Endless Sacrifice

Chapter 4

I read the small piece of parchment over again and stared at my surroundings. I could only see towering trees for kilometers, no trace of humanity anywhere. Oliver held tightly to my hand, his head peering in all directions.

"Fifty paces past the angled tree and look north, is Hermione bloody insane? How the hell am I supposed to decipher these directions?"

"And you're sure you can't hear them Mel? Try again." Oliver insisted.

"I'm definitely sure Oliver. They've all been practicing Occlumency, but they shouldn't be doing it now when I am actually trying to find them! Lets just go back home, I'm sure Eliza is anxious without us. I shouldn't have left Iris alone, what if--"

Oliver grasped my face with both hands and kissed me to silence me. I sighed against his lips. "Mel love, stop worrying. Iris will be fine for one afternoon. You know you are dying to see your friends, we've been planning this for weeks. This may be the only chance you are able to see them for awhile, so be quiet for a bloody second and let me think about where we are."

I rolled my eyes and wriggled out of Oliver's hands. He chuckled as I stared at the parchment again, still completely confused and lost.

Travel to the moor where the World Cup is held, walk for exactly 2.2 kilometers, turn left at the most covered boulder and continue to walk fifty paces past the angled tree and look to the north. We love you.

Suddenly I heard a gasp coming from behind me, my head whipped around and I finally saw Hermione. I sprinted ahead of Oliver towards her at full speed, my legs could not move fast enough. We leapt into each other's arms, ecstatic tears flowing from my eyes. I released her from my secure grip and kissed both of her cheeks. I surveyed her quickly and gratefully found that she was mostly unscathed, no serious injuries that I could detect. I hugged her tightly again as Harry and Ron approached us. I gave each of them a bone crushing hug, lingering in Harry's arms for a moment longer. Hermione took my hand and led us through the forest towards their tent, I hadn't noticed it before now.

"Protective charms have been necessary." Hermione stated, noticing my confused expression.

We all went inside the enchanted tent and sat on the couches together. Hermione, Ron and Harry sat across from Oliver and I. Oliver rubbed my shoulder and Hermione smirked, she was the only one who had noticed our wedding rings, she was always the most observant, other than me. She didn't plan to say anything about it and was waiting for me to unveil the big news myself. I rolled my eyes at her thoughts and her smirk grew.

"How are you?" I asked more seriously. "You all look fine."

They all stared at me for a few silent moments, unsure of how to answer me. Their eyes looked so tired and they were disoriented, they had hardly stopped moving over the past few months. Hermione continued to beam at me through her exhaustion. Harry was the first to break the silence.

"We're making some progress I suppose. We have one Horcrux in hand." Harry breathed as he retrieved a locket from beneath his shirt. "I'm sorry if our lack of communication has worried you, but you of all people can understand why we've been so secretive." Harry winced as he put the locket back under his collar.

"Of course I understand, absolutely." I muttered. "It's difficult not knowing whether or not you're safe, my telepathy only expands so far. I lose your thoughts completely once you're far enough away or practicing Occlumency." I teased gently.

Hermione reached over and patted my hand, her thumb running purposefully over my wedding ring, she was taunting me now. I stifled a laugh as I squeezed her hand. She was impatiently waiting to celebrate openly, rather than within her own mind, she wasn't sure what I was waiting for.