Harry looked at Hermione and they both remembered Griphook betraying them in the Bellatrix's vault by grabbing the sword and yelling out that they were thieves. "I think a small payback isn't too bad," He said. "There was a reason we were on the back of that Dragon."
It was a full hour later that Sirius with the two sapphires tucked into his cloak departed for Gringotts. It had taken that long for him to go get a muggle newspaper so Hermione could remember the name of the player she'd remembered her mother speaking of. Sirius had a note in his pocket with "Wimbledon, men's singles Richard Krajicek' written on it.
The rest of the jewels were hidden in Sirius' bedroom. They didn't want to deposit them in a vault all at once, so they planned to do it over several months.
It was three in the afternoon when Harry and Hermione walked up the steps past the Gargoyle to Dumbledore's office. Twenty minutes later they all were looking at the Silver Diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw. Dumbledore had sent Neville and Luna out of the room.
"Sir," Hermione said. "Is there a way to destroy the Horcrux without destroying the object?"
"Not that I know of," Dumbledore replied. "Remember it must be destroyed beyond the ability of magic to repair it."
Remembering Neville's earlier suggestion Harry asked. "What about the killing curse sir? Would that work?"
Dumbledore considered for a moment then answered. "Unfortunately no. You see when the killing curse hits solid objects such as metal or stone, it will just bounce off or destroys the object depending on what exactly it's made of. If it hits solid objects that have been alive but are soulless like wood it will cause damage such as an explosion or fire. No the killing curse separates the soul from the living body and in this case there is no living body."
"I should have thought of that," Harry said to Hermione. "In the last battle at the Ministry, Voldemort's killing curses bounced off the statue and destroyed the wooden desk."
"No.." Dumbledore was saying. "We must destroy it."
"It seems like a waste," Hermione said. "Such magic."
"Which is exactly what Riddle hoped for I believe. Even if one was discovered no one would destroy a founders' relic," Dumbledore explained. "Now I think it must be done. Stand back over there," He said as he raised the Sword of Gryffindor. "But..." He paused, "be prepared. I might need assistance again if it struggles."
The Diadem did not put up a struggle and another piece of Voldemort's soul was destroyed shortly afterwards.
"Thank you," Dumbledore said as scream's echos died away and the black ooze ran from the Diadem.
"Sir, why didn't that Horcrux put up a fight?" Hermione asked. "The diary and the locket did."
"I'm not really sure," Dumbledore replied as he looked at the Diadem. "It could be that by the time Tom had made this one, he didn't have enough soul left to fight or it could be that you must use the Horcrux for it to recognize a threat."
"What do you mean, use it?"
"A diary is meant to be written in, which is what young Miss Weasley did with the Diary Horcrux. She used it. A locket is meant to be opened and gazed into, again what we did with the Horcrux Locket," Dumbledore explained. "Whatever traps Riddle or the soul piece might have intended might not have worked unless the Diadem was placed on a person's head."
"Oh," Harry said.
"Now," Dumbledore said as he picked up the Diadem. "I think it is safe to put away," He gazed at the silver tiara for several seconds. Finally he turned to Harry and Hermione. "Miss Granger your parents' house has been warded as best I can do. It is still vulnerable to sustained attacks or if Voldemort himself were to try to breech the wards."
"Thank you sir," Hermione said.
"I was also just informed by Madam Bones that Peter's trial will be next week. Though things are very unsettled right now at the Ministry so that might change."
"Why?" Hermione asked.
Dumbledore sighed. "The Dementors have revolted as I feared they would. It is clear that they are now serving Voldemort or as Minister Fudge is addressing him, Lord Thingy. Several Aurors lost their lives before the island itself was secured."
"The Death Eaters that were captured?"
"Were still at the Ministry."
"Was anything discovered in the Death Eater's vaults or homes?" Hermione asked.
"It's been a difficult process," Dumbledore said. "Nothing, at least no Horcruxes have been found in any of the homes but the Goblins are making it difficult to get to the vaults of those who went through the veil since we have no bodies to prove their deaths," When he saw the grimace pass between Harry and Hermione he again interpreted it wrong. "I'm sorry; I can imagine that those deaths weigh heavily in your minds."
"That's alright sir," Harry replied. "We're fine."
"Very well. Now you two should go pack and be ready for the feast tonight," The Headmaster suggested. "I will let you know that due to the bias in points this year, there will be no awarding of the House Cup."
After dinner they packed their trunks and were sitting in the common room when Ginny came in. "Ready for the summer?" She asked sweetly.
Harry didn't say anything but Hermione answered. "It'll be nice to see my parents."
"Yes I'm sure it will along with all the other muggle things you like to do," Ginny replied. "Well I better go pack. See you in the morning."
"Got the antidote for Dean just in case?" Harry asked his wife once Ginny had disappeared up the steps.
Hermione slid her hand into her robes and pulled out a stoppered vial of a clear liquid.
"At least we can soon get rid of the one nuisance and be able to concentrate on Voldemort."
...
Each day for the past week, Narcissa Malfoy sat by her husband's bedside. Only the rising and falling of his chest gave her a clue that he was still alive. Though Healers told her there was nothing they could do and it would do no good for her to stay there, there she stayed. She would always leave late each evening only to return in the early morning. Every evening Andromeda would come and sit beside her. Sometimes they never spoke but sat in silence. Sometimes the words came as natural as when they were sisters growing up together.
Finally after a week, Andromeda took Narcissa by the hand. "Come now Cissy, it's been a week. You're just killing yourself by staying here as much as you do."
Narcissa only nodded as Andromeda led her out of the ward.
"Go home and don't come tomorrow," Andromeda said softly.
Again Narcissa nodded as she started down the hall away from her sister she stopped and looked back. "Will you come tomorrow evening?"
"You're not to come here tomorrow," Andromeda reminded her sister.
"No...I mean..." Narcissa started and stopped.
"To your home?"
A nod.
"Are you sure I'm welcome?"
"Only Draco and I are there," Narcissa replied. She had noticed that Pettigrew had disappeared but she hadn't cared. She'd presumed he'd left to return to the Dark Lord's side. All the time next to her husband's bed she had not bothered to read the newspaper.
"I'll be there then," Her sister replied.
....
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