Chapter Eight.
Searching In the Wrong Places.

When Harry arrived at Hogwarts the first thing he noticed was how empty it was. Of the Gryffindor's Parvarti, Lavender and Dean had not returned. Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione walked into the great hall, which was almost silent. Harry couldn't remember it ever being this quiet at the start of the year before, he saw the Slytherin table was the one with the least people at it. He then looked over at the teacher's table as he sat down next to Ron at the Gryffindor table. He saw Hagrid who smiled and waved over at them and some of the members of the order, Moody, Tonks, Takard and Shacklebolt. Harry guessed they weren't there for teaching. Harry had to look twice when he saw the person sitting next to Shacklebolt at the end of the table. It was Krum. But why was he here? Harry leant his head towards Ron to see if he'd noticed this.

"Hey Ron, you seen whose on the end of the teacher's table?" Harry asked him. Ron obviously hadn't seen who it was as Harry watched his eyes go down the table and land on Krum. Ron opened his mouth in surprise.

"What's he doing here?" Ron said sounding displeased.

"He's joined the order." Hermione informed them looking at Ron as if she was judging whether he would start an argument over this.

"They'll just let anyone in these days. Dunno what they're playing at really. So does that mean he'll be around here a lot then?" Ron asked still staring at Krum with strong dislike.

"Yes he is, and they aren't just letting anyone in. I for one trust Viktor." Hermione replied bluntly. Ron didn't answer her back although Harry could tell he wanted to. Harry didn't like the sound of this. He didn't have a problem with Krum but had a feeling he could be the subject of an argument between Ron and Hermione. He looked at Ginny who gave him a look that told him she was thinking the same thing. Mcgonagall stood up and the few people that were talking silenced. She gave a small speech which told them they weren't to leave their dormitories after dark and everything else would go on as normal. Isabella Takard was the new potions teacher.

"I thought she was an auror." Ginny said to Harry looking puzzled.

"Yeah…maybe they just couldn't find anyone." Harry guessed. Ron gave a cheer when the plates filled with food as he was complaining he was starving every five minutes while they were flying the car to Hogwarts. After everyone had eaten as much food as they could they went up to the common room. Harry kissed Ginny goodnight and trudged up the stairs to the boy's dormitory feeling exhausted.

On Monday morning at breakfast they were studying their new timetables. Harry saw today he had double Herbology and then Transfiguration. The rest of the day was free periods.

"I forgot we get loads of free periods in the last year!" Ron smiled looking down his timetable shoving bacon in his mouth.

"Well I think we should spend our free time looking in the library." Hermione said. Ron's face fell.

"Looking for what exactly Hermione we know nothing so far." Harry sighed.

"Yes we do, R.A.B." Hermione said quietly so no one could listen in. The three of them walked to Herbology where Harry and Ron went into there own conversation ignoring Hermione's glares and loud sighs. In Transfiguration they were learning non-verbal spells which Harry and Ron had trouble with. At the end Harry remembered he needed to speak to Mcgonagall. Ron said he'd wait for him outside; Hermione however had rushed off as soon as the bell rang. Harry guessed to the library. Harry walked over to Mcgonagall who was sitting at her desk as if waiting for him.

"Professor, can I talk to you for a moment." Harry said nervously hoping this would go well.

"Yes Potter what is it." Harry noticed up close Mcgonagall looked more stressed than usual.

"Well...it's just, the only reason I agreed to come back to Hogwarts was so Ron and Hermione wouldn't be in so much danger..," Harry paused looking for the right words without giving too much away. "I need to be able to leave the school whenever I want with Ron and Hermione. Without anyone noticing, or anyone following us." Harry finished.

"Can you tell me why Potter?"

"I'm sorry professor I can't. I'd promised Professor Dumbledore I wouldn't." Mcgonagall stern look changed into a slight smile.

"I understand Potter. How do you plan to get out of the school?" She asked him.

"Well, we have the car. It won't be a problem." Harry prayed she wouldn't ask him about the car.

"Very well Potter. Just let me know when you need to leave." Harry turned around thinking that was easier than he had expected. He went to tell Ron the good news who was just as surprised as him.

The weeks went by and Ron and Harry barely saw Hermione who went to the library every spare second she had. All the lessons were going well except for Potions. It was obvious Takard didn't know what she was doing. Harry to Hermione's pleasure had stopped using the Half Blood Prince's book for help. He couldn't bear to accept help from Snape. Harry saw on the notice board a Hogsmeade weekend was coming up, Which Harry and Ginny were pleased about, as due to all their homework they hadn't seen each other as much as they had wanted. Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting in the common room during one of their free periods, doing there Potion's essay in their armchairs by the fire, Crookshanks was purring on Hermione's lap. Ron kept looking over at Hermione's but she covered it whenever he did.

"Ron, you need to learn on your own. What use is it if you copy off me?" Hermione said sternly. Ron looked at Harry who smiled at him.

Hermione finished her essay a lot quicker than Ron and Harry and rushed off to the library again. Later on Harry was sitting with Ginny in the same armchair, Ron had gone to the library as he said it was probably the only way he would get to spend time with Hermione the amount of time she spent there lately. Harry kissed Ginny and they broke apart suddenly when Ron came charging in the common room his face red with anger. He looked like he was about to explode.

"Ron what's wrong with you?" Ginny said in alarm.

"She…was in the library with him." Ron spat struggling for breath. Harry was shocked to hear this. He knew the 'him' Ron was talking about was probably Krum, but Hermione had made it clear at the wedding she liked Ron. Unless Ron was jumping to conclusions.

"Ron, are you sure they weren't just studying together or something?" Ginny said. Ron gave Ginny an angry look and stormed up the stairs.

Harry stared after Ron for a few seconds. Hermione couldn't have been actually…with Krum could she?

"You think I should go talk to him?" Harry asked Ginny taking his arm away from her.

"No, let him cool off for a bit. I'm sure he's just made a mistake." Ginny reassured him. Harry hoped Ron had made a mistake, if he hadn't then Ron and Hermione's friendship could be over forever. Harry sat with Ginny for a while longer until Hermione came into the common room; she smiled when she saw them.

"You two still up? Where's Ron?" Harry and Ginny glanced at each other.

"Well..." Harry started awkwardly.

"He went to sleep early, wasn't in a very good mood. Maybe you should just talk to him tomorrow." Ginny finished for him. Harry looked at Ginny confused. Hermione bade them goodnight and went to bed.

"Why didn't you tell her Ron saw her with Krum?" Harry whispered incase Hermione could still hear them.

"I don't think we should get involved, it's for them to talk about. It's not our business." Ginny told him. Harry was slightly relieved; he didn't want to have to talk to Ron or Hermione about their relationship problems.

The next day, which was the day before the Hogsmeade weekend Harry Ron, and Hermione were in charms trying to fly cushions around the room non-verbally. Hardly any of the cushions were moving, except Hermione's, which travelled perfectly across the room. Neville's cushion kept hitting Harry across the head every ten minutes.

"Sorry Harry." Neville apologised for the seventh time. Ron was struggling with all his might to get his cushion to move, his face screwed up in concentration. Harry was finally getting the hang of it but managed to make his cushion fly a few centimetres at a time. Hermione turned to them, after making her cushion fly around the room again. Ron had been unsurprisingly cold with Hermione all day.

"Ron you've got to concentrate." Hermione told him, watching him struggle. Ron glared at her and carried on failing to make his cushion move. When the lesson ended Ron stormed down the corridor not giving Hermione or Harry a second glance.

When the four of them arrived in Hogsmeade, Harry noticed most of the shops were closed. Again due to Voldemort, Harry sighed. It was a cold day and they all walked down to the place they knew would be open, the three broomsticks. Harry got the butterbeers and Ron, Hermione and Ginny sat down. He looked around; it was emptier than it had ever been. But he caught sight of some of the order. He had a strange feeling they were following him. He put the drinks on the table and sat down.

"Cheers Harry." Ron said picking up his glass. Hermione turned to Harry.

"Harry, you and Ginny want to spend some time alone, so me and Ron could go off and meet you back here later." Hermione said hopefully.

"Yeah sure." Harry agreed grinning at Ginny.

"You sure you wouldn't rather go off with someone else." Ron said coldly to Hermione. Hermione stared at him, then at Harry who shook his head as if to say he didn't know what Ron was talking about.

"Ron, what are you talking about?" Hermione asked him hopelessly.

"You, and Krum of course. " Ron looked at her as if it was obvious.

"Ron, when are you going to grow up and realise that Viktor is just a friend?" Hermione said angrily spilling her drink on the table. Ron got up and left with Hermione, they were arguing all the way out of the door. Harry turned his head as he saw Neville coming towards him.

"Harry…this man…he gave this to me and told me it had to be given to you." Neville said holding out a piece of parchment. Harry stared at it for a second and then took it from Neville. He opened it to see what was written.

Harry,
I hope this get's to you. I don't have time now, but sometime next week come and see me. I think i can help you.
Aberforth.

Harry stared at it for a few more seconds. Aberforth...that was Dumbledore's brother. But he'd never met him in his life, what did he want to help him with? Harry looked up to ask Neville what the man looked like but he was gone. "What's it say?" Ginny asked taking the letter from Harry. She read it and looked up at him. "That's weird." Harry and Ginny sat discussing the letter and how he was supposed to find Dumbledore's brother when Ron and Hermione returned. Ron looked as if he was in a much better mood.

Later that day as soon as they returned to Hogwarts Hermione rushed off to the library. Harry had told them both about the letter, and it had meant more to them than it had to Ginny. Harry could tell instantly Hermione thought he wanted to help them with their search for the horcruxes. But how would he know about it? Five minutes later when they had arrived in the common room, Hermione returned looking pleased with herself but a little worried.

"Harry, Ron, I think I know where one of the horcruxes is."