𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙧

chapter 2

talia underestimated the struggle it would be to get to bellatrix's vault, which felt as if it was in the dungeons of the bank. twists and turns pushed her and everyone else in the cart around as her and hermione clung onto each other, desperate to hold on. wind pushed their hair back , them squinting in the distance to their fast speed. griphook took the lead, steering them in the right direction. the small goblin harry had charmed sat in the back, not a clue of what was going on.

harry looked down at a sudden stream of water passed them. he began to worry if the tracks were broken.

"what is that, griphook?" he yelled over the wind. brakes squeaked as griphook struggled with an answer.

"griphook!" harry yelled as they approached another waterfall. this time, instead of beneath them, it was on the top. they reluctantly went through it, everyone in the cart becoming soaked.

brakes haulted them to a sharp stop. it was silent besides their heavy breathing and water flowing before everyone was dropped from the cart suddenly.

talia let out a scream, hermione following. she was ready to hit the ground with immense impact before hermione shouted "aresto momentum", causing them to come to a small stop and fall just a couple inches from the ground.

"well done, hermione." harry thanked.

talia was pissed. she pushed herself up off of the ground, her hair dripping wet and panting from anticipation.

"i am going to murder bellatrix when i see her." she mumbled, knowing the woman was the only reason they were in this position. she then went to help hermione up when she saw her new appearance.

"oh, hermione. you're you again." she said. she gave her a hug, realizing this is the first she's seen the real hermione since their initial departure from malfoy manor.

"the thief's downfall. washed away all enchantments. can be deadly." griphook informed the group.

"you don't say. just out of interest, is there any other way out of here?" ron remarked.

"no." griphook said solemnly.

talia noticed the small goblin harry charmed approaching them. he looked angry.

"what the devil are all you doing down here? thieves! when you gave up the keys, you-"

"imperio!" ron struck the goblin, causing him to stop talking.

silence grew among the group again before a roar was heard in the distance. tal grabbed ahold of her wand a gripped it.

"that doesn't sound good." ron had announced. him, talia, hermione and harry slowly approached where the sound was coming from. as they turned a corner, they saw a giant dragon resting with a chain around its neck that looked broken.

"bloody hell. that's a ukrainian iron belly." ron whispered in fear.

the dragon perked it's head up and shot it towards the group. talia noticed the chain around it's neck and felt a pull to her stomach. she wondered whether it was kept prisoner or actually loyal to the bank.

"here." griphook handed something to ron, though talia didn't see what it was. she was too busy being worried about the huffing and growling dragon before her.

hermione let out a shriek.

griphook began shaking something in his hand, causing a noise to sound almost like a cowbell expell. ron followed him as the dragon breathed a huff of fire, then carefully hid in a corner in fear.

"it's been trained to expect pain when it hears the noise." griphook explained. hermione shook her head.

"that's barbaric." she said.