The Cave - 4

"I don't know the spell, but I think I can find out," Remus said tentatively.

"How? I've looked everywhere and there's virtually nothing written," Harry replied.

"I have access to some of the more unsavory quarters than you do, Harry," Remus replied, lowering his eyes. "Do you want my help?"

Harry felt torn, worrying that he was signing Remus' death certificate by getting him involved. He had no choice, however. He needed some help.

"Please."

"Consider it done," Remus said, nodding.

"Do you know anything about destroying them?" Harry asked.

Remus shook his head. "I'm sorry. I don't. I told you everything I know. I'll see what I can find out, though."

"That's all right. I have one more idea to try," Harry said, a plan already formulating in his mind. He didn't know where the idea had come from, but he was suddenly convinced it was the right thing to do.

"What's that?" Remus asked.

"I need to go back to that beach where we found Crabbe," Harry said firmly.

"Why? What's there?" Remus asked, perplexed.

"That's where Professor Dumbledore and I went the night he died," Harry said, swallowing heavily. "That's where Voldemort originally placed the locket. I just have a feeling that it might need to be destroyed there."

Remus's eyes had flown open upon hearing Harry's revelation. "Do you want me to come with you?"

Harry shook his head. "No, I need you to look into your sources. Ron, Hermione and Ginny will come with me."

"Be careful, Harry," Remus said, squeezing Harry's shoulder.

"You, too," Harry said, smiling tightly.

With a plan in his head, he shut the book firmly and went to look for his friends.

*~*~*

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny again Apparated to the spot Remus had brought them the last time. Their announcement that they were going out had startled Mrs. Weasley, and she'd wanted them to take an escort, but she'd relented under Mr. Weasley's reassurances. The teens hadn't been specific about their destination, and if Mrs. Weasley had any hunches, she didn't share them.

When they arrived on the shore, a cold, gusty wind was blowing off the sea. It reminded Harry of the trip to Azkaban, and he shivered, steeling his shoulders against it. He could hear the distant clang of a lighthouse buoy ringing in the wind. The four teens could see firelight burning in the distance, and they crouched down low as they approached it.

Crabbe was still there and still using the fire to keep warm. Harry couldn't blame him – the wind off the water was bitterly cold.

"The entrance to the cave is below, and it's a steep climb down," Harry whispered. "I'm going to Disillusion us all. Just keep your hand on the shoulder of the person in front of you, and I'll lead you to the spot where we have to go down. We're going to have to walk fairly close in order to get there, but once we're at the bottom, we shouldn't have to worry about Crabbe seeing us."

"Why don't we just Stun him, then we can revive him when we leave?" Ron asked.

"Then he'll report to Voldemort that someone Stunned him, and he'll know we were here," Hermione replied.

"Right," Harry said, nodding. "As of now, I think we got the cup undetected, so he doesn't know we're onto him. I'd like to keep it that way, if possible."

Harry cast the spell on each of his friends and finally himself. He walked slowly and carefully along the beach and towards the cliff. His heart pounded in his chest, and he could taste the tangy, metallic taste in his mouth from an adrenaline rush.