Chapter 5: The Search begins
A/N: Alright the Journey starts in this chapter, I'm going to try and make this a little longer than the last chapter. I was just in a hurry to get it posted, I had taken to much time on that chapter. I don't own anything Harry Potter! I know in the Seventh Book the way to destroy a Horcrux is to damage it beyond repair, but I changed my mind on that and decided to look up some Latin and come up with my own curse. On to the story……
EBC
Harry awoke at five that morning, he didn't feel much like moving. He struggled out of the bed and into the shower, today was going to be an eventful day. He was making a move on the first Horcrux today, also they were starting their training today. Which was why he was up at five in the morning.
Thankfully the others were already waiting in the kitchen for Harry when he came down. After a light Breakfast they trudged up the stairs and into the attic. They all headed for a different piece of machinery, the first thing in the morning was weight training. Harry started out on the weight bench, Ron on the Bo flex Harry had bought, and Hermione and Ginny were on the Treadmills. That way they could get some weight lifting in and some running.
They switched out every fifteen minutes, that way they each got a turn on all the machines, but they got a lot of running in. Next they went trough their basic spell books and practiced spells, also trying to learn the right times to use these spells. After an hour of that they moved on to the Dark Arts.
Harry and the others were reading through the two big books on the Dark Arts, stopping at each curse attempting each one. They didn't really make it that far into the book, but Harry had already learned three new little nasty spells. One was the Debilito Curse, it weakens the enemy to near exhaustion, and can kill if the caster puts enough emotion into it. Another was called Expedio, it frees the soul from the body just like the Dementor's Kiss would. Last but defiantly the most gruesome of the three, the Trucido Curse, it sends a spell shaped like a double axe that cuts right through the opponent.
That was all they had covered during the hour, due to how hard it was to cast such cruel spells. The only reason Harry had excelled was due to the fact he had imagined Snape on the other end of these spells. It had frightened the others at first at how quickly he had picked up the spells, until he told them how he was doing it.
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The next two hours flew by, they made a lot of progress in Advanced Magic before Lunch. They had learned a Dark Arts detection spell that would come in very handy over their travels. It was called the Deprehensio Charm, It would show them if the Dark Arts had been used over a certain radius.
After Lunch they practiced Transfiguration, the next day they would switch that out with Charms. Harry didn't really get anywhere during this practice, he knew he would have to up his skills in Transfiguration.
Finally what Harry had been waiting for, the hour in which they would be practicing Dueling and Battle Strategies. Harry and Ron were going to go at it first, then Ginny and Hermione.
Harry and Ron stood about twenty paces away from each other, and Hermione shouted "GO!"
Instantly Harry shouted out, "Stupefy!"
The jet of red light flew at Ron who cast the Protego Charm, then Ron jumped to the offensive and fired a stunner back. Harry easily deflected it and smiled, he was going to try something he'd learned today.
"Tremo!" Harry said, and the ground around him exploded outward in a circle around him.
Ron fell to the side and yelled "Firmus!" a solid brick wall appeared before Ron and shielded him from the debris and the shockwave.
"Frango!" Harry's spell hit the brick wall and it shattered into little pieces. As soon as the wall shattered Ron fired a stunner and Harry deflected it.
Harry pointed his wand at the floor around Ron's feet and muttered "Glacialis!"
Ice appeared around Ron's feet and immediately he fell and Harry cast a Full Body Bind on him.
Hermione and Ginny burst out in applause, from what they saw Harry and Ron hadn't been fooling around in the lessons they had this morning. Harry released Ron and helped him up, both were covered in sweat and looked exhausted.
Ginny and Hermione's duel was a little faster than Harry's and Ron's, Hermione had just used her head and outsmarted Ginny quickly. Ginny wasn't upset though, she knew she had a lot of catching up to do.
For the rest of the hour they set obstacles about the attic, and charmed some dummies to hide and fire back. The four teens teamed up against six dummies, this would be how they would practice battle strategy.
Harry and the others crept along a low wall and when Harry approached the end of it he turned to the others.
"What's the plan," Harry said, knowing Ron would answer.
"I think we should flank them and get them backed into a corner, then we can just pick them off," Ron said.
So with that the four split up positioning them selves so they flanked the dummies, slowly they pushed forward cornering the dummies.
Harry jumped up when he saw a dummy pop up wand ready to fire, and shouted "Trucido!"
A blue colored double axe head flew threw the air and sliced the dummy in half, "One down!" Harry said.
Ginny took out the next dummy with a well placed Reductor, Ron and Hermione had teamed up on another and took it down.
They managed to take out the rest of the dummies fairly easy, and knew they would have to make their opponents a little more stronger. Harry doubted that the four of them could take out six actual Death Eaters, but they had only begun.
The four of them all had a shower and meet back downstairs in the living-room.
EBC
They had decided that Harry should approach Slughorn alone first, so here Harry was back at Hogwarts. It felt so weird to be back, all the emotions that flooded through him were overwhelming. Harry trudged up to the path that lead to the front doors, he had his Invisibility Cloak wrapped around him so he could slip in and out without being seen. Plus He didn't know what to expect, would anyone even be here? As far as Harry had known the Governor's hadn't even made their minds up. Harry just hoped that Slughorn was there. He slipped through the Main Entrance, it was already slightly open. He headed straight for the Dungeons. Harry went to the Potion's classroom and no one was there, it was eerily silent. Harry went to Slughorn's Office next, and when he came to it the door was already open. Harry peeked in to see Slughorn sitting behind his desk, writing something down. There it was, in a display case behind his desk, the locket shining in the light.
Harry pulled the cloak off, and walked into the room, "Excuse me Professor?"
Slughorn jumped to attention and looked up, "Harry…., Harry m'boy, what do I owe to this surprise?"
Harry shocked at hearing his real name, remembered he hadn't applied the usual glamour charms. It had been a while since someone other than his companions had called him by his real name.
"You've been gone for days, where have you been?" Slughorn asked.
"Oh-uh-I made a trip to my Parents home, in Godric's Hollow," Harry lied quickly.
"Oh, well are you alright?" Slughorn asked, always getting sentimental when Harry brought up his mother.
"Yes, I just needed a little time to gather myself," Harry said looking at the floor.
"Well I believe that's understandable. Have a seat, what brings you to my office this evening?" Slughorn said pointing at the chair across from him.
Harry was lost, he didn't know how to respond to that. He couldn't just say I'm here looking for Horcruxes. Harry thought up a lie quickly.
"I'm just here visiting, Hogwarts has always given me a sense of comfort, it just feels like home to me," Harry replied taking a seat.
Once again Slughorn's eyes softened as he said, "That's not the first time I have heard that, many students have considered this place as their home. It's a shame that Hogwarts might not be opening next year,"
"Yeah it is, kids need there education right now," Harry said.
Harry was thinking quickly, he needed to think of a way to bring up the locket setting behind Professor Slughorn, "That's a nice locket you have their, that isn't the original is it?" Harry asked, holding his breath.
Slughorns's eyes shone with pride as he replied, "Yes it is Harry m'boy, here you can have a look at it,"
He passed the locket over to Harry and as soon as he took it the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. This was defiantly the Horcrux. Harry could feel the evil soul inside it. The real locket was much heavier than the fake. Harry was formulating a plan in his mind, at first he didn't want to use force, but after seeing Slughorn's expression when he had asked about it, he knew that the Slytherin would never part ways with this treasure.
Harry slipped his hand into his pocket and grabbed his wand, "Stupefy!"
Slughorn crumpled to the floor and Harry placed the real locket in his robe pocket. He placed the fake locket into the display case, and closed it. Struggling with the effort He pulled Slughorn back into his chair, quietly Harry cast the memory charm. He made Slughorn forget that he even visited at all. He placed the Professor with his head on the desk as if he had fallen asleep working.
Harry walked from the room and tossed the Invisibility Cloak over himself, turning and reviving the Potions teacher. Harry watched to make sure his memory charm had worked.
Slughorn awoke and glanced around, "Must have nodded off,"
With that Harry turned and rushed from the dungeons, he wanted to get back quickly.
EBC
Harry had to floo from the Three Broomsticks, it really was getting annoying not being able to apparate. Harry's birthday had passed a couple nights ago and the others hadn't said anything to him yet. He had thought they had totally forgotten, but they had been real busy. He was surprised when he walked out of the fireplace and the kitchen was decorated. 'Happy Birthday' was spelled out on a banner that hung across the ceiling
"HAPPY BIRHTDAY!!" Ron, Hermione, and Ginny shouted.
Harry was rushed by Ginny as she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. "Thanks you guys, this is great," Harry replied looking around.
"So how did it go?" Ron asked.
"I got it!" Harry said pulling the locket from his robes grinning.
"One down," Ron said grinning back.
"You thought we had forgotten about your Birthday didn't you?" Hermione asked amused.
"No we were just busy, I wasn't to worried about it," Harry said blushing.
Harry opened his presents, Hermione had gotten him a wand holster, which he strapped to his wrist immediately applying his wand to it. Ron had gotten him a bottle of Firewhiskey, and Ginny had gotten him a sterling sliver rope chain, with a pendant of the Gryffindor Lion.
Harry spent the rest of his night celebrating his birthday, and the fact that he had gotten something done finally. The teens forgot about Horcuxes and Voldemort, as they sipped on Harry's bottle of Firewhiskey. It took some talking to get Hermione to join in, but finally she joined in.
The four of them passed out in the living room. Harry was at the edge of the coach with Ginny curled up beside him, Ron and Hermione practically the same way on the other side of the couch.
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Harry and the others got up a little late the next morning but they still worked out and trained like the day before. They were all sore already, but they struggled through the day and ended up in the living room again.
Hermione was reading the book on Dark Rituals, when she called out, "I've got it!"
The others looked at Hermione, "I found the pages devoted to Horcruxes! It says here that the way to destroy the Horcrux is to cast the spell below to separate the soul from the object. Once the piece of soul has been split from the object it will dissipate and perish. The enchantment is 'Scindo vulnero exitium', the spell requires a lot of energy, but I think we can manage it," She said looking up from the book.
"Well lets give it a shot," Harry said placing the Horcrux on the hearth of the fireplace.
Harry looked over the enchantment one more time and pointed his wand at the Locket, "Scindo vulnero exitium!"
A bright jet of white light erupted from Harry's wand and it crashed into the Horcrux, the locket started trembling as the light got brighter and brighter. Finally a high pitched scream filled the room, the light disappeared, and the locket lay on the hearth black and scorched. The room's temperature dropped as a image of a younger Voldemort appeared from the locket, it looked kind of like a cloud of smoke. It faded away quickly, and everything was silent.
Harry was looking at the locket, and all of a sudden he felt woozy. Harry fell to the floor with a crash, Ron rushed over to him.
"Harry!" Hermione squealed, running towards Harry's limp form.
"He's still got a pulse, lets get him up to his room," Hermione said as Ron lifted Harry up.
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Harry awoke and his whole body felt like it was on fire, he was so sore. Harry looked over to find Ron and Hermione clinging together on the couch in his room. Ginny was curled up in an armchair right beside the bed. They were asleep, Harry looked up at the ceiling. He hadn't really given any thought to his standings with Ginny relationship wise. He hadn't really wanted to bring Ginny with them, but now that she was here and in harm's way, He decided that he shouldn't keep leading her on. He needed to talk to her badly, tell her how he really felt for her. Harry slowly drifted back to sleep thinking about what he needed to say.
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The Sun was the next thing to awake Harry, he tried to roll over and go back to sleep but it was no use. He rolled over onto his back and opened his eyes.
"You really gave us a scare there Harry," came Ginny's voice from beside the bed. Harry tried to sit up but couldn't, his body felt like lead.
"Harry you just need to lay back, that spell was too much for you. It left you drained, and I know you wont like hearing this, but you just need to rest and not use magic for a couple more days," Hermione said.
"How long was I out," Harry rasped.
"About two days," came Ron's voice.
"Have I missed anything?" Harry asked as Ginny handed him some water.
"Not much, just an article in the paper about how the Wizarding World's Savoir is still missing," said Ron.
"So Voldemort hasn't made any movement?" Harry asked.
"Well we don't think so, there's been nothing in the papers," said Hermione.
"But the Ministry could be leaning on the paper," said Ron.
"I really wish we could talk to the Order and see what's going on," said Harry.
"I wouldn't mind talking to Mom and Dad," Ginny said with a worried expression.
"Don't worry Gin, Mom and Dad are fine," Ron replied looking just as bad.
"We could make a visit," Harry said smiling.
"What about staying out of the public eye?" Hermione said.
"Well we don't have to go anywhere near the public, plus I need to speak with Remus," Harry replied.
"About what?" asked Ron.
"Well since we destroyed the locket, we need to start looking for the other Horcruxes. I want to ask Remus where Godric's Hollow is, I think we might get some answers there," Harry said thoughtfully.
"Ok well when do you want to make this visit?" asked Ginny suddenly excited.
"We should wait until your better Harry," Hermione said.
"Hermione read that it could take three-to-four days to recover from magical exhaustion," Ron said.
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Over the next four days, Harry was walking around the house with a cane that Hermione and Ginny had picked out for him at a local shop. He hated walking with a cane, he felt so vulnerable. He was feeling much better the day before they were to set out for the Burrow. He had to still use the cane though, his body was still very sore and worn out. Harry went to bed that night quickly just like the last four nights, he hadn't even had a nightmare.
Ron was the one to wake him up, "Come on Harry! Are you going to sleep all day?"
"I'm up, I'm up!" Harry replied in a raspy voice.
Harry met the others downstairs after he had got ready and they went to the living room, where Hermione had set up a portkey to take them to the Burrow.
Hermione grabbed a pair of pliers off the table and held it out to the others. The three of them pressed a finger to it and Hermione activated it with the tap of a wand. Harry felt the jerk behind his navel as he spun around and around and finally crashed into the ground, Hermione was the only one standing.
Harry saw the horrified expression on Hermione's face and stood up, He turned around to face the Burrow but all that remained was charred wood. Only three stories still stood, and trash littered the ground.
Harry looked over at Ron and Ginny, and they were just standing there looking at what use to be their home. Guilt filled Harry's heart as tears filled Ginny's eyes. He had done it again, ruined someone else's life. He dropped down to his knee's and screamed………..
EBC
Well that's chapter five, thanks to all the people who have added this to their story alerts! I really appreciate it! Please tell me what you think, but don't be too harsh. I know that Harry got this Horcrux with ease, but the other ones will be much harder to get too. The action starts soon I promise!
EBCHPfan16
