Chapter 2
Harry woke up to the sounds of thunder rumbling over their encampment. Rain poured continuously on the fabric of their tent. He rubbed his eyes and combed his messy hair with his fingers before searching for his glasses. He slid the cold frames to the bridge of his nose and looked around. The blurry inside of the tent became clear. Jars of Bluebell Flames cast a soft light around.
The rumbling thunder continued, reminding him of the way his stomach grumbled. They hadn't eaten much the past few weeks. But they still had each other. It was what mattered the most. Neither gave up on each other. The difficult path only strengthened their bond.
Harry threw the blanket off his body and got out of bed. The flames provided enough light to get around the tent. He found Hermione on a chair near the entrance of the tent.
"Hermione?" There was a strange echo as he spoke her name. "Hermione?" His footsteps were softer than usual. He told himself it was because of the rain. His heart began to race as he came closer towards her. "Hermione," he repeated as he walked around her.
Her eyes shot open. There was a look of panic and fear. Her fingers tightened around the handle of her wand as she pointed it up towards him.
"Hermione, it's me. It's Harry."
"Harry." She blinked a few times as she stared at him. She immediately jumped out of her seat after recognizing him and hugged him. "It felt so real," she whispered against his chest.
"It will be okay." He firmly wrapped his arms around her. "I'll take the Horcrux now. Try to get some sleep."
"I don't think I can. I can still sense him. It's like he's here."
Harry held her closer as she buried her face in his chest. She could feel his heart beating against her cheek. It was a soothing sound that helped calm her nerves.
"It was just a horrible nightmare," she said. It was more for herself than him.
"Is this what you desire?" It was a different voice that she despised. He often came to torment her at night to change her mind about destroying the Horcrux.
Hermione quickly pushed him off of her. Tom had a smirk on his face after distancing herself from him. It made her sick that she was hugging him for comfort.
"It's getting a bit boring and repetitive. Oh, Harry, hold me. I had a terrible nightmare," he mocked.
She couldn't wait to wipe the stupid smirk off his face and finally destroy the locket that haunted her dreams.
"You're pathetic," he scoffed.
"You're wrong, and I'll prove it once we destroy you."
Dark eyes that were void of any emotions stared at her. She didn't back down or look away. She refused to let him control her dreams.
"It isn't over, Mudblood." He glided towards her within a blink of an eye. His cold and long fingers wrapped around her neck.
She kicked and punched, doing everything she could to get away from his grasp. She pulled out her wand from her robes. "Crucio," she said with all the anger she felt towards him.
He let out a painful wail and let her go. It was enough to get away from him.
》《
Hermione was startled awake from her nightmare with a young and manipulative Tom Riddle, causing her to jump from her seat. It was no wonder so many fell for his trap; only to be betrayed. He was more dangerous than she imagined. There were no words that could perfectly describe how truly evil and vile he was.
Her heart raced. It pounded against her chest. Not in the butterflies in her stomach kind of way, but painful and difficult to breathe. She grasped at the locket hanging around her neck that seemed to cling to her. It felt as if it was burning her skin.
"You can never get rid of me." She could still hear his voice lingering inside her mind. Goosebumps formed on her arms. She felt a tingling on her neck and down her back. It terrified her how easily he could get inside her mind. It made her question her own ability and mental strength. Deep down, she knew that she was stronger.
She sat up straight on her seat and brushed aside her hair that was damp from sweat. Jars of Bluebell Flames were placed around the tent.
Her back and neck felt stiff from falling asleep on the table. The Maurader's Map was laid out on the table.
"Everything okay?" Harry asked as he appeared from the bed area. He rubbed his eyes, then lowered his glasses. His dark hair was a mess, standing in different directions. "I heard you talking."
Hermione shook her head as she held the locket in her palm. Harry slowly walked towards her and stood before her. He removed her hand from the locket and pulled the necklace over her head.
"I'll wear it at nights from now on," he said and slid the necklace over his head. He tucked it underneath his jumper. "I'll make us some tea. We should probably move to another location. A fresh start should help."
"That's a good idea," she agreed, nodding.
She looked down at the map before her to distract herself. There were only a few movements in the castle. It was probably late. Snape walked around the Headmaster's office. Professor McGonagall paced in her chamber. Both of the Carrow professors were wandering the halls. It was starting to be a nightly occurrence. She hoped that everyone was at least safe.
"Careful, it's hot." Harry placed two mugs filled with tea that was steaming on the table. He sat beside her and slid the map closer to him. "Any changes?" He looked at her worriedly.
Hermione returned the same worried look. His jaw was sharper than usual and had bags under his eyes. They couldn't keep going on the way they were.
"Same as every night." She sighed, dropping her shoulders. "I don't know, Harry. I'm not sure how we'll get Gryffindor's sword out of Hogwarts. It's the only way to destroy the locket. And if we can't." She paused and pressed her lips together as she tried to keep it together. The Horcrux had a lasting effect on her.
Hermione suddenly found herself engulfed in his arms. She didn't realise that she was in tears as she buried her face in his chest. He didn't say anything as he held her in his arms. It was unlike him. He never initiated his or physical contact. She knew why.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled.
"I should have noticed sooner. You've done so much already." He brushed her hair and rubbed her back. "We'll get through this. I know we will. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you, Hermione. It's alright. I know it will be okay. It's not on you to figure it all out. We'll figure it out together. Just like before. Like always."
She wrapped her arm around him and clung to the hem of his jumper as she listened to his words. It was the Harry she always believed in and always saw in him.
The Horcrux was wrong. They were nothing alike. And she wasn't pathetic as it had thought. She let her vulnerability get the best of her and cloud her mind for a moment.
"I won't let them get away with it," Harry said, as he pulled her closer.
Hermione looked at him and nodded. There was a renewed hope in his green eyes. "I trust you," she said.
Harry blushed and looked down at the map. "Drink the tea whilst it's warm."
Maybe the Horcrux was right about one thing.