Part Twenty Seven
Harry had explained everything to you, everything they've been fighting for since his first year here. It made you a bit sick thinking about it. You told them everything you'd learned while with the Death Eaters. Even about Snape being Headmaster this year. Bill and Fleur seemed a little off put by your presence but soon came to terms with it once you relayed your own information.
"It's beautiful here." Luna's soft voice flitted through the following silence.
"It was our aunt's. We used to come here as kids. The Order uses it now as a safe house." Bill glanced at Fleur.
"What's left of us atleast."
"Muggles think these things keep evil away. But they're wrong." Harry let out a breath.
"I need to talk to the Goblin." The lot of you followed Bill up the stairs and to the room he was in.
"How are you?" The goblin opened his eyes from his seat facing the window.
"Alive." Harry walked further in.
"You probably don't remember-"
"That is showed you your vault the first time you came to Gringotts? Even amongst goblins you are famous Harry Potter." There was a short silence while Harry leaned himself against the windowsill. Hermione, Ron, and you stayed by the door.
"You buried the elf?"
"Yes."
"And brought me here." The goblin leaned forward in his chair.
"How did you come by the sword?" The goblin threaded his fingers together.
"It's complicated."
"Why did Bellatrix Lestrange think that it should be in her vault at Gringotts?"
"It's complicated." You let out a huff of air, almost a laugh at the goblin's words before Harry continued.
"The sword presented itself to us, in moment of need. 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."
"And she never suspected it was a fake?"
"The replica is very convincing.Only a goblin would recognize that this is the true Sword of Gryffindor." Hermione took a step forward.
"Who is the acquaintance?" The goblin gave her a side glance.
"A Hogwarts Professor. As I understand that he's now Headmaster." You sucked in a quick breath.
"Snape?"
"He put a fake sword in Bellatrix's vault. Why?" The goblin tilted his head slightly.
"There are more than a fewcurious things in the vaults at Gringotts."
"And in Madam Lestrange's vault as well?"
"Perhaps." Harry gave a determined look.
"I need to get into Gringotts. Into one of the vaults."
"It is impossible."
"Alone, yes. But with you, no."
"Why should I help you?"
"I have gold. Lots of...." Harry was interrupted.
"I've no interest in gold."
"Then what?" The goblin looked towards the sword and pointed at it.
"That. That is my price." Harry hummed and you all made your way to the stairs heading back to the main area of the house. Hermione was the first to speak, in hushed tones.
"Are you thinking there's a Horcrux in Bellatrix's vault?"
"Well, she was terrified when she thought we had been in there. She kept asking you, 'what else was taken?' I bet you anything, there's Horcrux in there. Another piece of his soul. Let's find it, kill it, and we are one step closer to killing him." Ron spoke this time.
"And what happens when we find it, How're we supposed to destroy it, now you're giving the sword to Griphook?" You thought to yourself 'ah that must be his name'.
"I'm still working on that part." Fleur stepped out of the door you were in front of.
"He's weak."
"Who?" She looked at the door behind her and the four of you made your way in.
"Mr. Ollivander, I need to ask you a few questions."The wand maker seemed frail.
"Anything, m'boy. Anything!"
"Would you mind identifying this wand? We need to know if it's safe to use." He handed him Bellatrix's wand.
"Uhh... Walnut...Dragon Heartstring...Unyie...Unyielding. This belonged to Bellatrix Lestrange. Treat it carefully." Ollivander added the wand back to Harry.
"And this?" He handed over Draco's wand. You didn't know he had that, nor did you know when he had gotten it.
"Hawthorn...Unicorn hair. Reasonably pliant. This was the wand of Draco Malfoy." Your brow furrowed and Harry asked the question before you could.
"Was? Is it not still?"
"Well, perhaps not. If you won it from him. I sense its allegiance has changed."
"You talk about wands, as if they have feelings...can think." Ollivander leaned closer.
"The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter. That much has always been clear to those of us who've studied wandlore."
"And, what do you know about the Deathly Hallows?" The older man's smile fell.
"It is rumored 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. Together, they make one the Master of Death. But, few truly believe that such objects exist."
"Do you? Do you believe they exist, sir?" Ollivander's eyes seemed pained.
"Well...I see no reasons to put stock into an old wives' tale."
"You're lying. You know one exists. You told him about it. You told him about the Elder Wand...and where he could go looking for it." Ollivander seemed to collapse on himself.
"He tortured me. Besides...I only conveyed rumors. There's...There's no telling whether he will find it."
"He has found it, sir." Ollivander looked up at that.
"We'll let you rest." Harry stood and walked towards the rest of you.
"He's after you, Mr. Potter. If it's true what you say, that he has the Elder Wand, I'm afraid,...you really don't stand a chance." Harry turned to face the wand maker.
"Well, I am suppose I'll have to kill him, before he finds me, then." Harry walked out and you all walked down the stairs with a plan in mind. Hermione pulled a long kinky hair out of her bag and held it up.
"You're sure it's hers?" Both you and Hermione sucked in a breath.
"Positive." She walked out and the lot of you met on the beach. When you saw her again she was the spitting image of Bellatrix.
"Well? How do I look?" Ron spoke first.
"Hideous." You rolled your eyes.
"You look just like her." Harry motioned to Griphook.
"You can give that to Hermione to hold." He put the sword in her bag and the four of you walked close together and all held hands. Griphook slowly walked forward.
"We're relying on you, Griphook. If you get us past the guards into the vault...the sword's yours." He looked at Harry then placed his hand on the groups and you all disappeared.
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