Edmund turned to him, and they both held each other's gaze. Edmund finally gave him a light nodd, and Ron came to take Hermione's hand.

"Let's not waste time." the young woman said. "Let's go. Ed, your hand. We're gonna apparate."

"We're gonna what?"

"Don't worry. You don't have to do anything. Just close your eyes, and empty your mind."

Edmund obeyed, and took the hand she was offering him.

"On three. One, two, three."

And then all of a sudden, they were not in the Black's mansion. Edmund was feeling sick to his stomach.

"Is there a chance we never have to do this again?" He asked, taking small breaths.

"About zero chances." Hermione replied.

"Where are we?" Ron asked.

"The forest of Dean. I came here with my parents when I was a little girl."

"Is there a reason why we came here?"

"Yes. This is where..."

"Where what?"

"Nothing. Don't mind me."

"Did something happen here last time?" Edmund asked.

She nodded.

"Was it precisely here?"

"No. I don't remember it clearly enough. I wasn't..."

She briefly glanced at Ron.

"I wasn't quite in the right state of mind."

"What are you two talking about?" Ron asked.

"Why weren't you in the right state of mind?" Ed asked. "It's important that I know."

"I... I don't..."

"Hermione, listen to me! It is only because I've put words on my mistakes that I was able to avoid it, and make sure my other self wouldn't become a traitor. If something happened here, maybe we can avoid it. I saw the way you reacted when Ron decided to come with us. So now, you have to spill the beans."

"Hello!?" Ron called. "What are you talking about? Are you aware that I'm actually here?"

Hermione stayed silent for a minute, trying to find the courage.

"You explain him." She finally told the young king.

Edmund sighed, and then turned to Ron.

"Alright." he said. "Sit down, both of you. Ron, I have a good news and a bad news."

"Start with the good news."

"Fine. Seeing how everybody reacted when you saw her, I'm guessing something happened to Hermione after Harry's death."

"Yeah, you can say that. Something revolting."

"Maybe we could put a word on it?"

"If we have to. She's been sold to Draco Malfoy."

Hermione found herself breathless, and opened wide eyes.

"I see. Well, the good news is... it didn't happen to the woman in front of you."

"What? I don't understand..."

"That's where the bad news come. She is not your Hermione. A Shadow invaded both our worlds and changed everything. This Hermione comes from the version of events that are not corrupted. The right version. In her version, Harry is not dead, and she went hunting horcruxes with him. This Hermione has already lived all that. This is why she brought us here. But apparently, something happened."

"What happened ?"

"You left!" Hermione exploded. "You had a fight with harry, one night, and you left!"

She got up from the tree stump she was sitting on, and walked furiously towards him, punctuating her sentences with hits she was sending him, eyes filled with tear. Edmund stepped aside.

"You left, because you were convinced there was something between me and Harry, which is ridiculous, and you can talk, Mr. I-Dated-Lavender-Brown! You abandoned me, and you broke my heart, you nitwit!"

"Hermione!" The ginger tried to defend himself.

"You are a jerk, Ronald Weasley, and I'm scared to my guts that you'd do it again, because I won't survive it twice! I LOVE YOU, YOU IDIOT!"

The young man blocked her wrists, and got up as well, still holding her.

"Hermione, listen to me! I swear on Ginny, and on Harry's memory, that I will never, ever let you down. Trust me, and let me help you. Please. Why did I leave?"

"I told you! You had a fight with harry, because the horcrux was making you paranoid, and because you were worrying about your family."

"The Horcrux?" Edmund repeated. "The medallion thingy that you're wearing? Take it off."

"What are you going on about, Ed?"

"I said take it of. Now."

Hermione grumbled and took the necklace of, before giving it to Edmund. She then seemed to realize, and burst in tears, letting her head rest on Ron's chest.

"Problem number one." Edmund said. "Nobody must wear this thing. We have to lock it down somewhere. And the ring, too."

"Problem number two." Ron added. "If I ever start acting like a jerk, you can jinx me to bring me back to reason."

She had a small laugh, and then answered.

"I will."

"Alright. Seriously, I dated Lavender Brown? Why?"

"I have no idea. I did jinx you one time. Sent a flock of birds to attack you."

He gently carressed her head.

"You're gonna have to tell me everything about that. But now, can you tell me what good thing happened in this forest?"

"That's where you came back. And where you destroyed the medallion."

"How did I do that?"

"Harry found Gryffindor sword at the bottom of a frozen lake. He dived down, and you saved him. And then you both came back to the tent, and the only thing you said was "hi!""

"yeah, okay, I admit I can be an idiot, sometimes."

"So we're looking for a sword." Edmund said. "At the bottom of a lake."

"Yes. That's it."

"Right. Night is falling. I suggest we set up the tent and rest for the night. We'll start looking tomorrow."

"You're right, Ed. Ron, set up the tent. It's in my handbag. Ed... there should be a village, about a kilometre away from here. To the west, I think. Do you think you could go get us some food? I'm gonna cast the protection charms around the tent."

"Do you want me to do it?" Ron offered.

"No offence, Ron, but I've been practising these spells for more than a year. I master them. Take care of the tent."

"I'll go get the food."

"Wait!"

She caught the young king's wrist, and traced a rune with her wand, that appeared on his skin.

"Otherwise, you won't be able to find us."