Chapters 26-28 by Angie

Chapter 26 Gringotts

Hermione takes the polyjuice potion to resemble Bellatrix and since she’s got her wand it should be quite convincing. Since Hermione had not won Bellatrix’s wand in a duel it won’t perform exactly right for her and she’s feeling a little ‘lost’ and uneasy. With disguises ready, the trio leave Shell Cottage and head for the Leaky Cauldron where they will enter Diagon Alley. Once in Diagon Alley they are shocked to see how things have changed; boarded shops, beggars in the streets. They encounter Travers and he seems confused as to how Bellatrix got to Diagon Alley when she’s supposed to be confined to Malfoy Mansion. She tells him that the Dark Lord has shown her favor and allowed her to go out. Travers is also headed to Gringotts so he accompanies them.
Harry uses a spell to confuse the guards into thinking they’ve already scanned Hermione and confirmed her identity as Bellatrix. Once in the bank they ask to go into the vault, but when they ask for identification, Griphook lets Harry know that the goblins have been tipped off that someone may try to break in. He instructs Harry to use Imperio (an unforgivable curse) and Harry does. The goblin inspects the new wand as proof of identification, but agrees that it is indeed the correct one. Confused, the trio just go with it and follow the goblin that will be taking them to the vault. Although during their trip down, they pass through a waterfall that is designed to erase all charms and they are discovered. Harry uses Imerpio again and they are able to escape only to find themselves face to face with a dragon. After carefully avoiding the dragon they enter the vault by forcing the goblin to open it. Once in there they discover that a charm has been placed on the objects. If you touch one, it becomes deathly hot and multiplies itself, making it impossible to hold onto and, once dropped, impossible to locate amongst the copies. Each time another object is touched the same things happens and eventually the vault is filled to capacity and too hot to survive in, killing the thief. Quickly the group locates the goblet they are seeking and use the sword to retrieve it. However, in the attempt they are becoming engulfed by burning gold and treasures. Harry reaches to save Griphook and Griphook chooses that moment to grab the sword and run. Harry Hermione and Ron run for the dragon as Griphook is calling for the goblins to grab the trio. The trio unhook the dragon and ride it out of the vault to safety.

Characters
Harry
Ron
Hermione
Griphook
Tom (barkeeper of The Leaky Cauldron)
beggars
Travers
Goblin Guards
Goblin Tellers
Bogrod (Escort into vault)

Does Travers know that this is an elaborate hoax?
Who tipped off the goblins that the vault would be broken into?
What could the trio have done differently to get into and out of Gringotts unknown?
How will using an Unforgivable Curse change Harry?

Chapter 27 The Final Hiding Place

As there was no way to steer the dragon, they are at his mercy. They just cling to the back and wait until the dragon decides to land. After hours on its back Harry decides that if they don’t jump off the dragon may kill them. As they are descending over a lake Harry instructs Ron and Hermione to jump from the dragon into the water. They find themselves on the bank of the lake covered in burns. Harry casts the protective spells and then they go about healing their wounds. Harry has another vision of Voldemort being told by the goblins about the break-in and escape. Harry sees the scene as if he is Voldemort and he sees himself killing the goblins. Then Voldemort begins to realize that if Harry has destroyed the book and the cup was stolen, he might understand what they are.He slowly realizes that he must retrieve the other Horcruxes.
When Harry awakens to a frightened Ron and Hermione he tells the that Voldemort is going to go find the ring first because he’s sure that Snape will keep the one at Hogwarts safe. Since they know the ring is already destroyed they decide to go to Hogwarts via Hogsmeade. They gather under the Invisibility Cloak and apparate.

Characters
Harry
Ron
Hermione
Voldemort (through Harry’s visions)

How did the dragon know not to harm the trio?
Will the dragon play a role later in the story?
How does Voldemort’s decision help to shape how Harry progresses?

Chapter 28 The Missing Mirror

As soon as their feet hit the road in Hogsmeade Village, a piercing scream fills the air and Death Eaters surround them. The Death Eaters try Accio Cloak but the cloak doesn’t budge. The order is given to fan out and search for Potter. A Death Eater suggests they use dementors to find the trio and so they are summoned. Before the trio can attempt to Disapperate they feel themselves being sucked into the Dementor’s despair. Harry uses his Patronus to scatter the dementors but it’s spotted. At the moment the Death Eaters find them a man bursts out of a door and says “Potter, in here, quick!” He then yells at the Death Eaters for bringing Dementors to his street. He tells them that he set off the alarm when he let his cat out and the patronus they saw was his goat. The Death Eater is confused, but he leaves.

READ THE REST OF THE CHAPTER SUMMARY HERE

How do you feel about Harry making all the plans and Ron and Hermione suffering the consequences?
How do you think Ron and Hermione feel about having to clean up after his mistakes?
After knowing that the word “Voldemort” was tabooed, why do you think that Harry continues to do things like show up in public places?
Does Harry actually do anything or do the people around him do all the work?
How has your opinion of Dumbledore changed after hearing the story about his youth and the death of his sister?
Were you surprised to see that Neville Longbottom hasn’t been taken out of Hogwarts by his grandmother?