The Key (A Draco Malfoy Love Story)

Chapter 43: Shell Cottage

Amelia's P.O.V
So, we've stayed at Shell Cottage for the night, and Bill and Fleur are very welcoming. Fleur has been trying to heal my leg, but there's only so much she can do about it. She's cured most of it, but it still aches if I walk or run too much, which is unfortunately, because that's exactly what I have to do. From what Bill said, all the Weasley's are fine, but Percy (whom I've never met) is still on the Ministry's side, trying to hand Harry and I in. Harry, Ron, Hermione and I have a suspicion that there is something else in Bellatrix's vault, a Horcrux, for instance. We think this because Bellatrix continuously questioned Hermione on what else she had taken, when we weren't even there in the first place. What really confused me was how the sword ended up on the bottom of a lake in the Forest of Dean, because from what Harry described, someone must've put it there, then cast a patronus. Ron said it was a doe, and I remembered seeing a doe patronus from someone, but I can't think of who it was, which has frustrated me a bit. Oh, and when we were at Malfoy Manor, Luna, Mr Ollivander and Griphook were there too, I really need to be more observant. We need to have a word with both Griphook and Ollivander, about identifying different wands. Also, I really really need to be more observant, because Harry stole Draco's wand, and I didn't see! It was probably because they were behind me, but I'm annoyed with him about that, why couldn't he ue the Snatcher's wand he had?! Seriously! Well, anyway, we have an idea on how to get into Gringotts, but it is, as Draco says "a risky plan." And he said that about breaking into the Ministry. Compared to that, this is basically a death wish. But it's our only chance, and we're taking it, no matter whatChaper 43: Shell cottagea
nyone says, it just has to be done. None of us want to attempt such a thing, however, we don't really get what we want do we? Exactly.

"Thanks, Fleur. I really appriciate it." I thanked Fleur after she had finished curing my wounded leg.

"It iz okay, I'm just zorry I couldn't heal all of it." She replied in her thick french accent. I wrapped my arms around her in a hug which she returned immediately, some of her beautiful blonde hair falling onto my face. We pulled away and she smiled at me, putting her hand on my shoulder.

"Now, I don't know what you're planning, but will you pleaze be careful. Becauze I can only guess what'z going on in that head of yourz." Fleur told me and I let out a tiny laugh.

"Believe me, Fleur. You don't know the half of it, but I promise we will stay safe." I answered with a smile. We continued chatting for a while until Bill called her into the kitchen and I was left to my own devices. I sighed and stood up, shoving the nearest shoes of mine on my feet and slipping a warm jacket on. I pushed the door open and trudged through the silky sand, every step leaving a boot shaped print in the tiny grains. About thirty meters in front of me sat Harry, who had been outside for at least an hour since we buried Dobby. I knelt down next to him and peered over his shoulder, there, placed in his hands was the shard of glass Harry keeps with him at all times. As my eyes set on the glinting glass, that familiar twinkling blue orb appeared on it. Harry and I keep telling Ron and Hermione that it looks just like Dumbledore's eye, but they say it's a load of waffle. The beach looked beautiful from here, the dark blue waters sparkled in the blinding white sun, and the bubbling white horses rode elegantly across the tips of the waves. The wet sand on the shore shone as more water lapped it, polishing the smooth, rounded stones before the liquid rolled back into the ocean. There wasn't one single cloud in the baby blue sky when I looked thoroughly, which made the scenery even more spectacular. I wished I could just stay here, not have to deal with all of this dangerous stuff, just forget about the world. But, reality has to come and ruin that, because we will have to get through this, and we will have to finish it. Reality has it's own way of revenge, even if you've done nothing wrong, it's always there to remind you of what's happening, always there to force you through things. That's reality's revenge, it's worse than pain, it's worse than grief and sorrow, it's the worst kind of revenge ever.

"Are you okay?" I asked, I knew it was an awful question, but it was the first one that came into my head.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine. How're you?" Harry replied, looking at me from his glass.

"Better now that my legs been healed. I've missed being able to run without screaming in pain." I said causing him to chuckle slightly.

"Well that's good, because this plan will almost certainly involve a lot of running." He slipped his shard of mirror in his pocket.

"If I have to run in heels again, Gringott's is going to find themselves a new pair of shoes." I grinned and he smiled, shaking his head at me. Hey, at least he smiled!

"We should get inside, we have to talk to the goblin." Harry concluded and I nodded, pulling myself off the floor and dusting the excess sand off my clothes. I followed Harry back inside the cozy cottage and wiped off my shoes at the bristled mat before stepping into the sitting room. Behind Harry, I walked through the house and into the kitchen, where Luna was stood talking to Bill and Fleur, something about dream catchers?

"Can we see the goblin?" Harry asked simply, Bill nodded and strode out of the room, gesturing for us to follow him. Whilst walking, I shoot a look to Ron and Hermione, silently telling them to come with us. Each pair of feet creaked up the old, narrow stairs that lead to the second floor, where all the bedrooms were located. Bill swung open the white painted door and returned back down the stairs to his wife who was still in the kitchen. I wandered into the room next to Harry and spotted Griphook resting in one of the chairs, his eyes were closed but you could tell he wasn't asleep. He didn't move one single muscle when we entered, however, he knew we were there, obviously. (A/N: Admit it, you read that in Snape's voice, didn't ya!)

"How're you feeling, Griphook?" Hermione asked politely.

"I'm Alive." You don't say?!

"I don't know if you remember when-" Harry was cut off by Griphook.

"The day I brought you to your vault at Gringotts, on your first day at Diagon Alley? You and your sister are famous even within the likes of goblins. Harry and Amelia Potter." The goblin told us, and I didn't really know how to respond to that.

"I presume you buried the elf, Dobby, was his name?" Griphook continued and I nodded as Harry answered with a plain "Yes."

"Also, you brought me here... you, Mr Potter are a very strange wizard." He then nodded to the sword of Gryffindor that was to my left.

"How did you come by this sword?" The goblin continued.

"It's... rather complicated. But the question is, why did Bellatrix think it should've been in her Gringotts vault?" I piped up, standing next to Harry by the window.

"As you say, it's rather complicated."

"We didn't steal the sword, if that's what you think. It presented itself to us when we needed it most." Harry said and Griphook pointed one finger two the shining weapon.

"There is an identical sword to that in Madam Lestrange's vault, but it is a fake. It is goblin-made, you see, so only we can tell which sword is indeed the real one. It was placed this past summer, she could never suspect anything." Griphook explained then everything made sense! See, asking questions does help.

"Who is the acquaintance?" Hermione perked up from near the door.

"A Hogwarts professor. The same professor that is now headmaster." Snape! Snape did it! Why? I thought he was on their side? Why would he swap the swords? Why is this so confusing?

"Snape? He was the one who replaced the swords in Bellatrix's vault? Why would he do that?" Ron asked in disbelief.

"You have no idea how many unusual things there are in the vaults of Gringotts." Griphook said in a voice as quiet as a whisper.

"And in Bellatrix's vault?" I asked after a few seconds.

"Maybe, just maybe there are." The goblin stated.

"Look, we need to get into one particular vault in Gringotts." Harry told him bluntly.

"Impossible."

"On our own, of course. We would get caught instantly. However, if you accompanied us, perhaps we could make it inside." I folded my arms over my chest.

"Why should I, of all people, help you?" Griphook questioned, resting his interlocking hands on his lap.

"We have plenty of gold, you take that." Harry suggested but the goblin only shook his head.

"Gold doesn't serve an interest to me."

"What then?" I asked impatiently, tapping my foot quietly on the ground.

"The price for me helping you, is that. The sword." Griphook concluded, gesturing towards the sword. Harry nodded curtly and Hermione and I thanked the goblin before he exited the room.

"So, do you believe that a Horcrux is hidden in Bellatrix Lestrange's vault?" Hermione whispered, as Bill and Fleur were on the floor directly beneath us, and we didn;t want them to overhear our conversation.

"It's a good possibility, I mean, she was horrified when she thought we were in there. She kept asking what else was taken." I started.

"I'd bet anything that there's a Horcrux in there. If we find and destroy it, we'll be closer to killing him." Harry finished for me.

"What about after we've got it? How in the world are we going to kill it if we've given Griphook the sword of Gryffindor?" Ron questioned and I shrugged.

"One small step at a time, Ron. We still need to figure that out." I told him before we entered Ollivander's room so that he could name some wands for us.