the hallows - f. weasley

- c h a p t e r - n i n e t e e n -

 Gemma stood stiffly next to Harry as Hermione–in the disguise of Bellatrix Lestrange walked out of Shell Cottage, Griphook at her side.

This was part of the plan. Bellatrix wasn't actually Bellatrix–rather Hermione, who had drunk Polyjuice potion. Gemma had kept telling Hermione that she herself would go instead of her as Bellatrix, but the Granger girl was using the woman's wand now, so it only made sense.

"She tasted disgusting, worse than Gurdyroots! Okay, Ron, come here so I can do you..." Hermione said in a low voice that resembled Bellatrix's.

"Right, but remember, I don't like the beard too long—"

"Oh, for heaven's sake, this isn't about looking handsome—"

"It's not that, it gets in the way! But I liked my nose a bit shorter, try and do it the way you did last time."

Gemma watched as Hermione sighed and started to change Ron's entire appearance.

"Gem, do you have that hair potion?" Hermione whispered after working for a while.

Gemma passed over the phial and waited quietly next to Harry and Griphook, with whom she would be hiding under the Invisibility Cloak.

"There," Hermione finally said, "how does he look, Harry, Gem?"

Gemma snorted lightly as she stared at Ron's new face–long brown wavy hair and a beard and moustache kind of suited him, but she did miss his signature freckles that normally surrounded his now short nose.

"Well, he's not my type, but he'll do," Harry commented–making Gemma chuckle. "Shall we go, then?"

The four teenagers glanced back at the cottage silently before walking to where the Fidelius Charm stopped working, and they would be able to Disapparate.

As soon as they reached that spot, Griphook spoke, "I should climb up now, Harry Potter, I think?"

Gemma glanced at Harry in concern as he allowed Griphook to climb onto his back.

Her hand went to the sword around her waist. Griphook had, for some reason, decided that Gemma was the one who should hold the Sword of Gryffindor. Harry and Gemma had both fought the goblin on it–but in the end, Gemma was the wielder of his prize.

Gemma bit her lip nervously as she looked over at Hermione. She pulled the Invisibility Cloak out of the beaded bag (which, like the badass she was, Hermione had hidden in her sock and boot before the Snatchers had grabbed it) and tossed it over the three.

Hermione knelt in front of the three, muttering, "Perfect. I can't see a thing."

Harry slipped his hand into Gemma's–giving her one last anxious look before he Disapparated them away.

Gemma was gazing up at the Leaky Cauldron as soon as her feet touched the ground again–a pain filling her chest as she stared at it. This was the entrance into Diagon Alley–a place that had pulled her in after she found out she was a witch and had become a special location in her heart. But it looked nearly deserted as she, Harry, and Griphook slipped in after Hermione and Ron–both still in their disguises.

"Madam Lestrange," Tom, the barkeep, nodded at Hermione as she passed him.

"Good morning," Hermione replied, and Gemma grimaced as she saw Tom stare after her in confusion.

"Too polite," Harry leaned over to Hermone–whispering as they passed into the tiny backyard. "You need to treat people like they're scum!"

"Okay, okay!" Hermione gasped–looking beyond stressed as she tapped Bellatrix's wand on the brick wall, activating it to open and let them into Diagon Alley.