The Deathly Hallows | Hermione Granger x Male Reader (Book Seven)

25. Gringotts

The shuddering thought that Voldemort had come into the possession of the Elder Wand had not left Harry as he laid in bed, experiencing anxious thoughts and doubts as he went over their plan to infiltrate the supposedly safest place to store something in the Wizarding World. At last morning arrived and they began to ready themselves for the great challenge ahead of them.

A small shudder passed Harry when he saw Hermione approach them in her new form - Bellatrix Lestrange.

"It tasted awful." Hermione commented, before getting to work on Ron's new appearance. At last they were done, Harry and Griphook hidden underneath the cloak as the group made their way to their destination.

The bar of the Leaky Cauldron was nearly deserted. Tom was polishing glasses behind the bar counter; a couple of warlocks having a muttered conversation in the far corner glanced at Hermione and drew back into the shadows.

"Madam Lestrange," murmured Tom, and as Hermione paused he inclined his head subserviently.

"Good morning," said Hermione, and as Harry crept past, he saw Tom look surprised.

"Too polite," Harry whispered in Hermione's ear as they passed out of the Inn into the tiny backyard, "you need to treat people like they're scum!"

"Okay, okay!" Hermione drew out Bellatrix's wand and rapped a brick in the wall in front of them. At once the bricks began to whirl and spin: a hole appeared in the middle of them, which grew wider and wider, finally forming an archway onto the narrow cobbled street that was Diagon Alley.

It was quiet, barely time for the shops to open, and there were hardly anyshoppers abroad. The crooked, cobbled street was much altered now from the bustling place Harry had visited before his first term at Hogwarts so many years before. More shops than ever were boarded up, though several new establishments dedicated to the Dark Arts had been created since his last visit.

As they set off along the street, whoever glimpsed Hermione seemed to melt away before her, drawing hoods over their faces and fleeing as fast as they could. Hermione looked after them curiously, until the man with the bloodied bandage came staggering right across her path.

"My children." he bellowed, pointing at her. His voice was cracked, high-pitched, he sounded distraught. "Where are my children? What has he done with them? You know, you know!"

"I-I really-" stammered Hermione. The man lunged at her, reaching for her throat. Then, with a bang and a burst of red light he was thrown backward onto the ground, unconscious. Ron stood there, his wand still outstretched and a look of shock visible behind his beard. Faces appeared at the windows on either side of the street. Their entrance into Diagon Alley could hardly have been more conspicuous; for a moment Harry wondered whether it might not be better to leave now and try to think of a different plan. Before they could move or consult one another, however, they heard a voice from behind them. It was cold and lacked emotion, however it sounded like it came from a boy.

"Bellatrix," the voice spoke, "I wouldn't have thought I'd see you here."

When the group turned they were met with the face of their old friend, although each time they encountered him he looked in poorer condition. His face had dark, prominent eyebags accompanied with a semi-concealed scar slashed across his face whilst his hair scruffy and back to its natural H/C colour. In front of them stood none other than Y/N L/N himself.

Y/N's POV

I stared at the woman that I had murdered not too long ago and knew immediately this was an elaborate plan the others had come up with. After the incident at the Malfoy Manor, I had found myself in a worse state than ever before. When Voldemort arrived and saw the damage alongside the dead corpses he demanded an immediate explanation.