Disclaimer: Still don't own it.
"Ugh! This is totally pointless!" Ron growled as he threw another book to the growing pile. "We've been at this all weekend and we haven't found anything."
"Honestly Ron, did you expect we could just come in, grab a random book, and find 'Horcrux' just sitting nice and pretty in the appendix?" Hermione snapped, the unsuccessful search seemed to be getting to her.
Harry grabbed the next book in the pile. Since they began their search a month before they had searched: 86 books, 137 journals, and even attempted asking some professors for information.
"Maybe we should call it quits for this weekend, we all have that Transfiguration essay due Tuesday, and I know Hermione may have started but Ron and I certainly haven't."
His two friends nodded and they stacked the books. Hermione sent them to their shelves with a wave of her wand and they began to walk away, Ron and Hermione hand in hand.
"So, have you been writing the Order about what's to happen to Malfoy?"
Harry glanced at Hermione, he had told them about the train ride and speaking with McGonagall, hoping they could shed some light on the otherwise obscure workings of Malfoy's mind.
"McGonagall told me she met with him the second day of classes, I haven't heard anything else. But it has been a month, I'm sure they made a decision. Though Lupin wrote to me, apparently Tonks…Lupin…Tonks-Lupin?... has been really upset over being left out of the missions. She wants to go but Lupin is worried about the baby and all."
Hermione nodded before Ron pulled her closer. Harry rolled his eyes when he heard her giggle at Ron's whispers.
"Could you guys wait until I'm doing homework please? Then at least I'll have something to distract myself with."
Both turned a vibrant shade of red and mumbled an apology. Harry shook his head and smiled.
"Guys I was kidding. I'm glad you two finally got over it and are together. I mean…you've been avoiding it for what? Five years? I mean, really. Hermione when you had that tail it was all-"
"Harry!" Ron cried, red creeping up his face, "S-she doesn't need to know about that."
Hermione raised an eyebrow at Ron's interruption. She simply said "Ronald," in a voice so cold the redhead flinched before all the blood drained from his face as he turned to look at her.
"Yes?" She narrowed her eyes at him, before laughing.
"I can't believe you actually liked that tail! I was mortified!"
The two boys stopped walking, waiting for Hermione's little outburst to subside. Once she had composed herself she smiled at Ron while shaking her head.
"You had very interesting tastes for a 12-year-old. Did you like it when Professor McGonagall changed into a cat?"
Harry burst out laughing as Ron stammered out "no's" and "that's disgusting" as many times as possible. Hermione chortled before taking his hand in hers and kissing his cheek.
"I was joking, Ron."
Harry laughed as Ron calmed down, embarrassment still present on his face.
---
Harry yawned, Could Potions be anymore boring?, Slughorn had been lecturing for over half of the Double Potions session about the properties of mistletoe, and, of course, his many successful students. He glanced over at Ron and Hermione who, due to Hermione's genius, were exchanging notes via enchanted parchment. His gaze wandered to the other end of the dungeon where Malfoy sat alone. As it was NEWTS year, Harry was surprised that only five of them had returned to their Potions class. Malfoy appeared to be twirling a…pen? Where did Malfoy get a pen? Harry mused, watching the object spin.
Checking to make sure Slughorn was still prattling on about mistletoe, Harry pulled out a separate sheet of parchment and scrawled Malfoy, where did you get that? before wadding it up and tossing it. He stifled a laugh when it hit Malfoy on the head, earning him a flare from the Slytherin.
He received the ball back, Malfoy's neat script beneath his own less than immaculate writing. You try hiding away from wizards for a summer. As it happens, it's difficult to do within the wizarding world alone. Harry looked over at the blond as Slughorn dismissed them.
As he packed away his books Malfoy's grey eyes met Harry's and he nodded. Harry nodded back at him, I'll have to ask him what was decided.
---
It was nearly Christmas. Snow covered the grounds in waves, northern winds carrying the tiny ice particles over the trees and towers. Harry looked out through the window, the frost that had gathered around the edges blocking his vision.
As the year had passed, Harry had grown more restless. Each day the Daily Prophet brought more news of Voldemort and death. While his fuse grew shorter each day, he remembered that they knew nothing, he was safest at Hogwarts until they caught onto the horcrux trail. I guess this is the best I can do for now.
Hermione looked up from her readings and glanced at Ron. She jerked her head subtly in Harry's direction, sending Ron a signal to talk.
"So, Harry, you seem a little…down. What's up?"
Harry looked back at his two best friends before looking back through the glass. I can't tell them. After that Potions session Harry had sought out McGonagall, determined to discover Malfoy's fate. It wasn't quite what he'd expected. Spy, they're sending him into the lion's den with nothing but cheap costume to make him blend in.
"I just wonder where Malfoy has disappeared to. He's been missing for quite some time." It was true, Malfoy hadn't been seen in a couple weeks. Harry heard Hermione respond.
"He'll be back, Harry. Don't worry."
Harry nodded, noticing Ron's resentful glare as Hermione assured them of Malfoy's return, he pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind.
---
Harry stood in the Headmistresses office, Ginny Ron and Hermione standing silently behind him. McGonagall walked briskly to the fireplace, waving her wand to ignite the fire.
"Now, Mr. Weasley, your parents know that all four of you are to arrive today?"
Ron nodded, Harry looked at him. He's been so depressed lately, I wonder what happened. McGonagall gave them instructions, drawing Harry's gaze off his redheaded friend.
"Very well, you will all Floo to the Weasley home then."
She moved aside as the four of them lined up. One by one they entered the fireplace, each shouting "The Burrow!" before disappearing.
---
"Oh it's so good to see you all!"
Mrs. Weasley cried as she hugged them. Harry awkwardly patted her on the back, hoping she would release him before he needed to breathe too badly. When she finally let go he took a look around the room. Harry blinked, All the Weasleys and the Order in one place? I didn't know this house had that much room.
The next week went by quickly. Quidditch in the yard, carefully hidden by Aurors of course, snow fights, and the twins blowing up two turkeys their mother had been trying to cook.
The night before Christmas Eve, Harry approached Ron.
"Ron, you and Hermione have barely been speaking, what's going on with you two?"
Ron looked at him and sighed. "We…we broke up."
Harry's eyes widened, What? How did I not know this? "When did this happen?"
"A few days before we left Hogwarts. We…had been arguing a bit, ok a lot, ever since Halloween. I just, I got angry. For some reason it seemed like she was always asking you about Malfoy and it ticked me off." He nervously ran a hand through his hair, "It just led to fight after fight." He laughed bitterly, "I guess it's true what they say 'The best of friends make the worst lovers.'"
Harry raised an eyebrow, "They say that?"
Ron shrugged. "If they don't they should."
Harry shook his head before patting Ron on the back. "It'll be ok. I'm sure you're both just tense because of the war. I'm sure you'll get back together." Though I gotta admit that I didn't think Hermione would let them break up.
Ron nodded, "Harry, six years I've liked her. I nearly blew it last year. I can't let it all end like this, can I?"
Harry shook his head and chuckled, six years they were tiptoeing around this and here they are, failing.
---
Christmas Eve came the next day. They had decided to have a fantastic dinner and then open a present each. So once again the table was packed, Harry sitting next to a very pregnant Tonks. The whole house had gathered at the table, others from around the house pulled together to accommodate everyone, and were prepared. Harry was quite pleased with the dinner. Everyone was enjoying themselves as though there were no war.
They were finishing when the window suddenly burst open, cold wind ruffling their hair and sending shivers down their spines. An owl came swooping through the gap, quickly dropping a letter in front of Mr. Weasley.
The older man quickly glanced around the table before picking up the letter to read. His eyes widened before shifting to Harry.
"It seems this is for you."
There was a tense silence hanging over the table as the letter passed down to Harry. He unfolded the parchment and read: Leave Gringotts before 11h30. Vault 1078 24-12-97. Key in RoR. –DM
Harry read over the message again. RoR? Hopefully Hermione or Ron will be able to get that. He looked up from the note at his two friends, and nodded. They both paled as they understood his message. Mrs. Weasley cleared her throat.
"Well, perhaps we should move into the sitting room? I'll tidy up a bit and we can start the party."
Everyone at the table nodded and cleared out. Harry led Ron and Hermione away from the group. Once they reached Ron's room Harry pulled out the note, handing it over to Hermione.
"'Gingotts 1078 11:30 24-12-97. Key in RoR?" She began to pace, mumbling under her breath before she said more loudly, "Room of Requirement?" She turned to look at the Harry. "I think we need to get back to Hogwarts in," She glanced down at her watch before looking back and announcing, "an hour."
Harry thought and asked, "That will give us enough time to find the key and get to Gringotts right?"
Hermione nodded. "Yes, and to talk to McGonagall."
Harry thought for a moment before answering, "Alright, in an hour then."
---
An hour later the three stood before the fireplace. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley hugged each of them, wishing them a safe journey and a Happy Christmas. When they reached Ron Mrs. Weasley clung to him, telling him how much she loves him and that he had better come home safely. Ron looked down at his mother and smiled.
"Don't worry, mum, I'll be back."
The three stepped into the fireplace, and vanished in the green flames.
---
They entered Hogwarts in McGonagall's office, surprised that she was not there to greet them. Hermione quickly ushered them to the Room of Requirement, not daring to waste any time. The bell struck 10 and Harry turned to the other two.
" We have an hour, let's hurry."
They reached the wall, and realized they needed the right thought. Harry stood there, and remembered his sixth year. I need some place to hide. He glanced at the wall and saw the door had formed. They entered into the darkness. They pulled their wands and muttered "lumos" before looking.
Harry's instincts raced when he saw the Vanishing Cabinet, a wave of uncertainty flooded through his veins. It's not a trap is it? Malfoy wouldn't betray us like that. He slowly moved towards the wooden object. He opened the door, wand ready for anything that might jump out. A glint caught his eye. He raised his wand, the light catching the object in full. The key! "Hermione! Ron! I found it!"
He heard them come over to him and look at the key. Hermione checked her watch, "Fairly good time, 15 minutes to get to Gringotts."
---
Ten minutes later, they exited the Leaky Cauldron and hurried to Gringotts, carefully staying hidden in the shadows. They raced up the steps and reached the entrance. Two trolls were standing guard, a goblin standing to grant access. They presented the key and stated the vault they wished to open. The goblin nodded and turned around.
"This was left for you"
Harry warily took the note and opened it: Golden Goblet. He faced Ron and Hermione.
"We're looking for Hufflepuff's goblet it's gold and has a badger on it."
---
They searched the vault, trying to hurry through the large amounts of valuables. Harry, growing agitated, realized they had been there a great deal of time.
"Hermione! What time is it?"
"11:15"
"Hermione! Harry! I found it!" Ron came running over holding the goblet, a badger sitting happily on the side. Harry nodded to him.
"Good then let's-" A red light shot at Ron and hit him. Harry and Hermione cried out.
"Ron!"
"Well, well, well what have we here? Could it be? The famous Harry Potter."
Harry turned towards the doorway. Oh, shit. There, standing in the light, wand raised, was Lucius Malfoy.
"I am surprised to see you here, I was under the impression only the Dark Lord, myself, and Bellatrix knew I was to retrieve the goblet. It's a good thing I decided to come a little early. Stupefy!" Red shot at Hermione who, fussing over Ron, failed to stop the attack. Harry pointed his wand at Lucius.
"Stop! They haven't done anything!"
"Quite the contrary, they are with you." A dark grin formed on the older man's face, "And now, you will be coming with me."
Harry was about to respond when a sharp pain shot through his head and everything went black.
There you have it. Hope I've interested you a little more with some action once again!