The walls of the old manor were dark, moldy, and unimpressive. Harry stared out at the debris-strewn floors in the house that obviously hadn't been used in months.

Harry sighed as his gaze found the piles of chips and dust as they had crumbled from the holes in the walls of ancient plaster. He had hit another dead-end.

Harry Potter had been searching for the last of Voldemort's Horcruxes since Dumbeldore's funeral three months ago and so far all his leads were coming up dry. This place was supposed to house Helga Hufflepuff's cup.

Behind him, Harry heard two sets of feet shuffling into the room. Harry turned and saw his two best friends, and partners in his search, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Both came in with their wands up and their faces intent, but quickly faded to disappointment as their eyes swept across the dilapidated dwelling.

"So. . .It's not here?" Ron asked already knowing the answer.

Harry shook his head glumly, "Apparently not. If it ever was it was probably moved months ago."

Hermione, ever the optimist, forced a hopeful bouyant tone, "Well that's something isn't it? if they felt a need to move it then they must feel threatened by us searching!"

Harry gave out a snort of derision at that and dropped wearily into an old, moth-eaten wing-back chair and placed his forehead down into his upturned palms. Rubbing his temples, he could sense Ron and Hermione gazing at him in concern. He didn't care. he had been feeling this way for the past month. This over-powering sense of hopelessness with a few weak dregs of vengence still biting him, pressing him to continue. This sense of inadequecy.

Looking up he said, "So where to next?" Harry put alot out in that question. In it he said that he wasn't giving up but also that he was running out of ideas.

Ron and Hermione glanced at eachother, as though each were begging the other to step forward first. Hermione finally sighed and turning to Harry, began to speak,

"Actually Harry we think it's time we all went back to 12 Grimmauld Place."

Harry snapped erect and stared at Hermione in disbelief. Hermione took advantage of his stunned silence by rushing to explain.

"Really Harry, we've been searching for months and maybe what we really need is a rest. . .and perhaps to exchange some information with the other members of the Order."

Harry could tell she had only added that last item to make even consider this, she continued bolstered slightly that he hadn't snapped at her yet.

"You haven't been well Harry. . .You need this rest just as much as we do, and I think you know that."

Harry swallowed the retort he had been forming to consider this. He knew she was right. He hadn't been well, if only because he had been spending sleepless nights trying to figure out what few clues he had. But what was he supposed to do? Stop searching and let the man who killed his parents roam free and cause more suffering to the wizarding world? He felt a flare of anger at the very thought.

Ron and Hermione watched Harry carefully. Sensing danger, Ron finally spoke,

"Harry, Bill's wedding is in two weeks. At Dumbeldore's funeral you agreed we would go. . .I'm holding you to that now."

Harry exhaled slowly, he had said that.

Hermione piped in sheepishly, "And it's not just that. . .well, I got a letter from my parents a few days ago," She smiled weakly, "well my cousin is coming to London for a few weeks and they want me to take care of her while she's there."

Both Harry and Ron stared at that.

"Your cousin?" Ron asked. Clearly Hermione hadn't mentioned this little reunion to him either.

"Yes, she's not familiar with London and I haven't seen her in a while so my parents thought this would be a good chance to catch up. . .and I agree," she turned to Harry at this, "Please Harry? She's my favorite cousin and I never see her because she lives so far away. . .I'd really like you both to meet her."

Harry looked between his two friends and knew he couldn't refuse them. They had given up so much for him and given him so much support these past few years. . .This really was the least he could do. Besides, a part of him knew that Hermione was right about him needing a rest.

He sighed and ran his fingers through his already messy black hair and nodded quietly, "Alright, let's just get out of here."

Both nodded back with smiles of relief and started to turn to go. As Harry walked out he silently decided that this would be a good chance to catch up on the latest news on the other's progress in the search for Voldemort and to see everyone again. And Harry had to admit his curiousity was peeked in the idea of meeting Hermione's cousin.

Maybe this was just the start of a whole new adventure. . .