as we reappear Hermione, as Bellatrix, steps to the mouth of the alley to see if the coast is clear. a warlock passes.
"Madam Lestrange." the warlock says
"good morning." Hermione says cheerfully
the warlock eyes her oddly then continues on. as Hermione retreats back into the alley, Griphook emerges from the shadows, his voice harsh and mocking.
"good morning? good morning? you're Bellatrix Lestrange not some dewy-eyed schoolgirl!" Griphook says
"hey. easy." Ron growls
"she gives us away and we might as well slit our own throats with the sword. understand?" Griphook says
"he's right. i was being stupid." Hermione admits
Harry pulls the Invisibilty Cloak from his coat, tosses it to Ron.
"c'mon. lets do it." Harry says
a gust of wind blows past us hauntingly. Griphook clambers onto Harry's back. as Ron pitches the cloak over them...they vanish.
a vast marble hall. a long counter. Goblins perched on high stools. wizard guards positioned throughout. as we enter, wind whistles through the doorway, sending the pages of the goblin's massive ledgers trembling. as the door closes, the room returns to its eerie silence. Hermione, a few feet ahead of Ron and i, glances back at us. i nod and she steps to the long counter, where an aged goblin scribbles in his ledger.
"identification." the goblin mumbles
"i hardly think that will be necessary." Hermione says
i made my eyes go hard and i arched my brow, just as my mother does, trying to make the scene look more realistic, trying to make the goblins believe.
"Madam Lestrange! dear me! how may i help you today?" the goblin asks startled
"i wish to enter my vault." Hermione says shakily
"i see. very well. excuse me, won't you?" the goblin slips off his stool, goes to consult with another, even more ancient goblin.
"i don't like to be kept waiting." Hermione's tone is harsh, authoritative. she turns to Ron, raises an eyebrow. he nods and mouths 'well done', then looks away, eyeing the guards stationed about the room. one looks up and meets his gaze.
"next." the older goblin says
"they're with me." Hermione says "as difficult as that may be to imagine."
i frown and take in the scene. the scratch of goblin quills seems to grow louder. i eye the guard who seems to be looking at us harder. Ron runs a finger under his collar. i shift my eyes to the aged goblin who continues to consult with the one known as Bogrod. Bogrod says something and they both glance at Hermione.
Harry and Griphook, who are stationed in between me and Ron, begin talking.
"they know." Griphook says
i stiffen and swallow hard. i turn slightly toward the empty spot to my right.
"what do you mean?" i ask
"they know she's an imposter! they've been warned!" Griphook whispers
i look back at the two goblins and Hermione.
"Madam Lestrange. would you mind presenting your wand?" Bogrod asks
"and why should i do that?" Hermione asks nervously
just then, the guard across the room begins to walk towards us. Ron's eyes dance wildly. he glances to the empty spot, his eyes adverting between there and me.
"Harry, what do we do? Harry...?" Ron asks
no response. i extend my hand, as casually as i can, and find only an empty space.
"its the bank policy. I'm sure you understand, given the current climate." Bogrod says with a sly tone
"no, i most certainly do not understand-" Hermione begins
sensing Harry's presence, she falters, her own voice emerging through Bellatrix's. Bogrod eyes her intently. "I'm afraid I must insist."
as the guard closes on Ron and i, Ron looks about frantically, reaching for his wand when a gust of wind fills the Hall, sending the ledgers trembling again. the guard approaching us shifts his gaze briefly to the entrance, as does the two goblins. none see Harry's hand slip from the cloak, his wand pointed at Bogrod.
"imperio" Harry whispers
the door glides shut. the wind dies. Bogrod blinks.
"very well, Madam Lestrange. if you will follow me." Bogrod says
"but...Bogrod, there have been special instructions regarding the Lestrange vault." the aged goblin says
"I'm fully aware of that. I'm also aware that the Lestrange's are one of our oldest and most respected families." Bogrod says
"yes, sir, but our instructions are very specific-" the old goblin begins
"-let me be specific with you, Ricbert. i've run this bank for forty-five years, long before anyone had ever heard of a Death Eater. the day may come that they feel they can run this place better than me, but that day has not yet arrived. am i understood!" Bogrod shouts
the aged goblin hesitates, then nods. Bogrod turns to Hermione.
"Madam, if you will, i will escort you myself." Bogrod turns to the guard "Teffington, see to that door, will you?"
the guard glances at Ron and i, then reluctantly heads for the entrance. Ron and i quickly fall in line behind Hermione as Bogrod leads us out of the hall.
YOU ARE READING
True Love Conquers All (sequel to Loving You)
Fanfictionsequel to Loving You the last installment of the Draco Malfoy Love Story Series the one thing that i will always remember about my father is the story he would tell me every night before bed of a forbidden love between two people. a man and a woman...
