A/N: Hello! This is my newest full length fanfiction. I know the first chapter is a bit slow, but I promise it gets interesting after this! :D

Disclaimer: I don't own anything from J.K. Rowling's magical world of Harry Potter. (Spoiler Alert: I did incorporate a few aspects from the seventh book, however this book takes place directly after HBP).

Chapter 1 – The Journey Begins

The pit became filled with corpses and faceless people who held him back when he tried to escape. Then at one point just before dawn, he saw the face of one of the bodies. He vaguely recognized her, but could not figure out who it was until he awoke a few moments later. "Granger," he groaned quietly.


Hermione was crouched on her knees, sorting through her trunk. She heard four sharp knocks on her door before Harry and Ron entered making sure no one was around. They sat down across from her and her scattered belongings.

"Um, Hermione why are you packing for school," Ron asked, while looking at her textbooks and potions ingredients.

"I'm not," whispered Hermione, "your mum keeps checking on me, and if she knew that we weren't planning on going back to school she'd kill us. Anyway some of these books will be useful while hunting down the remaining Horcruxes."

Harry nodded as he eyed some of the titles: Dark Arts for Dummies, Dueling 101, The Ultimate guide to Hexes and Defensive spells, and Ancient Magic and Its Uses were among the books stacked neatly beside her trunk. "Mr. Weasley told us to tell you that he can take you to see your parents tomorrow," said Harry.

Hermione nodded and continued working, avoiding Harry's eyes, knowing that they were filled with pity. It was difficult enough to leave her parents, but erasing their memories of her was going to be excruciating. She placed two stacks of books in her trunk, followed by her clothes, paying more attention than was strictly necessary. She got rid of her old school robes, and replaced them with muggle clothing, which was more practical for their journey.

"Ron, Harry, come down here," called Mrs. Weasley. Both boys got up and went to the kitchen for their next chore. Hermione locked her trunk and shrunk it, before placing it into her purse. She had placed a spell on her purse to expand its space without changing its actual size. Hermione then stuck her hand beneath her bed and felt around, her hand closed around a smooth vial. She pulled it out her store of polyjuice potion. There were only a few uses left. She reached under her bed again and pulled out her wallet of muggle money, then some pieces of parchment.

She tapped the first piece of parchment and whispered, "revealio." Words appeared on the page, it revealed all the information they had on the Horcruxes. However it was not to Hermione's satisfaction. They only knew which Horcruxes they had destroyed, R.A.B was the last known person to have the locket, and other possible Horcruxes were: Hufflepuff's cup, Nagini, and something of Ravenclaw or Gryffindor. They assumed the seventh fragment of Voldemort's soul remained in his body.

Hermione frowned at the information before vanishing it and looking at the next parchment. These were her plans for their journey; she had been working on this all summer and was quite proud of it. Hermione knew they could not stay in one place too long, so she planned to spend some time camping in the woods, and some time staying at muggle hotels. She added her money and information into her handbag before closing it and storing it under her bed.


Beep…Beep…Beep. Hermione hit her hand over her alarm clock quickly, making sure she did not wake Ginny. It was one o'clock in the morning. She stepped out of bed and snuck out of her room. She crept down the many flights of stairs before she made it to the pantry. She snuck in and gathered some food. She knew they could not go shopping often while they were camping in the woods, so she grabbed some canned vegetables, soups, and other simple foods before heading back to her room and storing them in her purse. She crawled back under her blanket and fell back to sleep.


Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way down to breakfast cheerfully. Mr. Weasley was waiting for Hermione, so she ate her toast quickly before joining him outside, only pausing to bid good morning to the other Weasleys at the table.

"Hermione, are you ready?" Mr. Weasley asked, she nodded, "We are going to apparate to you parents house."

Hermione nodded again before apparating into her living room. Mr. Weasley arrived a moment later. He looked around keenly at the room. She went into the kitchen, as he inspected their television.

"Hi mum," said Hermione. "Is dad ready yet?"

"He'll be down in a moment sweetie, he's just getting the luggage," her mother replied. Her father came down the stairs carrying several suitcases. He then joined his wife at the kitchen table.

"Okay, you know that I'm leaving with Harry and Ron soon to help stop Voldemort," she began awkwardly, "and I think its best if we take you out of the country for now. Mr. Weasley and I found a house in Australia, so that's where we are going to take you." Her parents nodded, as they knew this already.

By this point Mr. Weasley had joined them. He grasped Mr. Granger's arm and they disappeared with a loud crack. Hermione left with her mother right after. They arrived at a small house overlooking a beach.

"It's lovely," exclaimed her mother after she had recovered from the side-along apparation. Hermione watched her parents sadly, knowing that she would have to erase their memories in a few minutes. They entered the house and Mr. Weasley unpacked magically before nodding at Hermione. She hugged each of her parents goodbye and took their memories. Mr. Weasley held her arm as they apparated, leading her to his office at the ministry. A lone tear slid down her face she wiped it quickly, but Mr. Weasley saw and smiled reassuringly at her, "Don't worry Hermione, once this is all over we can restore their memories."

Hermione nodded, "Thanks Mr. Weasley, but why did you bring me here?"

Mr. Weasley locked his door before turning to her, "I have access to the ministry archives, and there is a lot of information there you won't be able to find anywhere else." Hermione looked startled when he said this, and did not respond unsure of what to say. "Harry has already told us that Dumbledore left him a task before he died, I'm not sure what it is, but I want to help in the small ways that I can."

"Thanks Mr. Weasley," exclaimed Hermione, breathing a sigh of relief, "I've heard about the archives, there are millions of books there."

"Not just books, they have maps, blueprints, contracts and government documents. Just don't tell Molly." Mr. Weasley explained quietly as they left his office. He led her to an empty lift, which took them to the level before the department of mysteries. They exited the lift and headed down an empty corridor towards a large, glossy oak door.

Hermione entered first and gasped, she turned on the spot slowly taking in every section of the large room. She smiled to herself as she looked at the shelves full of books surrounding her.

"I have to go to a meeting now," he said quickly, "Meet me in my office in two hours, and here's your visitor's badge. Be careful Hermione, the ministry is no longer a safe place." He warned her before exiting swiftly.

Hermione attached the badge to her shirt absent-mindedly, making her way to a map of the archives. After examining it carefully she made her way to the first section she needed to visit. She loaded her arms with books on Horcruxes and the Dark Arts. She also found a book on dangerous creatures (which she would never show Hagrid), maps of the Wizarding areas in England, and blueprints of the ministry and Azkaban. She settled down at a desk and began making copies of the materials.

As Hermione was returning the maps and blueprints something caught her eye. Someone had placed a blueprint in the wrong section. Hermione frowned and pulled out the offensive paper. She looked it over and her eyes widened as she read the title Malfoy Manor Official Blueprints. She attempted to make a copy of it, like she had the other blueprints, but she was not able to. She subtly slipped the map into one of the other books before placing it in her bag.

"Hi Mr. Weasley," said Hermione brightly as she entered his office.

"Hello Hermione, did you find everything you need?" He asked, she nodded but did not give details because she knew she wasn't supposed to tell him about the Horcruxes. "I'm nearly done for today," he continued, "we can go home together in a few minutes."

By the time Hermione had gotten back to the burrow it was mid afternoon, and the boys were out playing quidditch. So she headed to her room to pack her final belongings. She added the thick pile of ministry leaflets to her purse before tucking it back under her bed.

She then got out some parchment and began the letter they planned to leave to the Weasleys the next night. Considering the letter's length it took her a very long time to complete. But Hermione found it very difficult to express her gratitude and tell them they were leaving. She realized this could be her last time communicating with them. When she finally finished, she looked the letter over.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Weasley,

Please do not worry about our absence, we are sure you know why we left and do not think it wise to write this reason in an unguarded letter. We are very thankful for your support and kindness during our time at The Burrow and during our past years together. Please forgive us for leaving without notice, but we knew we would not be able to leave any other way. Do not worry too much about us while we are gone. We'll see you again…

Hermione and Harry

Hermione tied up the letter and attached it to Ron's separate letter and hid the package. She then made her way downstairs to help with dinner.


Hermione's door creaked open and Harry poked his head in. Hermione got out of bed quickly and quietly. Harry came in carrying Hedwig's cage and a scroll of parchment; Hermione looked at him curiously before grabbing her purse and their letters from beneath the bed. They left the room together and Hermione hurried downstairs, only stopping to leave the letters in the kitchen. They then exited the house and met Ron outside where he was waiting with two broomsticks.

Harry had strapped his and Ron's trunks to his Firebolt, they had shrunk them slightly to fit on the broom. Harry mounted his broom and prepared to kick off as Hermione climbed on behind Ron cautiously. They kicked off simultaneously, and rose into the night air.


A/N: I Hope you liked the first chapter. Here is a little preview of chapter 2:

"And I have saved the most important news for last," Voldemort hissed, "Harry Potter," hisses filled the room when this name was spoken, and Voldemort almost smiled, "is no longer under the protection of the Order of the Phoenix.