The Boy Who Fought: OC X Hermione

Xenophillius Lovegood

The next few days were boring, Hermione was still mad at Ron, and nobody was surprised how she only communicated with him by glaring. It also didn't help that she was snappy with all of them these days. The only one who she could have somewhat of a conversation with was Carson.

Hermione walked back into the tent, clutching the book she had gotten from Dumbledore in her hands.

"We need to talk."

"Alright." Ron said, Hermione ignoring him.

"I want to go and see Xenophilius Lovegood."

"Sorry?" Harry asked, expecting Hermione to clarify why she wanted to see him.

"See this? It's a letter Dumbledore wrote to Grindelwald. Look at the signature. It's the mark again." Hermione shared, opening her book for them to see what she was talking about.

"It keeps cropping up. Here. In Beedle the Bard. In the graveyard in Godric's Hollow... what?" Hermione trailed off, seeing Harry deep in thought.

"Jesus. It was there too."

"Where?" Hermione questioned.

"Outside Gregorovitch's wand shop. On the alley wall..."

"But what does it mean?" Carson questioned, hoping one of them knew.

"Harry, you don't have a clue where the next Horcrux is. And neither do I. But this, this means something. I'm sure of it."

"I think she's right. 'Mione's never wrong, not about things like this." Carson added.

"I think Hermione's right. I think we ought to go and see Lovegood. What say we vote on it? Those in favor..." Ron questioned, as Carson and his hand flew right up. Hermione rolled her eyes and raised hers as well.

"Sorry, Harry. Looks like we win." Carson told him, seeing that the majority voted on yes.

They got ready to walk to the Lovegood residence, Hermione and Harry leading, as Ron was talking to Carson.

"Not still mad at him, are you Hermione? Ron?"

"I'm always mad at him, Harry."

The four walked for a while, going up a hill and seeing a house that was shaped like a chess rook. All four looked at each other.

"Luna?"

"Luna."

They walked up to the front door, Hermione knocking on it three times before someone answered.

"What is it? Who are you? What do you want.." Mr. Lovegood asks, seeing Harry and going slack jawed.

"Hello, Mr. Lovegood. I'm Harry Potter. We met a few months back? Would it be okay if we came in? It won't take long, sir. I promise."

Lovegood let them inside, and led them to a room with a few couches. They all sat down and Lovegood started talking.

"So. What brings you here, Mr. Potter?"

"Well, sir, we need some help."

"Ah. Help. I see. Yes, well, the thing is, helping Harry Potter, rather dangerous these days..." Lovegood starts, trailing off his sentence.

"Aren't you the one who keeps telling everyone it's their first duty to help Harry?" Carson interrupted.

"I have expressed that view, yes. In the past. Would you excuse me for one moment? I shall return shortly and, um, try to help you..." Lovegood muttered, before hurrying off.

"What's going on here?"

"He's mental. Let's face it. Luna's always good value, but she's nutty as squirrel poo."

Hermione gasps and her attention is on some weird looking plant. They all look over in confusion.

"Do you see that?"

"Well, yeah, of course. It's massive, isn't it?"

"It's an Erumpent horn. It's a Class B Tradeable Material."

"How is it that you know everything 'Mione?"

Just then, Lovegood came back with a tray of cups. He sat down and placed the tray on the table.

"May I offer you all an infusion of Gurdyroots? We make it ourselves."

"Where is Luna, sir?" Hermione asked, not seeing the girl anywhere.

"Luna? Oh, um, she'll be along. Now how can I help you, Mr. Potter?"

"Well, sir, it's about something you were wearing around your neck at the wedding. A symbol..."

"You mean this?" Lovegood asked, pulling out his necklace from inside his shirt.

"Yes! Exactly. What we wondered, sir, is, well, what is it?"

"What is it? Well, it's the sign of the Deathly Hallows, of course." Lovegood said casually, as everyone looked confused.

"The what?" All four questioned in unison.

"The Deathly Hallows. I assume you're all familiar with 'The Tale of the Three Brothers?'"

"Yes." Hermione, Ron, and Carson answered.

"No." Harry answered.

Harry looks at the others, then Hermione reaches into her beaded bag and pulls out The Tales of Beedle the Bard.

"It's in here." Hermione told him

"Well, there's no real reason to go on unless one is familiar with the tale. Why don't you read it aloud, Miss...?"

"Granger. Well... all right."