Sirius said as he walked to Summer. Remus broke the wand in half then followed his friend.
"So we caught her. Now she goes to Azkaban. Why did we come after her? Summer's barely a threat," Remus frowned, helping Sirius drag Summer to her feet.
"We're helping our nephew, Moony. He's getting close to his final battle with Voldemort and Death Eaters will be doing everything to stop the Trio. I'm going to do everything I can to get to all the Death Eaters before they get to the kids."
Remus smiled. "Padfoot, if you try any harder, you're going to shut down."
"Anything for Harry," Sirius smiled back. "Come on. We have a trip to Azkaban to make," Sirius held tight to the bound Death Eater and he and Remus kept their wands on her.
Remus picked up a piece of the Ollivander's sign. "Portus," he muttered, tapping it with his wand. "Let's go." Sirius touched the sign and they began spinning. When their feet hit the ground, the Dementors' coldness settled inside their chests.
"Can I help you, Mr. Black?" a wizard walked up to them.
"We need a cell. This is Summer Watts, the Death Eater," Sirius said.
"This way," the wizard lead the way through the prison. He stopped at cell twelve. He opened it and Summer was pushed inside.
"Thank you," Sirius said. He and Remus quickly retreated from the prison, not seeing the glare Summer was sending their way.
"Help! Harry!" Ron cried from the attic. Harry ran up the stairs and found his friend in a far corner. He was on the floor beside a large hole and Lucius Malfoy was hovering over him.
"Ron!" Harry yelled, making Lucius turn.
"Potter," Lucius hissed. "Avada kedavra!"
"Protego!" Harry yelled. "Expelliarmus!" Lucius was hit and thrown backwards into a pile of boxes. "Ron!" he motioned for his friend. Ron quickly stood up and ran to his friend's side.
"Harry, I-"
"Not now. We have to get Hermione and get out of here," Harry interrupted and they ran back downstairs. Harry slowed when they reached the landing. Ron stayed close behind, looking back at the stairs every now and then, hoping Lucius was really unconscious.
Hermione screamed. "Harry! Ron!" she screamed again. Harry and Ron flew down the stairs and entered the kitchen. The table was broken and the counter was crumbling. It had been hit with the Reductor Curse. Bellatrix was standing over Hermione who was bleeding from the head and crying. Bellatrix was taunting Hermione by sending spells that hit around her.
"Stupefy!" Harry yelled.
"Expelliarmus!" Ron shouted.
"Hello, Harry," Bellatrix smiled. While the Death Eater was distracted, Hermione crawled away. She looked at her friends who motioned towards the door without Bellatrix seeing. Quieting her sobs, Hermione crawled towards the opening where the door used to be.
"Crucio!" Bellatrix sent the curse at Hermione. She made herself flat on the floor and the curse skimmed her back. She screamed again and scrambled out the doorway.
"Stupefy!" Harry yelled again. Bellatrix deflected the spell. "Ron, get out of here!" he shouted as he brought Ron to the floor, dodging a Killing Curse.
"What about you? I won't leave you here!"
"I have to find the Elder Wand! Look out!" they both rolled away to avoid a Reductor Curse.
"Harry, I found it when I was in the attic," Ron whispered.
Harry stared at him. "Let's go."
"Confringo!" Bellatrix cried. Harry and Ron jumped up and away from the curse. The floor caught fire where the spell hit and began spreading quickly. The fire and Bellatrix were blocking the door.
Harry looked around. I'm sorry, Professor, he thought and raised his wand. "Reducto!" the spell hit the ceiling right above Bellatrix. It cracked then began falling. Bellatrix covered her head with her arms. Harry grabbed Ron's arm and ran past Bellatrix, through the growing fire, and out the door.
"Ron! Harry!" Hermione cried when they got outside. She hugged and kissed Ron, then hugged Harry and kissed his cheek.
"We have to go!" Harry said. They grabbed his arms and they disappeared.
"Hermione, are you okay?" Ron asked when they walked into the tent.
"Yeah. Just a cut. I'll be all right," Hermione nodded, smiling.
"I'm going to heal that, Hermione. Is it your only injury?" Harry said.
"Yeah, that's all," she nodded again and sat down, Ron beside her. Harry pointed his wand at the cut on Hermione's forehead. He waved it and the cut closed. "Thanks, Harry. So where are we now?"
"Forest behind the cottage again," Harry answered, summoning a small bottle of water. "So, Ron. About what your said," Harry sat in a chair beside the sofa.
"What did you say?" Hermione looked between the boys,
Ron smiled and pulled out a long wooden wand with engraving around the handle.