Chp.16: A Long Journey
Dumbledore nodded to the dark hair man sitting across from him.
"Thank you Severus. This information will be quite useful."
Wordlessly, the Potions Master swept out of Dumbledore's office, black cloak billowing behind him.
Dumbledore sighed and massaged his temples. He blamed himself for this complication, and worried over the fact that his students would be the ones to pay for it.
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Hermione Granger woke with a start to a sharp rapping on her door. Sleepily, she opened it and smiled at the tousled blonde head in front of her.
Her expression changed when she saw Draco's expression.
"Draco? What's going on?" She said, rubbing her eyes and blinking hard several times.
"Dumbledore wants to see us in his office in half an hour," he said, and noting her concerned expression, he bent down and kissed her forehead.
"I'm sure its nothing, love. You get ready and I'll meet you downstairs."
Hermione shut the door and sat on her bed. Things had been wonderful since that night three weeks ago. The lines of worry about Draco's face had softened, and her heart warmed every time that he whispered, "I love you" into her ear.
She worried because the harried expression that had begun to fade from his face had reappeared just now, as he told her that Dumbledore needed to see them.
Surely it's too soon for the Confrontation. Why, we haven't even had our N.E.W.T.s yet, Hermione thought.
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Hermione and Draco walked through the quiet halls of Hogwarts, wrapped up in their own thoughts. The sound of their shoes clacking against the stone floors echoed down the corridor.
They met Harry and Ron in front of the gargoyle statue, and Hermione noted the grim expression on Harry's face. There were dark circles under his eyes, and he looked pale.
As she looked at the faces of the boys around her, Hermione wondered if it was indeed time.
We aren't ready for this yet. Draco and Harry should have had weeks more training, Hermione thought frantically.
"Nougat Knobs," Harry said to the gargoyle, which sprang into action, revealing the winding staircase that led to the Headmaster's office.
The door swung open as soon as they reached the top of the stairs, to reveal Dumbledore sitting behind his desk, gazing down at a piece of parchment.
Harry cleared this throat, and Dumbledore looked up, smiling tiredly.
"I am sorry to have woken you all so early this morning," he began, "but it seems that complications have arisen."
Hermione opened her mouth to question the older wizard, but he raised a finger to her.
"You see, my dear students, it seems that Voldemort was watching the house young Masters Potter, Malfoy, and I visited more closely than I expected. I have received information that Voldemort is aware that several of his Horcruxes have been destroyed. I do doubt that he knows all but the three closet to himself have been found, but he has taken extra precautions."
"My sources tell me that while Voldemort has not sent Nagini away, he has personally hidden the second object in a remote location. I fear that because of my carelessness, we must first find the fifth Horcrux before we can destroy it."
Ron gulped audibly, and Hermione cut in.
"Professor, how are we supposed to figure out where the final Horcrux lies?"
"Well, Ms. Granger. You have already deduced what the Horcrux is. I trust that you would be willing to assist your friends in finding where Voldemort may have hidden it." Dumbledore said to her with a kind smile.
Hermione's eyes widened at the though of how much research this task would require. However, looking at the hopeful faces around her, she nodded.
"Of course, Professor. I will do whatever I can to help."
"Wonderful. Now then, let's see. Ah yes," Dumbledore handed the parchment on his desk to Harry.
"This is a charmed map of all the UK. It will adjust itself to your location in order to help you find your way around."
"Why do we need this, Professor?" Draco said.
"Well, my dear boy, the four of you will have to travel alone to find this. I am sure that Voldemort will be closely tracking my movements, and cannot risk leaving the castle. I know Tom Riddle, and he would never suspect that I would send students on such a dangerous mission without supervision, so as long as I remain in the castle, your journey will be a safer one."
"I trust you will come to me as soon as you have the information we need to track down the Brand. Best of luck to you all."
Dumbledore waved the stunned students out of his office.
At the bottom of the staircase, Harry let out a long, shaky breath. Draco put and an arm around a pale-faced Hermione, and Ron shook his head, saying:
"Bloody Hell."
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Hermione sighed, rubbing the back of her aching neck.
She had been reading for hours.
There were very few mentions of Magical Brands in even the restricted section of the library. She wasn't sure how exactly she was to figure out where Voldemort would hide such a thing.
Does Dumbledore expect me to read Voldemort's mind? She thought irritably. I don't even know the man, how am I supposed to figure out where he's gone and hid the Brand.
Sighing, she put Dark Objects and Their Uses back onto the dusty shelf.
Her eye fell onto a slim blue volume.
Rowena Ravenclaw: A Reflection.
Hermione pulled it out of the shelf. It couldn't hurt to try.
Rowena Ravenclaw, born around 1000 A.D. is most greatly remembered as one of the founders of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry…
Hermione flipped the faded pages of the book with a bored expression.
Suddenly, she flipped back several pages.
Ravenclaw is commonly believed to have been born in Scotland. The name Rowena is a family name believed to have originated in the fifth century. The name Rowena is a Saxon name. The coincidence of the name Rowena in the Ravenclaw family tree with the invasion of the Saxons leads many historians to believe that the Ravenclaw family is of Germanic descent.
Scotland. Hermione thought. That sounds familiar.
In a flash, Hermione leapt up and hurried through the stacks of the library. Pulling out a volume called Scottish Lore, she turned hurriedly to the end of the book.
The magical qualities of the city of Edinburgh have worked their way into even Muggle folklore. Two sites in particular are so important to magical people that it is impossible to conceal them from the general populous. The first, or the labyrinths under the city are particularly popular to Dark Wizards. The second, known as Arthur's Seat, in addition to being an important magical cite, is in fact the site where Rowena Ravenclaw's most famous work was completed. Ravenclaw, one of the founders of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry…
"Finally." Hermione breathed with a smile.
She held the book close to herself as she rushed towards Dumbledore's office, ignoring the shocked cries of Madame Pince to return at once with the old book.
A/N: Well, here it is! There are large adventures coming up for our favorite foursome. I hope that this twist in plot doesn't turn any readers away…let me know what you think. And don't worry…just because the next few chapters will be more action-based doesn't mean that I'm forgetting about Draco and Hermione. Thanks to all who read and reviewed!
MiKaYGiRl: Thanks! I thought it was cute too! --
Elizabeth Yaster: Glad you are enjoying it!
KtotheT: Draco is amazingly cute! Unlike most boys…sigh. I can definitely share your phone pains. Urgh.
Kill-me-if-harry-dies: Well, it is certainly good to know I don't have to beg at least one reader for reviews! I'm glad you liked the last chapter, and really enjoy your reviews! Thanks!
aerochick06: Yay! I loved writing the "I love you" part…those situations are always so awkward but also adorable.
Jamy21: I feel your pain…I recently moved and will be alone as well…I suppose I'll make it up to myself with a big old box of chocolates.
Avchocoholic, Mysterygalwolf, cheekymonkey1994, Mrs. St. John Allerdyce: Thanks! I'm so glad you guys enjoyed it! Hope to see you back here soon!
Well, that is all for now! I'm pretty excited for the next chapter, I started working it out, so hopefully I won't take too long to update. Oh yeah, I nearly forgot! (Not really) REVIEW! Yay!!
Elizabeth