Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters.
A/N: Thanks to SingularityStar, who beta this story for me.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Gringotts
"Gringotts," Bill said shaking his head with an amused smile. "You know I'm really looking forward to seeing how you pull this off."
"I think that getting out is where you're going to find your biggest difficulty," Remus said reasonable.
"But Harry is the master at the art of getting out of impossible things," Fred supplied with a chuckle.
"Yeah, you're better than Houdini when it comes to escaping things," George added.
"You know who Houdini is?" Hermione questioned at the same time as Ron said, "Who's Houdini?"
"He's a Muggle magician that was known for being good at escaping things or something like that," Fred said to Ron, "and we read about him in some Muggle book about magic."
"Muggles don't know magic!" Draco said firmly, rolling his eyes.
"Of course not, little Draky, but that doesn't mean that they can't fool you with their illusions," George said.
"As fascinating as this all is, I believe we have gotten off of the point," McGonagall said looking at Bill expectantly and he smiled at her before he started reading.
Mentions a single black hair plucked from the sweater Hermione had been wearing:
"You are sure it's the right hair this time aren't you, Hermione?" Ron said trying hard not to laugh (Harry was doing much the same). "We don't want a repeat of what happened in second year!"
"Oh, shut up!" Hermione huffed, glaring at him.
"I can't believe it though … one of you are going to impersonate Bellatrix!" Sirius said. "I pity whoever it is."
"It's going to have to be me," Hermione grumbled.
"Well, that's not so bad, at least you have enough brains to be able to pull this off. I shuddered to think what Weasley might have said," Severus said.
"Hermione might have brains, but have you ever seen her act … hideous," Fred said shaking his head.
"It probably would have been best if it was Harry... at least he knows how to act," Sirius said thoughtfully. "And unfortunately, he seems to know more than I would ever want him to know about Bellatrix."
Hermione says I hate this thing, it feels all wrong, it doesn't work properly, it's like a bit of her:
"Hm... I seemed to recall someone saying that it doesn't matter what wand you used," Sirius started to tease.
"Oh, shut up," Hermione huffed.
Hermione says this is the wand that killed Sirius:
"Oh, bloody hell! I didn't want to know that!" Sirius groaned. "I can't believe that bitch is the one that killed me! Almost anyone would have been better than her!"
"What about Wormtail," Remus said, his expression was mad and bitter, but he was trying not to show that.
"I suppose you have a point," Sirius growled, "The useless piece of trash that already ruined by life would be worse, but this heartless bitch that delights in torturing people is close."
"And on that cheerful note, I think I'll read," Bill said.
Mentions that Ollivander had sent Luna a new wand:
"How could he just make her a wand … I thought the wand chooses the wizard, or in this case, witch," Harry asked Dumbledore.
"I'm not experienced in wandlore Harry, so I can only guess the reason," Dumbledore said. "I believe that the time that they have spent together has enabled Ollivander to guess the properties that Miss Lovegood's wand should have. He is an expert at wands after all, and he knows better than most the characteristics a wand looks for in a person."
Mentions that Draco's wand work as good for Harry as Hermione's had done:
"Argh … did it really have to do that," Draco grumbled, he would have preferred it if his wand didn't work at all for Harry.
"It looks like I'm the master of it now," Harry smirked at Draco and the boy looked at him murderously. "But at least you know this isn't going to happen in the future, so there's no worries."
Mentions Hermione had not won the wand's allegiance by taking it personally from Bellatrix:
"So would that mean that Ron would have been able to use it better?" Percy questioned. "He was the one that disarmed Bellatrix."
"Oh, I bet she loved being disarmed by a boy," Sirius muttered to himself, a dark smile on his lips.
"It seems likely," Dumbledore said.
"Wow Ron … you stole three wands in this book so far," Ginny pointed out.
"But I lost my own," Ron frowned which was by far more important than any wand he could have gained (well, unless it was the Elder Wand of course … he wouldn't have minded having that).
Mentions they told Bill and Fleur not to see them off because Hermione would need to transform into Bellatrix:
"And they didn't want to give anyone nightmares because they saw her," Sirius muttered. "That was very thoughtful of you guys."
"I still would have liked to have said goodbye," Fleur said sadly. Who knew what kind of danger they were going to face once they left.
Mentions that Harry was looking forward to escaping the confinement of Shell Cottage:
"But our home sounds beautiful," Fleur gasped.
"And I probably can't enjoy any of that knowing what I have to do," Harry said.
"Not to mention I don't think it's made for eight people," Ron added. "It's overcrowded."
Mentions Harry couldn't sleep, and he remember the night before going to the Ministry he was determined and excited, and now he had anxiety and doubt:
"Don't think that Harry, try and stay positive," Tonks said.
"Yeah … like that's even possible for Harry," Ginny chuckled. "He always seems to think the worst is going to happen."
"Besides, how could you possibly think that things could go wrong when you're trying to do something that has never been done before and is highly dangerous," George said. "I mean for you; it should be easy as pie."
"But that's why I feel like everything is going to go wrong," Harry chuckled. "Nothing I try to do goes right … though I tend to get the desired effect in the end."
Mentions they could hardly have laid Dobby to rest in a more beautiful place, but Harry ached with sadness to think of leaving him behind:
Harry frowned again thinking of the poor elf... he was going to have to make sure nothing like this happened to him.
Mentions Bellatrix was striding across the lawn towards them:
"Merlin, I think I would have had a hard time not cursing you the first time I saw you coming," Sirius said to Hermione. "And probably every time I saw you," he added thoughtfully.
Describes how Bellatrix looks ending with but when she spoke he heard hermione through Bellatrix's low voice:
"Why are my eyes disdainful … won't my expression look different than her?" Hermione sighed; she really wasn't looking forward to being Bellatrix at all.
"It might have something to do with the fact that you would disdain having to be Bellatrix," Ron pointed out to her.
Hermione says she tasted disgusting, worse than Gurdyroots:
"Oh, that is horrible," Arthur sighed.
"And think, you were already tortured, and you still had to drink that crap!" Fred said. "Poor Hermione."
Hermione says oh, for heaven's sake, this isn't about looking handsome:
"Which she obviously doesn't really care about, or she would have pick one of your much more dashing brothers," Fred said.
"Ron is clearly the most handsome of the lot of you," Hermione rolled her eyes as Ron's ears turn bright red and he smiled broadly.
"That of course is a lie," Fleur said looking at Bill as if proof of what she was saying.
Hermione says, there, how does he look Harry:
"I don't know … he's not really my type," Harry chuckled.
"I didn't mean it like that," Hermione rolled her eyes. "I think I was asking if you could tell if it was Ron or not."
"Well, I don't know that either, seeing as I can't see him," Harry chuckled again.
Harry says well, he's not my type, but he'll do:
Everyone laughed at that, though the twins were shaking their heads.
"It seems as if your jokes will be just as lame in the future," Fred said. "I was hoping you would come up with something better."
Hermione says good morning:
"No Hermione, you can't be that pleasant," Sirius said. "You have to be superior and think you're better than everyone. Treat these people with contempt!"
Describes Diagon Alley ending with poster of him with UNDESIRABLE NUMBER ONE:
Harry sighed at this; he hated thinking of Diagon Alley looking this miserable. It had been the first place he had gone to where you could see that magic really existed.
"Don't worry, it won't look like this for us," Ron said.
"I've never seen it look that bad before," Molly mumbled putting her head on Arthur's shoulder. "It was bad during the last war … but this …."
"I know Molly, dear," Arthur said gravely.
Mentions the people in Diagon Alley ending with until the man with the bloodied bandage came staggering right across Hermione's path:
Hermione bit her lip, knowing the hate and fear that she would see directed at her because of what she looked like.
Mentions the man asking for his children and then lunged at Hermione, reaching for her throat and Ron stunning him:
"Good job, Ron," Tonks said, though her tone was sad.
"Maybe," Ron shrugged, but he really wasn't feeling like it was such a good thing at the moment. He didn't want to curse someone like this, but he wasn't going to let anyone touch Hermione.
Mentions that their entrance was hardly conspicuous and Harry wonder if they shouldn't leave and tried to think of a different plan:
"Don't be ridiculous, if you leave now, it will only make it that much harder for you to come up with something else that would work," Severus said. "Besides, things have not gone too badly so far, no one is going to say anything about Bellatrix being there if they could help it... they're too afraid of her."
Someone says why, Madam Lestrange:
"Argh … this on the other hand, will likely be a real problem," Sirius groaned.
"If the person is actually calling out to you it means it would have to be a Death Eater," Severus added. "You need to be very careful now."
Hermione says and what do you want:
"A perfect reaction to anyone that wasn't a Death Eater," Severus said, "but I'm afraid she's slightly less contemptuous to the Death Eaters. Myself excluded."
"Well, how was I supposed to know that he was a Death Eater," Hermione grumbled.
Travers says I merely sought to greet you, but if my presence is not welcome:
"Of course, it's not welcome … now leave me alone!" Fred said.
"Unfortunately, it would be unwise to say that to him," Dumbledore sighed. "He would be very suspicious."
Hermione says no, no, not at all, Travers, how are you:
"Don't get too polite now Hermione," Sirius said.
"Will everyone stop critiquing what I do," Hermione grumbled.
"Don't mind her, she's just not used to getting so many things wrong," Ron chuckled and Hermione glared at him.
Travers says I heard the inhabitants of Malfoy Manor were confined to the house after the … escape:
"Oh … that's not good, not good at all!" Molly said.
"I didn't even think of that, but clearly the Dark Lord would have dealt with this failure fiercely," Severus sighed. "It might not have been the best plan to use Bellatrix."
Hermione says contemptuously the Dark Lord forgives those who served him most faithfully, perhaps your credit is not as good with him as mine is, Travers:
"Brilliant!" Sirius said.
"That, of course was the best thing you could have said Miss Granger," Severus approved. "And that should definitely appease Travers's suspicion."
Hermione says coolly it does not matter; it will not do so again:
"Who knew you could be so cold," Fred said, looking at Hermione impressed.
"I was probably challenging my anger at him calling the man and it," Hermione said her eyes were still narrowed with her own distaste.
Travers talks about the wandless people ending with but whose wand, are you using at the moment, Bellatrix, I heard your own was:
"It seems that what happened at the manner was talked about a lot," Tonks sighed, "that's not doing you any favors."
"But it is brilliant to know that Bellatrix disgraces is known by all," Sirius snickered. "Honestly, it's not surprising that this would get around … who won't want to hear about Bellatrix getting beaten."
"That is actually true," Dumbledore said. "I believe all the Death Eaters would like to hear that Bellatrix has lost favor with Voldemort, hoping they could take her place and become closer to him."
"Argh," Sirius shook his head. "I don't think I would ever understand the way Death Eaters think."
"I think I understand too much how Death Eaters think," Severus said, with a similar disgusted face as Sirius.
Hermione says I have my wand here, I don't know what rumors you have been listening to, Travers, but you seem sadly misinformed:
"That's not so bad either," Severus said. "He's not going to question you at least."
Hermione says about Ron this is Dragomir Despard, he has traveled here from Transylvania to see our new regime:
"It is doubtful that Bellatrix would ever stoop so low as to show a foreigner around," Severus pointed out.
"But she was just disgraced," Remus countered. "Perhaps this is punishment for letting Harry escape."
"Perhaps," Severus allowed doubtfully.
Mentions that Travers extended two fingers and shook Ron's hand as though frightened of dirtying himself:
"Do Death Eater dislike people from a different country?" Fleur asked.
"They believe that being from England makes them superior," Severus said. "But as long as your blood is pure, they will accept you."
Mention that the goblins that usually flanked the entrance had been replaced by two wizards, both whom were clutching long thin golden rods:
"Seriously," Bill said. "I can't believe the goblins haven't already join this fight on our side if this is going on."
"I just hope that we don't have a goblin war on our hands after the end of this wizarding war," Remus muttered darkly.
Travers says Probity Probes, so crude, but so effective:
"And something that you're going to have to get pass without drawing suspicion," Percy frowned.
"I think this is where you'll find that invisibility cloaks are very beneficial," Sirius smirked.
Mentions that Harry used Confundo twice unnoticed by Travers:
"This would go so much easier if Travers wasn't here," Tonks said. "I really hope he doesn't mess everything up for you."
Hermione says but you've just done that to the confounded gaurds and the other says yeah, you've just checked them, Marius:
"If you were with me, I would have noticed that something wasn't right," Severus said.
"Then we should be thankful that we are with Traves, who is a bit of an idiot as you put it," Harry said.
"I would have to agree," Severus said, "But if too many things are off … even he will be able to put it together."
"Well, I'm sure that we're not going to go on the same cart ride, so I doubt we have to worry about that much after we get inside," Harry shrugged.
Mentions Harry remembers the first time he saw the bank and Hagrid saying like I said, you'd be mad to try and rob it:
"Ah … so he was practically telling you that you would one day come and rob the place," Ginny teased as she thought of what Harry would have looked like as the eleven-year-old boy.
"For no one is madder than Harry," the twins added with grins.
Goblin says Madam Lestrange, dear me, how … how may I help you today:
"Wow … she even scares the goblins, she must be truly hideous looking," Fred said.
"I think it's the very likely chance that she would curse, torture and kill them that they are afraid of," Draco said honestly.
Mentions not only was Travers hanging back, watching, but several other goblins had looked up from their work to stare at Hermione:
"Do you think they expect anything, or would they always have stared at her?" Molly asked her eldest son worryingly.
"I think they would look at her after the exclamation the old goblin just made," Bill said carefully, but he was wary of this too, and he had a feeling something had gone wrong already.
Hermione says Identification, I have never been asked for identification before:
"Is that true? I thought everyone has to have a key!" Ron said.
"Not everyone," Sirius said. "There is no key to my family vault … nor would I think there was one for Malfoy's."
"No, we don't have a key either," Draco conformed.
"Then doesn't that make it easy for someone to come and steal from you," Ron said.
"I'm sure you'll see how easy it is for you to steal something from a high security vault," Draco said coldly. "Only a Malfoy can touch what is in our vault."
"Besides, it's not really that difficult to steal a key," Remus pointed out. "And once you have the key you can open the vault without any trouble."
Griphook says they know, they must have been warned there might be an imposter:
"How would they know that?" Tonks questioned.
"Bellatrix probably realized her mistake after you had left," Dumbledore said reasonably. "She would want to make sure her vault was safe in case you actually tried to do … well what you're doing now."
Goblin says your wand will do, madam:
"Oh, well that's okay than, you have her wand," Sirius said, but several people narrowed their eyes, not having a good feeling about this.
Mentions that Harry knew that the goblins knew that Bellatrix's wand had been stolen:
"Oh crap," Sirius now grumbled.
"What can you do now?" Tonks said.
Griphook says to Harry act now, the Imperious Curse:
"What … Harry you can't seriously use an Unforgivable Curse," Hermione said, turning to Harry.
"I have no intentions of doing so now, but if I were in a situation like this, I think I must," Harry said honestly. "I will not let ourselves get captured again just because I didn't want to use a curse."
"But …" Hermione said paling at the thought that Harry would use this curse, even if it was for a good cause. Worried that a move like this could change Harry's perspective.
"He's just helping us out of a jam, it's not like he's going to make the goblin do horrible things or anything like that," Ron said.
"Still, the easier it becomes to use a curse like this, the more the line between right and wrong gets blurred," Hermione frowned.
"That might be true Hermione, but all of us that have fought in the first war have done things that we wouldn't have done if we had any other choice," Remus said gravely. "It's not easy … and I'm not sure if it's even right … but it is something we have to live with. But I don't think this will make Harry a different person … or change his outlook on how he views this curse."
Hermione nodded her head and Harry sighed, he wasn't looking forward to using an Unforgivable Curse himself, but he was sure he would do whatever was necessary to keep his friends safe.
Harry pointed his wand at the old goblin and for the first time in his life says Imperio:
"Well, it's good to know that you've never used the curse before," Sirius pointed out, his manner was joking, but his eyes were serious. He wished that Harry would never have to use an Unforgivable Curse, he didn't want his godson knowing what this felt like … it's not something anyone should know.
After the goblin says you have a new wand, Hermione says what, no, that's mine:
"Maybe you should Imperio Granger too, she's going to ruin your plan," Draco said.
"I would never do that to my friend!" Harry said firmly, glaring coldly at Draco.
"Suit yourself, I was just pointing out that she's not helping with comments like that," Draco shrugged.
Travers says a new wand, but how could you have done, which wandmaker did you use:
"Now him, I hope you have no problem with controlling him," Severus said, for he truly could ruin everything, whereas Granger hopefully would have the brains to go along with what is happening.
After Harry Imperious Travers he says oh yes, I see, yes very handsome, and is it working well:
"Maybe you should stop him from blabbering," Charlie said.
"I don't think I'm very good at this curse," Harry frowned.
"It's not an easy curse to get the hang of," Severus said darkly. "And you have to focus your mind so your will, would out power theirs."
"No offense Professor, but I don't really want to learn how to do this curse the right way," Harry said making a face.
"That face better be because you called Snape Professor in such a respectful tone," Fred said. "That's just so wrong!"
"Sorry," Harry said, not sure whether to laugh of feel odd that he did indeed just do as Fred said.
Mentions that Hermione looked bewildered, but she accepted the bizarre turn of events without comment:
"Of course, I did," Hermione said, "after Travers started saying things like that after I already told him I had Bellatrix wand … clearly something was going on."
The goblin says I shall need the Clankers:
"What are Clankers?" Charlie said, looking at Bill.
"I can't be sure, never having seen them before," Bill said.
"But you know what they are used for," Percy pointed out shrewdly.
Bill smiled at his brother for a second, though he was wary at how Charlie was going to react to this, before he turned back to the book to read.
"Argh … there's no need for you to take tips from Dumbledore, Bill," George grumbled. "Just answered the bloody questioned."
This only had Bill laughing more and this time he started reading.
Goblin says so, I shall take you to your vault:
"Isn't that odd … that the old goblin would take you to the vault," Tonks said. "I mean I've never seen one of them leave their desk before."
"It's not odd at all," Draco said. "The same goblin always helps us to our vault and he's the oldest and foulest thing I've ever seen."
Mentions the goblin appeared around the end of the counter, jogging happily towards them:
"Seriously Potter, you need work on your Imperius Curse," Severus shook his head, and a few people joined him, they have never seen a goblin jog alongside a wizard happily before.
Mentions that Ron was drawing attention to this odd phenomenon by regarding Travers with confusion:
"You couldn't have drawn any more attention to yourself if you tried," Fred chuckled.
"I think you should have worn a neon sign on your chest that said, 'I'M HARRY POTTER AND I'M HERE TO STEAL SOMETHING FROM YOU.'" George added.
Goblin says I am award of the instructions , very old family, old clients, this way please:
"Well, they're going to definitely sound the alarms on you now," Bill sighed. "But it looks like you will get to the vault."
Mentions Harry took off the Invisibility Cloak and Travers nor Bogrod showed the slightest surprise at Harry's sudden appearance in their midst:
"Well of course not, it seems like you've cursed them to be just as vacant as you are," Draco chuckled.
"I think it's a wonder that I could even manage that curse using your wand," Harry grumbled.
"That is a good point, you must have good control over this wand Harry," Dumbledore said.
Harry says they're Imperiused, I don't think I did it strongly enough, I don't know:
"It doesn't seem like that Hermione is so averse to me using an Unforgivable Curse," Harry said.
"Well, I would imagine I have a different perspective in the books after everything that I've been through," Hermione said. "Besides, it's not like I could say anything at the moment. We have so much we still have to do!"
Harry remembers Bellatrix saying to him you need to mean them, Potter:
Harry frowned at that, wondering what curse he had used at that time.
Everyone in the room paled at the fact that Harry was that close to the real Bellatrix Lestrange before … close enough for her to be giving him advise on cursing.
Ron asks what do we do, shall we get out now, while we can:
"Of course not," several people said.
"What was the point of coming here if you're going to leave now," Draco rolled his eyes.
"You're never going to get this close again, you have to go on," Bill said.
Mentions Harry could hear shouting behind them in the main hall as they clambered into the cart:
"Why would they just be shouting?" Tonks said, "I would think they would come through the doors and just capture you!"
"Like I said, they were deciding what they should do … obviously they're arguing about it now." Bill smiled, but he stopped quickly knowing how vicious the goblins would be if they were caught.
Mentions that the more Harry thought of it the more foolish it seemed to have disguised as Bellatrix, when the Death Eaters knew who stole her wand:
"Don't worry about it, Harry, not one of us questioned this plan of yours either," Sirius told him.
"On paper it seemed like a reasonable idea," Remus agreed. "It's not often that any Death Eater would want it to be known that they actually had their wand stolen and think the culprit would turn up at Gringotts."
"Besides, I don't know what other means you could have used that would have gotten you to the carts," Bill added.
Mentions they went deeper than Harry had ever penetrated within Gringotts:
"Really, I would have thought the Potter Vault would have been in a high security section too," Draco said smugly.
"Yes, it is, but the trust that Harry has been using is not," Bill said.
"I've been using a trust?" Harry said. "You mean I have two vaults?"
"Well, for now, but as soon as you come of age the trust will disappear, the gold going back into your main vault," Bill explained. "It's really sort of complicated Harry … if you would like to talk about this later, I could explain it to you in more detail."
"Okay," Harry agreed.
Mentions they saw a waterfall pounding over the track:
Bill sighed after that, he figured they would use this.
"What is it?" George questioned, but Bill just smirked at him and then started reading again.
Mentions the cart flipped over and they were all thrown out of it, and Hermione shrieked something, and he felt himself glide to the ground landing painlessly:
"Good thinking Hermione," Molly said weakly, "And William, you will tell me what that was!"
"It was the Thief's Downfall," Bill answered immediately and the twins sniggered at him. "It will take away all the charms and other concealment of the trio."
"Well, that's good, Hermione no longer has to look like that hag," Sirius said.
"And it's not like they'll really need it anymore." Fred added. "Their cover is blown anyway."
Hermione says Harry I think I can hear people coming, Protego:
"That will only stall them for a little while," Bill sighed.
"I really don't like this," Molly groaned. "There is no way out except through all the goblins!"
"Correction, there's no way out except through the goblins right now," George said, trying to sound confident.
"Because Harry hasn't found one yet!" Fred added in the same tone.
Griphook says, not far, Harry Potter, not far:
"Well, that was lucky … the waterfall could have hit them a lot sooner, then this," Bill said thoughtfully. "They must have been slow to bring up the defenses.
Mentions they turned a corner and saw a gigantic dragon was tethered to the ground in front of them:
"WHAT?" several people shouted, but the loudest were Molly and Charlie.
"They really have a dragon there," Sirius chuckled.
"What do they think they're doing!" Charlie demanded, "You can't keep a dragon chained up … and in the dark! That's cruelty, pure and simple!"
"You're going to face another dragon!" Molly groaned, "isn't it bad enough that you had to fight one last year."
"I guess that was just training for me to get by this one," Harry said, trying to sound nonchalant, but failing miserably. Sure, he did get past the horntail last year, but that didn't mean he was looking forward to meeting another one.
"You should be careful of this one Harry!" Charlie shouted angrily; his whole face was red because of the treatment of this dragon. "They tend to be nastier when they are brought up in harsh environments!"
Describes the dragon ending with opened its mouth and spat a jet of fire that sent them running back up the passageway:
Charlie was muttering during this whole paragraph and then turned to his brother when he realized something.
"You knew this dragon was there!"
Bill looked at his brother and said gravely, "yes."
"And you didn't tell me!" Charlie said. "I mean we've all heard the rumors, but if I thought for one second, they were true I would have …."
"I signed a binding contract that we couldn't tell anyone of the secrets in Gringotts," Bill said. "I wasn't allowed to tell you anything."
"Griphook seems to be able to …" Charlie started to say.
"Because he is a goblin … I don't think they ever believe that one of their own would betray their secrets like this." Bill said and then started reading before Charlie could remember to yell at him.
Griphook says 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:
"Er … are dragons afraid of noises like that," Fred questioned.
"They most certainly are not," Charlie growled. "This dragon was taught to be afraid of the sound … the goblins must have done something terrible to it!"
Mentions the door had reappeared, sealing them inside the vault and they were plunged into total darkness:
"Is that supposed to happen?!" Molly questioned desperately.
"Not really, but seeing as what they need to do, it's doesn't really matter," Bill said.
"How are they going to get out!" Molly exclaimed.
"We'll only find out if you let me read," Bill shrugged, trying not to sound too impatient.
Griphook says no matter, Bogrod will be able to release us, light your wands, can't you, we have little time:
"That's going to make it more difficult," Sirius said. "It's so much harder to see by wandlight."
"That's never really bothered me before," Remus said with a weak smile. It was a standing joke with the marauders that he had better sight and vision like that because he was a werewolf. Though of course when they were in their animal forms they could see just find at night.
Someone says Harry, could this me … aargh:
"Argh? Argh! What happened!" Molly fretted.
"Someone must have touched something," Malfoy smirked. "You will see now that it's not that easy to get something from a high security vault!"
Mentions Harry could see a jeweled goblet tumbling from her grip and it split becoming a shower of goblets and the floor was covered in identical cups:
"Oh dear, that's not good," Molly said.
"I fear it's worse than you think it is," Bill groaned, but continued reading instead of explaining.
Griphook says they added Germino and Flagrante Curse, they will burn and multiply, the copies are worthless, and you'll be crushed to death by them:
"I see what you mean," Molly said.
"You really have to be careful not to touch anything else," Tonks advised.
"But how are they supposed to get the cup if they can't touch anything," Sirius pointed out.
"Oh crap, that's right," Tonks frowned. "I don't know!"
Mentions Ron accidentally nudged one of the goblets and he hopped on the spot, part of his shoe burned away by contact with the hot metal:
"Bloody hell that's not good … as soon as the ground is covered with those things, we won't be able to stop ourselves from touching them," Ron groaned.
Harry says remember the cup's small and gold, it's got a badger and otherwise see if you can spot Ravenclaw's symbol, the eagle:
"I'm not sure Ravenclaw would put anything with her mark on it," McGonagall said. "It wouldn't be in good taste."
"How am I supposed to know what I'm looking for if it doesn't even have Ravenclaw's symbol?" Harry groaned.
"That is why we all hope that it is the cup that is in here," Dumbledore said sighing.
Harry says it's there, it's up there:
"Good, it is the cup!" several people said, relieved.
"Now you just have to find out a way to get it without causing it to multiply and burn you," Severus pointed out and everyone groaned, their relieve gone now.
Mentions the cup belonged to Helga Hufflepuff, which passed into possession of Hepzibah Smith, from who it had been stolen by Tom Riddle:
"And now is going to be stolen by Harry Potter!" Fred laughed.
"Smith … you don't think she has any relations with that worm in the DA, do you?" Ron questioned.
"I don't know?" Hermione shrugged indifferently.
Harry says if you want the sword, Griphook, then you'll have to help us more than … wait, can I touch stuff with the sword, Hermione give it here:
"Harry..." Bill cautioned, with a frown.
"What?" Harry said.
"I don't know if it's wise to bring out the sword now," Bill said.
"Why not, it might be the only thing that could touch the object without it burning," Sirius said. "I think it's a good idea."
"Hm … I suppose you're right," Bill grimaced, "there is no other option for you to do but showing the sword to the goblin now … well maybe I'm wrong … but it might not end well."
"You think he is going to try and take the sword?" Harry frowned.
"If he feels that you won't actually give it to him, and I fear he might, then yes, he will try and take it," Bill sighed and then started reading.
Mentions Harry seized the sword and touched the tip to the silver flagon nearby, which did not multiply:
"I don't get it … how does that work?" Ron questioned.
"Goblin blades aren't affected by curse," Dumbledore said. "Well not all goblin blades, but one that are excellently created like this sword was, are."
Hermione pointed her wand at Harry and says Levicorpus:
"Levicorpus?" Severus frowned, again wondering how they knew the spells that he had invented.
"Oh … I remember that old spell," Sirius chuckled. "It was one of my favorites."
"It was a nice spell, but I think we should continue reading," Remus said, looking at Severus for a second, remembering one time in particular that they used that spell and didn't want it brought up here, he motioned for Bill to keep reading.
Mentions Ron and Hermione were waist deep in treasure struggling to keep Bogrod and all that could be seen of Griphook was the tips of his fingers:
"Oh dear … get out of there!" Molly fretted.
"I don't know if I like the goblin, but I don't want him buried alive in treasure," Ginny muttered.
"Why not, that's got to be a goblin's dream death!" George chuckled.
"And I don't think you have to worry, our little Harrykins, champion to all, will save him!" Fred added.
Mentions the tiny cup slug into the air and Harry caught it, and he could fell it scalding him he didn't relinquish it, even when countless cups burst from his fist:
"Well, that's one way to make sure you have the right one," Sirius commented.
"I'm impressed you could hold on to that," Bill said making a face. "It's not pleasant even touching one of those things."
"Oh dear, your hands must be hurt!" Molly groaned.
"And we're not hurting, we were at least waist deep in treasure the last time I checked," Ron grumbled.
This of course only made Molly fret more than before.
Bill sighed, and then started reading again, knowing they had more troubles than burning treasure as soon as the vault opens.
Griphook sprinted away brandishing the sword and crying, thieves, thieves, help, thieves:
"Why that traitorous little git!" Ron growled.
"It's actually a smart thing to do … he will find safety in his kind because they wouldn't think that he would have betrayed them," Draco shrugged.
Mentions the tethered dragon let out a roar, the wizard fled, back the way they had come and inspiration, or madness, came to Harry:
"If you're going to do what I think you are, you'll earn my respect for life," Charlie said with a smirk.
"If you do what Charlie thinks you're going to be doing, I'll have you committed to St. Mungo's for madness!" Hermione said looking pale.
"Er …" was all Harry could say to that as everyone waited to see what he was going to do in the book.
Harry yelled this way, and then sprinted toward the blind dragon:
"YES!" Charlie screamed the loudest, but Sirius, Tonks, the twins and even Remus joined into the cheer this time.
"Do you really expect us to … you can't be serious," Ron said shaking his head.
"I can't believe you Harry! I just …" Hermione said shaking her head.
"How else are we going to get past a horde of bloodthirsty goblins?" Harry questioned and then turned to Bill and said, "Will you continue please."
Bill shook himself, like everyone that wasn't mentioned before, he was shocked about what Harry was doing, but he started reading all the same.
Mentions the dragon turned his head towards the cool outside air and it took off with Harry, Ron and Hermione clinging to its back:
"That's the end of the chapter," Bill said putting the book down and looking at the trio in amazement. He had figured they would somehow accomplish their task, but he could never have dreamed they do anything like this. He didn't think that he would have to get away from the goblins when they were on full alert like this!
"That was the most bloody brilliant thing I've ever heard of in my life!" Charlie said.
"It was incredible!" Fred agreed.
"I think it would be a good time to have some dinner," Molly said getting up. "It seems like there is something to celebrate right now and it would be nice to have at least one happy meal."
"I'm good with that," Sirius said.