JUNE 30th

Walking through Kings Cross Station were many sad faces, though none more than those of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley. Only days ago one of the most powerful wizards of all, Albus Dumbledore, was murdered by the teens Potions professor Severus Snape. Pushing along their trolleys, packed with trunks and cages, the wizards and witch walked towards a very large man, his giraffe-like wife and their whale of a son, who were extremely unhappy.

"What are these doing with you, boy? The large man asked through clenched teeth, while he turned a deep shade of purple.

"Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, Dudley, these are my best friends and fellow 'freaks' Hermione Granger and you already know Ronald Weasley. They're staying with me until my birthday. I might just add that they are both 17 and can legally do you-know-what," Harry told the Dursley's.

Hermione, Ron and Harry then started to pack the trunk of the car with their belongings.

"Wait boy! They are not staying with us and neither shall you after the end of next month," Vernon struggled to keep his voice down as to not attract attention.

"Listen carefully Dursley. We just lost a good friend and a great man, so we are in no mood to put up with your crap. So, enter the car and take us to Privet Drive," Hermione got up into Vernon's face but making sure he could see her wand.

Vernon gulped and turned to enter the car, his wife and son squeezing into the front of the car. The three teens climbed into the back seat and quietly sat through the car drive to 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging. After arriving to the house, the Dursley's scrambled out of the car, wanting to get away from the magical teens. Slowly collecting their possessions, and releasing their familiars, the trio walked towards the smallest room of the house, Harry's room. They fell onto the single bed occupying the room and lay silent for a long time, each thinking over their lives up to that point.

"We can't just lay here until the 31st. How about fixing this room, make it a little more appropriate," Hermione suggested, while getting up to search for a book in her trunk. Upon finding it she pulled it out, to neither of the boys surprise it was about 3 inches thick.

"Ok Hermione, what do we do first?" Harry asked not wanting to mope around all day.

"Remember Harry no magic by you so you can design the new room," Hermione reminded him before sending sparks at Ron, who was laying with his eyes shut.

Waking up with a start by the sparks Ron hit his head against the book Hermione was holding over him, "What you do that for, Hermy?" Ron whined, knowing that Hermione hated being called that.

"Ronald Bilius Weasley I hate that name and you know it. If you call me that again I'll turn you into a Flobberworm and feed you to Crooks," Hermione exploded at Ron who was cowering at the knowledge that she could do just that.

"Better make him a rat though Hermione. I don't think Crookshanks would like to eat a Flobberworm," Harry added getting a glare from Ron.

"Not helpful mate," Ron told him only to duck from angry red sparks that were erupting from Hermione's wand, "Jeez Hermione I'm sorry but the first thing I see after being rudely awoken was stars from hitting my head on that brick of a book."

"Fine Ron but remember my warning," Hermione then smiled and placed the book onto Harry's bed between the boys, "Now we have to enlarge the room, add two more beds, a shower/toilet area, more bookcases, wardrobes and get a table and chairs. That about it boys?" While she looked up the needed spells, the boys looked shocked at the magnitude of what Hermione was about to attempt.

"Ah Hermione? Do you know what you're doing? It's just we haven't even learnt this stuff yet," Ron asked warily not wanting to get the girl mad again. It didn't work.

"What do you mean 'do I know what I'm doing?'" Hermione asked, her temper raising again.

"Calm down Hermione. Ron's right, hell I didn't even know those things could be done. What's wrong with you today?" Harry settled the tempers down but was concerned about Hermione's behaviour.

"Nothing, just Ginny getting to me. She told me you broke up, that true?" Ginny had teased Hermione about her crush over Harry then called her a slut for both stealing Harry from her and leading Ron on.

Harry nodded his head and answered "Yes."

Ron was dumbfounded, "I thought you two were getting along great. Why break up with her?"

"Ron I did because of what I talked to you about on the train back. Remember?" Ron went red, recalling their conversation.

Harry had told him that he really liked Ginny but was in love with Hermione, "I just told her that it was too dangerous for us to be together. I should have told you that we had broken up but I thought you wouldn't have taken it well," Harry explained to Ron, knowing that he loved his sister greatly.

"Ok Harry I get it mate," Ron responded to Harry, who let out a sigh of relief.

"Let's get started on this renovation then boys," Hermione said while drawing her wand to start.

An hour later, the room was three times larger and filled with everything they would need for the weeks ahead.

"This will have to do. How about we go see the neighbourhood?" Hermione suggested after they were all packed away.

"Yeah maybe we'll run into Duddikins and his gang," Harry led the others outside, not even bothering to acknowledge his uncle's yells. The trio walked towards the neighbourhood park only just noting the stares they were receiving.

"Harry, why is everyone either staring at us or cowering from you?" Hermione questioned once they reached the park. Sitting at the swings, which intrigued Ron, Harry answered.

"Everyone has been told that I attend St Brutus' Institute for Incurably Criminal Boys, so I'm the bad boy," Harry told his friends hysterically.

"I've heard of that place. They certainly picked a fancy place to send you. A lot of money to spend on a supposed waste of time brat," Hermione joked causing the boys to laugh, Hermione joining in right away.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't baby Potter. Who's this Potter? A freak from school and looky, looky, a play thing. She put out for other Potter?" Piers Polkiss taunted Harry, sauntering towards the trio.

Standing to the side of his best friend, Dudley Dursley, Piers looked like a twig with a vile smirk on his face. Dudley, even though looking very sick, stood tall and mean.

"Piers, you and Duddikins better leave before you get hurt," Harry said through painfully clenched teeth. Dudley a look at three wands and turned a violent shade of green.

"Potter grew balls? Who would have ever guessed that? What you going to do? Poke me with those sticks? HA!" Piers was looking at Hermione with a predatory gleam in his eyes. Suddenly a crack was heard and Piers was on the ground.

"No one hurts Mister Harry Potter, or his Wheezy or Hermy," A loud, high-pitched squeal yelled out at Piers.

"Dobby!" The two wizards and witch called out. Harry raced forwards, pulling the maniacal house-elf off a now stunned Piers.

"Thanks Ron. Now Dobby, what are you doing here?" Harry asked the now visible house-elf.

"Dobby sorry sir but Dobby scared for Miss Hermy. Bad man had look in eye, same as old master when maids come by," Dobby was shaking with anger, "Only maids never do any cleaning. Leave it all for house-elves."

"That's sick. Of course Lucius would rape women. Thankyou Dobby but now we have to obliviate that scum. How did you know I was in trouble?" Hermione asked him kindly.

Dobby blushed at the way she spoke, "Well when Professy Dumbledore was killed Dobby was asked who he want to work for. I issus remembering your kindness and decided to work for you's, Mister Harry Potter and his Wheezy," Explained Dobby, who was now bouncing on his heels excitedly.

"If it's ok with Hermione, and I pay you, we could use your help. We'll be researching a lot of things and travelling a bit so could you, umm, clean, cook and that sort of stuff?" Harry asked tentatively, not wanting to annoy Hermione.

Dobby broke down and cried at the offer, then looked up with his large eyes to see what Hermione thought. Hermione was thinking over all the perks when Dudley started to walk away.

"Stupefy"

Hermione stunned Dudley then turned back to Harry and nodded at the idea.

"Ok Dobby do you know where 12 Grimmauld Place is?" Harry asked the elf, who nodded vigorously, "Good. I need you to collect everything from there and bring it to my room."

With that, Dobby popped away.

"Harry, I'll obliviate it," Hermione pointed at Piers, "And let's then go." And that's exactly what she did.

The two brutes ran off leaving the three alone until they turned for home.

"BOY!" Vernon roared as soon as they entered the house.

"What?" Both Ron and Harry called in response to the summons.

"Not you! The FREAK!"

"Oh you mean him," The boy's said in unison again.

"NOT YOU! HIM!" Vernon blew his top. His face was almost black, the purple was that deep of a shade. The trio watched in amusement as Petunia tried to calm Vernon down.

"You did, magic, on my Dudley and Piers," Petunia screeched at the teens.

"Did you say 'do magic'? Well I'd be happy to show you," Hermione pointed her wand at the coffee table.

"Wingardium Leviosa"

The table rose, Petunia screamed, Dudley ran behind his mother with his hands clutching his gargantuan buttocks and Vernon passed out. Placing the table back onto the ground Hermione fell with Harry and Ron into a laughing fit.

"OUT! OUT! YOU, YOU FREAKS!" Petunia yelled whilst fanning and trying to rouse her husband.

The trio rose and went to Harry's bedroom, which was packed with shrunken boxes and items.

"Dobby issus getting everything, even mean lady portrait," Dobby pointed at the silenced Mrs Black, "Dobby said if Lady didn't quieten I would sing to her."

That sent the trio into another fit of laughter. Once they had controlled themselves they set to enlarging boxes and sorting them out. On the third box Hermione gasped and fell back into Harry's arms, "Harry show me that locket that was in the cave."

Harry passed the locket over to Hermione, who let out a whoop of joy, "We've found one!" Hermione pointed into the box at a gold locket with a snake in the shape of an 'S' on it.

"How did the Black family get it though?" Ron asked dumbly.

"Wait that's the locket we couldn't open when we cleaned out Grimmauld Place," Harry said excitedly, ignoring Ron's question.

"Hey it is. Bloody brilliant," Ron added happily.

"That issus not goods magic sirs and miss. Very bad magics in that," Dobby was cowering as far away as possible. He did not like the magical aura the locket was giving off.

"How powerful is it, Dobby?"Hermione asked moving towards the frightened elf.

"Very powerful dark magic. Mister Harry Potter and Miss Hermy have stronger. Mister Harry Potter's Wheezy is only just weaker," Dobby hid behind Hermione's leg after answering.

"Dumbledore had that ring on but the stone was cracked and I stabbed the diary with the Basilisk tooth. De we destroy it like that?" Harry asked the room.

"My Regulus bought that home one day. He told us all that the Dark Lord gave it to him. His father and I were so proud that our only son was so trusted by out master," Mrs Black spoke with a ghost of pride at her son's accomplishments.

"At least now we know who R.A.B is. How do you suppose we destroy this one Hermione?" Harry asked knowing that Hermione was a lot wiser on the academics behind making a Horcrux.

"We know a murder should occur, then a spell is cast and the soul fragment enters the object. What were your feelings when you stabbed the book, Harry?"

"Anger at Tom, fright that if I didn't ruin the book Ginny would die..." Harry was cut off by Hermione.

"Of course. The power he knows not, LOVE," Hermione looked at the boys expressions, "ARGH! You were frightened because Ginny is Ron's sister and you care for Ron. In a way your brotherly love for Ron allowed you to destroy the Horcrux."

"What about Dumbledore then?" Ron asked feeling a little dumb for not knowing the answer.

"Well whatever it was that caused that much love to defeat it, we may never know but it worked," Hermione answered annoyed that they had never asked Dumbledore while he was alive. Harry shook hi s head feeling the same way and kicking himself for never thinking Dumbledore could die.

"So we need a lot of love to destroy this one and it should be done by one or both of you two," Ron added knowing it was for the best he wasn't strong enough. Harry and Hermione looked at each other then turned back to Ron.

"Ron can I talk to you privately?" Hermione asked. The red head shrugged and followed Hermione to the other side of the room.

"What's this about Hermione?" Ron questioned thinking he already knew what she was about to say.

"You know I like you right? It's just that I only really have a sibling type love for you," Hermione stumbled on the words, wishing it was easier. To her surprise, Ron started to laugh, only to stop at the look on Hermione's face.

"Hermione, you're like my sister and I love you the same as I love Ginny. I kind of like someone else anyway. So does Harry know you love him like he loves you?" Ron started to laugh again at the look of surprise the Hermione had.

"I'll be right back," And Hermione walked calmly over to Harry. She grabbed his head and pulled him down into a kiss, much to Harry's surprise and pleasure.

"Umm, Hermione not that I don't love what you did, but why did you just kiss me?" Harry asked dumbly as his brain was currently setting off fireworks.

"I kissed you to tell you I love you more than a friend should," Hermione turned towards Ron, "You can come back over now Ron!" Ron walked back over and clapped Harry on the back.

"Didn't know she was going to do that but it put the point across. Hermione that was bloody brilliant," Ron hugged Hermione in congratulation. Harry roused out of his stupor and pulled Hermione back into his arms before passionately kissing her.

"That makes us even now Mione," Harry chuckled. Coming out of her daze, Hermione slapped Harry on the shoulder.

"That was mean Harry."

"So was what you did but hell I didn't hit you," Harry retorted with a smirk. Hermione and Ron launched themselves at Harry, tickling him until they fell to their sides laughing.

"Well we still don't know how to destroy that locket," Harry sighed annoyed.

Hermione lay her head on Harry's shoulder and thought aloud, "Dumbledore's hand was dead, most likely from putting on the ring, so if we both put on the locket and fight it together out combined love should destroy it." Both of the boys looked at her as though she had two heads.

"You want to just try and fight it? Harry can't even use magic to defend you both," Ron argued.

"Yes Ron I'm going to jump in without thinking," Hermione replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes at him, "I was thinking of doing this at Godrics Hollow or at least after Harry's birthday. Until then we research all about Horcruxes. All of the Dark Magic books from the Black family library will be a gift from Merlin."

Harry wrapped the locket in a pair of Vernon's socks and locked it in his school trunk. The trio then set about studying.