CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Clinging to the near-blind dragon, Harry, Ron, and Hermione flee London, grateful yet terrified of falling or being eaten. As the dragon seeks cooler air, they endure cold, hunger, and burns, then notice it spiraling toward a lake. They jump, hit the freezing water, and swim ashore while the dragon drinks and departs.

On the bank, they cast protective charms and apply dittany to their burns. They change into dry robes, drink pumpkin juice, and examine Hufflepuff’s cup, lamenting Griphook’s betrayal and the loss of the sword needed to destroy it. Brief laughter at the absurdity of their heist gives way to anxiety about Voldemort’s inevitable discovery.

Harry is seized by a vision from Voldemort’s mind: a terrified goblin reports the Lestrange vault break‑in and the stolen cup. In a murderous rage, Voldemort kills the goblin and nearby Death Eaters, then frantically reviews his Horcruxes—the destroyed diary, the stolen cup, the ring in the Gaunt shack, the locket in the cave, one hidden within Hogwarts, and Nagini. Concluding he must personally check each hiding place, he resolves to go first to the Gaunt shack and to keep Nagini close.

Wrenching back to the lakeside, Harry explains what he saw and infers that a Horcrux is hidden at Hogwarts. Fearing Voldemort may move or reinforce it, Harry pushes for immediate action. Despite lacking a plan and the sword, they decide to reach Hogsmeade, assess protections, and find a way into the school together under the Invisibility Cloak. They Apparate into the night.