Phoenix

Moving On

The next few days were horrible. We barely got anything done. It seemed that none of us could think clearly or focus on what we were doing. We never mentioned Ron's name, but it created so much tension I almost wished we could just fight it out. We were all processing Ron's abandonment in our own way.

Hermione threw herself into the work of locating the exact location of the sword, but sometimes should would leave the tent and I could hear her crying. Harry spent a lot of time sulking and staring at the Marauders Map. I figured he was looking for Ginny, but part of me was wondering when Ron's name would appear. I was spending a lot of time practice combat in the woods, or researching new protective charms. Ron leaving made me acutely aware of how new and unprepared the people I was fighting this battle were. I had to work twice as hard to make up for it. The days were getting colder and we were no closer to finding anything.

"Kendra, Harry, could you help me with something?" asked Hermione. I walked over to the table as she leaned forward and held out The Tales of Beedle the Bard.

"Look at that symbol," she said, pointing to the top of a page.Above the title of the story there was a picture of what looked like a triangular eye, its pupil crossed with a vertical line.

"I never took Ancient Runes, Hermione," said Harry.

"I have," I said. "And that isn't a rune. I could ask Dad to send me an Asgardian rune book if you want me to check that."

"I'm not sure if that would help. All along I thought it was a picture of an eye, but I don't think it is! It's been inked in, look, somebody's drawn it there, it isn't really part of the book. Think, have you ever seen it before?"

"No . . . No, wait a moment." Harry looked closer. "Isn't it the same symbol Luna's dad was wearing round his neck?"

"Well, that's what I thought too!"

"Then it's Grindelwald's mark," said Harry.

"What's that doing in a book Dumbledore gave you?" I frown and leaned in closer.

Hermione gasped. "Are you sure?"

Harry nodded. "Krum told me at Bill's wedding."

She looked from Harry to the weird symbol and back again. "I've never heard that Grindelwald had a mark. There's no mention of it in anything I've ever read about him."

"Well, like I say, Krum reckoned that symbol was carved on a wall at Durmstrang, and Grindelwald put it there."

She fell back into the old armchair, frowning. "That's very odd."

"Yeah, it is weird," said Harry. "And you'd think Scrimgeour would have recognized it. He was Minister, he ought to have been expert on Dark stuff."

"Well, Ministers of Magic are not usually known for their expertise," I said.

"Perhaps he thought it was an eye, just like I did. All the other stories have little pictures over the titles." offered Hermione. She did not speak again, but continued to pore over the strange mark.

Harry glanced at me, then turned to Hermione. "Hermione?"

"Hmm?"

"I've been thinking. I — I want to go to Godric's Hollow."

She looked up at him, but her eyes were unfocused, and I was sure she was still thinking about the mysterious mark on the book.