Ethereal ✭Fred Weasley✭

96.

The screams that belonged to Hermione continued upstairs while Pettigrew returned to the cell to retrieve Griphook. The Goblin was taken away to apparently identify a goblin-made sword that a Snatcher had said he found in the possession of Hermione. While this was happening, Ron and Harry came up with a plan in order to escape from the cell and save Hermione from Bellatrix's torture.

"Dobby," Harry called and the Elf himself appeared not a moment later.

"Harry Potter!" the Elf cried in glee. "How can I be of service to you sir?"

"Dobby, you can apparate from in here can't you?" Harry questioned.

"Oh yes sir!"

"I need you to apparate everyone to Shell Cottage," Harry ordered, glancing at Luna, Ollivander, Sophia and Fred. "Make sure that they're safe before coming back."

"Wait I can't leave yet," Sophia butted in and stood up from beside Fred. "I need to grab my map. I know where it is."

"I can grab it for you," Ron suggested.

"No, I have to grab it. It doesn't need to burden anyone else at this point," she shook her head and crossed her arms. "I'm staying."

"Fine," Harry gave in and turned back to the waiting Elf. "Can you take everyone else?"

"Yes sir!" Dobby cheered.

"When you're ready sir" Luna stepped forward and Dobby grinned bashfully. Luna helped Ollivander to stand and grabbed hold of Dobby's left hand. Sophia crouched down and hooked Fred's arm around her shoulder, helping him to his feet and leading him towards the Elf's waiting hand. He took a hold of Dobby and Sophia stepped away to stand beside Ron and Harry, looking over the four who looked thankful to leave the cold and shilling cell. Fred met eyes with Sophia and wordlessly nodded at her, transferring a message that he knew she wouldn't have to physically hear.

The four disappeared with a soft pop and the two boys and Sophia were left in the cell, waiting for Pettigrew to come back with Griphook. It took a little while and they had begun to worry that Bellatrix had maybe killed the Goblin out of anger. But Hermione's screams had thankfully stopped and it had become silent upstairs. When the man did return, Harry and Ron were able to ambush him and take his wand. Pettigrew immediately surrendered once the wand was pointed at him and his silvery hand suddenly turned against him. The metal limb latched itself around his throat and he chocked vigorously, Harry attempting to pull it away to save him.

"Blimey, that's unfortunate," Ron mumbled once Pettigrew dropped limply to the floor, eyes staring lifelessly at the ceiling of the cell.

"Must have been You Know Who's way of keeping him loyal," Sophia mentioned and the boys hummed in agreement.

Turning back to the situation at hand, the three turned to the gate of the cell that was now wide open and allowed them to start climbing the stairs. In a flurry of spells and physical punches, Harry was able to retrieve their wands from the floor. Bellatrix hadn't been careful with them and had left them where she had thrown them carelessly, making it easy for the three to be armed once more. Sophia turned to Malfoy and began to duel with him, seeing his parents duel with Harry and Ron.

"Expelliarmus!" Sophia let out the final cry and Draco's wand flew into the air, allowing her to catch it and leave him defenceless. Looking past the boy who now stood there helplessly, she spotted the black side table that sat against the wall. Her Sky map sat on top of it and her heart skipped a beat, finally in the position to destroy it once and for all. Just as she was about to summon it, Bellatrix cried out for attention.

"Drop your wands!" she yelled and the trio turned to see her holding up Hermione with a knife to her throat. The girl stood helplessly and let out small whimpers, the blade ready to sink lower into her jugular and kill her instantly. Harry, Ron and Sophia looked to each other in defeat and let their wands fall to the floor, the clatter being heard once again throughout the room. The Malfoy family stood to the side, looking between Bellatrix and her challengers in anticipation.