The knock on the door sounded more like the pounding of a battering ram.
"Mr. Potter, Mrs. Potter, the headmistress has asked me to fetch you," a young man's voice called out.
They had expected to remain for several days. Dobby had anticipated his employer's needs and delivered a week's worth of clothing the night they decided to stay. Neither slept soundly, and they both had been dressed for the day quite early.
"Easy, son, no need to break the door," Harry called out. He grabbed his bag, and Hermione crossed the room to join him.
A young man, his robe bearing a silver pin with the letter 'P' over the Hogwarts shield, stood in the doorway.
"My name is Andrews - Jason Andrews. I'm the Prefect for Slytherin house. I stopped by to check on Miss Potter and ran into the headmistress there; she seemed to expect to see you visiting your daughter."
"We left there late last night, and she and her brother were resting," Hermione replied. She was careful to not reveal too many details to this student.
Although they knew the way, possibly better then young Andrews, they followed him to the Hospital Wing. Once there, the Prefect excused himself and left for his classes. Annie was in better spirits, and she had a visitor of her own. She sat up in bed holding Jerry's hand.
Ben remained turned away from the others, trying to hide his arm. The bandages appeared to have been poorly replaced during the night. Hermione went directly to her son, leaving Harry to speak to Professor McGonagall.
"Ben, you need to keep that covered. The salves will help remove it," Hermione said to comfort her son.
"But Mummy, it's hideous. I'd rather they cut it off. Why did they put a black skull and snake on my arm?"
"It was a terrible message to your father and me. That is the sign used years ago to instill fear in others. We explained how you received that mark to the Ministry, and they agreed that is was not your choice, so charges will not be pressed," she confided.
"Charges?" he asked nervously.
"It's called the 'Dark Mark,' and it has been outlawed. Anyone bearing this mark has been placed under close watch by the Aurors," Annie said, having heard the conversation.
"Yes, you are correct. Your father and I expect this to remain confidential, and that includes you as well, Mr. Weasley," Hermione commanded.
"Yes, Mrs. Potter, I do understand. My father gave me explicit instructions this morning," Jerry replied.
"Annie and Ben, your father and I have some business to tend to. I understand that Madame Pomfrey is planning on letting you both return to class today. We should return in a day at most - ok love?" Hermione said and kissed her son's forehead.
"Yes, Mum. I'll keep an eye on Ben until you return."
"We are in our usual guest quarters. I've made arrangements for you both to stay there for now, until we know more," Hermione said. She gave her daughter a hug and kiss and then Harry's conversation with Professor McGonagall.
"Darling, what is it?" Hermione asked once she was next to Harry.
"He's replied," Harry began.
"Replied? This is nearly unheard of. He's actually begged to see the two of you. In all these years, I doubt I've seen more then a dozen written words from the man, and you received an audience," McGonagall rambled in a loud whisper.
"Where and when?" Hermione asked in a lowered tone.
"He said, 'Stay with the Headmistress. I will send information shortly.'"
"Is that all he said? How do we know it is from Abraham Kristiansen?" Hermione argued.
"I would know his handwriting, and as an extra security measure he put his seal next to Harry's," the professor said, pointing to the tab of hardened wax.
"What else did he say?" Hermione asked.
Harry handed Hermione the parchment and read Harry's message first, even though he already told her the details.
Abraham Kristiansen,
I have been instructed to contact you by a mutual friend who passed on some years earlier. He left a message that I have only recently received for me to contact you. This pertains to information passed to my wife and myself of a process mentioned by Horace Slughorn to another individual.
We need this information to determine if there is a malevolent intent behind this knowledge.
We will await your reply.
Harry J. Potter, Auror.
'Concise and to the point,' she thought as she read past Harry's note loud enough for them all to hear.
My dear Mr. Potter,
I will indeed grant your request for the information you seek. I know the mutual friend to speak of; he and I had many long chats about you. And I am looking forward to seeing your lovely wife again.
Abraham Kristiansen
Both Harry and Professor McGonagall waited for an explanation, one that Hermione could not provide. Noises from the other side of the room drew the attention from the note.
"I suggest we adjourn to my office to wait for his instructions. Your children seem anxious to return to class," the headmistress observed.
"I can have some breakfast brought up if you like," she said when they reached her office.
"That would be lovely. We both left this morning without as much as a muffin." Hermione smiled as she replied.
The couple sat in a matched set of large, comfortable chairs. The sounds of the day's lessons rose from the courtyard through the open windows. After a few minutes, one of the house-elves delivered a tray of fruits and pastries; another carried a tray with a large tea pot and three cups.
Hermione closed her eyes and shook her head. "Thank you both. I trust you both are happy in your work?"
The smaller elf's eyes widened in near fright that someone actually addressed him; the other recognized her and lowered her head. "Yes, maim, Missus Hermoney."
"Winky? You've stayed on?"
The elf nodded and she and her companion vanished as quickly as they appeared.
"Don't tell me you're still concerned over the welfare of our elves?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"She's been trying to get Dobby to take an extra day off a month for years," Harry joked.
A forced chuckle from the three lasted only a moment. During their second cup of tea, a large tawny owl flew into the office, a note dangling from his leg. It swooped past the two women and lighted on Harry's arm. He quickly opened the note, and read it aloud. "It says 'Meet me in your 'uncle's' safe house in thirty minutes.'"
"Your uncle? I fail to understand the meaning of this," Professor McGonagall started to say.
"No, professor, I don't believe he means Vernon Dursley. The word uncle is in quotes. No, I think there's another meaning," Hermione observed.
Harry thought quickly. "You don't believe he is referring to Sirius?"
"No, he specifically said 'safe house,' but you may be on the right track. I think he's referring to where Remus use to stay during the full moon," Hermione corrected.
"The Shrieking Shack?" Harry asked.
"It is a perfect spot to meet - isolated and everyone still avoids it. Plus it is off the grounds, and he could Apparate directly in or out without being seen," Professor McGonagall added.
"Then we'd best be on our way," Harry said
"Minerva, thank you for helping us," Hermione said, embracing her mentor. The simple act was enough for the elder witch to break down her personal barriers.
"Hermione, I would and I will do anything in my power to help you and Harry. I've always thought of you as family, more then students."
"I know. We have to leave," Hermione said. She wiped her cheek and joined her life's partner.
They left the headmistress's office and continued down the staircase to the statue of the one-eyed witch. Harry looked around the hall, and satisfied they were alone, nodded to his wife.
"Dissendium!" Hermione whispered, tapping the stone witch with her wand. The statue's hump opened wide enough to allow them both to enter. They slid down on the stone slide, landing on cold, damp earth. Hermione held up her wand and muttered, "Lumos!" The narrow, low, earthy passageway twisted and turned exactly as they remembered, and they were careful not to trip on the uneven floor.
Soon the passage began to rise. They climbed worn stone steps until they felt hit something hard, the trapdoor of the cellar. Slowly, Harry pushed the trapdoor open, listening for any sound that they'd been seen. Once satisfied the cellar was empty, they crept slowly toward the wooden staircase, and he removed his old Invisibility Cloak. They emerged into the store unseen and waited a moment until the door opened allowing them to leave Honeydukes.
Together they left the small village, passed the Three Broomsticks, and climbed a slope to the Shrieking Shack. The windows remained boarded, and the dank, overgrown garden was in more need of attention than ever.
"Do you think he's here already?" she asked.
"There's one way we'll know," he replied, leading the way to the door. It swung open without a touch, allowing them to enter. He pulled off his Invisibility Cloak and stuffed it back into his pack. They looked around on the first floor for a moment. A creak of a board above them drew their attention and their defenses.
"He's upstairs. We need to be cautious," he whispered.
"Please, fear you should not have. In the front room I wait," a strange voice croaked.
They climbed the stairs to the same room where they had first met Sirius Black so many years before. Inside sat a strange elfish-looking creature: his skin was pale green and thin wisps of grey hair stood up on the top and sides of his head. His large ears, although smaller than a house elf's, had a curious point to them, and he was shorter than most men. He leaned on a gnarled wooden staff; his hand trembled under the stress he applied to the crutch.
"Greetings, my young friends. Remember me, you do not?" he asked.
Harry stared at him and searched his memory. "I'm afraid we have not met," Harry replied.
"Memories of the past repressed have you. Remember back to a time when you were lost to yourself. A dear friend asked my help to guide you back to the path of the light. Remember now?"
"I remember a dreaming of a house-elf when I was a boy. But, that couldn't have been you, could it?" Harry asked.
"And remember me not? This surprises me not. My face see you did not." The strange creature said to Hermione, "Assistant in a trial to you I was. Speak not did I, my face hidden I kept."
"I don't…" she began.
"No, of course remember me you do not. Outmaneuver the judge you did, used words not yet written. Clever plan it was, worked quite well. Remain unknown I must now as I remained then."
Hermione looked puzzled, "You were there? I almost forgot that detail. I used the text from the Malleus Maleficarum in that proceeding, but you're right, it wasn't written yet."
"Watch you both I have. Years passed and closer you grow. Please call me by the name my friends use, Gnome." He paused to allow the silence to envelope the room. "Many years have I lived, and much knowledge I have gained. Knowledge I have shared openly, but I observed you to use knowledge secretly given, and freely trusted the source. I hope the manuscript helped you," Gnome said.
"How would you know about the manuscript?" Hermione asked startled.
"Passed to you to pass to your future husband I had. Studied this book with many unanswered questions, you have," Gnome said.
"You gave her that book?" Harry asked also surprised at the revelation.
"Yes, from Dumbledore I received it, given to him by a friend he said. When I inquired to the origin, he said Minerva McGonagall received it from a classmate. Albus mentioned this first before he dealt with the evil of that era, nearly eighty years ago, when Minerva was a student. Dumbledore was the transfiguration Professor, and as I understood him, Minerva was his best student," Gnome replied.
"Then how did she acquire it?" Hermione asked.
"That I personally asked, since the contents were unintelligible to any of us. She believed it to contain dark knowledge. Scared she was, afraid her companion would be exposed. Assurance of confidentiality I gave. Minerva revealed she befriended a classmate in another house that originated the copy she gave," Gnome said.
"Copy? We have a copy? Where is the original?" Hermione asked.
"That I was unable to discover. It may have been destroyed or simply hidden where no Gryffindor can find it. The classmate, as I understand, was a Slytherin, with the initials EP," Gnome added.
"EP? Is there any other information?" Hermione asked.
"That it was a young witch scorned by her housemate; nothing more of the identity I know. Now, please sit and tell me what knowledge you seek," he replied.
Harry and Hermione sat on a pair of chairs that had been neglected for many decades; the cushions were old and tattered, but still provided a place to sit and talk. After a moment of reflection, Harry said, "I have learned of a spell through a message left to me by Albus, one that an old foe may have employed. It is called a Horcrux."
"I've never heard of this one either. We have an extensive library in our home, and I've never encountered this," Hermione added.
The ancient wizard sat silent and bowed his head before he replied. "Ask me not of this; any other information tell you I could. This is the darkest of spells, not to be lightly experimented with."
"Then you have heard of this before?" Hermione asked.
"Yes. Purest of evil it is. Once evil is unleashed, forever a servant you are, locked in a hell of your own creation," Abraham Kristiansen said. The hesitancy in his voice gave indication to Harry this was a difficult subject.
Harry leaned forward. "Sir, we have no intention of using this process. We need as much information as possible on how to deal with a wizard who has made a Horcrux, and we believe someone has used this process. Further, I believe he made seven Horcruxes at some point, and they are being sought for some purpose."
"Please, if there is anything you can tell us on how to identify and then destroy them, we must know," Hermione added to the plea.
"Seven you say. You believe one man has created seven? Unheard of this is; dangerous this wizard has become. Avoid him you must. And above all, remember should you face him, destroy him you cannot if as much as one Horcrux remains," the ancient answered.
"No, that's impossible. I killed him myself. Is it possible he survived?" Harry asked. A look of disbelief spread across his face.
"If a Horcrux he has made, then yes, I say it is possible face him again you will. Completely destroy him you cannot - not if his immortal soul hidden he has."
"Harry, the children! You don't believe he's the one that attacked Ben, do you?"
"We can't rule out that possibility," Harry replied.
"Help you I will, and thank Dumbledore you must for this meeting. I know of the one you speak. Unaware I was he succeeded in his quest. But I must also warn you there is another manipulating all; known this other you have, but who he is I cannot say."
"Is this 'other' connected in any way to the issues we have to resolve?" Harry asked.
"Create conflict in your lives together he has. Created conflict in your family he has. Care you must take and trust no one," Kristiansen said as he stood. "Now, training you requested and training shall begin. Please take my hand, and we shall leave for my home. First in more then two hundred years to see my home, you both are. Not even your mentor allowed to visit my home. Hidden I prefer to remain, but great is your quest."
Abraham stood and stretched a hand to both of his new friends. In a blink of an eye the three vanished from the room.
The journey was brief and unlike any other form of Apparation either experienced before. A biting wind blew in their faces, and a salty mist told them they were near an ocean. But all that was visible to the three was a shear rock cliff, with no apparent exit or shelter.
"Harry, I feel strange, cold, and sad. Much like when we lost the babies," Hermione commented.
"I do as well. Something about this place seems so uninviting - the way I felt when I fought the Dementors away from Sirius. I can see why no one has heard of Gnome before," Harry replied.
"Good, attuned to your senses you are. Skills of this form need you to succeed in your quest. Now please follow me to my sanctuary," Gnome instructed.
The short man waved a hand across the stone face, and the solid rock began to move and shift until a gateway appeared. He waved his hand again, and the touches on the walls ignited. The tunnel appeared to descend i into an endless chasm.
"Alone I prefer. Inhospitable it may be, but home it is. Please walk quickly, the passage will close behind us," Gnome said, urging them forward.
They walked behind their new mentor in this endeavor, deeper into the rock face. Hermione held Harry's hand, and tightened her grip. An icy cold feeling ripped through her stomach; she knew Harry was concerned.
The tunnel opened into a large chamber. The underground complex seemed impenetrable, a smooth, featureless wall impeded their progress. Again, Gnome raised his hand and performed a sweeping motion, revealing another temporary gateway.
"Please enter my home, comfortable to your tastes find it you will," he said as the trio passed through the wall.
Inside the accommodations, although sparse, displayed reasonable taste in simple furnishings. The main lounge area held a fireplace and a well-worn chair; a seldom used sofa sat opposite the chair. A small table separated the two pieces of furnishing, and a pile of books sat on the edge of the table next to the chair. Hermione's eyes were drawn to the floor-to-ceiling bookcases filled with very old volumes. A corridor passed between the lounge and another room that doubled as his kitchen and sleeping quarters. The corridor between the two rooms remained dark, and it was as foreboding as the tunnel they passed through to reach this subterranean dwelling.
"Please sit. We can discuss all without fear of others overhearing conversation. To begin, tell me all you know of Horcruxes and correct your knowledge I shall," he said.
Harry and Hermione sat on the sofa, still maintaining physical contact, and Harry began. "All I know is from viewing a memory left in my care by Albus Dumbledore before his death fifteen years ago . This memory was from an old professor's view. He was asked directly about Horcruxes from wizard who was a student at that time."
"And this memory, how was it acquired before it passed into your possession?" Gnome asked.
"I have no idea. I never heard of Professor Slughorn until that time," Harry replied.
"I understand. This minor mystery easy to solve once all information needed you have. He was the Potions professor nearly one hundred years ago, know him I do, former student he was. Tell me of this student he instructed."
"This student's name was Tom Riddle. He asked Professor Slughorn for information about Horcruxes and said he ran across the term in his reading. Personally, knowing Riddle as I have, I believe he was intentionally searching for that process and discovered the professor knew details of is as well," Harry said.
"Assumptions you make are true. There has not been written information of the Horcrux creation in more then seven hundred years. Of this I am certain," Gnome said.
"I remembered thinking how skillful Tom was at pulling the information; I did notice the professor was reluctant to discuss the matter with Tom. Professor Slughorn finally told Tom a Horcrux is an object used to conceal part of their soul. The soul had to be split and then stored in that object. I also remember him saying if the body is attacked or destroyed, that person cannot die, for part of the soul remains earthbound and undamaged."
"True that is. Not completely dead that person is, and cannot die until returned as a mortal."
"The professor said only the darkest act of murder is powerful enough to split a soul and then encase it. The disturbing point was that Riddle specifically asked about creating seven separate Horcruxes," Harry said.
"This point above all disturbs me," Gnome began.
"Excuse me," Hermione interrupted, "but now you have me curious on how you've become a recommended expert on this matter."
He sat, silent for a moment, before he answered the question he'd expected and dreaded. "This knowledge is passed from master to apprentice, but only one that has actually performed this can know the dark secrets I am prepared to tell you."
Hermione stared at their host for a moment, and let out a gasp of realization. "Then you have made one?"
Abraham Kristiansen's only response was a simple nod; his eyes were fixed to a spot on the floor in shame.
Harry sat, also in disbelief, before he resumed the discussion. "I'm slightly confused: You've made one? I was under the impression that only dark wizards would consider it."
"Today that is true. I had a mentor when I was a youth who told me of a process to gain immorality, but he was not aware of the risks involved. Since that day, my life has been spent atoning for that dark deed. The only one alive that knows all the secrets I may be. These I shall pass to you only with your solemn vow to never create one."
Harry arched his back to sit as formally as he could. "Sir, you have my word. I do not wish to use this information for any other reason then tpreventing an evil from continuing and harming those I care about."
Hermione also nodded and added, "I also give my word. As a healer and a mother, I cannot find pleasure in taking a life."
Gnome raised his head to look Hermione in the eye. "But you gained pleasure in taking a life once. I understand the circumstances behind it, and I would not have been able to make another choice either."
Now Hermione's eyes began to fill; she had nearly put that incident out of her conscious memory. "I didn't intend to take his life, but you are right, I was responsible. Harry, learn what you can. I am not worthy to learn his secrets."
"No, you have shown in your life your true alliance is to life, not death. You have chosen to follow the light side of the path of your life, not the dark. But beware of the dark side. Anger... fear... aggression. Forces of dark magic are they. Easily they flow into your soul, difficult to remove. Flawed and imperfect is your soul, but intact it remains. You must struggle to retain your soul or lose what makes you human," Gnome said to Hermione before he turned to Harry, "However with your soul I also see it is imperfect and not complete. I can feel what is missing is near, but not as a Horcrux. I sense it was a gift."
The couple glanced at one another before Hermione answered. "Yes, when we were children something happened between us that has helped to keep us together." She reached and took his hand.
"If my soul is incomplete, does that mean I cannot die?" Harry asked, slightly startled.
"Understand you did not. Your soul, although not whole within you, has been part of the two of you. Die you can, your soul again complete when you both leave this life. Understand the constraints of a Horcrux first before one you can identify."
"The wizard to create a Horcrux must personally cause a death. This death must be violent and from a dark act. Taking a life in defense of one's own safety or to save another cannot create the forces required. Yes, life-changing any death caused personally can be, but a Horcrux it cannot create," Gnome began his teachings.
Harry opened his mouth to ask a question, but a raised hand stooped his query.
"Once the soul is split, healed it can be over time, repentance and atonement are required. Time is precious; if too much time passes, the soul fragment may vanish from this life. Should too much of your soul cease in this fashion, forever lost you will be, unable to journey to the next adventure you become. Forever bound to fruitless searching of the afterlife for escape; forever searching for the whole.
"This object must not be made of a living entity, if forever expected to last it is. Flesh can die, and die that soul hidden within. A living being can be used and moved to another object if time is short and nothing else is possible, but dangerous it is. Knowledge of one could be shared with the other. Simple to connect one mind to the other this becomes."
"Is it possible that a portion could be removed without harming the host?" Hermione asked, her thoughts of Harry's initial torments came back into her mind.
"Possible, but to die is preferred. Should the host die, the fragment could escape from a fresh wound and transfer to another object."
Hermione gasped and grabbed Harry's arm, "Harry, when you tried to take your life in the chamber in our sixth year, you must have been guided to cut yourself by Riddle's soul."
He pulled the sleeve back to reveal the long scar on his arm.
"Contain a soul you had once before, gone it is, what object caused this mark?" Gnome asked as he gently touched Harry's scar.
"A dagger. I sought it to destroy it but failed," Hermione added. "It was used later to murder others. I was the last to be attacked with it, and it left a scar." She raised a hand to a nearly forgotten wound.
"This dagger, has it been destroyed?"
"I don't believe so. It may still be in the school's archives in the headmaster's office," Harry answered.
"Destroy it you must. A Horcrux it may be, and that risk you cannot take. That evil return from that weapon may be possible. Tell me the objects and the order you believed to be used. I will try to identify them if I can."
"Why is the order important?" Hermione asked.
"The first Horcrux created would be the strongest and most difficult to destroy, since it contains the largest portion on the soul split from the whole. Each subsequent Horcrux has a diminished portion of the soul to reflect the order of its creation. The first would contain half of the soul; the second would have half of the remaining half, and so with the others. If seven portions you say he wanted, then six Horcruxes he created. More than that would render the remaining portion of his soul too weak to survive without other means," Gnome stated.
"So, if we can destroy the first, then the others wouldn't be as difficult?" Hermione asked.
"Not as difficult but still dangerous. Caution must be taken to use only magical means to destroy one, or that portion of the soul survive it could," Gnome answered.
Harry thought back. "Sir, there was a diary I destroyed, that may have been one; I stabbed it with a Basilisk fang. Would that have been sufficient?"
"Yes, a Basilisk is a magical creature. The venom would have been sufficient to kill that portion," Gnome answered. "One last detail of a Horcrux: The creator cannot destroy his own creation. Suicide this would be and impossible to do it is. Well hidden it must be, or destroyed by another it could be."
"Then if it is hidden, how can we find them?" Hermione asked.
"Simple is the task it seems, but first find the Horcrux you must. Clever the dark wizard is to hide and protect his soul. To find the object, first you must determine what is most important to the creator. Special to him it must be, important to maintain control it is," Gnome said.
Harry stood and began to pace between the sofa and the chair, the scarce furnishings left ample room. "What you are saying, if I'm not mistaken, is we have to find objects that Tom Riddle considered personal and important, to him, and there's no bloody way we can do that. Anything he used has got to be at least fifty years old, if not older. And even worse, he's been 'dead' now for thirty-five years," Harry ranted.
"Old they may be, but find them you must. First identify possible candidates you must," Gnome said.
His comment struck a memory. Harry walked back to the sofa in only a couple steps and reached into his rucksack. He read through the sheets he extracted and held one to the ancient wizard.
"This list, where did you find it? Gnome asked.
"We found it in a chamber near where Albus Dumbledore was murdered. Actually my best mate found it while investigating the murder. I was busy elsewhere; Hermione was having a baby that day," Harry said.
"A child you had on that same day? Was the birth a difficult one?" Gnome asked.
"Actually, both were difficult. But our daughter Annie nearly died. Ben took his sweet time before he decided to pop out," Hermione replied.
"Hmm… a difficult birth and the death of a powerful man; care must be taken, possible guardian he has become for the girl. Have there been any unusual indications or abnormal occurrences?" Gnome asked, still holding the parchment.
"We encountered another old friend that gave us a message from Albus that he would protect her," Harry answered.
"Seen this he has, a good man he was," Gnome answered. He began to ponder the list and wiggled his fingers. A quill appeared and he began scribbling on the sheet.
"What do these mean?" Hermione asked.
"This list is as old as the girl? Found it you did on the day she was born?" Gnome asked without looking away from the sheet.
"Yes, in a cavern dug into a cliff, near Wales," Harry replied.
"Others seek these items, hope the Horcruxes they find. Mistaken are they of some, correct they are of others. But they have been seeking them for fifteen years. Recovered some I fear they may have," Gnome said, looking up to the couple.
"How can you tell by simply looking at it?" Hermione asked.
Gnome looked to her and grinned, "These two, the cup and locket, Horcruxes they likely are, good choices, not obvious. This one," he said pointing to the list, "this cabinet is a poor choice and unlikely to have been used; too large to conceal. The other two listed as destroyed I believe are correct."
"So, if Riddle created seven, and we have four identified, which three items would he have used?" Hermione asked.
"Two, there are two unidentified items, not three. If seven parts he created, then six Horcruxes at one time existed. Two are destroyed, three identified, leaving one left. You say you took his life, twenty-five years ago? Did his body remain intact?" Gnome inquired.
"Harry's destroyed his body in an energy sphere; as far as we know nothing remained. And only two have been identified, not three," Hermione said, correcting the obvious error.
"No, three identified have you, the dagger you have forgotten. A Horcrux I believe it to be, and safe in Hogwarts it remains. Two others are known and must be found. The last will be the most difficult to find."
"Then which items should we focus on?" Harry asked.
"List of items rejected is good; none of these would be used. Too large or too easily damaged; also remove from the candidates any organic items, bones and this hand can be removed. Also remove any item not old enough or that may have been cursed. Virgin it should have been before used to store a soul's portion," Gnome replied. He placed the parchment on the table, and the three circled the table to read the list closely.
"Then we can eliminate the cards, this necklace, the china, and crystal bottle. The cards have blood stains and can be considered organic; the others can be easily broken," Hermione said.
"Why is the 'Order of Merlin' rejected? I would expect it would fit the list?" Harry asked.
"Merlin in this world represents good, as a symbol containing evil it could not serve," Gnome replied.
Then that leaves ten items we have to research, we should get started as soon as possible," Harry said.
"First, you must be able to identify if a soul fragment it contains. Would you destroy all these artefacts?" Gnome asked.
"How can we tell?" Hermione asked back.
"A charmed talisman is needed, one that can sense one's soul. The problem with such an object is it would also detect the soul of anyone holding it. This is why a Horcrux is difficult to find," Gnome replied. The corner of his mouth curled upward in a slight grin.
Hermione sat back on the sofa, forgetting the list. A few moments of thought produced an idea. She quickly stood, startling Harry at her abruptness, and paced around the room. She stood at the wall lined with books, and closed her eyes.
"Help you I can, if you tell me what you seek," Gnome said.
Hermione smiled and continued her search. She raised her hands as they began to glow. She slowly moved across the wall, her hands outstretched as if feeling the air. She passed to the next wall of book, and stopped.
"Harry," she called out, her finger pressed a knot in the wood panel and opened her eyes. The wall of books sprung open, leaving a secret door ajar.
Gnome stood and quickly crossed the room to where she stood, but froze when she entered the tiny room behind the bookshelf.
"Hidden room?" Harry asked.
"Private that is, allowed you are not. Interfere in my personal life I will not allow," Gnome protested.
Hermione stepped into the small room, and a blue light illuminated the room. Harry and their host followed close behind her.
The small room held a simple table, a framed portrait of a handsome young man in medieval dress, and a chair. A cloak hung on a hook on the wall, and a pair of boots sat beneath the garment. The handful of items on the table had remained undisturbed for centuries. She passed her hand over the items, being careful not to disturb them.
"You used this?" she asked softly her hand hovered over a silk pouch.
"Stephen. His name was Stephen," Gnome replied. He pulled the empty chair from the table and sat, his head reverently bowed. "Stephen was my brother. Identical we were, twins."
"This was your brother?" Harry asked in disbelief.
"Twisted and deformed you become, as I have, when a Horcrux you create. Age your body continues, but death does not come." He picked up the pouch and emptied the contents into his hand. He gently held the object, hiding it from view.
"What happened?" Harry asked as Gnome let a gold chain slip through his fingers.
"Researchers we were. We learned all we could of those subjects taught in the same school you attended, satisfied we were not," he paused for a moment when a soft click filled the silence.
"Unsatisfied with what we knew, we sought more. Stephen found the secrets first, untested they were. Immortality the spell claimed for the caster, but unclear the procedure was. Another was needed as a catalyst, and Stephen insisted we work together. If one was successful, the other would repeat what we learned. Lots we drew, two sticks, one long, one short," he pointed to two twigs on the table.
"You and your own brother?" Hermione asked. Concern and comfort rang from her voice.
"Yes, neither of us knew what to expect. 'Dark spells are required to cause the rift to isolate a portion,' the spell instructed. Turns we took. I used the torture spell on my own brother first, without success; he used the mind control next. Again we met with failure. Try and fail, until the last I used, and he died at my hand." Gnome never looked up as he related the story. He carefully placed the chain on the silk pouch, and then gently laid an open locket on top.
"My brother died, and I used this to store my shattered soul." He pointed to the locket.
"A locket?" Harry asked.
"He planned to marry the girl he loved the next day, this was the ring he planned to give her," Gnome replied, and removed a gold ring from the locket. "Devastated she was to learn of the act. Face her myself I could not. Her own brother was left to break her heart."
Harry and his wife stared at the golden ring in silence, uncertain what to do next.
"What became of her?" Hermione asked, the question was hard and the answer would prove harder to hear.
"Alone she was, because of me. Arrested and tried for witchcraft, suffered untold pain for a fortnight. Died she should have, but confess she refused. I sought to free her, but then she signed the confession and was freed. I watched her live with muggles until her death."
Abraham did not allow the topic to continue, "Never before have I seen one that could sense a Horcrux, and hidden, how this is possible?"
"I have a special talent. I have no idea how I gained this ability, but I can sense and manipulate energy fields. The life energy is tied directly to the soul, and I can isolate and detect that energy," Hermione explained.
"Heard few have this ability, never met one. Never knew of one as strong in this as you. Special gift this is, quite rare," Gnome replied.
"I know, I've researched this ability since I discovered I had it. It has been useful when my husband or children limp home injured, and I do not like to invade in another's privacy unless invited or threatened," Hermione said.
"Useful it will be to find and truly identify what you seek. More I cannot tell you then you already know. Remember this: What those who create a Horcrux seek is power. Power creates fear, and fear is the dark path; fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate; hate leads to suffering. Fear, anger, hate, and suffering you have known, but also you have avoided. Remain true to each other and together you will triumph. Now it is time to return to the school and your children. I wish you both good fortune on this quest," Gnome said.