A Young Wizard's Journey - Rising Phoenix

Reunion

'That bloody, traitorous, backstabbing-'

'Easy Ron,' said Harry, ducking slightly out of the way as Ron's arm barely missed his head. 'We're all angry, you don't need to hit us over it.'

'Honestly... how many times did I have to warn him! And now half of his house is missing.' Said Hermione solemnly.

'Well at least we know what You-Know-Who is looking for now!' said Harry happily. 'He's hunting for the Deathly Hallows!'

Hermione bit her lip, she wasn't happy with how quickly Harry had taken to believing that story. It was a kids tale, designed to enamour, the belief that both Dumbledore and Grindlewald would be so entranced by something so simple seemed ridiculous. Surely they knew it just had to be legend.

'What d'you reckon they'll do to him?' asked Ron

'Oh, I hope they don't kill him!' groaned Hermione. 'That's why I wanted the Death Eaters to get a glimpse of Harry before we left, so they knew Xenophilius hadn't been lying!'

'Why hide me, though?' asked Ron.

'You're supposed to be in bed with spattergroit, Ron! They've kidnapped Luna because her father supported Harry! What would happen to your family if they knew you're with him?'

'But what about your mum and dad?'

'They're in Australia,' said Hermione. 'They should be all right. They don't know anything.'

'You're a lifesaver,' said Ron thankfully.

'Yeah, you are, Hermione,' agreed Harry fervently. 'I don't know what we'd do without you.'

She beamed but became solemn at once.

'What about Luna?'

'Well, if they're telling the truth and she's still alive-' began Ron.

'Don't say that, don't say it!' squealed Hermione. 'She must be alive, she must!'

'Y/N will probably know!' said Harry 'Remember, Phineus told us that Luna was working with Ginny and Neville and we know Ginny's dot was with Y/N. If he's taken over the school, he probably knows what's going on.'

'We were heading that way anyway.' Said Ron. 'Shall we go pay him a visit?'

Hermione couldn't fight the smile curling up her face as she nodded eagerly.

The three of them made sure they had all their belongings and then twisted on the spot.

The streets of Hogsmeade were barren, though it wasn't hard to guess why. No doubt the constant threat of the Death Eaters had driven many to only leave in an emergency.

A flash of red out the corner of her eye, and Hermione turned.

'Did you guys see that?'

'No, what?' asked Ron, following her gaze.

'It looked like-'

Six doors burst open nearby and the shopkeepers came sweeping out into the street. All with their wands raised.

Harry's hand shot to his pocket at once but Hermione held her own.

'No! They won't trust us! Keep it away.'

'And who are you lot then?' asked a man who owned the music shop. His eyes travelled over Hermione, then onto Ron, and froze as they reached Harry. 'Blimey...'

'None of that.' Said a grizzled grey man who had very familiar eyes. 'We know who they look like, but we need to confirm who they are.'

'Have we got anyone who can?' asked the owner of Gladrag's Wizardwear.