"What is right to be done cannot be done too soon."
Jane Austen
IX
Hermione, Draco, and Harry emerged from the fireplace and found themselves in the vibrant magical district of Tirana, Albania. Immediately, their senses were overwhelmed by a medley of enticing smells, ranging from the tantalizing scent of spicy kebabs and baklava sold by street vendors to the aromatic potions and herbs showcased in the apothecaries.
The air reverberated with a cacophony of languages, from Albanian to Bulgarian, as well as the crackling and popping of enchantments cast by the locals. The streets were ablaze with a riot of colors, with wizarding shops proudly exhibiting their merchandise through bright signs, banners, and windows.
Hermione's eyes widened in wonder as she absorbed the sights surrounding her. The architectural marvels of the buildings captivated her, seamlessly blending elements of Ottoman, Byzantine, and Roman styles. Each structure was adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures, glowing symbols representing ancient magic, and shimmering tapestries that depicted scenes from Albanian folklore.
As the wind danced through the streets, the tapestries seemed to come alive, shifting their colors and patterns with each gust. The magical district was a vibrant mosaic, a melting pot of diverse cultures, where witches and wizards from all corners of the world mingled and traded.
Noticing a bookstore across the street, Hermione's heart skipped a beat. She held onto Potter's sleeve and excitedly pointed at the sign that read "Libraria Magjike."
"Harry, look! A bookstore! Can we please go in?" she asked, her eagerness palpable.
The wizard smiled, appreciating his sister's love for books and thirst for knowledge. He glanced at Draco, who appeared less enthused.
"Of course, Hermione. Why not? Perhaps we'll find something useful for our mission," he replied.
Draco rolled his eyes, clearly uninterested in books, particularly those written in unfamiliar languages. Although he had reluctantly agreed to join Harry and Hermione on their quest, he still harbored resentment towards Harry for doubting him. He also grappled with guilt over betraying his family. Deep down, he longed for his former life, but he knew it was too late to turn back.
"Fine, let's go. But don't expect me to make any purchases," he grumbled.
The trio crossed the bustling street and entered the bookstore. They were welcomed by a friendly old man with a long white beard and a purple turban. He beamed at them and offered a respectful bow.
"Welcome, welcome to Libraria Magjike, the finest bookstore in Tirana. How may I assist you, young ones?" he greeted them with a thick accent.
Returning the smile, Hermione replied, "We're just browsing, thank you. We're from London, and we're here to explore the city."
The old man nodded understandingly and added, "Ah, Britain. A beautiful country with a rich magical history. If you're interested, I have some books in English at the back, on the second floor."
He pointed towards a staircase that led to the upper level of the bookstore. Hermione's eyes gleamed with excitement as she expressed her gratitude, saying, "Thank you, sir. We'll go check them out."
She turned to Harry and Draco, urging them, "Come on, guys. Let's go see what they have."
With haste, she ascended the stairs, leaving the two wizards behind. Potter followed, intrigued by the prospect of discovering more clues. Draco, however, looked around with disdain and boredom. He wrinkled his nose at the unfamiliar scents, sneered at the foreign accents, and scoffed at the ostentatious displays. "Why did we have to come all the way to Tirana? I'm certain there are more worthwhile activities we could be engaged in."
Harry rolled his eyes, accustomed to his complaints. "We're here to find Viktor Krum, remember? He might have information about Tom Riddle and the Deathly Hallows."
The pureblood heir sneered, his voice dripping with jealousy and spite. "Oh, yes. The marvelous Viktor Krum. I'm sure he's thrilled to see Hermione again, after failing to win her over during the Triwizard Tournament."
The Triwizard Tournament, was competition between Hogwarts and two other magical schools, where Viktor Krum was one of the champions. He had developed a crush on Hermione during her fourth year, but she politely declined his advances. Draco envied Krum's fame, skill, and his interest in Hermione.
Before Potter could intervene, a familiar voice called out from behind them. "Hermine!" Viktor Krum's deep voice resonated with warmth and affection. He approached them with a wide smile, his rugged features softened by his amiable expression. He wore a dark green cloak over a black leather jacket and jeans, his hair pulled back in a ponytail. He exuded a sense of relaxation and confidence like Harry had never seen before.
Granger rushed towards him and embraced him tightly, disregarding the jealous glare Malfoy shot their way. She felt the strength of his arms enveloping her and his stubbly cheek brushing against hers. A surge of happiness and excitement coursed through her, resulting in a heartfelt smile.
"Hermine, it's wonderful to see you," Krum said, his voice deep and affectionate. He loosened his embrace slightly, gazing into her eyes. "You look beautiful, as always."
Blushing, the witch replied, "Thank you, Viktor. You look great too. How did you find us here?"
The wizard shrugged and replied, "I was passing by and caught sight of you through the window. I recognized your hair and your smile. I had to come and say hello."
A flutter of anticipation filled Hermione's chest as she responded, "I'm glad you did. It's been such a long time since we last saw each other."
Viktor turned towards Draco, extending his hand. "Malfoy, good to see you as well."
The pureblood heir mustered a forced smile as he shook Krum's hand, feeling a tinge of annoyance at the sight of the his impressive build and height. He couldn't help but notice the lingering touch of Hermione's hand on the older wizard's arm and the way they gazed into each other's eyes. "Likewise, I suppose," he replied.
Viktor skillfully led them through the bustling streets of Tirana, expertly maneuvering through the crowd of people and avoiding the flying carpets and broomsticks. Familiar with the area, he exchanged greetings with shopkeepers and locals along the way.
Eventually, they arrived at the magnificent Petrelë Castle, the headquarters of the magical consulate. The citadel stood tall and imposing, with ancient stone walls adorned with enchanting runes and protective wards. It resembled a fortress, safeguarding the secrets and treasures of the Albanian wizarding community.
Once inside, Krum guided them to a secluded spot at the back of the main plaza. From his pocket, he produced a small, ornate object - a portkey. The silver pendant, shaped like a dragon's claw, glimmered in the sunlight. Harry felt a faint pull in his navel as he gazed upon it. "Hold on tight," Viktor instructed, "this will transport us to our destination."
With a sudden jolt, the group apparated into a vast open field. They found themselves surrounded by lush green hills that enveloped the village of Burrel. Although the sun shone brightly, a chilling wind swept across the meadow. The Bulgarian turned to his companions, his expression serious. "We must exercise caution when we reach Almir Dalmat's residence. He is a dark wizard who resides in a dilapidated hut on the outskirts of the village."
They proceeded towards the shack, which appeared on the verge of collapsing. The roof bore a covering of moss and holes, the walls were cracked and stained, and the windows were shattered and boarded up. Dalmat, a feeble old man with a lengthy beard and tattered garments, stood at the door. He glared at them with rheumy eyes, clutching a gnarled wand tightly.
Attempting to be polite and friendly, Hermione stepped forward and addressed him, saying, "Hello, Mr. Dalmat. We have come to discuss something of great importance. Do you possess any knowledge regarding Tom Riddle?"
Instead of replying, the elderly man let out a wail and began to cry. He pointed his wand at the witch and shouted, "Get away from me, you filthy mudblood! You have no right to be here! You have no right to utter his name!"
Draco, who had picked up some Albanian from his grandfather, tried to placate him. He pleaded, "Please, Mr. Dalmat. We mean no harm. We only wish to ask you a few questions."
Almir's cries grew louder and more hysterical, paying no heed to Malfoy's words. He pushed the young man aside, accusing him of betraying his bloodline. He proclaimed, "You are a disgrace to your family! You are a disgrace to the Dark Lord! You have forsaken him and joined his enemies!"
Witnessing Draco's fall, Viktor and Harry rushed to his aid, seizing Dalmat by the arms and attempting to restrain him. Still, the old wizard fought back, kicking and hurling curses and insults at them. He sneered, "Release me, you wretched half-bloods! You are nothing but worms! You are nothing but fools!"
Meanwhile, Hermione slipped into the dilapidated hut, hoping to uncover some clues. The sight that greeted her was shocking. The place was in disarray, with books, papers, bottles, jars, and various objects scattered about. Thick layers of dust and cobwebs filled the air, and a putrid, rotten stench filled her nostrils. The witch coughed and covered her nose with her hand.
She scanned the dusty shelves, searching for anything that might prove useful. Amidst the faded and torn volumes, her attention was drawn to a leather-bound book that stood out from the rest. Its title, Secrets of the Darkest Art, caught her eye.
As she reached out and opened the book, a wave of dread washed over her. The pages were stained with a mixture of blood and ink, and the illustrations depicted horrifying rituals and spells. Flipping through the tome, her eyes widened at the sight of a chapter marked with red ink. It was titled Horcruxes: The Ultimate Sacrifice.
Curiosity and fear surged through her as she wondered if this was what they had been searching for. She wanted to read more. But, before she could delve deeper into her discovery, Draco urgently called her out of the cottage. "We have to leave, Hermione," he insisted, his voice urgent. "Now!"
Startled by his tone, she looked up and saw him standing by the door, clutching his wand and scanning the surroundings nervously. "What's wrong?" she asked, closing the book and placing it carefully in her beaded handbag.
"We don't have time to explain. Just get your belongings and follow me," he said, grabbing her arm and pulling her towards the door.
Harry, who had been searching the other side of the room, attempted to protest. The desire to question Dalmat about his connection to Riddle still burned within him. "Wait, Malfoy, we can't just leave. We need to talk to him. He knows something."
Draco cut him off, dismissing the old man as a deranged lunatic. "He's lying, Potter. He's trying to trick us. He's working for the Death Eaters. They're coming for us. We have to go, now!"
Hermione looked at Harry, torn between trusting Malfoy and wanting to hear more from Dalmat. She could see the conflict in Harry's eyes as well. But before they could come to a decision, a loud bang echoed from outside, followed by screams and curses. They realized they had no choice. They had to leave.
Reluctantly, Hermione followed Draco out of the cottage, clutching her beaded handbag tightly in her hands. Harry was right behind her, his wand at the ready. As they made their way back to the meadow, she couldn't help but wonder about the secrets the book held and how it would impact their search for the truth. She hoped they would have the opportunity to read it later, once they were safe.
The sky erupted in vibrant flashes of green and red as Death Eaters unleashed their anger upon the unsuspecting magicians. Viktor swiftly grabbed hold of Harry and Draco, and with a loud crack, they vanished from the chaotic scene. Hermione, still gripping Malfoy's hand tightly, barely had a moment to process what was happening.
Suddenly, the four reappeared in a secluded cabin nestled deep within the forest. The cabin itself was a modest wooden structure, perched upon the branches of a colossal oak tree. A rope ladder extended up to the entrance, while a small balcony offered a breathtaking view of the surrounding scenery. Hermione couldn't help but gasp as she took in the vast expanse of the forest, the majestic snow-capped mountains, and the glistening lake. The sheer height overwhelmed her, causing her to stumble backwards, but Draco swiftly caught her in his arms.
"Take it easy, Granger. Don't tell me you're afraid of heights," he smirked, holding her close.
"I'm not afraid. I just...don't care for them," she snapped, pushing him away.
"Sure, sure. And I don't care for blondes," he winked playfully, following her inside.
Viktor observed them with a frown before turning to Harry, who was diligently casting protective spells around the cabin.
"Potter, I need to go to Koplik. I have a friend there who might have information about the Death Eaters' plans. He's an Auror and resides in the magical district of the city."
"Are you certain it's safe, Krum? The Death Eaters could be lurking anywhere," Harry asked, his concern evident.
"I must take the risk. We need every bit of information we can gather. Besides, Koplik's magical community is tight-knit and secretive. They tend to distrust outsiders and avoid getting involved in the war. I believe we can blend in."
"Alright, but be cautious. And don't take too long. We don't know when the Death Eaters might track us down here," Harry cautioned, handing Viktor a two-way mirror.
"Thank you. I'll contact you as soon as I can. And don't worry about Minnie and Malfoy. They'll be alright. They just need time to sort out their feelings," Viktor reassured him with a knowing smile.
With that, he descended the rope ladder and vanished with another crack. Harry watched him go before venturing into the woods to set up protective barriers, hoping that Krum would return with valuable information. He had a sinking feeling that this night was going to be a long and challenging one.
Meanwhile, Hermione and Draco navigated their way to a worn stone desk, barely spacious enough for two people. It was the sole piece of furniture in the dusty living room of the small cabin, their temporary sanctuary after narrowly escaping the clutches of the Death Eaters. The witch retrieved the book she had stolen from Dalmat's library and handed it to Malfoy, who examined it with a mix of curiosity and wonder.
"Secrets of the Darkest Art," he read the title aloud. "I've heard about this book before. My grandfather used to discuss it with his friends. Still, it was banned and outlawed after the establishment of the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy. How did Dalmat manage to obtain it?"
"I don't know, and I don't really care. What matters is that this book might provide us with more information about Tom Riddle and his Horcruxes," Hermione replied, opening the book to a marked page. "Take a look at this chapter. It's filled with red annotations as if someone studied it extensively. And pay attention to this heading here." She pointed to a section titled "The Creation of a Horcrux."
As the witch read the passage, Malfoy felt a chill run down his spine. It described the process of splitting one's soul and concealing a fragment of it within an object, granting a twisted form of immortality. The ritual required committing a heinous act of murder, and the consequences were horrifying. The soul would become unstable and corrupted, and the person would lose their humanity and sanity. The wizard shuddered as he grasped the implications.
Speaking in a hushed voice, he asked Hermione, "Do you think...do you think that the ring and the diary you found in Little Hangleton were Horcruxes?"
"I'm afraid so, Draco. I've read about Horcruxes in another book. These artifacts are considered the most evil and dangerous form of magic ever invented. I believe Tom Riddle created two Horcruxes, and possibly more. That's why he possesses such immense power and madness. He's no longer human. He's a monster."
Granger's words filled the pureblood heir with a mix of dread and anger. He despised Tom Riddle for what he had done to his family. He hated him and desired to obliterate him. Snatching the book from Hermione's hands, he quickly flipped through the pages, hoping to find any useful information.
The wizard halted at a page displaying a large runic circle adorned with strange symbols. It was part of the chapter discussing the soul-binding ritual, the very process used to create a Horcrux. Yet, the page appeared messy and confusing, with numerous annotations that seemed to indicate changing thoughts.
There were crossed-out notes, arrows pointing in different directions, and circles around specific words. Malfoy squinted, attempting to decipher the meaning. He noticed a line that mentioned "half life" and another that advised "go back to the beginning." Following an arrow, he reached a smaller circle where he encountered two words that widened his eyes in disbelief.
"Resurrection stone," he read.
Hermione leaned over his shoulder, glimpsing what he had discovered. She gasped as the realization dawned upon her.
"Draco, I think I understand what Riddle did. I think I know why he sought the resurrection stone. It's not just an artifact that can summon the dead. It's something more profound. It has the ability to undo what he did to his soul."
"What do you mean?" Malfoy asked, confused.
Hermione replied, urging Draco to think about it, "Riddle created multiple Horcruxes, splitting his soul and hiding the pieces in different objects. But in doing so, he condemned himself to a half-life. He can't die, still he can't truly live either. To sustain his existence and sanity, he must continuously kill others. He's caught in a never-ending cycle of violence and madness. That monster recognizes his mistake and believes that the resurrection stone can help rectify it."
The wizard was left speechless. He couldn't fathom that Tom Riddle, one of the most evil and powerful wizards of all time, could actually be regretful.
As Harry and Viktor entered the room, they overheard Draco and Hermione's conversation. The words "Horcruxes," "resurrection stone," and "Mistake" caught Harry's attention, leading him to realize the topic of discussion. Shock and anger coursed through him, prompting him to interrupt them with a loud and clear voice.
"Hold on a minute. Are you saying that Riddle is attempting to mend his soul with the Deathly Hallows? That he desires immortality?"
Malfoy and Granger looked at Potter, taken aback by his sudden appearance and outburst. They nodded, confirming his suspicions.
"Yes, Harry. That's exactly what we're saying. We discovered from this book that Riddle fragmented his soul and concealed the pieces within various objects. Yet, he also came to understand his mistake and now seeks to restore his soul's original state using the resurrection stone. He also intends to the gather Hallows to become the master of death."
Hermione explained, presenting the book and the page they had been reading.
Viktor, who had been quietly listening, decided to contribute to the conversation. He had some news that might be relevant to their recent discoveries.
"I have something to share. My friend, residing in Koplik, informed me of something peculiar he witnessed in the forest on the opposite side of Lake Shkodër. He saw a group of individuals dressed in cloaks and masks, resembling the Death Eaters. They were heading towards the ruins of an ancient temple deep within the forest. He mentioned hearing them discuss something about the dark lord and the night of the moon."
Krum relayed the information with a serious expression, capturing their attention.
Granger gasped as a crucial realization struck her. She glanced at her muggle watch and confirmed her fears.
"Viktor, do you know what tonight is? It's the final day of the lunar month, and there will be a moon eclipse. This is a rare and significant event, particularly for dark magic. It has the potential to intensify the effects of any ritual or spell."
Hermione's words filled her with a sense of dread.
Harry furrowed his brow, attempting to comprehend the gravity of the situation.
"What does this mean? What do the Death Eaters plan to do?"
Draco sighed, comprehending the seriousness of the matter. He explained with a grim expression.
"It means they're going to attempt the reverse ritual from the book, the one that creates a Horcrux. Utilizing the power of the moon eclipse, they will channel the resurrection stone's energy to reunite Riddle's fragmented soul. Their objective is to make him whole and immortal."
The four friends stared at each other, rendered speechless. They struggled to grasp the enormity of what they had just heard. The audacity and madness of the Death Eaters' plan were beyond belief.