With the help of Rodolphus and Rabastan, Hermione discovers the final piece of the puzzle.

Draco and Zacharias were sitting in the Headmaster’s office while Severus glowered his nose down at the two wizards. He didn’t need to use legilimency to figure out what had transpired between the two of them.

“I don’t care who started the fight or what it was about. Being Head Boy and a Prefect respectively, I wouldn’t think I’d need to remind you both of your responsibilities, nor the example you are required to set for the younger students. Therefore 50 points will be taken from each of your houses and you both will have detention for the remainder of the school year. Mr. Smith, you will serve your detention with Madam Sprout out in the greenhouses and Mr. Malfoy? You will spend your detention with Professor Slughorn in the Potions lab.”

Both boys nodded and glared at each other as both were bruised and bleeding, but Smith had sustained the worst of the injuries.

“I expect you both to return to your dorms immediately. The train will be leaving in the morning, so off you both go.”

Draco stood up first and left the Headmaster’s office with Smith following closely behind. Neither wizard spoke to each other and Draco was in a hurry to get back to the common room to speak to his witch.

He knew she was upset with him and with good reason.

He just hoped she would forgive him.

Hermione at that moment was in her dorm room changing into her Muggle jeans and a jumper with her boots and heavy cloak. She was just about to head out, when Daphne waltzed in.

“Where are you going?”

“There’s something I need to do. Could you do me a favor and cover for me? Hopefully, I’ll be back by morning.”

Daphne sat down on the bed and gave her friend a stern look. “What’s going on Hermione?”

“I can’t tell you, I’m sorry. But I have to go now and I know Draco’s going to come looking for me. We had a disagreement earlier, but my leaving has nothing to do with that.”

“Why don’t I believe you?” Daphne asked quietly. “You know Draco’s going to realize you’re gone and he’s going to be inconsolable if he thinks you’ve left because of whatever happened.”

Hermione shrugged. “Probably, but I can’t worry about that right now. If you see him just tell him I love him and that I think I’ve found the answer to the problem I’ve been trying to figure out, and that I also found the last object I needed. That’s why I hugged Zacharias, because he showed me a book and I was so excited that I’d discovered it.”

“And Draco will know what that means?”

Hermione nodded and moved out of their dorm room and down into the common room, noticing Nagini and telling the snake to follow her.

There were a few interested stares but she didn’t have time to worry about what anyone might say or think. She moved quickly out of the common room and cast a disillusionment charm over herself and Nagini, and headed for the rendezvous point.

She spoke with Nagini as they made their way to Hogsmeade, Hermione explaining to her friend where she was going and why—she also explained to Nagini what her plan was, should she be successful in getting the necessary information.

Nagini listened unhappily but understood this was something her Mistress needed to do, so she gave her blessing and told Hermione to be careful...leaving her to go out hunting for the evening. Once Hermione made her way out past the main gates and into Hogsmeade, she saw the two wizards she was looking for. Cancelling the disillusionment spell, she made her way towards the Lestrange Brothers.

Rabastan saw her first and bowed. “My Lady.”

Hermione nodded in greeting. “Hello Rabastan, Rodolphus.”

“My Lady.” Rodolphus grinned. “We brought the item you requested and it is set to activate in five minutes. Are you sure of the destination?”

“Yes, and thank you for obtaining it for me. I wasn’t sure when I’d need it, but I’ve had a bit of good fortune today. Will we have any problems accessing the area once we get where we are going?”

Rodolphus shook his head. “No, I’ve managed to find someone willing to escort us to the proper area. Once we are there, you’ll have ten minutes before the shift changes and we will need to vacate the premises. Do you think that will be enough time to get what you need?”

“It should be.”

When the time for the portkey came, Rodolphus, Rabastan and Hermione reached for the shoe that had been charmed to teleport them out of Hogsmeade and to their destination...

Nurmengard Castle.

When Hermione gazed up at the entrance to the castle, the insignia “For the Greater Good” was carved into the stone above the archway leading into the inner courtyard. A shadow emerged from the right, and a tall, thin wizard that looked to be in his early fifties, moved out and bowed formally.

“Lord Lestrange...welcome to Nurmengard Castle. If you will all follow me, we don’t have much time until the guard changes. You will have approximately ten minutes to see the prisoner.”

“Thank you.”

The small group moved quickly through the castle’s interior until the reached the top-most cell in the highest tower. Hermione could barely make out the small window, which was too narrow for anyone to get through it, as well as a small bed and a thin blanket.

Nodding to the three wizard’s, Hermione addressed the guard. “Thank you for your help. Hopefully this shouldn’t take but a few minutes, however, I will need access to the cell.”

The guard didn’t appear none too happy with the request as he said stiffly, “I wasn’t aware you would need access to the prisoner. Even though he’s been incarcerated here for fifty-two years, he is not completely without his magic, Miss.”

Hermione smiled reassuringly at the man. “Trust me, there is no way Mr. Grindelwald can hurt me. I believe he will be most cooperative under the circumstances.”

Glancing over at the Lestrange Brothers, who didn’t seem to be all that concerned with the young witch entering the cell of the former Dark Lord, the prison guard nodded reluctantly, and cast a few spells, allowing the door to open, giving Hermione entrance.

When the cell door closed, there was a wheezing chuckling that reverberated within the room.

“I must admit? I’m not sure if I’m hallucinating or not after all this time—but even so, my visions have never felt so real.”

Hermione smiled softly and moved into the room confidently. “You’re not hallucinating Mr. Grindelwald. Your Great Aunt Bathilda sends her regards. She has missed you these many years, and has shared with me many of your exploits as a young boy.”

Hermione could hear movement and then suddenly Gellert Grindelwald was facing her in the minimal light pouring into the room. His face was old and haggard, his body paper thin yet despite the signs of age and starvation, Hermione could still feel the remnants of his magic within the small confines of the room.

“You know my Aunt?”

“I do. I’ve spent a few weeks every summer in Godric’s Hollow these past few years visiting with her.”

As Gellert smiled, his face took on a feral quality—half his teeth were missing and he looked quite deranged.

“You’re not scared being here.”

Hermione chuckled. “No. I don’t have much time, Mr. Grindelwald and I was assured by your Aunt Bathilda that you would be more than willing to help me.”

“And why would she say something of the kind?”

“Albus Dumbledore is dead. Received the dementors kiss about a year ago. I’m sure you’ll mourn his passing?”

Gellert chuckled. “And whom do I have to thank for ridding the world of Albus Dumbledore?”

Hermione opened her beaded bag and pulled out the Elder Wand, watching with amusement as Grindelwald’s eyes widened in disbelief at first and then admiration as he threw his head back and laughed out in glee.

“You?”

“Yes...me. I dispatched your former...well, what should we call him? Good friend?”

Gellert chuckled manically as his eyes gleamed with malice. “If you like.”

Hermione shrugged. “I’m here to ask for your help. You know what this wand is, yes?”

Gellert, seeing no reason to lie, nodded.

“And you know of the Tale of the Three Brothers?”

The look on Grindelwald’s face showed surprise momentarily, before it cleared and he nodded again.

Hermione held up her hand and showed Grindelwald the ring on her finger, and as he lifted up his hand to touch it, Hermione chuckled and shook her head in warning. “It’s cursed. If anyone other than a member of the Gaunt Family touches this ring...well I’m sure you get the idea?”

Smiling widely, Grindelwald considered the little witch with respect. “You are the heir to the Gaunt Family? You’re the daughter of the Dark Lord Voldemort?”

Hermione’s face broke out into a genuine smile. “I’m surprised that you are able to keep abreast of the goings on within the magical world, but perhaps I shouldn’t be?”

Ignoring the question, Gellert gestured towards the ring. “You have two...what of the third?”

“I possess all three Hallows, Mr. Grindelwald.” Hermione admitted softly, enjoying the way the older man’s face looked at her in astonishment.

“Then why are you here?” Grindelwald asked, genuinely curious.

“I need to know what you know of the ritual to become the Master of Death. I’m aware it has something to do with the Veil within the British Ministry of Magic and I’m positive a man such as yourself, who spent a lifetime searching for the Hallows, would’ve come across that information at some point.”

“Perhaps.” Grindelwald prevaricated. “But I’m sure someone as brilliant and cunning as yourself, who has managed to procure said objects while still a teenager, would find the answer sooner or later.”

“It’s the later that’s an issue. My mother is dying...a few months if I’m lucky. I need the information now and Bathilda assured me you would help. But let me make one thing very clear...” Hermione grinned evilly as she felt her body shift at her silent command, her inheritance taking form and glowing menacingly at the older wizard, who backed away in fear. “I can rip what’s left of your soul from your body and banish it to everlasting torment. Or I can leave here with the necessary information and perhaps seek a way to make what’s left of your life a bit more bearable. The choice is yours, Mr. Grindelwald.” The last words were spoken as Hermione shifted back into herself and gave the older man a determined look.

Gellert’s face broke out into a wide delighted smile. “A succubus? I’ve heard that there were certain families who carried the inheritance, but I’ve never met any until now.”

Hermione nodded and waited patiently. After a minute, Grindelwald frowned and then said ominously. “I will tell you what you wish to know, but be warned...you may come to wish you had never asked.”

“Thank you, Mr. Grindelwald—trust me when I tell you I’m willing to take that chance.”