A/N

I know I said that this chapter will be with the wedding but I had to make some changes. That is why the wedding will be in the next chapter. I decided to include some clues to the story line in this chapter though they are barely noticeable.

And also in the next chapter, they'll be going to Godric's Hollow but some surprises will await them on the way.

Again all comments, suggestions and flames are most welcomed.

Enjoy.

Disclaimer: The characters belong to J.K. Rowling as well as the world of Harry Potter.

Chapter Eight

Revelations

Some time at night, heavy clouds appeared and raindrops fell on the Burrow and the surrounding region. Happy vapors were springing from the dry land as it was bombarded with freshness, and thus forming a thick fog.

In the morning, the air was fresh and cleaned from the dry sunny season. The sunrays tried to penetrate the foggy curtain quite unsuccessfully. And as day was slowly advancing in its dim state, the inhabitants of the Burrow began to wake up.

Molly, as usual, was the first to be up and down to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Then she went to wake up the others. Soon everyone were either looking for a sock, a pair of jeans, a blouse or a tooth brush, a comb, or were just trying to get first to the bathroom to take a shower or just rinse their sleepy faces.

Ron and Hermione went to the bathroom together. Ginny, on other hand, preferred to stay in bed with Harry who was still sleeping. She could see the happiness on his face and she was right. This night was one of the calmest nights Harry ever had. There were no dreams on strange locations with crazy messages and most importantly no nightmares. It was a happy night and he really enjoyed it. When Molly came, Harry heard her but he didn't want to wake up, not yet. He felt then the presence and heat of Ginny's body besides him and that made even more reluctant to get up. She wrapped her hands around him and soon she doze off.

Hermione entered the room and found out that Harry and Ginny were sleeping calmly. She smiled at this, took her clothes and shut the door while exiting. In the corridor, she met Molly.

"Is everyone up?" – She asked.

"Well, Mrs. Weasley, not everyone." – Hermione answered as quietly as possible.

Molly raised an eyebrow and said, "I see," but did nothing and went to check on the others. Fleur and Bill were down attacking the pile of pancakes with chocolate and having a cup of coffee. The Krums joined them as well as the others.

"Hermione, where are Harry and Ginny?" – Ron asked noticing that they're missing.

"They're still in the nest." – Hermione answered.

"Oh. That's not fair." – Ron said.

"Yeah, it isn't." – Hermione added airily.

After breakfast, Arthur Weasley showed Mr. Krum to his garage where he held all the muggle stuff, which he found fascinating. Mr. Krum explored the garage with a smile.

"So you collect muggle stuff too." – Cyril Krum observed.

"You collect as well?" – Arthur asked amazed.

"Yes. I find that the muggles sometimes can be very ingenious, although with a little magic help the stuff becomes really intriguing." – Cyril replied semi-seriously.

"Indeed. I had once a Ford Anglia." – Arthur informed with a sad look.

"Really? That's amazing. What happened?" – Cyril asked with vivid interest.

"My son and Harry flew it to Hogwarts and it was lost somewhere in the Dark Forest and I had serious trouble at work."

"All the way from here to Hogwarts?" – Arthur nodded – Impressive! They weren't seen?" – Cyril asked.

"They took it from Kings Cross and while getting in the air they're seen by seven muggles and then crashed in a tree." – Arthur said with bitterness in his voice.

"Oh. Those kids, they just don't realize sometimes in what trouble could they get in and us as well." – Cyril agreed.

Ginny woke up. The sun was at mid sky it was noon. Harry was still sleeping. How peaceful and happy he looked while asleep. Ginny pressed her lips into his and waited for his reaction. Harry returned the kiss but remained asleep. Ginny sighed and wondered how to wake him up without using offensive means. She kissed gently his cheeks one by one, and then moved to his front and his eyes, and back to his lips. Harry returned again the kiss and opened his green eyes.

"My alarm clock." – Harry whispered with a smile.

"Good day, sleeping beauty. It is already noon." – Ginny said amiably.

"Noon? Cool!" – Harry exclaimed.

"We should get down or we'll starve."

"My hungry angel." – Harry said teasingly.

"Yeah, I could devour a pack of wild boars." – Ginny rolled her eyes wildly.

"Howl! Sounds dangerous." – Harry laughed.

Noon was served in the house; it was a bit difficult so Molly decided to make it on two waves – first the adults and then the children.

Harry and the gang moved to Ron's room and directly to the arena. This time they took Victor with them. He was astounded to find out they had a practice arena within a magical trunk. As they gathered, Sentinel approached them. She was studying the new boy with interest as Harry noticed.

"This is Victor Krum, Sentinel." – Harry informed.

"I see. He'll be practicing with us?" – Sentinel hissed questioningly.

"Yes."

Victor was most surprised when he saw Sentinel. But nothing could compare to the look he threw at Harry when he heard him speak Parslemouth. Harry introduced several new spells and they began to practice them. Some time later, they made a quick pause, and then continued.

"Now." – Harry said. "Let's try again the fire shield spell."

"Fire shield?" – Victor asked.

"Yes. It creates a shield around you and if someone tries to touch you he gets burned. And the most interesting part is that the shield is invisible." – Harry explained.

"Really?" – Victor said amazed.

"Alright, let's show Victor." – Harry said and pointed at Ron. "Ignis Armus"

Victor stood stupefied as Harry cast and tested the spell. He become speechless, however, when Hermione made the spell on herself. Victor blinked several times and approached her cautiously and his gaze fell on the Dragon medallion. The amazement in his eyes was growing and he had a good reason for that. The medallion middle stone was glowing in bright darkish red mixed with gloomy gold. The surrounding dark red and gold remained cold but the silver and blue were emitting little heat flashes.

Harry, Ginny and Ron also saw the effects of the medallion and they were completely speechless. Hermione, on the other hand, was smiling big at them. She was feeling a little differently from the last time she cast the spell, actually a lot differently. For the first time, the hissing of Sentinel did not sound just like a hissing, no, it sounded more like a foreign language. She couldn't understand why. Something else has changed as well but it was still elusive and she couldn't figure it out yet.

"Hermione, are you alright?" – Victor broke the silence and for the first time he pronounced her name without any difficulty.

"You said it. You said it." – Hermione sounded surprised. "And yes, I'm fine. What?"

"The medallion," – that was all Victor could say.

Hermione looked at the medallion and gasped. She wondered if the medallion had something to do with her strange sensations but decided not to reveal them to others, not yet.

"It is glowing and so?" – Hermione asked innocently.

"Hermione that can only mean that either you possess a dragon ability or high sensitivity to fire spells." – Victor declared.

"Dragon ability? That is preposterous! I'm a muggle born. How on Earth I could possess the ability if I'm the first witch in the family?" – Hermione questioned.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't making any allegations, I just made an observation." – Victor apologized.

"No problem." – Hermione calmed him. "But what you suggested sounds impossible."

"Maybe an elevated sensitivity to fire spells?" – Ron suggested.

"It is possible." – Victor said cautiously.

"Sentry-child." – Sentinel hissed.

"Yes, Sentinel." – Harry responded.

"If I might suggest, make Hermione cast another fire spell."

"But why?"

"It is possible that she might have higher ability with fire magic and this could indicate a relation with…" – Sentinel, said.

"Dragons?" – Harry continued.

"Sentry-child, dragon magic employs mostly the use of fire magic. Anyone possessing the gift of the Dragons will have superior cast ability of any fire magic spells." – Sentinel explained.

"How do you know about Dragon magic?" – Harry asked amazed.

"Lets just say that the Snakes and the Dragons were once allies and as all magical creatures once, they possessed the ability to cast spells, charms and enchantments. The snakes and the dragons have, with time, lost some of their abilities. But it is known that some wizards were able to learn and cast both dragon and snake spells. Also some wizards have developed higher sensitivity for the Elemental spells in which domain fall the fire spells." – Sentinel answered.

"I understand. It seems that you decided to reveal more today." – Harry said amiably.

"I explained to you that I have never seen a witch casting so powerful fire shield before. And yes, you caught me off guard." – Sentinel said almost jokingly.

"Alright, I'll try." – Harry affirmed.

Harry decided not reveal the details of the conversation he just had with Sentinel. He took one of the books he bought and started looking for another fire spell. Suddenly he remembered the blue fire Hermione used to make for Ron and him in their first year.

"Hermione. Could you make the fire you made in our first year at school?" – Harry asked.

"Why?" – Hermione asked with suspicion.

"So that we can learn to do it as well." – Harry responded as innocently as possible.

Hermione raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She pointed her wand and said: "lacarno inflamare." The effect was immediate. The blue flames were so bright that everyone had to cover their eyes. The medallion also reflected the new spell by brightly glowing blue and gold, and gloomy shine dark red.

Harry looked surprised at Sentinel who just nodded, and then turned his gaze at Hermione, as everyone else did.

"What?" – Hermione asked getting slightly angry.

"Hermione, you've never made this spell so powerful before." – Ron observed.

"So what?"

"So, this clearly shows that…" – Ron stopped when he was the expression on her face.

"That what? That I'm a dragon witch? You're all imaging things." – Hermione said furiously.

"No, I was about to say that this medallion obviously increases the strength of the spell." – Ron responded tartly.

"Hermione, you have to admit that the medallion has some influence." – Victor added.

"That is preposterous." – Hermione shot back. "Here, I'm taking it off."

Hermione took off the medallion and cast again the spell. Amazingly the result was the same as it was with the medallion on. It seemed that her increased tension discarded in their eyes the possibility that the medallion was involved. Sentinel, on the other side, was now convinced that Hermione possessed the dragon gift but decided not to inform Harry and the others.

The next couple of days passed in preparation for the wedding. Fleur has working tirelessly; after all she had organized everything, with the help of Molly. The altar was placed near the trees, with the chairs for the guests opposite it. The stage was next to it and the tables for the bride and bridegroom, and their families were positioned in a semi-circle near the dance floor on the right of the stage. The alley to the altar was covered with a roof of flowers.

Fleur had picked already the dresses for the bridesmaids, Ginny and her sister Gabrielle. She was adding some elements to the dresses as well and wanted to finish them off in time, and for that she required Ginny and Gabrielle's presence almost at all times. Bill was occupied with the costumes for his brothers and his father. Harry and Hermione had to find suitable clothes as well, and of course Fleur took over.

And finally the day before the wedding, all preparations were complete. Ron, Hermione and Ginny were assisting Fleur with some final installments while Harry was in his room. The past days have taken his mind off the tasks ahead. But now he had the time to figure out what direction to take. The first stop was clear – Godric's Hollow, the place it all started. He had to visit his parent's house and their graves. But then where, he asked himself. The Horcruxes, they are essential in defeating Voldemort. He remembered from last year, six distinct places where Voldemort was – the orphanage, the cave at sea, Hogwarts, the Riddle Manor, the house of Gaunt and the shop of Borgin. His thoughts continued. In Hogwarts, Voldemort made the first Horcruxes – the diary, then the ring at the house of Gaunt, Naigini always near Voldemort and the locket (the fake Horcruxes) at the sea cave. What remained were the locket of Slytherin, the cup of Hufflepuff and something of Gryffindor or Ravenclaw, and of course Voldemort himself. Given that Voldemort put parts of his soul into trophies, he could assume that at least one of the Horcruxes could be at the orphanage. However, he had to discard the shop of Borgin. It would have been foolish to place Horcruxes into the shop so a possibility remained that he placed one in the Riddle Manor but Harry wasn't sure he wanted to return there. The place, where sometimes in his nightmares, he returned to witness Cedric Diggory's death, the rise of Voldemort and the appearance of the echoes of his parents. Nonetheless, it was a possibility. But where to then, the question remained. Perhaps, some of the Death Eaters might know but there was no way they were going to him, or was there. Suddenly an idea struck him. His hope rose.

Now, he had to decide, what do with his friends. He was sure that Ginny was suspecting an end of their relations but she was so good in hiding it, for now. Then came Ron and Hermione, they wouldn't understand as easy as Ginny was going to take it, no matter how painful. Harry sighed and promised himself to figure out a way to occupy his friends with something that will bring them far from harm.

It was getting time for dinner and Harry went downstairs. He found his best friend teaching Hermione how to play wizard chess. Ginny was not there and he assumed she was still with Fleur. Molly and Arthur were reading the Daily Prophet. Bill was speaking with Gabrielle, obviously trying to learn French. Only Victor was sitting alone, actually he was reading a muggle book. That seemed a bit off so Harry went to Victor.

"Mind if I join you?" – Harry asked.

"Not at all, Harry." – Victor replied.

"What are you reading?" – Harry questioned.

"Ah, it is the history of the Balkans. It is rather interesting and it is not bad, although written by an Englishman." – Victor answered simply.

"Do you have anything against us, the Englishmen?" – Harry asked jokingly pointing a finger at him.

"Against you personally, Harry, nothing at all. As for the Englishmen, nothing in particular but there is a tendency among the Europeans to twist the history of others and especially the Balkans." – Victor replied with a smile.

"Oh. I didn't know. Why the Balkans? What are they so special?"

"Well, the Balkans are the shortest way between Europe and Asia, and obviously it is a crossroad of much economical and political interests. Throughout the ages, many have disputed over this region. Of course, not only the muggles but the wizards as well."

"I see, it sounds intriguing." – Harry nodded. "By the way, how did you gain possession of the medallions?"

"Oh this is some story." – Victor smiled. "I've been tutored by a magic master. He told me the meaning of the runes engraved into the medallions."

"Yes, Charlie told us."

"Aha. Then you also know that when I was little, I had another tutor. He knew a great deal about the dragons and their history and he was the one who told me the legend. On the day before my departure for Durmstrang, we met again. He was carrying a small package. He told me to open it when I reach the age of seventeen. I asked him of course what was in the box. He told me that when I open the box, I'd know."

"And you waited all these years?" – Harry asked amazed.

"It wasn't easy, I have to admit but I made a promise and I hold to my word. On my seventeenth birthday, I opened the box and found the medallions. I knew they were the dragon medallions from the old legend my ex-tutor told me. The only thing I didn't understand is why he gave them to me. I put them on but nothing occurred." – Victor sighed but continued. "Then with my latest tutor, I had the opportunity to expand my knowledge for the Dragons and I was mostly interested in the medallions' history. One day I showed them to him. He examined them carefully and gave me the final details for them."

"So why did you give them to us?"

"My tutor suggested that one person could not possibly yield the power of the medallions. And since they had no effect on me, I decided to give them to someone else. When I went to visit Charlie, he had told me about the strange behavior of the dragons there. And he also mentioned that he was going back home, and here was the perfect opportunity. I gave him the medallions, told him the legend and instructed him which medallion to give you."

"That is very generous. I still have some doubts regarding Hermione's sudden burst of powerful spell casting."

"Me too. But better to leave the stick to follow the stream." – Victor remarked.

"I agree. You never know if we insist she might jinx us." – Harry nodded in agreement.

"Dinner boys and girls." – Molly announced.

At dinner, Ron approached Harry for his conversation with Victor, and Harry told him. Ron looked amazed and for a moment forgot to eat.

"Harry." – Hermione called.

"Yes, Hermione." – Harry responded.

"I was thinking that it would be best to discuss our route."

"What route?" – Harry asked puzzled.

"The one, we'll have to embark for you-know-what." – Hermione replied mysteriously.

"Oh. After dinner, in the bedroom." – Harry said firmly.

"Ok."

Hermione was already in Ron's room waiting for the others. The door opened and they entered. Ron sat next to Hermione and put his arm around her shoulder. Ginny had put her head on Harry's shoulder and waited.

"So, Harry, what are you planning to do?" – Hermione began.

"Why do you think I have a plan?" – Harry asked back.

"I'm sure you've a plan." – Hermione said firmly.

"Well…yes I do." – Harry answered sighing at Hermione's perspicacity.

"And?" – Ginny looked up at Harry.

"I have to go to my parent's house and also visit their graves so the first stop would be at Godric's Hollow. I want to leave after the wedding, well the next day. There are some more provisions that must be bought, and I think that will be done in Bristol. It is a town on the way to Godric's Hollow." – Harry said.

"Alright and then?" – Hermione was persistent. She did notice that Harry was careful not to say 'we', which made her frown slightly. She knew that was an indication that Harry intended to leave them behind, maybe after Godric's Hollow.

"Then to Hogwarts, I have to speak with Dumbledore. I mean with his portrait and with someone else." – Harry concluded mysteriously.

"Who?" – Ginny asked vividly interested.

"You'll see." – Harry answered. He didn't want to reveal to them his real plans, the ones that didn't involve them. He wanted to find them a place to stay till he completes or fails in his task.

"Harry." – Hermione started. "Do you really think you get away from us so easily?"

"I don't know what you mean." – Harry said with innocence in his voice.

"You're planning to leave us behind. You're planning to go ALONE!" – Hermione shot.

"No, that is not true." – Harry defended himself. "You'll come with me to Godric's Hollow and to Hogwarts afterwards."

"And then you're going to leave us?" – Ginny intervened.

"And then depending on what the portrait tells me, I'll determine whether to continue the adventure with or without you." – Harry concluded.

Hermione, however, did notice that Harry was breathing a little heavier when he spoke about going to Hogwarts. He wasn't looking them in the eyes and that was a certain indication that his plans are different from what he was saying. Hermione have feared this moment and she knew that Harry has made his decision. But they weren't going to abandon their friend in these dark times no matter the cost. There were more important things at stake here than their well-being.

Harry also remarked Hermione's behavior and he was sure that his little act did not pay its credits in the eyes of his friend. Hermione was bright and smart girl. He knew how persistent she could get. But that was the only way for him to have friends when eventually he completes successfully his task or he could fail or die but at least his friends would have a future and be happy. They couldn't understand that he wanted them to be happy, he didn't care so much about himself. And how would they be happy and live their lives if they're dead, he thought.

"That is fine with me." – Ron announced after a while. "Time to sleep anyway. Tomorrow is a big day."

"Yeah! Expanding the family." – Ginny confirmed cheerfully.

Ginny went to the bathroom while Ron went to see Charlie for a reason Harry and Hermione did not understood because Ron mumbled something. Hermione was still looking suspiciously at Harry.

"What?" – Harry asked finally. He couldn't take those looks.

"Harry, I don't understand why do you hide your true plans." – She whispered.

Harry sighed heavily, took a deep breath and said. "I don't want you guys to get hurt."

"Harry, we'll go with you even through fire and water."

"I know and I love you guys for that. Honestly, Hermione, I do. But most of all I want you to be happy and have a life. I may not survive this war but you guys can. I care so much about you and I can't bear the thought of losing you too."

"Harry…" – Hermione had tears in her eyes.

"Imagine what will I do if I survive the war and have no one to talk to and to be with; and I'll be better off dead. Understand me, I can't do that. I just can't." – Hermione's tears were starting to run down her cheeks. "You're everything I have in this world."

"We want to help you, Harry. We're your friends…" – Hermione said begging.

"I know and that is why you have to let me go. I have to do this alone."

"Oh…Harry!" – Harry stood up and put his arms around Hermione. She laid her head on his shoulders and continued to lay tears as a fierce storm. He petted her on the head and calmed her.

"Hermione, I know…" – Harry said realizing how difficult will be for them to accept his decision. "…I know. I'll miss you too. But…"

"But what?" – Hermione lifted her head and looked him in the eyes.

"You'll come with me to Godric's Hollow then you'll go to Hogwarts, and I will continue on my way." – Harry smiled.

"You'll do that?" – Hermione asked.

"Yes. Please stop crying." – He begged.

Hermione swept away her tears and went straight to the bathroom. Some minutes after Ron came back.

"What's all that for?" – Harry asked him.

"Oh. Nothing special. I wanted to ask Charlie something about the ceremony tomorrow." – Ron answered.

"Oh, ok." – Harry smiled. "Time to sleep."

Ginny and Hermione returned ten minutes later. Hermione looked at Harry and smiled faintly. Harry was satisfied to see that Hermione was back on her senses and he hugged gently Ginny as she came in bed, and Ron did the same.

"Good night, Hermione!" – Ginny wished moving closer to Harry who was sleeping already.

"Good night, Gin!" – Hermione wished back and lied down next to Ron's hot and nicely breathing body, and soon Orpheus caught up with her.