The group have dived into the ocean and now they have to get the Horcrux. The question is, how? And thank you once again for the reviews, it's made me very happy. I can't believe how popular this story is, its quite amazing. But the story must go on, so here is chapter 20

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Draco's POV

I was holding onto Hermione, so her head up above the water and she could stop floundering like an idiot. It actually felt kinda comfortable, holding her like that. Maybe I could get used to this. Waait a second, we weren't even dating and I don't think that would ever happen

I saw Ron's scowling face and smirked. This was after I had told Potter where the next Horcrux was, but I didn't know what was protecting the dagger. Suppose the only way to find out was to go into the cavern

"Why don't we just summon it?" asked Hermione

"Let's try it," said Potter, "though I'm not sure it'll work

He raised his wand out of the water

"Accio Horcrux"

There was a great rumbling and rocks began to fall from the face. Something came zipping through the water and into Potter's outstretched hand. He held it up

"There we go, that was so hard," he said, clutching the dagger

But his victory was a little too soon. He didn't the danger I saw now

"Potter, when you got the dagger, there was something else you brought out"

"What?"

"A Kappa"

"What!"

See, a Kappa is a water demon that feeds on human blood. Now usually they're over in Japan, living small ponds and such. But this Kappa was out in the ocean near Scotland, totally not his environment. I had a feeling we could use this to our advantage, but right now; the Kappa was speeding towards us with blood, rage and murder in its eyes

"Everyone dive," I said

I let go of Hermione and dived underwater, where I could see the Kappa flying straight for Hermione. I grabbed her ankle and pulled her up, just in time, as the Kappa swam overhead, fangs bared and hands reaching out

It stopped, saw me and came down. Now we had a problem. While the Kappa lives in Japan, it thrives in water and the bowl in its head held its powers. So it was in water and its bowl was filled

The Kappa came towards Hermione and me. I aimed my wand, but a jinx came flying in from my right, striking the Kappa in the stomach. It stopped swimming, frozen in its charge for blood. Hermione was struggling now, so with my arm around her waist, we swam for the surface and broke through the waves, as Potter and the Weasleys surfaced

"Now we have the dagger, how do we go home?" asked Hermione

"Accio brooms," said Potter

I heard a swooshing sound and turned around, as my broom hovered above the water. I let go of Hermione as she got onto her broom. I pulled mine down and got on in the water, before shooting out and up into the air. I felt so free up here, the wind in my hair, the horizon staring at me in the distance

I looked down and saw Potter, Hermione and the Weasleys gain altitude, until together, we flew back home

End POV

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The party of six returned to Grimmauld's Place, stashing their brooms away and heading to their rooms. Harry went to the lounge room, rolling the dagger over and over in his hands, wondering how he could destroy it. He remembered when Dumbledore destroyed the ring and the curse was afflicted on him. Harry didn't want that. He didn't want to end up weak before Voldemort. He wanted to be strong, he wanted…

"Thinking how to destroy it?"

Harry looked up at Ginny and nodded. She sat next to him, staring at the dagger. Harry didn't mind. He preferred to have someone like Ginny sitting next to him. It made him feel comfortable. It also made him want to hold her again, but he knew he couldn't

"Why don't you throw it into the fire?" suggested Ginny, "That's what you do with the cup"

"I know, but I'm thinking I shouldn't. Like I should keep it and let things play out on how to destroy it"

"Are you mad? That is a Horcrux, a link for Voldemort to our world. You have to destroy it!"

"I know that and I will, but not yet, not yet"

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Hermione's POV

I was confused about Malfoy, so when we returned home, I waited about fifteen minutes before going up to his room and knocked twice

"Come in"

I opened the door and walked in, closing the door behind me. Malfoy was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling

"Nice to see you, Hermione," he said with a smile

"Why did you come back and this time, you can stay on your bed"

"If you wish"

"So why did you return? You run away and then show up when we need help. What's going on with you?"

Malfoy didn't answer. I had no idea what was so fascinating about the ceiling. I wanted to look into his gray-blue eyes and see the truth

"Malfoy, answer me!"

"I came back for you"

"Are you insane?"

"No, I'm not, Hermione. While I was running, I began to think"

"For once in your life you began to think!"

Malfoy sat up on the side of his bed, looking up at me. His eyes were full of pain, hurt and there was something else in them, but I couldn't put my finger on it

"I can run, but I could only go so far. I've found something in my life that is worthwhile holding onto and I can't back away"

He stood up and took a step closer. I stood my ground

"You wouldn't happen to come back for me, right?" I asked

Malfoy looked down at the ground, then back at me

"Why do you have to be like this, Hermione? Can't you understand, the only love I've ever had was from my mother. She was the only person in my life who cared about me! My father didn't give a damn, as long as I joined the Death Eaters and died, he couldn't care less about my health. I come here, hoping to find a way out. I get confused and leave"

He took in a deep breath and locked his eyes on mine

"And I returned, I only did so because I've found something in my life that I've lost long ago"

"What are you talking about?"

"It's you, Hermione, I came back for you! I care about you. You think I didn't, even though I saved your life. All you think of me is some evil brat"

"How can you care about me, Malfoy?" I shot back, "All you do is fuck a girl and dump them. And all I am to you is a," I couldn't say it, but I did, "I'm just a mudblood"

"No, that's not true, Hermione. I have never fucked a girl and dumped them. I haven't even sleep with a girl, let alone date them. They are all just stories to make out I am like that. And you're not a mudblood to me"

I laughed

"Yeah, right"

"I have been raised that looks and personality are based on blood. But now I see, blood doesn't matter, it does not matter. Can't you see that? I am not my father!"

"So what do you do about this?" I said, "You say you care, you say blood doesn't matter, but what game are you playing?"

His eyes were full of hurt when I said that and I felt vulnerable. I felt like I had hurt him

"I am not playing a game. I want to be with you, Hermione, but I can't, because you won't let me be with you. All I want is a share from you of what I'm trying to give to you"

"And what are you trying to give to me, Malfoy?" I asked, fearing the answer if I was right

"All I want is to love you"

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