Bill takes Harry and the rest of them down the hall to Griphook's room, knocking and then opening the door to let Harry in first. The rest followed but stayed back to let Harry handle this as the two obviously have history in each other's lives.
"I was wondering when you might come." Griphook began. "Quite thoughtful, what you did for the elf. You're one of the only people I know who is fair and kind to all manner of creatures in our world. You're very unusual, Mr. Potter."
"Dobby was my friend." Harry informed. "We need to talk to you."
"I gathered." Griphook looked at Harry now calmly. "What is it you believe we need to discuss? How did you come by this sword?"
"It's complicated." Harry revealed. "Why did Bellatrix Lestrange think it should be in her vault?"
"It's complicated." Yeah, Harry should have expected that answer.
"The sword appeared to us, in a time of need for it." Harry finally told the goblin. "We didn't steal it."
"There is a sword in Madam Lestrange's vault, identical to this one. But it is a fake. It was placed there this past summer, by an acquaintance." Griphook explained.
"She never suspected it was a fake?" Harry asked.
"The replica is very convincing. Only a goblin would know that this," He motioned to the sword leaning against the wall. "Is the true sword of Gryffindor."
"Who was the acquaintance?" Hermione decided to ask as Griphook glanced back at her.
"A Hogwarts Professor. I believe who has taken the position of Headmistress now." Griphook claimed.
"Minerva?" Severus said in disbelief. "Why on Earth-,"
"She only dropped it off with a note," Griphook remarked. "The note was very clear that the sword be placed in Bellatrix Lestrange's vault."
Harry thought for a moment, taking in the information. "Listen, Griphook…I understand the goblins are neutral in the war, but I need your help to get into Bellatrix's vault."
Griphook sat back, fingers pressed together. "And why do you need access to another's vault? Surely, you understand the reputation the bank holds of being the safest place for wizards and witches to keep their belongings and gold."
"We believe, with Bellatrix's worked up behavior, she has something hidden within that we need to continue our mission." Harry stated. "We don't know what the object is, but we know she's one of the dark lord's most faithful followers. And once upon a time, an object had been entrusted to Lucius over there. So we feel the dark lord gave something to Bellatrix to have her hold onto for its safety. These objects are containers for the dark lord's soul, which he managed to split and take the pieces to place them inside."
"When all of them are destroyed; the dark lord has nothing to tether him to this world any longer and he becomes mortal. He can be killed." The teenager explained. "It is my job to see that the dark lord meets his end, so I need to find the object she has and sources point to the fact she would have hidden it in her vault when she went to Azkaban willingly years ago. Plus the fact she got bent out of shape believing the sword had been stolen from her vault and she was asking who got in and what else was taken."
The goblin listened closely to the information. "Your beliefs hold merit." Griphook agreed. "What do I get in return for aiding you of your break into Gringotts?"
"What do you want?" Harry pushed.
"That." Griphook pointed to the sword. "The sword for my help to get you into Gringotts. Do we have a deal?" He offered his hand.
"Done." Harry agreed and shook the goblin's hand. "Thank you."
"I require some time to heal still, and come up with a plan. We cannot simply walk in, you understand?" Griphook retorted.
"I never expected so." Harry nodded. "We'll leave you to rest and talk when you're better." He stood and ushered everyone out of the room.
"Harry! You agreed to hand over the sword?" Ron asked. "We almost died to get that out of a frozen lake."
"And that was to destroy the two horcruxes we had gathered in case of capture. We were desperate for it, and it appeared close to us…Thank God too because if not, we would have lost the locket and the ring when captured three days ago." Harry told his friend. "We don't need the sword. We have Ivy…"
"Not currently." Draco reminded.
"But it will be enough. We get whatever Bellatrix has, then we focus on the last two. I'm still holding the theory that if I touch whatever Bellatrix has, I'll get a vision, or something to lead us to the next one." Harry informed. "It's war, sacrifices are necessary. Now, do we still have those random wands we picked up while escaping?"
"Yeah, right here." Severus pulled them from his robes. "I want to know why Minerva would put a fake sword in Bellatrix's vault…"
"Because Albus told her to." Harry said.
"How do you know?" Fleur wondered.
"Call it a hunch." Harry stated. "Albus was known for making plans before any of us knew about them. Such as narrowing down the location of the locket horcrux and already having found the ring before we even knew about the horcruxes. Perhaps he foresaw something like this becoming a problem."
"Albus had been alive when we discussed the plan to get access to the vault with Bill, and he agreed it was a possibility there was an object hidden in there. And this works out," He mentioned. "Griphook needs time to heal and come up with a plan, and it gives Bellatrix time to go to her vault and assure the item is still there."
"Now, what did you need the wands for?" Narcissa wondered.
"Bill, Ollivander is still here, isn't he?" Harry questioned.
"Just down this way." Bill nodded as he led Harry down the hall, then to the room.
Knocking once more, Bill opened the door and let Harry inside. Ollivander sat by the window, at the desk and looked over to see Harry coming in with the others.
"Mr. Ollivander…May I ask you a few questions?" Harry hoped.
"Anything, my boy. Anything." Garrick replied as Harry held the wands they acquired during escape.
"We picked up these wands escaping the base and we want to know if they're safe to use." Harry asked.
Garrick picked up the first wand, inspecting it. "Chestnut, nine and three-quarters long…Dragon Heartstring. Brittle…" He listed. "This wand used to belong to Peter Pettigrew. I was commissioned to make it in 1996 when he came needing a new one." The man informed.
"Used to?" Sirius asked.
"I sense its allegiance has changed." Garrick revealed, handing it back to Harry. "Some wands change their loyalties to a new owner if won in battle. This wand, is one of them."
"I did disarm Pettigrew down in the dungeon when I called in the life debt he owed me." Harry told the others. "And what's this one, sir?" Harry handed him another.
"Walnut. Twelve and three-quarters…Dragon Heartstring. Oh…Unyielding." The man remarked. "This wand belonged to Bellatrix Lestrange. Be careful with that one." He warned.
"And this is the last. I have a feeling, already…But confirm my suspicions?" Harry hoped.
"Ah-ha-ha. How interesting you should come across this wand, Mr. Potter," Garrick enlightened. "Yew, thirteen and a half inches…Phoenix Feather core."
"That…Wand belongs to Tom Riddle, doesn't it?" Harry muttered. Ollivander nodded. "I remember what you told me the day I got mine, this one was its brother and gave me the scar. The Phoenix only gave two feathers. My wand, and his."
"But like Peter's, Mr. Potter…This wand has chosen a new master, it is entirely loyal to you." Garrick said. "This wand was not won in battle, no. It refuses to fight its brother."
"It doesn't have a brother any longer…" Harry glanced down as he pulled the pieces of his broken wand from his pocket and showed Garrick. "A rebounded blasting curse caused it to break. I…Had been wondering if you might be able to repair it."
"I'm terribly sorry, my boy…I cannot." Garrick admitted. "A crack or two, perhaps. But broken in half, I am afraid it is beyond my repair. I believe that is why its brother has stepped up for you, to replace what you've lost. Protect you from the one who has taken so much."
"You talk about wands, like they have feelings. That they think." Harry mentioned.
The man smiled at Harry. "The wand chooses the wizard. That much has always been clear to those of us who study wand lore." Garrick enlightened.
"And what do you know of the Deathly Hallows?" Harry pushed.
"It is said there are three. The Elder Wand, the Cloak of Invisibility to hide you from your enemies, and the Resurrection Stone, to bring back loved ones from the dead. They make the one possessing all three the Master of Death. But very few believe they exist." Garrick said, sitting back.
"Do you believe they exist?" Harry questioned.
"Oh, well…I see no reason to put stark into an old wives tale." Garrick stated.
"You knew one existed. The wand…You told him about it, and where he could go looking for it." Harry informed as Garrick stared. "He and I share a link, you see…I often get glimpses of what he's doing. You were in one of them." The teenager stated.
"He tortured me. Besides, I only conveyed rumors." Garrick assured. "There was no telling if he'd actually find it."
"Well, he went after Gregorovich and killed him. Last I saw, he spoke to Grindelwald, who told him Dumbledore had it last." Harry informed.
"Then in true spirit of rumors heard, Mr. Potter, the Elder Wand…Is one that must be won in battle to take on a new master." Garrick revealed. "But back to you regarding this wand…" He redirected.
Harry stared at the wand he'd battled against so many times as Garrick held it out to him by the tip, handle facing Harry. "I'm sorry." No one knew if he was saying it to Garrick, or the wand being offered to him. "I can't use that wand. I don't blame the wand, but in your own words, it's been used to take away from me many times. It is the wand that killed my parents, tried to kill me, gave me this scar…Used to murder countless people. I could never wield it as my own."
"Remember, Harry…The wand is not the one who casts the spells. I told you once before, that he who should not be named did great things with that wand. Terrible, yes…But great." Garrick stated. "Whatever wand you try to carry in place of your old will never work for you the right way…But this one will. Go on, wrap your hand around it like when you were in my shop getting your wand. I promise you, it will feel like you never lost yours."
"This wand wants to serve you, Mr. Potter…It will be far more useful to you to use a wand that has chosen you. I told you before that the wand chooses the wizard." He held the wand out to Harry again as the teenager nervously reached out to grip the handle. As if he never lost his own, Harry felt warmth spreading throughout him. The wind picked up, a light red glow in the room. "A perfect fit."
However, Harry was staring at the wand intently. Visions going across his mind. "Harry?" Draco asked. "I think he's in one of those visions…"
"Holding Tom's old wand, I wouldn't have expected anything less." Hermione commented.
Harry snapped out of it, taking a few breaths. "What did you see, Harry?" Narcissa inquired.
"He has it." Harry revealed solemnly. "Tom has the Elder Wand. I've just seen him break into Dumbledore's grave and take it from him…"
"Great…Now we're really down to the end of the barrel for time." Ron sighed.
Harry carefully pulled back his sleeve to take out the snatcher's wand he'd been using, then placed his new one inside the holder. "It may want to serve me and be a perfect fit…But nothing will replace mine, even if this one is its brother." Harry remarked gently. "If there was any chance of getting mine back, I would take it." He paused. "We'll leave you to rest. Thank you."
Harry prepared to leave the room and the others were ready to follow. "Mr. Potter…" Garrick called as Harry looked back at him. "I told you that I did not possess the power to restore your wand, however…I did not say it could not be restored." Harry stared at the man.
"The Elder Wand is the most powerful wand in existence, and if you were to become its master…It could repair your wand." A spark of hope lit in Harry's chest. "At the same time," He paused. "He who must not be named is after you, Mr. Potter. If what you say is true and he has the wand…Then I'm afraid you really stand no chance."
"I suppose I'll have to kill him before he kills me then. I'm known for making the impossible possible." Harry exited the room briskly.
Back downstairs around the main table, everyone was quiet.
"So how much time do we estimate to have left?" Lucius asked.
"End of the school year, maybe less now that he has the wand." Harry informed.
"That's just a few weeks away, and we're still down three horcruxes." Ron stated.
"But we know what two of them are." Hermione offered. "Right? The cup and the diadem?"
"That still leaves Nagini, who we can't kill until the battle. And one unknown." Draco reminded.
"I don't think there's a seventh." Narcissa pointed out. "I think Tom is the seventh. Not as a horcrux, but obviously he's holding the rest of his own soul aside the six pieces he split off into the other items. When we kill him, with those items and Nagini gone…He'll be mortal and he'll die, won't he? Destroying the rest of his soul?"
"She…Might have a good point." Severus remarked. "Harry? Do you think that's possible?"
"It's possible, but not a guarantee…And if we're wrong, and go through with the battle without knowing for sure…" He trailed off.
"If we're wrong and he's got that wand…We're screwed." Bill supplied. "So right now, the only hope is breaking into the bank to get the item Bellatrix has, then you touching it to see if you get a hint to the other item?"
"That's the gist of it." Harry nodded.
"Griphook said he could get us into the bank…" Lucius commented. "Anyone can walk into the bank, but the radio rumors said that the Death Eaters have control over the ministry, and Diagon Alley."
"Then we need a plan." Draco looked at Harry.
"I've got one…But none of you are gonna like it." Harry told them as Severus was already giving him a look. Harry pulled a glass vial from his coat pocket and set it on the table. Inside were several pieces of black hair.
"No…" Severus whispered, seemingly having figured it out. "No. Harry, absolutely not."
"Do you have another idea?" Harry asked his husband.
"I don't understand…" Sirius looked between the lovers.
"He wants to use Polyjuice Potion to become Bellatrix and get into the bank that way." Severus revealed.
"I didn't say me become her, I think my voice might be too deep to pull off hers…But Narcissa or Hermione, maybe." Harry suggested. "Look. We have her hair, I found it on me when I changed clothes after we got here, probably from when she was holding me with the knife. And we have her wand…If one of the women becomes Bellatrix, we stand a chance of just entering the bank with Griphook to get to where the vaults are. We get in, he navigates…Then we get out and immediately get somewhere safe."
"I-I suppose I could do it." Hermione offered.
"No, I will." Narcissa remarked. "Bella is my sister, if anyone can pull her off…It's me. I've got the Black blood and mannerisms. As Harry said, we have her hair and the wand. It won't be a trip for everyone though. It's too many to hide and she wouldn't go to the bank with an entourage. Harry, it would be wise to take one person extra as a guard Death Eater to Bellatrix, then yourself and the goblin. The rest should stay here."
"You're not going without us, Mother," Draco said firmly as Lucius agreed.
"You two cannot contain yourselves if this goes badly. Harry is good under stress, and we need the goblin to navigate the vault locations." Narcissa told them.
"I'll go." Sirius offered himself. "I can protect them both."
"I am Harry's husband." Severus argued.
"Which is why you need to stay back too, Sev." Harry countered.
"B-But Harry…" Severus started.
"You won't contain yourself either if something happens. Sirius may hate his family's pureblood mania, but he can conduct himself with Lord Black mannerisms when necessary. Plus, if things go badly and we need to escape quickly. You're the only one who can find us through the bond we share. If we get out and have to apparate away in a flash, you are the only link to those who have stayed behind to regroup." Harry explained. "I will signal you through the bond that I need you, alright? If things come down to that situation. Then you can gather the rest and come right to us."
"I really…Really don't like this idea. But…It's the only one we've got that is mad enough to work." Severus sighed. "Promise me you'll be careful, Harry…"
"I can only promise to try, Severus." Harry nodded.
"There's enough of us to handle this. I'll go as Narcissa's guard, Harry can be under the cloak with Griphook right next to us." Sirius stated. "I can use a glamour, Cissy goes as Bellatrix."
"Are we in agreement?" Narcissa looked at the others.
"Agreed." The rest nodded.
"Then all we can do for now is gather our strength, and take this to Griphook when he's healed." Harry informed.
So their plan was set. The only way to get into the bank was by Narcissa becoming her older sister, Sirius guarding her as a fake Death Eater, then Harry with Griphook under the Invisibility Cloak. It might not be a great plan, but it was the only one they had to work with that seemed to offer near perfect results. Soon, this would be over and Voldemort would be gone. That was the hope and Harry made it clear that he would kill the dark lord.
