Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with Harry Potter, if I did I would be extremely rich, but I'm not. It all belongs to J. K. Rowling

Note: This is my own version of Book 7. All I own is some of the plot.

Harry Potter and the Beacon of Hope Chapter 3 – One Down

"Is everyone else alive?" asked Hermione.

"Yes," answered Ginny, they're on their way up here. As she said this Arthur, Molly and Bill burst into the room. Harry noticed that Bill was in tears.

"We have to go," stated Mr Weasley firmly.

"How many are there?" asked Ron shakily.

"As far as I can tell only him," replied Mrs Weasley.

"But that awful snake that attacked me is with him," added Mr Weasley.

"Nagini's here," murmured Hermione, "But Harry, you said that…"

"Nagini's a Horcrux!" finished Harry.

"A what?" inquired Mr Weasley.

"No time now, just go!" ordered Harry.

"I'm staying to help," stated Ron.

"No," protested Harry, "go with them it's too dangerous here!"

"What about you?" asked Mrs Weasley.

"There is something I need to do. Now go!" replied Harry. He said this with such force that it caused Mrs Weasley to grab hold of Ginny and disapperate. Mr Weasley wished Harry good luck then gabbed a protesting Ron and Hermione and disapperated. Harry drew his wand and headed down the stairs. He could hear Voldemort's high, menacing voice.

"Potter! Where are you Potter? Come out! Face me Chosen One!" Harry entered the Burrow's living room and came face to face with Lord Voldemort. He seemed to be even less human then the last time they had met, with distorted features and piercing snake like eyes. Nagini was slithering along beside him. Before Harry could react Voldemort had pulled out his wand and pointed it at Harry.

"I gave you the chance to join me, the chance to survive, 5 years ago. You refused. You've been living on borrowed time for 16 years. Time's up!" he gave a malicious grin, then…

"EXPELIARMOUS!" Voldemort was blasted into the wall beside Harry, although somehow he managed to hold onto his wand. Standing at the other end of the room with wands raised were Ron and Hermione.

"I told you to go!" exclaimed Harry.

"And we told you by the lake that we were coming," retorted Ron.

"Grab the snake!" yelled Hermione.

"NO!" screamed Voldemort but Harry had already grabbed Nagini and joined Ron and Hermione. Before Voldemort could bring his wand up the trio disapperated. "Damn you Potter!" roared Voldemort into the night.

The trio appeared, guided by Ron and Hermione, to the Ministry of Magic, where the rest of the Weasleys were waiting. Harry threw the snake down and pointed his wand at it.

"Sectumsempra!" As Nagini was slashed in two a puff of green smoke emerged with an unearthly wail. "That's one down," commented Harry. Bill was distraught. Mrs Weasley was doing her best to comfort him but she couldn't stop the flood of tears. Mr Weasley and Ginny stood up and approached Harry, Ron and Hermione.

"One what down?" he asked. Harry took a deep breath and told him. He started with the prophecy, briefly covered his lessons with Dumbledore, mentioned the cave and then finally told him about having to destroy the rest.

"Harry, could you describe the real locket?" asked Mrs Weasley. Surprised, Harry turned to face her.

"Well it was big and gold with a decorative serpent in the shape of an S on it," he replied then paused, "Why?"

"I've seen that!" she answered, "When we were clearing out Grimmauld Place."

"Of course," interjected Hermione, "that locket that wouldn't open."

"I threw it away!" stated Mrs Weasley horrified, "unless it was rescued by…"

"Kreacher!" exclaimed Ron, "Harry, call him."

"Kreacher," stated Harry. With a loud pop Kreacher appeared in front of him. He bowed low as muttered in his usual way.

"Kreacher will do as master wants. Although Kreacher would rather iron his hands, oh yes. Kreacher is ashamed to serve the Potter brat, Kreacher wants…"

"Kreacher, shut up and listen!" demanded Harry, "did you rescue the large locket that wouldn't open?"

"The Potter brat is after the Horcrux, but Kreacher must obey. Yes Kreacher rescued it but…"

"Good," replied Harry, "Wait, how do you know about the Horcruxes?"

"Master Regulus Black told Kreacher all about them." Answered Kreacher.

"Well go and get me the locket!" ordered Harry.

"Kreacher can't! It was stolen by the filthy Mudungus Fletcher!"

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