"Hello, Luna," Hermione said, as she and Harry removed the cloak. Ron removed the charm from himself.

"Why hello there. What brings you back to Hogwarts?"

"We need to talk to you."

"About what?"

"Rowena Ravenclaw."

"What would you like to know?"

"Did she ever own a tiara?"

"A diadem," she said softly. "It's like a tiara."

"Do you know where it is?"

"It's been lost for centuries. No one knows where it is."

Harry dropped his head. "Is there anyone who may know where it is?"

"The Grey Lady," she said, and the trio immediately raised their heads up. "You could talk to her and see if she knows."

"I'm going," Harry said, wrapping the cloak around his arm. Hermione grabbed his arm.

"You're not going alone!"

"I am. You and Ron stay here, and I mean it."

Before she could say another word, he turned and walked out of the room. Hermione closed her eyes.

"How are things, Luna?" Ron asked.

"Oh, not so bad."

"Are there any Death Eaters here?"

"Not yet. They've been preoccupied with Hogsmeade lately, especially the last few days."

"We should have taken you with us. We're sorry."

"It's quite alright. I prefer to be here. Snape's gone missing-has been for a while."

"Snape left?" Ron asked, moving forward. "Where'd he go?"

"I don't know. He left not long after you did."

"That's strange," Hermione replied, casting a glance at Ron. He shrugged.

"I should probably be getting back," Luna said, standing up.

"Thank you for everything."

She nodded, turned, and walked out of the room.

"Where is he?" Hermione asked, sitting in the chair that magically appeared.

"I'm sure he's alright," Ron replied.

They waited in silence for a few more minutes before the door opened and closed. Harry removed the cloak from himself.

"It's here."

"What do you mean?"

"It's here. It's in the Room of Requirement."

"He hid it in here?"

"Somewhere in here, yes."

The room began to change, and it turned into a room full of treasure. They all stared in amazement before Harry began searching around.

"Harry," Hermione said, grabbing his hand. He turned to face her. "Trust your instincts. Where is it?"

He closed his eyes, and he felt something pull him. He followed it, looking around the room several times. Hermione watched him closely, feeling her heart pound in her chest. Eventually, Harry stumbled upon a black box, and he immediately felt connected it to.

"This is it," he said, and he opened it. Hermione watched as he interacted with it, and she closed her eyes.

'It's him. He's the final Horcrux!'

Harry stared at the diadem, and he felt himself being pulled straight towards it. Hermione quickly took the box from him and snapped it shut, her eyes filled with concern.

"Let's destroy it right now," she said, pulling the sword out of her bag. Ron took it from her.

"I'll destroy it."

"Ron-" Harry started. Ron held up his hand.

"I'm not asking."

Hermione nodded at Harry, who held an angered look to his face. She removed the diadem from the box and placed it onto the floor. She then stepped back and joined Harry. Ron took a deep breathe before he drew the sword up and smashed it into the diadem.

Harry fell to the floor.

Ron quickly stepped back as it let out a high pitch scream, but was unable to avoid a black cloud of smoke that rose from it.

"Ron!" Hermione cried, running over to him. She ran to his other side and ran her wand over him.

"I'm fine," he said, pushing the wand away. She helped him to his feet.

"Are you alright?"

"I told you I'm fine. Two to go."

Hermione looked around for Harry and quickly ran over to him when she discovered he was on the floor.

"Are you alright?" she asked, pulling him up. He nodded.

"I'm fine."

"Men," she whispered, shaking her head. "Now what?"

"We get out of here, and go back home. We need to start planning for the war."

"How do you suggest we leave?"

"We can't go back out through Hogsmeade. It has to be covered by now."

"When we left, McGonagall shut down the floo network to the school. We can't get out through there, either."

"So, Hogsmeade is our only choice?"

"Seems that way," Harry said. "We've been here for a while, maybe they've left by now."

"Unlikely," Ron said, shaking his head. "They would have backed off, but, there will still be plenty of Death Eaters there."

"Then we'll have to be extremely careful."

Harry pushed up from the trapdoor and looked around, making sure the coast was clear. He then nodded down at Ron and Hermione before pushing up and going through the trapdoor. He waited for them to come up before he dove back under the cloak with Hermione.

"Be real careful," Harry said quietly. They quietly opened the door to Honeydukes and looked around before stepping out quickly. Hermione began to get that bad feeling in the pit of her stomach as they slowly moved forward, trying to not make any noise.

Ron moved ahead of them, keeping an eye out for anything that can blow their cover. Hermione linked her hand with Harry's and suddenly felt much better, even though the worry didn't quite go away.

Just as Ron stepped past the Three Broomsticks, an alarm went off, and a spell struck Ron straight in the chest. Harry pulled Hermione back as Ron came into full view, the charm completely coming off of him.

"Ohhhh, the blood traitor," a hauntingly familiar voice said. Harry scowled.

"Bellatrix," Ron said, popping up. Harry quickly pulled Hermione into the alleyway right behind them and pulled out of the cloak.

"Stay here."

"I'm going!"

"I mean it!" he said, and took off. He ran back towards Ron and fired a spell at Bellatrix, feeling proud when it struck her straight in the chest.

"You alright?" he asked Ron.

"Fine."

Several pops were heard, and Bellatrix stood up, grinning as she did so. "Itty, bitty, baby Potter. How's your godfather?"

"He's doing great," Harry hissed. Bellatrix's grin grew wider.

"You're outnumbered."

"Like we're afraid of you. You're nothing but Voldemort's lap dog."

"Why you little-!" she screamed, firing shots at Harry. He deflected it and fired one off at her, scowling slightly as she avoided it. Ron was holding his own against the Death Eater he was taking on.

Another pop sounded behind Harry and he fell as a spell hit him straight in the back. He was dizzy for a minute before he stood up and looked around and noticed that all the Death Eaters had disappeared.

And so had Ron.

His heart pounded in his chest as he looked around. It was strangely empty, no sight nor sound of any Death Eaters was heard.

He then heard some footsteps behind him and pulled his wand out. Hermione suddenly came into view, her face lined with concern.

"Where's Ron?"

"They took him," Harry admitted in defeat. "We need to get you out of here."

"What do we do?" Harry asked, pressing his hands into his head as he informed Tonks and Remus of what happened.

"We don't have a choice. Are you ready to take on Voldemort?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," he replied with confidence. He felt Hermione's hand rest on his shoulder.

"There's still two Horcruxes missing," Tonks said.

"One's his snake," Harry started. "I don't know about the last one."

Hermione did, but didn't want to tell Harry until they were in private.

"We don't have a choice. He'll kill Ron if we don't get to him in time."

"We don't even know where they're at," Harry said.

"We'll find them," Tonks reassured him. Remus nodded in agreement.

"I'm going to alert Molly and Arthur. Excuse me," he said, standing up from his chair. Tonks motioned to Harry and Hermione and followed him out the door.

"What are you going to say to them?"

"I'm going to tell them the truth. They'll want to fight with us, and we need all the help we can get."

"I'm going with you."

"Tonks," he said, placing his hands on her arms, "please, you need to stay. You're not only putting yourself in danger, but also the baby. Stay here and keep an eye on Sirius."

She stared at him for a minute before nodding. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a hug. "Please be careful."

"I will be."

"This is all my fault," Harry said, as he stared down at his unconscious godfather. Hermione closed her eyes as she heard the guilt in his voice.

"Harry, you did nothing wrong. Ron and I knew what we were getting ourselves into, and we knew the consequences of what could happen. If he didn't want to, he wouldn't have went."

"I should have-"

"-Done nothing. You did everything you could have done. Ron doesn't blame you."

Harry didn't say anything, but his attention turned from Hermione back to Sirius. He grabbed his godfather's hand and gently squeezed it, feeling more upset when the hand didn't squeeze back. Hermione stood up and walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his chest and kissing the top of his head as he did so.

"I'm just as worried as you are. We'll get him back-I know we will."

He stood up and took her into his arms. His arms wrapped tightly around her waist and he placed his cheek on top of her head.

"I would feel much safer if you stayed as well."

"Not happening," she said firmly, pulling away from him. "You need me, and you know it."

"I can't let something happen to you, too!" he said, his voice sounding strained.

"Harry James Potter, I am coming with you whether you want me to or not! He's my best friend, too! You can't do this without me!"

He pressed his lips together and didn't say anything. She reached up and put her hand on his cheek, thinking of how she was going to tell Harry.

"I've been watching you around all the Horcruxes," she started, her voice quiet. "You don't act how everyone else acts around them. You can see inside Voldemort's head."

"What's going on, Hermione?" he asked, sounding quite concerned.

"That accidental Horcrux, the one he never meant to make, and the one he took from Gryffindor-it's you."

His eyes grew wide as he shook his head, not believing her. After a moment of thinking about it he stopped shaking his head and collapsed into the seat, shock and disbelief written all over his face.

"How…..how did you find out?" he asked in disbelief. She pulled her chair up and sat across from him.

"The last time you collapsed, I figured it out. Then I watched how you reacted with the diadem, and you collapsed again when we destroyed it. You collapse because Voldemort collapses. It's the only reasonable answer."

He ran his hands through his hair and leaned back in his chair. She reached over and grabbed his hands.

"What do I do? How do I destroy it?"

"I don't know," she whispered. "Without yours being destroyed, you can't kill Voldemort."

He placed his hand over his mouth and stood up, walking over to the window as he did so. He placed both of his hands on the windowsill and clutched it right as he began to tremble.

"Harry!" Hermione screamed, as she ran over to him. She held onto his arms as he clutched at the windowsill, his eyes rolling into the back of his head as he did so.

'Do you want your friend back, Harry? Then let's finish this. Come to the place where it all began.'

"Godric's Hallow," Hermione said, as Harry came back around. He turned and looked at her before closing his eyes.

Ron was being held where his parents were killed.

"We're going to be outnumbered," Remus said, looking around at everyone who was gathered around him.

"He'll kill Ron if I don't show up. We don't have a choice here."

"There's plenty of witches and wizards in Godric's Hallow as well."

"We have to do what we have to do," Mr. Weasley said. "And what we have to do is fight, and hopefully finish this. He has taken enough lives already. Let's not let him take anymore."

"Mr. Weasley," Harry said, after everyone had discussed what they were going to do.

"What's the matter, Harry?"

"I should have done more for Ron. He shouldn't have got taken."

"Harry," he said, placing his hands on the young man's shoulders, "Molly and I do not blame you. You did not take him. Not once have we blamed you, but we do know that you will get Ron back and stop You-Know-Who once and for all."

Harry nodded, biting the inside of his cheek as he did so. Arthur gently wrapped his arms around him and pulled him in for a hug.

"You are stronger than him. You are better than him. You will win. I know you have a lot on your mind, but you need to clear it and focus on finishing this war. When this is over, you are free to live your life." His eyes drifted to Hermione, and he smiled slightly. "And live it I know you will."

Harry apparated alongside Remus and attempted to catch his breath. Remus gently patted his back.

"Are you ready for this?"

"Ready as I'll ever be."

"Focus on what you want, and this war will be all yours."

He felt Hermione walk up to him and slip her hand into his. He immediately felt better and he was glad that she was there, despite how worried he was that something may happen to her.

"Let's do this," Harry said, nodding at Remus. He quickly followed Remus up the road until he saw a house that was, for the most part, burned down and destroyed. He let out a few deep breaths as he neared the house, and his heart pounded in his chest for a different reason.

"Where's Ron?" Hermione asked, looking around.

No one was around.

"It was a trick," Remus said. Harry shook his head.

"It couldn't have been."

"I don't understand," Mrs. Weasley said. "Where's my son?"

"Get down!" Harry cried. Everyone quickly bent down as several spells were shot at them. He looked up and saw several Death Eaters advancing on them.

But no Ron or Voldemort.

Harry let out a frustrated sigh as he stood up and began fighting one of the Death Eaters. As he quickly took one down, he moved on to another, trying to figure out where Voldemort may be hiding.

"Looks like you're in the wrong area, huh, Potter?" a familiar voice said. Harry rolled his eyes.

"Where is he, Crabbe?"

"Somewhere you'll never find him!"

Harry quickly pinned him to the ground and pressed his wand to his forehead, an anger burning in his eyes.

"WHERE IS HE?"

"I honestly don't know," he said, sweating now. Harry quickly stunned him and looked around, his anger growing at the prospect of never finding Ron.

"Any sign of him?" Hermione asked, running up to Harry. He shook his head.

"None."

"Where could he be?"

"He could be anywhere, that's the problem."

'Come to the place where it all began.'

Harry looked back at the house, and closed his eyes. "He's in the house."

"How do we get to him?"

"I have no idea," he said, his breathing heavy.

"Harry," she whispered, placing her hands on his face, "we don't still know how to destroy it. You can't take Voldemort on with it still in you."

"Minerva?" Remus asked, as his former professor and colleague apparate in. The other Hogwarts professors followed behind.

"This is our war as well. We're here to help."

"Thank you," he said, reflecting a spell that was shot at her.

"Molly, look out!" Mr. Weasley cried at his wife.

"Bill!" Fleur screamed, as her boyfriend was struck in the chest.

"Stick to the plan!" Snape hissed at Draco.

"We shouldn't be here!" Draco hissed back.

"We don't have a choice. Now stay quiet!"

"You all go to the graveyard!" Voldemort said, gesturing to the group of Death Eaters. "Draco, you and Goyle will be guarding Potter's friend."

He gestured to the redhead behind him, who was blindfolded with his hands tied. Voldemort's eyes narrowed at Draco.

"I want the mudblood. Potter will be doing everything it takes to protect her. I want a guard stationed outside of the house. When they come to rescue him, attack."

"Yes, my lord," the Death Eaters echoed.

"Snape!" Voldemort said, turning to him. He lifted his head up. "You and I need to talk."

The other Death Eaters quickly left. Voldemort grabbed on to Snape's sleeve and apparated.

"What if Voldemort's in there?" Hermione asked, her voice lined with worry. She and Harry stared at the remnants of his former house.

"Then I fight him."

"You can't!"

"I'll find a way," Harry replied quietly, turning to look at Hermione. Her eyes watered. "I love you, Hermione."

"I love you, too," she said, reaching for his hand.

They moved out from behind the alley, and took on the two Death Eaters that were stationed there. When Harry took his down, he helped Hermione with hers before they started edging onto the house. He grabbed her hand and pulled her behind the house when he saw a group of Death Eaters advancing the other way. He looked back out when Hermione's gasp tore through his system.

"Whoa," Harry said, staring in shock.

Snape was on the ground, his eyes wide and lifeless. Despite that he hated the man, shock coursed through his system.

"We need to keep moving," he said, attempting to keep the shock out of his voice. He grabbed ahold of her hand again and they took off towards the house, his heart pounding in his chest as he did so.

"Goyle's up ahead," Hermione whispered.

"Easy. Let's go."

Harry began to take down Goyle while Hermione ran past him into the house. She looked around, wondering where Ron could be hidden.

She ran upstairs and saw Draco standing in front of one of the doors. She drew her wand, ready to fight him when he stepped aside.

"He's in there. He alright."

She stared at him in confusion, lowering her wand as she did so. He quickly looked around before he gave her an envelope.

"Snape wanted Potter to have this. Where is he?" he whispered.

"Dead," she whispered back. He stared at her in shock and disappointment.

"Do not tell anyone who gave you that."

He pulled his wand up to his head, said "stupefy!" and collapsed to the ground. She looked around in shock and confusion before putting the envelope into her bag. She opened the door and looked around before she spotted Ron in the corner of the room, his head resting against the wall.

"Ron!" she cried, her body filled with relief.

"Hermione?" Ron called, looking around. She quickly rushed over to him and removed his blindfold, her face lined with worry as she saw the bruises on his face.

"Did they hurt you?"

"I'm just a little roughed up," he said, as she removed the bonds on his hands. "Nothing big."

"We need to find the snake," she said. She helped him up and wrapped his arm around his shoulder to steady him.

"How's Harry?"

"He's holding on, but not for much longer. We need to find the snake."

He nodded, and she helped him up. They ran down the stairs, and Hermione immediately grew afraid when Harry was no longer there.

"Where's Harry?" she asked, looking around.

"We'll find him, but we need to move."

He grabbed her hand and moved them away from Godric's Hallow. When they reached the corner, they finally found Harry, who was currently fighting off a Death Eater.

"Glad you're alright, mate," Harry said, when the Death Eater fell.

"Nobody can keep me down," he said, grinning. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Before I forget, I was told to give you this." she said, pulling the envelope out of her bag. He stared at her in confusion as he took it and opened it. "I'll explain later."

"What's it say, mate?"

He didn't say anything, but he handed the letter back to Hermione. She quickly read over it, her heart pounding in her chest.

"It can't be," Ron said, shaking his head.

"I have to do it. It's the only way to stop him."

"Harry, no!" she cried, wrapping her arms.

"I have to. I love you, Hermione."

"I love you, too," she said, pressing her lips against his. When they broke apart Ron walked up to him, giving him a manly hug as he did so.

"Be careful, mate."

"You too. Take care of her for me."

He nodded, and walked back towards Hermione. She had her head buried in her hands as sobs raked her body.

"I need your answer."

She knew what he was asking for, but he needed reassurance. She nodded.

"Yes."

He wrapped his arms around her again before breaking away. He took the parchment from her and set it on fire, watching as it scattered on the ground below. "Find the snake."

With one last look at Ron and Hermione, he turned and walked away. Ron gently wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

Shots were fired at them, and they quickly moved out of the way, running into the store nearby. When they realize there was no exit, they ran up the stairs, locking themselves into the room.

"What do we do?"

"Get out of here. We need to get out through that window."

She pointed her wand at the window and blasted it open. They ran over to it and looked down, seeing that the alleyway was filled with Death Eaters. Ron growled.

'Your safety comes before theirs. Do whatever it takes!' Sirius' voice rang through his head.

"Hermione, listen to me," he started, holding on tight to her. "We may not make it out of here."

"Don't say that!" she said, pressing her head into his shoulder. He pulled her away and placed his hands on her arms, staring deep into her eyes as he did so.

"I love you."

"I love you, too," she said, her eyes watering. He shook his head.

"No, Hermione. I LOVE you. I have been in love with you since our first year."

She stared at him in shock, but didn't have a chance to say anything as he pressed his lips against hers. Her body froze, but after a moment she kissed him back, melting in his arms.

The door to the room busted open, and Ron pulled himself in front of Hermione. She let out a scream as a spell cause them to crash into the floor, with him collapsing on top of her. One of the Death Eaters roughly pushed Ron off of her before pulling her up by her arm.

"Hello, mudblood," Bellatrix said, staring at Hermione with disgust. Hermione looked over at Ron, and her heart broke and a silent scream escaped her lips as she heard what one of the Death Eaters had said.

"This one's dead."

Author's Note: I am going to hide now...Next chapter coming soon!