In Perpetuum

Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Imperio

With one final flourish of her wand, Hermione was able to slip the sword of Godric Gryffindor into her beaded bag. She held in a deep breath as she took hold of Dumbledore’s outstretched and awaiting arm.

The feeling of nausea and light-headedness seemed oddly familiar although Hermione had not experienced it for many years. It was accompanied by that bone-crushing feeling that, and no-matter how many times Hermione was subjected to it, she could never get used to.

In what felt like less than a second later, Hermione was able to right herself and proceeded to walk alongside Dumbledore, down Diagon Alley.

Despite the setting sun, there was just enough to make out the shop windows. Their owners were in the midst of covering up displays and putting up ‘CLOSED’ signs.

In all the time Hermione had spent in Diagon Alley, she had never quite gotten over the beauty of it and majestic quality it had. However, tonight they had a plan to follow, and for the sake of those she loved and those she had grown to love, Hermione had to see it through, and see it through properly.

The pair made it to the end of the Alley and were faced with the vivid white marble stairs of Gringotts Wizarding Bank.

With the greatest sense of trepidation, Hermione ascended the stairs. The goblin that was standing out the front bowed low as they entered.

Before a second goblin bowed them into the marble hall, Hermione caught the final few lines engraved onto the silver doors.

‘Thieves you have been warned, beware

Of finding more than treasure there’

Hermione unconsciously shivered at that bit. Whilst her body no longer had any scars due to her last epic jaunt through Gringotts, her mind still remembered clearly, and she felt faint prickles where the white-hot metal had burned through her clothes.

Without the knowledge that she was doing it, Hermione held her breath as she and Dumbledore proceeded through the marble hall of the bank. She felt as if the goblins knew exactly what they were up to, and were just waiting to catch them red-handed, despite the fact that not one of them would be able to see Hermione. She was under the protection of a disillusionment charm that Dumbledore had cast whilst they were back at Hogwarts.

Dumbledore strode over to one of the unoccupied goblins and recited his well-practised lines.

“We are here to make a withdrawal from the vault of Dumbledore.”

The goblin gave the Professor an odd look before speaking, almost callously.

“No one has been in that vault for decades. Not since the death of Kendra.”

“I thought it about time I sorted a few things out,” said Dumbledore cheerfully, despite the mention of his, now deceased, mother.

“Right,” said the goblin, staring right through the invisible Hermione, “well then, follow me.”

Together, the goblin and Dumbledore climbed into one of the Gringotts carts. Hermione followed behind rather closely, not wanting to be left behind.

The cart whipped and turned, moving deeper and deeper. The vaults of the Dumbledore family must have been very old and very well-protected to be down here.

Finally the cart came to a rest and Hermione, feeling slightly ill, followed Dumbledore and the goblin to the door of the vault.

The goblin pressed a finger to the door, and Hermione watched as it melted away at his touch.