Disclaimer, see Chapter 1. I hope you all enjoy!
Chapter 7
Harry and Ron's POV
Ron tugged at his hair with fustration. They had been trying to figure out what their next move would be. "Bloody hell Harry, this is ridiculous." He growled.
Harry frowned. "I know, I know. Sorry mate."
This was a disaster. He had pictured this being so much easier, and going by so much faster. But they didn't have a single thing. They didn't have a clue.
Ron had destroyed the locket, and Dumbledore the ring. He had destroyed the diary in his second year. They killed Nagini, who was definitely a Horcrux. So that's a huge plus. But it just leaves us even more confused for the rest of them. Harry wiped away a tear. I wish Dumbledore was still alive to help us. He would know exactly what to do. It would have been so simple.
"I wish Hermione was still with us," he heard Ron mutter softly.
"Me too mate," he responded. He still couldn't believe she hadn't returned. He couldn't imagine what could possibly be more important than helping him defeat Riddle.
It was his job, and as his friend, she should be here helping him. That's what she should be doing. But no, she's off Merlin knows where doing Merlin knows what. The idea made his blood boil. She had abandoned them. It was time they got over it.
"So what do you think our next move will be Harry?" Ron asked. He sounded tired. Harry didn't blame him.
"Well, I think Riddle may have trusted one of his followers with a Horcrux." Harry had been mulling that over for a few hours, but he wasn't sure if it had any validity to it.
Ron's eyebrows shot up. "Really? I didn't think he trusted anyone but himself. He doesn't seem like the friendly type." He snorted.
Harry smiled. "I know, that's what I thought. But he had given Malfoy Sr. the diary, who definitely didn't know what it was, or else he wouldn't have slipped it to Ginny."
Ron nodded. "Right. He might have given something to someone else, and they have no idea! Brilliant Harry. Now who do you think has one?"
"Well, not the Malfoys. I don't think they are in favor with Him right now."
"What about their cousin? Lestrange? She seems to be pretty loyal to Riddle."
Harry nodded. "Brilliant! I know the Lestranges are in the Inner Circle. So where would they keep it?"
Ron smiled. "Isn't it obvious Harry? What's the safest place in the world?"
"Hogwarts," Harry stated.
"Try again."
"Gringotts! Perfect. Now we just need to figure out how to break into her vault, which is most likely heavily guarded." Harry sighed. It seemed as soon as they had an idea, they came up to another obstacle.
Ron shrugged. "Let's pack up and go pay Bill a visit. He'll help us for sure."
"Good idea Ron. You get the tent and I'll gather up the rest of our stuff."
The two of them set off.
Charlie's POV
Charlie had decided in that last split moment to go see Bill. He couldn't go back to the reserve, they would just have asked too many questions.
His head was spinning. Hermione was so confusing, and it just made everything more difficult. If she didn't want him, why didn't she just say it? She needed keep torturing him.
He just needed to get away. Maybe that would help clear his head? He wasn't sure, but in the heat of the moment, he just needed to leave.
Charlie wasn't very good with his emotions, which was most likely the reason he never had a stable relationship. His life was full of one night stands. Emotionless. He wanted it to be full of life, full of love, full of Hermione.
As soon as Shell Cottage came into view, Charlie immediately regretted leaving Hermione. She needed him, and he just left. Way to go Charlie, you giant piece of shite.
Bill came rushing through the door, trying to see who set his wards off. He sniffed the air, then relaxed as soon as he saw his brother. "Charlie, what in Merlin's name are you doing here?"
"I just needed some time away from things. Can I spend a night or two here?" He shuffled. The two of them used to be incredibly close, especially since they were they closest in age. He was his best man at his brother's wedding. But since then, they had drifted apart. Bill was always busy with Fleur, and the war wasn't making things any easier.
Seeing his brother standing there before him, all his emotions came crashing into him. This war was tearing everyone apart. It needed to be stopped. How much more would his family be made to suffer? How much longer will the world have to suffer?
Bill sighed. "You're always welcome here Charlie." He too missed his family, and his brother standing before him.
And just like that, all the tension disappeared.
Charlie followed Bill inside, seeing Fleur at the kitchen table.
"It's just Charlie dear, no need to worry." He said, placing a kiss on his wife's forehead.
"Well, we can never be too sure." She said with a small smile.
Charlie was suprised to hear that her English was really improving.
"So what have you been up to? I haven't heard much from the Order." Charlie said, taking a seat opposite the couple.
The three of them talked for hours, each filling the others of their tales. He had mentioned he was with Hermione, but left out the part about Hemera. He wasn't sure they wanted anyone to know. Charlie made it clear that the fact he had seen Hermione was to be kept a secret, and Bill and Fleur both agreed.
Suddenly, the wards went off once more. Wands at the ready, Charlie and Bill both rushed outside to see Harry and Ron standing there, grinning like idiots.
Charlie felt his blood start to boil.
