Author's Note: Sorry about the short Prologue, but I just wanted to get something up to start the story. Here is the first chapter, which is a bit longer! Thanks to those of you with feedback….I greatly appreciate it! Well, I hope you like this chapter, and don't forget to review! I have already started the next chapter, and hope to have it out soon, however I am not quite sure how long it will take to finish and I would prefer to wait on posting it, to make sure it is edited to its best potential. This story will probably end up fairly long, because I want it to go into a lot of detail over the year or so it will be taking place (for those of you who haven't figured it out, it's the summer before seventh year, however the trio will not be going back to Hogwarts for learning purposes). Feel free to leave any opinions in your reviews, and let me know what you would like to see in the story, and I will try and fit it into the plot if it works well with my overall idea. I am not one hundred percent sure on where exactly this story will end up, but it will be a Hermione/Draco, but the romance will have to wait, I prefer it dragged out more. Also, if you have any ideas for the unknown horcruxes, I would like you views on the matter, to help me write those points into the story…also any ideas about where the already known ones are would help too! Thank you, and enjoy.
Disclaimer: Still do not own Potter or plot….once again, the lovely Ms. Rowling has beaten me to it!
Hermione looked on with partial attention as the ceremony ended. Bill and Fleur were finally married; his wounds still looked horrific and his face was still maimed but as of yet no side effects had been seen. She turned her line of sight over to Harry. He had returned from the Dursley's only a few short hours ago, and had an odd look in his eyes that had been there since his return. It seemed that he did not want to discuss it right away with Ron and herself, but she knew that he meant no offense by this. She knew that something important had occurred, and she also trusted her friend enough to allow him to share with them on his own terms. They had enough to worry about at the moment, and Hermione knew that Harry was only trying to protect them from more anxiety. Tonight was the night that the trio would start their incredible journey; the journey that would ultimately end in success or defeat, survival or death.
Her eyes focused back onto the newlyweds as they walked happily down the isle. She was fairly sure that the expression on Bill's face was happy anyway, it was so hard to tell since his accident. Aside from the sadness and memories Bill's scars awakened, the wedding was positively gorgeous. The day was warm, and a low fog rang about the sunset, undoubtedly a sign of the dementors dwelling around. One would almost suspect it being a normal day, celebrated by normal people. Hermione knew better however, she knew that starting tonight her life would be changed. She would be faced with a test that could not be passed with studying hours in the Hogwarts library. No homework or day planner would help her organize the following events; she would be living her life by the second, but she was prepared for this change in life style. After all, it would just be another adventure with her school friends, but with perhaps a more fatal outcome.
Her hair was swaying behind her as she kicked off of the ground, the broom clutched tightly beneath her; a cool sweat was floating gracefully down her forehead. She hadn't ridden a broom in a long time, but her nerves were reserved for more important matters at hand; she had decided that her fear of flying was petty, and compared to things happening around her, didn't matter.
She touched down lightly on the ground behind Harry, leaving a slight imprint upon the moist lawn. She was only vaguely aware of the soft chirrup of the crickets as Ron landed only feet away from her; his hair even more dishelved than usual. He chuckled slightly to lighten the solemn mood, but even a stranger to the Weasley would know that this was not a true attempt, as the chuckle came from his mouth and died soon after it left, never reaching his eyes. No, the look that Hermione saw in his eyes was the same she saw in her other best friend's and the same she knew was in her own. It was a look that radiated the emotions they were all feeling: determination, a certain numbness, mingled with a slight fear of what would become of themselves, as well as all of wizarding kind. She turned to Harry and watched as anxiousness, pain, and ambition battled across his face. His thin scar stood out across his pale face in the line of the moonlight. They were here, the first stop of their inevitably long and treacherous journey. Hermione was filled with a sense of foreboding. She, for a brief moment, attempted to understand the emotions playing across Harry's face. He was standing in the very place his life began and was torn apart only shortly after. How different his life would have been, all of their lives for that matter, had one night failed to exist in his past. She shook herself back to the present and pulled a few strides to catch up to her friends' quick, retreating backs. She stole one last quick glance at the old, slightly tilted sign as Harry walked up to the abandoned house. She tore her eyes away from the words, Godric's Hollow, which were etched deeply into the wood of the decaying marker, and followed her friends into the derelict house.
What they realized upon entrance, however, was that the house of Lily and James Potter was not quite as abandoned as they had thought.
As Hermione entered a few steps behind Ron, she looked around the room that once belonged to two very powerful wizards, with one horrible fate. Her eyes traveled to a door as she found what had caused a confused gasp to release itself from Harry's lips; a door was slightly ajar with a pale yellow light illuminating the room between the cracks. She brushed past Harry and pressed her ear gently to the door and listened intently to the lulling conversation taking place on the other side. She had heard those voices before, there were three, and judging by the inquisitive look fixed upon Harry's face, he had recognized them too.
As they all grew quiet, they were able to hear the conversation as if the unwelcome guests were speaking into extendable ears. After a few moments of listening, Hermione was able to draw the conclusion that they were speaking about none other than Harry.
"It is time that we finally put our differences aside. I believe your story, and you should try to respect the fact that we are on the same side and need to take the appropriate measures. I am sure that we can not finish what has been started with Harry in the dark about this situation." spoke a collected tone that Hermione was sure she had heard before.
"I know what must be done Lupin, but Potter is ignorant. He will not understand. Despite his fame he is too stubborn to leave personal vengeance out of this." barked a silky voice.
At this Ron mouthed "Professor Lupin" with a questioning look that was greeted by Hermione's quieting gesture to hear more of the conversation.
"Can you blame him?" inquired the first man, "Look how long it has taken us to finally come to a certain understanding and leave past events in just that; the past. You have never been one to let go of old personal vengeances now, have you? Not only have you doted on your old school feelings, but you have carried them and placed them onto James' son because of the fact that he is James' son. I know you and James had a history, but I also know why you loathed him even more during and after seventh year at Hogwarts." As an afterthought the man added "I know what happened." A slight pause ensued where the man once again continued, "But that is beside the point. If Harry will let go of his emotions towards you, you must be willing to do the same. We are a team now, we will have to stick together and we need to convince Harry that we are in the right." He finished in a calm tone that got the point across nonetheless.
"I will do what I need to do to finish this war," drawled a third man, "but no matter what Snape does, I will not in any way befriend Scarhead and his cronies. I have not made this decision so that…"
Hermione, on the bridge of recognition, was unable to hear the rest of the third man's sentence, for upon hearing the mention of Snape, Harry had busted through the slightly open door, and held his wand out, screaming, "Expelliarmus!"
It was the strongest defense spell she had ever heard Harry bellow. From her position behind Harry, she was unable to get a clear view, but she could hear a quick roaring, as the sound of three wands swept towards her, putting out the light that had apparently been provided by one of the wands which were now in Harry's possession.
Muttering a quick "Lumos," Hermione held her wand out, lighting the faces of Professor Lupin, Snape, and Draco Malfoy. As surprised as the trio was to see them, they looked completely opposite, as if they were half expecting Harry to bust through the door at any moment. Before she could make anymore observations, however, Lupin spoke.