The tale starts from where Ron destroys the horcrux in the locket by stabbing it. Before that the story is as written in the original book and I don't intend to change that. This is a Harry/Hermione fiction though it will remain true to the original for the most part, but hey! I do have some tricks of my own ;)

I thank the writers specially CynicalRomantic09, forbiddenharmony7, Christina-Pot ter-09 and last but not the least houseelf07, for their wonderful fictions which were inspiring. Guess who's my beta... it's forbiddenharmony7, and she's wonderful!

Disclaimer: I am not JKR... Duh!

Harry Potter and The cloak The stone and The Wand

Chapter - 1

Ron Weasley was shaking, the locket was destroyed with one final blow but the images it showed were still fresh in his mind. Ron finally let go of the Gryffindor sword and fell to his knees breathless. The cold breeze was blowing hard but both the boys were sweating. Harry Potter took one final look at the locket and then pocketed it. There was silence. " We should head back Ron, Hermione would be worried," Harry spoke first but neither of them moved - there was just silence again.

"Harry..." Ron said in a low voice finally looking away from the the space where the locket had shown Harry and Hermione's fake form passionately kissing and disapproving him as a friend. It was all an illusion but it was indeed his worst fear that he had kept secret even from himself until now.

"Do you... do you love her Harry...do you love Hermione the way I think you do... like I always thought you did" Ron almost whispered but Harry heard it and his eyes went wide. "Ron! none of this was real, it was the Horcrux..." Harry blurted out a bit too quickly.

"I know that.." Ron spoke again not letting Harry finish his words. The chilling wind was blowing harder now, it was raining leaves, the old and dead ones fromt he trees which were making noises, urging them to listen and cherish the rhythmic tune of it but none of them paid any attention to it. "I need to know this Harry or I'll never be able to be my self again, I'll never be able to be your friend again and Merlin knows I want to, I want this to end ... This tension, I want it to stop so please tell me, answer me truthfully... Do you love her?" Ron pleaded after sometime. Harry was at a loss for words he was also angry and frustrated. He wanted Ron back but not this. How could he bring up something like this now? How could he answer this when he was himself confused.

So he began" Ofcourse I love her Ron.. I love her like a..." but he didn't finish. His voice was firm and loud but somehow it was not that convincing, even to himself, he thought. There was a strange feeling in his stomach that prevented him from saying the intended words, and he didn't knew why, but he couldn't dwell on that topic in his mind for long as Ron spoke again. "Harry, I need to know the truth. It's not just for me... what about Ginny Harry.. I need to know this for her too. So please, Harry, tell me the truth. Is the reason that I abandoned you in the tent and acted like a selfish git, true or not Harry. And don't lie to me!" Ron finished in a single breath. Harry's eyes were unfocused as he looked at the sword that lay between them. He couldn't answer this, at least not now.

The truth was that he didn't completely know himself. "We should head back to the tent, Ron." Harry's voice was calm. "We could discuss this later. I'm freezing, you're freezing, and I know Hermione's definitely worried sick right now..." but Harry couldn't finish as Ron snapped angrily at him "That's why I bloody hell need to hear it now Harry! For her sake, Merlin!" he bellowed. For the longest time that he was away from them, Ron thought how or when he would come back and finally ask Harry this question. He was afraid that the girl he loves could never love him back the way he wanted her to because of his best friend... because Ron thought that she loved his best friend. She indeed loved Harry more than anyone. She even sacrificed her own life, her parents, even Ron himself. She chose him, just as she always did. No matter what, it was always Harry, and he knew that. But Ron wanted to know if Harry was in love with her too, he needed Harry to tell him.

"For Merlin's sake Harry!" he yelled. "Why can't you answer me!? Just give me the bloody answer-!" "Fine!" Harry bellowed back. "Yes! I love her! Are you happy now, Ron? I love her...I always have! I was just too stupid not to realize it because of this...his endless wait of getting the chance to be normal , to be free from Voldemort... but I don't think she loves me in the same way" Harry was getting furious at himself for his own outburst but he couldn't stop himself. " I saw her cry every night, she cried Ron, she bloody cried for you every single night that you were away! She cried for you to come back, not for me damn it!" Harry yelled at Ron or maybe he was yelling at himself or perhaps he was yelling at the forest that suddenly became silent as if to make his words more clear and loud. He was frustrated with his luck, for everything that had happen for the past few weeks this was probably the worst, at least he thought it to be for now. Ron stared open-mouthed at him as was shocked at Harry's outburst but he remained still. "It was all so obvious. Harry is in love with Hermione" he thought. "He always have. He stood by her side like she did for him. He had always listened to her when nobody else was able to make him listen, always prepared to die for her, fight for her... Saving her from that troll in the first yeat, then in the Department of Mysteries. But hearing it, hearing the truth the revelation from Harry himself like this was overwhelming for the young boy. But hadn't he expected this? He had wanted Harry to acknowledge it. He couldn't help but feel a bit proud of himself. Ron, whose maturity, sensitivity, and emotions occupied the range of a teaspoon, was right. Ron Weasely was finally right. But he had also hoped against hope that maybe Harry would say otherwise. That he would say that he didn't love her, would say that Ron's fears were all for the wrong reasons and then Ron might had a chance but it was never meant to be... Ron sighed to himself ans sat down more comfortably. The two boys sat there for a long time, nobody speaking or moving. Harry was cursing himself. His best friend came back and saved him but in return Harry had just told him what he never needed to hear.

Something he never wanted to acknowledge, something he had been internally fighting for the past few months, even when he was sitting in his bed at Privet Drive and holding the only letters that Hermione sent him. Harry had neglected all those thoughts back then as they needed to be strong and united at any cost. For the greater good as his former headmaster had once said to him. It was for their the mission and his own thoughts and desires seemed small compared to that back then. Ron Weasley stirred first, the immense tension in his mind gone somehow. He smiled to himself and then looked into Harry's eyes.

"Let's go, Harry. You're right, she's probably worried." And with that he stood up, and offered Harry his hand. Harry took it, a bit dazed and shocked by Ron's reaction, and stood up. Ron picked up the sword. "I've always been amazed by this sword - never thought I'd get to hold it one day, let alone destroy a Horcrux with it," Ron said. He looked at the sword carefully and then at Harry. "Guess this is my lucky day, aye mate?"

Harry was too stunned to answer. He had thought that Ron would attack him - he was prepared for that, prepared to take the blows with out fighting back. At the very least he thought Ron would go away again, and Hermione would cry again. He managed to make out a weak "Yeah...Let's go, we should tell Hermione the good news... Three down and three to go!" Ron said, looking ahead. And with those final words, both boys headed back to the tent where the bushy brown-haired girl was waiting impatiently for their return, for Harry s return.

OK THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS, THIS IS MY FIRST STORY SO THERE WERE MISTAKES WHICH I HAVE CORRECTED. I DIDN'T HAVE ANY IDEA HOW TO MANAGE MY

STORIES IN THIS SITE SO I RUSHED AND UPLOADED. I HAVE CORRECTED MY MISTAKES, THANKS FOR POINTING THOSE OUT. UPDATE WILL BE COMING SOON.

PRATYAY.