Getting into bed Hermione hugged Harry tightly. Holding him like she was afraid to let go.
"Hermione I am not going to be able to breath if you keep squeezing me like this."
"Oh Harry I'm sorry but you have to understand I'm just worried."
"I know but we have adults willing to help, we have a plan and we're not going to worry."
"I am still going to worry. So far plans have not worked out too well with us."
"Okay that's a fact I can't dispute. But we know that these Horcrux things are able to be destroyed. We can figure out what they are, find them, and destroy them. Then we can get on with life. Right?"
"You make it sound so simple Harry. These things are not going to be hidden in plan sight. They are going to be something that isn't going to be obvious and they are going to be defended."
"Well maybe. The Diary was tough yeah but it wasn't anything special. It was just his old school notebook. Bought in a muggle bookshop. Remember?"
"Yes I know. However it was fragile compared to a real Horcrux. That must have been the first one he made. The others would have protective spells, curses and magics on them. The diary was one of the weakest ones according to Dumbledore's research. The items had to be prepared using special spells aannnd, parts from a person." She sounded like she was going to be sick when she said that.
"Uh I don't really want to know do I?"
"No not really. But that means you are not a true one. Because he didn't have the time to go through the proper ritual."
"Well that's good right?"
"It means it should be easier to get that out of your head. However the others will probably need something incredibly destructive like Basilisk Venom or certain spells."
"Great. Okay we will study and figure it out."
"I am. I'm just still upset about some of the stuff I found out along the way. About you and the Dursleys"
"Like what?" Harry said grumpily.
"He was curious if their, actions would affect the scar. If it would become released or somehow take you over. He treated it like a curious experiment."
"I guess since Riddle didn't stay on his plan he was hoping he could beat me into staying on script."
"But you overcame all of that Harry. You became a much better person than what they had hoped for. One reason I love you."
"Thanks." He said snuggling in with her. "Lets get some sleep."
===xxx===xxx===xxx===xx
Percy Weasley was sitting in a cell in the Ministry after a very unpleasant night. Sighing he knew he should have gone on the run but hoped that they wouldn't be able to tie him to anything. Only in the middle of the night he suddenly got black bagged and vanished only to wake up in the cells in his underwear with a bare rock slab that had a cushioning charm on it.
"Well good morning there Prince Percy. Ready to answer some questions?" Alastair Moody was in a chipper mood. Interrogating special prisoners always put him in such a mood.
"Do I have any other options?"
"Well ye could be stubborn and try to resist. Then we get to use legilemens and rip it out of yer mind. Course that method tends to leave nothing but a mashed potato between yer ears but hey you're a bureaucrat its not like anyone would notice. Right?"
"I do have some rights you know. I would like to speak with a solicitor."
"Ahh now ye see you're operating under a bit of a misapprehension. You think that anyone knows that you've gone missing. Right now there is a trainee cadet who got rushed into the field pretending to be you. You're a minor enough clerk in the Improper use of Magic Office under Umbridge that no one will notice if you act a bit odd."
Percy looked concerned. "Polyjuice wears off and a full body transfiguration like that cannot be maintained in our offices due to the wards."
"Yeah yer correct. A metamorphmagus though.."
"Oh."
"Oh indeed there. Now Arthur himself had breakfast with our agent and they did not cause him to even notice. So if yer own father can be fooled." He left the rest of that open for interpretation.
"What do you want to know?"
"First the veritaserum. Then the questions. Come here and be a good boy and stick yer tongue out."
Percy sighed as he did not have much choice. He remembered his father talking about the special powers aurors had been given during the first uprising. Once the potion had been administered he felt the calming effect of it and turned to Moody.
"Well first off what was Dumbledore having you do?"
"I was to observe Dolores Umbridge. She is a loose cannon in the office with aspirations of grandeur. I was just to report to Professor Dumbledore what went on in the Ministry as well. He said father didn't tell him everything he needed to know as he got shoved off into that dead end job and didn't seem to mind."
"So yer job was to be Dumbledore's spy in the Ministry?"
"Yes. He said there were forces trying to undermine our society and legal system. That the corruption was becoming too much and he wanted to have a more honest and unbiased opinion of someone he could trust."
"He felt that was you?"
"He told me that due to my high marks and good behavior in school I showed an exemplary aptitude for this."
"Do you know what he did with this information?"
"No. It was none of my concern."
"Did ye know about Peter Pettigrew?"
"I did not know anything other than he was considered a victim of Sirius Black."
"Where did ye get yer rat?"
"We found him in the field behind our house."
"And you didn't think about how long he lived?"
"I did not score very high in care of magical creatures."
"What about Harry Potter?"
"He was none of my concern. He was Ron's friend not mine."
"And your sister?"
"I know mother had wanted her to marry Harry Potter and strongly encouraged it. Ron was in favor of it as well."
"What about her winding up his daughter instead."
"That was unfortunate but again none of my concern."
"So pretty much unless it had something to do directly with you it was none of your concern."
"Correct."
Moody grumbled and turned the questioning over to his assistant. He went off to find madam Bones.
====xxxx===xxx===xxx===xx
Sirius had been cleaning his house with the help of Remus since he got released. His house elf Kreacher being a right nuisance all the way. Taking and hiding things that had been earmarked for sale or destruction. They had let him do so until today when they finally sent him off on a quest that should take several hours, even for a house elf.
They were going through his nest and found a locket. Sirius had begun to toss it in the sell bag when Remus caught it.
"I recognize this."
"Oh what is it?"
"Remember the huge portrait of Slytherin down by the stairwell to the dungeons?"
"Yeah so what."
"He was wearing this in that portrait."
"Really? Wow. That's nice a true Founder's item. I bet Minerva would love to have that for the display in the castle."
"Probably. And it might give you points with Harry."
"You think?" Sirius said wistfully.
"Perhaps. Even if he is not a historian his wife is."
"Alright good idea. Let's contact Minerva and tell her I found this."
"We found it." Remus corrected archly
"We found it." Sirius conceded.
===xxx===xxx===xxx==xx
It was the last day of Christmas break and the other students were due to come back tomorrow. The mood in the castle was cheerfully optimistic. Daniel's request for a Land Rover Defender had been granted and he was ecstatic. Showing it off to the boys as she called them, including Professor Flitwick who had to leap onto the fender to see the engine.
The ladies of the castle though just shook their heads at his excitement. Hermione's research had uncovered a potential list of possible other Horcruxes Dumbledore had considered if Slughorn's knowledge proved that he had made more than one. Hermione though had made a few other theories.
"Although I don't think we need to find this Slughorn person ma'am."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because Harry has a part of Riddle's soul in him. That means either he had split his soul often enough for it to be come fragile or he had gone to the house to make a horcrux and whatever Harry's mom did prevented that."
Minerva considered, "That does make sense. I wonder why Albus did not think of that?"
"he did. He considered it but wanted to have the information from this Mr Slughorn for confirmation. I think Mr Dumbledore had too much reliance on wanting to have all the information and not enough on making inferences and deductions."
"So looking over his note sweetie you think you can find and destroy these things."
"Well as long as there is still some basilisk fangs and the Sword of Gryffindor around yes we can destroy them. We just need to figure out what they are and where they are. I've begun going over the notes Dumbledore had about the life and personality of Tom Riddle aka Voldemort to see if there is any personality quirks or obsessions he might have."
"Like collecting cat figurines or something."
"Maybe mom. I doubt it would be something as simple as that."
"Perhaps you could collect the gentlemen. I need to inform them of a dinner guest we will be having tonight."
"I'll go get them" Ginny said racing off to the shed where Dan and the guys were working on modifying the Defender.
"So who is the guest ma'am?"
"Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. I already cleared them with Madam Bones. She will have an auror here. Miss Tonks shall be joining us as well. My only concern is that we have another flare up of the previous ill tempers."
"Harry and I will behave ourselves if Mr Black does."
"I have already received his assurances that he will be on his utmost behavior."
"He better."
===xxx==xxx==xx==xx
Harry was not pleased with the sudden announcement of the dinner guests but agreed that he would behave if they would. Especially as they were here to present something to Minerva and the school. Tonks arrived first and greeted Harry and his family warmly with hugs for each of them.
When they arrived via Floo they were greeted politely and welcomed to the school.
"Wow. Place looks a lot brighter and cleaner."
"Yes well Mr Filch has been given a staff of elves and student punishment details involve cleaning as well. As for the lighting Mrs Granger pointed out how difficult it is to read things with the flickering candles, lanterns and torches. Even if they are magical fires they produce a great deal of soot and smoke."
"Nice. I like the changes. Though whats with the mirrors on the walls?"
"Those are a suggestion of Mr Granger."
Daniel took that as an opportunity to explain the telecomm mirrors and their use in the castle. Tonks recognized the show as her muggle side of the family had several fans of it too.
"We can even use them thanks to the runic structures inside them."
"Well that is certainly interesting."
Remus and Daniel had a long discussion about several other ideas for improving the castle and incorporating several muggle inventions in. Sirius and Daniel talked about classic Rock with Emma joining in on occasion. Harry observed them and listened trying to get a sense of the two men. Tonks sat and observed everyone. Her hair a neutral bubble gum pink.
Once dinner was completed Sirius pulled out a small box. Harry had a brief flash of pain in his scar. Hermione noticed this and put her hand on his arm in concern. He shook his head but slid his chair a bit further away. When Sirius opened the box to reveal an ancient looking gold locket with agate and a green stone in the shape of an S on the cover Harry flinched as he thought he heard a soft surrussing sound. As if something sliding through leaves.
"Harry?" Hermione called out drawing everyone's attention. Daniel slammed the box shut, almost on Sirius' fingers.
"Harry you okay?"
"That's causing my scar to hurt. I thought I heard something too."
"Tonks I think we need Alastair here."
"Yeah so it would seem."
"Uh anyone wanna tell me whats going on?"
"No." Harry, Hermione, Daniel and Emma all said simultaneously.
===xxx===xxx===xxx===xx
Alastair Moody and Francis Muldoon showed up a few moments after Minerva called and told him they might have a horcrux. Interrogating Sirius on the particulars of the item he was annoyed by the lack of knowledge of where it came from or what his elf had been doing with it. Moody had finally began to poke and examine it very carefully. After a time he nodded.
"Yeah that's probably one of them. You got the sword Minerva?"
"Yes Daniel retrieved it from my office."
"Alright give me the sword and I'll go take a swing at it. If it blows up or something you should all stay back."
Sirius raised his hand, "Uh can someone please explain to me what is going on and why we are trying to destroy an ancient artifact of one of the Founders?"
"Because it has been tainted with a piece of Voldemort's soul in it." Muldoon said.
"Oh bummer. That sucks." Sirius dejectedly said. "Sorry Minerva I was trying to do something nice."
"You may have done something far greater than you had hoped."
Everyone backed off a fair distance except Emma and Ginny who left the room altogether. Ginny not wanting to be near another one of those items as she felt a strange itch inside her head she said.
Once everyone was clear and Moody made sure the locket was stuck to the table he squared up and with a wind up swung in an overhead strike like ,Conan Daniel would later describe, only for the sword to bounce off the case of the locket. He looked at it in confusion then looked at the sword. If Moody's glare was much worse Harry thought the locket should have melted.
"Maybe its like the entrance to the chamber?" Hermione suggested.
Moody growled, "That is entirely plausible. You know for a mick Salazar sure loved his snakes."
Muldoon chuckled, "Hey we don claim him much in our lands either ye know."
"Well Potter. I guess just try to tell it to open. Then step back."
Harry sighed and walked over. Looking at the cover he imagined the stylistic S was a snake. Speaking aloud he said the word "open" in the hissing tones of parseltongue.
Harry saw an image form in the air over the locket, Hermione leaving him behind and saying she didn't love him any more. Taking Ginny and abandoning him. Turning her family against him. A voice cried out in cruel hissing tones saying no one would love him. Everyone would abandon him, a worthless little freak like him. Unloved. His only friend had to be paid to be that. To stop them leaving all he had to do was put the locket on."
The next thing Harry saw a flash of white light and heard a small explosion as Moody had plunged the sword into the locket. He was standing there breathing hard with a enraged expression on his face for a few seconds before he calmed down and started laughing.
Muldoon was helping the others pick themselves up but paused to look at his boss and friend, "Al? Ye finally go off the end o the dock?"
"No Francis. Just considering how that was an effective defense mechanism."
"I take it the thing tried to guilt ye into putting the bit oh shine on?"
"Yeahup." Moody turned and offered Harry a hand up off the floor, "You good Potter?"
"I think so." He shakily said.
"Well look folks this thing must have sensed what your deepest fear was and then tried to feed into that. Tried to get ya ta wear the blasted thing. Eventually you'd get weak enough the part inside would take you over."
Emma peeked in from the hallway, "Is it safe?"
"yeah Mrs Granger is Ginny alright?"
"Yes sir I'm okay." She said coming over to give Harry a hug.
Hermione came over and examined the charred blasted pieces that remained. "That would seem to confirm what Dumbledore's research said. That they would have stronger defenses. This case looks like gold so should have been split in half with that swing."
"He must have used a hardening charm on it, plus probably the impervious. At the very least." Remus pointed out.
"Plus maybe some alchemical hardening. Those are connemara Marble, also called snake stones. They absorb all venoms, even Basilisk when they are awakened." Sirius observed.
"Well Black, Lupin we need to go talk to your elf about this."
"Absolutely."
"Good evening everyone. I hope you will be alright after that." Moody said handing the sword back to Daniel in its sheath.
"I think so." Hermione said holding Harry's hand.
Daniel shook himself, "I guess. I dunno. It was all such a jumble of words and half formed images. It was like trying to watch to tv channels at the same time, while listening to the radio."
Sirius shook his head, "Well sorry Minerva. That was not what I had in mind when I said I had something special to show you."
"Apology accepted. Next time we have dinner perhaps it won't be quite so spectacular."
"I'd hope so too."
====xxx===xxx===xx==x
In bed that night Hermione held Harry again. Stroking his hair, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. It just hit me kinda hard."
"I know. I had a bad vision too. It was just a vision though. It wasn't real."
"I guess. You aren't going to leave me are you?"
"No Harry. Of course not."
"Even if we kinda got forced together?"
Hermione sighed, "Even then. I admit it was not how I wanted things to happen with my romantic life but now that it has I'm not going to regret. Now just relax and go to sleep."
"yeah." Harry said staring at the ceiling.
=====xxx===xxx===xxx==xx
The next day at the welcoming feast he was happy to see Neville and his ladies back. All of them happy and sporting matching charm necklaces.
"What couldn't make up your mind?"
"Yeah. Gramma pointed out that I don't have to choose until much later. So right now." He shrugged with a grin.
"I thought Luna said you didn't have to choose legally anyhow?"
"Well yeah but Gramma didn't like that idea. She's a Merlinist and Luna's family are pagans."
"Merlinist?"
"The church of Merlin the Divine wizard." Neville explained.
"Oh." was all Hermione could say.
"Its actually kinda common in the wizarding world."
"Hence all those who say by Merlin's beard and such." Hermione noted the cultural differences once more.
"Yeah."Getting into bed Hermione hugged Harry tightly. Holding him like she was afraid to let go.
"Hermione I am not going to be able to breath if you keep squeezing me like this."
"Oh Harry I'm sorry but you have to understand I'm just worried."
"I know but we have adults willing to help, we have a plan and we're not going to worry."
"I am still going to worry. So far plans have not worked out too well with us."
"Okay that's a fact I can't dispute. But we know that these Horcrux things are able to be destroyed. We can figure out what they are, find them, and destroy them. Then we can get on with life. Right?"
"You make it sound so simple Harry. These things are not going to be hidden in plan sight. They are going to be something that isn't going to be obvious and they are going to be defended."
"Well maybe. The Diary was tough yeah but it wasn't anything special. It was just his old school notebook. Bought in a muggle bookshop. Remember?"
"Yes I know. However it was fragile compared to a real Horcrux. That must have been the first one he made. The others would have protective spells, curses and magics on them. The diary was one of the weakest ones according to Dumbledore's research. The items had to be prepared using special spells aannnd, parts from a person." She sounded like she was going to be sick when she said that.
"Uh I don't really want to know do I?"
"No not really. But that means you are not a true one. Because he didn't have the time to go through the proper ritual."
"Well that's good right?"
"It means it should be easier to get that out of your head. However the others will probably need something incredibly destructive like Basilisk Venom or certain spells."
"Great. Okay we will study and figure it out."
"I am. I'm just still upset about some of the stuff I found out along the way. About you and the Dursleys"
"Like what?" Harry said grumpily.
"He was curious if their, actions would affect the scar. If it would become released or somehow take you over. He treated it like a curious experiment."
"I guess since Riddle didn't stay on his plan he was hoping he could beat me into staying on script."
"But you overcame all of that Harry. You became a much better person than what they had hoped for. One reason I love you."
"Thanks." He said snuggling in with her. "Lets get some sleep."
===xxx===xxx===xxx===xx
Percy Weasley was sitting in a cell in the Ministry after a very unpleasant night. Sighing he knew he should have gone on the run but hoped that they wouldn't be able to tie him to anything. Only in the middle of the night he suddenly got black bagged and vanished only to wake up in the cells in his underwear with a bare rock slab that had a cushioning charm on it.
"Well good morning there Prince Percy. Ready to answer some questions?" Alastair Moody was in a chipper mood. Interrogating special prisoners always put him in such a mood.
"Do I have any other options?"
"Well ye could be stubborn and try to resist. Then we get to use legilemens and rip it out of yer mind. Course that method tends to leave nothing but a mashed potato between yer ears but hey you're a bureaucrat its not like anyone would notice. Right?"
"I do have some rights you know. I would like to speak with a solicitor."
"Ahh now ye see you're operating under a bit of a misapprehension. You think that anyone knows that you've gone missing. Right now there is a trainee cadet who got rushed into the field pretending to be you. You're a minor enough clerk in the Improper use of Magic Office under Umbridge that no one will notice if you act a bit odd."
Percy looked concerned. "Polyjuice wears off and a full body transfiguration like that cannot be maintained in our offices due to the wards."
"Yeah yer correct. A metamorphmagus though.."
"Oh."
"Oh indeed there. Now Arthur himself had breakfast with our agent and they did not cause him to even notice. So if yer own father can be fooled." He left the rest of that open for interpretation.
"What do you want to know?"
"First the veritaserum. Then the questions. Come here and be a good boy and stick yer tongue out."
Percy sighed as he did not have much choice. He remembered his father talking about the special powers aurors had been given during the first uprising. Once the potion had been administered he felt the calming effect of it and turned to Moody.
"Well first off what was Dumbledore having you do?"
"I was to observe Dolores Umbridge. She is a loose cannon in the office with aspirations of grandeur. I was just to report to Professor Dumbledore what went on in the Ministry as well. He said father didn't tell him everything he needed to know as he got shoved off into that dead end job and didn't seem to mind."
"So yer job was to be Dumbledore's spy in the Ministry?"
"Yes. He said there were forces trying to undermine our society and legal system. That the corruption was becoming too much and he wanted to have a more honest and unbiased opinion of someone he could trust."
"He felt that was you?"
"He told me that due to my high marks and good behavior in school I showed an exemplary aptitude for this."
"Do you know what he did with this information?"
"No. It was none of my concern."
"Did ye know about Peter Pettigrew?"
"I did not know anything other than he was considered a victim of Sirius Black."
"Where did ye get yer rat?"
"We found him in the field behind our house."
"And you didn't think about how long he lived?"
"I did not score very high in care of magical creatures."
"What about Harry Potter?"
"He was none of my concern. He was Ron's friend not mine."
"And your sister?"
"I know mother had wanted her to marry Harry Potter and strongly encouraged it. Ron was in favor of it as well."
"What about her winding up his daughter instead."
"That was unfortunate but again none of my concern."
"So pretty much unless it had something to do directly with you it was none of your concern."
"Correct."
Moody grumbled and turned the questioning over to his assistant. He went off to find madam Bones.
====xxxx===xxx===xxx===xx
Sirius had been cleaning his house with the help of Remus since he got released. His house elf Kreacher being a right nuisance all the way. Taking and hiding things that had been earmarked for sale or destruction. They had let him do so until today when they finally sent him off on a quest that should take several hours, even for a house elf.
They were going through his nest and found a locket. Sirius had begun to toss it in the sell bag when Remus caught it.
"I recognize this."
"Oh what is it?"
"Remember the huge portrait of Slytherin down by the stairwell to the dungeons?"
"Yeah so what."
"He was wearing this in that portrait."
"Really? Wow. That's nice a true Founder's item. I bet Minerva would love to have that for the display in the castle."
"Probably. And it might give you points with Harry."
"You think?" Sirius said wistfully.
"Perhaps. Even if he is not a historian his wife is."
"Alright good idea. Let's contact Minerva and tell her I found this."
"We found it." Remus corrected archly
"We found it." Sirius conceded.
===xxx===xxx===xxx==xx
It was the last day of Christmas break and the other students were due to come back tomorrow. The mood in the castle was cheerfully optimistic. Daniel's request for a Land Rover Defender had been granted and he was ecstatic. Showing it off to the boys as she called them, including Professor Flitwick who had to leap onto the fender to see the engine.
The ladies of the castle though just shook their heads at his excitement. Hermione's research had uncovered a potential list of possible other Horcruxes Dumbledore had considered if Slughorn's knowledge proved that he had made more than one. Hermione though had made a few other theories.
"Although I don't think we need to find this Slughorn person ma'am."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because Harry has a part of Riddle's soul in him. That means either he had split his soul often enough for it to be come fragile or he had gone to the house to make a horcrux and whatever Harry's mom did prevented that."
Minerva considered, "That does make sense. I wonder why Albus did not think of that?"
"he did. He considered it but wanted to have the information from this Mr Slughorn for confirmation. I think Mr Dumbledore had too much reliance on wanting to have all the information and not enough on making inferences and deductions."
"So looking over his note sweetie you think you can find and destroy these things."
"Well as long as there is still some basilisk fangs and the Sword of Gryffindor around yes we can destroy them. We just need to figure out what they are and where they are. I've begun going over the notes Dumbledore had about the life and personality of Tom Riddle aka Voldemort to see if there is any personality quirks or obsessions he might have."
"Like collecting cat figurines or something."
"Maybe mom. I doubt it would be something as simple as that."
"Perhaps you could collect the gentlemen. I need to inform them of a dinner guest we will be having tonight."
"I'll go get them" Ginny said racing off to the shed where Dan and the guys were working on modifying the Defender.
"So who is the guest ma'am?"
"Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. I already cleared them with Madam Bones. She will have an auror here. Miss Tonks shall be joining us as well. My only concern is that we have another flare up of the previous ill tempers."
"Harry and I will behave ourselves if Mr Black does."
"I have already received his assurances that he will be on his utmost behavior."
"He better."
===xxx==xxx==xx==xx
Harry was not pleased with the sudden announcement of the dinner guests but agreed that he would behave if they would. Especially as they were here to present something to Minerva and the school. Tonks arrived first and greeted Harry and his family warmly with hugs for each of them.
When they arrived via Floo they were greeted politely and welcomed to the school.
"Wow. Place looks a lot brighter and cleaner."
"Yes well Mr Filch has been given a staff of elves and student punishment details involve cleaning as well. As for the lighting Mrs Granger pointed out how difficult it is to read things with the flickering candles, lanterns and torches. Even if they are magical fires they produce a great deal of soot and smoke."
"Nice. I like the changes. Though whats with the mirrors on the walls?"
"Those are a suggestion of Mr Granger."
Daniel took that as an opportunity to explain the telecomm mirrors and their use in the castle. Tonks recognized the show as her muggle side of the family had several fans of it too.
"We can even use them thanks to the runic structures inside them."
"Well that is certainly interesting."
Remus and Daniel had a long discussion about several other ideas for improving the castle and incorporating several muggle inventions in. Sirius and Daniel talked about classic Rock with Emma joining in on occasion. Harry observed them and listened trying to get a sense of the two men. Tonks sat and observed everyone. Her hair a neutral bubble gum pink.
Once dinner was completed Sirius pulled out a small box. Harry had a brief flash of pain in his scar. Hermione noticed this and put her hand on his arm in concern. He shook his head but slid his chair a bit further away. When Sirius opened the box to reveal an ancient looking gold locket with agate and a green stone in the shape of an S on the cover Harry flinched as he thought he heard a soft surrussing sound. As if something sliding through leaves.
"Harry?" Hermione called out drawing everyone's attention. Daniel slammed the box shut, almost on Sirius' fingers.
"Harry you okay?"
"That's causing my scar to hurt. I thought I heard something too."
"Tonks I think we need Alastair here."
"Yeah so it would seem."
"Uh anyone wanna tell me whats going on?"
"No." Harry, Hermione, Daniel and Emma all said simultaneously.
===xxx===xxx===xxx===xx
Alastair Moody and Francis Muldoon showed up a few moments after Minerva called and told him they might have a horcrux. Interrogating Sirius on the particulars of the item he was annoyed by the lack of knowledge of where it came from or what his elf had been doing with it. Moody had finally began to poke and examine it very carefully. After a time he nodded.
"Yeah that's probably one of them. You got the sword Minerva?"
"Yes Daniel retrieved it from my office."
"Alright give me the sword and I'll go take a swing at it. If it blows up or something you should all stay back."
Sirius raised his hand, "Uh can someone please explain to me what is going on and why we are trying to destroy an ancient artifact of one of the Founders?"
"Because it has been tainted with a piece of Voldemort's soul in it." Muldoon said.
"Oh bummer. That sucks." Sirius dejectedly said. "Sorry Minerva I was trying to do something nice."
"You may have done something far greater than you had hoped."
Everyone backed off a fair distance except Emma and Ginny who left the room altogether. Ginny not wanting to be near another one of those items as she felt a strange itch inside her head she said.
Once everyone was clear and Moody made sure the locket was stuck to the table he squared up and with a wind up swung in an overhead strike like ,Conan Daniel would later describe, only for the sword to bounce off the case of the locket. He looked at it in confusion then looked at the sword. If Moody's glare was much worse Harry thought the locket should have melted.
"Maybe its like the entrance to the chamber?" Hermione suggested.
Moody growled, "That is entirely plausible. You know for a mick Salazar sure loved his snakes."
Muldoon chuckled, "Hey we don claim him much in our lands either ye know."
"Well Potter. I guess just try to tell it to open. Then step back."
Harry sighed and walked over. Looking at the cover he imagined the stylistic S was a snake. Speaking aloud he said the word "open" in the hissing tones of parseltongue.
Harry saw an image form in the air over the locket, Hermione leaving him behind and saying she didn't love him any more. Taking Ginny and abandoning him. Turning her family against him. A voice cried out in cruel hissing tones saying no one would love him. Everyone would abandon him, a worthless little freak like him. Unloved. His only friend had to be paid to be that. To stop them leaving all he had to do was put the locket on."
The next thing Harry saw a flash of white light and heard a small explosion as Moody had plunged the sword into the locket. He was standing there breathing hard with a enraged expression on his face for a few seconds before he calmed down and started laughing.
Muldoon was helping the others pick themselves up but paused to look at his boss and friend, "Al? Ye finally go off the end o the dock?"
"No Francis. Just considering how that was an effective defense mechanism."
"I take it the thing tried to guilt ye into putting the bit oh shine on?"
"Yeahup." Moody turned and offered Harry a hand up off the floor, "You good Potter?"
"I think so." He shakily said.
"Well look folks this thing must have sensed what your deepest fear was and then tried to feed into that. Tried to get ya ta wear the blasted thing. Eventually you'd get weak enough the part inside would take you over."
Emma peeked in from the hallway, "Is it safe?"
"yeah Mrs Granger is Ginny alright?"
"Yes sir I'm okay." She said coming over to give Harry a hug.
Hermione came over and examined the charred blasted pieces that remained. "That would seem to confirm what Dumbledore's research said. That they would have stronger defenses. This case looks like gold so should have been split in half with that swing."
"He must have used a hardening charm on it, plus probably the impervious. At the very least." Remus pointed out.
"Plus maybe some alchemical hardening. Those are connemara Marble, also called snake stones. They absorb all venoms, even Basilisk when they are awakened." Sirius observed.
"Well Black, Lupin we need to go talk to your elf about this."
"Absolutely."
"Good evening everyone. I hope you will be alright after that." Moody said handing the sword back to Daniel in its sheath.
"I think so." Hermione said holding Harry's hand.
Daniel shook himself, "I guess. I dunno. It was all such a jumble of words and half formed images. It was like trying to watch to tv channels at the same time, while listening to the radio."
Sirius shook his head, "Well sorry Minerva. That was not what I had in mind when I said I had something special to show you."
"Apology accepted. Next time we have dinner perhaps it won't be quite so spectacular."
"I'd hope so too."
====xxx===xxx===xx==x
In bed that night Hermione held Harry again. Stroking his hair, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. It just hit me kinda hard."
"I know. I had a bad vision too. It was just a vision though. It wasn't real."
"I guess. You aren't going to leave me are you?"
"No Harry. Of course not."
"Even if we kinda got forced together?"
Hermione sighed, "Even then. I admit it was not how I wanted things to happen with my romantic life but now that it has I'm not going to regret. Now just relax and go to sleep."
"yeah." Harry said staring at the ceiling.
=====xxx===xxx===xxx==xx
The next day at the welcoming feast he was happy to see Neville and his ladies back. All of them happy and sporting matching charm necklaces.
"What couldn't make up your mind?"
"Yeah. Gramma pointed out that I don't have to choose until much later. So right now." He shrugged with a grin.
"I thought Luna said you didn't have to choose legally anyhow?"
"Well yeah but Gramma didn't like that idea. She's a Merlinist and Luna's family are pagans."
"Merlinist?"
"The church of Merlin the Divine wizard." Neville explained.
"Oh." was all Hermione could say.
"Its actually kinda common in the wizarding world."
"Hence all those who say by Merlin's beard and such." Hermione noted the cultural differences once more.
"Yeah."