Escape

Warning: Mild violence!

...

Dobby tugged at Harry's pants. Harry looked down at him.

"Yes, Dobby?" Harry asked kindly.

"Harry Potter sir, where will Dobby take Harry Potter's friends?" Dobby asked timidly.

"I know a place."

Harry turned to look at Ron who spoke up.

"You can take them to Bill and Fleur's house at Shell Cottage," Ron said.

Harry turned back to Dobby. He nodded. Dobby nodded back. "I shall do what Harry Potter sir asks."

Dobby looked at Molly, Percy, Luna, and Mr. Ollivander. "Gather around me and hold on to me, sirs and misses."

Molly looked at Harry and Ron with tears in her eyes.

"I want to stay but I know you won't let me. Just promise me you'll be careful. Both of you," Molly sobbed as she said the last part.

Harry and Ron nodded as she brought them up in a big hug. Percy put a hand on her shoulder. "Let's go, mum."

Molly let go of the boys and nodded to Percy. She turned to Dobby and grabbed his hand. Percy turned to Harry and Ron. "Be safe, you two."

They nodded. Percy grabbed Molly's hand.

Luna came up to Ron and Harry. "I'll see you later. I have faith you'll escape alive," she said without her usual dreamy tone. For once, she sounded normal.

They smiled at her and nodded. Then what she did surprised both Harry and Ron- though the latter seemed pleased. She grabbed Ron's shirt and pulled him in a passionate kiss. They separated after a few seconds, leaving Ron with a goofy look and a stupid smile on his face.

"For good luck," her dreamy voice was back.

Harry raised an eyebrow at Ron. The red head merely smiled. Luna turned and grabbed Mr. Ollivander's and Dobby's hands.

"Dobby, come back right after," Harry said.

Dobby nodded. "Yes, Harry Potter sir." They disappeared with a pop.

When they were gone, Harry asked, "So... what was that about? You and Luna?"

Ron looked at him sheepishly. "All I can say is that she finally got through me." Then he turned serious. "Harry, I'm sorry for leaving you and Hermione alone. I'm sorry for stunning you at the back. I really am. I have no excuses. I would say it was because of the locket but it's function is to feed on your insecurities and deepest fears. I was always jealous of you and Hermione. I admit that. I was jealous of the connection you have. I was also jealous of you. I was jealous because you were famous and I also wanted the attention everyone was giving you. That's how I always felt when I was young. That happens when you have older brothers who have accomplished a lot in their lives. You feel incompetent. That's why it made me want Hermione for myself. In truth, I don't think I really loved her. I just wanted something you didn't have."

Harry frowned. "Ron, you have everything I want! A family, loving parents, three full meals a day, clothes that actually fit me and so much more. You don't have a bloody maniac trying to possess you or kill you. And the reason why I was famous was because that maniac killed my parents! No kid would want that! I never wanted the fame. And in case you forgot, that fame led people to criticise me and call me a liar. Then the next, they call you a hero because you managed to face up to a dark lord and live to tell the tale."

"I know that now, okay? I do. And I'm really sorry for that okay? If it weren't for Luna, I wouldn't be able to figure this out on my own. I'm really grateful to her for that and it made we want to be better. I want to make it up to you, Harry. I'm not saying you have to take me back immediately- let me prove myself. I want to prove to you that I can be better. All I'm asking is one more chance. I won't let you down, I swear."

Harry sighed. "I-I don't know, Ron. It'll take me time... I mean, you did attack me- even if it's only a stunner."

"I know and I'm not asking for your forgiveness now because what I did was unforgivable. I shouldn't have attacked you when you weren't looking. I was acting like a bloody Slytherin when I'm supposed to be a Gryffindor. Just give me one more chance to prove myself. I'll work hard to earn your trust again."

Harry nodded. "You still have Hermione to convince, though."

Ron nodded. "I know and I plan to do so."

Harry nodded again. Then a small pop was heard beside him. He looked down to see Dobby looking at him with his tennis ball sized eyes.

"What else does Harry Potter want Dobby do to?" Dobby asked.

"Dobby, I want you to keep an eye out for us when we get Hermione. When I call for you, that means we are ready to make our escape. Take us to Shell Cottage thereafter. Is that clear?" Harry said.

Dobby nodded.

"And remember... Constant Vigilance!" Harry added, smiling slightly.

Dobby nodded again then disappeared. Harry turned to Ron. "Alright, Ron, when we get up there, we split up. You position near Draco- stun him first. I'll try to get close to Hermione. When I signal you to attack, you stun anyone in sight to give me time to grab Hermione and you can go get Griphook. When you do, you go to me immediately so Dobby can get us out."

Ron nodded and Harry nodded back. He was about to exit the cell when Ron grabbed his arm. "Harry?"

Harry turned to look at him. "What is it?"

"Um..." Ron swallowed thickly. "I-I just want you to know that I'm fine with it."

Harry looked at him with a confused expression. "Fine with what?"

Ron sighed exasperatedly. "Oh, you know what I mean! Please don't make me say it."

Harry was starting to get annoyed. "I have no idea what you mean, Ron."

Ron groaned. "I'm fine with you and Hermione being together. There, you happy?"

Harry extracted his arm from Ron's grasp. "What?!"

"Harry, really. I'm fine with it. I told you a while ago that I don't really think I loved her. And besides, Luna and I are kind of together now-"

"Ron, there is nothing going on between Hermione and I!"

This time, it was Ron's turn to get confused. "What? But what about your neck? Didn't Hermione give you those?"

Harry was as confused as his friend. "My neck? Why? What's on my neck?"

Ron became uncomfortable once again. "Um... y-you have... bruises. On your neck."

Harry turned red and he gaped. "Oh..." He rubbed his neck which stung a little. Ron was right. It was from Hermione. "Wait. You said Hermione gave me 'those'. What do you mean?"

Ron rolled his eyes then chuckled. "I didn't think she'd be such a beast in bed. I meant that you don't only have one- your whole neck is bruised."

Harry coughed. "What?! Nothing happened between us! Wait... if that was the case, then Mrs. Weasley... Percy..."

Ron guffawed. "Yes. The time you were unconscious, they asked me about it and I told them... oh, bloody hell." Ron's expression became apologetic. He smiled sheepishly.

"What?! What did you tell them, Ron?!"

"I'm sorry! I just assumed! I told them you were probably together and about bloody time, too."

Harry shook his head, turning as red as Ron's hair. "Oh, screw it. We'll talk about his later." At that, he slowly opened the cell bars in case they would creak. Ron was hot on his heels, a smile still on his face. He had never seen Harry this flustered before. He enjoyed being the cause of it.

They both climbed up the stairs. Harry grew worried because it had gone silent for a while. He had reached the top of the stairs and ducked to maintain his stealth. He gestured behind him to Ron to wait. He then craned his head to survey the scene. He could see a familiar bushy black haired woman by the name of Bellatrix hunched over a prone figure on the floor, a knife in her hand. A huge gold chandelier hung above them. He grit his teeth as he realised it was Hermione. He could only see the back of her head so he wasn't sure if she was out cold or... no, he didn't even want to think of that. She can't be. He won't let her die.

He then scanned the whole room. He could see Greyback, Peter Pettigrew, Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco Malfoy who was holding the Swod of Gryffindor, much to Harry's relief. Griphook sat beside Draco with a wand levelled to his head. He turned back to Ron once again and nodded to him. Ron nodded back and both crawled up then separated. Ron positioned himself behind a pillar near Draco Malfoy while Harry hid behind a closet near Hermione. Not surprisingly, Draco caught sight of him and smirked for a second before maintaining the stoic expression he adopted seconds before. He maintained eye contact with Harry.

Harry's eys shifted to his right a little where Ron lay in wait for his signal. Draco held up three fingers and Harry nodded. He then gestured to Ron with three fingers as well and the red head nodded.

With his fingers, Harry counted.

'Three... two... one!' Harry thought.

He emerged from the pillar and aimed his wand to Bellatrix.

"Sectumsempra!" Harry bellowed.

The purple light caught the mad witch by surprise and she barely managed to dodge. Harry then proceeded to cast the same curse towards Greyback and Pettigrew with success. Both wizards slumped to he ground, blood spilling freely from their multiple wounds.

On Harry's peripheral view, he saw Ron stun Draco and sent a disarming spell towards Lucius. The pureblood lost his wand and was stunned. Ron turned towards Narcissa and proceeded to do the same to her. He then summoned the Sword of Gryffindor from the unconscious Malfoy scion and helped Griphook stand up.

Turning back his attention to Bellatrix, he levelled his wand to her again as she held Hermione by her hair and pointed her wand to her throat. Hermione clenched her jaw stubbornly. Her lip was cut and a bruise formed on her right cheek.

"Well, well, well... little Potty has come to the rescue," she cackled.

"Let her go, LeStrange!" Harry snarled, anger and fear boiling in his veins.

"Oh... that won't do, wouldn't it?" Bellatrix countered.

Ron stood beside Harry, passing the Sword of Gryffindor to his friend and aiming for Bellatrix at the same time. Griphook was beside him in an instant.

"Let her go! She has nothing to do with this!" Ron growled.

"Oh, but she has everything to do with this. You see... you stole the Sword of Gryffindor from me, now I'll steal something from you in return. Her life, perhaps? Oh, that sounds wonderful. Maybe I'll spare her heart and give it to you!" Bellatrix sneered.

"Don't you dare! I'll kill you with my bare hands!" Harry screamed.

"I propose an exchange, then. The mudblood for the Sword of Gryffindor."

"Don't give it to her, Harry!" Hermione spoke for the first time.

"Alright, you win. Give us Hermione and I'll give you the sword," Harry said, ignoring Hermione's plea.

"No!" Hermione said.

"Harry... we need the sword," Ron whispered beside him.

Harry held out his hand. "Give us Hermione."

"No! The sword! I choose the sword!" Hermione said, struggling from Bellatrix's clutches.

"Shut up, mudblood!" Bellatrix's knife dug on her neck, drawing blood. Turning to Harry, she said, "We have a deal, boy. Give me the sword and I'll give you the mudblood."

"No. Hermione first, then the sword."

"You are in no position to demand that boy. Another word and she gets it. Now, give me the Sword!"

Gritting his teeth, he threw the sword at Bellatrix's feet. Smirking, Bellatrix pushed Hermione towards Harry who caught her in his arms and put her behind him, shielding her with his body.

"Dobby!" Harry called, just in time for Bellatrix to throw he knife towards Harry, hitting his shoulder. Harry cried out in pain and clutched his bleeding shoulder. Hermione screamed and Ron gasped. With a soft pop, Dobby appeared and snapped his fingers. The chandelier above them jiggled.

"Quick! G-Grab on to me!" Harry gasped, placing his bloody hand on Dobby's shoulder. Hermione wrapped her arms around him- carefully- from behind, Ron clutched his uninjured shoulder and Griphook's arm.

"Hold on to Dobby, Master Harry!" Dobby squeaked.

Before they disappeared, Ron quickly summoned the sword from Bellatrix while Dobby snapped his fingers again and the chandelier above them came crashing down.

Before they were hit, however, they had disappeared.