"We can't just sit and wait, we have to do something or they'll find out," Narcissa said. "I don't know of you but I am surely going to die. I will make some excuse of sleeping with a muggle to cover for you but I am going to die for sure."
"No, you're not," Snape put his hands on her shoulders.
"Yes, Sev, I am going to die," tears filled her eyes. Snape pulled her in a hug. "They are bound to find it soon. Bella was here yesterday and she was a bit suspicious."
Snape pulled back looking horrified. "What? You should be more careful, how can you let her suspect you."
"She is my sister," hissed Narcissa. "She knows when I am trying to hide things."
"Then you should put extra effort to hide it," said Snape through gritted teeth.
"Or you should find a way to help me," she snarled. "When my stomach will start growing, they'll know for sure and I will die and so will my baby."
"Nothing will happen to the baby," Snape said at once, he moved closer and put his hands on her belly while he kissed her.
"Then do something,"
"I am trying to do, maybe if you wouldn't call me here each day then I can think properly."
"I need support, it's hard for me to do this alone," she said as tears fell down her cheeks.
"Don't be such a crybaby," Snape said irritatedly.
"If you'll not help then I will find a way on my own," she hissed.
"Good luck with that," Snape said. "I have other work to do, with Thanatos locked here, fear has decreased but work has increased as we death eaters are now acting more freely."
Snape kissed her belly and went away.
"I will find a way," she called after him.
"I said, Good luck with that," and he was gone.
Thanatos was here, he has saved her once, and he might save her again, he was her only hope. It would be a hazardous job, she would be killed if she was caught but she has to do it, for her baby, it was her only hope.
"Dobby," she called, the house elf appeared in front of her at once and bowed.
"Yes, mistress,"
"I want you to bring me the wands they had kept in the locker in Lucius' office, they are of Thanatos. No one should know that you have taken them, talk to no one about it, not even Lucius."
"But miss. . ."
"No buts, I am your master just as much as Lucius, we both have equal control over you,"
"Yes, mistress," Dobby bowed.
"Now go and bring the wands fast,"
Dobby went away with a crack and appeared after ten minutes. "These two wands were their mistress," he gave her the wands and bowed.
"Good," Narcissa's heart was beating fast. "When at the night you will take Thanatos food with you, you will take me too, hidden from others, okay?"
"But the master has said to go alone only, give food and come back," Dobby said shivering.
"Well, I am giving you new orders now," said Cissy. "Do as you're told."
"Yes, mistress," and the elf went away.
"We'll be saved, my love, my baby," she put her hand over her belly and smiled. "We'll be at a safe place soon."
But her heart was beating fast, what she was going to do was very hard, she would be signing her death contract if she does what she intended to do. For the baby, she told herself, For the baby.
Severus has been trying to help her but he was more into death eaters, his reputation, name and fame that he wasn't able to get her out of the place, he would be in too much danger if he did that. He had said to her that he'll support her but now she realized that she has to do this herself.
As the night approached, her heart began beating fast, her hands were sweaty and she felt like throwing up, the difficult part was getting out of the manor so that they could apparate. Soon, a pale-looking Dobby appeared in her room, it was time.
"Lily," James choked as he came around. "Lily, I miss you."
She might be thinking that I am dead, oh my poor baby, she didn't that her love is still breathing. She is safe, though, and it doesn't matters, he'll be soon dead, and the news will be true.
"Lily, if you can hear me then just know that I love you, be bold my girl. I miss you. I hope all your dreams come true, be happy, Lily." A song came to his mind, 'I will always love you.' Then he sang another song that showed what he was feeling right now.
"You touched my heart, you touched my soul
Changed my life and all my goals
And love is blind, and that I knew when
My heart was blinded by you
Goodbye my lover
You have been the one for me
I'm so hollow baby
I'm so, I'm so, I'm so hollow"
James sang in the darkness, he was afraid, he has accepted death but was afraid that he'd never see his dear Lily again. Why isn't death coming soon and releasing him of all these chains of pain?
The door creaked open, Dobby must have arrived with food again. James has no will to talk, he stopped singing and tried to wipe the tears from his eyes but his hands were tied.
"Thanatos," this was a woman's voice. James looked up, and there were two dark figures in front of him one normal and the other short.
"Who. . .who's there? Dobby?" he said in a wobbly voice.
"Yes, sir, Dobby is here," said the high-pitched voice of the elf.
"Be quiet Dobby," the woman hissed. "Thanatos, it's me, Narcissa, I am here to help you,"
"Narcissa. . .Malfoy?"
"Yes," replied Cissy. "You saved me from Azkaand during Christmas, you let me go."
"I remember," James said. "You have come here to help me?"
"Yes, and I want you to help me."
"I am tied, wandless, and weak. How can I help you?"
Narcissa pointed her wand at the chains and after several minutes James was free. "Here, these two wands belong to you, I think."
James took the wands and even in the darkness recognized his wand and Lily's wand. "Yes," he said standing up.
"Now, you have to help me," said Narcissa pleadingly.
"How?"
"You have to take me to a safe place and hide me,"
"Why? You are safe here,"
"Not. . . not for long. Lucius will kill me if he finds out."
'What?"
"That. . . that I am pregnant," she whispered in a shaky voice.
"It's not his?"
"No. . . it's. . I can't tell you, but you have to help me, save me."
"We have to get out of the manor and disapparate. Are there death eaters and securities, around here?"
"Lots of securities, sir," replied Dobby. "No one can escape, strong shield on the gates by the dark lord himself. Since you have been locked here, only people with dark marks can go in and out."
"But we have to escape or I will die and so will my baby," cried Narcissa.
"Shh. . . let me think," said James. "It's impossible to escape. Are there any secret passages that are hidden from everyone else or are operated by a Malfoy only?"
"No," replied Narcissa. "Do you know any way out Dobby?"
"No, mistress, Dobby doesn't know," replied the elf.
"Fuck," James ran his hands through his hair, which was brown and curly.
"But Dobby . . . Dobby can take disapparate you safely both with himself," the elf said and then began hitting his head against the wall. "Bad Dobby, disloyal to his master. . . Dobby is bad."
"Narcissa, you're his master too," said James hurriedly. "Stop him."
"Dobby stop hurting yourself." Dobby froze. "Can. . .can you disapparate us?"
"Yes, mistress, I can,"
"How?" asked Narcissa.
"House-elf magic works differently mistress," Dobby replied.
"Then take us to . . . ."
"To the forest near Norbury Park," James added. "It's safe."
"Take us there, Dobby," said Narcissa immediately.
"But master. . ." Dobby sunk.
"I am your master too," Narcissa said angrily. "And I order you to disapparate us out of here."
"Dobby, you have to help me," said Thanatos holding the elf's shoulder. "You said you all support me, you said that I have helped people like you, then let me help you more. Be a hero Dobby, help me eradicate the dark lord and his death eaters. Help me to bring peace and equality to this world. Help me to help creatures like you, Dobby. Please. Help me bring freedom to you."
"I will free you, Dobby," interjected Narcissa. "You help us escape and I will free you, then you don't have to put with the beatings and abuses from Lucius. Just please help us."
Dobby puffed his chest out proudly. "I will help, I will help bring freedom."
"Excellent!" said Thanatos.
"Take hold of my hand, mistress and kind sir," said Dobby. They did so, there was a loud crack and they were gone.
"Why do the birds go on singing?
Why do the stars glow above?
Don't they know it's the end of the world?
It ended when I lost your love
Why does my heart go on beating?
Why do these eyes of mine cry?
Don't they know it's the end of the world?
It ended when you said, 'Good-bye'"
Lily sat in the corner of the dark room, clutching James' heart closer to her chest, singing in between the sobs. The world wasn't making any sense, yet still, here it was. The pain wasn't going away, she has injured her palms, running them hard against the wall, not knowing why she did that.
"Come back, James," she sobbed in his shirt. "I miss you. Come back, please."
She has seen the others earlier today at dinner, they all had presented their consoles coming into the room. She has looked down at her bracelet, it was her hope, telling her that he was still there. If she could apparate where it takes her maybe it'll take her to the afterlife too, and then she'd meet him but a small part of her heart was telling her that James will come back.
Marls has said through tears that it's hopeless, that he was gone now. Both Marls' and Sirius' eyes were swollen and red, they had known James longer than her but she knew that they didn't love him like she does and will continue to love him no matter what.
Remus has arrived today on hearing the news to confirm it, he too has said comforting words to Lily and then has sat by Sirius, sitting in despair at the loss of their brother. Mary was shaken but was the only one holding herself together and helping others in their misery.
Peter has just sat in a corner, he was looking very pale, and hasn't talked to anyone, he just has said, "I can't talk, I am afraid to speak anything." He has avoided Lily completely and was trying not to look at her all day, and then has left while others had remained.
The door opened and Mary walked in, she kneeled beside Lily. "Lily, you should get rest, you feel better," she stroked Lily's head gently. "Are you hungry?" Lily shook her head.
"I just want to be alone," Lily spoke.
"Time heals everything," Mary said and left.
"I don't want to live anymore," Lily said to herself. "But before dying, I will kill Voldemort, kill him a thousand times."
She was sitting there when a silver light ball landed in the room, she looked up the warmth spread in her heart as she saw the stag and heard the voice, she craved to hear the most.
"Lily, I am alive and have escaped. I am near the house where stags are nearby, the place that I had shown you that day when we had caught the younger brother. I can't come to the headquarters or our house. Please come here, don't be alone, bring others too. I am waiting for you."
Lily jumped to her feet as the stag disappeared and ran downstairs smiling widely. She knew it, her love was safe and calling her. He was alive.
Marls, Sirius, Mary, Remus and Regulus were the only ones there, they all looked up at her and jumped to their feet.
"What happened, Lily?" Marls rushed forward.
Lily held her hands and told them about the staff message. She expected them to become happy but instead, they all looked at her with concern.
"What?"
"Lily, you're seeing things now," said Mary. "You need sleep."
"I am not hallucinating," snapped Lily. '
"Maybe someone was tricking you, it might be a trap, many people can have stag as a Patronus," said Remus.
"I recognize James' voice and Patronus, each stag is different," said Lily then she turned to Sirius, her only hope. "We have to go, he has asked me to come. We can get him."
"Yes, we should go. I am coming with you, Lily," said Sirius. "Do you know where?"
"Yes, in the forest nearby," said Lily happily. "He has shown me the place recently."
"Sirius, it can be a trap," reasoned Remus.
"I don't care," hissed Sirius. "I will be alert and ready."
"I am coming with you too," said Marls.
Remus sighed and joined too, and Mary too joined.
"I will come too," said Regulus.
"No, if they see you are alive then everything will go in vain," said Sirius. "Let's go, Lily."
The first thing was to send the Patronus and then he breathed in the fresh air after what seemed like an eternity, no more dead rotten smell here, just the fresh smell of the forest, moonlight lit the surrounding.
"We're safe," said Narcissa.
"Yes," smiled James. "Thank you so much to both of you."
"It was an honour, dear sir," said Dobby.
"You'll hide me, and protect me? Correct?" asked Narcissa.
"Of course, I will," said Thanatos. "You saved my life, and even if you hadn't, I would have still saved you, I can't let a baby and his mother die."
Narcissa gave him a hug and then buried her face in her hand as tears fell down. "Thank you so so much. I was very scared since the day I found out. I thought. . . I will die and so will Sev."
"So, it's his baby," said Thanatos.
"Yes," replied Narcissa. "I asked him to do something, he promised but couldn't help so. . . so I took the step, the risk to save the child."
"Now, you're safe, I will make sure that you are well hidden," said Thanatos.
"Thank you," said Cissy again. "It has been a horrible time, my health hasn't been great too and . . . and I got beaten too."
"What?" asked Thanatos horrified. "Lucius did it? Didn't Snape do anything?"
"I . . .I didn't tell anyone, Snape was already troubled, so I kept it to myself,"
"Don't worry, no one will harm you now," he patted her back. "I have a healer friend, she'll help you."
"James, are you here?" said the voice James craved to hear.
Narcissa jumped frightened. "Relax, they are friends," James told her. "Lily."
Then she appeared, he could see her in the moonlight.
"James," she cried and began to move forward but Sirius caught her.
James began to move towards her but stopped as three wands were painted at him.
"Lily, we need to verify it's him and not an imposter," said Remus, making light balls that lit the scene properly. "What's your nickname?"
"Prongs and you're Moony, Sirius is Padfoot," replied Thanatos.
"What is the password of the map?" asked Sirius.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
"Do you love me?" asked Lily grinning, tears falling down her cheeks.
"Until the very end," James smiled at her through the tears and they both rushed to each other, and hugged each other as tightly as possible.
"You're alive," sobbed Lily in his chest. "Oh, James, oh, my dear love."
"I missed you so much, Lily," he said inhaling her scent. "I thought I would never see you again."
Lily tightened her grip. "Everyone said you were dead, and I...I thought you were dead. Oh, James, it was so hard, so so hard when I found out about it. Some part of me was telling me you were alive. I wanted to save you but . . .no one helped me. The Malfoy Manor was highly protected. Oh, James, I love you so so much."
"I love you too," said James. They both cried on each other's shoulders.
"YOU!" screeched Sirius. "What are you doing here?"
"Sirius, NO!" shouted James as Sirius raised his wand at Narcissa.
"James, she's evil," said Sirius. "She's the wife of Malfoy and sister of Bellatrix. She has been just like them a blood purist. She is like them."
James moved in front of Narcissa, "That doesn't matters, she saved me, Sirius."
"Then it's a trap," said Sirius.
"Yes, we should be alert," Remus raised his own wand and looked around.
"Guys, relax," said James. "You can trust her, she is trying to escape from Lucius too, her life is in danger from Lucius."
"But Lucius is his husband," said Marls. "Why her life is in danger?"
"Just trust me, okay?" said James desperately.
"James, your trust nature is dangerous in wartime," said Remus. "Lily you say something."
"I trust James and his decision wholeheartedly," she looked at him through her teary eyes and they both smiled. "James, why don't you give them the reason that you trust her."
James looked at Narcissa.
"Wait, why are they calling you James?" Narcissa asked.
"Because that's my name that they know," replied James and then turned to others. "Actually, she's pregnant."
"So?" asked Mary.
"It's. . . it's not Lucius' child," stammered Narcissa. "And if he founds out this, he'll kill me."
"Whose it is, then? James?" asked Sirius wide-eyed.
"What?! Shut up Sirius," said James disgustingly. "Think before you speak."
"It's. . .um. . .it's. . ." Narcissa fidgeted.
"It's of a muggle friend of hers," James interjected.
Narcissa looked at him confused but then nodded.
Then the house elf groaned. "Master is calling Dobby, master is very angry."
"We can't let him go back, Narcissa, stop him," said James immediately.
"Dobby you are ordered to stay here with me," said Narcissa.
Dobby began hitting his head on the ground muttering "Mater is calling, Dobby."
"James, he'll kill himself, stop him," Lily cried.
"Narcissa, free the elf," said Sirius.
"Yes, Narcissa," said James. "Give him a cloth and free him."
"Can we trust him then?" Narcissa gulped.
"He helped us, of course, we can," said James. "And you promised him too. Quickly give him a cloth."
Narcissa removed the socks immediately and gave them to Dobby, who went rigid for a moment and then spoke, "Mistress has given a sock. Mistress gave it to Dobby."
"Yes, Dobby," said Narcissa.
"Dobby. . . Dobby is free."
"What now? What's the plan now?" asked Marlene.
James looked at Lily and pull her into another tight hug. "I need rest now with my wife," he stroked her cheeks. "But before that, I have got few things to do."
"What?" asked Sirius.
"First, we will talk to Dumbledore and hide Narcissa somewhere safe," James gave Narcissa a warm smile. "And second, I have to announce to the world that I am alive. My other friends need to know that I am alive."
"James, you have come out from death's mouth, you are weak and smell like rotten meat," said Lily. "You need rest."
"I know, love but I have to make the announcement that I am alive. I owe it to my friends," said James.
"Yeah, man," said Remus. "After your departure, the song, 'Mo Ghile Mear' has became popular as they heard someone sing it the day you were caught." Remus looked at Lily.
"Then it's even more important," grinned James.
The Mongoose went up in the sky in Leaky Cauldron, in Hogsmeade, in front of The Ministry and in front of the Daily Prophet office with the message:
"TAHNATOS IS ALIVE! VOLDEMORT AND HIS SUPPORTERS, BEWARE."
"Is it safe to put them at the headquarters?" asked Lily as they lay in their bed.
"Honestly, no," said James. "But Dumbledore said that he has made sure that neither Narcissa nor Dobby leave the Manor or send any messages outside."
"I am so glad that you're alive that you can't even imagine," said Lily burying her face in his neck and pulling him closer.
"I think I can be glad that I am alive. The good we do returns to us," chuckled James. "I didn't see any light for two days and was pretty sure that a rat's rotten body was somewhere near me." Lily snorted. "I missed you but was glad that you're safe."
"I am glad that I survived those two days because at the end when I saw your stag. . .hope came back, it felt like I began breathing again. I was outside the Manor but no one let me go in, and then in the morning they showed me the paper and all my will to stay alive was gone."
She was crying again. "Shh, baby, I am here now. Everything's okay. We are so close. I can feel it."
"So close to what?" Lily asked raising her face to look at him.
"To finish the war, I have planted the seed, I have put a seed of doubt in Voldemort's mind, he;ll be restless now," said James.
"That's bad," said Lily worriedly.
"No, it's good, he'll make mistakes now, he'll be engaged in knowing which most loyal servant has a life like him and has lost his Aisha," said James. "He'll be focused on that and the fact that I have escaped will make him more concerned and doubtful. He uses fear to rule the death eaters and I have forced him to increase his terror among them, to the breaking point that they might even betray him."
"Let's forget about war and Voldemort, okay?" Lily kissed his forehead. "Let's just be here for one another and enjoy this little peace we have got."
"Of course," said James pulling her so that she was lying on top of her, he held her tight. "You can't even imagine how badly I wanted to hold you this close to me."
"I think, I know," Lily began to stroke him and kissed him. "I can very vividly imagine."
"One day the war will be over and we'll live peacefully. We'll plant flowers, play quidditch, go to beaches and. . . . ." James began speaking of the dream life they both craved. It was far from possible now but there's nothing wrong with dreaming.
"James, James, I have got excellent news," Sirius burst into the house.
James resting his head on Lily's head, who was giving him a message didn't bother as he was sure that Sirius' news would be of no news.
"What?" he asked without opening his eyes.
"I know... we know where the diadem is," he said at once, and James sat up with lightning speed.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Yes," Marls appeared from behind Sirius. "I have seen the picture that you had drawn, Sirius has kept it in the room and I recognized it."
"Where? Where is it?" asked James.
"In the Room of Requirements," replied Marls.
"Are you sure?"
"Completely sure," Marls assured him. "Remember when we were searching for health potions in there?" the others nodded. "That's when I saw the diadem there, I wanted to take it then itself but it was so high and in between the mountains of things that I thought it doesn't worth the effort and also it was looking very dirty and I don't like cleaning or old things."
James whooped happily and punched the air, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"Why didn't you ask me earlier?" Marls shot back and Lily giggled.
"Nevermind," said James happily as he picked Marls and swirled her around. "We have found the last one too."
"But that's only fifth," said Lily standing. "We still have to get one more."
"Voldemort hasn't made it yet," he told Lily as Marls got to her feet. "Either we've to make sure that he doesn't make it or we've to force him to make it and then kill it."
"But he can make anything as his last Horcrux and hide it," said Sirius.
"No, I know what the last Horcrux will be," said James grinning.
"What?"
"He'll make Nagini, his snake as the last Horcrux," James answered. "We just have to force him into it."
"How?"
"Let's leave it behind for a moment, we'll kill the snake at last, now we have to focus on getting the cup out of Gringotts," said James.
"Like that's an easy job," Marls rolled her eyes.
"No, it's not easy at all," James said. "We will need the entire Order's help as a precaution, so that Voldemort doesn't find out about the thievery."
"No one has ever stolen anything from Gringotts," said Sirius.
"Well we are marauders, aren't we?" James winked. "We'll be the first to do it and also I have made a plan that will make it look not as a robbery but only I have to use imperius curse for that."
"On whom?" Lily asked wide eyed.
"Rabastan Lestrange," said James. "Adam suggested to me that if we get Rabastan then we can cover his absence from the death eaters easily and break into Gringotts and open the vault with the help of Rabastan and his wand."
"That's why you have locked him?" James nodded happily.
"Just don't die, James," Lily said sadly.
James sighed and cupped her face, "Lily, we are soldiers. I can't promise that but I will try to stay alive. And once the war is over then this world will be a better and peaceful place to live."
"I am in the plan, working by your side then," said Lily.
"We'll see about that," said James kissing her forehead. "Getting the cup is more important than my life." He gave her a warm smile. "I will go and get Adam and others, we'll all meet in the forest house."
James has changed Jack's appearance as a precaution, so that the death eaters don't recognize him, though his face was scarred when he was captured and they hadn't bothered to get his real identity thinking that he was going to die for sure.
He was searching for Adam, when his eyes landed on a man in old black robes, looking very sad, Snape was sitting alone on one corner of the road. James first decided not to tell him anything and let him rot in misery but then out of goodness, the fact that Narcissa has saved his life and respected him as a father and for the sake of the baby decided to tell him.
He walked and sat beside him.
"Go and sit somewhere else," Snape grunted.
"I will," answered James in his different quiet voice. "I just have a message for you, both the mother and baby are safe, and are taken proper care of better than in the last place."
Snape looked at him wide-eyed, he opened and closed his mouth several times, "How. . did you know?"
"She helped Thanatos escape and in return, he has provided her a safe place," James whispered.
"Where? I want to meet her," Snape whispered immediately.
"Sorry, but it's a very secure place and we can't risk the lives of people there, and the fact that you're a death eater doesn't help. I told you only because of goodness and pity. By the way you Thanatos twice now."
James stood up to go away but Snape caught his arm. "Please, I just want her and my baby, nothing else. I am ready to do anything for them. Please, understand this is my baby, a father will do anything to protect his child. I want to meet them."
"If you want to meet them soon, you have to wish that your master loses soon," James sneered at him. "But wait a minute, you're supporting him aren't you?" he yanked his hands out of his hand. "I don't like you at all, it's for her sake and baby's sake that I told you."
"No, please wait, listen," Snape begged. "You know Thanatos?"
"I don't want to answer that," James hissed.
"Just, just tell him that I reconsidered things, I will do whatever to help him defeat the dark lord."
"Oh, will you now?" James clenched his teeth. "Last time you ignored his warning and continued supporting your filthy master."
"But times have changed," Snape said desperately. "I just want my baby to be safe. I will do anything to save the baby."
"Spy for Dumbledore, send him important messages then. If you want to help more then Thanatos will send you orders and you have to do those things."
"I will do that, will do anything," said Snape immediately. "Can I meet her now?"
"No, it's too dangerous for her and others. You have to wait. And don't turn into a snake, think about your baby before harming anyone else."
"Okay, then tell her that I care for her and the baby, and will do anything for her safety, please,"
"Okay," James began to walk away.
"Who are you by the way?"
"I am no one."
James made more changes to his appearance and saw Adam and Ryan sitting together, drinking mead.
"Hey guys," James said sitting across the table. They both nodded and then got lost in their own conversation. "It's me, your lil' brother. Jack, have changed face due to safety."
They both looked at him observantly.
"Want more proof? Gringotts heist, pagers, Daisy. Ryan we talked through the parchment when I escaped." And the next moment they both hugged him.
"We thought you were dead, Tracey was very sad," said Ryan.
"It's good to see you man," Adam patted his back.
"Same here," grinned James. "Listen, I am here regarding Gringotts, I have come to tell you that we are going to rob Gringotts asap, so Adam you need to come with me, Ryand and Tracey can come too if they think they can help."
"All of us are coming, let's begin then," said Adam.
"Is that Dumbledore?" asked Adam, James nodded. "Oh my god, can I shake hands with him?"
"Of course, you can, but shake his left hand," said James. "Also, make sure to bow in front of him, and say," he whispered. "Before shaking hands."
Adam nodded and proceeded towards Dumbledore, bowed very low in front of him and said, "Bless me with your lemon drops, oh holy sir, the saviour of the wizarding world, defeated of Grindelwald."
"Ah! there's no need for that," smiled Dumbledore looking from Adam to James. "Nice meeting you too."
James and Ryan snickered at this, Adam turned beet red and stared daggers at James.
"So, let's go over the plan then," James rubbed his hands and tried to avoid Adam's angry looks.
"When are we going to do it?" asked Ryan.
"We are going to do it on Halloween evening, most wizards, and goblins will be celebrating, and those who are into dark arts will be practising and advancing it as it's the best time to do such stuff. It'll be the best time for us to do it," replied James.
"Means we just have two days?" said Adam, James nodded. "Well it's gonna be a little tricky to persuade him to go in with us, I have already promised him the best gin and wine to him, Merlin, I didn't know that Goblins are so obsessed with those things."
"Can we trust him, though?" asked Tracey. "They are very nasty, cruel and business-minded, they don't understand real business, all goblin-made things they think belong to them and think that Gringotts is everything. They are not loyal to anyone else at all."
"I know," said Adam. "We aren't asking him to do something wrong, he just has to overlook the fact that we are forcing the Lestrange man. If we can offer him something valuable then it will become easier.
See, we can easily get in and even get our hands on the cup but the main problem will be to come out as if the Goblin rejects supporting us and betray us then we will be locked there for eternity."
"The black vault is next to Lestrange's vault and I have Black blood so going there is obviously no problem," said Sirius. "We can see into my family's vault and see if there's something worthy for the Goblin."
"Yeah, but that's risky Sirius," said James. "We have to be fully prepared and then only go inside."
"I have a goblin-made silver figure of Godric Gryffindor himself wielding his sword, a very precious and rare figure, that can be turned into a human-size statue, is full of goblin magic," said Dumbledore. "Received it after defeating Grindlewald from The International Confederation of Wizards. We'll offer it to the goblin."
"Still the alarms might go off, you know they use old magic and detect if someone is being forced," said Ryan.
"I have made the plan here," said Adam. "You can trust me, I will make sure that we all come out of it safely. We need a major distraction just out of the Gringotts, we have to cause havoc in Leaky cauldron just outside of Gringotts. The alarm goes off when the Goblins' life are put in danger."
"We have to lure death eaters there," said James.
"But how?" asked Lily.
"I can put myself as bait and challenge them," offered James.
"No, that's a suicide," Lily retorted. "They are already out there to kill you, Voldemort will surely come after you."
"How long will it take to get the cup?" asked Dumbledore.
"An hour, I suppose," said Adam.
"So the moment you all will be inside, the order will cause death eaters to come there and make havoc there. You all just focus on getting the cup," said Dumbledore. "That's what is most important to us."
"That's right, and once we get the cup and destroy them all, Dumbledore can easily finish off Voldemort," James grinned widely, and the others mirrored his expression.
It has been a decade since The Dark Lord began his reign of terror, and now his end was near, the hope was high. Just moments away from now, Voldemort will become mortal again, Dumbledore will kill him and the war will be over.
They all can see the rays of a new beginning.