We woke up a little before dawn and snuck out of the cabin. I was wearing the long black robes and holding Bellatrix's repulsive wand. Harry, Griphook, and Ron were already awaiting us out side.
"Is everything ready?" I asked quietly, glancing back at the cottage guiltily. I hated leaving Fleur, Bill, Luna, and Dean like this, but we honestly didn't have much choice. We couldn't risk their getting hurt because of our plans. I knew the others felt the same way, Ron had been practically heartbroken about leaving Luna again. At least this time he knew she would be safe.
"Yep, here you go, um, bottoms up?" Harry said, handing me a vial of Polyjuice. We had enough for two hours. I gripped the vial in my hand, staring at it in utter repulsion as I brought it to my lips. I downed it in one large swallow, gagging when the vile liquid touched my lips. That horrible feeling washed over me and I felt myself change into Bellatrix Lestrange.
"Wow, that is so weird." Ron exclaimed, looking at me.
"Wait till I'm done with George." I said, smirking as I turned towards my fiancé. His eyes widened and he looked a little frightened.
"What are you going to do exactly?" He asked, paling. I was momentarily worried, he actually looked scared of me. I then remembered I was Bellatrix, I probably was scary.
"I'm just going to do a little transfiguration to you, Love." I said, lifting my wand and aiming it at his face. His eyes widened even more and he visibly swallowed.
"I promise it won't hurt." I whispered before I transfigured him. I turned his hair blond, and made his face longer. I changed some of his other facial features before going for his eyes. My hand froze right before I changed them. I love his eyes, it was my favorite color blue. I didn't want to change them, I wanted to be able to look at those beautiful eyes.
"It's alright, Hermione." He said quietly, his blue eyes locked on me. "I'll still be me."
He was right, I was being silly. I was bloody Bellatrix Lestrange and he still knew I was him. I waved my wand and his eyes changed to a dull grey, losing their bright luster. His sparkle was still there though, he still had that happy, George look.
"Okay boys." I said, trying to make my voice have the haughty air that Bellatrix pulled off so well. I pulled the invisibility cloaks out of my pocket and gave one to Harry and Griphook and the other to Ron. Harry pulled Griphook up to his shoulders and then wrapped his cloak around his shoulders. Ron was still staring at the house and hadn't moved.
"Ron?" Harry's disembodied voice questioned. Ron started and turned back towards us.
"Do you think she'll be alright?" he asked quietly, staring at where Harry had been.
"Yeah, I reckon she'll be just fine." George answered, stepping forward and patting Ron on the back.
"Yeah mate, the others will keep her safe." Harry said.
"Right, yeah." Ron said, wrapping the cloak around his shoulders. "Let's go then." I nodded my head and grabbed hold of George. I felt some one grab my arm and saw George's robe move where someone else grabbed his. Okay, it was go time. I gripped the foul wand and twisted, apparating us all away to The Leaky Cauldron. Tom was the only one in it, and he paled visibly when he saw me appear. I opened my mouth and almost said hello, but I saw George stride forward and remembered that I was supposed to act as though I was better than anyone else. I stepped forward and ignored Tom, cringing internally when I saw him shaking. I went through the Cauldron and out the back door. I stopped in front of the brick wall and raised the walnut wand tapping it on the magic brick that would let me in Diagon Alley.
"That's the first time I've ever been in the Cauldron and didn't get a Butterbeer." George said, sounding guilty. I knew how he felt, it was like I was betraying him.
The wall opened and we stepped into Diagon Alley, and I almost gasped at the sight of it. Nearly every store was closed and there were beggars everywhere. I headed down the path, trying to keep my head high and my face haughty. I kept my eyes forward, not looking at anyone I passed.
Big mistake.
"My children," a man bellowed approaching me quickly. His voice was high pitched and he had a bandage over his eye. He was clearly distraught and desperate. "Where are my children? What has he done with them? You know, you know!" He cried, trying to reach me. I had stopped, shocked and frightened.
"I-I really-" I stammered, thrown off and worried. Was I supposed to know this man? His eyes narrowed and he lunged at me. George stepped between us and hit the guy firmly in the nose. He fell back, screeching in pain as George raised his wand and aimed it at the man. A bang sounded and the beggar was absorbed in blue light. I stood there in shock, my heart thumping violently George wheeled around, lowering his wand and keeping a blank expression on his face. I forced my features to relax and took another step forward.
"Why, Madam Lestrange!" A voice called from behind us. I stopped, turning around and frowning.
"What do you want?" I questioned, making my voice contempt and haughty. The tall thin wizard stopped, his face turning cold as I recognized him.
"Oh, Travers." I said, making my voice somewhat more pleasant. "Sorry, I thought you were another beggar. We really need to clean up around here."
His faced relaxed and he offered me a condescending smile. "Yes, I quite agree. It's gotten rather filthy here." He scanned the alley distastefully before turning back to me.
"Well, I confess I am surprised to see you out and about, Bellatrix."
"Really? Why?" I asked, forcing myself to remain relaxed. Bellatrix would never look unnerved or wary. She did what she wanted to who she wanted.
"Well," Travers coughed, trying to look as though this was awkward for him. He wasn't a terribly good actor. "I heard that the Inhabitants of Malfoy Manor were confined to the house, after the . . . ah . . . escape."
I stopped walking and turned around to face him, making my face go dark and angry. "The Dark Lord forgives those who have served him most faithfully in the past," I said, imitating Bellatrix's contemptuous manner. I looked him up and down with obvious distate. "Perhaps your credit is not as good with him as mine is, Travers."
He huffed and turned his head from my dark glare, choosing to look at the man George had taken out for me with curiosity and disdain. "How did it offend you?" he asked, giving the unconscious man a kick.
"It does not matter, he will not do so again." I answered with a huff.
"Who is your friend? I do not recognize him." Travers asked, apparently he was determined to speak with me.
"This is Dragomir Despard," I responded turning towards George and rolling my eyes when my back was to Travers. "I assure you, he is of the purest blood. He speaks very little English, but he is in sympathy with the Dark Lord's aims. He has traveled here from Transylvania to see our new regime."
"Indeed? How do you do, Dragomir?" Travers asked, looking at George.
"'Ow you?" George asked, bowing slightly and holding his hand out. He looked exceedingly arrogant and managed to make himself look quite cruel. It was rather impressive. Travers shook his hand, looking slightly impressed.
"So what brings you and your-ah-sympathetic friend to Diagon Alley this early?"
"I need to visit Gringotts," I answered, pointing to the bank that it was beginning to seem like I would never reach.
"Alas, I also," Travers replied and I felt my heart sink, surely he wouldn't try to go with me. "Gold, filthy gold! We cannot live without it, yet I confess I deplore the necessity of consorting with our long-fingered friends." He sighed in a long suffering manner before gesturing forward. "Shall we?"
I nodded my head, following him with a sinking air. This was not good, we'd need to lose him to complete our plan, how would we do that? We neared the bank and I noticed to goblins holding thin gold rods. Really? Probity probes? Could nothing be easy today? Travers stepped through the doors after being probed, thankfully turning his back on us. I stepped up to be probed and smiled in relief when they gave a start before their eyes grew hazy. Thank Merlin, either Harry or Ron had just confunded them.
"One moment, madam." The guard mumbled as I passed the step.
"But you've just done that!" I snapped in a commanding arrogant voice. Travers turned around right as the guard nodded his head and let me and George through. That was entirely to close for comfort. I slowed my walk down and began to explain the features of the hall to George, hoping that Travers would go ahead to his vault without me. No such luck. He stopped after receiving his key and turned around so that he could watch us.
"Madam Lestrange!" the goblin at the front desk exclaimed, looking painfully startled. "Dear me! How-how may I help you today?"
"I wish to enter my vault," I said, bracing myself and trying to think of how I could get in the vault without any identification.
"You have . . . identification?" the goblin asked, trembling slightly.
"Identification? I have never been asked for identification before!" I snarled, drawing to my full height and making my eyes flash.
"Your wand will do, madam," the goblin stuttered, flushing and looking uncomfortable. He held out a slightly trembling hand waiting for my wand. It hit me in that moment.
They knew my wand had been stolen. They knew she'd lost her wand. We were going to be caught.
I handed the wand over, trying to not let my hand tremble. It was over, we were going to be caught. The goblin examined the wand in his hands, "Ah, you have had a new wand made, madam Lestrange!" He exclaimed before handing it over to me.
"What?" I asked before I thought. I clenched my mouth shut but the damage was already done. Travers had moved forward and everyone else was watching us.
"A new wand?" He asked, nearing us. "But how could you have done, which wandmaker did you use?"
Merlin save us, our plan was falling apart in front of me!
"Oh yes, I see," said Travers, looking down at my not new wand, "yes, very handsome. and is it working well? I always think wands require a little breaking in, don't you?"
What the bloody hell? How had that happened? I thought we were caught for sure. I shook my head and jerked my wand back, keeping my face haughty. I'd go with it, whatever was happening I was just going to go with it. The goblin at the desk bustled away and returned a moment later with a leather bag. He hopped off the desk and came around to us. "Good, good! If you will follow me, Madam Lestrange, I shall take you to your vault." I nodded my head and followed him.
"Wait – Bogrod!"
Another goblin came scurrying around the counter and I had to bite back an explicative. Could we not just get to the vault?
"We have instructions," he said with a bow. "Forgive me, Madam, but there have been special orders regarding the vault of Lestrange." I glanced at George worriedly. He gave his head a slight shake, still staring straight ahead. I returned my gaze ahead to, and almost sighed in relief when the goblin brushed the other one off.
"This way, please … " He hurried off and I heard Travers following us. He had an oddly vacant look in his eye but I brushed it off. Harry or Ron must have done something to them, at least, I hope they had. He led us into the vault, and then the door slammed behind us.
"We're in trouble; they suspect," Harry said, taking his cloak off and helping Griphook down. Ron also took off his cloak. Neither the goblin nor Travers loked even slighthly suprsied at there sudden appearance either.
"They're Imperiused," Harry said as George and I stared at Travers and the Goblin. "I don't think I did it strongly enough, I don't know …"
"What do we do?" Ron asked, looking pale. "Shall we get out now, while we can?"
"If we can," I said, staring at the door. God only knew what was going on out there. With our luck half the ministry was already waiting on us. The dragon was probably about to be released on us too.
"We've got this far, I say we go on," Harry said.
"Yeah, might as well." George said, stepping towards the cart.
We all somehow managed to squeeze into the cart, after we hid Travers and then with a jerk, the cart set off. We zoomed through the labyrinths of turns, going at an awful speed. I hated this part of Gringotts, it was almost like flying and made me feel unsafe. We were headed straight towards a waterfall pounding over the track. I heard Griphook shout, "No!" in front of me, but it was too late. We zoomed right through it. It filled my eyes, my mouth, soaking me to the bone. I felt a terrible melting sensation, and then the cart flipped over. We were all thrown out of it and I had barely a second to react. I threw my wand up and screamed out a cushioning spell as quickly as I could, thanking Merlin when I landed painlessly on the rock.
George pulled me up, red-haired and blue eyed again. I looked down at my own body and was shocked to see that it was indeed my own. I was back to me.
"The Thief's Downfall!" Griphook exclaimed, clambering to his feet and looking back at the waterfall on the tracks. "It washes away all enchantment, all magical concealment! They know there are imposers in Gringotts, they have set off defenses against us!"
No kidding, we really didn't plan this whole thing out well. It had seemed so sound proof last night. Now, looking back, it seemed like it might have been more subtle to have just come as ourselves.
"Imperio!" Harry bellowed, pointing his wand at the goblin. Good thinking, the waterfall had probably relased him from the imperius curse. I heard a faint clatter behind us and wheeled around. A moment later I heard it again, someone was coming.
"Harry," I squesaked, horrified by what I had just discovered. "I think I can hear people coming!" I raised my wand and before anyone could react in any way I pointed it at the waterfall. "Protego!" I yelled, the shield charm expanded across the end of the track, officially blocking it off.
"Lead the way, Griphook!" Harry said, stepping towards the goblin. He ran down the corridor, and we all followed. Ron and Harry in front, and George and I bringing up the rear.
"Good thinking back there." He said, smiling at me with his smile. I was so glad to see it again. He did not make a good blond.
"How are we going to get out again?" Ron asked running in front of us.
"Let's worry about that when we have to," Harry said shortly. "Griphook, how much farther?"
"Not far, Harry Potter, not far … "
We turned a corner and I nearly screamed. A gigantic dragon was tethered to the ground in fornt of us. He was pale and had flaky looking scales, probably from his long incarceration here. It was terrible and cruel, and I felt sorry for it after my fright wore off. He opened his massive jaws and blew out a puff of fire, but we had already ran back around the corner.
"It is partially blind," Griphook panted. I scooted closer to George and grasped his hand. "but even more savage for that. However, we have the means to control it. It has learned what to expect when the Clankers come. Give them to me."
Ron passed the bag to Griphook, and the goblin pulled out a number of small metal instruments that when shaken made a long ringing noise like miniature hammers on anvils. Griphook handed them out: Bogrod accepted his meekly.
"You know what to do," Griphook told us, George tightened his grip on my hand and nodded hi head. "It will expect pain when it hears the noise. It will retreat, and Bogrod must place his palm upon the door of the vault."
We walked around the corner again, shaking the clankers as we went. The noise echoed off the walls eerily, amplifying and giving me a headache. The dragon let out a hoarse roar, and then retreated. The old goblin pressed his palm to the wood, and the door of the vault melted away to reveal a cavelike opening crammed from floor to ceiling with golden coins and goblets, silver armor, the skins of strange creatures – some with long spines, other with drooping wings – potions in jeweled flasks, and a skull still wearing a crown. This could prove to be difficult.
"Search, fast!" Harry said as we hurried into the vault, as though we needed encouragement. The door closed behind us and we were sealed in. We lit our wands and looked around again. I spotted a jeweled goblet and reached for it.
"Harry, could this be" I started, grabbing hold of it. The minute I touched it my hand started to burn. I yelped and dropped the goblet which split into several goblets. George was by my side in a second, examining my injured hand as I stared at the goblet in shock. George murmured some spell and the pain left my hand.
"Thanks." I whispered, looking up at his eyes as Griphook stated the obvious fact that the goblins had used Germino and Flagrante. That made things so much worse, anything we touched would burn us and multiply.
"Okay, don't touch anything!" Harry said desperately, he was too late. Ron accidently touched a goblet, and it exploded into twenty more. That touched George's foot, and twenty more exploded.
"Stand still, don't move!" I yelped, clutching at George in an attempt to keep my balance. We were now surrounded by goblets, if we so much as twitched we'd be covered in them.
"Just look around!" Harry said, we were already looking around. "Remember, the cup's small and gold, it's got a badger engraved on it, two handles – otherwise see if you can spot Ravenclaw's symbol anywhere, the eagle –"
We turned our wands around the room, searching for some sign of a Badger or a Raven.
"It's there, it's up there!" Harry shouted suddenly. We all twisted around, keeping our feet still and pointed our wands at what Harry was pointing at. It was at the top of a huge pile of random artifacts.
"And how the hell are we going to get up there without touching anything?" Ron asked.
"Levitation spell?" George asked, staring up at the cup.
"That would get us up there but we still couldn't touch it." Harry said. "Wait! Can I touch stuff with the sword? Hermione, give it here!" I reached into my robes, careful not to move, and grabbed out my beaded bag. I reached into it, and after a moment I found the swords hilt. I pulled it out of the bag and touched it to a nearby silver flagon. Nothing happened.
"Okay, so I'll poke it through the cups handle." He said, looking up at the cup. I handed him the sword and George raised his wand.
"Levicorpus!"
Harry flipped upside down and flew into the air, hitting a suit of armor. It burst into dozens of pieces, all of them raining down on Ron, George and myself. I screamed out spell after spell, trying vainly to protect us, but it was to no avail. The burning metal rained down on us, multiplying and burning us until we were waist deep in the burning gold. We tried to keep the goblins above the gold tide, but we were losing them. Harry reached for Griphook pulling him up as he snagged the goblet. The sword flipped out of his hand and flew into the pile, the gold goblet still on its tip.