A/N: Finally...I'm a bit behind with my posting since I was travelling in the States last week. But well, now I'm back in the game, and here you are, folks! Guess how many chapters are left? I'm currently writing the last one and it's going to be epic (Or not, heh) ;) Can't believe it's ending soon... Keep on reviewing, I'd love to know what do you think of this story.

Chapter 45: The Cup

July 22nd 1979 (Sunday)

"Good afternoon. I hope you are all well rested," Dumbledore said with a small smile and a knowing look in his eyes as he gestured for the others to sit down on the three squashy armchairs in front of his desk.

It was Sunday, the day after Lily's and James's wedding, and while the happy couple was currently on their honeymoon in Paris and the rest of their friends were still recovering from the previous night, Hermione, Gideon and Fabian were meeting Dumbledore in his office. After Regulus had told Hermione about the Horcrux inside Bellatrix Lestrange's vault, Hermione had informed Gideon and the others. They had agreed to meet the next day in Hogwarts in order to make plans to acquire the cup.

Fabian yawned and rubbed his neck, sending a vaguely bitter look at the others. "Well, at least some of us are," he muttered and glanced at Hermione who was looking fresh and ready to plan their next moves against Voldemort. Gideon too was well-groomed, even if there were small bags under his eyes.

Hermione arched a brow at Fabian, who shrugged. "Dunno where you three were last night, but I was at a wedding," The man replied to her with a sly grin.

"If we would move onto the matter in hand," Gideon said with a hint of exasperation and turned to look at Hermione. "Yesterday you found out that there is a Horcrux in the Lestrange vault, yes?" He asked.

Hermione nodded. "Yes. Helga Hufflepuff's cup," she said sombrely, glancing at the Headmaster, who eyed her with interest, his long fingers crossed on the table.

"Is there a possibility that Bellatrix might have fed false information to Regulus?" Dumbledore asked, looking thoughtful.

Hermione sighed. Of course there was the possibility. "Yes, there is. But…I don't know. It seems that she trusts him. Even after Regulus let us go in the raid before Christmas last year," Hermione said and worried her lip. "But there is a possibility that she has told him the truth. I think we've discussed this before, but when I was at Malfoy Manor, before I came here, she was…scared. When she believed that we'd been inside her vault. So worried, that it made me suspect she had a Horcrux in there," she continued thoughtfully.

"But we can't be sure," Gideon muttered, frowning at the desk in front of him.

Dumbledore hummed. "Yes, indeed we cannot. Either Bellatrix and by extension, Voldemort, is sending us into a trap, or they do not know about what we are doing at all, and therefore don't even expect us to break-in into the Lestrange vault. If the latter is true, then there truly is a Horcrux inside," he said, eyeing the others gravely over his half-moon spectacles.

Fabian let out a dry chuckle. "So, we'll just wing it then?"

Hermione shrugged. "Well, I think we ought to be prepared for every possible outcome, just in case?"

The others nodded in agreement.

"I believe that would be wise." Dumbledore said.

"I'm coming with you," Hermione said quickly before Dumbledore had the chance to say anything else. "I want to participate in this mission." She said with a determined look in her eyes.

Fabian's lips twitched while Dumbledore gave Hermione a long look, contemplating his answer.

"I think we all need to be there, Albus," Gideon said with a serious face. "Even if the Death Eaters would not be there, there are still Goblins we need to handle. And they can be very devious and violent if needed."

Hermione nodded hastily. "I agree. And if the Death Eaters are going to be there, it would be better to have one more person to fight on our side, to increase our chances of getting the Horcrux." She said pragmatically and tried not to think what would happen if they were to be ambushed.

There was a long silence, but eventually Dumbledore spoke with a grim look in his eyes. "So be it."

July 27th 1979 (Friday)

Hermione, Gideon, Fabian and Dumbledore had been planning their break-in into the Gringotts Wizarding Bank all Sunday and Monday, discussing thoroughly all the possible details and outcomes and making sure everyone knew their role in case they were attacked. Their aim was to get the Horcrux out of Gringotts, somewhere they could destroy it, but if that would be impossible, they agreed to do it on the spot.

It was a dangerous plan, especially after what had happened in the cave in Letterfearn when they had destroyed the locket. Even so, every one of them had prepared for the worst; that they might not necessarily make it.

"Remus! I thought you were still asleep," Hermione said with an uneven tone, startled by the unexpected presence of her friend. She had been preparing herself some early breakfast when Remus walked downstairs. She had agreed to meet Gideon, Fabian and Dumbledore at Gideon's place, near Diagon Alley early in the morning.

Remus shrugged. "I'm a light sleeper. Wondered what you were up to at this hour," he said and studied her features as he walked towards the kitchen.

Hermione forced a reassuring smile on her face, hoping he wouldn't see how nervous she was, and how terrified she felt. "I'm just meeting Dumbledore in a couple of hours. You want some breakfast?" She asked kindly, eyeing him carefully. "Is Mary here?"

Remus shook his head. "No. But Pads is…" He said and yawned, accepting the cup of tea Hermione handed him.

"Oh? Why?" She asked with a hint of confusion. She knew Sirius had been in a mood after the wedding, after meeting his brother and finding out Hermione's plans regarding Voldemort. Sirius hadn't told her, or anyone else for that matter, what he knew, but Hermione reckoned he had found out enough to draw some conclusions.

Remus arched a brow at her and sipped his tea with a knowing look. "What do you think?"

Was Sirius observing her? Was that the reason he was there? Because of what he'd seen in Regulus's mind? Hermione frowned. She knew she ought to say something to her friends. Even though every Horcrux mission had been dangerous, this one felt the most difficult and most dangerous one. For the first time they knew there was a high chance of it being a trap, but they still decided to follow their plan through.

Hermione flicked her wand to set the table. "We need to talk." She said quietly, eyeing Remus hesitantly.

Remus gave her a worried look and nodded. They sat down at the dining table and Hermione took a piece of toast in her hands to fiddle with.

"Um…I'm going on a mission today," She said slowly, buttering her toast and glancing at Remus.

He looked at her carefully. "I gathered. Where? What is it about?"

Hermione chewed the inside of her cheek and tried to decide whether or not to tell him. Hermione knew she could trust her friends, and that they would guard her secrets. She also knew there were ways to extract information, without one's consent. But above all, she needed someone who could come to their aid if they indeed were marching into a trap.

Remus let out a frustrated sigh and put his teacup on the table with more force than necessary. "Hermione…You know you can trust your friends, right? And you know you can't deal with everything alone," He said tightly, dark clouds swirling in his eyes. Hermione supressed a shiver of unease as she held his gaze.

"I know," She said quietly and swallowed. "I'm going to Gringotts."

Remus was slightly taken aback by her words, as if he was expecting for her to shut up about her business. He cleared his throat. "Okay. Why?" He asked carefully.

Hermione bit her lip. "There's something we have to acquire. But, um…There might be Death Eaters guarding the place. We don't know for sure, so there is a risk, but that risk has to be taken." Hermione explained vaguely.

Remus's eyes widened. "Shit…" He muttered, frowning at her. "Why isn't the Order involved?"

"It's too much of a risk," she said with a helpless shrug.

Remus let out a weary sigh. "I was hoping you wouldn't say that…" He muttered and scratched his chin. "Okay. What can I do?" He asked with a determined look.

Hermione gave him a tight smile. "I hope it doesn't come to that, but, um…you could gather our group and be ready to fight," she said solemnly.

Remus nodded. "Of course."

An hour later Hermione was collecting her things in her room before apparating to Gideon's place, where they were going to go through the plan before leaving towards Gringotts. This was it. The last Horcrux. If they were able to destroy it, they could destroy Voldemort. She could feel it, as if something big was approaching. A major turning point. It felt like everyone was holding their breaths, waiting for the final blow. Time was slowing down, minutes turning to hours, and hours to weeks. It was nerve-wracking. It made her feel anxious.

"Heading off without saying goodbye?" Sirius said with a low voice.

Hermione looked up to see the raven-haired Marauder leaning against her doorframe, eyeing her ministrations closely.

Hermione frowned. "Why you are here? Keeping an eye on me?" She asked dryly, pushing the last of her things into her beaded bag.

Sirius hummed. "Something like that. So…What's the plan? Moony mentioned something about a certain bank, but he must be barking, right?" He asked, a tight smile on his lips.

"Oh. Um…" Hermione muttered and felt her cheeks heat up.

Sirius cursed under his breath. "Hermione, that's just…fucking deranged. You are aware what guards some of the vaults there?" He asked incredulously and walked closer to her.

Hermione nodded grimly. "Dumbledore told us. Dragons."

"Then you're all fucking mental." He said with disbelief.

Hermione pursed her lips. "Well, unfortunately, it has to be done."

Sirius sighed. "Fine. I'll come with you," he said and reached out for her arm.

Hermione shook her head. "No, you won't," she said, shaking him off.

"Hermione –"

Hermine lifted his hands. "No, Sirius. We cannot march there with an army if we hope to achieve something without Voldemort knowing immediately. I spoke with Remus and we agreed that you guys will wait for our word."

Sirius pushed his hands through his black locks and growled with frustration. "And what if you get caught? What if you're killed before we'll get there?" He asked intently.

Hermione stared into his stormy grey eyes and took in a deep breath. "We'll just have to hope that everything will go as planned," she said quietly. "I have to go. Please do as I have asked, Sirius. Do not complicate things by defying me," she said wearily.

Sirius clenched his jaw but said nothing. She took a hesitant step towards him and gave him a quick hug before she disapparated.

Hermione remembered the first time she had stepped into the impressive, three-story building.

She remembered when she had admired its grand marble hall, the beautiful chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling and long rows of tables on either side of the hall where dozens of Goblins worked, surrounded by ledgers, quills and wizarding money on brass scales.

"Calm down," Gideon whispered next to her as they stepped into the main hall. He and Fabian stayed put near the doors while Hermione and Dumbledore walked towards one of the counters at the end of the room.

Hermione swallowed hard. She was calm. They were only there to steal an important historical artefact from one of the bank's most heavily guarded vaults.

Dumbledore walked casually next to her, his dark purple robes swishing quietly. They had agreed that Hermione would accompany Dumbledore into his vault, which was supposedly not that far from the bank's high-security vaults. Hermione, as Dumbledore's niece, had of course access to the vault as well, so they assumed that it wasn't going to be a problem. Gideon and Fabian were going to wait in the main hall, ready to notify the Order and their friends if there was anything suspicious.

"Good morning," Dumbledore said and smiled kindly to the Goblin behind the desk.

The Goblin in question turned its sharp stare to Dumbledore, and then Hermione. "Good morning, Mr. Dumbledore. Miss Dumbledore," it said with a low voice, its eyes lingering at Gideon and Fabian who were standing further down the hall. "Brought a pair of Aurors with you, I see," the Goblin said to Dumbledore, eyeing him with a calculative look.

Dumbledore hummed. "Yes, well, one should always be careful in these times, I'm sure you understand. However, I wish to enter my vault," he said firmly, holding the Goblin's gaze.

After a short silence, the Goblin nodded. "Very well. Follow me," it said and hopped down from the high stool it had been sitting on and made its way to one of the several doors adorning the walls behind the counters.

They followed the Goblin in silence along a narrow passageway that lead to the tracks, where several carts stood waiting. All of them climbed into one of the carts. The Goblin took a seat in the front of the cart, while Hermione and Dumbledore sat in the back. With a sudden lunge, they started moving forward, and soon they were speeding fast along a network of passages, with several tracks connecting and separating every now and then. They were diving deeper into the cave, and Hermione's teeth started to clatter as the cold air swirled around them.

The cart carried them over an underground lake and a large ravine before they finally slowed down, after what seemed like an hour of driving. They quickly stepped out of the cart and walked towards the passage wall, where small golden numbers were engraved next to a door.

"Vault seven hundred and thirteen," the Goblin said and rushed forward. It stroked the door gently with its long fingers and the door melted away. "Only Gringotts Goblins have the authorisation to open certain vaults without severe consequences," the Goblin said darkly as it saw Hermione gape at the door.

The Goblin's expression suddenly changed from dark and calculative to absent and relaxed. It had been Imperiused.

"The Goblin is handled then," Hermione muttered and glanced at Dumbledore, who nodded with displeasure.

"Regrettably," Dumbledore said quietly and gave the Goblin a wordless order to climb back into the cart. Hermione and Dumbledore followed its example, and soon they were making their way further down in the cave. Moments later their speed was slowing down once more before the cart finally came to its stop. They were near another passageway.

Hermione and Dumbledore followed the Imperiused Goblin out of the cart and towards one of the passageways that was lit by flaming torches. Further down the passageway they spotted a large and worn leather bag.

"Everyone take a pair of these," the Goblin said as it picked up the bag.

Hermione eyed the bag curiously. "What are those?"

"Clankers," the Goblin said gleefully as it took a pair of metal tools from the bag and began clanking them as it went forward. Hermione and Dumbledore too grabbed a set of clankers before following the Goblin.

As they turned around the corner, they saw the creature that guarded a handful of the deepest vaults in Gringotts. An enormous dragon stood there, a dragon that had been tied with metal ropes to the ground, its scales pale and chipped because of its captivity. A dragon that turned its glassy eyes towards the intruders and roared threateningly.

"Circe…" Hermione whispered, her insides going cold with terror. She was really facing a dragon. A full-sized, angry looking beast that was likely to scorch them to death in any second.

"Quickly," Dumbledore said hastily and gestured for the others to move along the wall after him, away from the dragon.

Hermione rushed forward just as the beast opened its mouth and spat a jet of fire on the spot where they had been mere seconds ago. "Focus, Hermione!" Hermione murmured under her breath as they shook the clankers and advanced towards one of the vault doors, while the dragon retreated to the opposite corner.

"It will expect pain when it hears the noise," the Goblin said with a small smile before placing its hand against a vault door.

Hermione shuddered. "That's vile," she muttered as she shook the clankers with a displeased look. Her eyes were trained at the dragon, watching its every move. The dragon shuddered, and Hermione's eyes flickered to the numerous cuts and scars across the beast's face. She briefly wondered that if she hadn't been that scared for her life, she probably would have pitied the dragon more than she now did.

"Hermione," Dumbledore said hastily as the door of the vault melted away. They retreated into the vault while the Goblin was ordered to stay outside with the clankers as Hermione and Dumbledore searched for the cup.

The door closed behind them.

"Mother of Merlin…" Hermione muttered as she stared ahead of her. The vault was filled from floor to ceiling with mountains of galleons, golden artefacts, goblets, jewellery, intricate and expensive looking capes and robes, silver and diamond swords and daggers, something that looked like dragon hide, and also several potion bottles with shimmering liquids inside them.

Dumbledore lifted his hands, as if reaching for something, his eyes closed. "I suggest we do not touch anything. The vault is protected with magic," he murmured after a short silence and turned to look at Hermione with a small frown between his brows. "Unfortunately, I cannot lift the charms. We will have to try to spot the cup without moving anything," he concluded.

Hermione nodded, and a moment later they were circling in different corners of the vault where there was space on the floor, trying not to touch anything as they walked through the narrow paths between mountains and piles of fortune.

"Aargh!" Hermione hissed with pain, and with a clatter, a pile of silver trays fell to the ground, duplicating and covering a large portion of the path that lead through the vault. "The items are charmed with Gemino and Flagrante curses!" Hermione yelled as she tried to avoid touching the bouncing trays. "Everything you touch will burn and multiply!"

"Try to stay calm, and do not touch anything," Dumbledore voiced from the other end of the vault, barely in her line of sight.

Hermione sent a glare at the mess she had made. "That's the plan…" she muttered and continued to search through the piles of items with her eyes. Minutes went by, and the cup hadn't made its appearance.

Hermione took a couple of hesitant steps towards one of the paths and eyed the upper shelves on one wall that were almost as high as the ceiling. They were running out of time. Someone was bound to come and check what was taking them so long, and then they would realise there were thieves inside Gringotts. If they didn't know already. Would Gideon and Fabian be able to stall them? Or, well, if Death Eaters were going to arrive; would they be able to fight them?

Something glimmering on the top shelf made her skin prickle. The cup! It was there! In the middle of some ancient looking photo frames that adorned the shelf, she finally saw it. "It's here!" Hermione shrieked with haste, and quickly made her way to the artefact, avoiding a teetering pile of galleons.

"Excellent," Dumbledore said and rushed towards Hermione. He flicked his wand and then he was in the air, as if an invisible hook was lifting him steadily upwards. Dumbledore drew a small pouch from the inside of his robes and shuffled the golden cup with the Hufflepuff's sigil into the pouch. Nothing extravagant happened, to their relief. There had of course been the possibility that the Horcrux would have been shielded with a deathly curse or that it would have fought back somehow.

"Let's go," Dumbledore said sternly after his feet touched the ground, and walked quickly towards the vault door, which dissolved as soon as they stepped in front of it.

The Goblin was still shaking the clankers, and the dragon roared as it saw Hermione and Dumbledore emerge from the vault. "Quickly, Hermione!" Dumbledore shouted as the dragon started to advance them regardless of the clankers. Stream of flames erupted from the beast's mouth and Dumbledore waved his wand, dispersing the flames so that they didn't hit them.

Hermione let out a muted shriek as the dragon took in another breath, preparing to blow another set of flames. Hermione and Dumbledore ran towards the passageway after the Goblin, hoping that the dragon would not be able to follow them. They scrambled inside the cart and it immediately started to accelerate upwards on the rails.

Several moments after, as they reached the top of the cave, Hermione instantly knew something was amiss. Shouting and banging noises erupted from the main hall, becoming louder the closer they got. She ran towards the door that led to the main hall. She could vaguely hear Dumbledore calling for her but she didn't care. She had to go and help Gideon and Fabian.

Hermione slipped through the door, straight into a chaos. Curses and spells were flying in every direction, blasting away the pillars and tables around the hall. The hall was filled with Death Eaters and Voldemort's followers, and only a handful of Order members. Fear gripped her insides as she looked around, trying to see her friends. Hoping to Merlin that they were still alive. She then saw Sirius and Remus facing two Death Eaters each, while Alice, Mary and Peter each duelled against one. Lily and James were absent, and Hermione hoped that the couple was still on their honeymoon, staying away from the fight. Their side would have been outnumbered even with them. She saw Aberforth in one corner, blasting one of the Death Eaters across the hall while Moody fought against three opponents, snarling at them while his wand twirled and slashed in the air.

Everywhere she looked, there were duels taking place. Goblins, wizards and witches were running around the room. People were shouting and screaming, but Hermione couldn't make anything of it, because of the noise from rumbling rock and crashing chairs and tables. Just before she started to head towards Sirius and Remus to help them, the floor started shaking. It was cracking in the middle. Something was coming. And Hermione knew exactly what. She only had the time to take a couple of steps back before the dragon burst out from the passage into the hall. Everyone ran for cover, and Hermione, along with many others, was knocked back as the floor exploded. Her head hit the marble as she landed.

"Hermione!" Gideon shouted from somewhere near her and a moment later he pulled her up.

They retreated behind a crumbling column just as the dragon spread its wings and shot a jet of fire around the hall. Hermione could hear screams of pain and terror from wizards and Goblins, and then the dragon lunged upwards and made its way outside, breaking the ceiling as it went. Hermione could only hope that her friends and the rest of the Order members were unharmed.

"Hermione, do you have it?" Gideon yelled and glanced at the hall from behind the column. A jet of green flashed right after he pulled his face back. He sent back a couple of curses and glanced at Hermione. "Well?"

"Dumbledore has it," Hermione said urgently and aimed a stunning spell to the opposite side of the hall towards a small group of Death Eaters that was duelling Fabian and Emmeline. She could see several Order members and her friends again facing at least twice as many Death Eaters, but she couldn't see Dumbledore anywhere. "Where is he?" Hermione shouted, and retreated back to cover as several spells were aimed to her direction, hitting the stone instead. "What happened?"

Someone blasted a large chunk of their column, making their cover smaller. Gideon cursed and sent out a stunner, hitting its target. "They knew we were coming. They were expecting us. We were in luck that Sirius and Remus had alerted the Order, and that they came only seconds after the Death Eaters attacked," Gideon said tightly and glanced at Hermione. "Let's go. We have to make sure the cup is safe. You can take it and – "

"NO!" Hermione screamed as Gideon was blasted against the wall with the force of magic. He was unconscious and Hermione could see a trail of blood trickling down his temple.

Four wands were aimed at her, and Hermione managed to send a couple of curses before she was knocked out cold.

It was cold. Her head was throbbing. Her eyelids were heavy, and she struggled to open them. The air around her smelled musty, like the smell of a castle on a rainy day. Hermione blinked and it was dark. Her body was trembling against the cold, hard stone. What had happened? Where was she?

As she regained her sight, she saw her surroundings, and fear crippled her. She was in a dark basement. Hermione stood up quickly, her head spinning, and made her way towards the only door she could see. She knew it even before she tried it – the door was locked. And she didn't have a wand on her. Feeling despair, Hermione let out a small sob and quickly dashed away tears of dread from her cheeks with the backs of her hands. She had to focus. She had to get out.

Hermione took a deep breath and assessed the situation as she paced in front of the door. She was held as a captive, probably in a home of a Death Eater. Voldemort had her now.

"Shit," Hermione cursed, panic rising inside her again. How in the bloody hell was she supposed to escape? Voldemort had her. "No, no, no…" Hermione muttered, her breathing quickening. Was this her end?

Steps echoed from behind the door, and Hermione quickly retreated backwards, but there was nowhere she could hide, nothing she could use as a weapon, because the basement was empty. The door burst open and a bright wand light blinded her momentarily. She tried to brace herself. But it was all for nothing. Nothing could have prepared her to what she saw.

Bellatrix. And Regulus. The former stared at her with such hunger and lunacy that Hermione didn't want to let her out of her sight. The latter only gave her a cold look as Bellatrix started to circle Hermione.

"Look who we have here," Bellatrix said with such a sickly-sweet voice, that it made Hermione's insides crawl.

Bellatrix cackled. Hermione shivered and tried not to turn towards Bellatrix. She didn't want the crazed woman to see how scared she was.

"Miss Dumbledore," Bellatrix hissed threateningly. "Oh, we know all about you, dear," She continued with a whisper. Hermione swallowed. "Trying to lure my kin into your net…" Bellatrix said and tutted at her in mock-disapproval.

Hermione could feel the mad woman right behind her, and she could feel her breath against her neck. "Poor…little…time-traveller," Bellatrix whispered next to her ear, so that only she could hear her.

Hermione whimpered and stared at Regulus, but he didn't look at her. This was it. This was her end.

"Take her to the Lord," Bellatrix hissed sharply to Regulus and strode towards the door.