Chapter 3: James and Lily, Harry and Hermione

The next few weeks, the two started study all the knowledge they had as they tried to think of ways that they could destroy the locket and also find the others. They also had resorted to moving from spot to spot, trying to not stay in one place too long. Hermione had stuffed herself in book after book, she had filled a notebook with things she'd deemed important. Harry would study her notes as he read the few books she'd gave him.

"Harry?" Hermione finally spoke after hours of reading. Harry turned to acknowledg her, finally she wanted to talk. "The only thing that really stumbles me is this mark."

She brought over the book Dumbledore left her, The Tales of Beedle the bard. She tapped a weird mark in the book that someone had drawn in. Harry recognized it from the wedding.

"That's the symbol that Xenophilius Lovegood was wearing as a necklace." Harry exclaimed. "Krum said it was a dark wizard named Grindelwald's mark."

"Why would someone leave the mark of that kind in a children's book? Hmm." Hermione thought aloud.

The mark was the only lead they had on anything yet, they had no clue what it meant.

Later that day, evening time..

After reading most of the day, they decided to take a break. They had dinner, Harry cooked this time. Hermione had insisted on doing it but, he wanted to cheer her up. She needed to relax he stated. As they began eating, they heard voices coming from further in the forest. Hermione retrieved Extendable Ears from her bag and handed on to Harry. They both used these and discovered that it was Dean Thomas. Through their conversations, they discovered Dean was apparently traveling with Ted Tonks, Griphook, Gornuk (Another goblin with Griphook), and a Man named Dirk.

"Griphook told me, some of the students including that Weasley girl tried to take the sword of Gryffindor from the headmaster's office." Dirk explained.

"What happened to them?" Dean asked, obviously worried about his friends.

"Detention, I believe he said. Got some type of cruel punishment. That right, Griphook? "

"That's correct." The goblin stated. "Although, the sword was fake. It was transferred to the vault of Bellatrix Lestrange"

" It true the real one was made by your kind? Heard goblin forging creates things that are more extraordinary that ours."

The group stayed within ear shot only for a few more moments before moving on. Hermione retrieved the painting of Phineas Black's portrait, one she'd taken from Grimmauld place. She made sure he was blindfolded just in case he wanted to tell of their location. From him they learned that their friends were punished to work in the forbidden forest with Hagrid and that they were fine.

They also questioned what he knew about Goblin metal which with they learned the fact that it only accepts what makes it stronger. The sword had been used by Harry against the basilisk so perhaps it accepted the venom of the beast. They already knew of the diary had been a horcrux. It was destroyed by the venom. if what they hoped was true. They could use the sword to destroy the rest!

"All we have to do is find the sword." Hermione exclaimed. "Thank you Phineas" She placed the portrait back in her bag where he could no longer hear them.

"But where could it be?" Harry questioned. "Maybe..Dumbledore left it somewhere for us?"

"Hmm. It's possibly but, we'd have to have something to lead us there."

"Hermione..do you think we could possibly go to Godric's Hollow? I've never been."

"That may actually be a good idea. The sword may have been hid there!" She exclaimed.

"Should we start preparing tomorrow then?"

She nodded with agreement. Her attention returned to her bag from which she retrieved a book A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot.

"Best to read up on Gryffindor." She explained her reasoning. Harry looked at the book's cover. He once again recalled something from Bill's wedding. It was something Ron's aunt had told him. Bathilida was the source for the book that had been written about Dumbledore. She also still lived in Godric's Hollow. Was it possibly Dumbledore left the sword with her? Hermione also believed it could be possible when he told her.

They praticed disapparating together from under the invisiblity cloak and a few spells. Hermione had deemed this important just in case it was needed.

Later that night,

Hermione slid into her bed and pulled the covers up to her torso. She turned to Harry watched as He sat down on his. He sat there looking down at the floor.

"Something on your mind, Harry?" She questioned.

"Hm? Oh it's nothing." He shook his head, he looked absent minded.

"Are you sure?"

"I.." He started. "I never told you how I feel about you."

"Oh." Hermione's cheeks were now becoming a bright shade of pink.

"I've thinking about it and..I feel the same. Though it's not like it was with Ginny..It's stronger I guess you could say." He explained.

Hermione sprung out of her bed and within seconds, they were seated upon the same bed. Their arms around the other. They both realized the strong feeling that they had. It was love. Harry smiled as a thought came to his head. "It was love just like his parents had."