A/N: The theory on Horcruxes in this chapter is my pure opinion. I have not seen any drafts for book 7. (Although that CERTAINLY would ROCK!) If you wanna discuss them, leave a review!

Chapter 18: Number 12 Grimmauld Place

Voldemort backed Ginny into a corner. "Happy Christmas, my dear. Do I get my Christmas bonus? A little information?"

Ginny shook her head rigorously.

"Now my dear, my patience is running dry. Tell me what I want to know, NOW!"

Ginny shook her head again. "Never! I'll never tell you!"

Voldemort began to walk away. Suddenly he turned back and-

A flash of light.

Harry was aroused that night by someone shaking him. "Harry. Harry, get up. NOW!"

Harry slowly sat up and placed his glasses on his face. Blinking, he saw Dumbledore standing in front of him. "Professor! What are you-"

"No time to explain Harry. Get dressed and get your broom. I've found the locket."

Harry hurried into his clothes and grabbed his Firebolt. Dumbledore led him to the Astronomy tower and they took off into flight. Dumbledore looked over to Harry and began to explain the mission. "Now Harry, I have discovered that the locket in Grimmauld Place is indeed the Horcrux. I also realized through many sleepless nights in the hospital wing that the other Horcrux was none other than Tom's Special Services to the School Award. What better trophy than the one that gave him so much adoration. We will return to the cup soon enough, but for now we must focus on what we know."

Harry looked at the headmaster in astonishment. "How did you destroy it professor?"

Dumbledore smiled. "A special spell that I worked up myself. It also makes it possible to know it was indeed a Horcrux. As the item melts, it gives a soft scream and emits black smoke. His trophy was indeed a Horcrux. Now how are we to approach this mission? There is a meeting in the kitchen at the moment. No one can know we are there. I haven't even told members of the Order about the Horcruxes for fear of one of them being tortured."

Harry nodded. Suddenly he smiled. "A dissalussionment charm! Moody used one on me the first time I traveled to Grimmauld Place!"

"An excellent idea Harry."

The rest of the journey was made in silence. Finally landing in front of the old house, Dumbledore tapped Harry on the head. "There you go my boy. Now, we need to get to the study."

They climbed the stairs to the old study with only one close call with Tonks. As they fumbled in the dark study, (they hadn't dared light any lamps), Harry made his way to the case in the corner. As he felt around, he groaned. "It's not here…"

As Dumbledore lit his wand for a better look, Harry brightened. "Kreacher! Sirius told me that Kreacher always took things to keep them from being thrown away!"

Dumbledore nodded. "I guess I'm going to the meeting. Now Harry, you must find the locket as quickly as you can. Only I can see you so find me once you are ready to leave." Harry nodded and walked out the door. Dumbledore was greeted warmly in the kitchen and Harry slipped into the pantry. Luck was shining down on him as he saw that Kreacher wasn't there. Harry reached under the boiler into his den and felt something cold. Grabbing it, he pulled his hand from the den with a squeak. He had closed his hand on a broken piece of glass from a picture frame and blood began to drip from the cut on his palm. Dropping the glass onto Kreacher's blanket, he reached in again. This time his hand closed on a chain. Harry grinned madly as he saw the locket dangling from his fist. The smile died however as Kreacher came into the pantry. Harry backed away against the wall and he heard Dumbledore saying, "It's alright, I can find the crisps!" He walked in and saw Kreacher standing there. "Now Kreacher, why don't you go to sleep?" Kreacher growled. "No." Dumbledore was ready for that answer and quickly performed a sleeping charm. Harry began to stand up when his head collided with the lowest shelf. Hurrying out of the way of falling boxes, Tonks, Lupin, and Mrs. Weasley hurried over. "What happened Professor?" Tonks asked.

Dumbledore just smiled. "I pulled the wrong box and the entire thing tumbled down. Just go back and I'll clean this up." They left and Dumbledore quickly fixed the shelf and returned its contents to it. "Come on Harry. Did you get it?" he whispered. Harry nodded and hurried out the door. Seeing Dumbledore making his way to his seat, he sat in the corner and saw Tonks laying her head on Lupin's shoulder, very obviously close to sleeping. Dumbledore came out and sat down. "Now what were we discussing?"

Moody cracked his wooden leg on the floor. "Ginny Weasley."

Harry stiffened and listened in. Molly began, "Harry had a note! A note from the captor!"

Dumbledore nodded. "And do you have this note?" Molly quickly pulled it from her pocket and handed it to him. Reading over the note, he said, "When was she taken?"

"December 22," Moody growled.

Dumbledore nodded. "I haven't heard anything else about this at all, but I will certainly be on the lookout. Does anyone want to begin a group to investigate this?"

Moody, Molly, Tonks, and Lupin all raised their hands. Dumbledore nodded. "Alright then. Let me know if you find anything. Unfortunately I must return to the school. We will be in contact."

As he stood up, Harry followed suit. They left through the door together and hurried outside. Dumbledore took the locket and set it on the ground. "Meltisia." he murmured. Suddenly the locket melted and a soft scream emitted along with black smoke. Harry smiled. "Only three more. The cup…The snake…And Voldemort himself." Dumbledore hit Harry's head again and the charm lifted. As they mounted their brooms, a voice sounded behind them. "What do you think you're doing?" the voice asked. Dumbledore stopped dead and turned to face the voice. He stared back into dark cloaked face in horror.

A/N: WHOO HOO! Chapter 18 is done and 19 is started! WHEEEEEEE! Hope you liked it! I'm sorry this chapter was a bit short. I had it all written (7 pages in Word) and then it somehow was deleted. I had to rewrite it and I forgot some of the things in the chapter, therefore, it became shorter…um…4 pages shorter…(It's now 3 pages in Word). But anyway, we're getting onto the adventure so that's a good thing! ((smiles nervously)) Please don't hurt me!