Several days had passed since Harry said to the entire Order he would not complete his final year at Hogwarts in favor of going out on his own to hunt the horcruxes before Voldemort decided to launch the final battle. Summer had begun, Harry was back home with Severus and getting his things ready to leave and then they went on back to Grimmauld so Harry could say goodbye to everyone. Everyone was in the meeting room, his closest friends and other members of the Order.
"Harry…Please reconsider this?" Severus tried.
"Severus, I told everyone else the same thing I'm telling you…I'm not changing my mind." Harry stated firmly. "I've agreed to take Ivy as a compromise, but nothing is deterring me from finishing this. It needs to be done and you know that. I'm the only one who can sense and hear them. Voldemort isn't going to wait, and when he attacks…We need to be ready." He paused. "I know you're worried and scared, Sev. I don't want to argue with you about this, please don't make it a fight. I'm going and the faster I do, the faster I can be back."
"Come on, mate," Ron sighed. "You're not going alone."
"Yes, I am." Harry remarked.
"No, Harry…You are not." Hermione told him as she hulked a bag over her shoulder. "Because I'm going with you."
"What? No. Absolutely not." Harry refused.
"I'm not giving you a choice!" Hermione glared. "In your own words, I am an adult and I make my own choices. I'm not changing my mind…" She paused. "I am going with you, end of story, Harry James Potter-Snape. If you fight me on this, so help me God, I will reverse the room Severus made for you in his quarters to lock you in it!"
"I'm going too." Ron stepped up, shouldering his bag. "'Mione's right, Harry…It's been the three of us from the start at Hogwarts. We've been with you through all your trials in getting to Voldemort. You really think we're leaving you alone for this? The big one? No. No way…" He shook his head.
"Ron…" Molly whimpered.
"Sorry, Mum…But Harry's right. We don't have a lot of time before Voldemort strikes and we need to find these things. I'm not leaving my best mate to do this alone." Ron said. "I'm an adult too. I make my own choices."
"If they're going, so am I." Draco remarked firmly. "Harry's my best friend, he's family."
"Then we're going with you," Narcissa said firmly.
"So are we." Remus and Sirius stood.
"And I'm going as well." Severus folded his arms.
"No, absolutely not!" Harry yelled. "This is not a group event! It's dangerous, and the more people there are; the easier it will be to end up caught! Then it's game over and we've failed." He told them.
"Harry…" Remus sighed.
"Don't be thick, godson. You need us. Several heads are better than one. I'm your godfather, and Remus is an uncle…We're part of the Order, the force built to face Voldemort and protect you. We're also your parents' best friends and they'd never forgive us if we didn't aid you now." Sirius told him.
"Bellatrix has access to the manor," Narcissa said.
"We're not safe there anyway, we've been residing with Sirius and Remus so far, most appreciative of their hospitality." Lucius added.
"If you kids are going, it wouldn't hurt to have the extra sets of hands that are more experienced." Narcissa mentioned.
"I'm your husband, Harry…We're supposed to do everything together. When we got married…I promised to protect you from him and you would protect me from him too. Neither one of us will be safe without the other. Plus…I'm your husband. It's my duty to stand by you through everything. I'm going." Severus took Harry's hand.
"You're not gonna be able to do all the searching, set up camps, and be able to guard effectively without us." Hermione informed.
"Fine, but if we get caught…And the plan goes to shit, I won't let any of you live it down." Harry muttered.
"Deal." Those who said they were going to tag along agreed.
"The rest of us will remain here and help where we can." Neville assured.
"I'll fill in for Severus leaving," Alastor offered. "The curse shouldn't affect me as the last time I was there, it was Barty Crouch Jr."
"There is no more curse," Harry informed. "I already removed it."
"Y-You truly did?" Minerva inquired.
"Wasn't hard to ask the castle where its magic was affected by dark, then go in and counter it." Harry told her. "Same problem as so many others, you needed a Parselmouth." He shrugged.
"Take it easy for now, cub. Give us some days to pack." Remus stated.
"Stay for the wedding," Bill insisted. "I'm sure Voldemort isn't going to do anything for a bit. He thinks he's had a big victory in killing Albus,"
Harry sighed. "Alright, fine. We leave after the wedding."
He should have just bailed in the middle of the night, now there was this group of himself and eight others. This was not going to be easy, but how could he tell them no? Harry knew they were just scared, with valid reasons. But a big group would attract attention, they needed to be careful. Harry was going to have to set a whole new plan and now push back the original time to leave. Fantastic.
. . .
The time was going pretty quickly, it was already July 31st, and Harry was now, officially seventeen years old and had felt it was rather foolish to celebrate something he technically already was considered, an adult, so he forbade anyone from trying to throw him a party. Most of the last few weeks had been Harry trying to work out how the hell he was going to do this mission with an additional eight people.
It should be easy, but it wouldn't be. Voldemort would start making moves if he hadn't already and Harry would likely be his next target, especially if Voldemort found out what Harry was hunting down. Maybe having extra people could help him not lose his head to the anger, but still; he was more worried about their safety.
Bigger groups attracted more attention. It would have been just as easy to put the Malfoy's into hiding under Fidelius just as it had been done for the rest, but perhaps that wasn't safe now that the secret was out regarding the vanishing cabinets. It was nice of them to offer to come and help, but it was going to be dangerous and Harry often felt it was easier to manage things if he only had to worry about himself. He couldn't take it back now, he already agreed.
Those venturing with him had been using the time to pack appropriately for however long they were going to be gone. No one knew, but it would be until the horcruxes were found. The diary had been destroyed four years ago, by Harry, down in the Chamber of Secrets. Barring that, they had two other horcruxes already; the ring, and the locket, which might be fake, but it proved they needed to be looking for Salazar Slytherin's locket and their only clue was this R.A.B person. Harry's theory still held firm that two more of the items were items belonging to the founders, Hufflepuff's Cup, and Ravenclaw's Diadem.
The remaining things, Harry had no idea about. However, he had a good hunch that it might be Nagini. Why else would Voldemort keep her around, as a pet? No, Harry didn't believe that for a second. That still left one more item completely unknown to them. Hermione was sure to be packing not just clothes, but also anything else she felt they needed, including research books. And Severus had been brewing like crazy to ensure they had whatever they needed for the trip.
Harry assumed his husband might be also taking things to brew while they were hunting, Draco would probably be aiding him. Ron would grab clothes, but that was probably it. The other four adults; Harry had no clue, but it would likely be essentials. Ivy and Hedwig were obviously coming too. The wedding they would be leaving after from was Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour's. The two were set to be married August 1st, which was tomorrow. Ironically, the day right after that; it marked one year for Harry and Severus being married and bonded.
Another wedding that had already happened was Remus and Tonks; they'd been seeing one another for a while and decided to just tie the knot. That happened within July as well, a very private affair because of the anti-werewolf laws in effect due to the Ministry of Magic.
"Harry?" Severus said lightly upon finding Harry inside his office space.
"Yeah, Sev?" Harry questioned.
"I know we're leaving for the mission right after Bill and Fleur's wedding, so…I had wondered if maybe you'd like to celebrate our anniversary early, double it as your birthday party?" Severus asked. "I know you don't really want to, but your friends want to see you before we leave for however long we'll be gone…"
"Celebrate where exactly? Malfoy Manor isn't safe and your house isn't big enough to hold the usual group." The teenager informed.
"Sirius offered Grimmauld, Weasley's said we could use their home too." Severus stated.
"I guess we can go to Grimmauld. I need to talk to Remus anyway…" Harry agreed.
"What about, if I can ask?" Inquired Severus.
"To tell him he's not coming on the hunt," Harry said firmly. "He just got married, and Tonks is pregnant…He needs to stay with his wife and unborn child. When we leave for the mission, we're going off the grid with no communication from anyone at the school or the Order."
"That's more than fair, but you know he'll fight your decision." Severus reminded.
"He can argue all he wants, but he knows I'm right and Sirius will agree." Harry remarked. "How goes your brewing?"
"Done. I'm bringing things with me to brew, though. So is Draco. I believe Narcissa is handling food and Hermione has books covered." Severus enlightened.
"We have to grab the box we're keeping the horcruxes in." Harry told his husband. "We can't leave it behind. Nothing of importance."
"I've already got it packed, Harry." Severus promised. "We're going to be fine between all of us and perhaps with more together, we'll get done faster and we can bring the fight to Voldemort."
"You'll let me call him out?" Harry gave half a smile.
"From the rooftops if you desire." Severus kissed Harry's cheek. "I know how serious the mission is, but we're not sharing space with the others, are we?"
"Ron said he would take care of that, so I trust his judgment with the amount of people going; he'll figure things out." Harry said.
"Well, if we're both set here…We can go over." Severus said gently. "Enjoy the party for a bit and then come back here for private celebrations?"
"Sounds kind'a nice." Harry leaned against his husband for a moment, then he got up. "Okay, let's go."
. . .
It didn't take long for them to leave their things ready in the main room of the home and use the fireplace to get over to Grimmauld. The party was being held on the first floor, Sirius and Remus got it all set up and everyone had already been there. It was nice to be able to have moments during such turmoil.
Albus was dead, and a group of eight people were going out to hunt down the soul pieces of Voldemort to be able to destroy him. Four of the people going were actually abandoning their final year of school to get this done, but how could the seven tagging along have not decided this?
Harry would need them, even if he didn't admit it aloud. It was part of the therapy; making sure Harry knew he wasn't alone anymore. The party was going well, calm chatter and no one bringing up the mission because Harry was already stressed even if he didn't show it. That ever faithful mask he wore was firm in place. As Harry had called it, Tonks was pregnant, she announced so early on in the party.
"What time are we leaving, Harry?" Remus asked.
"I've been meaning to talk to you about that." Harry stated.
"What's up, cub? What do you need?" Remus inquired.
"I want you to stay behind, Remus." The teenager said sternly.
"I already told you that I am coming." The wolf countered.
"That was before you got married, Uncle Moony," Harry was trying to keep it light. "You're married and have a kid on the way. We don't know how long this is going to take, and it's not fair to your wife or unborn child that you are away when you don't need to be. I already mentioned once that a big group is more dangerous than me having gone by myself. You stay behind. Sirius, back me on this?"
"I-Sorry, Moony. I have to agree with Harry this time. You're one of my best friends, but he's right. You just got married and have a child coming. It's not fair to Tonks if you're not around for the pregnancy, or even the birth." Sirius commented.
"Family comes first, Remus." Harry told him. "You don't have to abandon yours over this mission. I've got more than enough people tagging along to keep me safe…I'm not alone. But if you come, you're leaving Tonks alone. I want you to stay here with them because when we leave, we're going off the grid. No means of communication back home. No mirrors, no journals, no patronus messaging. Stay with your wife and child, that would help me immensely, Uncle Remy. Please?"
Remus sighed. "Alright…Fine. Sirius, you better protect him then. And don't argue with Severus either…"
"Thank you." Harry told him.
"Black and I won't have any problems. This mission is too important for petty grudges from the past…" Severus assured.
"You know I'd give my life to protect Harry, Remus." Sirius promised. "We'll be home soon, getting rid of that bastard Voldemort, and all of us moving onto happier, peaceful lives."
"For the rest wanting to know, we're leaving first thing in the morning after the wedding." Harry informed.
"What's our first move, Harry…Figuring out where the real locket is?" Draco inquired.
"Would make the most sense." Ron nodded.
"We need to figure out this R.A.B person, he or she is the one who took the real locket." Hermione added.
"What do we already know?" Narcissa asked. "It has to be someone who knew Voldemort as the Dark Lord."
"What does it say, Harry? In full?" Alastor questioned.
"To the Dark Lord. I know I will be dead long before you read this but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more. R.A.B." Harry read off.
"Sounds like this person could possibly be someone who used to follow Voldemort, who figured out what he was doing." Lucius offered. "It could be just as easy that this person is no longer alive either. Voldemort doesn't let people live who betray him."
While they were all debating, Harry's eyes refocused on the wall across from him; it's where the Black family tree was. "Harry? Did you think of something? You've got that look of realization on your face." Severus asked. Harry never answered as he finally got up and went over to the tree and traced down the lines until he reached a name that matched the initials.
"Sirius."
"Yes, pup?"
"Your brother…Was he a Death Eater?" Inquired Harry.
"Regulus? Yeah, but he died before you were born, Harry. 1979. Why do you ask?" Sirius wondered.
"Because his name matches the initials on the note…" Harry said. "Regulus Arcturus Black. R. A. B. Was a former Death Eater, now dead because he betrayed Voldemort to take the real locket."
"I mean…It fits, but Harry…If Regulus is the one who took the real one. Again, he's dead and has been for years." Sirius repeated.
"That doesn't mean we don't have a lead." Harry mentioned. "Call Kreacher. You said that the elf hated you, but loved the rest of your family. Maybe he knows something about where Regulus might have hid the locket."
"I doubt it." Sirius scoffed.
"Do you have a better idea?" Harry glared. "I said you could come on the mission to help me, if you're gonna ignore the ideas; you might as well stay behind with Remus."
"Kreacher!" Sirius called. The elf appeared in the room.
"Master Sirius has summoned Kreacher?" The grumpy elf said.
Harry walked over to Kreacher now and pulled the locket from his pocket, holding it up to the elf who instantly cowered away from it. "Have you seen this before, Kreacher?"
"It's…Master Regulus's locket."
"But there were two, weren't there?" Harry pushed. "Where's the other one?"
"Kreacher doesn't know." The elf responded.
"Was it ever in this house?" Sirius asked now. "Come on, Kreacher…You've been here for years and you knew it was my brother's."
"Yes, it was here…In this house. A most evil object. Before Master Regulus died, he ordered Kreacher to destroy it, but Kreacher could not."
"Where is it now? Did someone take it?" Harry questioned.
"He came in the night and took many things…Including the locket." Kreacher said.
"Who, Kreacher? Who took it?" The teenager pushed.
"Mundungus. Mundungus Fletcher. Little over a year ago when Master Sirius went away." Kreacher informed.
"That little thief was in my house and stealing my things while I was in St. Mungo's?" Sirius snapped at the elf. Kreacher hissed at him.
"Sirius, stop. You're not helping any by getting angry at him." Hermione warned.
"Kreacher…" Harry said as the elf now looked at him. "Find Mundungus. Now."
"Yes, Young Master Black." Kreacher bowed his head and vanished.
"I don't know if I want to be angry or envious that he responds to you so well." Sirius muttered.
"I'm not an asshole to him." Harry rolled his eyes before he went to sit back down. "Calm yourself. I'd think you'd be honored he refers to me as Young Master Black."
"Was a nice touch." Sirius shrugged. "He knows I adopted you, so you're the future Lord Black."
"Now what?" Severus asked.
"We wait for Kreacher to get back and question Fletcher about the locket." Harry stated. "It's all we can do, while hoping he knows where it is or what happened to it after he took it. This is how we follow leads…" He remarked.
