144. Blackthorns and The Mark

**Hermione's POV**

"Blackthorn. Ten inches. Nothing special, but I reckon it'll do" Ron leaned back with a smile.

"How'd you get it?" I asked curiously as I got out the book Skeeter wrote about Dumbledore

"Oh ya. Story time" Ron joked. "Took it off a Snatcher a couple of weeks ago. Well, I think it was weeks... Anyways, they're a bit dim they are, Snatchers. I reckon one was part trill, the smell of him. Disgusting really."

"What are you waiting for?" George asked Harry as he observed the wand.

"Give it a pell and a wave" Fred smiled pulling me closer.

"Engorio" Harry waved his wand at the small lantern in front of us and it bursted into a huge flame.

Fred covered his arms over my head as we all fell back slightly.

"Reducio!" Harry waved his wand and the huge flame burned down and became it's micro form.

"Oh my Merlin" I said slightly.

"What is it, Mione?" Fred asked.

"We need to talk" I stood up and walked over to the table.

"About what?" Harry asked as the boys followed me.

I sat down at the table as did the four guys. Ron got out a drink of water and I flipped to the page with the letter Dumbledore wrote to Grindelwald.

"I want Xenophilius Lovegood," I said quickly.

Ron started to choke on his water.

"Cough it out, Ron" Fred smiled.

George patted his back for help and Ron responded "Thanks... No why do you want to see my girlfriend's Dad?"

"See this?" I pushed the book to the middle and pointed my index finger to the signature. "It's a letter Dumbledore wrote to Grindelwald. Look at the signature.

"That mark" Fred said simply.

"It keeps cropping up," I said. "In Beedle the Bard, in one of the headstones Fred and I found in Godric's Hollow..."

Harry's eyes widened and said "It was there, too."

"What are you going on about?" George asked, confused.

"Outside of Gregorovitch's Wand Shop" Harry said.

"But what does it mean?" Ron asked.

"Look, you've got no idea where the next Horcrux is, and neither do the rest of us, but this means something" I said.

"What exactly does that mean?" Fred and George asked.

"Just trust me on this" I sighed happily.

"I hope Luna's there" Ron smiled standing up.

"Let's get packing. We leave later in the morning" Harry said.

"Okay, goodnight you guys" I waved as Fred and I went to our room.

"Goodnight, Lovebirds" George smirked and we went to pack.

"I like how we have our own little private room" Fred sighed putting his arms around me.

"As do I" I smiled.

"What time do you think we will go to Lovegood's?" Fred questioned.

"Since Ron's dating Luna, he would like to get there very early" I joked.

"Come on, then. We leave tomorrow early then" Fred picked me up.

"You always gotta carry me, don't you?" I asked, wrapping my arms around his neck as he walked slowly to the couch.

"Yes I do. Get on the couch" Fred laid me on the couch.

"Sit with me" I patted the seat next to me.

"Just wait, I'm coming, Love" Fred smiled sitting next to me.

He put his arm around me, I laid on his chest, and we laid back.

"I love you, 'Mione" Fred said softly.

"I love you, too. Goodnight, Fred" I said.

"Night, 'Mione" He kissed me on the lips before falling asleep.