Thought we'd spend some time with the boys and check on in with them! disclaimer, see chapter 1. Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 4

Harry sat in front of the fire, staring at his hands. He couldn't believe it. Hermione was gone. She just upped and left in the middle of the night. Without telling anyone, or even saying goodbye. He had woken up in the morning, to find her bed empty, and Ron in a foul mood. He saw her note, but that did little to help calm his emotions.

She just left. He always thought she was more loyal than that, but apparently not. He clenched his hands into fists, the anger coursing through him. How could she? How could she just abandon us? She knows how important this is..

Harry turned and looked at Ron. Ron had been taking this incredibly hard. Especially since things didn't work out so well the night before Hermione had mysteriously disappeared. Harry pitied his friend. He knew Ron loved Hermione, and she broke his heart. Ron barely talked, just walked around grunting and throwing things. They knew they needed to talk.

"Ron, come here." Harry said, ignoring the look of annoyance on Ron's face. Ron shuffled over and sat down next to Harry. "Ron, we need to talk."

Ron shifted awkwardly in his seat. "Harry, I don't know what to say."

Harry frowned. "I know, but we need to talk. And we need to figure out what's going on. We need to come up with a game plan."

"Where do you think she went Harry? Her note says not to worry, but that's all I can do! I'm so worried for her safety. She's all I can think about! And I don't even have a clue to where she could have gone."

Harry spoke after a few minutes of silence, "Well, I have no idea where she went. There are literally thousands of places she could have gone to. We just need to hope she's safe, and move on."

Ron shook his head. "I can't let it go. What if she was captured? Or dead? Harry, she could be dead for all we know. Maybe she did abandon us. I just feel so lost without her, ya know? I love her Harry."

Harry patted Ron's shoulder. "I know you do mate."

Ron sniffled. "I tried telling her how I felt. I tried showing her how much I loved her. And she just pushed me away! Like she didn't even want me! I love her, and she just threw my love back in my face. I'm hurt Harry, and I don't know what to do. It isn't like she's here to talk to. I'm alone in trying to sort my feelings out. And it isn't fair."

Harry looked at his friend, trying to figure out how to comfort him. "Things will sort themselves out, you'll see Ron."

Ron clenched his hands into fists. "She abandoned us. She abandoned you, and she abandoned me. I don't know if I want things to work out, oh I don't know. I'm just so confused. But if Hermione wants to be a bitch, then so be it."

Harry sighed, knowing that the Hermione conversation was over. He was torn with his thoughts on her leaving. He knew she must have had a good reason, but the other half of him wasn't so sure. She wasn't one to just do something without really thinking about it. So if she thought about it, why did she not mention it? The whole thing was sketchy. Hermione just leaving in the middle of the night, with no clue as to where she had gone. He shook his head.

Ron finally broke the silence. "So what next Harry? We have the sword, and that counts for something."

Harry thought for a moment. "I'm not sure, but I do want to go to Godric's Hallow. I know it's probably dangerous, but I just feel like it's something I have to do."

Ron nodded in agreement. "I don't think we can avoid it. Besides, we can use the cloak. And we'll be careful."

Harry nodded in agreement, "We'll leave in the morning." Ron nodded too.

The next morning Harry woke up in a heavy sweat. He was nervous, going back to the place where it all began. Godric's Hallow. He shivered. Getting up out of the bed, he went and found Ron already by the fire, cooking breakfast.

Ron turned to Harry. "I'm ready for this."

Harry knew those words meant a lot, and he was grateful. Harry said, "Me too."

The two of them ate quickly in silence before gathering their things. Harry pulled the cloak over the both of them, and grabbing Ron's hand, they apparated. Upon opening their eyes, they found it was snowing. Slowly, they walked down the street, looking for something, anything. They heard some singing coming from a church across the street.

"It must be Christmas Eve," Ron whispered. He couldn't believe they had been searching for Horcruxes that long. He hoped Hermione was safe right now, wherever she was.

Harry seen a cemetery across the street. "Ron, can we?"

Ron nodded, "Of course Harry. We'll find them."

They walked through the cemetery, each looking for the Potter's graves. Ron seen a lot of names that seemed familiar. He felt a stab of pity at every gravestone he saw. How many of these people have died because of Voldemort? He wiped away a few tears that had begun to leak out.

On the other side of the cemetery, Harry was thinking the same thing. Voldemort had destroyed everything that was good in Harry's life, and he was going to make him pay. But how many more would die before Harry stopped him? Thinking about it broke Harry's heart.

Looking at the next gravestone, his heart stopped. "Here lies Lily and James Potter..." he said out loud. Ron came rushing over, stopping in front of the stone. Ron pulled Harry into his arms while they both cried. After a few moments, Harry pulled away. Placing his hand on the stone, he whispered "I love you both, so very much."

Ron shuffled in his feet, "Harry, I think we're being watched." This snapped Harry out of it. They quickly left the graveyard, and starting walking down the street. Ron went to grab Harry's hand to apparate them out of their but Harry shouted, "No!" Confused, Ron looked to him.

Harry was staring at the person who was watching them. "Ron, I know who she is. That's Bathilda Bagshot!"

Ron was confused, "Who?"

"Bathilda Bagshot. She knew Dumbledore. Maybe she knows something that could help us!"

Ron shrugged. "We don't have anything to lose so why not."

They both approached Bagshot, who silently turned around and started walking down the street. They followed her to what must have been her house, walking upstairs. She light a candle and motioned for Harry to follow her upstairs.

"Be careful Harry, something don't feel right." Ron whispered, watching his best friend follow the old lady up the rickety set of stairs. Looking around Ron could feel his adrenaline pumping. Something was definitely off. He clutched the sword in his pocket. Yes, Ron had shrunk the sword and brought it with them, just in case, he told himself.

Harry followed Bagshot into her room, looking around. "Mrs. Bagshot?" He questioned, but received no answer. He noticed a picture on a shelf, and walked over to it. He recognized the boy in it from somewhere, but where! "Mrs. Bagshot, who is this boy?" He asked, but when Harry turned around, he saw the women convulsing.

He screamed when he saw Nagini come out of her mouth, rearing to attack him.

Ron heard Harry scream and pulled out the sword, enlarging it. "Harry!" He shouted, running up the stairs to save his friend.

Harry lunged out of the way of Nagini tried biting him. Scrambling to his feet, he took his wand out, sending curse after curse towards the snake, but to no avail. His scar starting burning. "Ron!" He shouted. "Voldemort is coming! Hurry!" Harry ran down the corridor, the snake chasing after him. Harry saw nothing but darkness as he tried to get away.

As Ron neared the top of the stairs, he saw Harry fly by. Preparing himself, he held the sword up high. As soon as the snake approached, Ron brought the sword down upon it, as hard as he possibly could. Cleaving the snake in half, Ron heard a high pitched shriek pierce the air. Clutching the sword, he ran towards Harry, apparating the two of them out of there, just in the nick of time.

Harry bent over and threw up whatever was in his stomach. Ron laid in the snow, clutching the blood stained sword. They both were breathing heavy, both not believing that they had been feet away from Him, and still escaped. They were lucky today. But who knew how long their luck would last.