The residents of Shell Cottage soon noticed that something was amiss with the Trio and Anna. Spending their days locked up in a room with Dobby and Griphook, it would transpire that they were planning something big as they only emerged for meals and bathroom breaks, and even then, sporadically.
Bill had an inkling that it had something to with the Bank of Gringotts when he cornered Harry after the second day while they were washing up. The Quartet had done their now usual trick of emerging for dinner, eating before helping to clear the table and tried to disappear into a bedroom.
The door shutting as Harry had gone in with the dishes had him turning and spotting Bill with arms laden with the dishes that still had to be cleaned and watching him closely. Coming forward, Bill put the dishes in the sink to start cleaning and stopped Harry from leaving the room. The slight flinch didn't deter the eldest Weasley brother though as Harry turned to look at him.
"Harry, I need to know, what are you planning?" Harry didn't answer straight away, allowing Bill to add, "I know you're planning something. All six of you."
"What are you talking about?"
"Harry, you need to know that I've lived with Fred and George, two of the biggest schemers in this family. I also work with Goblins. There will always be something that they want in return for their expertise and knowledge." Bill held up a hand, freeing the jet-black haired teenager who stepped back and rubbed his arm slightly, "I just want to be sure that this won't bring danger to us all. And with Anna here as well, what dangers will she bring? Harry, you need to be aware and be on your toes because whatever it is, you'll be doing, I have little doubt that you'll be doing it safely."
"Bill, I can't tell you what it is we're after." Harry replied, sighing slightly, "Just know that it's to help defeat You-Know-Who. That's all I can say."
Bill would have thought different if Fleur hadn't come in then, saw the two men and stopped in the doorway, before deciding it was better to wait and went outside again. Harry sighed, looked Bill in the eye so he wouldn't see any deception and repeated his words, adding, "If you have any faith in us, Bill, please, let us do this."
"I hope you're right about this, Harry." Bill answered, seeing the determination and slight fear in the younger man's eyes, "But that doesn't mean I like this."
"I don't like it any more than you do, Bill. But I have to do this." Harry moved as if to go back upstairs, causing Bill to step aside and watch after him.
Going upstairs, Harry scratched his scar as a headache came suddenly and paused as he heard Anna and Hermione talking in hushed tones about something. Every so often Anna would pause as if she were listening to something and then speak again as if nothing was the matter. She'd explained that she was using the power of telepathy. It had been happening more than before now that the Trio knew she was of divine nature, something she didn't like being described as when she told them she was running from the Archangel Michael for disobeying. It wasn't hard to spot that she'd looked nervous while telling them about her real power and that she'd cut out her power, "that it had felt like cutting out your very own kidney with a butter knife" also adding that she'd fallen tens of thousands of miles and was reborn into the woman they saw before them. But while she was Fallen, she was no less an angel than Castiel was and that while she was running from Heaven, she trusted that particular angel with her life. She looked to have meant it too as she gave a gentle smile and then went back to speaking with Dobby.
Shaking his head while a soft bitter chuckle that came from the angel's mouth had Harry wondering what was going on in the bedroom they'd all taken over as he pushed open the door. Hermione, Ron and Anna were gathered round a vial containing a single hair. Both women were wearing disgusted expressions on their faces while Ron was silent.
"I don't think I even have to ask." Was Harry's greeting as Anna shook her head and looked up. Her eyes held a slight fire to them as if she were trying to hold back her power
"Not really." Was Anna's answer as she blinked away the iciness and smiled bitterly before looking at Griphook, "That potion is designed for human consumption, Griphook. While I may look the part, trust me when I say, I am not at all human."
The former bank teller looked like he wanted to say something but a stern look from Anna made him shut up before he turned to Hermione, with everyone else following suit.
"If you want me to do it, fine, but I don't think I can play the part." Came the resigned response. Anna cracked a gentle smile and laid a hand on the younger's, replying, "Luckily, I may be able to help you unlock your Inner Bellatrix, Hermione."
The slightly uncomfortable look in the teens faces had her rolling eyes with a fond little smile.
Time skip.
Hermione's 'education' came on leaps and bounds as she 'unlocked' her inner Bellatrix until she could act as Bellatrix Lestrange-like would in the situation they would be heading into. Anna had changed in the span of the few days they had until they left and had almost become commanding while her face changed from gentle to almost stony-eyed as she taught Hermione.
Three days later.
Anna quietly said goodbye to the small House Elf as she handed off her duffel bag to Ron, allowing it to be shrunken down and handed back so she could place it in her pocket.
They'd told Bill and Fleur that they would be leaving Shell Cottage the night before. Telling a lie wasn't a problem as she'd quickly added that they had all been asked to travel back to America for something she couldn't discuss. It had been a spur of the moment lie that had them looking at the American as she spoke, even Harry, who she'd accompanied, looked at her surprised; Bill had looked at her before he nodded gently, somehow accepting it.
Of course, the adults had wanted to see them off but Harry had quickly put a stop to that, saying they would be leaving early in the morning so as to avoid any awkward goodbyes. Bill had looked downtrodden until Anna had pouted and scribbled down a couple of numbers on a spare piece of parent they'd had lying around, telling them to call these numbers if they ever needed to get in contact with her or the Winchesters or another hunter by the name of Bobby Singer. She did mention that she would tell the others about this arrangement soon as she was able.
Shaking his head, Harry came to just as Anna slipped her hand on his shoulder with a nod and guided the boy wizard out of the room, down the stairs and out to their meeting place. Griphook the Goblin joined them along with a figure that was shaking their long, matted hair out of their robes. They walked with purpose and a sway of the hips indicating their gender as female before they walked into a patch of moonlight and illuminated their face, showing it was Bellatrix Lestrange, Ron behind her and looking calmer told both Anna and Harry the true identity as the trio joined them. Bellatrix looked disgusted as she nodded to Anna who nodded back, stony expression in place.
"She tasted disgusting, worse than Gurdyroots, " Was the first thing that came out of her mouth, telling them all it truly was Hermione disguised as Bellatrix, "Something like... it was similar to rotten eggs and it smelt the same too."
"Then don't." Anna piped up, "How long do we have till this stuff wears off again?"
"Not long." Ron said, looking at Hermione/Bellatrix as Anna turned her attention to him, "About an hour or two. So you better do your thing, Anna."
Anna nodded and came forward, touching Ron on the forehead gently as agreed. He suddenly changed in front of them, becoming shorter, stockier and he even grew a beard which matched his now-mousey brown hair that had grown to below his shoulders and become shaggier, somehow resembling Sam Winchesters own.
Ron blinked and looked at Anna as she brought her hand down and stood back, saying to him, "This will wear off when we have the goblet out of Gringotts, Ron."
Ron nodded while Anna looked to Bellatrix and held out her hand for them all to take. Harry, the newly-disguised Ron and the 'Death Eater' all joined hands immediately and they all looked to Griphook, (who, as their guide, would be telling them of any traps or tricks that were in the vaults) to join them. He looked at Anna, came forward and with a rush of feathers, they were all taken, instantly to Diagon Alley.
Just so you know, I am trying my hardest to stick to the story. I hope this is a good start to the New Year.. Bit of a filler chapter for you. I have plans for their escape from Gringotts. Not telling what though.
