And as they flew over the lake, the three adolescents left the dragon's back. The lake's water was icy, and cut Edmund's breath. They had to hurry out of the water. But nothing went according to plan. The Shadow attacked them, and entered Ron's body. The wizard fought like a devil. Edmund flew to his rescue, and managed to take the ginger back to the shore. There, the dark smoke escaped from his lips, and he was able to breath again.

"Ron, are you okay?" Hermione shouted.

"I... I just had a vision... he knows. You know who. He knows we are destroying his horcruxes. He killed everybody in Gringotts."

"Did you see where he was going?" Edmund asked.

"He's going to Hogwarts."

"Then, that's where the tiara is. He's gonna try to protect it." Hermione declared, taking some clothes out of her bag and giving them to the two boys.

"It's so good to take those things off." Ron said while changing clothes. "What do you suggest we do?"

"If the Chief Death Eater is going to Hogwarts, then that's where we're going too."

"You want to break into Hogwarts? How exactly would you do that?"

"Ron is right." Edmund interfered. "I suppose there are security dispositions around the school. And may I remind you we are actively wanted? Going there, it would be like attacking Miraz's castle. I don't want to live that sort of things again."

"We'll take the secret passages. We'll go through Hogsmeade."

"It could work." Ron said. "You decide. I'll follow."

"Ed?"

The young man fixed his gaze in the young witch eyes.

"Are you sure about this?"

"I'm not sure of anything. But this is our best shot."

"Fine. Then, let's not waste any time. The end is near, now."

So he took Hermione's and Ron's hand, and they disapparated. They ended up in Hogsmeade, where the night had fallen. An alarm sounded with a strong noise, and they saw Death Eaters leave the surrounding buildings, wands at the ready. A door opened behind them, and someone put his hand on Edmund shoulder, who had to fight not to scream.

"Come." The voice said. "Inside, quick!"

With no other choice, the three teenagers got in.

"Where are we?" Ron asked.

"Don't you recognize it?" Hermione said, surprised. "This is the Hog's Head."

"How am I supposed to recognize it? I've never taken a step in this place."

"Oh, yeah. That's true. That's where Harry founded the Dumbledore Army, in order to teach us defence against the dark art when we had Umbridge the Toad."

"Umbridge? As in Dolores Umbridge? You say she was a teacher? Blimey, I'm almost happy I didn't live that."

"Are you sure you're loud enough?" The owner said, irritated. "Kitchen ! Now !"

Hermione and Ron stopped talking, and followed the man and Edmund in the kitchen. He silently invited them to sit around the table.

"What are you doing out there after curfew?" The man asked offhand. "Do you have a death wish or what?"

"We didn't know about the curfew, sir." Edmund said in an innocent tone. "We are just simple travellers, and..."

"Oh, I know very well who you are. I can see your face with an offer of 10.000 galleons every time I walk my goat."

"Do you intend to turn us in, sir?" The young king asked, suddenly more serious.

"No he won't." Hermione said. "If only to respect his brother's memory. Am I right, sir? You're Abelforth Dumbledore."

"How do you know that?"

"I've read a book. The life and lies of Albus Dumbledore, by Rita Skeeter. A lot of lies, but a few real informations. Very poorly written, though."

Abelforth grumbled something no one understood, and then:

"It's not for Albus' memory that I won't turn you in. it's because, I, opposite to him, don't send kids to their graves."

"You're talking about Ariana, aren't you? I don't know which one of you three sent the curse, but I know Albus blamed himself about it for all his life. He even thought of using the resurrection stone to bring her back. It ended up killing him, somehow."

"Cut the violins, girl." Abelforth stopped her. "What are you doing here?"

"We have to break into Hogwarts." Edmund explained. "That's where Lord Whoever's last Horcrux is, and we have to destroy it."

"And then? Once you found the horcrux, what are you gonna do?"

"We'll see." Ron said. "But we know he's on his way to the school. We probably will have to fight him. Kill the snake, then kill him."

The old man as a dark laugh.

"Good luck with that. How do you intend to get in?"

"We will use the shrieking shack tunnel." Hermione declared.

"Death eaters are patrolling the park, day and night, sweetheart. You won't have time to take ten steps before they get you. As for honeyduke's tunnel, it is closed."

"Then we'll find another way in!" Edmund burst out. "We have to do it, because this is our mission. It has been given to Hermione and myself, and there's more at stake than you can even imagine. If we can't defeat the dark lord, your universe, and mine, and all the other universes will be lost and destroyed, and I won't let this happen. So do you have a solution or do you simply want to lecture us? Cause in that case, we are living, sir."

Abelforth stood silent, and gave the young king a long look. He then talked to the painting of a young girl on his wall.

"Go, he said. You know what to do."

The young girl smiled, and then turned her heels and left.