Chapter - 9, I believe. And it's long. But there's not much action unless you count falling off a chair as action. Intrigued now? Probably not.
I had to put up with my cousin watching Tintin while I was writing this, so I apologise if it's not up to my normal standards, I was distracted.
James woke up the next morning sooner than he wished. He yawned, stretched, decided he couldn't put off getting up any longer and slowly stood up.
At the top of the stairs he met Lily, who smiled distractedly and kissed him on the cheek. No doubt she was thinking hard about the research she would be conducting later. James grabbed her hand and they walked down to the kitchen together.
They were immediately greeted with a cheerful Kreacher who offered them toast which they accepted, before they joined Hermione who was sitting at the table.
She looked up, a satisfied smile on her face. "Kreacher went out to get a Daily Prophet. Read it - it finally has good news."
James took it from Hermione eagerly and started to read, Lily reading over his shoulder.
Trials Cancelled
The recent Muggleborn trials have been cancelled, the chief interrogator Garius Gala announced yesterday evening.
"I can not explain why I decided to stop these trials from taking place," he told our reporters in an exclusive interview. "I can just assure the general public that my decision was for the best, for both the Ministry and, more importantly, wizardkind."
The founder of these Muggleborn trials, Dolores Umbridge, was not so enthusiastic about this new development.
"These trials were commissioned to protect the purity of wizards and witches," she said stiffly when questioned. "I hope the scheme will be back soon, once it has been realised how important the protection of our ancient bloodlines and purity is. If I could I would reinstate the trials immediately."
Unfortunately for her and those with the same views, she does not have this power. If her face is anything to go by, however, this fact might not be true sometime in the near future.
We have yet to discover what will happen in the future for these trials, as Mr Gala seems intent on keeping them from the courtrooms of the Ministry of Magic.
Reported by Marcus Verda
James smiled grimly. "Of course he's intent on it. He doesn't want to die."
Lily grimaced. "Those trials will be back though, there's no doubt about that. Once Umbridge gets the power to reinstate them…"
"At least we've given time for the Muggleborns in danger to go on the run or hide," Hermione said with a sigh, getting up. "It's not ideal, but it's better than nothing. Come on, Ron and Harry are waiting for us in the library."
James gave a comical groan. "This is more nerve-wracking than what we did yesterday."
Lily hit him up the side of his head. "Behave."
The three of them reached the library and hurried over to Harry, who turned and greeted them with instructions.
"Hermione and Lily, you're looking for information about objects that could belong to Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Ron and James, you're looking for information on Horcruxes and how to destroy them."
"What are you doing?" Ron asked him.
"I'm brainstorming places that might be important to Voldemort."
"I'm still amused at the idea of Voldemort having places that he feels are special," James snorted, causing the others to laugh a little.
Harry continued. "At lunch we'll put together our information - this is to defeat Voldemort, so no slacking off." He glared especially hard at Ron and James, who smiled innocently. He rolled his eyes. "Come on, let's go."
Harry left the other four and wandered around a corner, into the heart of the library. The shelves were made of dark mahogany and the only light source was a small gas lamp that was placed on a desk, tucked away in a small alcove. It was almost certain that an extension charm had been placed on the room.
He sat on an armchair covered with green velvet and peered around, suddenly aware of how little the five of them knew - and how much he was failing at leading them.
Dropping his head into his hands, he groaned, despairing. Suddenly, without warning, a huge pain blossomed in his head. Gripping his forehead as if it would assuage the pain, he slid to the floor, and the vision started.
He was following a younger Professor Dumbledore in through the door to the Leaky Cauldron…through into Diagon Alley…the tall, white building grew nearer…he entered -
"Are you alright?" a concerned voice asked.
Harry looked up, pale, sweaty and shaking, into the worried face of his teenaged mother.
"Gringotts," he gasped, out of breath, watching as her face contorted in confusion.
"What?"
"Gringotts. There's a Horcrux in Gringotts."
This only confused Lily even more. "How - how do you know?"
"I have…these visions," he tried to explain. "I see through Voldemort's eyes. Usually I see what he's think, but this…this was a memory…" He shook his head and stood up. "I'm fine."
He walked off leaving Lily standing there with a confused expression on her face.
The five took a break at lunch, sharing their information and eating sandwiches Kreacher had prepared. Hermione had been indignant, but she had been assured that Kreacher was most definitely enjoying what he was doing - they weren't forcing him to do anything.
"We'll go first." James indicated himself and Ron. "Well - we already know that Horcruxes can be destroyed using basilisk venom. We found out that anything goblin-made can also destroy a Horcrux."
"Like the sword of Gryffindor, which Dumbledore tried to give to Harry in his will," Ron reminded them. "However, we are no closer to getting that than we are to getting a basilisk fang, so the information was useless."
Harry shook his head. "No, it could come in useful to know that fact. Lily, Hermione, your turn."
"From Hufflepuff, there was a cup," Hermione started, and Harry gave a gasp of recognition.
"I already knew that! I just forgot it. It was in a memory…" he sat back, feeling stupid.
"Well, from Ravenclaw there was a diadem," Lily continued. "It's been lost for centuries - the perfect Horcrux."
Harry nodded, glad to have more information. "And as for me - there's a Horcrux in Gringotts."
"How do you know?" Hermione and James asked at the same time, Hermione worried and James mildly curious.
"Was it a vision?" Ron asked, observing Harry shrewdly.
Harry nodded slowly. "And Hermione, don't start. This provided invaluable information and you know it, so don't bother telling me off."
"I wasn't going to tell you off!" she protested, annoyed. "I was going to ask why you didn't see what he was seeing, you saw a memory instead?"
Harry shrugged. "I figured he was just remembering going to Gringotts for the first time, and I came along for the ride."
"Right." Hermione remained unconvinced.
"So where in Gringotts would it be?" James asked. "Which vault?"
"The Malfoys'?" Lily suggested, but the future trio shook their heads.
"No - Voldemort has stopped trusting them after the diary was destroyed under their watch," Ron replied. "My guess would be the Lestrange vault."
Harry nodded. "You're probably right."
Hermione smiled grimly. "If you need another plan, I have one."
Please review!
The next chapter will be Hermione's plan.
