CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Harry, Ron, and Hermione shelter at Shell Cottage while Harry wrestles with his decision not to chase the Elder Wand. Ron doubts and Hermione condemns the wand as evil, leaving Harry torn between fear of misreading Dumbledore and the impulse to act.

Fleur summons Harry to Griphook, who agrees to help them enter the Lestrange vault—but only if paid with the Sword of Gryffindor. Offended by Ron’s suggestion to loot the vault, Griphook insists the sword rightfully belongs to goblins. After debate, Harry decides to promise Griphook the sword without stating when, intending to keep it until all Horcruxes are destroyed.

They begin planning the break-in in semidarkness, facing limited Polyjuice and complex security. Griphook proves bloodthirsty and aloof, straining household tensions. Ollivander departs for Muriel’s; Luna, Dean, and the Weasleys provide brief normalcy amid siege-like confinement.

Remus Lupin bursts in with joyous news: Tonks has given birth to a boy, Teddy, and he asks Harry to be godfather. The celebration lifts morale, though Griphook remains detached. Afterward, Bill privately confronts Harry, warning that goblins view ownership by the maker and that breaking promises to goblins is perilous.

Harry returns to the group resolved: he will honor the bargain after destroying the Horcruxes, accepting moral compromise for the greater objective while recognizing the risks of deceiving a goblin ally.