"So everyone goes to class? Even the graduates and the Muggle-borns? But that's dangerous!" Hermione said loudly, her voice echoing off the walls in the empty Room of Requirement the next day.

"More like dropouts in Fred and George's case," Ron added sleepily from his hammock.

"Yeah, they do," Harry replied, ignoring Ron's comment. "The graduates are serving as a helping hand; consider them as the Order of the Phoenix of Hogwarts. As for the Muggle-borns, I think that they feel useless lying around here so they join the other students and tiptoe around the Death Eaters. I've tried to talk them out of it but they are set in their ways."

"They really shouldn't; they're practically asking to be killed!" Hermione exclaimed shrilly.

"Hermione, turn down the octaves, will you? We can hear you just fine," Ron said, peering down at them from the second hammock above the floor. "Besides, if it goes any higher, only dogs will be able to hear you."

Harry laughed as Hermione gave Ron a reproachful look. The Chosen One then hastily turned his laugh into a cough as Hermione turned her glare on him. She grabbed the pillow she was sitting on and threw it at him. Harry caught it and threw it up at an unsuspecting Ron, who had lain back down in his hammock. Harry watched at the pillow landed with a soft thump where Ron's head was and he then heard a muffled "Hey!" The pillow suddenly came hurling back down and Harry threw it across the room.

"Hey! That's mine!" Hermione said.

Ron looked down at them. "I already have a pillow, thanks," he said mildly.

"Then go get it," Harry said teasingly to Hermione. He turned to Ron. "You can never have too many pillows," Harry told him and Hermione got to her feet and crossed the room.

"In a hammock, you can," Ron replied as he climbed down the ladder, most likely thinking that it was probably safer to be on the floor with his friends.

"Says you," Harry said cheerfully, glad to be goofing around with his friends again. Ron grinned as he sat and lightly punched Harry on the arm.

"Can we please focus on what's important? Like that Horcrux?" Hermione snapped at the pair of them in a frustrated tone as she returned to her spot.

"We're just having fun, Hermione," Ron said as he rolled his eyes. "Harry's allowed to enjoy himself a bit after spending a couple of months with Snape."

"Thanks, Ron, but Hermione's right. I want to get rid of this thing as soon as possible," Harry replied, fishing the locket that hung around his neck from his shirt.

"I thought there were bad side-effects to wearing that thing?" Hermione inquired, raising her eyebrows.

"Only if you wear it for too long," Harry assured her. When her skeptical expression did not fade, he sighed and said, "Fine, I'll take it off."

Harry passed the chain over his head and Hermione stuck her hand out. He gave her Slytherin's locket and she examined closely, gliding her fingers across the emeralds.

"Such a beautiful piece and it's so rich with history! It's such a shame that we have to destroy it," Hermione said, disappointment tingeing her voice.

"Hermione, that thing has a pulse," Harry told her flatly.

"I know." Hermione wrinkled her nose in disgust. "I can feel it. This is what's reminding me of what this locket has become."

"A pulse?" Ron repeated in disbelief.

"Want to feel?"

"Keep that thing away from me."

Hermione laughed humorlessly as she gave the locket back to Harry.

"So what's the plan, chief? When are we destroying this thing?" Hermione asked.

"Now." Harry's tone was decisive.

"Now? Here, in the Room of Requirement?" Ron said.

"Yes. Let's take advantage of the empty space and get on with it," Harry replied, placing the locket on the floor.

"Harry's right. Let's do this," Hermione declared, trying to sound confident; Harry could hear the hint of nervousness in her voice.

Ron got to his feet and went to go get the sword of Gryffindor, which was propped up against the wall. He returned with it as Harry stood up and he tried to give the sword to the Chosen One but Harry refused it.

"No," he said, "You should be the one to do it."

"M-Me?"

"Hermione told me how you stood up to Aberforth. If it weren't for you, he wouldn't have let you guys in. It takes a lot of courage to do that."

"I wouldn't call it courage…" Ron mumbled.

"Whatever you want to call it, you've proven that you can get what you want if you keep fighting. So what do you say, Ron?" Harry told him encouragingly.

Ron looked down at the sword in his hands uncertainly then he switched his gaze to Hermione. She gave him a radiant smile and that seemed to have done it: Ron grasped the sword's hilt with both hands and his eyes shone with determination.

"Open it," he told Harry.

"All right, but let me warn you: whatever's in there will most likely put up a fight so stab it before it can do any serious damage," Harry advised him fervently.

Ron nodded and raised the sword over his head. As Harry faced the locket, he heard Ron call his name and he spun back around. Ron motioned him to come closer with his head and Harry complied, wondering what this could be about.

"If that Horcrux attacks Hermione," Ron whispered, "please protect her for me."

"Of course," Harry promised softly. Ron nodded again to show his gratitude and Harry returned to the locket, Hermione watching them anxiously.

"Open," Harry said but the word came out as a low hiss. The lock on the small golden object clicked and something erupted from the locket with such force that it knocked all three teenagers off their feet. Harry and Hermione landed at one end of the room and Ron crashed into the other. Harry shook his head to get rid of the shock and he couldn't believe what he was seeing. He heard Hermione gasp in horror at the sight that was bestowed before them.

An enormous inky black tornado was protruding from the locket and Harry could see in both of the locket's windows Tom Riddle's eyes, the eyes as they were before they were turned scarlet. Hermione seemed to have noticed and she gripped Harry's wrist. He pulled his wrist free and threw his arms protectively around her. As he did so, Harry caught sight of Ron struggling to stand on his feet.

"Ron, stab it!" Harry yelled over Hermione's head.

Ron finally stood up and was going to attack the Horcrux when it suddenly spoke in Voldemort's voice.

I have seen your heart, Ronald Weasley, the Horcrux said in a cold, cruel voice. I have seen it and it is now mine.

"Ron, stab it!" Harry yelled again as he and Hermione watched on, huddled in their corner.

Cared for by a mother who has always craved for a daughter, overshadowed by six brothers who all have made a success out of themselves, the girl you love will always choose your famous best friend over you, the Horcrux sneered.

"It's playing with your emotions, Ron! No matter what it says, don't listen to it!" Harry cried frantically as he watched Ron swallow every word he heard.

As if to confirm Harry's statement, two figures emerged from the tornado and Harry saw with horror that the figures were evil versions of himself and Hermione. The real Hermione let out a small scream at the sight of her doppelganger as the real Harry, despite of himself, studied the two beings. The Voldemort-version of himself had even blacker hair and eyes that were the most brilliant shade of green Harry has ever seen: so green those eyes were that they seemed to glow. Riddle-Harry had a pale and inhumanly flawless complexion that made even the lightening scar on his forehead almost invisible.

Riddle-Hermione was even more beautiful yet incredibly more terrible that the actual Hermione. Her hair was less bushy and shinier, and her complexion was the same as her companion's. Her eyes were so dark that they were almost black and they were sparkling with malice as she and Riddle-Harry slowly advanced on Ron, who was frozen with terror.

Look at him, Riddle-Hermione laughed icily. He can't even have a go at us. Pathetic.

Your mother has admitted that she would much rather have me as a son, Riddle-Harry sneered, gazing at Ron with cruel eyes. She's far more proud of my accomplishments. She's more than willing to trade any day.

"What are they doing to him?" Hermione asked, fear making her voice shake.

"They're pretending to confirm his worse fears," Harry explained. "And I think I know what they're about to do next."

Hermione looked at him questioningly but Harry had returned his attention to Voldemort's creations.

It doesn't matter that I'm dating your younger sister. All I could think about was my reunion with the lovely lady next to me, Riddle-Harry said.

And I kept longing to see you too, Riddle-Hermione purred to her companion. She turned her icy stare back at Ron. Who would ever choose you? What woman would ever choose you over the Chosen One, the Boy Who Lived? You are nothing, nothing, nothing compared to him, she crooned.

Harry glanced at Hermione and saw that her eyes had grown very wide. She caught Harry's eye and she turned to him.

"She's not implying what I think she's implying?" Hermione demanded to know.

"That's exactly it," Harry replied. "Ron! Stab it! NOW!" he yelled, hoping that Ron would respond before the doppelgangers acted on their words.

It was Harry's fear that was now becoming a reality. Riddle-Harry and Riddle-Hermione closed the already small distance between them and they kissed passionately. Harry heard Hermione give a small cry of outrage as they watched themselves pull at each other's clothes, never breaking the kiss. Harry shook his head and looked away from the spectacle with some difficulty as Hermione continued to stare.

"Ron!" Harry cried out. "Ron, that's not real! Hermione and I are over here and I'm keeping her safe like you asked me to not only because she's my friend but because I know how much she means to you! Stab the locket and destroy the illusion!"

Ron turned his head to him and Harry could have sworn he saw a flash of scarlet in his best friend's eyes. The thought was alarming.

"R-Ron?" Harry stammered nervously.

There was a flash of silver and the tornado and the Voldemort-versions of Harry and Hermione vanished, leaving a deafening silence in their wake. Ron collapsed onto his knees and the sword fell out of his hands. Hermione made a move to go to him but Harry stopped her and shook his head. She nodded and let him approach Ron carefully instead. Harry bent down and tentatively put a hand on Ron's back.

"Ron?" Harry asked softly. "Are you all right?"

Ron nodded and looked away but not before Harry caught a glimpse of his eyes. They were completely blue again but they were also wet. Harry knew that Ron would have preferred to have him pretend he had not noticed but Harry was aware that they had to talk it out, no matter how brief the conversation would be and that Harry would most likely be doing all the talking.

Placing himself so that Ron would be blocked from Hermione's view, Harry said, "Ron, look at me."

He saw Ron stiffen at the idea and the ginger slowly shook his head. Harry had expected as much.

"Please, Ron," he pleaded quietly.

Harry sensed his friend's hesitation but he needn't to worry: Ron looked at him, revealing his still-wet eyes, and Harry gave him a kind smile.

"What you saw just now," Harry whispered, "has never happened and it never will happen. That part of You-Know-Who's soul sensed that losing Hermione to me was your greatest fear, even greater that having me replace you in your family, which I don't understand how you could even think that. Anyway, I've always thought that you knew that all there was between me and Hermione was a brother-sister relationship. I love Hermione as a sister and she loves me as a brother. Believe me, there's no competition here, mate. You should have seen the look on her face when she saw 'herself', er, getting intimate with 'me': she found the whole thing rather disturbing."

The corners of Ron's mouth twitched at the last words and he wiped his eyes. Harry was then surprised to hear him speak.

"You – You have so many great accomplishments that go beyond anything anyone's ever done," Ron said softly, his voice trembling slightly. "It's sometimes hard not to think that people would prefer you over –" He broke off, unable to continue.

"What I have done doesn't make me better than you or anyone else. Well, maybe except for You-Know-Who but everyone's better than him," Harry replied, earning a small shaky laugh from Ron. "Being loved because you're famous and for what you do instead of being loved for the person you are is a hassle. Remember Romilda Vane?" Harry continued.

"Don't remind me of her," Ron said, shuddering. Harry chuckled softly.

"Were you still worried about me and Hermione despite what I told you yesterday?" he asked.

"A bit. I understood what you said, I really did! But there was still a small part of me that kept doubting," Ron replied solemnly.

"Hey, that's normal. I didn't expect those feelings to disappear overnight, anyway," Harry assured him.

Ron nodded, looking grateful. Harry picked up the locket's remains and left Ron to compose himself. The Chosen One examined the former Horcrux: both windows had been pierced and Tom Riddle's eyes were gone. Sighing with relief, Harry went over to Hermione, who was shaking so much that she was struggling to get on her feet.

"Thanks," Hermione said as Harry helped her. "Is Ron okay?" she asked worriedly.

"Yeah, he'll be fine," Harry replied.

"Good," Hermione said, relieved. She eyed the destroyed locket in Harry's hand. "So that's it for that one, then?"

"Yes, and thank God. We've only got another three to find."

"Harry? Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"What did you mean about what you said earlier? About you protecting me because you knew how much I meant to Ron?"

Oops, Harry thought as Hermione watched him quizzically. It hadn't occurred to him that she had been listening to his every word. He could simply tell her the answer but he knew that he wasn't the best person to do so.

"I'm not the one who can tell you that, Hermione," Harry replied truthfully.

"What is that supposed mean?" Hermione demanded impatiently. "If I didn't know any better, judging by what that Horcrux did and by what you said, I'd say that Ron is…" She trailed off and gasped. "Harry! Is Ron – Is Ron in love with me?" she said in a hurried whisper.

"Ask him yourself," Harry said, amused by her excitement.

"Oh, but I can't. Unless you think I should," Hermione replied, looking at Harry expectantly.

"Yeah, I think you should," he replied calmly.

"O-Okay, then. Do I look all right?"

"Yes, yes, you look real pretty. Now go."

"Are you being serious or you're just telling me this because you want me to leave?"

"Both."

"Thanks."

Hermione took a deep breath and walked toward Ron. She helped him on his feet and he smiled sheepishly at her. Harry watched the scene with interest, wondering what kind of approach Hermione would take.

"Hey, Hermione," he heard Ron say. "That was some scary stuff, wasn't it?"

"Yes, it was," Hermione replied. "Ron?"

"Yeah?"

Hermione then suddenly threw her arms around Ron's neck and kissed him squarely on the lips. Ron wrapped his arms around her waist and responded with such enthusiasm that Hermione was lifted off her feet.

Talk about the direct approach! Harry thought as he watched his friends sway on the spot, his mouth hanging open. He snapped it shut and cleared his throat awkwardly, mainly to remind Ron and Hermione that he was still there.

The lovebirds broke apart and grinned broadly at each other. Harry decided to wait a bit before intruding.

"How did you know?" Ron asked, almost too softly for Harry to hear.

"I just put two and two together," Hermione replied affectionately. "Ron, you have nothing to worry about concerning Harry and me. He may be the Chosen One but you're the one who stole my heart."

Ron kissed her in turn then he looked at Harry. The Chosen One gave him a nod and mouthed, "I told you so." It was then Hermione's turn to look at Harry and she beckoned him to join them.

"So this is the moment?" Harry asked as he approached them. "Are you guys finally official?"

"Yes," Ron and Hermione chorused.

"Great," Harry said, grinning. He held up the ruined locket. "That's that," he added.

"You said that the diadem and the cup are in the office, right? We need to make a plan on how we'll break in there," Hermione said, detangling herself from Ron.

"Hermione, this is me you're with, remember? Let me tell you exactly what's going to happen: we plan, we get there, all hell breaks loose. When it comes to me, it's inevitable," Harry told her.

"He's right, Hermione," Ron said thoughtfully. "I say we just barge in there and take what we need."

"That's the idea, basically."

"Yes, but –" Hermione bit her lip anxiously.

"If it makes you feel any better, we'll plan a diversion. How's that?" Harry said. "But once we're in, we raid. It'll no longer be about being careful: we'll only have so much time to find what we're looking for and get out."

Hermione still looked doubtful but she seemed to be thinking things over. Then, reluctantly, she finally nodded.

"Good," Harry said, smiling. "Let's get to work."