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ESMIE STUMBLED AS THE GROUP LANDED A SHORT DISTANCE FROM GRINGOTTS, THE SUDDEN JOLT NEARLY SENDING HER OFF BALANCE.

Enzo was swift in his reaction, reaching out to steady her and prevent her from falling. As she regained her footing, Esmie looked up at him, a grateful smile tugging at her lips. "Thank you."

"Well, we can't have you falling on your face now, can we, darling?" Enzo teased, his voice light despite the tension of their situation.

Esmie rolled her eyes playfully and nudged him with her shoulder. She glanced around the dark alley, the shadows seeming to press in around them, sending a shiver down her spine. Instinctively, she moved closer to Enzo, pressing her body against his for comfort. The movement made Enzo tense up, the familiar warmth of her touch a stark contrast to the grim reality they were facing. He looked at her, his gaze softening with unspoken longing. He wished their circumstances were different, that they could simply be together without the looming danger.

Instead of voicing his feelings, Enzo placed a reassuring hand on her arm, giving it a gentle squeeze. His touch was meant to be both a comfort and a reminder of their bond.

As the group followed Hermione, Esmie noticed a man walking past. They immediately halted, and the man greeted Hermione with a nod.

"Madam Lestrange," he said.

"Good morning," Hermione replied, her tone carefully measured.

Esmie bit her lip, exchanging a tense look with Enzo. She knew Hermione had to fully embody the role of Bellatrix Lestrange to avoid detection, and the risks of being caught were unknown and frightening. The stakes felt higher than ever.

"Good morning? Good morning? You're Bellatrix Lestrange, not some dewy-eyed schoolgirl," Griphook snapped, his voice laced with irritation. Esmie frowned, turning her gaze to him.

"Hey, easy," she interjected softly, trying to defuse the tension.

"If she gives us away, we might as well use that sword to slit our throats. Understand?" Griphook's tone was harsh, and his words hit hard. Esmie looked from Griphook to Hermione, who nodded in understanding.

"No, he's right. I was being foolish," Hermione admitted, her voice tinged with regret. She looked at Esmie, and Esmie reached out to squeeze her hand gently.

"You can do this, Mione," Esmie said, trying to infuse her voice with as much confidence as she could muster.

Hermione nodded, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "Okay, let's do it," Harry said, breaking the tension with a note of resolve.

Enzo leaned closer to Esmie, his voice a low whisper. "You ready, Mie?"

Esmie nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. Enzo crouched down, allowing her to climb onto his back. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her grip firm but careful. Enzo slipped his arms around her legs, holding her securely as they prepared to move. Harry also crouched down, allowing Griphook to climb onto his back. Once they were all in place, Harry threw the Invisibility Cloak over himself, Griphook, Enzo, and Esmie. The fabric shimmered as it covered them, blending them into their surroundings.

They followed Ron and Hermione in the direction of Gringotts, the cloak's concealment making them virtually invisible. As they moved through the bustling interior of the bank, Esmie's eyes darted around, taking in the sight of goblins industriously working at their stations. The atmosphere was tense, and she could feel the weight of their mission pressing on her shoulders.

Enzo took another step, but Esmie's slipped slightly. She quickly adjusted her balance, tightening her grip around him to prevent any further mishaps.

"Mie, you need to stay still," Enzo whispered urgently, his voice barely audible above the hum of activity around them.

"Sorry," Esmie whispered back, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. They came to a stop in front of a goblin who was deeply engrossed in writing in a book. The goblin's concentration seemed unshakeable as Hermione cleared her throat softly, trying to get his attention.

Esmie held her breath, her heart racing as they waited for the next step in their risky operation.

"I wish to enter my vault," Hermione said firmly, her tone brooking no argument.

The goblin, peering over the edge of his book with an air of detached authority, raised an eyebrow. "I hardly think that'll be necessary," he replied, his tone clipped but polite. Esmie, her heart racing with anxiety, clung tightly to Enzo, who remained calm despite the tension. The goblin's gaze shifted from Hermione to the rest of the group, lingering on them with a hint of suspicion.

"Madam Lestrange," the goblin said, acknowledging Hermione's presence with a nod.

"I don't like to be kept waiting," Hermione snapped, her irritation barely concealed. Esmie felt a shiver run down her spine, the oppressive atmosphere making her clutch Enzo even more tightly. Her stomach churned with dread as Griphook spoke up, his voice low and urgent.

"They know. They know she's an imposter," Griphook said, his eyes darting nervously around the room.

"We have to do something. We have to help her," Esmie whispered urgently, her voice trembling.

"They've been warned," Griphook replied, his face grave. Esmie glanced at Ron, who was turning his head to look behind him with a furrowed brow. She wasn't sure if he was looking directly at her or if he was distracted by something else.

"Harry? What do we do, Harry?" Ron's voice was tinged with panic, the gravity of the situation evident in his tone.

"Follow me," Harry said, his voice firm but low. Enzo nodded and followed Harry, maintaining a protective grip on Esmie. She clung to him, her heart pounding in her chest, as Harry led them toward the goblin.

"Madam Lestrange, would you mind presenting your wand?" the goblin requested, his tone now steely and insistent.

"And why should I do that?" Hermione retorted sharply, her frustration evident.

"It's the bank's policy. I'm sure you understand, given the current climate," the goblin said, his voice unwavering. Hermione's face flushed with anger, and Esmie's anxiety intensified. She gripped Enzo's arm tighter, feeling his reassuring presence even through the mounting tension.

"I'm afraid I must insist," the goblin said, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. Just as Harry reached them, Esmie felt a wave of relief and apprehension. She watched as Harry discreetly pointed his wand at the goblin.

"Imperio," Harry whispered, his voice carrying the command of the Unforgivable Curse.

"Very well, Madam Lestrange, if you will follow me," the goblin said, his demeanour instantly compliant. Esmie let out a sigh of relief as the other goblins resumed their work, their focus shifting away from the group. The goblin began leading them toward the vaults, and the group moved cautiously behind him.

Once they were out of sight, Harry removed the Invisibility Cloak, and Esmie quickly climbed off Enzo's back. She hopped onto the cart that would take them to the vault, her stomach tightening with nerves as the cart jolted forward. The speed was exhilarating and terrifying, and Esmie gripped Enzo tightly, her knuckles white with tension. The cart hurtled down the tracks, and Esmie's unease grew as she struggled to maintain her balance.

Ahead, Esmie noticed a dangerous break in the tracks. Her heart skipped a beat, and she reached out to tug on Enzo's shirt.

"What is it, Mie?" Enzo asked, his voice laced with concern.

"Uh, that—" Esmie pointed urgently at the broken tracks, her voice trembling.

"What's that, Griphook?" Harry asked, his voice sharp as he followed Esmie's pointing finger. As the cart drew closer to the gap, Esmie's fear escalated. She closed her eyes, bracing herself for the worst.

"Griphook!" Harry shouted, his tone filled with urgency.

"Whoa," Griphook exclaimed, managing to halt the carriage just in time. Esmie exhaled a breath she hadn't realised she was holding, her relief short-lived as alarms blared, and the cart began to drop.

Esmie screamed, her heart racing as she felt the ground rush up to meet them. Desperately, she tried to slow her fall by grabbing onto Enzo and the sides of the cart.

"Arresto Momentum!" Hermione shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. The spell briefly halted their descent, and they landed on the ground with a heavy thud. Esmie winced at the impact, quickly standing up and brushing herself off.

"Well done, Hermione," Harry said, his voice a mix of gratitude and frustration. Esmie glanced up at the cart, which was now suspended above them with alarms blaring incessantly. She sighed heavily, her relief mingling with frustration.

"Are you going to blame me for this too, Ronald?" Esmie asked, her voice tinged with irritation.

"Mie—" Enzo started, shaking his head in exasperation.

"Oh, no, you look like you again," Ron said dismissively, turning his attention back to Hermione.

"The Thief's Downfall washes away all enchantments and can be deadly," Griphook informed them, his voice grave.

"You don't say. Just out of curiosity, is there any other way out of here?" Ron asked, his tone resigned.

"No," Griphook replied curtly.

"Great," Esmie muttered, folding her arms across her chest in frustration.

"What the devil are you all doing down here?" a different goblin demanded, making Esmie jump. "Thieves! When you gave up the keys, you—"

"Imperio!" Harry shouted, his voice commanding. Esmie let out a sigh of relief as the goblin's attention shifted, his focus returning to his tasks. As the goblin resumed his duties, Esmie heard a distant, ominous roar. Curiosity piqued, she took a cautious step away from the group, her heart pounding with both fear and curiosity. She moved tentatively toward the source of the sound, her mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.

"Mie—" Enzo's voice cut through the clamour as he sprinted to catch up with Esmie. She had come to a sudden halt, her breath catching in her throat as she gazed at the dragon chained before them. Enzo reached her side just as she came to a complete stop, her eyes fixed in horror on the creature.

"Bloody hell, that's a Ukrainian Ironbelly," Ron's voice came from behind them, a note of awe and fear evident in his tone. He joined them, his gaze locking onto the dragon.

Esmie's eyes were brimming with tears as she stared at the beast. "It shouldn't be in chains," she said, shaking her head slowly. Her voice was filled with distress. The dragon's scales were marred by blood and grime, and its powerful wings were bound by heavy chains.

"What?" Enzo asked, his concern deepening as he looked from Esmie to the dragon.

"Look at it, Sweets. It's covered in blood," Esmie replied, her voice trembling. Her heart ached for the dragon, and she felt a deep sense of injustice at its suffering.

Griphook, who had been silent until now, approached them with an object in his hand. "Here," he said, extending it to Ron. As he did, he began to shake the object, and the sound it made seemed to cause a flicker of discomfort in the dragon's eyes.

"What's that?" Hermione asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"It's been trained to expect pain when it hears this noise," Griphook explained, his voice steady but grim. The group moved cautiously past the dragon, the sound of the rattling object seeming to agitate it further.

"That's barbaric," Hermione said, her voice filled with repulsion as she watched the dragon's reaction.

"Mie, I know you want to free the dragon, but we need to go," Enzo said gently, his hand resting on Esmie's shoulder. She turned to look at him, her eyes glistening with tears. She nodded, knowing that their mission was far from over. They followed the goblins, their footsteps echoing in the dimly lit tunnel as they approached Bellatrix's vault.

"Lumos," Harry said, his wand casting a bright light that illuminated the chamber as they entered. The walls of the vault were lined with gold and jewels, but Esmie's gaze was drawn to the clutter of objects scattered about. She felt a surge of anxiety—how were they supposed to find the Horcrux among all this?

"Blimey," Ron muttered, his eyes widening as he took in the sheer volume of wealth around them.

"So, how exactly are we planning to find the Horcrux in here?" Esmie asked, her voice laced with apprehension. She looked around, feeling a sense of overwhelming disorientation.

"Accio Horcrux," Hermione said, her wand pointed in a hopeful attempt to summon the object they sought.

"You're seriously not trying that one again, are you?" Ron asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"That kind of magic won't work in here," Griphook said, shaking his head. "Bellatrix's vault is protected against such spells."

"Is it in here, Harry? Can you sense anything?" Ron asked urgently. The tension in the air was palpable. Suddenly, a series of objects began to fall from the shelves and multiply rapidly around them. Esmie stumbled backward, bumping into Enzo. He immediately wrapped an arm around her, his eyes reflecting both worry and determination.

"That's it, up there!" Harry shouted, pointing to a shimmering object that was becoming increasingly obscured by the multiplying clutter.

"They've used the Gemino Curse; everything you touch will multiply," Griphook warned them, his voice laced with urgency.

"Give me the sword," Harry cried, his voice sharp with determination. Esmie watched in a mixture of awe and fear as the sword soared through the air towards Harry. The clutter around them continued to grow, becoming a chaotic whirlwind of objects.

"Whatever you do, don't move," Enzo instructed, his voice steady despite the pandemonium. Esmie nodded, her heart pounding as the multiplying objects surged around their feet, then up to their knees.

"Stop moving!" Hermione yelled at Ron, her voice strained as she struggled to remain still. Harry was climbing toward the Horcrux, which was becoming harder to see amid the growing mass of objects. Just as the clutter seemed to engulf them entirely, Harry emerged, stumbling down to where the group waited.

"Got it!" Harry cried triumphantly, holding the Horcrux in his hand. He tossed it in front of Griphook, who snatched it up with a look of satisfaction.

"We had a deal, Griphook," Harry said, his voice firm and resolute.

"The cup for the sword," Griphook shouted back, his tone insistent. As Harry threw the sword to Griphook, Esmie let out a scream as the multiplying objects reached her neck. The chaos around them intensified as the objects continued to grow, making it difficult to move.

Griphook tossed the cup to Hermione before turning his attention to the group. "I said I'd get you in. I didn't say anything about getting you out," he said coldly, leaving them with the gravity of his words.

As they raced towards the vault's exit, the multiplying objects began to close in around them. Esmie crawled forward with all her strength, struggling to free herself from the suffocating mass. When she finally emerged, gasping for air, she saw Harry reaching out to her, his hand extending through the chaos.

"Esmie, come on!" Harry shouted. She grabbed his hand, pulling herself up. Enzo appeared moments later, and she held her hand out to him.

"Enzo, I've got you," Esmie said, her voice filled with urgency. Enzo reached her and she helped him free himself from the tangled mess. Hermione and Ron soon joined them, and they sprinted after Harry, who was following Griphook.

They burst out of the vault just as the dragon roared in frustration. Griphook and another goblin were using the rattling object to keep the dragon distracted.

"Help! Thieves!" the other goblin cried out, his voice echoing through the chamber.

"Foul little git. Least we've still got Bogard," Ron said, but his voice trailed off as the dragon released a torrent of fire. Esmie watched in horror as the flames engulfed Bogard.

"That's unfortunate," Ron muttered, his voice reflecting his dismay.

"How are we going to get out of here?" Esmie asked, her voice rising in panic as a blast of magic from the guards caused the group to scatter. They took cover, their hearts racing as the guards' spells flew dangerously close.

"We can't just stand here. Who's got an idea?" Hermione shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.

"You're the brilliant one," Ron yelled at Hermione, his frustration evident.

"I've got an idea crazy enough that it might just work," Esmie said, her mind racing as she turned towards the dragon. She took a deep breath, knowing that their situation required an audacious plan.

"Mie, what are you thinking?" Enzo asked, his voice tinged with concern as he watched her.

Esmie hesitated for a moment, then made her decision. She took a step forward, her eyes locked on the dragon. "Reducto!" she cried, her spell shattering the railing that bound the dragon. Without waiting for a response, she ran and leaped onto the dragon's back. Enzo watched in a mix of admiration and worry, unsure if his girlfriend's daring move was a stroke of genius or a reckless gamble.

As Esmie clung tightly to the dragon, she looked back at her friends. "Come on, unless one of you has a better idea, this is our way out of here!"

"This is crazy—" Hermione began, but she and the others quickly followed Esmie's lead, jumping onto the dragon's back.

"Come on! We need to go, now!" Esmie shouted, her voice filled with urgency.

"Alright—" Enzo said, nodding in agreement. He ran and jumped onto the dragon, grabbing hold of its scales. Esmie pointed her wand at the chains.

"Relashio!" she shouted. The chains broke apart with a loud clang, and the dragon roared, its powerful wings beating as it began to ascend. The group held on tightly as the dragon smashed through the ceiling of Gringotts. The sound of glass shattering echoed around them as they burst out into the open air.

They emerged on the roof of the building, the dragon standing panting heavily.

"Now what?" Ron asked, his voice a mix of exhilaration and fear.

"Reducto!" Hermione yelled, her spell clearing the way. The dragon responded by taking off, its massive wings propelling them into the sky.

"Hold on!" Harry shouted as the dragon soared, knocking into several buildings before climbing higher. The cityscape below them grew distant as they flew away from Gringotts.

"That was brilliant, Esmie! Absolutely brilliant," Ron shouted over the wind, his voice filled with admiration.

Esmie nodded and smiled, her heart racing with adrenaline and relief. The dragon continued its flight, soaring over the landscape.

As they flew, the dragon began to descend towards a large lake.

"We're dropping!" Harry shouted.

"I say we jump!" Ron exclaimed.

"When?" Hermione demanded.

"Now!" Harry cried. Without hesitation, the group released their grip on the dragon and leaped into the water below. The impact of the cold water was jarring, and Esmie gasped, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of their situation, her heart still pounding from their narrow escape.

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Enzo watching Esmie like: 🫣🤨

Enjoy! Xo

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