Chapter 2: Intensity

I stepped out of the tent and was met with the bitter cold air of early morning. We had long since stopped keeping up with dates, but it was winter. That much I knew for sure. Crystals of frost crunched under my shoes as I moved to a nearby stump that I used as a makeshift bench.

As I sat down, I reached into my coat pocket and retracted the Horcrux. "All this time, and yet I still haven't found a way to destroy this thing," I grumbled to myself. I rolled it around in my fingers, feeling the almost living object in my hand. Hermione had tried every advanced curse and spell she could recall, and none left so much as a scratch on the locket. Looking at it, my frustration and anger started to slowly build up and burn like phoenix flames in my chest. This revolting object and taken more from me then I cared to think of. People had died for this cursed thing, and I was supposed to destroy it. But how?!

The sound of movement behind me broke my train of concentration. I quickly turned around, wand drawn, a curse on the tip of my tongue. I saw Hermione's figure dodge behind a tree for cover. "Harry! It's me!" I lowered my wand and made my way over to her, where she lay on the ground, frightened and agitated.

"Sorry about that Hermione, but you know not to sneak up on me," I said to her offering my hand. She looked at me incredulously for a second, then sighed and accepted. I pulled her up and gave her an apologetic look. She noticed.

"No, Harry. I'm sorry. I just saw you come out, and wanted to see if you were alright." She looked at me, waiting for my response. When I didn't give one, she continued. "I heard you last night in your sleep. Still having nightmares?"

I sat there, silent and still. I hadn't told her or Ron about those dreams. I didn't know what they meant, much less what to tell them. The dreams had been frustrating to say the least. I turned my attention back to Hermione.

"Uh, yeah. I am. They come and go, and I can never remember much. Just vague images here and there." I glanced in her direction to find her looking at me concerned. It caught me off guard, seeing so much concern and compassion in her eyes. She turned away.

"Honestly, Hermione, it's okay. But I'm gonna lose it if we don't find something soon. Between the dead ends with the Horcrux and Ron's pestering over supplies, my patience is running thin." She could hear the frustration in my voice, and gently laid a hand on my shoulder. I flinched a little out of habit due to the Durselys' horrible treatment over the years.

Hermione noticed, and removed her hand. She knew, like everyone else, that I didn't have the best home life, but she didn't know the extensive damage those monsters had done to me over the years. Most of it I had been able to lock away in my mind, but sometimes the memories would could flooding back, along with the anger, and I'd excuse myself to hide the pain I was feeling inside.

The selfless, smiling Harry everyone was used to was merely a mask. A mask to hide all the suffering and unstable emotions that were kept bottled up inside of me. And I never planned on revealing myself to anyone. Although, it was tempting at times.

I had never told anyone what had happened while staying with them, mostly because no one cared and I was just too afraid. I looked at Hermione and wandered if I should tell her. What her reaction would be I wondered. Would she want vengeance? Show pity? I almost opened my mouth when Ron came bursting out of the tent.

"Hey, what're you two doing? I'm starving in here!" Hermione gave him a stare that could kill, and got up. Trying to hide my anger at his intrusion, I followed suit. We all went in while Hermione got busy in our "kitchen". Ron started blabbing on about nonsense, but I was too focused on my thoughts.

I didn't start having these nightmares until we started wearing the locket. I wonder...

My thoughts were interrupted by a hand waving in front of my face rapidly. I looked up. " Hell-o! Earth to Harry! Are you brain dead or something?" It was Ron with an annoyed look on his face. "What's been up with you lately mate? It's like half the time you aren't even with us." I shook my head. "Sorry, just thinking," I told him, trying to sound convincing. "Well, try not to hurt yourself, eh? Don't need our little hero getting damaged." He replied in a sarcastic tone.

Hermione turned around as if to say something, but I held my hand up signalling her to stop. She hesitated, then returned to her previous task at hand.

Ron had been getting more aggravating lately, snapping at anyone for no apparent reason. It had started to get out of hand, and my tolerance of his mood was waning. But he was my friend, and I just assumed he was stressed like the rest of us.

Hermione finished preparing our breakfast, which wasn't much, but I was grateful nonetheless. We followed up with discussions for possible Horcrux locations, as well as methods of destroying the current one in possession. Hermione suggested Gringotts, considering it was a pinnacle of the Magical world. We both agreed it to be a possibility. Ron, on the other hand, gave no advice, other then stating that there was no way to know for sure and that it was pointless to continue discussing it.

The day, though stressful and long, was close to an end. Ron was on guard duty, while Hermione laid reading and I fiddling with my Snitch. The undiluted silence was broken by Hermione huffing in frustration. I looked over and, seeing how upset she was, went to her.

I put my hand on her arm gently. "Hey, it's alright," I whispered to her. She looked up at me with her big brown eyes and sighed. "I know, Harry. It's just so frustrating sitting here day after day with absolutely NOTHING to show for it!" She put her head in her hands and sighed deeply. "I'm sorry. I know you feel the same as I do, but I don't know how you keep it together all the time."

She looked over at me, and noticed the seriousness of my stare.

"What is it Harry?", she asked concerned. I looked at her for a few more seconds, and then turned away.

Author Notes: Hey guys! I know it's a slow build up, but trust me. Things are about to get heavy. More INTENSE. I'll upload Ch. 3 later today. If you guys like the story and want more, please let me know by following and sending reviews. I'd love to know where you all stand. Until next time.

Hope you all enjoy.

P.S. Get ready for some DRAMA