Safety
(12 Grimmauld Place – an hour earlier)
The group had managed to reach Grimmauld Place and entered.
“This is your safehouse?” asked Draco as he took it in
“I never said it was the best place, I said it is safe. Or will be once we cast the fidelus” Retorted Harry
“Then let’s get on with it” Stated Tracey as Harry turned to Astoria
“She gives a vow first” Demanded Harry
“I will not tell anyone” Retorted Astoria
“Then you will have no problem taking a vow” Returned Harry
“Fine, if you insist” Conceded Astoria
“I do” Stated Harry
“Let us get this over with” Conceded Astoria as Astoria approached him and stood opposite him and clasped Harry’s right arm as Tracey moved forward and held her wand where the tip was where their hands were linked
“Will you, Astoria Greengrass promise to not discuss the location of our safehouse to anyone without our permission?” asked Harry as a flame issued from Tracey’s wand wound its way around their hands like a red wire
“I will” Promised Astoria
“And you promise not to betray us to the Dark Lord Tom Riddle, otherwise known as Voldemort?” asked Harry
“I will” Promised Astoria as the bond was made
“Let me get to casting this Fidelus” Stated Harry as he readied his wand
(Hogwarts: Gryffindor Common Room – next morning)
Hermione woke up the next morning and directly went for looking for Ron or Harry and found Ron talking to Neville in the corner.
“Ginny still hurting?” asked Neville
“Yeah, she is taking Harry breaking up with her hard” admitted Ron
“Have you seen Harry?” asked Hermione concerned
“I think he left, he left the map on my bed, along with a letter. We were just about to read it” admitted Ron
“Let me cast a privacy spell” Stated Hermione as she cast the spell
“You don’t think he went on that quest by himself?” asked Ron
“What quest?” demanded Neville
“Voldemort has certain … objects that need to be destroyed before he can be defeated. We were doing some research then going after them. You can’t tell anyone about this though if he found out that we know” Pleaded Hermione
“I don’t like it, but I promise. Let’s here this letter” Stated Neville as Ron opened it, and Harry’s voice came out of it
“If you are reading this, then my plan didn’t go according to plan. You might think I went after Malfoy, and I did. I can’t tell you all about it now, just trust me. If my backup plan worked then I am in a safe place and can’t get back into Hogwarts. I think after Dumbledore died, Riddle will make a move on Hogwarts and the Ministry. Malfoy was going to let some Death Eaters into Hogwarts, and I wouldn’t say I told you so …. But I told you so. Don’t worry though, I stopped him. I know that we can’t go on our quest now. But I will make do by myself, I wish there was another way. Just in case I don’t make it, Ron, and Hermione, you have been the best friends I could have asked for. Neville, I hope you can grow into the great wizard I know you can be. Send everyone my regards, signed Harry” Stated the Letter in Harry’s voice
“I knew something would happen” Whispered Hermione with tears in her eyes as Ron hugged her
“He isn’t dead yet” Reminded Neville
“I hope he stays that way” Stated Ron as they saw Minerva enter the room and noticed that they cast a privacy ward, and Hermione lowered it, Minerva quickly noticed that they were crying
“Is everything alright?” asked Minerva as they attention of the common room turned to them
“It’s Harry, He went after Malfoy and has been missing since” Shared Neville quietly as gasps were heard around the room
“You think that Malfoy took him?” asked Minerva
“We don’t know” admitted Ron as Minerva sighed
“I have an announcement to make, it has been decided that none of you will be going home. For your safety you will be staying here until the Dark Lord has been defeated. All of you will be checked for the Dark Mark, and if you have it then we will kick you out. And no Owls will be allowed to leave the school as well. And I am sorry to announce that Ministry has fallen to Voldemort last night shortly after Dumbledore’s death” Shared Minerva as gasps and murmurs were heard around the room as Professor Flitwick and Sprout entered the room
“Everyone please line up for you to be checked for the Dark Mark, if you refuse, we will take it as a sign of your guilt” Stated Minerva as everyone lined up
(12 Grimmauld Place)
Draco walked down to the Kitchen to see, Harry cooking on the stove.
“Don’t you have an elf for that?” asked Draco as Harry turned to him.
“I don’t trust him to cook, and I like cooking” admitted Harry
“I thought you would try to get into Hogwarts again?” asked Tracey as she and Astoria entered the room as Harry sighed
“I did try, but there were death eaters all around the premise and in Hogsmeade. I got close but almost got discovered. I did find out that Voldemort attacked the Ministry last night” Shared Harry
“What about Hogwarts?” asked Astoria concerned
“It is locked down tight, I hope” admitted Harry
“Does that mean ….?” asked Draco
“What?” asked Harry
“That we have to do your quest with you?” whispered Tracey
“What Quest?” demanded Astoria
“It looks like it, with Voldemort in control I can’t do it by myself” admitted Harry
“What Quest?” demanded Astoria
“Voldemort has made Horcruxes, and we have to destroy them” Revealed Harry as Astoria paled
“Multiple?” Whispered Astoria
“Yes, I already destroyed two. And Dumbledore destroyed one” Shared Harry
“How many more are there?” asked Draco
“I think three, Hermione thinks that his snake Nagini is one. That just leaves two more” admitted Harry
“I was thinking about it, if he gave one to Draco’s father who is to say he didn’t give another one to one of his followers” Stated Tracey
“Lestrange” Exclaimed Harry
“What about her?” asked Draco confused
“There is one in her vault” Answered Harry
“Why would you think that?” asked Astoria
“No one would rob Gringotts, so what better place to store it” Supplied Harry
“That is great in all, but how are we going to get it? Rob Gringotts?” Stated Tracey
“We don’t need to, if either me or Potter are Black Heir then we can claim the Lestrange Vault and just take it” admitted Draco as Harry plated the food on the table as everyone sat down
“I think it is me, Sirius left me everything that probably includes the heirship.” Admitted Harry
“But you aren’t a Black” Stated Tracey
“My Grandmother is. And Sirius was my Godfather” admitted Harry
“Alright, that is means there is one more out there” admitted Tracey
“We could probably track it if we had one in our possession” Guessed Astoria
“We will need to research in the library, hopeful there is something that can help us” admitted Tracey
“While you do that, I will go to Gringotts before Voldemort gets any ideas” admitted Harry
“Are you sure?” asked Draco
“Yeah, better sooner than later. I will try on the Dark Mark when I get back” Stated Harry
“Thank you” Stated Draco
(Gringotts)
Harry had managed to make it inside Gringotts without alerting the Aurors but ran into a Death Eater in the lobby.
“Potter” Sneered Lucius
“Malfoy” Returned Harry
“You know I could call my Lord here, right now” Revealed Lucius
“You could, but you do really want war with the Goblins and everyone else.” Countered Harry
“We will wait until you leave the bank” Retorted Lucius
“Good luck with that and Tell Tommy boy that I will be seeing him soon, very soon” Stated Harry as he went past Lucius and went to a specific door and knocked.
“Come in” Stated a voice as Harry entered
“And who are you?” asked the Goblin sitting behind the desk
“Heir Harry Potter, I do believe that Sirius Black left the Black Estate and Heirship to me” Stated Harry
“He did, I assume you want to discuss your account?” asked the Goblin
“I do, I would like to bring up an old contract” Stated Harry
“Oh?” Stated the Goblin intrigued
“Yes, the Lestrange marriage contract” Stated Harry with a smirk
(Malfoy Manor: Meeting Room)
Lucius had left Gringotts with several death eaters watching the entrance and exits for Potter to capture or kill him, as he went to inform his lord.
“My Lord” Stated Lucius
“Rise, Lucius. Do you have news?” asked Voldemort
“I do not my lord, however when I was at Gringotts I spotted Potter.” Stated Lucius as Voldemort hit him with a crucio
“You let him leave” Hissed Voldemort
“I couldn’t risk it with him being inside Gringotts, I left some death eaters to watch for him” Stated Lucius
“He also told me to deliver a message to you, my lord” admitted Lucius
“What is it?” demanded Voldemort
“He said you will be seeing him soon, very soon” admitted Lucius
“Get out” Roared Voldemort as Lucius managed to retreat from his master’s wraith
(12 Grimmauld Place)
Harry had managed to acquire the cup and avoid the death eaters on the way out of Gringotts and managed to sneak his way back to Grimmauld Place.
“Where you right?” asked Draco as he saw Harry enter
“Yeah, I ran into your father” admitted Harry as Draco tensed
“You … You didn’t tell him about, did you?” asked Draco
“No, I didn’t. He threatened to get Voldemort, I told him that it would invite a war with the Goblins I managed to sneak out before he did come though” Shared Harry
“Thank you” Whispered Draco
“No problem, are the others in the library?” asked Harry
“Yeah” Stated Draco as Harry went towards the library with Draco following behind him as they entered the library where Tracey and Astoria were sitting with book all around them
“I was right, it was in the vault” Stated Harry as he produced a gold cup with the Hufflepuff crest on it
“The Hufflepuff Cup” Whispered Astoria
“Yeah. The Galleons out of the Lestrange Vault went in a separate vault for Draco” Revealed Harry
“What?” Stated Draco shocked
“I … Just in case, Draco” admitted Harry
“Thank you” Stated Draco as Harry nodded
“Well, so far we found no way for us to track the other horcrux” admitted Tracey
“I am sure there is a way” admitted Harry
“We will keep looking” admitted Astoria
“You should take a break; I want to attempt to remove the Dark Mark now” Stated Harry
“How?” asked Astoria
“By using Parseltongue, unless you would rather wait Draco” Stated Harry
“No, let us do it now. The more risk he tries to summon me if we wait” Stated Draco
“We shouldn’t do it in here” Stated Harry
“You have a place in mind?” asked Draco
“I do” Stated Harry as he left the room as they followed him up to the attic
“Lay down, here” Instructed Harry as Draco compiled as Harry took out some potions
“Where did you get those?” asked Tracey
“I bought them from the Goblins” admitted Harry as he sat on the floor next to Draco’s arm
“You will need to take this one, it will knock you out. Are you ready?” asked Harry
“I am. In case I don’t make it …. “Started Draco
“Don’t say that” Whispered Tracey
“Please, let me say it?” Pleaded Draco as Tracey nodded
“In case I don’t make it, it has been an honor Potter. It is good to know you, Astoria. And if you see my mother tell I love her, and Tracey, I love you” Stated Draco
“I love you too” Whispered Tracey
“Thank you for all your help, Malfoy” Returned Harry as Draco nodded as he gulped down the potion and was knocked out