Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter; it was created by the brilliant Jo Rowling. Some content was taken from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Chapters – Eighteen: The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore and Chapter Nineteen: The Silver Doe

Note: I must apologies profusely to all my readers out there! I do realize that I haven't updated since end of January/beginning of February. My classes for the second term were much more demanding. Instead of one mid-term for each class I had two, and then finals were right around the corner. I am happy to note that I am finished with school and have welcomed with open arms the commencement of the summer vacation. I will be going to my favourite place in the world, Turkey in a little over a month, but I'll still be able to write and update more chapters. Now that I havet finished with finals I will be able to update much more within a week or even a couple of days (my super quick updates). Again I am deeply sorry, and have missed divulging in the world of Harry Potter these past weeks. Funny story actually, in my English class we did a werewolf analysis on Remus for and had to read the Prisoner of Azkaban. Even funnier, one of our essay questions on the final was actually Harry Potter related. So I can actually say that I wrote about Harry Potter on one of my finals in University!

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"You are Potter?"

"Yes...yes I am. Erm...have you got anything for me?"

"Over here," she whispered, pointing to the corner of the bedroom. felt the beating of the locket upon his chest. "What is it?"

"There,"

Harry gasped in horror as he saw the old body collapsing and the great snake pouring from her neck from the corner of his eye

"Harry?"

He couldn't talk, his lungs were deteriorating. "Hermione! We have to get out of here, he's coming!"

Pain, bright light and quick movements was all Harry could sense. He was flying in the air, being manoeuvred by some concealed force. He could feel Hermione's hot and quickened breath on his face as she surveyed him.

"I can't believe how stupid we are, Harry. We have to find Sirius and Remus and get out of here. Hang on; you're going to be okay."

Hermione's voice was shaking. Harry tried to speak but his voice was lost. His scar was searing with immense pain and it took great effort from him to make sense of her spoken words. Harry could hear her hasty steps. She must have been sprinting. He could feel the anticipation in Voldemort. He's so close now. Too close. They have to get away.

"Hermione, what happened...?"

Harry recognized the frightful voice to be that of his Godfather's. It was too dark and his vision was glazed over. The pain was surfacing, pulsating all over. It was getting harder to hold on to his strength of mind. He's getting closer...

"Sirius we have to go now! He's coming! Voldemort's coming!"

Silence, and then somewhere within the darkness a deep growl could be heard. Harry heard Hermione shriek.

"No!"

There was a sudden flash of light followed by a pop and then two different pairs of growls clashed and formed an orchestra of rumble. Something hit him on his left side and he felt the ground hitting him roughly below. The fall escalated his already immense pain as something toppled on top of him. It was Hermione. He made a low hiss sound as his insides began to throb. His surroundings were beginning to blur of out proportion. It was getting more difficult to hold on.

"Harry, can you hear me?"

"Expelliarmus!"

"AVADA KEDAVRA"

"WATCH OUT!"

With a swift pop came a horrified cry. "REMUS!" But Harry paid no strand of thought as to acquire who shouted, for it was already over. He has finally arrived. They were all doomed. He needs more time to find and destroy the remaining horcruxes. His body was on fire; his bones were sizzling with pain. It's all over. Harry began letting go of his strength of mind and began drifting towards the darkness. He could hear distant cries coming from somewhere a mist.

"SIRIUS, WE HAVE TO GO NOW!"

"HOLD ON TO ME! WRAP YOUR ARM AROUND HARRY'S WAIST!"

Just before Harry let go, he didn't miss the swirling sensation of spinning profusely around and about before the darkness consumed him.

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James Potter came sprinting into the hall, he had not even picked up his wand. It was too easy.

'Lily, take Harry and go! It's him! Go! Run! I'll hold him off-'

How was he supposed to hold him off, without a wand?

'Avada Kedavra!'

Green light filled the hallway, and James Potter fell like a marionette whose strings had just been cut. A woman was screaming from the upper floor, trapped but none of that mattered. As long as she was sensible she had nothing to fear. Climbing the stairs, he heard the woman's attempts in trying to barricade herself...he found it amusing. The woman had no wand upon her either. How stupid they both were, for being so trusting and thinking that their safety lay in friends.

He forced the door open, and finally spotted her with the child in her arms. At the sight of him Lily Potter dropped her son into the cot behind her and threw her arms wide. She was shielding him from sight.

'Not Harry, not Harry, please not Harry!'

'Stand aside, you silly girl...stand aside, now!'

'Not Harry, please no, take me, kill me instead-'

'This is my last warning-'

'Not Harry! Please...have mercy...have mercy...Not Harry! Not Harry! Please – I'll do anything - '

'Stand aside - stand aside, girl-'

He was more anxious to finish them all then to show any signs of mercy. The green light flashed around the room and Lily Potter dropped to the floor like her husband. The child was silent, standing whilst clutching the bars of his cot. He looked up straight into the intruder's face, with slight interest. The intruder pointed his wand very carefully into the boy's face. The child immediately started to cry, sensing hostility.

He did not like it crying, he could never handle the whining of the little ones at the orphanage.

'Avada Kedavra!'

And then he broke: he was nothing but the pain.

"No," he moaned

The snake rustled on the filthy floor and had killed the boy.

"No..."

"Harry, it's all right, you're all right!"

Now he stood down and picked up the smashed photograph. There he was, the mysterious thief that he was seeking.

"No...I dropped it...no."

"Harry, it's OK, wake up, wake up! Harry, can you hear me?"

Harry blinked copiously for some time until his hazy vision became somewhat apparent. He gently raised his hands to his face realizing that he wasn't wearing his glasses. Hermione immediately grabbed them from her right side pocket, and gently placed it on his face as Harry's hands settled to his sides. He starred at Hermione for a moment before looking over her to survey their surroundings. He couldn't recognize it. It was a small squared shape room, the lights were dimly lit and there were dark turquoise curtains that hung from the long windows. Harry looked back at Hermione who seemed slightly troubled, however relieved at the same time.

"Were safe, for the time being." She looked around the room before facing her fallen friend, "Were in a muggle motel. You've been in and out of it for nearly a day, Harry. Sirius and I have been so worried. As soon as you feel better we're going to head out. It's best not to stay in one place for too long."

Harry slowly tried to sit up, but the aches that were deep within twinged immediately. Hermione placed her hands gently on his chest. "Easy there Harry, you're in no condition to be moving."

Harry grimaced as he cleared his throat, "Hermione..." he coughed trying to rid the scratchiness from his hoarse voice, "what happened? Bathilda...the snake and then Vol...How did we escape? He was right there, I sensed him...I felt him."

Hermione slightly paled, "It was horrible. We couldn't just Apparate after jumping out the window; we had to warn Sirius and Re- Remus. I performed a Hover Charm and ran beside you back to the protective barrier in the woodland. I met Sirius at the outing of the barrier, told him what happened when Remus appeared behind me in his werewolf form."

"What?"

Harry totally forgot about that night being the full moon. He firmly closed his eyes and shook his head in disbelief. "Then what happened?"

Hermione sighed loudly, and paused briefly before answering, "It all happened so fast. Sirius immediately transformed and tackled Remus to the ground before he jumped on the both of us. The fight was held up a moment as spells were being fired behind from us."

Harry was about to enquire who when he realized he already knew the answer. Voldemort and his Death Eaters had arrived of course. They were so close.

"I could see him, Harry. He was so close."Harry noticed her back stiffening before continuing, "And then a spell hit Remus and..."

"Is he okay?"

Harry could see her eyes softened up to some extent. His pulse began speeding up, "Don't tell me that..."

"I could see him Harry; we had to get out of there. There wasn't enough time. Remus was too far when Sirius grabbed us...and then we Apparated out of there..."

"You mean you guys just left him? You left Remus there with them, with..."

"It's not like that Harry. He was hit and flew several meters away from us. Death Eaters were within close grasp to us, Vol- You – Know –Who was within a feet of us." Hermione said in a higher tone then she was using before. The tears that had emitted from her eyes began to fall.

"It killed Sirius to leave him, but everything happened so quickly Harry. He was so close to us, and..."

"Where is he? Where is Sirius?" Harry asked and looked over her shoulder, realizing that they were alone.

"He went to get some more supplies."

Harry was at a loss for words. He couldn't grasp the fact of the events that occurred all at a time when he was immobile, but rather trapped in his own pain-filled body. His heart felt heavy when he thought about Remus.

"Hermione...about Remus, he's not..." He couldn't say it. He couldn't voice the word dead in relation with Remus Lupin. Hermione seemed to understand. She simply shrugged her shoulders, giving him a helpless look.

"Honestly, we don't know. The Killing Curse and a Stunning Charm were both cast at the same time. We didn't see which one hit Remus. We didn't have time to check."

"Okay," started Harry, "so there's still hope then. We should go back to Godric's Hollow and search for him." Harry paused and carefully glanced at Hermione, "how's Sirius?'

Hermione shook her head, "Not good. A part from worrying over you, I mean...we nearly lost you Harry. You've been ill, quite ill. You've been shouting and moaning and...things." She added in a tone that made Harry feel uneasy. "Sirius is a wreck," she went on, "He hasn't spoken much and the times he does speak he often doesn't make any sense in his words." There was a brief pause when Harry sighed loudly,

"We shouldn't have gone to Godric's Hollow. It's all my fault Hermione, I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. I wanted to go too; I thought for sure that Dumbledore might have left the sword there for you or something to help us out."

At the sounds coming from the other side of the door, Hermione stopped talking at once. They both looked over in direction of the door in the back of the room as a hunched over figure, with his head bent down slowly opened the door, crept by and then closed it quietly behind him. With a loud sigh, he raised his head and dropped the bags that were in his hands at the sight of the two pairs of eyes staring at him in question. In a swift movement he treaded across the room, and was immediately at his Godson's side.

"Harry," Sirius gently grasped Harry's hand and with the other rubbed his own forehand in relief. "Oh I was so worried, Harry. How are you feeling?"

Harry noted the sorrow in his Godfather's voice. His eyes were puffy and stuck out due to the incredibly large bags underneath them. "I'm okay...a little sore."

Harry exchanged a brief look with Hermione who nodded her head in understanding and stood up immediately to give them some space. Harry shifted his gaze back to his Godfather. "How are you doing?" Sirius didn't answer him. Instead he grabbed the bags and began going through things he had brought with him.

"Listen Sirius," Harry began, resulting Sirius to stop rumbling things over in one of the bag's immediately. "You know there's still hope for..."

"I can't think about that now, Harry." Sirius interrupted hastily. "Not now..." Harry didn't miss the shake in his voice.

"It's not your fault..."

"Harry, please...I haven't asked anything of you. I can't discuss this, do you understand me?"

Harry was about to say something when Sirius cut him off again, "Do you think that you can handle some food in your system? We need you to regain your strength immediately and..."

"Sirius, there's still hope for Remus. We don't know that he's dead...we can't just leave him there!" Harry said in a very controlled voice. Sirius' hands began to shake as he stood up simultaneously. The contents that were in the bag fell on the floor.

"It's too dangerous, don't you get it? They already knew you would go there...He was so close to us, never in my life did I ever see him." Harry knew Sirius meant Voldemort. "We can never go back there, never...and Remus, he's gone Harry."

Harry's eyes broadened, "But we don't know that...he could have been hit a Stunner..."

"He's gone, Harry. Even if he was hit by a Stunning Charm, I left him. I left him there...they'd kill him..." Sirius was talking as if every word brought to him immense agony. Harry's heart felt heavy again as he watched his Godfather losing control of his composure. He refused to believe that Remus was gone. He couldn't see how Sirius had no hope for his friend. Harry began shaking his head,

"Sirius, Remus was in his werewolf form and who knows, maybe..."

"I left him, Harry...there's no hope...it all happened so fast. Remus was too far from us. They were quickly approaching. You were in a trance state, blood everywhere. I couldn't protect Remus from them in my Animagus form. But I had to transform into Padfoot in order to keep you and Hermione safe. Remus was already hit when I transformed back..." Sirius, who was looking at the floor, slowly looked at his Godson. "I had to get you of there. If something happened to you Harry, not only could I not bare it but..." He paused again briefly, before exhaling loudly, "The reason all my friends died would have been for nothing..."

"But Remus..."

"That's enough, Harry." Sirius said roughly. Harry couldn't recall another time when he heard Sirius address him like that. "I don't regret my actions...I do believe that if Remus were in my position, he would have done the same thing...now please, let's not talk about this. It's too hard. The loss is still to new." Sirius was no longer shaking, but his face revealed all to Harry who nodded solemnly at his Godfather's request,

"Okay Sirius. I won't bring it up again."

The tension that was hovering around Sirius' shoulder loosened as he once again sat down upon the bed beside Harry. Sighing loudly, he stared at his Godson and smiled slightly. Harry raised his eye brow. "What?"

Sirius shook his head fervently, "It's nothing, just...you remind me so much of your parents, both of them. You have the temper of your father when he tries to convince someone and you have your mother's patience...well, to some extent anyways."

Harry stared back at Sirius with no trace of a smile or anything to his comment. The images of Voldemort walking through Godric Hollow filled his mind. He had completely forgotten about what he had seen before he regained consciousness. He felt a gentle squeeze on his shoulder. Sirius was looking at him worriedly. "What's wrong?"

Harry shook his head, "It's nothing, Sirius...I um saw the events that took place the night I lost both my parents."

Sirius' eyes widened in surprise, "What did you say?"

Harry grimaced, "I don't know if it was a dream or vision...but I saw it when I was unconscious. It was so clear and vivid. It wasn't like the times when a Dementor is near me...it was much worst." He paused, looking up at his Godfather who paled. "I saw my dad being hit with the Killing Curse, and fall to ground just like that. He didn't have his wand with him."

Sirius closed his eyes firmly, shaking his head, "I told James that he would be so safe that he wouldn't have to walk around with his wand all the time...if only I had known that Peter..." Sirius opened his eyes and Harry could see the torment that controlled them. "I'm so sorry, Harry...for everything."

"Sirius,"

"No...James and Remus, I just..."

"Sirius, please don't do this. Listen, in my dream or vision or whatever it was... I was looking in from the eyes of Voldemort. I was Voldemort."

Sirius was at a loss for words as he stared down at his Godson with horror. Before he could say anything...

"Sirius, two hooded figures just Apparated outside the motel."

Sirius looked over to Hermione who was standing beside the window, peaking beyond the curtains. Immediately both of them took into action, grabbed any of their possessions that lay on the floor before Harry made any attempts in trying to get up.

"Hermione, have you gotten everything?"

"Yes,"

"Okay, let's go!"

They both ran to Harry's side. Hermione grabbed Harry's waist roughly, as Sirius held Harry's wrist and squeezed. Harry didn't even have to enquire to what they were doing, when a familiar swirling sensation took flight in his stomach and the cramped motel room vanished from sight. They were back in the woods.

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Harry sat down in the tent entrance and took a deep breath of clean air staring at the vastness of the forest. They were in the same woods where Ted Tonks crossed paths with Dean Thomas, and was also somewhere Hermione went camping once with her parents. Sirius and Hermione had planned on coming here once Harry was on the mend.

He was alone, both Sirius and Hermione were fast asleep inside the tent. Harry was relieved to have some time to think to himself. Sirius, who has been worrying over him for the past few days, refused to leave Harry's side even though Harry started regaining his strength and was healing from the snake's puncture wound. Sirius hadn't slept since the night of their close escape from Godric's Hollow. Just a few hours ago, Sirius had literally collapsed as exhaustion took consumption.

A lot of information has been digested over ever since their arrival back in the woodland. Hermione tearfully recounted her view of what happened when she rushed upstairs back at Bathilda's household and how it resulted to Harry's holly and phoenix wand to be nearly severed in two. Despite performing the Reparo spell, a spell to mend broken objects, once a wand has been meddled with or broken it never is truly the same. Due to this revelation, Harry's senses were spiked by the calamity of losing his wand. That wasn't the only reason that Harry was left with this feelings of apprehension. Hermione enlightened both Sirius and Harry that she took the copy of The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore after Harry had told her about the thief in his dream and that recognizing the man in a picture at Bathilda's house

"It was sitting in Bathilda's sitting room, just lying there." She claims when they asked how she got it.

Harry's annoyances with Dumbledore only grew as they went through some of the information in Rita Skeeter's book. First shock was the discovery of the thief's identity being that of Gellert Grindelwald. Even though Sirius didn't see the connections with Harry's theories to their mission and defeating the Horcruxes, he was patient and took into consideration his Godson's premises. Second shock was that of Dumbledore's family history.

The Dumbledores originally lived in Mould-on-the-Wold, but moved to Godric's Hollow after Dumbledore's father, Percival Dumbledore was sent to Azkaban for attacking Muggles for the traumatizing attack on his daughter, Ariana. There was a lot of gossip on their family since Ariana was rarely seen. She was mentally stable and killed her mother accidently at the age of fourteen. A three way duel between both Dumbledore brothers and Gellert Grindelwald resulted to Ariana's death. Apparently a fist fight broke out at Ariana's funeral between her older brothers, both who were extremely haunted by her death. Harry, Hermione and Sirius read the chapter about Dumbledore and Grindelwald friendship and their fight for the "Greater Good".

Harry didn't know what to think of Dumbledore's past.

"Harry don't forget this is Rita Skeeter writing..." Hermione reminded Harry for the third time, but he was still fuming over his formal Headmaster's past. Harry, who was lying on the floor snapped his head at his Godfather,

"Sirius, did you know any of this?"

"No Harry, I'm just as surprised as you."

"He changed, Harry, he changed! It's as simple as that! Okay so let's say he did believe in those things when he was seventeen but the whole rest of his life was devoted to fighting the Dark Arts! Dumbledore fought against Grindelwald! He caught him and sent him to Nurmengard, the prison!" Hermione shouted.

Harry looked at Sirius for some assurance. Sirius simply shook his head, "Don't look at me Harry, you know my thoughts and feelings about Dumbledore."

"You're not helping, Sirius...oh come on Harry!" Hermione was losing her temper, "The only reason you're so angry is that Dumbledore never told you any of this himself. About his family, living in Godric's Hollow...all of it!"

"Maybe I am!" Harry bellowed.

He shook his head at images of yesterday's revelations. He touched the Horcrux that hung around his neck. Hermione had told him that after the attack at Godric's Hollow that she and Sirius couldn't get the Horcrux off of him. It was stuck on his chest, leaving a mark. They had to put a Severing Charm to get it away. Harry's senses seemed more alert than usual. It wasn't just because of his lack of wand but to the thought on how the Death Eaters were able to locate the three of them back at the motel.

Sirius too was deeply disturbed by this. He recalled the attempts of the Death Eaters back at Grimmauld Place before the Fidelus Charm was breached, on how they had located them. Back then he thought it was probably because Snape told them about their formal location of the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, but if that was the case they would have been able to get inside before Ron fell off the pavement revealing the secret entrance, that lead to the infringement of its location.

A bright silver light appeared right ahead of him, moving through the trees brought Harry out of his meddled thoughts. The light seemed to drift towards him. Harry immediately jumped to his feet and raised Hermione's wand. He was thankful that he decided to take it as a precaution when he went to sit outside of the tent. And then the light stepped out from behind the trees and Harry recognized it to be a silver white doe. He stared at the creature in awe at its moon bright and dazzling appearance. After several moments of both Harry and the doe gazing at each other, the doe stepped back and turned around.

"No, come back!" Harry shouted. He set off in pursuit, ignoring the caution that murmured in his instinct. Deeper and deeper into the forest the doe led him until she vanished.

"Lumos!" he whispered as fear erupted inside of him. Was this a trick? Had this doe led him to some sort of ambush? And then, suddenly something gleamed in the light of his wand and Harry spun around. There was nothing behind him to fear. Nothing, but a small, frozen pool that contained many cracks. He moved forwards cautiously, looking down until something glint caught his eyes. His heart rate quickened as he dropped to his knees at the pool's edge in shock. He raised Hermione's wand, angled it to flood the bottom of the pool as much light as possible.

"No way," he breathed.

Down, lying at the bottom of the forest pool was the sword of Gryffindor. How was this possible? Maybe some unknown magic had flawed Hermione to remember this place and suggest it to Sirius as a hideout. How else could the sword be here?

"Accio sword!" But it did not stir. Harry let out a long sigh, he quickly glanced around and was convinced that he was alone and that nobody was going to attack him. Anxiously, Harry started to remove his many layers of clothing. Finally as he stood there in his underwear, he raised Hermione's wand once again and pointed it to the frozen pool.

"Diffindo."

The surface of the pool broke and Harry was able to enter it with no problems. It wasn't deep, but Harry's teeth began chattering. The air in his lungs seemed frozen as his torso touched the ice cold water. "I have to do it," he said to himself. He remembered something Dumbledore once told him back in his second year, "Only a true Gryffindor could have pulled that out of the Hat."

Finally, he dived. The cold was unbearable, as he pushed through the dark water to the bottom and reached out, trying to grab the sword. He felt his fingers close around the hilt when all of a sudden something closed around his neck. Harry realized it was the Horcrux. It had tightened and was slowly constricting his air way. He was thrashing wildly, choking under the under water. He tried to loosen the chain around his neck but wasn't successful. Something had grabbed his waist but he paid it no attention as he saw light popping inside his head. He was going to drown.

Freezing and retching, colder than he had ever been, Harry realized that he was face down into the snow. He felt someone panting and coughing beside him. It must have been Sirius, or maybe Hermione. They must have heard him, or perhaps woken up and realized that he was missing and searched the forest for him until they found him nearly drowning in the pool. He reached for the Horcrux around his neck but it was gone. Someone had cut him free. Then in the silence came a panting voice, "Are you mental, Harry?"

Harry was in shock. With an impulsive strength, he staggered to his feet and there before him stood his best friend, Ronald Weasley. Harry couldn't believe it.

"Why didn't you take this thing off before you dived in?" Ron said, holding the chained locket in his hand, and in the other he clutched the sword of Gryffindor. "Here," he said raising the sword for Harry's inspection, "I supposed it's the reason you dived in?"

"Ron...it was you? What are you doing here? How did you find us?" Harry said through his chattering teeth. "Did you cast that doe?"

"You mean it wasn't you?" Ron asked in confusion, "I thought it was you doing it, but I did think it looked different...no antlers and all."

Harry continued to stare, until he began pulling on some sweaters and placed Hermione's wand in one of the pants' pockets he had just put on. "Ron," he said once he was fully clothed, "What are you doing here?"

Ron was looking down at his feet, "I've come back..."

"But I don't understand...how did you find us?" Harry asked, still having trouble believing that Ron was standing before him.

"Long story...I've been looking for you guys for days. How's Hermione?" Ron asked, looking at his hands now.

"She's fine...she's with Sirius in the tent."

Ron raised his head, "You guys found Sirius and Remus?"

At the mention of Remus' name, Harry felt his heart twinge with grief. There was still hope for him, but the chances were slim to none.

"Harry," Ron was surveying him worriedly, "something wrong?"

"Like you said, long story..."

Ron was still clutching the sword when he thought it would be best to hand it over to Harry. Harry took it carefully, still staring at Ron in disbelief. "So how did the sword get in that pool d'you suppose?"

"Whoever cast the Patronus must have put it there." Harry said, inspecting the sword again but now in his hands. Ron too looked at the ornate silver sword, glinting in Harry's hand.

"You reckon it's the real one?" asked Ron. Harry sighed,

"Well, I guess there's only one way to find out. Come here," he said as he led the way to a flattish rock lying in the shadow of an oak tree. Harry held out his hand for the Horcrux, and when Ron gave to him he Harry in exchange gave him back the sword. Ron looked at him in query, "Erm Harry..."

"You should do it; you got the sword out of the pool. I think it's supposed to be you, Ron."

Ron was at a loss of words as he shakily held the sword. "I'm going to open it, and then you stab it right away...got it?"

Ron nodded, "How...how are you going to open it?" Ron asked, looking terrified.

"I'm going to ask it to open, using Parseltongue." The answer came so fast to his lips that he thought that it had laid always in the back of his mind.

"Tell me when..."

Harry nodded, looking back down at the locket and narrowing his eyes, concentrating on the letter 'S' that was imprinted upon it.

"You can do it...okay, one...two...three...open!"

At the hiss and a snarl that came from Harry, the locket's tiny doors swung open. Inside the locket was a living eye, resembling that of the eye of Tom Riddle. A voice hissed from the locket.

'I have seen your dreams, Ronald Weasley, and I have seen your fears. All you desire is possible, but all you dear is also possible.'

"Stab it Ron!" Harry shouted.

'Least loved, always, by the mother who craved a daughter...least loved by the girl who prefers your friend...always overshadowed. Why did you return?

Ron yelled in surprise as the figures of Harry and Hermione emerged from the locket. 'You are nothing, nothing, nothing compared to Harry.' Said the crooned Riddle-Hermione.

"Do it Ron!"

At that, Ron plunged the sword into the locket. Harry threw himself out of the way at the loud clang of metal. The horrible versions of himself and Hermione had vanished. Harry slowly got off the ground, and saw Ron standing by the rock with the sword held slackly in his hand. He was looking down upon the shattered remains of the locket. Harry slowly approached him not knowing what to say. Harry took a step back in surprise as Ron dropped the sword and fell on his knees and began shaking, not due to the cold.

"After you left, she was a mess...cried often. She's like a sister to me, Ron. I love her like a sister and I know she feels the same way about me. It's always been that way; I thought you knew...I'm sorry." Harry said as he walked up from behind his fallen friend and placed a hand on his shoulder, gently squeezing. After a few moments Ron staggered to his feet, turned around to face Harry, his eyes bloodshot but otherwise composed.

"I'm sorry," he said in a deep voice, "I'm sorry I left, Harry."

"Well you sort of made up for it tonight...Saving my life and finishing off the Horcrux and all." Harry said with a slight smile. Ron chuckled,

"You're making it sound a lot cooler than I was."

"Well..."

"HARRY!"

Both Ron and Harry turned around with a jump, as Sirius emerged through the trees with his wand brightly lit. At the sight of his Godson he sighed in relief and slowly lowered his wand. He nearly leaped to Harry's side and clutched on his arm.

"Harry, what are you trying to kill me?" He shouted as he surveyed him up and down and took notice at his wet appearance, "What happened to you? What were you doing?"

"Long story," mumbled Ron who was standing behind Harry. Sirius jumped in surprise and peered over his Godson's shoulder to see who had spoken. His eyes widened in shock,

"Ron, is that you?" Sirius broke in the first true genuine smile since before the events of Godric Hollow's took place. He walked around Harry and firmly embraced his Godson's best friend. "Are you okay? It's so good to see you, I was beginning to worry."

"Don't worry, Sirius," Harry said with a smile, "Ron can manage anything quite nicely...he did after all just save my life."

Sirius' smile dropped, "What...happened."

Harry told him about the mysterious silver doe that led him from their tent to the frozen pool of the forest. At the mention of the doe, Sirius' eyebrows furrowed but he remained silent. And then before Harry told him about finding the sword of Gryffindor at the bottom of the pool, Ron told his version on how he searched the forest for hours until he saw the Patronus, and mistook it to be that of Harry's and followed it as well.

"And then Sirius, you're not going to believe it." Harry said with an excited voice. Sirius frowned but still didn't share any of his concerned thoughts. Harry bent down to pick up the sword off of the floor and raised it to his Godfather's eye level. Sirius' eyes widened in disbelief as he raised his hand and gently took the sword from Harry.

"The sword of Gryffindor," Sirius whispered softly, he turned to look at Harry, "But how?"

"It was at the bottom of the pool, Sirius. Whoever cast the Patronus must have put it in there for me to find. Someone is on our side...how they found us who cares frankly. Now that we have this we can actually destroy the remaining horcruxes."

Ron then filled Sirius in on how he saw Harry dive in the pool and then waited for him to come out. "Only then he didn't, and I began to worry."

Sirius turned to look at Harry, "Wait so you dove in the icy cold water to retrieve this...alone? Harry, you could have drowned you should have came back to the tent and woken me."

Harry sighed, "Well it doesn't matter now...and yes I nearly did drown if it wasn't for Ron." Harry smiled at Ron before continuing, "Anyways, he pulled me out and stabbed the locket and that's that...another Horcrux down, so that's two."

Sirius stared at the two youth with wide eyes, not believing that all of this happened when he was sleeping. He felt guilty for falling asleep and not being there for Harry, after all he nearly drowned if it weren't for Ron. Sirius smiled slightly. He was grateful that the two wizards had patched up their friendship by this and Ron saving Harry has certainly brought them closer.

"Well, what can I say...you both are great fools," Sirius said looking directly at his Godson, "Especially you my dear Godson, for walking alone in the dark following that doe that could have led you to a trap..."

Harry was about to say something when Sirius raised his hand to silence him, "Nonetheless, I still think that to this day, you both are the most noblest wizards of your age." He shifted his gaze to Ron, "I can't thank you enough, Ron. You saved Harry, I am forever indebted."

Harry sniggered, "How many others are you in debt for saving my life?'

Sirius' eyes narrowed, "That's not funny, Harry." Harry and Ron exchanged a small smile before Sirius spoke again, "Come on, let's head back to the tent...you both must be freezing, and can't risk getting sick. Imagine fighting Vol-"

"DON'T SAY HIS NAME!" Ron roared. Harry was taken aback by his friend's sudden outburst and a familiar annoyance towards him emerged again.

"Ron, what's your..."

"It's called Taboo, it's jinxed. They are tracking everyone who calls You-Know-Who by his name. Using his name breaks protective enchantments; it causes some kind of magical disturbance."

"Just by saying his name?" Harry said in disbelief. Sirius nodded,

"It makes sense actually. Only people who are serious about standing up to him ever dare to say his name. It makes sense though Harry, how else could they have found us so quickly at the motel."

Ron nodded, "They've put a Taboo on it, anyone who says it is trackable – quick and easy way to find Order members if you think about it! They nearly got Kingsley - "

"You're kidding?" Sirius said worriedly.

"A bunch of Death Eaters cornered him, Bill said, but he fought his way out. He's on the run like us...hey maybe he's the one that conjured the Patronus, Harry!"

Harry shook his head, "His takes the form of a Lynx remember? At the wedding."

"It's not Kingsley's, I've seen his before...but I have seen one that looks like a doe before too...but it's impossible." Sirius said inaudibly.

"What are you on about, Sirius?" Harry asked him in confusion. Sirius simultaneously shook his head,

"Nothing, nothing...come on let's head back to the tent. I'm sure Hermione will be thrilled to see you, Ron. Besides, we have lots to discuss with everyone present and under more sealed barriers."

Ron nodded, "You're right...we ought to tell Hermione and Remus all of this stuff too."

Sirius flinched at Remus' name. Ron looked at Harry for some clarification but Harry simply shook his head. Harry led the way back to the tent, closely followed by Ron and Sirius taking the rear for protective reasons. Once they trotted along the forest and reached the tent, Hermione burst out immediately at the sound of the rustled leaves, with her wand at hand. She lowered it at the sight of Harry and was about to speak when her eyes fell upon Ron. She walked right in front of him, her lips slightly parted and her eyes wide. Ron gave a weak, hopeful smile and half raised his arms. Hermione launched herself forwards and started punching every inch of him she could reach.

"Ouch – ow – gerroff! What the - ? Hermione – OW!"

"You – complete – arse – Ronald – Weasley!"

Ron backed away, shielding his head from Hermione as Harry grabbed Hermione around her waist and pulled her back. "Hermione, stop! Ron just saved my life! Calm down!"

"Don't tell me what to do, Harry Potter!" she screeched and then pointed her finger and Ron. "And YOU!" Sirius walked in front of Ron, shielding him from Hermione.

"How dare you come crawling back here after leaving the way you did! You have no idea what we've been through!"

"Hermione, I'm sorry...listen I wanted to come back the moment I Disapparated but I ran into a gang of Snatchers."

"A gang of what?" Harry said, somewhat loosening his hold around Hermione's waist.

"Snatcher," said Ron in a low tone, "They're everywhere, gangs that are trying to earn gold by rounding up Muggle-borns and blood traitors."

"Okay, that's enough." Sirius said high voice, "Everyone inside please, we'll talk inside." Harry let go of Hermione who was still glaring at Ron. Ron avoided her gaze and looked around the tent before turning to Harry.

"Where's Remus?"

Again, Sirius flinched just before Hermione started laughing in a crude tone, "If you hadn't run off you would have known that Remus is gone! Maybe if you were there at Godric's Hollow and helped us fight off the Death Eaters, his life would have been spared. You run off and get caught by a gang of whatever they're called...well, try to compare that to being nearly caught by Vol-"

"Hermione! STOP!" Harry yelled. "Don't say his name, it's jinxed apparently. That's how they've been tracking people."

Ron too was staring eyes widely at Harry, "Is Remus really dead?" he asked Harry in a quiet tone.

"Everyone in the tent now!" Sirius said in a strained voice. Without any further words spoken, Hermione entered the tent, and then Ron quickly followed her, making sure there was slight distance between the two of them. Harry however staggered on spot, staring at his Godfather who was looking up at the moon. He cautiously approached Sirius, who let out a long sigh before turning his gaze upon him.

"I really am sorry, Sirius."

Sirius raised his eyebrows, "Sorry for what Harry? You have nothing to be sorry for...It was foolish of you to wander off into the woods alone, but I'm glad you did it. You're seventeen for Merlin's sake; I shouldn't be worrying over you like some over bearing mother. I should be apologising to you. I've just been so worried about you, and have been trying to put some of the things you're burdened with onto my shoulders. I haven't been fair to you, and have been treating you like you can't handle it but I know you can. I'm just..."

"Sirius, its okay...you're worried and I get it. If you just could give me some space time to time, that would be greatly appreciated. I didn't want to tell you about this mission because Dumbledore entrusted it to me alone, but I'm glad you're here."

Sirius smiled, "Thanks Prongs Junior, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. If you ever want to talk about anything, you know I'm here. I won't try to pry information out of you anymore. I just don't think it's healthy to keep everything locked up inside, after everything you've been through."

Harry nodded, "I agree...same goes to you too, Sirius." Sirius gazed shifted to his feet. "Sirius, I really am sorry." Sirius groaned softly,

"Harry, you don't have to apologies about anything..."

"I'm sorry about Remus, Sirius." Harry said in a gentle tone. Sirius looked up immediately and exchanged a brief, sorrow filled look with Harry before letting out another long sigh.

"Let's head back inside the tent, it's too quiet in there. I'm afraid Hermione might have murdered Ron." Harry rolled his eyes, and with a small chuckle followed his Godfather inside the tent, glancing at the moon on his way in.

______________________________________________________________________________

I'll update again really soon!

Next chapter will be the meeting of Xenophilius Lovegood and the group learning about the Deathly Hallows.

Take care!

xox