SNATCHERS.

A wand blooms above, illuminates the face of Scabior. Hermione's red scarf, now faded and filthy, dangles from his neck. He presses it to his grimy nose, inhales and grins.

"Hello, beautiful." Scabior said. Harry grabs Y/n's hand tightly. Y/n, Harry, Ron and Hermione dash through the trees. As they diverge, they cut back and forth Hermione, swift as the wind, flickers through the trees as Scabior pursues her.

Harry and Y/n slash through the river, looks up, and sees a Snatcher leap across the divide from one tree to another. Ron pounds through thick brush, over a fallen tree.

The forest grows more dense, the shadows thicken. Spells splinter through the trees, ropes of light lace the night. Hermione stumbles, regains her footing, finds herself in a clearing. Two figures pelt towards her: Harry and Y/n

They freeze briefly, then the clearing explodes with light as spells ricochet. They hit the ground. Hear the Snatchers closing in. Harry and Hermione see Y/n grabbing her wand and muttering a spell "Crinus Muto", a light engulfs her as her lustrous (H/C) hair changes into short red ones, just like the Weasleys. Her beautiful (E/C) eyes changed into dark azure ones. Hermione and Harry look at her in surprise. Harry looks to Hermione. The tip of her wand glows and her face blooms in the darkness, looking mildly demonic. She reaches out, strips his glasses from his face, then points her wand at him. A burst of white light strikes him in the eyes.

As her wand goes dark he is flying toward a fortress, gliding around the high walls, up to the topmost window of the highest tower. He passes through the window -- little more than a slit -- and finds a SKELETAL FIGURE lying beneath a ragged blanket. The figure stirs, looks up, and grins with broken teeth. It is the young man -- the thief -- grown old. Grindelwald.

"Ah, Tom, I thought you would come

one day. But surely you must know

I no longer have what you seek..."

"If not you, then who?"

"You're so innocent, Tom. Like a

schoolboy. There's so much you

don't understand..."

"Tell me, Grindelwald. Tell me

where to find it! Tell me who

possesses it! The name,

Grindelwald! The name!"

"Can't you guess, Tom? It lies

with him, of course. Buried

within the earth. It is he who

possesses it, even in death. Your

old friend and mine... Dumbledore."

Harry blinks and in a blur peers at Y/n and Hermione,

"They exist. The Hallows." Harry said Hermione looks at him expectantly while Y/n looks awestruck. He nods, his face shrouded in shadow, barely visible.

"But he only wants the one, the last one. That's what he's been looking for." Harry said

"What're you saying?" Y/n asked

"He knows where it is, You-Know-Who. He'll have it by the end of the night. He's found the Elder Wand.

As the girls stare in stunned disbelief, figures emerge from the trees. Ron is shoved to the ground next to them. Scabior strips Y/n, Harry and Hermione of their wands.

"Don't touch her!" shouted Ron

A fist hits Ron hard. It's Greyback.

"Stop it!" Hermione pleaded

"Your boyfriend'll get worse than that if he doesn't behave, lovely. Scabior paints her face with light then casts it on Harry. Harry peers up, his eyes swollen to slits, his face horribly misshapen.

"What happened to you, ugly?" Harry's hand finds his face, feels the lumps.

"What's your name?" Scabior asked Harry

"Dudely. Vernon Dudley." Harry answered.

"What about you sweetheart?" Scabior asked Y/n as he traced his thumb over her bottom lip.

"Susan Bones, Pureblood" Y/n answered making up a name

"Check the list. And you, ginger?"

"Stan Shunpike." Ron answered

"Like 'ell you are. We know skinny Stan. Try again." Greyback, his boot to Ron's neck, presses harder.

"Weasley..." Ron said. Y/n's eyes widened

"Barney Weasley." Ron said making it up.

"Weasley, eh? Wouldn't be related to that blood traitor Arthur Weasley, would you?"

"Piss off! Arthur Weasley's ten times the wizard you are!" Ron said

"Worth ten times you if I can find him. Wasn't you that tipped him off, was it?" Ron stays mute. Scabior turns to Hermione.

"How 'bout you, lovely? What do they call you...?" Scabior asked

"Penelope Clearwater. Half-blood." Hermione answered. Scabior strokes the nape of Hermione's neck, then takes her hair in hand, sniffs it.

"You smell like vanilla, Penelope. I think you're going to be my favorite." Scabior said

"There's no Vernon Dudley on 'ere." A snatcher said. Reluctantly, Scabior turns from Hermione to Harry.

"Hear that, ugly? The list says you're lying. How come you don't want us to know who you are? Hm?" Greyback said.

"The list is wrong. I told you who I am –" Scabior puts a finger to his lips, silencing Harry, his wand probing Harry's face more closely.

"Change of plans, boys. We won't be taking this lot to the Ministry." Scabior said. Y/n knew where they were exactly going to take them.

Scabior and the others escort Y/n, Harry, Ron and Hermione past the yew hedges. Hermione eyes the white peacock, looking like a ghostly lawn ornament. Harry:

"What did you put on me?" Harry whispered to Hermione.

"A Stinging Jinx." Hermione answered

"How long will it last?" Y/n asked

"Not long. How long will your charm last?" Hermione asked.

"Not long."

Harry glances down, sees his glasses cupped in Y/n's palm. As he slips them into his pocket, the group suddenly slows. Up ahead, on the other side of the gate, Bellatrix Lestrange, Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Malfoy approach. Hermione could feel Y/n shaking beside her, she grabbed her hand reassuringly. Scabior grabs Harry's arm, pushes his face up to the iron bars. Bellatrix steps close.

"Show me." Bellatrix said

Scabior reaches out and pushes Harry's hair off his forehead.

Bellatrix points her wand, illuminating the skin. Slowly, she smiles. Despite the swelling, one intriguing feature can be seen. A SCAR. In the shape of a LIGHTNING BOLT.

As Bellatrix leads the procession inside, she speaks to Narcissa.

"Get Draco." Y/n froze when she heard that name. Narcissa eyes her sister briefly, warily, then strides off, toward the brightly-lit room ahead, where her husband Lucius stands, cradling a nearly-empty wine glass.

"Why Draco?" Lucius asked. Narcissa passes her husband without a word.

"Just sit back and watch, Lucius. Hm? Pour yourself another glass of wine." Bellatrix

Bellatrix turns, eyeing Harry, Y/n , Ron and Hermione.

"Where'd you find them?" Bellatrix questioned

"In the North Forest." Answered Scabior

Wormtail quietly enters the room. As Harry eyes him, Bellatrix pauses, studying his scar again.

"Lovely scarf, Scabior. Though I'm not sure it's your color." Bellatrix complemented

"It's not mine." Scabior said

"You don't say." Her eyes slide, catch him looking at Hermione.

"Fancy her, do you, Scabior? Can't say I blame you. Maybe we'll work out a little reward for you, hm?" Bellatrix asked, "That is, assuming all is as it appears. Ah, Draco. Come here,darling." From the shadows at the far end of the room Draco separates from Narcissa, steps cautiously forward. Y/n quickly looks down at her feet, not wanting to make eye contact with her husband.

"My friends here say they've got Harry Potter. Seeing as he's an old school chum of yours, I thought you could confirm the fact for us." Draco stares at Harry.

"Well...?" Bellatrix asks

"I can't... I can't be sure." Draco said. Lucius steps forward, wine glass sloshing.

"Look close, Draco. If we're the ones who hand Potter over to the Dark Lord, everything will be forgiven. Do you understand –" Draco nodded.

"Now, we won't be forgetting who actually caught him, I hope, Mr. Malfoy?" Scabior said quietly menancing

"Of course not." Bellatrix's eyes hardened, "Narcissa. Tend to your husband."

Lucius staggers back nervously next to his wife.

"Don't be shy, sweetheart. Get up nice and close." She said to Draco

Bellatrix nudges Draco forward until he's only inches from Harry.

"What's wrong with his face?" Draco asked

"What is wrong with his face,Scabior?" Bellatrix asked.

"He came to us that way. I reckon he picked it up in the forest." Scabior said

"Or ran into a Stinging Jinx." Bellatrix said. Bellatrix, eyes flashing, steps up close to Hermione.

"Was it you, dearie? Give me her wand. We'll see what the last spell was." Hermione looks alarmed as a Snatcher steps forward.

"What is that?" Bellatrix's tone is quietly murderous. She pushes past Scabior and Greyback, steps before another Snatcher. Hermione's beaded purse dangles from one hand. In the other, he holds... the Sword of Gryffindor.

"Where did you get that!"

"It was in her bag when we searched her. Reckon it's mine now." Bang! Quick as lightning, Bellatrix stuns the Snatcher and catches the sword as he drops. Scabior wheels.

"Are you mad!" Scabior shouted at Bellatrix

Bang! Bellatrix drops him to his knees before his wand escapes his cloak. He bellows in fury.

"How dare you! Release me, woman!" Bellatrix stares at him, eyes full of fire, then flicks her wand and he slumps forward, wincing.

"Go. GO!" Scabior eyes her resentfully, then exits with Greyback and the others. Bellatrix turns.

Draco was staring at the redhead Y/n, he felt something familiar about her. His eyes trailed down face to her hands then fingers, he saw the wedding ring on Y/n's ring finger. He immediately knew who the girl was.

"Wormtail. Put these two in the cellar. I want to have a little conversation with these two. Girls to girl."

As Wormtail jerks them away, Harry's eyes flash with panic, meet Y/n's. She mouths "It's okay."

Wormtail prods Harry and Ron down a steep flight of stairs, slams the door. Ron throws himself against it, turns to Harry.

"Harry! What're we going to do? We can't just leave Y/n and Hermione alone with her!"

"Ron? Harry...?" came a soft voice. Harry peers into the small, shadowy space below, senses movement.

"Luna...?" Harry asked.

~~

Bellatrix twirls a silver dagger in her fingers.

"This sword is meant to be in my vault at Gringotts. How did you get it?" Bellatrix asked

"We don't know what you're talking about." Y/n said

"Liar. What else did you take?" Bellatrix spat.

~~~

Ron, Deluminator in hand, sends a ball of light across the darkness and a gaslight blooms faintly. Luna's pale face floats forward, hovers vaguely.

"You look strange, Harry. Mr.Ollivander, look who's here. It's Harry Potter."

Harry looks past Luna and sees a Goblin (Griphook) standing in the shadows. Next to him, sitting slumped against the wall, is the wandmaker Ollivander, looking

frail. His chin lifts slightly, runny eyes glimmering against the light as he studies Harry's swollen face.

"Hello, sir." Harry greeted. Ollivander falters, his face troubled. Harry eyes him

curiously, when Bellatrix's voice ECHOES through the VENT.

"I'm going to ask you once again: what else did you and your friends take from my vault!

"I told you. I don't know what you're talking –" they heard Y/n's voice. Y/n screams in pain. Ron slams his fist against the wall, turns. Harry had shut his eyes tightly.

"We have to do something, Harry!

"There's no way out. We've tried everything." Ollivander said

"You're bleeding, Harry." She points downward. Harry removes his glasses from his pocket, slips them on and peers at his sock, where blood has soaked through. Harry reaches down, pulling the sock away from his ankle, revealing a small gash and the thing that caused it: the mirror shard.

"That's a curious thing to hide in your sock." Luna said. Taking the shard, Harry turns the silvery side toward himself (and only himself) -- and for a split second -- the EYE seems to flicker there again. Harry wipes away the film of blood... but the eye is gone.

"You were hiding it, weren't you?"

Before Harry can respond, this time Hermione screamed. Pained by this, Harry debates something, then peers into the mirror

"Help us."

The others study him curiously, then FOOTSTEPS SOUND. Ron CLICKS the Deluminator and all goes DARK. The cellar door squeals open and Wormtail's silhouette appears in a shaft of light. Ron rushes forward, but Wormtail stops him with a gesture of his wand.

"Let them go! Let them go!" Ron shouted

"Shut it! You. Goblin. Come with me." Wormtail told Griphook. As Griphook mounts the stairs he turns, eyeing Harry curiously, then Wormtail grabs his arm, slams shut the

door. Ron clicks the Deluminator again and -- CRACK! --as light returns... DOBBY materializes before them.

"Dobby has come to rescue Harry Potter, of course." Dobby said. Everyone stares, stunned. Harry stares in similar amazement at the mirror glittering in his palm.

"Do you mean to say you can Apparate in and out of here? And take us with you?

"Of course. I'm an elf." Dobby said

"Works for me." Ron said

"Right. Dobby, I want you to take Luna and Mr. Ollivander to –" Harry said

"Shell Cottage on the outskirts of Tinworth," Ron cut him off, Harry turns to his bestfriend, "Trust me."

Harry nods, turns to Luna.

"You'll see to Mr. Ollivander?" he asked Luna

"Of course." She turns to Dobby, "Whenever you're ready, sir."

Dobby blinks at Luna's use of "sir." He grins.

"Like her very much." Dobby said "Meet me at the top of the stairs in ten seconds."

Luna takes Ollivander's withered hand in hers and Dobby reaches out. Crack! -- they vanish. Harry and Ron peer at each other, then rush up the stairs toward the SLIVER of LIGHT under the door above. Crack! The knob turns and light splashes into the cellar as Wormtail fills the doorway.

Harry and Ron stiffen, then watch Wormtail fall forward, stiff as a board, tumbling in a heavy heap on the cement floor below. They turn back as Dobby appears, Wormtail's wand in his tiny fist.

"Who gets his wand?" Dobby asked

Quickly, cautiously, Harry and Ron, brandishing Wormtail's wand now pad toward the main room as Dobby slips off in another direction. As Ron steps past the lifeless Snatcher without a glance, Harry hesitates, glances down.

Something flutters weakly in the Snatcher's pocket. The tip of a golden wing. Harry crouches, looks. It's the Snitch.

Harry looks up, sees Ron gesturing for him. Quickly, he takes the Snitch, slips it in his pocket.

As Harry joins Ron and looks Slowly, Bellatrix comes into view, towering over

Griphook, who holds the sword, studying it. An unconscious Hermione lies at Bellatrix's feet, while a half conscious Y/n right beside her who now looked like her original self. Seeing them, Ron starts to lurch forward. Harry restrains him.

"Well?" Bellatrix asked

"I left Gringotts employ many weeks ago, but when I was last in your vault, the sword was there" Griphook said.

"Perhaps it just walked out on its own then.

"There is no place safer than Gringotts, Madam LeStrange."

She catches on Y/n's shirt.

"Liar! You can't deceive me!" As Y/n looks up, away from the hair, Bellatrix slashes the dagger across Griphook's cheek and a deep gash opens. He barely flinches, the hint of a SMILE on his lips. Bellatrix looks mildly unnerved by his reaction.

"Consider yourself lucky, Goblin. The same won't be said for this one, Draco's blood traitor wife." Bellatrix poises the dagger over Y/n. Draco was on the verge of crying.

"Like hell!" bellowed Ron. Bellatrix wheels, sees Ron pelting forward pulling Hermione in his arms.

"Expelliarmus!" Bellatrix's dangling wand shoots free, tumbles end over End right into Harry's hand.

"Stupefy!" Lucius Malfoy drops instantly, his wine glass shattering in a burgundy bloom on the hearth. Narcissa and Draco draw their wands. Jets of light spray across the room.

"Stop or she dies!"

Harry and Ron freeze, see Y/n leaning limply against Bellatrix, the dagger at her throat.

"Drop your wands." Ron stands rigidly, staring balefully at Bellatrix.

"I said drop them!"

"All right!" said Harry angrily. Ron flings away Wormtail's wand. Harry drops

Bellatrix's.

"Pick them up, Draco. Now! Well, well, look what we have here. Harry Potter. All bright, shiny and new again. Just in time for the Dark Lord." Bellatrix said. Harry glances in the mirror opposite, sees that the Stinging Jinx is wearing off.

"Call him, Draco." Draco hesitates seeing the girl he loves in his aunt's arms.He blinks back tears. But Lucius doesn't, pulling up his sleeve and touching his finger to the DARK MARK on his forearm. Harry's scar constricts and he grimaces in agony. Bellatrix cackles maniacally, her knife pressed against the tender flesh of y/n's neck. a bead of blood bubbles on the blade and then... a grinding noise is heard. Harry glances up, sees the chandelier begin to tremble. as the tinkle of glass fills the room, Bellatrix stares directly upward, watching as the chandelier bursts free of the ceiling and plummets. Bellatrix bolts and y/n staggers clear, falling into Ron's arms with Hermione. griphook grabs the sword and as glass explodes in razor-sharp slivers, draco screams and covers his bloody face. Harry wrests the blood-soaked wands from his hands and, wheeling, points all three at Lucius.

"Stupefy!" Harry cast. Lucius flies off his feet and drops in a heap.

"You dirty little monkey! You could have killed me!" Bellatrix seethed Harry turns, sees Bellatrix raging at Dobby. The elf stands fearlessly across from her, defiant.

"Dobby meant only to maim or seriously injure, not kill." Dobby said

"For God's sake, Cissy, you've got a wand! Use it!" Bellatrix said to Narcissa, who was staring at her daughter-in-law. Narcissa hesitates. Crack! -- Dobby waves his little

fist and Narcissa's wand flies from her hand.

"How dare you take a witch's wand. How dare you defy your masters." Bellatrix shouted

"Dobby has no master! Dobby is a free elf, and Dobby has come to save Harry Potter and his friends!"

Harry tosses Ron a wand, grabs Hermione's beaded bag and joins the others in the center of the room.

"Give the Dark Lord our regards." Y/n said fearlessly looking at Draco one last time who looked at her sorrowfully.

Harry's hand closes on Dobby's and the drawing room begins to spin. Bellatrix's face twists into an ugly blur.

Her arm rises, dagger in hand. There is a flash of silver. Then with a great whoosh, harry and the others tumble onto solid earth and hear the crash of waves. As Harry staggers to his feet, stars whirl above him. He sees he is on a cliff overlooking a dark sea. Ron holds Hermione and Y/n gently. Tears sting their eyes.

"It's all right, Y/n, Hermione. You're safe. We're all safe." She doesn't respond, nor Ron. Then Harry realizes they are looking past him, even Griphook, the sword hanging limply in his hand. Harry turns. Dobby stands alone, a queer smile on his face, hand over his heart, the hilt of Bellatrix's dagger protruding between his fingers. Y/n stumbles forward beside Harry. Harry supports Y/n with one arm as they both rush forward.

"Dobby... no..." As Harry rushes to him, the elf crumples in his arms, his eyes rolling up to the stars.

"It's okay... Here... Just hold on,Dobby... I'll fix you – Hermione -- your bag -- you must have something -- Essence of Dittany -- something... Hermione! Help me!" Harry shouted

She merely stands, tears streaking her cheeks.

"Harry, we're out of Dittany." Y/n said while tears streamed down her face.

"Such a beautiful night... to be with friends. Dobby is happy...to be with his friend... Harry Potter..." Dobby gives a little shudder, then goes still. The others simply stare, mute, listening to the waves thunder.

Footfalls sound. Ron turns, sees his brother Bill and Luna approaching from the cottage in the distance.

"Fleur's seeing to Ollivander. Anyone else need tending –"

He eyes Harry and Y/n curiously, crouched, his back turned. Then sees Dobby's limp little legs dangling lifelessly. As the others watch, Harry reaches out and -- gently as he can -- pulls the dagger from Dobby's chest, then shrugs off his jacket and enwraps the elf's body. Slowly, his shoulders begin to shake. Only Luna dares to step forward. Kneeling, she sees Harry is silently crying.

"We should close his eyes. Don't you think?" Luna reaches out, tenderly places her fingers upon Dobby's eyelids and closes them.

"There. Now he could be sleeping." She turns then, looks at Harry.

"Harry. It's all right. That it hurts. That's what reminds us how lucky we are to be alive." She explained while gently pulling Y/n away from Harry. Harry turns, studies her serene face briefly, then his eyes shift to Dobby, his face serene as well, in death.

"I want to bury him properly.Without magic." Harry said.

A SPADE pierces the earth as Harry begins to dig,fiercely obsessed by his task followed by Y/n, remembering her only friend at Malfoy Manor. A moment later, Ron kneels beside him and begins to do the same, then Hermione.

"Here lies Dobby, A free Elf"