Chapter 6
Hermione smirked as the long pale shadow of Lord Potter prowled around her house, poking and prodding at her defences. She was not called the brightest witch of her age for nothing. Then he lifted his wand and conjured a Patronus. It pranced right into her room and announced in a cold voice, "Unspeakable Granger! I want my elves back!"
She grinned and conjured her own Patronus, "Lord Potter! The Department wishes to confiscate the You-Know-Whats. If you hand them over to us, we will set your elves free."
She could see Lord Potter gnashing his teeth. He was indeed in a fury. Then he conjured another Patronus, "Okay, your terms. I'll bring them in a second."
He popped away and disappeared. Hermione let a breath out. It was always difficult negotiating with Dark Lords. Then she checked the time, before relaxing back in her chair.
In a minute, he was back, holding a blue bag. She opened the wards for him, and he stepped forward.
The bag was opened, and three items spilled out, instead of two. A legendary locket, a legendary cup, and a gleaming legendary diadem! She couldn't believe her eyes. She looked at him and then looked at the trinkets. As her mouth opened wide, he snatched them back with burning cheeks, muttering, "Oh, I thought you had meant these!"
Then he straightened, looking at her, "What did you mean by the 'You-Know-Whats', Unspeakable Granger?"
She gulped and said, "The Vanishing Cabinets, of course."
He shook his head, cheeks growing warm once more. Then he said, "Unspeakable Granger, I'm afraid I can't hand them over to you. I'll find the elves myself, and rescue them if it's the last think I do!"
Then he picked up his bag and whirled away in a flurry of crimson robes and emerald flames.