The Lost Horcrux

Disclaimers: Dark themes, police state ideas, mention of spousal abuse (including rape) on and off-screen, death of minor characters, graphic imagery and violence, frank sex discussion, copious bad language, villainising the Weasleys and Dumbledore, liberties taken with mythical history and the HP real-life timeline.

***

Harry tightened the belt on his battlerobe, stowed his wand in the quick-draw holster strapped to his wrist, then turned to watch Hermione fastening the last of the dragon's-tooth toggles on her own full-length duelling robe. He had to admit that his wife looked utterly ready and more badass than he might ever have expected.

"Where's the best place to do this?" Hermione asked, pocketing her own wand. "Where will make the most impact?"

"Hogsmeade," Harry revealed gruffly. "It's the most magically-monitored village in Britain. The detection Charms that were set there all those years ago - the ones that we triggered before we got into Hogwarts - were never lifted, only enhanced. I wont even have to destroy anything for the Death Eaters to know I'm there."

"To know that we're there," Hermione corrected.

"No, they won't have a clue about you," Harry counter-corrected. Hermione frowned in her confusion. "Our mission today is two-pronged ... draw Draco to the confrontation with Luna, and also to find the spirit of Ariana Dumbledore. The first one I'm turning over to your control, the other is all on me and Nev."

"If you think I'm letting you go off into danger alone -"

"Don't argue, Lady Potter!" Harry snapped firmly. "This is what the resistance fight is all about ... and there is danger at every turn. Our sources in Ireland tell us that there have been no new additions to Tom Riddle's supporter force amassing there. We can only assume that they will soon try to cross into Britain to join him. We may be running out of time to recover the lost horcrux and any chance to win this damned war."

Hermione crossed her arms sternly. "I don't like you raising your voice to me."

"And I don't like my orders being questioned."

"It's my job to question you. Someone has to slow you up. You're too reckless for your own good sometimes."

"My recklessness has got us this far."

"And my cool logic kept you alive through most of it!" Hermione cried, hotly. "What happened to us being a team? Two halves of one whole?"

"Isn't that exactly what we are doing?" Harry argued, fairly. "Two aims of a mission, a Potter running each one. Team goals, my Lady."

"Damn your smugness," Hermione huffed, but she saw that she had to concede. "Alright, but I am not happy about this. In any case, how am I supposed to remain hidden while you draw the eyes of our enemies to you. I have a fair price on my head too, you know."

"I know, that's why I want you to have this."

Harry reached behind him and lifted a garment from the table. The smooth, almost silvery material flowed like liquid over his arms as he handed the item to his wife.

"Your Invisibility Cloak," Hermione whispered.

"The most perfect one every woven," Harry smiled. "As a Deathly Hallow it does so much more than merely conceal the wearer from sight ... it also shields you from any sort of magical tracking, whether that be spells or crystals or anything else that might be employed. It will hide you out of sight while you accompany Luna to her battle with Draco."

Hermione nodded in understanding as she folded the Invisibility Cloak and tucked it safely inside her battlerobe. With a steeling breath against what was to come, she looked up at Harry again.