Chapter 12: The Deathly Hallows

It was now morning time, as Itachi kept watch outside, while both Naruto and Hermione slept peacefully. Itachi notices both Harry and Ron arriving and nods at them, before going back into the tent to wake both Naruto and Hermione up. "Wake up you two," he said, as the two got up and yawned. "What, oh, hey Itachi," Naruto said groggily, as he rubbed his eyes. "Morning Itachi, is everything alright?" Hermione asked. "Fine. Actually…more than fine. Come outside you two," he said. Both Naruto and Hermione looked at each other and shrugged before going outside. As they get out, they see Harry along with…Ron?! The two were shocked seeing Ron, as he just stood there smiling sheepishly. "Hey…" Ron greeted, waving sheepishly.

The two were silent, before Hermione went up to Ron and punched the living daylights out of him. Naruto, Harry, and Itachi cringed, as Hermione kept pounding Ron's face. "Ouch, you really hit hard you know?" Ron retorted, before getting punched. "You - complete - arse- Ronald - Weasley! You crawl back here after all these weeks and say, 'Hey?'" she said, looking pissed off. But before she could continue, Naruto restrained her before she could really injure Ron. "Naruto! You let me go this instant or I swear to god, you're next!" she stated. "Calm down, Hermione. Just calm down, alright? You did enough, let me handle it from here, ok?" Naruto asked. Hermione sighed, "Fine, just do what you got to do, but make it quick." Naruto nodded and helped Ron up, as the redhead sighed. "Thank you, man. I don't kn-"

Before Ron could say anything, Naruto punched Ron in the stomach. Ron fell to his knees, clutching his stomach in pain. "Oh come on man, really? You really had to do that?" Ron asked. "Be glad that it wasn't a really strong punch, otherwise you could've been hospitalized. Either way, you still deserved it for what you did," Naruto stated, as he offered Ron a hand. "Fair enough," Ron stated, taking Naruto's hand. Hermione notices the blackened locket in Ron's pocket. "You destroyed it?" she asked, turning to Harry, who just pointed at Ron. She turned to Ron, who nodded as Naruto looked in surprise. Naruto sees the sword of Gryffindor stuck in the ground, as he looks at Harry with a raised eyebrow. "How did you find the sword of Gryffindor?" Naruto asked. "It's a long story," Harry mentioned.

"Don't think this changes anything," Hermione stated, as she was still pissed off by Ron's actions. "No, of course not. I only destroyed a bloody freaking Horcrux! Why would that change anything!" Ron stated, before sighing as he needed to get straight to the point. "Look, I wanted to come back the minute I left. I just…didn't know how to find you guys," Ron explained. "Well how the hell did you find us?" Naruto asked, as the others wanted to know. "With this," Ron stated, pulling out the Deluminator. "It doesn't just turn off lights. I don't know exactly how it works, but Christmas morning I - I was sleeping - in this little pub- I'd given some Snatchers the slip the night before, me being a blood traitor and all - anyway, I was sleeping when I heard it…" Ron explained. "It?" Harry asked.

"A voice and not just any voice, but your guy's voices," Ron explained. Everybody raised an eyebrow, so Ron explained what he had heard and what he did. Needless to say, it was pretty genius of Ron to use the Deluminator to find them. Naruto smirked, "I knew Dumbledore was right in trusting you with the Deluminator. He really had it all planned out right from the beginning." Itachi nodded, "I concur, good thinking on your part Ron." Soon they all returned to the tent to discuss what had happened while they separated. "So let me get this straight, not only did you go to Godric's Hollow to find Bathilda Bagshot, but it turns out she was dead the whole time and it was You-Know-Who's snake puppeteering her corpse, along with Naruto being the one to kill the snake, which somehow turned out to be a Horcrux, is that correct?" Ron asked. "Right, but that's not all," Harry explained, motioning for Naruto to continue. "We also found the abandoned Uzumaki manor and it turns out that there was a hidden chamber underneath containing books and weaponry, along with the family portraits. Not only that, but we learned that one of my ancestors, Leona Uzumaki, had been researching a symbol that was found on the grave of Ignotus Peverell, along with this amulet here," Naruto stated, showing the amulet Dumbledore had left for him.

"We still don't have a clue, as to what it is or what it means," Harry explained. Ron nodded, before turning to see that Hermione was looking rather quiet, not making any eye contact towards Ron. "How long you reckon she'll stay mad at me?" Ron asked. "Who knows mate? But you really did upset her man, so it's going to be a while," Naruto said, sympathetically. Ron sadly sighed, "I know, I brought it on myself and I accept that responsibility." Naruto patted him on the back, before heading out to keep watch. "Bloody hell. I just realized. You need a wand, right?" Ron asked, as Harry nodded, remembering that his wand was broken ever since the incident at Godric's Hollow. "Well, I've got one. Here. It's Blackthorn, ten inches, nothing special, but I reckon it'll do. I took it off a Snatcher a few weeks back," Ron explained, handing the wand to Harry.

A few minutes pass by as Harry practiced with the new wand of his. "Harry, we need to talk," Hermione requested, as both Harry and Ron noticed how serious she looked. Ron kept quiet, as Harry went outside to talk with Hermione. "What is it you wanted to talk about?" Harry asked, as Naruto went to them, while Itachi took watch. "I want to see Xenophilius Lovegood," Hermione stated, surprising the two. "See this? It's a letter Dumbledore wrote to Grindelwald. Look at the signature. It's the mark again," Hermione stated, pointing at the replaced letter A, with the symbol. "What does that symbol mean? We keep seeing it in Beedle the Bard, Leona's journal, the grave at Godric's Hollow, and the amulet," Naruto mentioned. The two noticed that Harry was spacing out, as the scar-headed teen was having a vision of something happening in the past or future.

"Holy shit, it was there too," Harry said, as the two raised an eyebrow. "Where exactly?" Hermione asked. "Outside Gregorovitch's wand shop. On the alley wall…" Harry explained. The three took a closer look at the symbol, as it was an enigma to them. "Harry, you don't have a clue where the next Horcrux is. And neither do I. But this, this means something. I'm sure of it," Hermione said. "She's right, it wouldn't hurt to go talk to him," Naruto added. Harry wanted to protest this, but he knew the odds were against him, so they all agreed to go see Xenophilius.

The Next Day

The four arrive at a strange-looking house on the hillside. "Luna?" Ron asked, as the three looked at each other and nodded. They walked to the front door of the house, as Hermione knocked on it. Suddenly the door opens and out comes Xenophilius Lovegood, as he appears looking rather unkempt, almost as if he hadn't been getting enough sleep. "What is it? Who are you? What do you want?" he asked, before realizing Harry Potter was there. "Hello, Mr. Lovegood. I'm Harry Potter. We met a few months back?" Harry stated, as Mr. Lovegood eyed the boy's scar. "Would it be okay if we came in? It won't take long, sir. I promise," Harry stated. The four entered the house, as they saw that it looked rather disorganized with all the newspapers written by the Quibbler. "Nice place you got here," Naruto quipped, as he looked at one of the articles written about him.

"So. What brings you here, Mr. Potter?" Mr. Lovegood asked. Harry explained that they needed help, to which Mr. Lovegood humorlessly chuckled. "Ah. Help. I see. Yes, well, the thing is, helping Harry Potter, rather dangerous these days…" he explained. The four looked at each other and looked at Mr. Lovegood. "Aren't you the one who keeps telling everyone it's their first duty to help Harry and Naruto?" Ron asked. "I have expressed that view, yes. In the past. Would you excuse me one moment. I shall return shortly and, um, try to help you…" Mr. Lovegood stated, as he dashed out of the room. "Guys, I think he's hiding something from us," Naruto stated. The others were surprised and motioned for him to continue. "Think about it, we haven't even seen Luna around here, and her dad is acting as if this were The Tell-Tale Heart. Something is going on, we need to find out quickly," Naruto stated. Just then, Mr. Lovegood arrives with a tray full of cups. "May I offer you all an infusion of Gurdy Roots? We make it ourselves," Mr. Lovegood offered, as they all took a cup.

"Where is Luna, sir?" Hermione asked, as Mr. Lovegood widens his eyes before composing himself. "Luna? Oh, um, she'll be along. Now how can I help you all?" he asked. "Well, sir, it's about something you were wearing around your neck at the wedding. A symbol…" Harry mentioned. "Ah, you mean this," Mr. Lovegood said, taking out the triangular eye necklace. "Yeah that's the one! I have it also, but what does it mean?" Naruto asked, taking out his amulet. "Well, it's the sign of the Deathly Hallows," Mr. Lovegood stated, as the four were confused. "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?" Naruto asked. "The Deathly Hallows. I assume you're all familiar with 'The Tale of the Three Brothers?'" Mr. Lovegood asked. Both Ron and Hermione nodded, whereas both Harry and Naruto shook their heads, as they were confused. Hermione takes out The Tales of Beedle the Bard and goes to the page where the tale is.

She begins to read the tale and from that tale, it talks about how the three brothers have cheated death, but death was cunning so he offered the three brothers a wish for their cleverness. The first brother took a powerful wand, the second brother took a stone to revive the dead, and lastly the third brother took a cloak to avoid death by becoming invisible. Of course they all met their end of course, but the first two had a tragic end, whereas the third eventually died of old age and greeted death as if they were old buddies. Mr. Lovegood nodded, "Well, there you are. Those are the Deathly Hallows," he said. "Sorry, but I still don't understand," Harry stated, as it was still confusing. Mr. Lovegood sighed, before taking out a quill and parchment. He draws a vertical line and states that it is the Elder Wand. He added a circle around it and stated that it was the Resurrection Stone. Lastly, he added a triangle and stated that it is the Cloak of Invisibility. "Together... they make the Deathly Hallows. Together... they make one the master of death," Mr. Lovegood explained.

"Mr. Lovegood, does the Peverell family have anything to do with the Deathly Hallows? That was the name on the grave with the mark on it in Godric's Hollow. Ignotus Peverell," Hermione mentioned. "Ignotus and his brothers Cadmus and Antioch are thought to be the original owners of the Hallows and therefore the inspiration for the story," Mr. Lovegood stated, before going to check on the tea. "Right, also Harry, it's best I show you that picture as promised," Naruto stated, taking out the photo of Richter, Hardwin, and Iolanthe. "Ok so this is Richter, but next to him is Hardwin Potter and Iolanthe Peverell. The three knew each other during their time at Hogwarts, to the point where Richter served as the best man at their wedding, which was happening at Godric's Hollow," Naruto explained. Harry was shocked, "So it's true, I am related to the Peverell's," Harry stated. "And not just any Peverell, you are related to Ignotus Peverell, the owner of THE Invisibility Cloak. Think about it most ordinary invisibility cloaks would have a flaw on them, but yours is different, as its pristine and perfect. Harry you basically had one of the Deathly Hallows this whole entire time," Hermione pointed out.

"And I think I've actually held the Resurrection Stone in my hands, that night in Dumbledore's office when he showed me the ring he'd destroyed, the Horcrux. It had a symbol on it. Now I think it was the mark of the Hallows," Harry finished. Mr. Lovegood returns with the tea, as the four start to drink. Ron spits it out, "You forgot the water," Ron points out. "Water?" Mr. Lovegood asked. "For the tea," Ron explained, as Mr. Lovegood made an "oh" expression. "Anyways, we really should leave. Thank you for the tea," Hermione stated. But before they could leave, Mr. Lovegood blocked the door. "Sir, please move out of the way," Naruto stated, looking rather serious. "I'm afraid I can't, Mr. Uzumaki," he said, eerily calmly, despite looking rather tense. "Why not?" Harry asked. "You and Uzumaki are my only hope. They were angry, you see, about what I'd been writing, so they took her. They took my Luna...but it's really you two that they want," Mr. Lovegood explained. Naruto widens his eyes, "What have you done?" he asked, but the man didn't respond. Naruto rushes at him and pins him at the wall. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" Naruto yelled, as his eyes turned red and slitted, with his whiskers becoming feral.

"Who took her, sir?" Harry asked, looking rather serious as they all eyed the man. "Voldemort…" Mr. Lovegood said, before pushing away Naruto and running outside. Several dark clouds flew in the air, reaching the house as Mr. Lovegood waved in the air. "Shit! Everybody get down!" Naruto said as he and the others got to the floor to avoid the attacks. "We need to get out of here and fast!" Harry yelled. "Guys take my hand!" Hermione shouted, as they crawl to her and apparate out of the house before the house explodes. They soon arrive at a riverbank, as it grows dark. "That treacherous old bleeder! Is there no one we can trust!" Ron stated. "They've kidnapped Luna because he supported me. He was just desperate," Harry pointed out. "I'll do the enchantments guys," Ron said, as he went up to make the protection enchantments. But before he could do it, Naruto senses something bad right now. "Guys we aren't alone," he said, as he took out his blade. Out of the trees and bushes came the Snatchers as they smirked. "Hello, beautiful," Scabior, leader of the Snatchers, greeted lecherously, as Hermione recoiled in disgust and fear. Naruto looked around to see what he can do, as they were outnumbered and its too risky to take them all on given the circumstances, so he decided to throw a couple of smoke bombs. "RUN!" Naruto yelled to the group, as they all ran as fast as they could.

"Well, don't hang about. SNATCH THEM!" Scabior yelled, as the Snatchers gave chase. The four ran as fast as they could to avoid them, as the Snatchers fired spell after spell. "Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto shouted, as multiple shadow clones appeared ready to distract those chodes. One clone threw a rock at one of the Snatcher's to stun him, before the clone rushed at him and stabbed him in the jugular with a dagger. Another clone slammed another Snatcher to the trees, before throwing a paper bomb kunai at the Snatcher. Some of the clones even used a Snatcher as a human meat shield, when one of the Snatchers tried to use an Unforgivable curse at him, while the other clones used either a Rasengan or Rasenshuriken to take out waves of them.

Ron was tackled and before a Snatcher could do anything, the Snatcher was burning in black flames. "AGHHH!" the Snatcher yelled in pain, before his head got sliced off by Itachi, who had just found them. "On your feet Ronald!" he ordered, as Ron got back up. Hermione stumbles to the ground, as a Snatcher is getting close to her. "GET AWAY FROM HER FUCKER!" Naruto yelled, as he went into Kurama mode and beat the Snatcher with a mean combo attack, before snapping his neck. "Come on, Hermione. Let's get out of here," he said, as the brunette nodded and followed Naruto. For Harry, he was putting up a fight with the Snatcher, when a wolf jumped up on the Snatcher and attacked him before ripping off the Snatcher to pieces. Harry recognized that wolf and it was Brutus, Naruto's summon. "Brutus, you saved me. Thank you," Harry said gratefully. "As much as I accept the thanks, you and the others really need to get out of here. There's too many of them to count," Brutus said, as the wolf led Harry to the group. The group reunites, as they run to escape from the endless amount of Snatchers that are just coming and coming. "There's too many of them, we need to get out now!" Itachi yelled. "Guys I'm going to try and apparate us out of here to somewhere far from here! Hold on tight!" Naruto stated, as he fired a spell at the Snatcher. "Naruto, it's too risky, who knows what could happen!" Hermione yelled. "Just do as I say, trust me!" Naruto said. "We have no choice, come on!" Harry yelled. The group held onto Naruto and before the Snatchers could grab them, the group had already vanished away. "Damn it! They got away, lord Voldemort and Kurasame are going to be pissed off! Fucking shit!" Scabior yelled in frustration. "Boss, we just lost a lot of our men. What do we do now?" one Snatcher asked. "Leave em, we got more important things to do now, other than handling the dead," Scabior stated.

As for the group, they were warping around a place to find when they found themselves appearing in a forest. "Phew, we're all still alive and kicking," Ron said, as the others sighed in relief. "Thanks Brutus, for saving my friend," Naruto stated to Brutus, petting him on the head, as the wolf licked his master before poofing away. "Where are we exactly?" Hermione asked, looking around the rather calm forest. "We must be in some kind of forest, except the Snatchers aren't here per say," Harry stated. "Wait a minute, I recognized this forest before," Naruto stated, as the others looked at him in surprise. "Yeah, I also recognize this path as well," Naruto said. Itachi walks up to one of the trees to see that there were target boards with kunai and shuriken stuck on them. "Everyone, let's make camp here and rest for a moment. Naruto, you're with me as I want to check something out," Itachi stated, as the blonde nodded. Naruto summons the camping supplies before joining Itachi on whatever they were searching for.

They jumped from tree to tree, not making any conversation as they thought about where they were. That's when they found something that was a surprise and shock towards them. It was a village, surrounded by giant gates with a sign on top showing two Japanese kanji letters and the symbol they were familiar with. "No this…this can't be…how?" Itachi stated, looking shocked. "Itachi, I think…we're home," Naruto said. The two looked at each other and nodded, before heading back to the group to share what they found along with the news of where they are.

Note: Looks like the group and Itachi are finally in Konoha, as I'll focus more on their time in Konoha in the next chapter. ANyways hope you guys like this chapter and feel free to comment down. Also to any artists out there, feel free to send me any fanart based on this story/saga as I want to see what you guys can come up with. Otherwise have a nice day or night