A/N: I do not own Harry Potter or anything you recognize.

The pair slept fitfully that night in the cave. Hermione's thoughts full of what she'd read, thoughts of Harry's comments about power. She woke drenched in sweat. Harry was still sleeping, muttering in his sleep. Hermione paused listening, but couldn't understand anything he said. She rose and walked around stretching her legs.

They'd stopped exploring the cave at the lab, but it stretched back further into a series of winding passages. Hermione didn't go too far from Harry, but started exploring a little more. Further down, she found a small hole in the wall, almost like a window. It was too small for a person to fit through, but it let in a steady stream of light telling her it was morning.

"What'd you find? The sword?" Harry asked. Hermione shook her head.

"No, just a window. Do you really think the sword is down here?" she asked.

"I hope so, then we can get this over with. I have no idea even how to sword fight, Hermione. My aunt and uncle...I don't think they realized I was a prince, if so...why didn't they turn me over to Lord Voldemort?" he asked. They had a feeling outside of these walls, very few people knew about Dumbledore, that he was the real power behind the throne.

"I don't know, Harry. They knew who your mother had married though, did they believe you were a bastard or something?"

"Maybe, they hated me. Be nice to show them just how much they underestimated me," he stated leaning against one of the walls. Hermione nodded slightly. This was their savior? The prince would save the kingdom? She shuddered. There was something dark about him, something she couldn't quite understand. What kind of ruler would he be once he took back the throne?

"We should find something to eat," she said changing the subject.

"Did you happen to pack any food?" he asked looking at her bag.

"I have a loaf of bread, that's it. I was planning to buy lunch at the market. I should have been more prepared."

"It's alright, we can split the bread, I figure we should see where some of the tunnels go, did Sir Severus happen to have drawn a map in his journal?" Hermione opened the book and flipped through the pages.

"Unfortunately no, he didn't. I wonder why though, if he created these tunnels, why would he not want a map?" She handed him half of the bread before taking the other half for herself.

"Maybe because then no one would know where they led? He seems the type to keep secrets." Hermione nodded slowly. What if the tunnels led straight to Dumbledore, what if they led to something worse?

They finished eating. Hermione started to pull another candle from her bag but paused. Carefully she removed some of glowing moss from the walls and held it in her hand. It created enough light for them to see if they needed it.

"You're kind of smart, aren't you?"

"I guess so, I've never really had anyone to compare myself to, I mean the only other kids my age are Ron and Ginny."

"Is that a light up ahead?" Hermione paused and squinted.

"I think so, but it doesn't look like sunlight, more glowing moss?"

"It seems brighter." The pair continued walking until they reached another large chamber, this one had a lake in the middle.

"Wow, think it's safe to drink?"

"Who would poison a lake in the middle of a moutain...better question, why is there a lake in the middle of a mountain..." Hermione walked over to the water slowly. It wasn't still, it churned and splashed. She backed away quickly.

"Is this mentioned in the journal, or are we going the wrong way?"

"I'm not even sure there's a right way," Hermione muttered pulling the book out and opening it.

By a stroke of incredible luck I have acquired the sword. Alas it had not revealed its magic to me, I am not of the blood line and much doubt I will be able to use the sword for anything other than normal tasks. I am searching for a safe place to hide it, but nothing comes to mind. If either side realize I have the sword, Dumbledore will have me murdered. King James will try to vanquish the darkness himself, I fear he will not succeed, the prophesy only mentions the boy. The sword will have to remain hidden until he is of age and can properly wield it. There is a lake not far from my lab, it boils and bubbles for reasons I do not know. If I threw the sword in there...what would become of it, and would it be retrievable...I do not risk such a valuable artifact until I can learn more.

Hermione stopped reading and looked at Harry.

"He didn't seem to think this lake was safe either, let's keep going. I don't think the sword is down there, and if, for some reason it turns out it is, we can come back. It'll be safe there." Harry nodded acting like he agreed with her, but he couldn't quite take his eyes off the lake.