And Then There Was One
A/N: I'm glad a lot of people liked my last chapter and I hope you enjoy this one as well. Some people were mentioning that the first chapter was rushed. I'd just like to say that it is not really a Chapter, but more of a brief overview of Harry's life to give a foundation to the rest of the story. Since the story is not about Harry's young life I didn't feel the need to go into great depth. Any ways this chapter will feature more information on the Horcruxes, the Hit List, and possibly a Hermione-Kia meeting. Enjoy! By the way I am not a Superhuman updater, I just write extremely fast.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, but seriously listen to Tom Felton/ Draco Malfoy singing and playing the guitar on youtube. SO SEXY!!
Previously:
"Hermione, have you ever heard of a Horcrux?"
"Yes, I read about them in an obscure book on the Dark Arts. It's when a person splits their soul to allow them an immortal life. However, it is a cursed life and a very dark practice to split one's soul."
Harry was impressed. "What if I told you Voldemort made seven, and that Kia and I know all of their locations, save one."
A shocked silence was his only answer.
And now your new Chapter!
Hermione was at a loss for words. Harry sat back in his chair and smiled amused at her.
"He made seven Horcruxes!? How is that even possible?"
Harry shrugged. "Hell if I know. Figures the soddy bastard would find a way though."
"And you know where all of them are except one?"
"Yep, There was Helga Hufflepuff's cup, Rowena Ravenclaw's ring, and a diary of Tom Riddle aka Voldemort. We also know that his snake Nagani is one along with a trophy in the display case at school. It was Tom Riddle's for services to the school for closing the Chamber of Secrets even though he was the one who opened it in the first place." Harry paused dramatically. "I am also a Horcrux."
Hermione gasped. "YOU!"
Harry smirked enjoying her astonishment. "Yep, it seems when dear old Tom tried to kill me he transfered a piece of his soul into me, making me the sixth Horcrux."
Hermione was intrigued. "So what is the seventh?"
"Well we know it is a locket and we know where it was originally, but it was removed and replaced by a fake along with a note signed R.A.B."
"How did you know where to find all of these."
Harry pointed his finger at his scar. "When Voldemort tried to kill me he inadvertently transfered a piece of his soul to me thus creating the horcrux. This he knows. However, what he doesn't know is that it also created a portal of sorts between our minds. Basically I can enter his mind anytime I want and vice-versa. I can see him planning his attacks and I can also gain all of the information in his mind. I learned a slew of nasty curses that way. I also learned about the Horcrux's and their locations. The only reason Kia and I are missing the one is because it was moved."
"You said he can enter your mind at anytime though too, so why doesn't he take advantage of it?"
"Because he doesn't know he can. He knows he can send me images and he does all of the time, but I don't think he realizes the full potential of the link."
"What kinds of images does he send you?"
Harry grimaced. "My failures."
Hermione wanted to find out what he meant by this but Harry's face had become a stone mask. She could tell this wasn't a pleasant subject for him to talk about.
"So what are we going to do today?"
Well I am going to go meet Kia in a couple of hours. You can do whatever you want."
"I want to come meet Kia."
Harry frowned. "OK you can do whatever you want except for that."
"Come on Harry, maybe I can help. Please."
"You know Tako has a very extensive library that you could explore."
Hermione put her hands on her hips and frowned at him. "You are not going to bribe me with a library."
Harry sighed. "Let's discuss this later. I am hungry."
He stood and left the room as Hermione shouted. "There is nothing to discuss!"
HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP
Harry scowled at Tako as he poured milk over his cereal. "It is not funny, she really thinks she is going."
"Harry, maybe it would be good for her to get some experience out in the world, meet some new people, gain new perspectives."
Harry frowned. "And meeting a vampire is going to do all of that."
Tako smiled, "Perhaps."
Harry cursed Tako calm attitude. Did he not realize the danger of Hermione joining him. The girl in question was currently in the shower. Harry had appealed to Tako to prevent her from going, but it seemd the man was taking Hermione's side. Harry swore under his breath.
Both men looked up as Hermione entered the kitchen. She frowned at him. "Why are you eating cereal for lunch?"
Tako smirked. "Harry is of the opinion that cereal is an appropriate meal no matter what the hour. I remember when I first took him in I awoke at 3am and discovered him in the kitchen eating bowl of Fruit Loops."
Harry scowled at Tako as Hermione giggled. "There is no need for you to be telling stories about me."
"Ah but Harry, you so rarely bring people home that I have no one else to tell them to."
Derek walked in at that moment. "Are we telling stories about Harry?"
"NO!" Harry yelled.
Derek smirked. "Alright then. He sat across from Hermione and grabbed a sandwich. "I remember when Harry was about 10, he tried riding a broom for the first time. He was doing famously. Of course he also started taunting me because I am a horrible broom rider. He was so distracted that he didn't see the tree in front of him until BAM! It took him two months before he got on a broom again."
Hermione and Tako were both laughing. Harry was not amused. "I am going to leave now." Then Harry smirked. "However, remember that one time Derek when you were about 11 and you lost your stuffed animal."
Derek reddened. "There is no need to tell that story Harry."
"Really, because I believe you sat outside in the rain for three hours crying out it's name. Now what was it's name Derek?"
Harry had a feral grin on his face and Derek's continued to redden. "I don't remember."
"Really? Tako do you recall?"
Tako grinned. "Why I believe it was Pink Booger."
Hermione burst out laughing once again.
Derek was beet red. "I was 5 when I named it. Jeez give me a break."
Harry smirked at Derek. "I have just as many embarrassing stories as you have about me."
Derek scowled and ate his sandwich in silence.
HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP
Harry and Hermione left after lunch to go meet Kia. Harry apparated them to a small town in Scotland. The were garbed in long black cloaks. It was a dark rainy day, so they did not stand out. The duo stuck to the shadows along the buildings as they made their way to the pub.
Inside was quiet. There was not a soul in the bar save for the barman and a dark figure sitting in the back corner. Harry recognized Kia immediately and led Hermione to the hidden table. He waved his hand over the area casting a silencing spell so they would not be overheard.
Kia frowned at Hermione. "Is this the girl?"
"Yep."
"What is she doing here? This is supposed to be a secret meeting."
"She can help."
Kia's grin was feral. "More like she argued and you gave in. Man, you are turning into a softy."
Harry glowered at Kia. "Shut up Kia, lets get down to business."
Kia smirked. "No. I am going to talk to your lovely lady friend here."
Hermione blushed as the vampire kissed the back of her hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you Hermione."
The two talked pleasantly about obscure magical branches and cultures as Harry mumbled about 'horny bloodsuckers' under his breath.
Finally the conversation switched to the subject at hand.
"Harry have you figured out how to destroy them?"
"I think so. They require some sort of sacrifice. Now the extent of the sacrifice I don't know. It could mean slicing your finger to killing a person. Then you have to say Avada Kavara backwards. I think it has something to do with killing something thats not really alive. That should destroy it. If not, there is a much more dangerous and graphic way of killing them, but I'd rather not attempt it unless we have to. The only concerns with the first option though is after the sacrifice. The soul should leave the cup so we have to say the incantation immediately or else the soul could inhabit one of us and then we'd have bigger troubles."
"So should we test run it on one we already have or on the trophy at Hogwarts?"
"The trophy at Hogwarts. That way if it fails there will be a lot of powerful wizards around to deal with the consequences."
Kia nodded his agreement. Hermione didn't look convinced.
"What about the sacrifice?"
Harry and Kia had a silent conversation.
"I'll do it." Harry volunteered.
"Why you?" Hermione countered. "Kia and I can do it just as well."
Kia shook his head. "No Hermione, Harry can do it better I assure you."
Hermione looked back and forth between the two boys. "What is it that you aren't telling me?"
Harry sighed. "My elevated power level is highly unusual for someone my age. For most it would be lethal. However somehow my magic was altered when Tommy boy tried to kill me. It gave me an edge on everything. I can run longer without tiring, I can build strength faster and with less effort. It also allows me to heal faster. Now it's not like superhuman where it will heal right before your eyes, but instead of an injury taking two months to heal it will take me 3-4 weeks."
Hermione was impressed. "You must be extremely powerful for those kinds of abilities. I doubt anyone has been that powerful since Merlin himself." Suddenly she looked very excited. "I should research it!"
Harry chuckled at her enthusiasm. She was so beautiful when she was enthusiastic about something. Harry shook his head. Thinking about Hermione that way would get him nowhere.
Kia looked between Harry and Hermione shaking his head. It was going to take forever for these two to realize what was right in front of them.
A/N: Hopefully updates will continue to be frequent. We just got a new puppy and he is a handful. I am so excited though that I reached 100 reviews!! Thank you all for reviewing!! I never expected this story to get the response that is has and I love you all!
