A/N: Y'all, I know this is about to be a crazy short chapter, really this scene should have been attached at the end of the previous chapter, and has no place in my upcoming chapter. Type chapter one more time, Solanales. Life has been kicking my ass lately and I think I've finally come out of the shock of my dad's passing into the fullness of my grief, which has been overwhelming to say the least. But, before we get derailed on that bandwagon of sunshine, I'm finally writing again, the school year is almost over for this teacher and I have more chapters in the works, I just needed to get this scene out there into the universe before I continue. The next chapter after this will come with a slight jump in time and rather have this be a jarring beginning, it gets to be a tiny little chapter on it's own.

My stories, like my life, are works in progress and thanks for being on that journey with me and as always, thank you for reading, y'all are freakin' lovely.

oOo

With a sigh and a flick of her wrist, Hermione's campsite was shrunk down and levitated into her leather bag. The witch had set up her make-shift headquarters with speed and efficiency in mind; ensuring that everything was prepared for a swift departure. Everything, that is, except for a small gilded box, which Hermione wandlessly floated into her open and waiting palm.

Hermione's magic released the box and the amber eyed witch felt the slight weight of the thing descend into her grip. She swallowed, furrowing her dark brow, her mind an impossible whirl of probabilities and possibilities.

With single-minded focus, Hermione used silent charms to probe the box as she moved her finger around the edge searchingly. She allowed her magic to explore the object with the type of reckless caution possessed only by the soldier, who has faced death so many times fear has become as distant as security.

And still the witch felt nothing.

Nothing. Not the barest trace of magic even. How well hidden this possible horcrux was, how expertly disguised. Or, perhaps, it wasn't even-

No. This is something.

Remus, who had watched the witch before him in mild admiration and just a hint of jealousy as she performed complex levitation and transmogrification with ease, now moved his gaze between Hermione and the leather bag, lips pursed in thought. "Undetectable extension charm?" He inquired, unaware of Hermione's inner unrest.

Hermione, startled for a moment from her own thoughts, followed her friend's gaze before nodding.

"Clever witch." The lycanthrope raised an eyebrow appraisingly, but then frowned as his eyes settled upon Hermione's hand. "What've you got there?" He tilted his head, motioning to the golden box.

The dark eyed witch glanced to Remus, but her head remained still. What've I got here indeed...

With a shrug of her shoulder the witch quietly admitted that she was not certain, noting Remus's deepening frown and the tense lift to his own shoulders.

"Shall we open it?" Hermione asked, only half joking, as she held her palm flat to give Remus the best possible view of this thing that had nearly cost her life to retrieve.

Remus leaned back on his heels and folded his arms across his wide chest, eyes fixed on Hermione's face. "Is that," he began slowly, "why you were at that shack last night?"

"Clever, wolf." Hermione nodded, palm still outstretched, but offered no further explanation.

"So is it…" emerald eyes searched through deep pools of amber, "is it a horcrux?"

The word swam around them like a fog.

Horcrux...

Hermione licked her drying lips, heart quickening, and declared with forced bravado, "Only one way to find out."

Inside that little box could be a ring or nothing or something else entirely and quite frankly Hermione wasn't sure which she'd prefer. She had dealt in horcruxes before and it was not an experience she was particularly fond of repeating. Horcruxes were pollutants, twisting the minds and souls of those near.

But no horcrux... no horcrux would mean beginning again with no clues, no plan...

Remus slid his wand from his sleeve, pointing it at the box, and Hermione struggled to keep her face from twisting at the sight of his naivete.

Oh dear Remus, wands will be of no use to us against the Gaunt Ring.

With surgeon's precision, Hermione lifted the small lid, her heart racing, sweat beading on the back of her neck, snaking its way down her spine until-

The witch gasped, nearly dropping the box and its contents.

"What, what is it?" Remus asked, craning his neck, defensive spells at the edge of his tongue, foot raised as if to take a step forward.

A hysterical giggle escaped from the wide eyed witch as, from out of the box, she slowly lifted a locket between her slender fingers.

oOo