A/N: I'll make this short and sweet; I was a victim of writers block once again. To be honest my heart was not in this chapter at all and I just hope it isn't THAT obvious. I do promise I am not abandoning this story because I have so much planned for it. I just hope you don't hate me for taking long in updating because I want to give you quality chapters! Also please feel free to message me or contact me through tumblr on my authors page, the more feedback from you guys the better =) there's a little snippet of 'Closing Time" by Semisonic towards the end =)

The closet's been shaking with bones

Little reminders that you're out on your own

Today, today is going to be a better one

There's nothing more to take in

That's going wrong

"Today is Going To Be Better I swear!"-Stars

Days turned into weeks as rapidly as they turned into months. The winter breeze was coming in stronger. Disappointment weighed heavily upon the tent. It was now December, three months since they had left Grimmauld Place, and they had nothing to show for it. They were no closer to finding the next closer than they were in destroying the one they currently had. The locket seemed to know, for it played on their emotions even more violently than it had before. For Harry, it made him suspicious, every time Ron and Hermione were whispering to one another, he was sure there were plotting away to escape him and his failure. For Ron, it intensified his jealously. His eyes narrowed dangerously whenever Hermione offered Harry water or any leftover food that she could no longer eat. Hermione on the other hand became very sensitive to everything. She took everything to heart and almost always stormed off in tears over one thing or the other. It was a trying time for them all.

On a brisk afternoon, Hermione was taking a nap inside the tent while Ron kept watch. Harry had decided to stay inside to be far away from Ron and his irritating wizard radio. it had been months since there had been any news on 'Potterwatch' and frankly, Harry hoped there wouldn't be. He couldn't keep listening about disappearances and deaths. It was too much.

He lay in his bunk, staring at the golden snitch flying above him for the umpteenth time. His faith in Dumbledore was beginning to waiver. He had left them a mission that was nearly impossible. He had hoped that somehow Dumbledore, being the great wizard he was had some special reason to leave him with the golden snitch. Instead there it was, flying above him as useless as ever. No hidden secret, no clue. Nothing.

He rolled over and his eyes fell on Hermione whose room could be partly seen from his own. 'The tales of Beadle the Bard' was lying on her chest. Harry was startled to see Hermione's eyes furrowed and tears streaming slowly out. Yet she was fast asleep. It was a nightmare, and a terrible one at that.

Without hesitation, He sprung up from his bunk and made his way towards her to wake her.

"Hermione?" Harry uttered softly. "Hermione!"

Hermione wrenched open her eyes at the sound of his voice.

"W-what?" she mumbled.

"You were crying in your sleep…"

"I was?" she asked curiously. "It was probably nothing…"

Harry's eyes caught sight of the locket the hung heavily as she sat up.

"Take off the locket." Harry commanded.

"Why?" she inquired.

"You've been wearing it too long." Harry replied.

"No! Why do you think I can't handle the burden of the locket as easily as you two can?" she asked angrily. "Because I'm a girl?"

"No I was—"

"I need some air." She interjected, throwing the book on the bed.

Hermione stood abruptly and sped past him, knocking Ron sideways as she exited the tent.

"What is it this time?" he asked. "The locket or the time of the month? I can never tell."

"Funny, I can say the same about you." Harry jeered.

"Fair enough." Ron said gratingly. "I'm tired…do you mind taking over?"

"Fine." Harry muttered.

Harry walked past Ron, wanting nothing more than to be far away from him. He threw himself roughly on the chair just outside the tent. Squinting his eyes, he scanned around for Hermione but she was nowhere near. This wasn't the first time she wandered off so he didn't really worry. She needed her space and she knew the area far better than he did. He knew this because all destinations were up to her. He had learned that every area held a special meaning to her, and it made him sad. She was deliberately torturing herself coming to places she had once visited with her parents. That was why she kept having reoccurring nightmares. Her depression was aided even more thanks to the malicious locket.

The truth was obvious that the longer they held the locket, the more weight piled up on their situation. They were being put to the test. All three of them.

The night loomed near, he could tell by the rapidly darkening sky. He could hear Ron snoring. He took frequent naps throughout the day. As the air grew colder, Harry was starting to worry. It had been hours since Hermione had walked away. Was she lost? Was she lying on the forest floor lifeless? He shook his head to quiet those anxious questions. He waited a little longer. Then if she didn't show up, he'd have no choice but to go after her.

After what felt like an eternal hour, he made his decision. With wand in hand, he set off in a direction he wasn't entirely sure was the right one. It was then he remembered a spell she had taught him back in Fourth year. He hoped desperately it would work. He held out his wand and muttered: "Point Me".

The tip of the wand ignited in blue and vibrated in a specific direction. Following its lead, he delved deeper into the forest. Eventually, the spell led him to her. Surprisingly, she was not alone. She was standing, completely paralyzed with fear as a man with long, straggly dark hair stood directly in front of her. For some reason, he could not quite understand, even though the man was standing directly in front of Hermione, he didn't appear to see her. Harry held his breath as he stepped closer. He could hear voices from the stranger's companion who he hadn't seen standing behind him. There was another man, carrying someone.

"Let's get going." said the long haired man's muffled voice.

"So those are the infamous snatchers." Harry's voice whispered behind her.

"You scared me." Hermione breathed, turning around.

"I'm sorry." Harry apologized.

"They were carrying someone." She said with difficulty. "A muggle-born."

"Yeah…it's horrible." Harry related.

"They sensed me." Hermione whispered. "One of them….he could smell my perfume. I was sure we'd be caught."

"Thank merlin you're so gifted at charms." Harry laughed. "You're gifted at everything really."

Hermione took a deep breath and finally turned around.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you earlier." She apologized. "I wish I wasn't such an emotional wreck when I'm wearing this damned locket."

"It's okay." Harry said genuinely. "It affects us all."

"It was my parents again." Hermione confessed. "In my dream. I heard their alternate names in the death report in the wizarding radio."

"They keep getting more realistic" she continued. "What if this is a sign? A foreshadowing?"

"They're safe Hermione." Harry reassured placing a caring hand on her shoulder. "You hid them well."

"I hope so…" said Hermione wistfully.

They stood in silence for a while longer, making sure the Snatchers were far off before they started to walk through the crunchy leaves that littered the forest.

"I uh…really like your perfume by the way." Harry said clumsily.

"Oh thanks." Hermione smiled. "It's the one Ron gave me back in fifth year…I'm still not done with it, It was a gallon's worth."

"Right." Harry nodded.

"But, I guess after tonight, I won't wear it anymore." Hermione surmised. "It was too close of a call."

"Yeah that'll probably be best." He agreed.

Hermione lifted up her hands up to the nape of her neck, where she gathered all her hair and walked and turned in front of Harry.

"Do you mind?" she asked.

"Oh uh…not at all." Harry reached forward for the clasp of the locket with trembling hands.

"Thanks." Hermione muttered. "I feel a huge relief now that it's off."

"Maybe we should take a break from it tonight." He suggested. "It could do us all some good."

"That's a good idea actually." Hermione said.

"Don't sound so shocked." Harry mused. "You don't always have to be clever one."

Hermione laughed.

"I've forgotten how good it feels to laugh." She said smiling.

"I think we all have." Harry said.

"We should get back to the tent." Hermione advised. "We don't want any more run in with those awful Snatchers."

"You're right." Harry agreed. "Ron's probably wondering where we are anyway."

They set off together, walking carefully to not bring any attention to themselves. Harry, being painfully aware of the awkward silence between them, took his chance to get her to talk about her troubles

"Hermione?" Harry asked curiously. "Why don't you ever tell us about your parents?"

"I don't know…I've just never seen an opportunity to speak about them." Hermione shrugged as they walked. "Though…seeing the wreck I have been for the past few days…I don't think talking about them now would do me any good."

"I feel happy for some reason whenever I speak about mine." smiled Harry. "Though there's hardly ever much I know to talk about."

"I'd like to know more about yours though." He continued. "I hardly know them"

"Well… they're both dentists. They met while they were in graduate school actually." Hermione stated. "Mum used to tell me I was eerily like her. My dad was not as into school as she was. She was interested in him for a long time in him but wouldn't work up the nerve to talk to him out of fear. She also didn't want to get distracted from school. They were paired up for one assignment. And from then on, they clicked."

"They got along well?" Harry inquired.

"Yes. You know, I was never into fairy tales like other girls my age were. All I knew was that I'd be grateful to be nearly as happy as they were. They never fought. If they did, it wouldn't last." She explained. "I don't know why I ever thought it would work between Ron and I. we're so different."

"Was it really that bad?" Harry asked curiously.

"I don't want to bash Ron at all…it's just that he's so brash and I take things to heart…." Hermione reasoned. "It's just impossible to make it work. I can deal with the friendship but I can't handle being in a romantic relationship like that. It's just toxic."

"I'm sorry." Harry said genuinely.

"It's alright." She smiled.

"Did you love him?" Harry asked. His mouth moved much faster than his brain could handle.

Hermione gave Harry an unreadable look.

"I fancied him like mad for a few years but…no." she said firmly. "I don't think I ever got the chance to fall in love him."

"I'm sorry, that was probably none of my business." Harry said bashfully.

"Oh Harry, we're friends aren't we?" Hermione laughed. "We can talk about these things!"

"I guess so." Harry chuckled.

"Did you love Ginny?" she asked.

"No. I really did fancy her at one point. For that fleeting moment, I felt what it was like to be a normal teenager." Harry explained. "But it was never meant to last. I can't be with anyone."

"Harry-" Hermione started.

"Where the hell have you two been?" came Ron's irritated voice.

As they got closer to the tent, they saw Ron standing furiously in front of the flap of the tent.

"We heard a noise and we went to check it out." Hermione replied calmly.

"Well you could've let me know you know." Ron muttered. "I was getting worried."

"You're right. We should've said something." Harry apologized.

"So what did you see?" Ron questioned still looking slightly irritated.

"Snatchers." Harry replied.

"Oh." said Ron simply. "So we're moving again?"

"Tomorrow." Hermione answered.

"So who's on locket duty tonight?" Ron queried.

"No one, actually. It's better if we all take a break for tonight." said Hermione. "We've had a rough couple of months."

Ron kneeled down to pick up the Wizarding radio that was in front of the flap of the tent.

"Any news?" Harry asked as he sat down on a large log.

"Not anything we haven't already heard" Ron answered.

"Then shut it off." Harry suggested. "Let's have a break from all the madness."

"Hold on, do you get muggle stations on that radio?" Hermione probed.

"I don't know." Ron replied.

"Oh I hope we can find something!" Hermione said excitedly. She reached forward for the dial and turned it slowly, listening for anything other than depressing static of nothingness. "There's only so much star gazing I can take."

She bit her lip as she listened intently to any faint sound of music.

"I think I hear something!" she said brightly.

'Closing time

Open all the doors and let you out into the world'

"I love this song!" said Hermione animatedly.

"I actually know this song!" Harry said enthusiastically. "I would hear the neighbor blaring it outside in the yard."

"Closing time, turn all of the lights on over every boy and every girl" Harry said singing despite himself

Ron stared at him in confusion. Hermione could only smile before she too joined in.

"Closing time, one last call for alcohol so finish your whiskey or beer."

"Closing time, you don't have to go home but you can't stay here" Harry followed.

"Are you two mad?" Ron asked.

"Come on Ron!" said Hermione getting up and lifting him off the chair.

"What the bloody hell has gotten into you two?" he asked as Hermione pulled his arms alternatively in an attempt to get him to dance.

"We are acting our age for once!" Hermione replied laughing.

Ron looked over to Harry who was playing some sort of invisible instrument. It was unlike he had ever seen. All the moods Ron knew Harry was capable of having were brooding and angry. Yet there he was, acting foolish like any other boy his age. Realizing fighting them was futile; he joined them in their awkward uncoordinated dance. He had not noticed when his own sense of fun had disappeared. All he knew at this moment was that it felt great to feel like a normal teenager for once. And for once in a very long while, things were starting to feel better. If only slightly.