May 1, 1998
Harry pushed the food around on his plate, not wanting to admit to Ron and Hermione that he was nervous as hell. Griphook had finally healed and they were going to sneak into the Lestrange vault after eating. It was nerve wracking to think about them getting caught; goblins weren't known for their sense of forgiveness. Most of all, he was just worried that they would get in the vault and realize that there wasn't a horcrux there after all. All their efforts for nothing.
Hermione was silent next to him, doing her best to eat a good meal before leaving. He had told her she needed her strength and she had agreed. Ron was glaring at his plate and Harry sighed inwardly. He knew that his best mate couldn't accept that Harry had used an Unforgivable on his sister. Sure, he had said he understood the next day but Bill had told him that it was only after an hour of screaming at each other that Bill had been able to make him admit that.
Harry had apologized for hurting Ron in the process of protecting Hermione but he hadn't apologized for his actions. He refused to since Ginny had done everything in her power to hurt Hermione. No, she might not have known what would happen to Hermione if she had kissed Harry but she was doing everything she could to break them apart. While Ron knew that what Ginny was doing was wrong, he had a hard time believing it of his baby sister despite the proof in front of him.
The rest of the house had left them to their meal alone. Ron and Ella had shared their goodbyes before lunch, him promising to do his best to return to her when he could. Harry and Hermione had thanked Bill and Fleur for putting them up, only to have them invite all three of them to return when their mission was completed. Luna had begged to return to Hogwarts, back to Neville, only for Harry to turn her down, saying it was too dangerous for her since the Carrows had already kidnapped her.
Of course, this hadn't stopped Luna. She had crept out of Shell Cottage in the dead of the night, only for Hermione to discover that she was missing the next morning. Harry had sent immediate word to Neville through Professor McGonagall. There was instant relief when she reported back an hour later that Luna had safely made it to Hogwarts and was hiding out with the rest of the student population. Harry had been livid that she hadn't listened but understood all too well how it felt to be separated from Hermione. He didn't know if he could bear it.
Other than that episode, life at Shell Cottage remained unchanged. Dean spent all his time fighting during Remus' training sessions so he could be ready for the final battle, whenever it came about. Ollivander was still exceedingly sick and Harry worried daily that he wasn't going to make it. Griphook was the only other inhabitant of the cottage and now that he was well, the four of them would be leaving.
Hermione finally shoved her plate away, clearly tired of pretending to eat a meal. Harry reached out and stroked the side of her neck with his knuckles. She visibly calmed so he repeated the action again. She leaned against him and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders to hold her close. Ron glared at their show of affection.
"We're going to do this. Confidence is key," Harry told them. The glare fell from Ron's face and both he and Hermione nodded. He looked up to meet his friend's gaze.
"I know you still aren't happy with me and I understand that. I just ask that you understand my point as well. We're about to go out into a life or death situation and we need to all know that we have each other's backs," Harry said, hoping that this would let the redhead put his anger aside if for nothing but the mission. Ron nodded his head again.
"I'm not mad, Harry, I told you that. I just never thought you'd use an Unforgivable. It's more that I'm worried I don't know you anymore. I'll put it aside for the mission, I promise. I have both your backs," the redhead reassured him. Harry gave him a smile and tipped his head in understanding.
"Well, I think it's time to get this show on the road. Griphook has been waiting on us outside since he didn't want to eat. Let's kill another horcrux," he said firmly. Hermione rose to her feet, as did Ron, and Harry followed suit. Harry made sure that his Draco's wand was tucked up his sleeve and saw that his friends were doing the same. They walked outside into the bright sunshine to see Griphook standing on the beach waiting for them. His face was turned up and a small smile on his face, absorbing the sunshine. Not that Harry could blame him. Who knew how long he had been in Malfoy's dungeon? As they approached, the goblin spoke.
"You know that what we're doing is dangerous. The goblins will sense my magic if they see you so we must steer clear of them. If you are discovered, they will kill you, Dark Lord be damned," the goblin warned them. All three of them nodded solemnly. Griphook looked to Harry.
"You need to apparate us there. Right inside the doors. Since you're holding onto me, it'll get you past the guards. Nobody else can breach the wards since they wouldn't dare to touch a goblin," he explained. Hermione reached out and hugged him, startling him.
"Thank you for helping us, Griphook, for risking your own life. It means a lot. We won't forget our end of the deal either," she confirmed. Since the goblin was clearly uncomfortable with her brand of physical affection, Harry gently pulled her off Griphook. She blushed lightly as she came to his side again. Griphook gave a brief nod to show that he was ready and Harry reached out to take hold of Griphook's hand. Hermione's found the other and Ron grasped hold of his forearm on Griphook's side.
With a crack, they were gone.
Harry landed them just inside the doors of Gringotts, just as instructed. Griphook didn't even give them a chance to let go before he was using his own magic to make them invisible. Hermione had been leery of the method, thinking instead they should use disillusionment charms or polyjuice potion. Griphook, however, pointed out the Thief's Downfall would end all spells and enchantments. After Hermione admitted that she didn't have any other ideas, they decided to let Griphook use his magic.
Hermione and Ron faded before his eyes and he hurried to reach out and hold onto them. Griphook had been clear that they couldn't see any other goblins so he started to lead them to a side door just to their right. He opened it and let them in, only for Harry to realize that it was a private entrance to obtaining a cart. Griphook must have felt his question because he spoke softly.
"Most everyone but the extremely wealthy use the public entrance to the carts. This entrance is used for the Malfoys mostly now. When you fully inherit the Potter fortune, you'll be afforded the use of this room as well. I believe that the Blacks used it at one point, as did the Notts," he explained, leading them over to minecart.
Harry helped Hermione in first, then stepped in next to her. Ron settled against his other side while Griphook made sure to take the helm. Hermione's hand clutched his tightly and he raised their fists to his lips so he could kiss her knuckles. She smiled at him gratefully but turned forward again.
The trip down to the bowels of the bank took almost ten minutes. There were loud roars all around them and they passed through the Thief's Downfall with no problems. When the cart finally came to a halt, they realized that they were standing at an unloading station that gave them access to ten different vaults. Currently, there was nobody else that so Griphook took that opportunity to speak.
"These vaults belong to the most ancient of families. Malfoy, Nott, Potter, Lestrange, Black, the list goes on. Even Prince. Lestrange's is number seven," he informed them. Harry took charge and headed in that direction, knowing that the sooner they got the job done, the sooner they could leave. Escaping was still going to be a challenge. Griphook stepped forward and laid his hand on the door, the series of unlocking mechanisms inside releasing and grinding against each other. When the door swung open, all four of them rushed inside and closed the vault door all but a crack. Harry wondered briefly if they would be able to get out without a goblin to open the door from the outside.
"I can feel it, there's definitely one in here," Harry said suddenly, his scar shooting searing pain to his brain. "Be careful, though, it wouldn't surprise me if that crazy bitch booby trapped this whole vault," he ordered them.
Hermione split away from himself and Ron, heading in the direction of a large collection of cups, while he and his best mate went to row of swords together. He could see the replica of Gryffindor's Sword hanging proudly above the others. Harry just grinned to himself; too bad it was a fake. Since Griphook had no idea what they were looking for, he stayed close to the door to keep an eye out. After five minutes of searching, Hermione let out a triumphant yell.
"Harry, come check out this cup! It looks like Hufflepuff's Cup!" she exclaimed. Harry hurried over to her side and he could feel the insidious intent within. Since she wasn't holding it, he reached out and grasped the handle, just to make sure that it felt like the others. The darkness swirled around him when he touched it and he nodded grimly.
"This is one of them. We found it, now let's get out of here," he told them, heading for the door. However, Ron being lanky and a bit clumsy caused him to knock his knee into a shield that was laying halfway in their path. It instantly copied itself and Ron leapt back in pain, examining a hole in his jeans when it had touched him.
"That burned the shite out of me!" he called out. Harry, though, wasn't worried about the burn. He was worried about the growing pile of shields. One of them got too close to Hermione and burned her on the leg. She yelped in pain and Harry jerked her out of the way of the rest of the shields. This caused him to bump into a large trunk of galleons, meaning all the galleons multiplied and spilled down over his shoe.
"Let's get the fuck out of here!" Harry screamed at them. Hermione and Ron were quick to follow his lead. He knew that they weren't being even remotely careful about what they were touching now but it made no nevermind. His only goal was to get out and as quickly as possible. When they reached Griphook's side, he hurriedly cast his magic over them once more and led them out into the clearing. However, they were no longer alone.
Two goblins stood before them, angry looks on their faces. There were two other carts parked outside now and it was clear that their screams had been heard. With a wave of his hand, one of the goblins ended Griphook's magic and the Trio was visible once more. The older goblin turned to Griphook.
"You'll die for this betrayal," he spat. Harry lunged forward to stop the goblin but it was too late. A sword almost as long as the Sword of Gryffindor shot out from the goblin's side and went through Griphook completely. The trio watched in horror as the goblin pulled out his sword and cleaned it on his pants. He turned to the Trio while the other goblin pulled out some sort of device from his pocket and began speaking their language into it. It was clear that he was calling more goblins. Harry pulled his wand and tried to reason with the goblin that had his sword pointed at the three of them.
"We only took one thing, we have to have it to kill You-Know-Who. You can't do this to us when we're trying to help," he said sternly. However, the goblin just laughed.
"We don't care that you're Harry Potter. We don't care about the matters of the wizarding world, just our own. We don't care if he rules or not," the goblin spat out. Harry looked at him as though he couldn't believe how stupid he was.
"He's going to kill your kind because he considers you a beast, just like house elves. Like werewolves. He'll keep you alive for as long as it takes for you to stop being useful," Harry countered. There were no more arguments because twenty more goblins arrived, all with weapons drawn. Harry quickly decided that the best defense was a good offence. Therefore, he started shooting spells at the goblins, doing his best to make sure that he only injured them rather than kill them.
There was no escape, though. They were slowly being backed up to a balcony that led to the dragon enclosure underneath. The dragon was livid, jumping all over the place even though it was chained. Bouts of flame burst from its mouth, managing to burn Ron on the arm and several of the goblins. Even more goblins filled the dais and Harry knew that they were doomed.
Suddenly, Hermione turned from the goblins and leaned over the railing to shoot a spell at the dragon. He wondered what she was up to but couldn't afford to pull the attention from his foes. However, he caught her out of the corner of his eye, jumping over the railing. He yelled in terror, rushing to rail to make sure that she wasn't dragon food.
The sight before him reminded him just how fierce his mate really was.
Hermione was sitting astride a Merlin-be-damned dragon and she was sending reducto curses to the chains that held it in place. She yelled for them to hurry and jump and Harry wasted no time in following after her. Ron was quickly on his heels, all three of them perched on the dragons back. Hermione shot another spell at the dragon's backside and Harry watched as the dragon unfolded it's wings. With a mighty heave, the beast lurched itself up into the air and for the first time in who knows how long, felt freedom.
The dragon soared right past the goblins, flying through the cart tracks as if they were nothing, as if he wasn't sorely out of practice. Harry leaned over Hermione as they hunched down as low as they could when the dragon exploded through the ceiling of the tunnels, the floor of the bank. He felt a long cut on his back but seemed fine otherwise. Through the ceiling of the bank they went next until finally, they were free.
The dragon let out a mighty roar and Harry sat up and started cheering once they were past Diagon Alley borders. There was no stopping them now. They had two more horcruxes to find and destroy, this current one to destroy, and for the first time in months, Harry was optimistic. The dragon let out another roar of approval at his newfound freedom.
Soon, hopefully, they'd all be enjoying freedom.
-O-
Hermione wasn't sure how long they rode the dragon over the countryside, though the light had already faded from the sky. It was when Hermione heard splashing underneath them that she realized that they needed to dismount the dragon and into a body of water was likely to be their best bet. She had no idea where they were but it was the best chance they had of dismounting and not being eaten by the dragon. She turned back to the two boys behind her and gestured wildly to beneath them.
"There's a body of water beneath us. We need to jump!" She didn't wait for either of them to tell her it was a bad idea. She threw herself to the side, knowing that they would follow if she took the plunge first. The sensation of falling caused her to scream, she simply couldn't help herself. Her body slammed into the water painfully and she realized that they had been higher than she realized. She struggled to kick her feet in the freezing water in order to break through the surface of the water. She felt the percussion through the water as Harry and Ron hit the surface and she knew that they would soon resurface with her.
Hermione gasped for air when she reached the surface. The water was freezing, making it hard to breathe, let alone move, but she was determined to tread water until she knew for sure that Harry and Ron were going to surface. Moments later, both heads popped above the water and she waited patiently as they caught their breath. She could just barely make out Ron's glare aimed in her direction.
"Hermione, you're fucking crazy! You're going to get us killed!" he yelled at her. Hermione was instantly offended.
"Fuck you, Ron, if it weren't for me being crazy we would have died in Gringotts!" she screamed back, her voice going shrill. Harry got between them and glared at Ron.
"Back off, Ron. She got us out of the bank alive. We needed to get off the bloody dragon and you know that we were going to be dragon food once it landed. Yes, it was crazy to jump from that height but right now we're operating on a 'do what we have to to survive' agenda," he snarled. Ron sighed heavily and nodded his head, starting to swim for the land off in the distance. Hermione started after him, her limbs already numb. She was starting to shiver and noticed that Harry was as well. It took them quite some time to make their way to the shore, at least 20 minutes. Once she finally crawled up on the rocky bank, she was exhausted. She pulled her wand from the holster on her arm and instantly cast a drying charm followed by a warming charm. She noticed that Harry and Ron were both doing the same thing. It didn't make her warm by any means but it certainly made her less cold.
"We have to work together and get along. We can't let the little things tear us apart now when the end is getting close," Hermione stated as she pulled her beaded bag from around her neck. She reached in and started pulling out clothes, throwing them at both boys. Both boys started to strip so they could put clothes with warming charms on them, making sure they warmed up further. Hermione gestured for Ron to turn around so she could do the same. Harry's eyes flared with lust as she stood there naked but she glared at him until he dropped his gaze. Now was certainly not the time for them to get distracted with each other. After they were all re-dressed, Hermione stuffed their old clothes back in her bag.
"Shall we try apparating back to Shell Cottage?" Hermione asked. However, before she could receive an answer, Harry dropped to his knees with a shout, clutching his scar. Hermione was instantly at his side, drawing his head into her lap so she could keep him from thrashing around and hitting his head. She knew exactly what was happening after witnessing Harry getting flashes of Voldemort's mind while they had been at Grimmauld Place. Ron stood to the side and watched while Hermione stroked his face softly and murmured encouragement until he finally stopped. Harry was panting heavily and Hermione grabbed her bag to reach inside and summon a pain potion. She held it to Harry's lips and he drank it without question. After a few minutes, he smiled up at her as he started to sit up.
"THanks, kitten, I needed that. Bad news. The Dark Lord knows what we were in Gringotts for and he knows that we have it. He's sent his Death Eaters to go check on each horcrux which means that we have no time to waste. The last one aside from his great bloody snake in the Diadem of Ravenclaw and it's at Hogwarts. I saw a room full of junk that I've only seen once before. It's somewhere inside and I know for a fact that he's going to send Severus for it. His plans were very finite," he revealed. Hermione sat back and thought for several seconds. Yes, Severus Snape was on their side but would he deliver it to the Dark Lord knowing that it would keep them from destroying him just to make sure that his position wasn't revealed yet? It wasn't a chance they could take.
"This is it. We have to go to Hogwarts and once he realizes that we're there, he's going to come. It's going to the Final Battle. We have no time to prepare aside from a few hours. It's going to be down and dirty but it's going to happen tomorrow at the latest. Merlin, what a disaster," she breathed, the realization heavy on her shoulders. Harry threw an arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple.
"You're right, of course, you always are. We need to get into Hogwarts without being detected. The only way I can think of is the secret passage under Honeydukes," Harry said, clearly thinking hard about it. Ron shook his head.
"We can't. All the secret passages have been blocked off, you remember McGonagall telling us that. We need to figure out how Neville and McGonagall have been sneaking out for meetings," Ron rebuffed him. Harry nodded, making the decision.
"Yes, you're right, I completely forgot. Let's head to The Hog's Head. Aberforth will be there and we can ask him. He must know," Harry decided. Ron winced slightly.
"I know it's our only chance but we're going to have to be ready to fight. There's a caterwauling charm in place for the whole town of Hogsmeade, remember?" Ron reminded him. Harry nodded.
"I know. We're going to all apparate under the invisibility cloak just outside Aberforth's door. We'll dash in as quickly as we can," Harry stated. Hermione just nodded her agreement. There was little else she could do but go along with the plan that her boys concocted. She took this as her cue to reach into her bag once more and fish out the invisibility cloak, throwing it to Harry. He threw it over himself and gestured for the pair of them to join him. It didn't cover their feet anymore, mostly since Harry had grown so much since him becoming an alpha. However, it was better than nothing. Hermione gave Harry a side hug as he grabbed Ron's arm and pulled them into apparition.
The trio appeared just outside of The Hog's Head and the wailing could be heard throughout the town. They scrambled to the door and beat on it as loudly as they could. It was only a minute later that it was jerked open by Aberforth and Harry muscled his way inside. Hermione hurriedly slammed the door while Aberforth stood there, completely surprised. He seemed to gather himself and ushered them into a small room that was clearly his sitting room that was located behind the bar. They didn't even get to exchange words before there was more beating on his door. Aberforth glared at them as he started back. Hermione could hear him wrench the door open.
"We know you have whoever apparated in, just hand them over now and we won't kill ya," an unknown voice demanded. Hermione drifted over to Harry to hold onto his arm tightly, unsure if they were going to have to fight their way out of this predicament. Aberforth's voice drifted through the empty bar.
"Nobody apparated in, you great lout. I put my bloody cat outside. The bitch is in heat and was driving me crazy with her constant yowling. She's probably in the forest by now," the last Dumbledore sneered.
"We don't believe you. We need to search your bar," the person demanded. Aberforth stepped aside and Hermione could hear whoever it was ransacking the bar. Harry hurriedly threw the cloak back over them and they huddled on the floor so it would cover their feet. Hermione tried her best not to shake in fear but Harry squeezing her hand let her know that he could feel her. Two Death Eaters entered the sitting room and one of them cast a homenum revelio, only for it to read that only two people were present. Hermione tightened her grip on Harry when the older one spoke.
"Potter has an invisibility cloak. Accio invisibility cloak!" Hermione had to restrain herself from a sigh of relief when the cloak didn't so much as twitch. Aberforth appeared behind them, glaring heatedly.
"What the fuck did I tell ya? Nobody here. I put my damn cat outside. Now that you've searched and are assured that there is nobody else here, I'd kindly ask you to get the fuck out of my bar," he demanded. The younger Death Eater looked as though he wanted to stay and complain but the older one nodded his head and turned, leaving the sitting room completely. They remained under the cloak until Aberforth returned alone. Harry pulled the cloak from them and Aberforth just glared at them.
"What in the bloody fuck are you three doing here? Aren't you supposed to be working on your mission?" Harry stood and helped Hermione to her feet as he nodded.
"Yes, we accomplished our mission. We successfully removed the item we needed from Bellatrix Lestrange's vault at Gringotts. However, that left us with a problem. The Dark Lord knows what our mission is now and he's gathering the objects to him. There is only his snake and one object at Hogwarts left. We have to get to the one in Hogwarts before he can," Harry explained. Aberforth raised an eyebrow at him.
"Are these items keeping him anchored to the land of the living?" he asked solemnly. Harry nodded.
"Yes," Harry answered simply. Aberforth exhaled sharply and nodded.
"Alright, I understand now. You have to get into Hogwarts and quick before the Carrows get ahold of that item. The only way in or out is through here," Aberforth revealed. He moved to the large portrait of a young girl. She shared features with Aberforth, even in his old age. Hermione remembered the story she read about in the book she had picked up from Bathilda Bagshot's house on the life of Dumbledore. This had to be the sister that ended up dead when Aberforth, and Gellert Grindelwald had argued with Albus.
"This is my sister, Ariana. Behind her portrait is a tunnel that leads to Hogwarts. Once you're there, let young Neville know that the Final Battle is upon us and to begin sending the younger students through. I'll contact the Order and let them know that they need to head this way in the next hour," Aberforth offered. Harry nodded his agreement.
Aberforth swung the portrait open and gestured for them to climb into the tunnel behind it. Once they were all inside, crude lamps along the way lit obediently. The grizzled old man before them gave a resolute nod and closed it behind them. Harry pulled his wand and led the way, picking his way carefully through the loose rocks. Hermione was in the middle, wand also held aloft, while Ron brought up the rear. Hermione briefly wondered what time it was but had a feeling that it was close to midnight or after. They had spent more time than they had planned talking to Aberforth.
They walked for what seemed like an hour and Hermione was never more thankful than when they came to another portrait. It appeared to be of a young Godric Gryffindor and he raised an eyebrow at them. The three came to a half.
"What's the password?" the portrait asked. Hermione groaned loudly and the portrait looked at her curiously. "Do you not know the password?" he asked. Hermione shook her head.
"No, we weren't given a password. We really need to get through though. The outcome of the war depends on it," she informed young Godric. The portrait turned his gaze to Harry.
"You're Harry Potter?" he inquired.. Harry nodded.
"My many-great's-grandson. I've waited a long time to meet you. Ever since Dumbledore told me that the prophecy regarding you and Tom Riddle had been activated. After I demanded to speak to you, the Headmaster put me in the Room of Hidden Things. Young Longbottom found me and put me here to guard the way into the castle. I will let you pass but any others that come through must know the password. For future reference, it's 'sweet omega', after my own omega," Godric revealed. Harry nodded at him gratefully.
"Thank you for letting me pass. Hopefully we can bring this war to an end today," Harry thanked him. Godric nodded.
"You will persevere. Remember, you've already defeated him four times. Be strong and draw strength from your omega. LIve for her," he advised him. "Don't forget that my Sword will come when called. You are the Gryffindor heir," the portrait reminded him. Harry gave another nod and Hermione filed that information away in case they needed it later.
Harry reached out and swung the portrait open, waiting for the mass of students to realize that they were no longer alone. There were hammocks with banners separating boys from girls and houses from each other. Some were studying quietly while others played exploding snap, clearly trying to pass their time away in confinement. Hermione could see Neville moving through the groups, talking quietly to them, obviously making sure that they were all okay. Harry, after a full minute of not being noticed, finally spoke.
"This is quite the welcoming committee," he stated drolly. Everyone's heads came up and stared at him incredulously. It was silent for a few moments before the entire Room of Requirement burst into loud applause. Hermione sighed next to Harry, his hand still held her close.
This was going to be a long night.