Bad Love Keeperoliver Chapter 14
The following month was one of joy to the residents of Slytherin Square as it came to be known. There was a double marriage. Remus and Tonks shared the stage with Bill and Fleur. Fleur's family came to the ceremony, along with their second daughter, Gabrielle. It had been three years since Harry last saw her, and the change in the young lady was remarkable. Like Fleur, she was part Veela, but her charm didn't work on Harry. Nor did it work on Draco, Blaise, Ron or Neville. When Hermione saw Ron unaffected by the charm, she wanted to run to him and hug him for all he was worth. She didn't have to, as he went to her and pulled her into a hug to reassure her that it was he that he wanted.
Gabrielle was not disappointed though. She knew her prince would meet her someday. She didn't have to try and steal away another girls mate. Besides, Fleur had already laid down the law on her. She knew who was off limits. It didn't mean she could not tease though. It was only logical that her target be Harry, since she knew him the best. However, before she started, she had to let Ginny know what she was doing. Ginny warned her not to go too far, as not only Fleur, but Ginny herself would be after her. Harry may even take a hand in her discipline.
However, no matter what she tried on Harry, nothing could get him flustered. He knew what she was trying to do, and didn't let it bother him. He just kept doing what he was doing. Ginny loved what Harry took from the beautiful young Veela and didn't let it affect him. It should her how much Harry truly loved her.
After Harry, Gabrielle didn't try her charm on any other male that was connected to a lady. It also told her that the love they showed their mates was real, and not forced by a love potion. A Veela charm will undo any love potion. Only true love was protection against her charm.
Both Bill and Remus were sorry for not being able to take their brides on a honeymoon, but promised them once this was over, they would make up for it. It was a promise both of them hoped they could fulfill.
During the toast to the two couples, Dobby saw the cups used for the toast. There were no larger drinking items available. Many things had to be given up due to a lack of space. Cups were stackable and smaller to store. More space was needed to store food for all the extra people they now had. Even the kitchen had no extra space available. There were no complaints for their use. But what Dobby remembered was a cup used by Bellatrix LeStrange during her wedding, and what she asked him to do with it. Dobby became so excited, his dance soon led others to dancing, and what ever he had in mind was soon forgotten as he was pulled to the dance floor by Luna. When they were close enough to Hermione and Ron, he switched partners with Ron and Dobby talked to Hermione while they danced.
"Miss Hermione, I have to tell you something I just remembered. You and Miss Daphne are looking for a cup, right? Well, Miss Bella used a cup during her wedding that upset the Dark Lord very much. So much so, he had her put it where no one would ever find it. She used her elf Tricky to put it in her vault in Gringotts. It could be the cup you are looking for."
"Why was she using a cup for her reception?"
"Because she knew Rebastian had spiked the punch with sleeping potion to get the others out of the picture while he and Bella could fool around. Rebastian didn't want to marry her, but it didn't stop him from wanting her on her wedding night. Miss Bella was not one to pass on a chance to fool around. Of course Rudolphus found out about it, but since it was his brother, he did nothing about it. Bella was a favorite of the Dark Lord and he knew he could do nothing against her. So the incident went unopposed."
"Do you know which vault the cup went to Dobby?"
"Miss Bella's vault. She did not dare to put it in the LeStrange vault, with both the brothers having access to it. She saw the mess that was their vault, and the destruction done to it. If anything were to happen to the cup, she would fear for her life."
"Thank You Dobby. I think you just found the last piece of the puzzle we have been trying to solve. I will tell the others later, when everything is more quiet. Now, excuse me, but I want to get back to Ron, before Lavender finds him."
Hermione was right in that. As soon as she was back with Ron, Lavender asked if she could cut in, and Hermione refused to let him go. After Lavender left, Ron kissed Hermione on the lips, "Thank you Mione, I didn't want to seem rude to Lavender, but it was not her I wished to be with. I was with the one I wished to be with."
"Do you mean me or Luna, Ron?" Hermione tried to hide her giggle.
"LUNA! Why would I want to be with Luna? Blaise would kill me if he even thought about me and Luna. You're teasing me right?"
Hermione couldn't hold it any more, she Broke out in a fit of laughter at the look on Ron's face and the shock in his voice. "Yes Ronald, I was teasing you. Glad to see it worked."
"Blimey Mione, don't ever do that again. You about gave me a heart attack. I like Luna and all that, but She confuses me more than you do."
Harry and Ginny were sitting with Remus, Tonks, Sirius and Marie, when he got up and asked Ginny to dance. She accepted and they both stepped out on the dance floor. He had picked a slow dance, so that he could be close to her, before the fast dance took them apart. He was lucky as two more slow dances followed the first, and Harry stayed close to this young lady that he was falling head over heels for. Ginny, for her part, wallowed in the arms of her long time passion. Yes, it is true that at first it was a childhood crush, but that all changed in this very same place in which they were all living. That was when the crush ended, and true love took it's place. Maybe Harry didn't see it then, But she did.
The three slow dances ended, and a fast one started up. Ginny started to walk back to her seat, when Harry stopped her, "You're not tired are you, Gin?"
Ginny had a wry grin on her face, "Are you saying that you are willing to make a fool out of yourself in front of all these people, Harry?"
"I am, if your woman enough to take the ribbing we will both get when it is over?"
"OH, you're on git. Believe me, I will be right there with them when they start in. Don't forget, I learned from the twins on how to get under a person's skin."
Both of them started their gyrations, and it didn't look any different then the movements of the other young dancers. In fact, some stopped to watch Harry and Ginny move across the floor. It wasn't as if they were dancers all their life, but they did show the love they had for each other when Ginny put her trust in Harry, and Harry lifting her up in the air and twirling her around, letting go of her and catching her before she fell. It looked awkward, yet it did not look out of place for this dance.
When the song ended and the dancers began to file off the floor, they patted the two on their backs in praise of what they did. Ginny grinned as she accepted the praise, but once her and Harry were finally alone she opened up, "Damn it, I was so looking forward to embarrassing you Harry. Where did you learn to dance like that?"
Harry's face reddened, "Do you promise not to laugh?"
"Why would I laugh, you were very good out there?"
"Professor McGonagall taught me back in fourth year, to get me ready for the Yule Ball. I'm afraid I only got to try the waltz, though. Ron sort of took up the rest of my time."
"Why didn't you ask me to dance at least one time?"
"Like I said, I was busy. Besides, it looked like you were having a good time with Neville."
"Neville was having a good time, so I put on a happy face. In actuality, my feet were killing me where he kept stepping on them." Ginny laughed.
"I guess I should have played savior again. If I had known, I would have, not that I was much better though."
"I saw Parvatti, Harry, and she did not look like you hurt her. In fact, she seemed very happy for that one dance. It might have been a good idea to ask her for another. She would have been in a better mood if you had."
"I couldn't abandon Ron, with the state he was in. It might have been worse than it became if I hadn't been there to keep him and Hermione from killing each other. If only he told her how he felt back then, they would have been together long before they finally did. Lavender never would have had her chance."
"True, he was quite a git back then. Now, what say we get something to drink, then try for another dance?"
"Sounds like a good idea Gin. I must say, I wish the Ball had been like this. I might even have said the heck with Ron and Hermione, and just stayed dancing if I had you as a partner."
"Harry Potter, Did you just pay me a compliment?"
"Maybe."
"Well, I am going to take it as one, and go so far as to say that it was better than the one that Neville gave me that night. He told me that I just gave him the best memory of his life."
"You do that for people Gin."
"OH you're on a roll, Harry. Two in less than five minutes. I don't think Hermione could brag about that."
"Then let's quit while I am ahead. If I keep going, I may come to a point where I stick my foot in my mouth, and ruin the whole evening."
"Good idea." and they went for their drink.
BL-}
Two days later, Hermione and Daphne sat with Dobby and Kreacher, trying to come up with a plan to get into the bank and search Bella's vault for the cup. With Gringotts security, and the search for OotP members by the Dark Lords minions, nothing seemed destined to work. Any way to fool the Goblins would end in failure and quite possibly something more permanent for the person caught. It was something they did not want to risk.
They didn't hear Remus and Tonks enter the room they used for their research, and they also didn't see it when Tonks took Remus to the side where they could not be seen, and she told him of what she was going to do. Remus grinned at first, then he stopped when he finally realized that she had given them the answer to the problem.
In order to see if it would work, He had Tonks change into Bella, to try and fool the four sitting at the table. She walked out into the open, "Do the little children have a itsy bitsy problem they can't solve?"
Hermione and Daphne jumped from their seats. And Dobby and Kreacher took a stance between the girls and Bella, "You will not harm these ladies!" cried Dobby.
"You will die before you can do anything to hurt them Missy Bella. I don't want to hurt you, but, these are my friends, and I will not let anything happen to them."
"So, poor pitiful Kreacher thinks these girls see him as friend. How sweet. Too bad it isn't true. No one sees you as a friend Kreacher. Not even Regulus."
Kreacher was about in tears when all of a sudden Bella rushed to him and pulled him for a hug. "Kreacher, I didn't mean any of that. I AM NOT BELLA. It's me Tonks. I am so sorry for doing that to you, but we had to see if I could pass for my cousin. I'm afraid I was too good. "
Kreacher did not like the way she talked, even if she didn't mean it. Living with Sirius taught him how to get retribution. He waved his hand, and when Tonks tried to change back to herself, it didn't work. She was beginning to get worried when Kreacher told her, "Missy Tonks better behave herself if she ever wants to see herself again."
Remus was doubled over laughing at his new bride. Not even Fred and George could get one over on Tonks, and here is a lowly house elf setting her straight.
"Keacher, I promise to behave myself. Please release me so that I can get out of this horrid body. I think I may be sick if I have to stay in it much longer."
Kreacher waved his hand once more, and Tonks was back to her original self. "Thank you. Now how did you do that, in case it happens to me again? I have to learn how to counteract it."
"Sorry Missy Tonks, but only an elf can do it. It is elf magic. I can show you how to stop it though."
"How?"
"By not making an elf mad."
Remus was doubled over again. Twice he has gotten to Tonks in less than five minutes. Fred and George could learn something from this elf. Hell, Sirius and he could learn from him.
"Not to change the subject, but, I think it will work." Tonks interrupted.
Hermione looked at her closely, "Exactly what will work Tonks?"
"Getting into Gringotts disguised as Bella. I know polyjuice and glamor charms won't work, but they are traceable. My being a metamorph is different. It is a completely natural form that is not traceable. As long as I stay in character with Bella, I will get by with it."
"ARE YOU INSANE TONKS? YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY HOPE TO GET BY GRINGOTTS SECURITY MEASURES LIKE THAT. Tonks listen to me, you will be taking on too big of a chance. What if Bella showed up during your visit?"
"Hermione, you heard what was said. She is recovering from those burns, and wouldn't dare show up in public in her condition. Plus, Remus and a few others will be staging a surprise to keep the munchers busy. I think we are the only people other than the bad guys who know she is indisposed at the moment. I should be in and out in about twenty minutes."
"If you're lucky. Other wise it might be more like twenty years. There has to be a better way to get into Gringotts with a lesser chance of getting caught."
"Have you thought of anything yet? How much time do we have before Bella will be up and about? How much time do we have before Voldemort decides to attack? We are so close Hermione. We have to strike now while the time is right. Don't forget there is still Nagini to worry about. The farther along we are, the better Harry's chances are."
"I know Tonks, but we don't want to lose you like this. Do you have a back up plan, if something were to come up to spoil your chance of getting in?"
"Of course I do. After all, I can change to anyone, even a Goblin if I have to. I will be OK."
"Remus, what are your thoughts on this? I haven't heard you say anything on this matter."
"As much as I am against it, Tonks is making sense, Hermione. We are running out of time before the shite hits the fan. We all have to do things that will be putting ourselves in danger. Besides, even if I forbid her to do it, she would do it anyway. She is a very strong willed person."
"I still don't like it, but it is a plan that could work if everything goes right. When do you plan on doing it?"
"Well. Since I have your OK, I might as well do it today. If I didn't get your OK, we were going to do it today. So, I guess nothing has changed on that point. Remus, Sirius, Frank, Filius, Fred and George will be going to Hogsmeade to get spotted by the munchers. No one else knows about it, just in case there are some loose lips hanging around."
What they didn't know was that six students would be there as well, having gotten permission from Severus to make a one hour trip for certain necessities. Also a few requests from other students and families. Not much, but enough to fill the hour with no time to spare.
BL-}
Tonks made the change before departing for Diagon Alley, to stop anyone from asking any questions about her leaving and Bella showing up.
She landed in the vacant alley down the street from the Cauldron. As she made her way through the Inn
she heard the fear in the patrons voices and felt the stares from them as she moved. She hate this the most about Voldemort and his henchmen. The fear that he spread through out the wizard world. It was a wonder that there were as many people as there were in the Inn. After what took place in the Ministry, the people were afraid to go out and attempt to live a normal life. Normalcy has not been present in the wizard world for over twenty years, though it was close when Lily and James lost their lives, but took Voldemort with them. There was still a sense of fear about the remaining Death Eaters, but with no leader they were a disrupted band with little sense of purpose. If a child was able to take out their leader, then there was little they could do to keep up their reign of terror. It would mean nothing if Voldemorts threat was not behind them.
This thinking brought Tonks to the steps of Gringotts, and she dropped the thinking to concentrate on her mission. It was vital for her to maintain control and not show fear when she approached the Goblins. Any sign of fear would trigger them to her not being who she said she was. As she entered, a wizard approached her that could end her plan before she even got started. Luckily she knew him from the reports she received while working as an Auror. "Bailey, what are you doing here?"
"Same as you I imagine. I just got back from The continent and stopped in to draw some money out of my account. I heard about the take over of the Ministry. Too bad. Something should be done to stop this atrocity. What have you heard?"
"Well, according to what people are saying, they have done away with the Aurors, and replaced them with what they are calling Snatchers. They are sent out to find Muggleborn and Half bloods and bring them in for trial." Tonks knew he was doing this for show and decided to actually tell him what she knew of the situation.
"It's getting so it isn't safe to walk the streets anymore. I guess I better get home before something happens to me. See you around." and Bailey left, allowing her to finally approach the floor manager.
"I need to get into my vault."
"May I see your wand please Mrs. LeStrange?"
"You don't need my wand. Just let me pass. We have gone through this so many times, it should be almost automatic."
"And as we have said before, there is procedure we have to follow in order to keep our customers accounts safe from people who wish to take what is not theirs. It is for your own good that we do this. We have tried to get you understand this."
"And I have told you that no one would dare try to break into my vault. The protection I have is enough to keep them from getting anywhere. Now, allow me to pass so that I may get to my vault."
"Very well, but it is all on you should anything come up missing. Griphook, show the lady to her vault."
The ride was a long one down to the vault, and there were measures in place that would have pointed out to Griphook that she was not who she said she was, if she had used Polyjuice or a charm. With her being a member of the Blacks, her blood was accepted as Bella's. It was the same at the vault when she was tested with a blood sample. She knew that being accepted canceled out any charms protecting the contents of the vault.
She entered the vault and looked around for the cup. She saw several lined up on the wall, sitting on a shelf. She approached them and found the one that had the Hufflepuff emblem on it. She took it and put a spell for protection on it and walked out. Griphook closed and lock the door, then led her back to the car. However, as they started to leave, there was loud crash, as if a wall had been collapsed. Then there was strong gust of wind. They turned to see what had happened, and they both watched as the dragon that had been laying there had torn his chain from the wall and attacked them. Griphook had jumped from the car, leaving Tonks alone. The dragon grabbed her and took off for the higher levels. He used his fire to destroy the floor of the main hall, then shattered the glass of the light panels to make his escape. Tonks didn't know what was going on and felt that all the work she had done, and the success she had with her plan, had turned out all for naught. She was going to die as dinner for this great beast.
BL-}
Remus, Sirius, Frank, Fred, George and Filius had walked around for over an hour and never drew a second look the whole time they were there. Remus thought that maybe the Death Eaters were drawn to Gringotts because of Tonks and Bella's vault. He began to panic and told Sirius and the rest they had to get back to Hogwarts and then learn if Tonks had made it back safely. If not then he was going after her. They had just started out when there was an explosion at the other end of the village and they all turned and went back to see what happened. When they got there, they saw Harry, Ginny, Luna, Blaise, Draco, and Astoria under attack from twenty four Death Eaters.
Harry and Ginny had the bulk of the D.E.s after them. It was two on two for the rest. Remus, Sirius and Filius joined Harry and Ginny, while Frank, Fred and George helped the rest.
With the new help, Harry was able to take out four of the DEs and turned his attention on helping Ginny, who was holding her own. Before long, there were three more DEs down.
Luna and Blaise were back to back fighting off the LeStrange brothers. Once again they were evenly matched, but they were getting tired. Both sides were fatigued and it began to show when Blaise was hit with a spell that snapped some bones in his leg. Luna felt him fall against her and turned to protect him. In her current state, she forgot all about her need to keep her secret, and began to change. The next minute was a deadly one as twelve of the Death Eaters stopped fighting and became very rigid. They were all turned to stone when they looked into Medusa's eyes. By chance, they were the only ones who saw this, and thus her secret was safe from Voldemort. However, Blaise saw what happened and covered his eyes so as not to fall under the spell. When the DEs changed, Luna changed back to herself and continued to help Harry and Ginny, not knowing that she had shown herself to Blaise.
The fight was over when the DEs saw their numbers had dwindled down to less than the ones they attacked. They didn't know what happened to the twelve except that maybe they were hit with a petrificus spell. They didn't stay around to find out. The battle was over, and the light suffered only minor damage, or so they thought. The damage to Blaise was more than just physical.
The group made it back to the Castle and went right to Madam Pomfrey for their wounds. Remus found out that Tonks had not yet made it back. He was ready to take off again, but he was stopped by Severus.
"I'm sorry, but after what just took place, there is no way I am going to let anyone leave the castle for quite some time. We don't know what happened with Tonks. It may be that she was caught and told the DEs what happened and what else was happening. Until we know for sure, we will all be standing pat."
"THAT'S MY WIFE YOU ARE LEAVING OUT THERE WITH THOSE BASTARDS!"
"I know Remus, and I am sorry, but I can't allow anyone else to fall to the same fate as her. What would happen if you should fail, and get caught. Then Sirius would go looking for you. Then if he got caught, Harry would go. Do you see what I mean? We are not yet ready for this."
"But I just can't abandon her Sev. She is my wife. I love her. I need her. I can't go on with out her."
"Please give her a little time. Maybe we can find out what happened to her and then try to get her back. It is too early to be going out looking for her just now. The DEs are on alert."
They argued for another hour, when Hagrid entered the chamber carrying a body in his arms. Pomfrey looked up to see a limp Bella in his arms. She ran to him and told him to bring her to the closest bed for an examination. Hagrid explained that she was brought her by the Gringotts dragon. She was in his grasp which was quite tight.
Pomfrey found several broken ribs, and a punctured lung, all of which could be healed right away. Other than that, she was just plain scared out of her wits. Enough so that she passed out from it.
Remus was there by he side as Pomfrey worked on her, listening to what Hagrid said. "Hagrid, didn't you say that the dragons had a way to communicate that we didn't know about?"
"Yuh Remus. It's kinda like that telekinetic thing."
"I think you mean telepathy Hagrid, but I get the picture. Do you think one of our Dragons contacted the Gringotts Dragon and asked it to help Tonks?"
"Say, I hadn't thought uh that, but I guess they could have. Norbert is pretty smart and caring. She could have thought of it."
"Then I will be visiting them soon to tell them thank you. I would have died if something serious happened to Tonks. Please toss them an extra pig for me would you Hagrid?"
"Sure Remus, no problem. I better be getting back out there, before that weird Gringotts Dragon begins to tear the place up. By the way, how do we get him back to Gringotts?"
Sirius was listening in, "You're not serious are you Hagrid? Why would he want to go back? And who is going to try and force him back? Not me, I can assure you."
"Well, that does pose a problem, if he doesn't want to go back. But it is hard enough to watch over the trained Dragons, without adding a wild one in the mix."
"Then let him be, and maybe he will leave on his own." Sirius fired back.
"That's not likely. He likes being with the other Dragons. It must have been lonely for him there in Gringotts." Hagrid left after that, and thing began to quiet down.
The day had been one of adventure and thrills. Of conquests and captures. But the day had not been all good.
Harry saw Luna sitting alone in a corner, and he found her crying. "Luna what is it?"
"I did something stupid Harry. So stupid that Blaise won't talk to me. He said he never wants to see me again. Harry I changed in front of him. Not just my hair. I made a full change, and he saw it."
"I was afraid of something like that happening. Luna, let me talk to him, and I will try to get him to understand that it was my idea for you not to tell anyone."
"I hope it works Harry. Blaise is the only person to show me he loves me, beside you. I kind of like the feeling, and don't want to lose it."
It looked to be a long night for Luna, and she was afraid that it may be even longer.