CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
ESCAPE FROM GRINGOTTS

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  It was night. The air was tense around her, but she didn't mind. She sat at the counter with Luna, the only one who wasn't walking on eggshells around Rosalie. The Allen girl thought that she didn't understand the seriousness of her situation, all that she had done, but she wasn't about to decline the company.

    She had a cup of tea in her hands, warming them. The cup was full, seeing as she hadn't taken a sip of it yet. It was made by Fleur, someone who was too kind to her, and Rosalie didn't deserve this cup made with kindness. It felt wrong, really wrong to take a sip of it. She hadn't earned that all.

    "You heard Ollivander. It's Harry's now," she heard Ron say. Rosalie assumed they were talking about wands.

    "But I hate that thing - that's the wand that killed Sirius! How can I hold it and not feel..." Hermione protested.

    "If I can hold it, you can," Harry answered her coldly. Rosalie sighed at that. Everyone knew what happened in their fifth year, what happened with Sirius Black. Everyone knew what happened that night in the Department of Mysteries, especially her. Voldemort had screamed at them for letting go of the prophecy and not bringing Harry to him. Even though Rosalie wasn't there, he still screamed at her.

    There was silence, she assumed Hermione took the wand. "How will we know what it is when we get in there? After all, a horcrux can be anything," she heard Ron ask.

    "I'll know. I can't explain. It's like..." Harry looked for the right words, "...they sing to me."

    Rosalie shivered, there was something off putting by his words. She looked at Luna, who didn't seemed fazed by this. Then again, Luna was never fazed by anything, she thought. She just quietly asked if Rosalie was going to drink her tea. And again, she found herself looking at the cup before shaking her head. She didn't deserve this tea made from kindness. She deserved a tea with poison, with anger...not this. This was too good for her while she was just rotten.

    "That's a bit scary," Ron murmured as Luna took the cup from Rosalie and began to drink it, even though she had just finished her own cup.

    "It is, Harry," Hermione agreed, "Did Dumbledore ever say anything to you, something that might explain why -"

    "No. I just know. When one's near," Harry cut her off. Rosalie felt more guilt. She thought she knew the reason. Her theory was never confirmed, but it was a pretty good one. She just hoped that she was wrong. Really, she did, because she didn't want Harry to die. He was good for the world, and maybe another part was because he was also too kind to her. Wait, no, it's not the time for feelings, Rosalie.

    As Rosalie looked at Luna happily drink her tea, there was a creaking of the floorboard. Panic arose in Rosalie as she sharply turned her head just to see Bill and Fleur, the latter of the two holding a long, black cloak.

    "This is the closest I could find to what you described, Hermione," she said.

    "It's perfect. Thank you, Fleur," Hermione smiled appreciatively. The woman laid the cloak in her hands, then stepped back to her husband.

    "You're leaving, aren't you," it wasn't a question. It was a statement.

    "In the morning, Rosalie's going with us," still with the full name, Harry? No, she had no right to be bitter at the fact that her nickname was left behind. She deserved it, she had betrayed their trust.

    "And Griphook?" Bill questioned.

    "He'll be leaving too," Harry answered again. Rosalie saw Bill nod.

    "Listen, I don't know what you're up to, but I know goblins. If you've struck any kind of bargain with Griphook, you must be exceptionally careful to live up to it. If you don't...he won't be forgiving," the eldest Weasley informed them.

    Again, for the second time that night, Rosalie shivered. The three sat in silence. She saw Luna finish her cup of tea, placing it daintily in the sink. They went to bed, Luna going quickly to sleep while Rosalie tossed and turned for hours.

    She couldn't sleep. She felt too much guilt - felt too much in general - and it was eating her alive. She couldn't do anything but toss and turn and huff and puff until it was morning again and Luna was waking up. The Lovegood girl didn't mention the bags that were dominant under her eyes, thankfully.

    Rosalie freshened up before going down with Luna. Breakfast was quiet until it was time to leave. She stood with Ron and Hermione as Harry mourned Dobby for the last time before they left.

    "The sky has lost a star," Luna said, smiling, "My father used to say that when a child dead. Funny how Mr. Dobby knew exactly where to find us."

    "Yeah. Funny. Listen, Luna, about your father, I don't want you to think I -" Harry was cut off by her.

    "I know you understand why my father did what he did, Harry. That's why we don't need to talk about it," she continued to smile to him as Harry noticed the traveling bag she was carrying.

    "Hogwarts?" she nodded, he continued, "It's not the place you left, you know. It's not the same."

    "Neither am I," Luna whispered. Rosalie's heart broke at that, Luna was always so innocent compared to her - so pure. And now the Malfoy Manor had changed her, she was a different person now. That broke her heart now.

    Luna gave a little wave before Disapparating. She was gone now. "Always good value. I'll miss her," Ron said. Rosalie looked at Ron for the first proper time in his new outfit. He looked so different, she hoped he would never look like that one day. "What d'you think?"

    "Wouldn't know you if I didn't know you," Harry answered. He looked at the mirror shard in his hands, Rosalie looked away. It wasn't any of her business.

    "You want to tell me what that is?" Ron asked his friend the question Rosalie was afraid to.

    "Sirius gave it to me. He had a matching piece," Harry reminisced, "He said if I ever needed him, all I had to do was look into it."

    "You mean he could see you?" the Weasley asked again. Rosalie felt a little bad for eavesdropping, but she was interested, she could blame herself that night.

    "Something like that," Harry nodded, "I don't know. He died before I got to use it. The thing is..."

    "Go on."

    "You'll think I'm mental, but more than once, when I've looked into it - I think I've seen Dumbledore," Harry admitted.

    Yep. Rosalie definitely shouldn't be listening to this conversation because it was too personal and Harry was going too mental. Before she could think about the topic anymore, Hermione appeared looking like Bellatrix. She shivered. It was involuntarily, but she looked just like the woman who killed so many people in front of her - tortured them even more.

    "Bloody hell...that's a sight," Ron breathed, but it wasn't as a romantic gesture. Definitely not one you would give your wife after hours of readying herself for the night.

    "Well, how do I look?" Hermione, looking so much like that killer, asked.

    "Hideous."

    "Oh dear," Hermione began to look at herself after Ron spoke, "I missed a spot, didn't I? Hold still..."

    Rosalie looked away, looking to the sea that was so calming. She wished that she was that calm, but she wasn't. She was frantic, nervous, and felt like throwing up. Guilt was eating her alive too much and she just wanted it to end. She just wanted to stop everything and she couldn't, because she was still breathing. She was still alive...

    "Couldn't do anything about that bit in the back that's always flipping up, couldn't you? Dead annoying -"

    Ron stopped. Rosalie didn't look back at him. "Never mind. I'm good," the readhead dismissed, "That is you in there, isn't it?"

    Harry looked at Griphook, who came with Hermione, "You can give that to Hermione to hold, all right, Griphook?"

    The goblin dropped the sword into Hermione's beaded bag. Joining their hands, they vanished from the beach, a place that Rosalie would miss. It was nice and calm there, a very apparent contrast to her actual state of mind.

    Then they appeared again. Somewhere different, of course. A dark alleyway as a warlock approached them. "Madam Lestrange," he said politely.

    "Good morning!" Hermione replied cheerily, Rosalie rolled her eyes.

    "You can't be that happy," she snapped at Hermione, "Bellatrix is a woman without guilt or joy in her life. She gets a laugh out of torturing children and killing people and she does not show emotions - like happiness, which you have just shown. Therefore, are you trying to get us killed? Because they will kill us all if they find us."

    Hermione looked down guiltily, mumbling a quick apology and promising to do better as Ron flushed. "You don't have to be rude about it," he said.

    "I don't want to die," Rosalie replied simply. "Now come on, if I have to come with you, let's get this over with."

    No one said anything, they just continued to walk. The Invisibility Cloak was barely covering the three people under it; Harry, Rosalie, and the goblin, but it was enough. In all honesty, Rosalie didn't mind being pressed up against him. Then again, she hadn't been the one who had been betrayed, so it made sense if Harry didn't feel the same.

    They walked into Gringotts, going to the banker at the end of the banking hall. "Identification," the goblin said without looking at them.

    "I hardly think that will be necessary," Hermione shakily replied, not comfortable being Bellatrix.

    He looked up then, "Madam Lestrange! Dear me! How may I help you today?"

    "I wish to enter my vault," she commanded, but it was nothing compared to the real one. No, Rosalie knew just how demanding Bellatrix could be.

    "I see. Very well. Excuse me, won't you?" the goblin slipped off his stool, going to speak with another goblin.

    Panicking, Hermione said, "I don't like to be kept waiting." She looked back at Ron, who nodded to comfort her.

    "Next," another goblin commanded.

    "He's with me," Hermione said quickly and then with disdain, "As difficult as that may be to imagine."

    There was silence then as the goblins conversed. Rosalie was panicking, she didn't want to die. Not yet. This was the least heroic way to die, or reason, really. Then she heard Griphook mutter, "They know!"

    Ron stiffened at that, turning slightly to whisper back, "What do you mean?"

    "They know she's an imposter! They've been warned!" Griphook muttered. Oh, how they were dead.

    The goblin returned to see stool and gave a sick smile, "Madam Lestrange. Would you mind presenting your wand?"

    "And why should I do that?" Hermione asked them as a guard across the room began to walk towards them.

    Harry nudged Rosalie to start moving, going to the back to where the goblins were.

    "It's the bank's policy. I'm sure you understand, given the current climate -"

    "No, I most certainly do not understand -" Hermione cut him off, only stopping when she felt their presence near her.

    "I'm afraid I must insist," the goblin nudged her again.

    Harry pointed his wand at the goblin, and a gust of wind was seen in the hall. "Imperio," Harry whispered.

    The goblin blinked, "Very well, Madam Lestrange. If you will follow me."

    "But...Bogrod, there have been special instructions regarding the Lestrange vault," another goblin said.

    "I'm fully aware of that. I'm also aware the Lestranges are one of our oldest and most respected families," Bogrod waved him off.

    "Yes, sir, but our instructions are very specific -"

    "Let me be specific with you, Ricbert. I've run this bank for forty-five years, long before anyone had even heard of a Dead 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!"

    The goblin hesitated before nodding, Bogrod turned back to Hermione. "Madam if you will, I will escort you myself," he turned to the guard, "Teffington, see to that door, will you."

    The guard's eyes went to Ron before reluctantly heading to the entrance. The Weasley quickly fell behind Hermione as they began to be led out of the hall.

    They get inside a train cart. Harry began to talk to Griphook, but Rosalie ignored them. It was so fast, moving so fast, and Rosalie had always hated heights - oh, where they high. She felt like she was going to be sick, and then it happened. They drop, the Allen girl screamed until the stopped, only inches from the ground. Her heart was racing, and then she fully dropped to the ground, the impact being nothing since they weren't falling from so high in the sky.

    They stand up as Harry goes over to Hermione. "Well done. Hey," he studied her, "You look like...you."

    Hermione was soaking wet like the rest of them. "The Thief's Downfall. Washes away all enchantments. Can be deadly," Griphook explained.

    "You don't say," Ron sarcastically said, "Just out of interest...is there any other way out of here?"

    "No."

    Before they could ask anymore questions, Bogrod yelled, "What the devil are you all doing down here?"

    They see the goblin in angry confusion as the curse wore off. "We need him!" Griphook yelled.

    "If this your doing, Griphook? You have no rights here anymore. When you have up your keys, you -"

    Before he could continue, Ron hit him with the Imperius curse again. Bogrod started to smile again, blinking as he let the effects wash over him.

    "Well done," Griphook complimented him as a deep and unsettling moan was heard from the tunnel.

    "No. It's not possible..." Ron muttered to himself as they began to walk down the tunnel where they heard the sound. There, they saw a dragon. "Bloody hell. That's a Welsh Green."

    "It looks like it's been down here forever," Hermione commented. Then they heard hinges squealing sharply, jumping to see Griphook holding a mental instrument.

    He tossed the instrument to Hermione before saying, "Go on." She began to wave it, seeing the dragon rear back instantly, howling in fear.

    Ron nodded, "It's been trained to expect pain when it hears the noise."

    Rosalie looked at the dragon again, feeling deep sympathy for it. There were scars along it's face and neck. "That's barbaric. I..." Hermione muttered.

    "We'll only have a few seconds. In other words...they'll be no do-overs. Understood?" Griphook asked.

    They nodded. "Ready, Bogrod?" he asked.

    "Hm? Oh. Yes. Of course," the confused goblin nodded. They pass the dragon before going into the Lestrange vault.

    Rosalie got out her wand and muttered, "Lumos!" before going to look around.

    Everything looked so pristine...like the Malfoy Manor. But she supposed that the manor didn't look quite the same anymore, it had to be different. The last time she was there, that horrid memory, it had looked a little more unkempt. Two...three years ago, she didn't quite know the time anymore, it was so pristine. So white, so kept by the house elves they had there. Now it wasn't like that at all.

    No. She couldn't think about that, she couldn't think about it at all. She just had to forget about it, that's all. "Is it here, Harry? Can you feel anything?" Ron asked, shaking her from her thoughts, thankfully.

    Rosalie just continued to look around, afraid to touch anything as she heard Hermione speak. "It's hot!" she turned to see the bowl that Hermione touched begin to split apart and begin to multiply.

    "They've added Gemino and Flagrante Curses! Everything you touch will burn and multiply!" Griphook yelled.

    Rosalie looked around. She was on the other side of the vault from them, but the vault wasn't that big. It wasn't look before the multiplying items reached her.  

    Harry went over the items to the horcrux, reaching it before plummeting, the sword and the cup flying away from him.

    "The Cup!" Ron yelled, searching for it before Hermione found it. As they were heading to the door, they see Griphook holding the real Sword of Gryffindor.

    "We have a deal, Griphook!" Harry yelled at the goblin, who smiled wickedly at him.

    "I said I'd get you in. I never said anything about getting you out," with that, he took Bogrod's hand to the door before leaving the vault.

    The four of them reached the outside of the vault as the dragon roared and spat fire. "Griphook! Griphook!" Harry yelled.

    Griphook glanced back at them, grinning madly with the sword in his hands before yelling, "Thieves! Help! Thieves!"

    "Foul little git. Least we've got Bogrod," Ron sneered before the dragon spat again, reducing the goblin to dust, "That's unfortunate."

    Hermione huffed, "We can't just stand here! Who's got an idea?"

    "You're asking us? You're the brilliant one," Ron sputtered out.

    "I've got something," Hermione agreed with a nod, not looking particularly confident, "But it's mad."

    She went to the dragon, releasing him from the iron cuffs with a spell. "That's your idea?" Ron asked.

    "Come on!" Harry yelled as they got on top of the dragon, Rosalie clinging on the back of Harry in fear.

    While she loved flying in the sky on her broom, she hated everything else. On her broom, she was free, she was confident in herself that she wouldn't fall. But now she was on a fucking dragon, something that could drop her if it wanted to. So no, she didn't feel safe and she didn't like heights.

    "It doesn't realize it's free!" Hermione yelled, "Leviosa! Aviatus! Ex Cappa!"

    Nothing. And then Harry and Ron stabbed the dragon with the tip of their wands and it soared, going into the ceiling before leaving Gringotts behind.

    Oh, how Rosalie wished that she had just stayed behind to be captured.