True Love Conquers All (sequel to Loving You)

Chapter XV {Triangular Eye}

the river flows quietly, thick and muddy from the previous night's rain. Harry and i emerge from the tent and peer into the trees. Hermione stands far down by the riverbank, tying the red scarf to a tree.

Hermione, eyes red from crying, clutches the beaded bag in one hand while the locket dangles from the other. she peers one last time toward the trees, then, without turning, reaches out her hand. Harry and i study her, then step forward, gently taking her hand. instantly we Dissapparatte, pitched into a whirlwind of darkness. 

we reappear on a windswept hillside, our hands break free and  Hermione stumbles away, sobs racking her body as she buries her face in her hands. i watch her, then turn away, taking out my wand and beginning to walk in a circle, casting enchantments in a soft voice.

"Salvio Hexia...Protego Totalum..." i whisper waving my wand

Hermione and i, wrapped in a blanket, sit just outside the tent by a wind-whipped fire, going back and forth between The Tales of Beedle the Bard and another book, Spellman's Syllabary.

"Hermione...Vanessa." Harry says walking out of the tent with the Snitch in his hand

"Hermione, you were right. its like you said. Snitches have flesh memories. but i didn't catch my first Snitch with my hand. i almost swallowed it." Harry says

Hermione reaches out for the Snitch and takes it in her hands. i lean in closer, if that was even possible, to see that 'I Open At The Close' was carved into the Snitch.

"i open at the close?" i ask

"what do you reckon it means?" Harry asks

"i don't know. but look, i've found something as well." Hermione says. she turns The Tales of Beedle the Bard into the flickering light, points to the top of the title page, to a small drawing of a triangular eye.

"i thought it was a picture of an eye, but now i don't think it is. it isn't a rune and its not in Spellman's Syllabary either. and its been inked in--somebody drew it--it isn't part of the book." Hermione explains

"Luna's dad was wearing that at Bill and Fleur's wedding." Harry says

"what do you mean wearing it?" i ask

"around his neck. like an amulet. i didn't think much of it at the time. you know Luna--she's always got some mad thing or the other she's carrying around. i just figured it ran in the family." Harry says

"why would someone have drawn it in a children's book?" Hermione wonders

Harry eyes the both of us "i've been thinking...i want to go to Godric's Hallow. its where i was born, its where my parents died-"

"and its exactly where You-Know-Who will expect you to go. because it means something to you." i interrupt

"but it means something to him too, Vanessa. You-Know-Who nearly died there. wouldn't that be just the kind of place he'd hide a Horcrux." Harry says

Hermione eyes him "its dangerous, Harry. but i have to admit, recently even i've been thinking we might have to go. i think its possible something else is hidden there." 

i sigh loudly with frustration 

"the sword. if Dumbledore didn't want it falling into the Ministry's hands, but wanted you to find it, what better place to hide it than the birthplace of the founder of Gryffindor himself?" Hermione says

"Godric's Hallow is the birthplace of Godric Gryffindor--i mean of course it is, obvious isn't it." Harry says

"Harry did you ever open A History of Magic?" Hermione questions

"tossed it at Neville once when he was snoring--might've popped open." Harry says

i couldn't help but laugh at that as i reach down to pick up our blanket.

Hermione reaches up and runs her hand through Harry's hair

"don't ever let me give you a haircut again." she says before entering the tent

i enter the tent, place the blanket on a chair back, and lay down in my bunk. my stomach turns at the thought of going to Godric's Hallow. yes, it may help us find another Horcrux or even the Sword of Gryffindor, but facing You-Know-Who makes me nervous. i mean, it would make you nervous if you were the "runaway Death Eater" and number 2 on the Undesirable list.