-1Chapter 8: The Way to Hagrid's Hut

"Ella did good?" she spoke meakly with her eyes barely lifting upward. A hideous, thin-skinned house-elf replied to her.

"Yes, Master Regulus will be pleased!" he shouted and clapped his hands together.

A dark haired man with an old, beaten face stood before a portrait hanging the hallway. He clutched a locket in his bare right hand which filled his body with unpredictable violent urges. His brown, dark chocolate eyes fixated upon Kreacher who wobbled before him.

"The spy, dear Ella," Kreacher said her name with a hint of fondness, "has informed Kreacher of the whereabouts of Potter and his two friends, the ugly red-haired one and the ugly brown-haired one."

Regulus Black smiled, revealing a missing eye tooth replaced with a piece of chipping metal. "Very good, Kreacher. Did they mention this?" he dangled the locket.

Kreacher looked over to Ella who shrugged nervously. "No."

"It's only a matter of time," Regulus replied. "The house is secure?" Kreacher nodded. "Good. When they arrive you know what to do to them."

XXX

"I'm sorry, but he's dead, Ron," said Hermione.

"It fits though! RAB! Rupert Axebanger Brookstanton. Why couldn't he have stolen it?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "If I have to explain that stupid theory once more and why it doesn't work I'm going to scream!"

"If this isn't screaming, then I'm afraid what is," commented Ron who simply received yet another a pissed off look from Hermione.

"Hand me another one," said Hermione, reaching into a bag. As she chewed, she continued. "I'm sorry, but all this is pointless. We have nothing to go on," moaned Hermione for the eighth time. The trio and Neville sat around the family Gobfire, dangling Muggle marshmallow's over the image of Neville's granddad smoking a pipe. While Ron enjoyed his smores, Hermione continued ranting on. "This is ludicrous! Dumbledore couldn't have expected to find all the Horcruxes on our own, without any clues at all!"

"I've told you everything I know… The locket was a fake, someone with the initials R.A.B. stole it, and it wasn't Axebanger, Ron," said Harry as Ron tried to interrupt once more with the theory that Hermione herself had mentioned several months prior.

Feeling defeated, Ron tried to change the subject. "Sure you don't have any Bertiebotts, Neville? They'd gogreatwiththesesmores?" mumbled Ron, who scarfed down his treat like a malnourished child.

Neville shook his head. "You're lucky we had those in the pantry… Grandma doesn't care for sweets."

"I've got it!" shouted Hermione.

"Yeah?" they all said, pieces of marshmallow being spewed into the air.

"R.A.B.! It's so simple."

Ron arched his brow. "What'ssosimple?" he mumbled, chocolate and graham cracker wedged in between his two front teeth.

"What it sounds for, Ron! Regulus Arcturus Black! He was a death eater and mysteriously died? Or murdered for stealing the locket!"

"Brilliant! And that still doesn't help us actually find the locket," said Harry pessimistically.

Hermione's smirk slowly frowned. "He's right… It doesn't help find the darn thing… If only we had more help. Are you sure Dumbledore didn't tell you anything else, Harry? Even the smallest thing may help us."

"I almost forgot," said Harry suddenly. "Remus did give me some advice… But…"

"But what, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"He wanted us to talk to Hagrid."

Neville joined in the discussion. "That's simple enough. We can take grandma's car to the train tomorrow and--"

"You don't understand, Neville. I can't simply walk into Hogwarts! HE would be expecting that," Hermione butted in.

"Oh," said Neville, forgetting almost for a second that Voldemort was after Harry, waiting for him around every corner. "How do you suppose we get to him then?"

Harry sighed. "Remus actually did say we should take the train, Hermione."

"What!? That's incredibly foolish of him to say! We can't all hide under the cloak, and if they see Ron and me, the Death Eaters will know you're with us and alert HIM."

"They're not looking for me," said Neville quietly. As the three spun around to stare at him, he continued in a somewhat louder, less quavering voice. "I, I can go to Hagrid. Get whatever information you need."

"But Remus told me I should go to Hagrid," said Harry. "Thanks, Neville, but unless we all go, I don't think it'll happen."

"Why not? I can help!" squealed Neville.

"Neville, dearie, what's all this noise?" said an elderly woman's voice. Neville's grandmother had awaken from her nap. She hobbled in wearing a thick pastel nightgown.

"I'm sorry, grandma. It's nothing really. We were just talking."

She nodded. "Shouting is more like it. Now, whatever you youngsters were arguing you about, I'm sure it can be resolved with a little p.o.p."

"I'm not thirsty, thank you," said Harry immediately.

"Not soda pop," said Neville to Harry. "P.o.p, plenty of patience. It's an old saying- grandma uses it all the time.

"Patience?" mumbled Ron, who undoubtedly had none.

Hermione nodded. "I think that's wonderful advice. We rest tonight, then very carefully plan our route to Hogwarts."

"Hogwarts?" said grandma Longbottom. "Oh, what is was like to be young, studying so early before school starts. Going to check out some books? Learn some interesting things, eh?"

"Something like that," said Hermione.

She smiled & stared, reminiscing at the Gobfire, then continued, "Be a shame if you missed the train."

"Pardon?" said Harry.

"The train, the train. Leaves exactly on time, not early nor late. BE a shame if you missed it. If someone helped Mister Potter after all he's done for dear Neville, then he'd be sure to make it." She winked.

"You'll help us?" said Hermione excitedly.

Looking into the gobfire and seeing the reflection of her late husband nodding back to her, she nodded too. "Of course."