Chapter 14; The Locket
When morning arrived, Harry waited for Hermione in the Head's common room so that they could go down to breakfast together as they always did. By the time they reached the Great Hall, they had passed several people who were whispering to one another and glaring angrily at them. Entering the Great Hall wasn't very pleasant as everyone in the room turned their heads to them, whispering as they stared.
The only ones who didn't seem to be mad or furious at Harry and Hermione were Neville and Luna, who greeted them with smile and of course Lavender, who seemed to be happy about their finally being together. She now had the chance to comfort Ron and he seemed to take all he could from it; it was obvious when Lavender and Ron entered the hall hand in hand. As soon as Harry and Hermione noticed them, Lavender, with a sneer on her face, turned to Ron and hugged him saying:
"You'll make it Won Won. She's not worth it." She said it loud enough for everyone to hear it.
Harry, who was quite used to the fact that the whole school talked about him or were rude to him from time to time, didn't bother himself with the situation as much but he felt sorry for Hermione. She wasn't used to it and she didn't deserve it. Harry took Hermione's hand, looked at her and smiled while squeezing just a little bit to let her know he was there and that things would get better. Hermione appreciated this and smiled back before both of them returned to their meal.
"Have you talked to Ron yet?" Harry asked as he and Hermione sat down.
"No," she answered shortly.
"We have to talk to him before we leave. Just in case he…"
"I don't think he'd like to come with us, Harry. I'm sorry," Hermione said and Harry nodded. "I mean, he'll come around. He always does, right? Nothing really happened. I mean if you can explain to him that it was just a…a mistake then he'll…he'll understand. Not at once, but soon."
"But it wasn't a mistake," Harry disagreed with her.
"I know but…"
"Hermione, I've been thinking about what you said last night. That I could and should live and not hide anymore."
"Yes," Hermione said, waiting eagerly for what Harry was about to say.
"And I agree with you. That's what I want to do. Live a normal life," Harry explained.
If there was anyone in the world who could understand the meaning of what he just said, it was Hermione, who was now smiling brightly at him.
An hour later, Harry and Hermione stood before the fireplace, their packs next to them. Even though Harry was miserable because of Ron, he felt quite happy about finally being with Hermione.
It didn't feel odd to kiss her, or to hold her hand, or to put his arms around her. It felt normal. It felt good. Even with Ginny, he didn't feel like that. Ginny had been his girlfriend and someone he cared about, and still cares about, but Hermione was something more. She had been his best friend and soul mate for years.
"You ready to go?" Hermione asked, interrupting his thoughts.
"Yeah, let's go home," Harry answered as they stepped into the fireplace.
They had asked permission from the Headmistress to use the floo instead of the train. It was safer because not all the fireplaces were tracked by the floo network at Hogwarts and it was faster.
Just when Harry took a handful of floo powder, the portrait hole swung open.
"Wait!" yelled a breathless Ron.
Hermione turned to Harry and smiled.
"Don't go without…me," he gasped, taking a deep breath. "If I can come with you," he said and looked at his feet. "Professor McGonagall didn't tell mom and dad about this and Ginny's staying at school to work in the hospital wing as punishment. She talked to McGonagall and I umm…I have no where else to go. I don't want to stay at school and…can I come?" he asked quietly. By the time he finished, his face was scarlet.
"Sure Ron, come on," Hermione replied and made room for Ron. "We thought it would be better if we floo into Godric's Hollow together. It's safer this way," she explained and looked at Harry.
Later that day, Harry and Hermione were in Harry's room. Hermione was reading a book while Harry was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
"What are we going to do now?" he asked and turned his head to look at her.
"We must find the locket and get it back, right?" Hermione asked and put her book away. "Then we'll find a way to open it and destroy it."
"It sounds so easy when you say it."
"Maybe it is."
"No, I don't think so. If it was easy, it would have been destroyed by R.A.B." Harry disagreed as he watched Hermione walking up to him.
"Harry, R.A.B. didn't have time. Voldemort was looking for him all over the place and he wasn't a Parseltongue like you are."
"What do you mean? Being Parseltongue has nothing to do with this."
"You're wrong, Harry," she said as she sat down next to him and he put his arms around her. "This locket belongs to Salazar Slytherin, right? And Voldemort had it. I'm not sure of course, but I think the only way to open the locket is by speaking Parseltongue, just like you opened the Chamber of Secrets in our second year. That's why no one could open the locket in our fifth year. No one knew how."
"You're brilliant, 'Mione. What would I do without you?" Harry asked as he smiled down at her.
"The same thing what you do now, probably," Hermione said before Harry kissed her.
"Do you think Ron will come with us to get the locket?" Harry asked her.
"I doubt it. He's still quite mad and hasn't spoken much since we came here," Hermione said. "He needs some time to get used to the idea of us as a couple I suppose. I mean he came with us; that's a start I think," Hermione said and put her head on his chest.
"I suppose," Harry replied.
But Hermione was wrong. Days passed and Ron showed no signs of making up with them or forgiving them. They still lived together under the same roof, but were very distant from one another. Ron was in his room most of the time, sitting by himself. He came out only when dinner was served and sometimes ate in his room, asking Dobby to bring him his food. He didn't talk to either Harry or Hermione.
Harry and Hermione suffered a lot under that behavior, but there was less they could do. It was the fifth day after they arrived that Hermione found Harry sitting in the living room. She saw something in his eyes that she had been afraid of.
"Harry, what are you doing?" she asked as she sat opposite him.
"I have to go and get the locket, Hermione. I've wasted too much time doing nothing," he explained emotionlessly, not looking at her.
"Harry, but how? Are you planning on going- oh, Harry tell me I'm wrong."
"I have to go and take it back."
"But Harry, that's called stealing."
"I'm only taking back what belongs to me. He stole it when he took it from Grimmauld."
"Yes, but that's still stealing. There's no excuse for that."
"Then what should I do then, Hermione?" Harry shouted angrily and looked at her. "I've waited too long, I can't wait any longer. The more time I spend doing nothing, the more damage is done all around us."
"Have you considered talking to Mundungus first?"
"No. Why bother with that?"
"Harry!" Hermione shouted.
"Here," Harry said calmly and showed her a letter from Professor McGonagall. Hermione read it and when she finished, put it away.
"One thing is for sure, he has it," Harry said. "And only because nobody wants to buy it from him because it can't be opened," he added.
"That's good."
"And now I'm going to get it back before he throws it away or some Death Eater sees it."
"I don't think he would do it."
"Didn't you read the letter? Professor McGonagall had to use Veritaserum to get him to talk," Harry said.
"I read the letter and it's obvious, isn't it? He wouldn't have said that he has it if Veritaserum hadn't been used," Hermione said.
"Yes and that means he knows we want to get it back. He may want to get rid of it before anyone gets it or he may try to hide it. He knows we're after it; he knows that this locket is valuable, otherwise no one would want it, right?" Harry said.
"Yes, but that's still stealing."
"I can't call it stealing. I'm just taking back what's officially mine, Hermione," he replied, getting agitated by her insistence.
"There are other ways, Harry."
"What ways Hermione?"
"We could try to buy it."
"What?" Harry asked in surprise.
"We could buy the locket. He wants money, right? Offer him money for it and then you get it back."
"You want me to buy something that already belongs to me? I can't believe my ears, Hermione."
"It's better than stealing it, and then he won't get suspicious."
"I don't call it stealing; I've already told you so. The locket will be returned to its rightful owner and in that case, it's me. So the question is, will you come with me or not?"
"Harry, think about it."
"I don't have time for this, coming or not?"
"You know I'll come," Hermione finally said. "Are we going to floo?" she asked and Harry nodded. "What if he's home?" Hermione asked.
"He's not; I already made sure of that," Harry replied cryptically and stepped into the fireplace, reaching out a hand out for Hermione.
"Wait, how did you do it?" she asked as she took his hand, but remained in her place.
"Hermione please, we don't have time."
"Harry, I'm not blind."
"I never said you were, come on now."
"Don't tell me that his fireplace and house have no protection and we can just floo in there?" she asked in disbelief and put her free hand on her hips.
"Yes, we can just floo in there, take the locket and come back. No one will ever notice a thing."
"I'm no fool, Harry. What did you do?" Hermione demanded.
"Look, Hermione, if you don't want to help, then fine, don't," he said and let go of her hands. "Can't you just trust me and ask no questions. This is the only way we can get the horcrux back, whether you like it or not. So will you come with me and help me find it or are you going to stay here and wait until I return and then continue nagging?"
Hermione was speechless but knew he couldn't go alone. If they went together, they could find the locket faster; she didn't quite agree about the nagging part though. She agreed that perhaps she had gone too far with the stealing bit, but this was serious. What they were about to do was still a crime, but then again, Harry might have been right that this was the only way to get the locket.
Much to Hermione's displeasure, she soon found herself in a rather messy apartment. Boxes were thrown everywhere, most things from the cupboards were packed, while the furniture was covered with white sheets.
"Look, our friend is planning a move," Harry said as he walked out of the fireplace. "We made it just in time, what do you think?" he asked and turned to Hermione who nodded. "So, where should we start?"
"This is going to take forever to look through," she whined.
"I agree but we have to if we want to find the locket," Harry said and opened up the first and nearest box.
"Why don't you use magic?" Hermione asked in annoyance. Harry was quite a powerful wizard but sometimes, he forgot that he had magical abilities.
"You're the best," Harry said with smile as he rose up and kissed Hermione on the lips before taking out his wand. "Accio locket," he commanded. Within seconds, about a dozen lockets flew at him from different directions. "Alright, let's see which one is the right one," Harry said but Hermione wasn't listening; she was walking towards the window.
"Harry," she said and looked at him. "Can we apparate?" she asked and got a nod for her question.
"Then I suggest you to find the locket and fast; we've got company."
"What?" Harry asked in surprise.
"Harry, the locket!" Hermione reminded him as she ran in his direction.
"Yeah, right. Oh here it is," Harry said nervously and looked at all the lockets he had. "Found it."
"It better be the right one," Harry managed to hear before Hermione threw her arms around him, holding him tight and dissaparating only seconds before the door of Mungundus' apartment opened and he entered his home.
A salty air caught Harry's nose when he opened his eyes and he found himself on top of Hermione on what looked to be sand. He looked up and his eyes were looking the sea. He and Hermione were at the beach.
"Where are we?" he asked without moving an inch.
Without any other thought, he bent down and kissed her passionately. "You look beautiful 'Mione" he said quietly.
"There's sand in my hair and it's very messy Harry," Hermione said.
"It doesn't matter. It only makes you more beautiful."
"Harry…" Hermione started but was shut up by another kiss. Several kisses later, they broke apart to catch their breath and Hermione was finally able to talk.
"Harry?"
"Hmm?" he answered with a far away look.
"Mind getting off of me?" she asked.
"And just why would I want to do that?" Harry teased as he became more and more aware of how they were positioned.
"I'll start screaming if you don't."
"And who would hear you?" Harry asked followed by chuckle. He saw that Hermione was left speechless.
"I...I...Oh get off," she responded as she pushed him off. She stood up and looked around, a smile forming on her face. She knew exactly where they were.
"Now, that wasn't a very smart thing to do. You'll have to pay for that," Harry warned laughing as he was lying down on his back. Hermione looked down, a puzzled expression on her face.
"What are you talking about?" she asked and looked how Harry sat up and took off his shoes, a smirk on his face. "Harry, what are you…" she asked and started to back away when Harry stood up. "Harry you must be joking, right?" but Harry shook his head in response. He took one step after another closer to Hermione, who was still walking backwards slowly. "Harry, stop it," she said and Harry shook his head once more.
As Hermione took another step backwards, she felt something wet and turned to look behind her. She saw that she was standing right where the waves ended. The water touched her legs and soaked her jeans.
"Harry, stop right there. You had your fun already," Hermione said but knew that he wouldn't stop, so she took off her own shoes.
"Stop? But I haven't even started yet," Harry answered.
"Now, you stop right there, or else," Hermione threatened as the water was up to her knees now.
"Or else what?" Harry asked.
"Or else that," Hermione said and splashed him with water before turning and running away from him. By the time Harry recovered, Hermione was far away, but not far enough to make it difficult for him to catch her.
"You cheated," he called after her.
"Get over it," Hermione replied, chuckling as she went.
"No, you cheated. You never cheat."
"Only because everything is allowed in, AAH," Hermione shrieked as she felt Harry's strong hand grab hers from behind. Everything was happening in slow motion; one moment they were both running along the beach, water splashing all over them, the next moment, Harry's strong arms were wrapped around her waist and they lost balance. They both fell down, Harry landing on the ground first then rolling over so that Hermione was underneath him again.
"In love and war," Harry finished the sentence in a whisper as he looked into her eyes. He leant down to meet her lips again. They broke apart when a wave hit them and soaked them. Harry smiled and looked at Hermione. He didn't seem to be bothered at all. "You know, I'm getting used to this," he joked and Hermione rolled her eyes, but laughed with him.
"Well, don't get too cozy," she said and tried to push him off, but Harry was stronger and remained in his place. He kissed her again and then looked at her, pushing a curl of her hair off of her face.
"Everything is allowed in love and war," he repeated quietly as his palm lingered on her cheek, his thumb caressing it. His eyes were locked onto hers. "Hermione, I…" he started. The words seemed to have their own will. It seemed to Harry that he had no control over himself but he knew he meant what he was going to say. He knew that this feeling for Hermione was love. It was stronger than any other feeling he had ever had.
All the shyness he felt around Hermione was gone. He was no longer afraid to tell her how he really felt. It felt so normal and he wanted her to know. He wanted the whole world to know that he was in love.
"Hermione, I lo-"
"We need to change into some dry clothes," Hermione snapped as she pushed Harry away. She was afraid of what Harry was going to say. She knew Harry wanted to confess his feelings for her, but she deliberately backed away.
She had been dreaming of this moment. She had been waiting for the moment Harry confessed his love for her, and now she was freaked out. She couldn't let him finish and she was most certainly not ready to confess her own feelings for him.
"How and where? We're in the middle of nowhere," Harry snapped back at her. He was disappointed and hurt. He didn't know why Hermione hadn't let him finish what he was going to say and he was afraid to find out.
"We're not in the middle of nowhere. For your information, I know exactly where we are," Hermione replied.
"Mind telling me then?" he asked as he stood up.
"I would have told you this before, but you didn't let me."
"Excuse me for wanting to have a little fun with my girlfriend," Harry snapped sarcastically. He was hurt and he didn't bother hiding it.
Hermione looked at Harry and bit her lip. She knew how insulted he was because of her reaction. She hated arguing with him and lately they argued a lot.
"We're in my summer home. This is where I spend the summer holidays with my family," Hermione said and pointed at a house.
"Really?" Harry asked and looked at the house.
"Yes. This was the first place I could think of when we dissaparated from Mundungus' apartment."
"Great. How we're going to get away from here?" Harry asked.
"You want to leave already? But we just got here," Hermione said when she and Harry reached the front door but the look in his eyes showed her just how upset he was.
"So this is your home."
"Yes," Hermione answered wondering why he said this.
"We're in a Muggle part of town?"
"Yes," Hermione replied again.
"So out of any other place, you just had to bring us here where some Muggle might have seen us apparating?" he asked angrily as he followed Hermione into the house.
"I already told you, this was the first place that came to my mind when we needed to escape. I didn't have much time to think about it. We almost got caught, Harry, and I have a feeling that this isn't the end. Someone will find out that we were there, I'm sure of that, and then we'll be in big trouble."
"You're right," Harry said and stood right in front of her. He put his hands on her shoulders and looked at her. "This is just a beginning," he said and kissed her forehead before turning around and walking into the living room.
"Now hold it right there, Harry and tell me what your problem is. You should be happy that we got away from there."
"I am happy."
"Then what's your problem?" she demanded, though she already knew.
"I have no problem," Harry said and his eyes caught the fireplace. "Can we use that?" he asked.
Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes. It was impossible to talk to him when he acted this way but she knew that she had to deal with it before it was too late.
"Yes," she answered. "But not tonight," she added.
"What?" Harry asked and turned to look at Hermione to make sure she wasn't joking.
"We have no floo powder Harry. It's wet and it won't work," she said as she pulled a small bag from her pocket.
"Then let's dry it," he said, pulling out his wand.
"Harry, you should know that it still wouldn't work."
"Yeah, right. So we're stuck here?" he asked and that insulted Hermione.
"Stuck here? Is it so bad to be stuck in here with me?" she asked and crossed her arms. Harry saw it and hurried over to her.
"No, I didn't mean that, I'm sorry," he apologized and cupped her face. "Don't be mad," he said and saw Hermione smiling. She knew that right now, she had won the small battle and Harry wouldn't be mad at her. She had escaped at least for a little bit. "You said something about dry clothes," he stated.
"Oh yes. Well, since I don't have brothers you have to wear my dad's clothes," she said and bit her lip.
"Your dad's clothes? You've got to be kidding me."
"No, I'm not. Well I could lend you some of my dresses, though. It's your choice," she said with a smirk on her face.
"No thank you. Perhaps some other time," he said.
"Come on then," Hermione said and they went into the long corridor.
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