30 November 1997
The next morning Hermione was trimming Harry's hair while Ron was lounging on his cot.
"Oh my God!" she gasped, pulling away from Harry. Darting back towards the table, she urgently began flipping through one of the many scattered books.
Harry's hands flew instantly to the back of his hair.
"What?" Harry asked alarmed.
The boys slowly approached her at the table.
"Ron, where did you put the sword?" she asked absentmindedly.
Retrieving the sword out from underneath his cot, Ron placed it on the table in front of her.
"What is it?" asked Harry.
"The sword of Gryffindor, its goblin made!" she exclaimed.
"Brilliant," encouraged Harry, giving her both thumbs up in approval.
Pausing, she glanced up towards Harry, "No, you don't understand, dirt and rust have no effect on the blade, it only takes in that which makes it stronger!" continued Hermione.
Harry, still completely lost, "O-kay," he answered slowly.
"Harry, you already destroyed one Horcrux, right? Tom Riddle's diary in the Chamber of Secrets," replied Hermione.
Finally locating the page she was searching for, she thrust the open text towards Harry & Ron.
"With a Basilisk fang," he answered, "If you tell me you've got one of those in that bloody beaded bag of yours…" Harry trailed off.
"Harry, don't you see? In the Chamber of Secrets you stabbed the Basilisk with the Sword of Gryffindor. Its blade is impregnated with Basilisk venom," she replied.
"It only takes in that which makes it stronger!" replied Harry, taking a seat at the table.
"Which is why," she started.
"It can destroy Horcruxes!" Harry finished.
Ron finally sat down at the table, reading the passage for himself.
"Which is why Dumbledore left it to you in his will!" said Hermione.
"You are brilliant, baby, truly!" Harry replied, leaning over and kissing her lips gently.
"Well, what are we waiting for then? Where is the locket?" prompted Ron.
The trio gathered outside, placing the Horcrux on a tree stump covered in moss and snow.
"Right then, Ron, why don't you do the honors?" suggested Harry.
"No…someone else should do it. Why don't you do it, Harry?" asked Ron.
"Don't be such a prat. Go on. You can do it," Harry encouraged.
Reluctantly Ron grabbed the sword.
"Now, I'll have to speak to it in order for it to open. When it does, don't hesitate. I don't know what's in there, but it'll put up a fight. The bit of Riddle that was in that diary tried to kill me," said Harry.
Ron nodded in agreement, waiting for his cue.
"'Mione, stand back, I don't want you anywhere near us when this opens," Harry instructed.
Obliging his request, Hermione stood at the tent's entrance, a safe distance away.
Turning back towards Ron, "Ready?" asked Harry.
Ron nodded, raising the sword above his head, ready to strike.
"1….2….3," said Harry, continuing in Parseltongue, "Psy-hasss-sy hanashai hasheth."
The locket burst open, screeching, emitting a large black cloud forcefully knocking Harry & Ron to the ground.
The black mist surrounded Harry, his scar searing with pain, the screeching filling his ears.
"Ron! Kill it!" screamed Harry.
'I have seen your heart, Ronald Weasley' Voldemort's voice echoed from the locket.
'All that you feared is true,' the voice continued.
Getting to his feet, Harry screamed out "Ron, don't listen to it! Stab it!"
A thick black stream shot out, knocking Harry back down to the ground.
'Least loved by your mother who craved a daughter. Least loved by the girl who prefers your friend,' taunted Voldemort's voice.
Spectral images of Harry & Hermione slithered from the locket.
'We were better without you. Happier, without you,' sneered spectral-Harry.
'I chose Harry, long before you ever discovered us. We fucked every chance we got. In the Common Room, Room of Requirement, Broom Cupboards, The Shrieking Shack, Your Bed...It became a game. Fucking, right under your nose,' taunted spectral-Hermione.
"Ron, it's lying! Kill it!" cried Harry.
Harry could tell Ron wasn't listening to him. He appeared lost in overwhelming depression and shock.
"Ron?" asked Harry warily.
Shaking his head, Ron took a moment to regain his composure.
"ARGHHH!!" screamed Ron, holding the sword above his head, running towards Harry.
Harry covered his head as Ron came down hard with the sword, destroying the Horcrux directly above him.
Slowly peering his head up, Harry noticed Ron standing in front of him, embarrassed and exhausted.
"Ron," Hermione slowly approached, "What the locket said, it's not true."
Finally standing, "It was lying to you, mate. That stuff never happened," added Harry.
Ron nodded slightly, "Yeah. Well, if you two don't mind, I'm gonna turn in for the night."
Watching him drag the sword behind him as he walked, Harry and Hermione embraced.
"He'll be alright, won't he?" asked Hermione.
"I honestly have no idea. I hope so," answered Harry.