Chapter 4
They had been gone for a full month. All the while Hermione worried. She didn't like not being there to watch their back, so she used that time for rest and research. There were still three horcux that needed to be found and on their next journey she would be there by their side, where she belonged.
Once she realized what she was looking for it became easier to find. With the help of Dumbledore and Severus Snape they were able to trace down Helga Huffenpuffs' cup, that vanished from the last know owner, upon her death. What no one realized that an artifacts apprentice by the name of Tom Riddle had been in correspondence with the woman at the time. And just as the cup disappeared so had Riddle. Now that she knew what they were looking for all she had to do was figure out where it was hidden.
Dumbledore had suggested Hogwarts, Hermione thought it a possibility, one of the horcux was surly hidden there, but a nagging impulse told her it wasn't the cup.
The rest of the Weasley clan arrived a week before Harry and Ron's return. Hermione hadn't even realized what day it was let alone what month. Hogwarts was officially on break. Ginny was a comfort and big help. She sat pouring over books with Hermione keeping her company, though she didn't know exactly what she was looking for, she found a few possible locations where Tom Riddle might of hidden the Huffenpuff cup. It was at the suggestion of Gringotts that Hermione cornered Bill in the kitchen, surly he could tell her if Tom Riddle had ever had an account there.
Bill had been helpful and Hermione found her self wound tight when finally Harry and Ron appeared on the front square, dirty and exhausted. Molly took on the task of helping Ron upstairs and out of his dirty cloths, as Hermione's mother, Susan, helped her with Harry. Hermione didn't bother asking how their quest had went, the clear sparkle of victory that shone in Harry's eyes was all the evident she needed. They had been successful.
A week later Bill left head quarters without a word. He left Fleur heavy with child in the care of the residents. All thought his behavior odd. Nobody dared discuss it in front of his wife or mother. Hermione had an idea of what he was up to though she didn't dare voice it. She had after all been spending a lot of time with him, talking about the lay out of Gringotts, and what vault exactly the cup might be hidden it. He made his comments all the while saying it was too dangerous, and the three of them would not be going alone. Plans had already been in the making when Bill left, making the three of them promise not to attempt a break in to Gringotts until he got back. They had no choice but to agree, their whole plan had been made on the condition that he would be accompanying them.
So instead they laid their focus on the Ravenclaw item. Hermione took up a new addition of Hogwarts a History. She had read somewhere about an item Rowena Ravenclaw had owned and it was suppose to bring wisdom. She just couldn't remember what it was. The book hadn't brought any insight, so in a desperate act of insanity she wrote to Luna Lovegood, the only Ravenclaw she could trust with such sensitive information.
Luna's correspondence had been the key to finding the sixth horcux, that and Harry's memory. He had been reading the letter over her shoulder when he pulled the page from her hands, and shouted in her ear. "I know where it is. I know were the diam…thingy is. That bastard had thought himself so cleaver, but I found it. Hermione. It's at Hogwarts in the room of requirements. I know where it is… it's on the bust of Alford Mcgrew's statue setting on a barrister's wig." Harry was bouncing up and down. Luna's letter clenched in one hand, the other painfully gripping Hermione's shoulder. Hermione wore an odd smile on her face as she witnessed Harry's hysterics. Ron was snickering in the corner with Ginny.
"Harry, calm down. I think your hurting Hermione." Ginny called out. Harry didn't listen. Instead he grabbed Hermione's hand and ran out the room, through the hall and to the kitchen, where Molly and Susan where cooking dinner. Albus Dumbledors, Remus Lupin, Severus Snape, Richard Granger, Percy and Arthur Weasley sat at the table in deep conversation.
" Professor! We need to get to Hogwarts, tonight. Ron, Hermione and myself. It has to be tonight." Harry's voice was an octave higher than usual. Dumbledors just nodded. While everyone else looked on shocked at Harry's outburst.
"I get to come?" Hermione asked in a small voice behind him. Harry turned to look at her.
"I don't see why not. The school is empty and with the head master accompany us I don't see any danger." Harry reasoned. Hermione smiled. It would be so nice to get out of this house. She had been cooped up for far too long.