Harry Potter: The Forgotten Chronicles- Book 7

Chapter 6

Chapter Six

Evelyn, Harry, and Hermione sat together at the table in their tent, the flickering light of the fire casting dancing shadows on the walls. The days had passed since their arrival, and Evelyn was slowly regaining her strength. Her face, which had previously been pale and gaunt, now showed signs of returning color.

Hermione poured tea for them and settled beside Evelyn, handing her a steaming cup. "So, where do we go next?" she asked, her tone both curious and anxious.

Harry looked down at the table, his gaze resting on the locket. "Dumbledore had a theory," he began. "He believed that Horcruxes wouldn't be made out of random objects. They would be something of personal significance, and they wouldn't be hidden randomly either. We know of three so far—the ring," he glanced at Evelyn, "the diary, which belonged to Tom himself, and this," he said, nodding toward the locket, "which, according to Dumbledore, belonged to his mother."

Hermione's eyes were fixed on the locket, which glittered ominously in the firelight. "It scares me a bit, thinking it's a piece of Vol—"

"No, don't!" Ron cut in, stirring from his bed. "It's taboo to say his name. That's how they track people now." He explained, his voice tired but urgent.

"How do you know?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I overheard a bloke from the Enforcement office talking about it at the Ministry," Ron replied, grimacing as he adjusted his arm in its sling.

Hermione's eyes were full of concern as she looked to Ron. "Tea?" she asked softly.

Ron accepted it with a nod, though his face was contorted in discomfort. He took a sip and then looked down at the locket, which Harry had placed on the table. "Is that it?" Ron asked, staring at it intently. Harry nodded, sliding it across the table to him. Ron picked it up, turning it over in his hands, a troubled expression on his face.

"I know." Harry said "I felt it too. It's... it's like it's ticking or something, like it's—"

"Alive," Evelyn finished for him, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Hermione shivered as she looked at the locket, her face set in a frown. "I hate it. It's like he's here with us," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"That's why we're going to kill it," Harry said resolutely, his voice firm with determination.

The next day, they set up the locket on a tree stump outside the tent. Ron, still looking pale and worn, leaned against a tree, his gaze fixed on the object. Evelyn stood beside him, absently playing with Draco's ring as she watched the proceedings.

Hermione nodded to Harry, who raised his wand and shouted, "Dissendium!" The locket spun rapidly on the stump, but remained intact.

"Incendio!" Hermione followed up, her wand sending a stream of fire at the locket. The metal glowed a fiery scarlet, but as the flames died down, the locket was still there, unscathed.

"Expulso!" Harry yelled, causing the tree stump to explode into splinters. The locket remained stubbornly whole amidst the debris. Harry's frustration mounted, and he fired a series of spells with increasing intensity, his face set in a mask of determination. Hermione watched him with a mix of concern and curiosity.

Finally, Harry stopped, breathing heavily, his face flushed with exertion. Evelyn's voice broke the tense silence. "It's not going to be that easy," she called from her spot.

Harry shot her a warning look but did not reply. Instead, he knelt down, picking up the locket with careful fingers. He slung it around his neck, tucking it into his sweater.