𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐋 ʰᵖ ˣ ᵐᶜᵘ

𝖔𝖓𝖊 𝖍𝖚𝖓𝖉𝖗𝖊𝖉 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖋𝖔𝖚𝖗

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR: 𝐀 𝐏𝐔𝐙𝐙𝐋𝐄 𝐏𝐈𝐄𝐂𝐄
▬▬▬❦▬▬▬

  I am never drinking again.

So I woke up from a very nice sleep in a while, then I found out I went all tears and sadness in front of everyone in Shell Cottage last night.

I NEVER EVEN CRY IN FRONT OF ANYONE ELSE WHILE SOBER. I ONLY CRIED IN FRONT OF GEORGE, DRACO, HERMIONE AND TONKS.

That's just embarrassing.

Apparently I cried about Ron being a fake friend since he put my "feelings" aside for Hermione. And I also cried about not having a proper relationship with George. That's what my memory from last night told me.

What the actual fuck.

I never should've touched that wine in the first place, this is definitely Bill's fault.

So right now, I am sitting here in my designated room.

I've been awake since the past hour, my stomach was already growling in hunger but I am absolutely NOT going down there after what I just did last night.

I can die in hunger for all I care.

Maybe I can just go apparate away from here and teleport off the face of the world?

But food..

Also the Gringotts break-in today..

Urgh.

I can hear the small chatters downstairs while I sat on the corner of the window, hesitating whether I should just fly away even if I haven't flew for months.

Or maybe I should just jump off the window and crack my head open.

  Damn I have never felt so anxious in my life.

My stomach growled once again.

"Shut up and let me think," I mumbled to my angry stomach. I gently rubbed it, trying to ease the pain.

  Maybe I should make food appear? But Hermione said some shit about Gamp's Law of Transfiguration or something.

  But hey, I have different powers!

   Or maybe not since Bellatrix was easily able to disable my powers with runes.

  I guess I'd rather die from hunger than die from embarrassment.

  I clutched my aching stomach now, then I turned to the door with hesitation.

  Maybe I should eat my pride so I can eat food..

  As if God could hear my prayers, God himself opened the door to the room with the food I have been awaiting.

  I'm joking, it's actually Draco who entered the room.

  "Oh, hello there.. I just woke up." I said, fake yawning. "Got a really nice sleep.. and a terrible headache to pair it with."

  "Please, Jills. If you just woke up you wouldn't have greeted me so nicely." Draco smirked, then he placed the plate of mashed potatoes on my bedside. "I figured you'd remember the horrible things you did last night, so I brought you your food."

  "Well, thank you." I mumbled, taking a bite from my food. "Was my actions really horrible? All I did was act like a drama queen for thirty minutes straight."

  "You also tried to kill Ron."

  I choked on the potatoes.

  Draco quickly grabbed the glass of water from the bedside table while I tried not to die because of food.

  I drank the water quickly, my throat still throbbing from all the coughing.

  "What the hell do you mean I tried to kill Ron?" I asked once I was fully stable.

  "You pounced on him and tried to hit him with the pillow you considered as your friend," Draco smirked at me.

  "I am never drinking again, not even a sip. Uh-uh." I replied, shaking my head rapidly.

  I considered a PILLOW to be my friend? What the hell? A PILLOW?

  "Aw, why? You were really entertaining last night." Draco said teasingly.

  "How could you say that?" I gasped dramatically, swatting him on the shoulder. "Last night was so embarassing I could still hear it happening even though my memory about it was all fuzzy. Now you tease me about it?"

"You gave us all a laugh, you should be proud of yourself." Draco shrugged.

  "Correction, I gave you all a laugh.. all of you gave me additional twelve years for me to fix my dignity." I rolled my eyes, taking another bite of my precious potatoes.

  "You are too dramatic, Jills." Draco laughed.

  "I aspire to be a diva," I shrugged casually.

"All right, once you're done just take your plate down to the kitchen. Though I doubt it'll make your humiliation fade, I think they're going to be there." Draco explained, fixing his suit.

"My forgotten embarrassment came back," I mumbled, feeling body heat up once again after remembering what happened last night.

"Oh you've suffered worse, Jills." Draco tutted, tossing my bag on the bed. "Take a bath after that while Potter and I settle things out with the goblin."

"Got it."

A few minutes later after Draco left and I finished eating, I immediately took a bath even though the water was so damn cold.

But it felt refreshing though, seeing as I haven't taken a proper bath since last year. My hair was now down to my waist and I've gotten thinner much to my dislike.

I wore the bathrobe around me before going inside the room to choose what I'll wear for the supposed Gringotts heist.

Holy shit, that sounds cool.

It's heist time!

I opened my bag, dragging my clothes out to find something that would be comfortable for me to wear while we did the heist.

My hands found the leather material of the leather jacket Tony bought for me. A smile made its way to my face while I held the familiar clothing.

Maybe I'd treat this as my lucky jacket.

  I felt something inside of the jacket's small pockets, I quickly grabbed it in question.

  A piece of paper was in my hand; a polaroid.

  I flipped it over, the light making me see the picture clearly, I saw a picture of myself.

  "Who's P. Parker?" I mumbled to myself with a frown, staring at the small message under the picture on the polaroid.

  I shrugged it off anyway, placing it back inside the jacket's pocket.

I jumped when someone knocked on the door.

"Come in!" I said, placing the jacket on the bed along with a white shirt and pants.

The door opened, I turned around and saw Draco, Harry, Hermione and Ron entering the room eagerly.

"What's up?" I greeted them as if I didn't do anything last night. "So.. last night was not a great-"

"We want you to Polyjuice as Bellatrix," Ron immediately said.

"RON!" Harry and Hermione scolded him at the same time.

"What?" Ron raised an eyebrow.

"We were about to suggest that idea to her, Weasley. You didn't need to cut to the chase." Draco sighed.

"Let's face it, Nicolette's best for the job! Just look at the bigger picture, c'mon." Ron breathed out. "Hermione might be the best at these kind of ideas, but acting as Bellatrix Lestrange? No offense, 'Mione, but you can't act cruel for life, let alone hold her wand."

The four went quiet while I processed what the hell just happened. I did not expect this to happen at all.

"Well.. he's got a point." Harry spoke up, clearing his throat then he looked at me. "Will you do it?"

"Oh, I don't want to force you to do this, it's all right if I'll be the one to do it instead." Hermione told me, her lips forming into a thin line.

"Hold up," I placed my hands in front of them to make them stop talking. "So you're asking me to act as Bellatrix while we do the heist?"

"Yes, but if you're not comfortable with the idea-"

"I'll do it." I said clearly.

"That fast?" Draco asked in surprise, the trio were wearing smiles on their faces.

"Yeah, Ron's right.. I think I'll be the one suited for the job- not that I'm willing to act like I murdered lots of people- but I know how she talks and walks." I shrugged.

"Brilliant!" Harry smiled, before nudging Hermione who flinched.

"O-oh, right!" Hermione mumbled, grabbing the bottle of Polyjuice Potion which now dissolved the strand of Bellatrix's hair, a folded cloth, and Bellatrix's wand. "The hair's perfectly mixed in the Potion, all you have to do is to drink it."

Hermione handed me the folded piece of black clothing, I removed the fold and saw a black laced dress that stopped above my feet.

"Fleur lent he dress to me, but seeing as you're going to take over the role, you can just adjust the dress if it's loose." Hermione explained.

"Also," Harry started. "I gave Hermione your wand for the meantime, you won't be needing it now, right?"

"Yeah, you can use it." I nodded at Hermione who gratefully smiled at my response. "Anyways, last night wasn't me... I think my powers malfunctioned again and it made my mind go all wobbly which explains the change in my behaviour."

Draco smirked knowingly while the trio looked conflicted.

"Are you sure it wasn't the alcohol? You really looked drunk." Hermione frowned.

"Yeah, a hundred percent sure. Ron, I'm sorry I tried to murder you last night." I sheepishly smiled at Ron who only paled at the memory.

"Apology accepted.. even though I couldn't remember anything last night." Ron cleared his throat, making Hermione blush while Harry and Draco grinned.

"Well, come on now and let's let Jills transform into my Aunt." Draco said, making a fake shudder. "Meet us outside after you're done."

"Thanks," I said to them before they exited the bedroom. My heart immediately thundered in my chest.

I knew I was very optimistic about things, but I did not expect to do this at all! This wasn't in my plan!

But I gotta do this.

I sighed, grabbing the dress with a sigh after I discarded my bathrobe.

I slipped into the soft material of the dress, feeling comfortable despite of the darkness of the dress and some revealing areas of the dress which revealed my neckline, chest, and arms.

Then, I grabbed the bottle which consisted the last of our Polyjuice Potions. The cork opened with a pop, letting the smell of fish out of the bottle and into my nostrils.

I grimaced at the smell, so like what I did as a child who had many medications in her childhood, I pinched my nose with my hand while my other hand held the bottle.

Without second thoughts, I drank the potion straightfully without gagging at the smell and taste.

I placed the bottle on the bedside table, wiping my mouth which was wet with the potion.

I coughed a few times to remove the taste from my mouth, then I felt the weird sensation.

My body felt like it was tingling yet numb at the same time, it was cold then there was something prickling, my head began to feel heavy and my chest felt like it gained weight.

I looked at the mirror in front of me and I gasped in surprise.

Bellatrix was now standing in the mirror with my surprised expression. I chuckled at the sight, seeing Bellatrix with another emotion besides anger and disgust.

Damn it, I should've taken a picture.

I grabbed my bag and Bellatrix's wand from the bed after I slipped my boots on. Once I was sure the dress I was wearing was not crumpled and my hair was messy enough than normal, I exited the bedroom.

I ran down the stairs quickly to avoid someone from seeing me and accidentally killing me.

I would've loved to say goodbye to Luna, Dean, Bill and Fleur, but I don't wanna horrify them with my look.

I went out of the house, the beautiful sea meeting my sight as I smelled the seawater, the sound of my boots crumpling on the sand.

I walked to where the four were standing with Griphook, and to my surprise, Narcissa Malfoy was standing with them too.

"Sup." I greeted them once I was already with them.

Ron stared at me with a horrified look on his face, Harry and Draco looked bewildered and scared at the same time.

"I thought Bellatrix Lestrange alone scares me, but her face with your voice and personality is scarier, that's what I realized." Ron mumbled with a frown.

"This is why you don't get to have girlfriends." I rolled my eyes at him, then I smiled at Hermione. "Hobbs, I didn't know your mother will be joining us at this heist too."

"Luckily, Draco was smart enough to notice it on his suit." Hermione said.

"I thought it was my father's, but I never made any contact with him the other day." Draco shrugged casually.

"I thought I used the last of our Polyjuice Potion?" I asked them.

"There was still another brew made by Fleur, thankfully. She said she was practicing brewing potions in case she needed to use it for business." Hermione replied.

"You look horrible, by the way." I spoke, turning to Ron who had long hair and a beard. "You look like a sober version of post-Azkaban Sirius."

"Fuck off," Ron scoffed. Harry, Hermione and Draco were holding their laughter.

"All right," Hermione grinned. "Putting the jokes aside, I reckon we should go now before the clock strikes into the afternoon."

Harry hoisted Griphook on his back with an annoyed look on his face.

Ron and Hermione held hands, while I held on Draco's arm. Then we disapparated out of Shell Cottage.

A second later, I heard the sound of cars honking and the loud voices of vendors around the street.

We were back in London.

The road we were standing in were the same road where The Leaky Cauldron is.

I followed the five into the small pub, a memory of Loki, Sif, and I entering the pub to use the Floo entered my mind.

I smiled at the memory, proceeding to walk faster because we were gaining looks from normal citizens of London.

We entered the pub, the feeling of the heat inside it was felt by our bodies. Unlike before, there were probably three people in the room, excluding Tom the bartender.

"Madame Lestrange, Madame Malfoy." Tom mumbled, avoiding Hermione and I's gaze. He seemed to be a bit surprised seeing Draco, knowing he's been abducted for a year.

Before Hermione could open her mouth, I quickly pushed her to continue walking while I ignored the bartender's greeting.

I tapped the brick wall on the side of the pub with Bellatrix's wand. The wall then opened, revealing the now ruined Diagon Alley.

It was worse than the last time I've been there in 1996, everything was dark, windows are shattered. Not even the colourful exterior of the now closed Weasley's Wizard Wheezes could bring the impression of a fun alley.

"Blimey, what happened in here?" Ron muttered from behind us while we strolled together.

"Corruption." I replied silently, looking around the place. Our faces were plastered on the shop doors, walls, everywhere. Everything was labeled with "UNDESIRABLE".

People around us wore their cloaks and immediately ran away from us, scared of interacting with us.

Too busy looking around, I yelped when I felt hands clutch my arms tightly. I looked in front of me to see an old man with a bandaged arm looking at me with an enraged face.

"MY CHILDREN!" The man cried to me with a pointed finger. "Where are my children? What has he done with them? You know, you know!"

I was shocked for a second, not being able to speak. Once I regained my senses, I pushed him away from me but not harsh enough to make him fall on the floor.

"Hands off your superiors, you!" I shrieked, pointing the wand at him.

I felt a bit bad when the man flinched, covering his face.

"STUPEFY!" Ron chanted, stunning the man's movements. The five of us looked at him.

"Nicolette can't use an Unforgivable, it's the least I could do." Ron whispered.

We were about to start walking until we heard a low voice call behind us.

"Why, Madame Lestrange!"

A ragged man with gray hair and a long, pointed nose strolled towards us.

"It's Travers, another Death Eater." I heard Griphook whisper behind us.

"And who are you?" I asked with a raised eyebrow and my head held up in the most Pureblooded fashion.

"Ah, I thought you would remember me, Madame." Travers spoke slowly, looking at me.

"I only choose those who deserves to be remembered, and you are not one of them." I replied dryly.

"I merely sought to greet you," Travers spoke with embarrassment. "but if my presence is not welcome..."

"If you're here to tell me news about Harry Potter then I guess you can be useful, now what do you want?" I spoke, crossing my arms while twisting my black curly hair with Bellatrix's wand.

"Well, I confess I am surprised to see you out and about, Bellatrix, Narcissa."

"And why is that?" I smirked as if to taunt the man.

"Well," Travers cleared his throat, "I heard that the inhabitants of Malfoy Manor were confined to the house, after the... ah... escape."

"Well, I know for a fact that The Dark Lord easily forgives those who have done well in their tasks. Have you been doing good in your job, Travers?" I mocked him.

"I can't say much, Madame. Also, I am quite surprised the young Malfoy is here too..
I thought he was deemed a Blood-traitor, and was removed-"

"CRUCIO!" I chanted, pointing my wand at him impulsively as Travers dropped to the ground with a scream.

Draco and the others visibly flinched at the sight. When the spell finished, I kneeled down to his height.

"Say that again about my nephew, Travers, will you?" I gritted my teeth, gripping his face with my long nails.

"Forgive me, Madame." Travers gulped, his hand shaking.

"Dare to speak about my son like that away, you'll see what happens." Hermione spoke with a stern voice, wrapping her arms around Draco.

"Let's go, Cissy. We needn't to waste our time on this filth." I growled, glaring at Travers.

After one powerful kick on his legs, we proceeded to walk towards the deserted alley.

"For a second, I thought you were actually Bellatrix Lestrange." Ron replied in surprise.

"I'll take that as a compliment, I guess." I spoke, not bothering to look at him while we walked towards Gringotts.

We walked up the white marbled steps of the bank, the guards were easily jinxed by Hermione and Draco using a Confundus Charm.

We entered Gringotts, I looked up at the high ceiling, the walls were white with hints of gold. Our shoes echoed against the shiny floor of the building.

Lots of goblins were working immersedly both at the left and right side of the room.

And in the middle of the room, an old goblin wearing glasses noticed our arrival.

"Madam Lestrange!" The goblin spoke with hints of surprise. "Dear me! How may I help you today?"

"My vault, where is it? I have heard of little misfits working around to rebel against the Dark Lord, I want to make sure those Blood-traitors and Mudbloods weren't able to place their hands on my things." I scowled.

The goblin went quiet for a second, staring at our group for a second.

"You have... identification?" The goblin asked.

"Do you know who you're talking to? You dare ask identification?!" I screeched, slamming my hand on the desk in front of him loudly.

The goblin visibly jumped at the sound.

"Your wand will do, madame," The goblin said, holding his hand out for the wand shakily.

"My wand? And why would I need to give my wand to you? Have you been succumbing to stupid rumours that my wand has been stolen?!" I fumed.

"Imperio!"

I heard Harry whisper behind me,the goblin had a dazed look in his eyes for a second. Then he took my wand in his hand, inspecting it.

"Ah, you have had a new wand made, Madam Lestrange!" The goblin replied gleefully.

"This is very much my own wand, you fool!" I spat, grabbing my wand from his hands. "Now, my vault!"

"Very well, madame." The goblin clapped his hands, another goblin appeared next to him. "I shall need the Clankers."

The other goblin obediently followed, and shortly returned with a leather bag which made a rattling sounds with its contents inside.

"Good, good! If you will follow me, Madam Lestrange," The goblin said brightly. "I shall take you to your vault."

We followed behind the small goblin, I turned to look at Draco, Ron and Hermione who was watching the whole time. Draco immediately gave me a thumbs up as if to say I did great on my acting.

The goblin opened the round metal door, it soon creaked open.

Once all of us were fully inside and the door shut behind us, Harry removed the Invisibility Cloak off him. Griphook then jumped off his back.

"Nicely done, Harry." I spoke to him, Harry nodded at me while looking behind him cautiously.

"We're in trouble; they suspect," Harry started. "They're Imperiused but I don't think I did it strongly enough, I don't know.. it just happened."

"I felt that too.. when I used the Cruciatus on Travers, it was just happening before I could stop it." I said, a hint of guilt on me for using the spell, but I didn't regret using it on Travers.

"What do we do?" Ron asked worryingly. "Shall we get out now, while we can?"

"If we can," Hermione whispered, looking at the door.

"We've got this far, I say we go on," Harry suggested.

"I agree with Potter, we've got through the plan far enough. The last thing we need to do is to find the cup." Draco spoke, then he looked at Griphook. "And get the sword."

"Good!" Griphook replied. "So, we need Bogrod to control the cart; I no long have the authority."

"Imperio!"

Bogrod, the younger goblin, whistled. Making a card appear out of the darkness, rolling towards us.

The five of us quickly scrambled into the cart, due to the space of the cart, we were sitting on each other's legs.

"Go!" Harry ordered.

The cart quickly moved without warning, and it zoomed through the riles of the stony cave full of vaults. My hair was slapping my face while I held my stomach due to the intensity of the ride, feeling like I was in a scary rollercoaster ride.

I tried not to throw up while the wind went through my face as my stomach felt like it was close to giving up.

The cart went up and down in a very accelerated manner, making me hold tight on the cart because there were no handles at all.

"Oh no!" Hermione yelled, pointing huge waterfall ahead of us.

I held my breath for a second once we went under the water, completely soaking us while I was pushed forcefully into the cart due to the water.

Once I could finally breath again, I opened my eyes, coughing out water that didn't fail to enter my mouth.

With a sudden lurch, the cart stopped abruptly, throwing us out of it as my eyes caught the sight of the floor below us so many feet away.

"AHHHHHHH!"

We yelled while the floor went closer to our faces, but before we could slam on the pavement with our blood all over it, we floated in the air for a second, then we dropped gently.

I sighed in relief, sitting up while I caught my breath due to the impact of the cart ride. I winced a bit when the stitches on the side of my stomach got hit.

I stood up, squeezing the water out of my clothes, until I felt a throb in my head.

I closed my eyes for a bit, feeling like something was inside my head, as if knocking on a door so it could get out.

    Throb..

I opened my eyes, massaging my forehead while I waited for it to fade away. But it was still there, throbbing.

I heard Hermione gasp, I looked at her and realized she was back to herself along with Ron. I looked at my hair and saw that I came back to normal too due to my red hair that was flowing down my chest.

"How'd we survive?" Ron asked, spitting out bits of water.

"C-Cushioning Charm," Hermione spluttered, scrambling up to her feet with the help of Ron.

"Why are you three back to normal? I thought the Potion lasts for an hour?" Draco frowned at us.

"The Thief's Downfall!" Griphook announced, looking where the waterfall was. "It washes away all enchantment, all magical concealment! They know there are imposers in Gringotts, they have set off defenses against us!"

We heard a groan and saw Bogrod shaking his head as if coming back to his senses.

  Throb..

"We need him," Griphook grumbled, "we cannot enter the vault without a Gringott's goblin. And we need the clankers!"

"Imperio!" Harry chanted, and Bogrod went into another trance again.

"Harry, I think I can hear people coming!" Hermione hissed, pointing her wand at the waterfall. "Protego!"

"Good thinking," Harry nodded, ushering for us to continue walking. "Lead the way, Griphook!"

"How are we going to get out again?" Ron asked, trying to navigate our location in the dark.

"Your Deluminator could've been useful, Weasley. But it takes light, not bring light." Draco commented, squinting his eyes to see.

"Let's worry about that when we have to," Harry said, then he turned to Griphook impatiently. "Griphook, how much farther?"

"Not far, Harry Potter, not far ..." Griphook replied.

"Did you four forget we have wands?" I raised an eyebrow at them despite my headache. I raised my wand after that. "Lumos."

Light emerged from my wand, then the other four followed as our path became more visible. We walked through the stony path, which consisted many caves of vaults around.

"Here, here.." Griphook spoke.

We halted into a stop when we heard a low growl to our left, our eyes widened when we saw the gigantic dragon with spikes on its back laying on the ground, guarding four to five vaults.

I didn't know if I should be amazed or frightened for my life, with one breath from this dragon, I'll die.

"Harry, if you learned something from the Triwizard Tournament, it's time to showcase it." I mumbled, nudging Harry while we stared at the dragon.

"I almost died at that tournament.. so, no. Whatever I learned there should never be showcased." Harry replied, not keeping his eyes off the dragon.

"It is partially blind," Griphook heaved, "but even more savage for that. However, we have the means to control it. It has learned what to expect when the Clankers come. Give them to me."

Ron tossed the bag to Griphook, the goblin quickly opened the bag and grabbed a metal instrument.

"You know what to do," Griphook told Harry with a look. "It will expect pain when it hears the noise. It will retreat, and Bogrod must place his palm upon the door of the vault."

Griphook then shook the metal instrument, earning a painful cry from the dragon as it scrambled around in pain. Draco, Ron, Hermione, and I held on to each other when our surroundings shook because of the vibration from the growl of the dragon.

  "Make him press his hand to the door!" Griphook ordered, Harry pointed his wand to Bogrod once more.

Bogrod obliged, pressing his hand to the round entrance of the vault. It soon disappeared, revealing all kinds of jewelries, artifacts made from gold, potions and many others inside the vault. We quickly ran inside the vault.

"Search, fast!" Harry announced, and we ran through the spacious vault full of treasures.

Throb..

I stumbled upon a pensieve but I continued to walk around anyways. There were hundreds of shining jewelry around me, enough to feed a whole nation.

"CLINK!"

"No one touch anything!"

We were startled when Draco suddenly yelled. He was staring at a goblet which was now on the floor.

"What is it?" Hermione frowned.

"This spell, I know this.." Draco explained, still looking at the goblet. "My father used this to protect his things in our Manor, it multiplies when it comes in contact with anything."

"Multiplies? How the bloody hell are we going to find the cup then?" Ron frowned.

"Just look around!" Harry spoke impatiently. "Remember, the cup's small and gold, it's got a badger engraved on it, two handles, otherwise see if you can spot Ravenclaw's symbol anywhere, the eagle."

We continued to walk further into the vault, this time, the deeper part of the vault were filled with old chests and shelves made out of glass, dark artifacts were displayed. I grimaced at the sight of more dead elf heads, taking note for myself not to let Hermione walk past this section.

    Throb.

I halted in my steps when another headache formed, I massaged it while I stabilised my breathing.

I thought these stupid headaches were gone? I was completely fine for weeks! Why did it come back again?

"It's there, it's up there!"

Draco and I walked up to where Ron and Hermione was standing, and we saw the cup placed in the highest point of a glass shelf. The cup was glinting under the small light of the vault.

"And how the hell are we going to get up there without touching anything?" Ron looked up in exasperation.

"Accio Cup!" Hermione chanted but was immediately stopped by Griphook.

"No use, no use!" Griphook sneered.

"Then what do we do?" Harry scoffed at the goblin. "If you want the sword, Griphook, then you'll have to help us more than we can wait! Can I touch stuff with the sword? Hermione, give it here!"

"I can try!" I said, and the four looked at me conspicuously.

"Are you sure?" Hermione asked with a worried look.

"I can try it," I said, breathing out while keeping my focus on the cup.

Remembering the time I wasn't able to lift Gryffindor's Sword, there was a feeling in me that said I'll fail in getting the cup too.

I lifted my hands in a small motion, small wisps of red appearing in my hand which wasn't surprising to the four.

With a feeling of great determination, I did a pulling motion at the cup, the red wisps appearing into the cup. It started shaking, the shelf rattling at the movement.

I pulled harder, thw force of my powers becoming heavy for the first time.

Like the outcome of before with the Sword, it didn't budge too. It just shook into its place but it never left its position.

"Sorry," I spoke, letting go of the cup. "I don't know why it won't work."

"It's all right, we can use the Sword." Harry said, extending his arm out so Hermione can put the Sword on his hand.

Hermione fumbled through her bag and reached for the Sword, Griphook visibly looked bewildered at the sight.

   Throb.

"If I can just poke the sword through a handle.. but how am I going to get up there?" Harry spoke, clutching the Sword tightly in his hands.

   We jumped again when the door to the vault made a loud sound, indicating that the dragon was aware of our presence. There were loud voices too, meaning that the other goblins were trying to find us.

"They're getting closer." Draco spoke anxiously.

"Hermione," Harry started, another clank was heard from the entrance. "I've got to get up there, we've got to get rid of it."

"Levicorpus." Hermione chanted.

"Harry watch out!" I yelled once Harry floated up, almost hitting a suit of armor if I didn't yell. Harry immediately pushed the Sword out, slipping it around the handle of the cup.

"Everyone stand back and don't touch anything!" Draco declared, making us back away while we watched Harry slowly float back down, the Sword barely holding the cup if it wasn't for the tip.

I sighed in relief when we didn't get swarmed by lots of treasures and drowning ourselves in it.

Harry fell on the ground with a thud, making both the Sword and the cup fall on the ground. I quickly grabbed the cup with my bare hands, not caring if the piece of metal burned my hand.

Like what was written in the pages, Griphook grabbed the Sword unbeknown to Harry, and then screamed with a loud voice just in time for the other goblins to open the entrance to the vault.

"Thieves! Thieves! Help! Thieves!" Griphook cried, running towards the group of goblins swarming in the entrance along with some wizarding guards.

"Stupefy!" All five of us chanted, sending red lights into the goblins and the guards who tried to come close to us.

The goblins and the guards flew back from the force of the spells, falling a few feet away from us.

"Relashio!" Harry bellowed, pointing his wand on the roaring dragon's cuffs, removing it.

"Potter, I hope you're not doing what I think you're doing!" Draco hissed, sending another Stunning Spell on the group of goblins and guards.

"This way, hurry!" Harry yelled, pushing us into the dragon while the dragon turned to where our voices were coming from. My heart thundered in my chest, knowing what was about to happen.

Throb.

Another sensation came into my head, this time stronger.

I clutched my head while Harry climbed the back of the dragon, holding on to its spine. When Harry saw me right behind him, he immediately reached his hand out to help me climb. My other hand held my head while I situated myself on the back of the dragon, holding on its spine tightly.

"Harry, what are you doing?" Hermione cried, looking at us on the dragon.

"Get up, climb up, come on!" Harry said louder, pulling Draco's arm without second thoughts as Draco grunted in distaste. Hermione followed, then Ron. I grimaced at the feeling of the dragon's scales against my skin, while we gently rose up and down along with the dragon's breathing.

   Once all of us were sitting properly on the dragon's back, Harry let go of the chains he used to climb on the dragon, the chains falling on the ground with a loud sound. The dragon then realized that he was free, not feeling the restriction of the chains anymore.

Without any warning, the dragon immediately flew up, making all five of us scream in fright. I could feel Hermione's nails digging on my shoulder while I tried not to let my hand slip through the dragon's spine while we flew.

But it immediately halted, feeling that the space was too small for it. The dragon's wings hit the stony walls with a flap.

"We'll never get out, it's too big!" Hermione yelled worryingly as the guards saw what we were trying to do.

"The gouging charm! What's the incantation?" I asked through the loud sounds around us.

"Defodio!" Hermione said without hesitation, and the stones around us fell bit by bit.

"DEFODIO!" The four of us repeated after Hermione, and the stones began to fall more, the space around us was becoming larger as the dragon rose more.

With a final blast from our wands, a hole was carved through the ceiling, giving us an exitway out of Gringotts as red lights appeared below us, the guards not being able to reach us anymore.

We held tightly on the spine of the dragon, the view of the Diagon Alley was below us as the whole place went smaller and smaller as we flew higher into the skies.

Throb.. throb..

The excruciating pain in my head has doubled up, I winced in pain as I leaned into the sharp spine of the dragon, making sure I won't fall while I clutched my head, feeling like it was close to splitting up.

Throb.. throb.. throb!

I leaned my head into the spine, feeling the cold feeling of the spine press up against my temples while I closed my eyes and tried to stabilise my breathing.

"Nicolette, are you all right?" I heard Hermione's voice behind me.

   The knocking in my head was getting louder and louder.. the door is opening soon.

Throb.. throb! Throb!

I felt myself slowly losing consciousness as my brain felt like it was slowly giving up. Something white was flashing in my closed eyes.. there was something.. flashing scenes.. people..

"Jills!"

THROB!

After my oh-so depressing sleep, I opened my eyes, blinking before seating up from my bed. I yawned at my long sleep. It wasn't too sunny today and the trees were swaying gently from the wind.

A perfect afternoon. Maybe I should go take a walk.

   I removed my earphones from my ears, the music was still blasting from earlier before I slept. The house was completely quiet, Mom must've stopped watching Fifty Shades Darker or whichever it is.

  I shuddered at the memory of her asking me to watch it with her.

  "Mom?" I called out, slipping my feet into my converse shoes.

  When I didn't hear a reply, I jogged out of my room and looked around for Mom.

  I peered into Mom's room a few steps away from mine, the door was slightly open. I looked inside and saw my mom laying on the bed, her mouth opened while she snored softly as her phone fell out of her hands, her Facebook news feed left opened.

  I silently laughed at the sight, then I proceeded to walk sneakily down the stairs.

  Grabbing a face mask and a face shield from the small shelf by the door where Mom placed it whenever we'd go outside.

  I walked outside, a few cars passed by and as usual, there were no people walking around. I could hear the television playing from other houses while the wind rushed through my red curls.

  I really couldn't get used to this, seeing the roads so empty when people should be walking around to get to the beach.

  My whole surroundings were much more depressing, it was like a zombie apocalypse, like the population was wiped out and everything was a ghost town.

  I saw the baywalk a few feet away, so I ran to it, feeling the Californian breeze rush through my face, at least the feeling's still there. The sun was slightly shining, as the clouds covered it.

  Maybe I could take a swim, if there are no restrictions around.

  I miss the normal life, but on the bright side, I didn't have to see Julie because of the pandemic.. Hurray!

  Once school starts again, I won't be talking to her fake ass again, well I do hope Cam stays by my side.. she's the only decent one in our group.

  I heard a click, I immediately panicked at the idea of being arrested, knowing so damn well that I'm still a minor and I'm walking around.

  I can't get arrested, right? I'm still 15! Holy shit, I'm freaking out!

  When I turned around, it wasn't the police. There were cloaked people in front of me and I felt my whole body freeze.

  My eyes widened while I stepped back, reaching into my pockets for anything that might defend me.

  My pockets were empty.

  Damn it I should've brought the pepper spray my mom always insisted for me to bring with me.

  The cloaked people walked closer. My body trembled and my heart beat faster.

  "Hey- hey, back off! I'm just a kid, I swear I'm just taking a walk- MOM! Someone HELP!" I yelled, stepping backwards as the dark figures came closer. I tried to run away but they were too fast.

  Two people immediately grabbed a hold of my arms while one put their hands over my forehead. My heart throbbed in my chest while I didn't know what to do due to the shock I'm experiencing right now.

   I'm going to die. I'm not ready yet.. I'm going to die!

  I felt something cold wrap around my neck, I think it was a necklace.

  Before I could scream for help again, I heard someone whisper behind me audibly.

   "Obliviate."