The Deathly Hallows

The trio reach Lovegood's house, and are told that the symbol is that of the Deathly Hallows, a trio of magical artifacts given long ago to three brothers by Death, as told in a children's tale: the Elder Wand, Resurrection Stone, and Invisibility Cloak. Unfortunately, before any more can be told, Xenophilius betrays them to the Ministry in the hope that Luna, who is being held captive, will be released. They manage to escape the Death Eaters with the help of Harry's Invisibility Cloak, which he now believes to be a Deathly Hallow.

Later, when they are camping, Harry accidentally says the word "Voldemort"—the term has been jinxed so that anyone saying it can be traced—and a group of Snatchers suddenly appear around their camp, trapping them. The trio are taken to Malfoy Manor—the new Death Eater headquarters. Harry and Ron are imprisoned in the cellar, while Hermione is taken and tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange. After seeing the sword of Gryffindor, Bellatrix is afraid that they have broken into her vault in Gringotts. Also in the cellar are Luna, Dean Thomas, Griphook the goblin, and Ollivander the wand maker. Dobby apparates into the cell and frees the prisoners, but the sound of his Apparating alerts the Death Eaters above and they send Pettigrew to investigate. Pettigrew hesitates while killing Harry (he is in debt to Harry for saving his life at the end of the third book), and is strangled by his own silver hand as Voldemort's revenge for betrayal. Harry and Ron take Pettigrew's wand and rush upstairs. In the ensuing chaos, Harry disarms Bellatrix and Draco Malfoy, they free Hermione, and escape with her and Dobby. They all Apparate to Bill and Fleur's home, Shell Cottage, but Dobby has been killed by Bellatrix.

Over the next few weeks, Harry plots with Griphook the goblin to break into the Lestrange's vault at Gringott's, believing that Bellatrix's terror was due to there being a horcrux in there. Griphook agrees on the condition that they give him Gryffindor's sword as payment. Griphook, Harry, Ron, and Hermione break into the Lestrange's vault, and locate Helga Hufflepuff's Cup, which was indeed a horcrux. Griphook betrays them and takes the sword. Harry, Ron and Hermione escape on the back of an abused dragon being used to guard the vaults. Voldemort realises they are destroying his Horcruxes and, while running through a list of them in his head, accidentally reveals through his telepathic link with Harry that a Horcrux is hidden at Hogwarts.