Chapter 10: Home

Months Later, December 24

Everyone sat around in the living room celebrating christmas together. Harry and Hermione were out alone for a walk. They wanted some alone time after the past months of hard work looking for horcruxes and training. Harry wanted to go to Godric's Hallow for multiple reasons. They'd discovered a book written by Rita Skeeter about Dumbledore, Mrs. Weasley had come across it due to the family's Aunt Muriel. Everyone had read most of it and learned a lot about the man that once had been with them. There was no reason to believe or go against it automatically as Dumbledore had always be secretive. Skeeter stated that most of it came from an interview with the Author Bathilda Bagshot who lives in Godric's Hallow. Harry wanted to go there to confirm the information stated in the book, see the home that it all started in, and see if there was a horcrux made there by mistake.

The two held the other's hand as they walked through the snow. Harry had been thinking very hard about what was going on between them. They were closer than ever and had been inseparable since confirming the feelings between them. He smiled at thoughts that were coasring through his mind.

"Hermione, I don't know this is going to end and I don't know how bad it's really going to get. But, if I make it out alive. Will you marry me?" He finally spoke breaking their silence.

Hermione was taken off guard, it made her smile that he wanted marry her. The way he asked was slightly worrying. He WOULD make it out alive. She knew he would, Harry always makes it out. Good always beats evil right?

"Harry, Of course I'll marry you. I know you'll make it out. You always do. You're a great wizard. We've all improved greatly from the teaching you did and you grasped every spell each of us could show you. The working out should also help us during any battles we encounter. All we have to do is destroy the remaining horcruxes and then you can defeat him. I know you can do it. I believe in you." She replied with a great smile.

Harry couldn't keep a smile off his own face. She truly was the best person for him, she saw who he was. There was anything clouding her sight. He wasn't this thing of legend but, the boy she met years ago. The one who came to save her from a troll.

Both of them shortly returned to the cottage and ran the idea of going to Godric's Hallow that night by them. Remus stepped forward toward them.

"I do believe that you should go but, I personally don't feel safe for it just being both of you. We don't even know if Ms. Bagshot is alive. Is it really worth going there to find out if Dumbledore was really friends with Grindlewald or even had siblings?" He questioned them.

"Yes. It really is." Hermione stated, she had noticed something in the book about the man. Harry and Ron both knew what it was. There was a letter from Dumbledore to Grindlewald, it held the deathly hallows symbol.

"Alright, it's settle then. You can go but, only if you'll allow someone to accompany you. I'll even let you pick one of us." The werewolf continued.

"I think Bill's the best bet. He's more experienced with cursed objects, He'll be able to help us locate a horcrux if there is one there." Harry stated.

Bill nodded and made his way over to the young couple. He took Hermione's hand while Harry gripped tight to the other. Harry also held Hermione's bag in his own.

"We'll be back before Sunrise. I'll make sure of it." Bill assured them.

With a moment they vanished from the cottage. They appeared in a village covered by night's shadow. Each of them were able to see the village's buildings due to the streetlamps that illuminated them. There were various shops through out along with a post office, pub, and a small church with stained-glass windows. Snow had fallen here as well and covered every inch of the ground.

"Do you want to go and find your mum and dad's grave first, Harry?" Bill questioned trying not to force any bad emotions upon his friend.

"Yeah, I'd like to."

They made their way toward the church's graveyard. After heading through it's gate, they found that there were rows and rows of gravestones. Each of them took their own row to help find it quicker. They were all very quiet as their eyes traced each name.

"Harry! Come here, I found something." Hermione called out.

Harry hurried over to her to see what it was. She stood above a grave that held a nearly illegible name. What she really was focusing was the sign upon it. The Deathly Hallows symbol also was engraved in the stone.

" Ignotus?..One of the brothers?" Harry thought aloud.

"Most likely."

Harry excused himself to continue looking for his parent's grave. He came upon another grave holding names he'd heard but, they were of people he hadn't know existed until reading a book. Kendra and Ariana Dumbledore. There was also a quote upon the grave: Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. So Dumbledore had lived here, with his mother and sister. So it was absolutely possible there was also a brother. Aberforth was the name of the so called brother, they didn't know if he was alive still or not. His grave wasn't in the graveyard if he was dead. Harry continued looking through each grave until he found the one that he was searching for. His eyes began to fill with tears as he read the engravement.

James Potter and Lily Potter. Their dates of birth and death. Upon their gravestone there was also a quote much like that of the Dumbledore's. The last enemy that shall be destroyed. Hermione came over to him after see the tears falling down his cheeks. She quickly wrapped her arms around him and laid her head upon his shoulder. He put his head against her's as they sat there staring at the stone, silently. Bill had noticed them and decided it best to just keep watch.

It took them a moment to get ready to continue what they were for. The best place for them to search for a horcrux would be the home that it all began for Harry. Bill stood behind them still keeping watch after they located the home easily, It was destroyed. The walls were fallen in and it showed no sign of anyone ever even trying to repair it. It was a horrible sight and brought back the slight images of what had occured to Harry's mind but, It was his home. It was where he had been with his parents in their last moment. Hermione's hand gripped his tightly as if to acknowledge that she was there for him. He squeezed her hand gently.

"I love you Hermione."

"I love you too Harry."