Grindelwald's Burden (Books 1-7)

135. The Deathly Hallows

Y/n fell, panting, onto grass and scrambled up at once. They seemed to have landed in the corner of a field at dusk, Hermione was already running in a circle around them, waving her wand.

"Protego Totalum...Salvio Hexia..."

He quickly drew his wand to help her with the enchantments.

"That treacherous old bleeder!" Ron panted, emerging from beneath the Invisibility Cloak and throwing it to Harry. "Hermione, you're a genius, a total genius, I can't believe we got out of that!"

"Cave Inimicum...Didn't I say it was an Erumpent horn, didn't I tell him? And now his house has been blown apart!"

"Serves him right." said Ron, examining his torn jeans and the cuts to his legs. "What d'you reckon they'll do to him?"

"Oh, I hope they don't kill him!" groaned Hermione. "That's why I wanted the Death Eaters to get a glimpse of Harry and Y/n before we left, so they knew Xenophilius hadn't been lying!"

"Luna's life may also have been saved by such an action. But it also has a downside, They will know you are travelling with us for certain now." Y/n said to Hermione.

"Why hide me, though?" asked Ron.

"Because you are supposed to be at home in bed with spattergroit Ron..." Y/n told him.

"They've kidnapped Luna because her father supported Harry! What would happen to your family if they knew you're with him?" Hermione chimed in.

"But what about your mum and dad?"

"They're in Australia." said Hermione and Y/n looked at her. She hadn't spoken about her parents in months. "They should be all right. They don't know anything."

"You're a genius." Ron repeated, looking awed.

"Yeah, you are, Hermione." agreed Harry fervently. "I don't know what we'd do without you."

She beamed, but became solemn at once. "What about Luna?"

"Well, if they're telling the truth and she's still alive..." began Ron.

"Don't say that, don't say it!" squealed Hermione. "She must be alive, she must!"

Y/n wanted to hope that would be the case as well but these days it was hard to be sure of anything.

"Then she'll be in Azkaban, I expect." said Ron. "Whether she survives the place, though...Loads don't..."

"She will." said Y/n not wanting to contemplate the alternative. "Luna is strong willed, much tougher than most think or give her credit for."

"She's probably teaching all the inmates about Wrackspurts and Nargles." Harry said hoping to lighten the mood.

"I hope you're right." said Hermione. She passed a hand over her eyes. "I'd feel so sorry for Xenophilius if..."

"If he hadn't just tried to sell us to the Death Eaters, yeah." said Ron.

Y/n finished with the last of the enchantments now. "Come on let us get the tent up and something to eat."

They put up the tent and retreated inside it, where Ron made them tea. After their narrow escape, the chilly, musty old place felt like home, safe, familiar, and friendly.

"Oh, why did we go there?" groaned Hermione from a chair she and Y/n were sharing after a few minutes' silence. "Harry, you were right, it was Godric's Hollow all over again, a complete waste of time! The Deathly Hallows...such rubbish...although actually..." a sudden thought seemed to have struck her. "He might have made it all up, mightn't he? He probably doesn't believe in the Deathly Hallows at all, he just wanted to keep us talking until the Death Eaters arrived!"