The Twin Lockets

The Twin Lockets

Chapter Eight: Jenna's Locket

"Ron! What happened?" Hermione said, bending down to Luna.

"She... She... I don't know!" Ron was shaking, badly.

"I'll go get someone," William said, dashing out the door way.

Harry and Neville bent down to Luna. Neville muttered, "Oh no, oh no," under his breath, his eyes wide. Harry glanced around, wishing that William would hurry up.

Jenna looked down with a strange look on her face, a half cross between interest and annoyance. "If you really want to help her, I suggest you step back." Harry, Neville, and Hermione immediately backed away. Jenna crouched down and looked over Luna. She examined the girl. "An armature's mistake. She took a vision on with no experience. Pity."

"Is there anything you can do?" Neville asked, nervously.

"No," Jenna answered, immediately. "She'll get over it. Just give her some space and she'll come to."

Ron gritted his teeth. "Well, if you don't know, then what good are you doing? Or are you just here to make us feel stupid and to blame Luna for this?"

Jenna stood up, glaring at Ron. "I never said it was her fault, I just said it could've been avoided. And, nobody needs to make you feel stupid. You are."

Ron's face turned red and he glared back. "Yeah, well maybe if you'd..."

"I'm back!"

Everyone looked up to see William panting, entering the compartment again.

"Did you get someone?" Harry asked, glaring at William.

"No. Didn't have to," William said. "There's nothing any of them could do for her, anyways. I completely forgot till now, but I think I know what to do."

William bent down to Luna and took her hand in his own. A blue light glowed around William's grip, circling all around Luna. "Wake up."

Luna opened her eyes immediately. "What happened?"

"You're alright now. Just a little fainting spell. Nothing more," William said. He glanced up at Ron. "You saw what happened. Nothing, right?"

"Right," Ron heard himself said.

"What are you talking about?" Jenna argued. "She clearly..."

"It was nothing," Ron said. "I saw it. Nothing."

Harry, Neville, and Luna looked at the other three with confusion. Hermione stared intently at Jenna.

"We're almost there," Jenna said, through gritted teeth. She looked at Ron and sneered. "Good bye." She spun around and stocked out, lifting her chin a little into the air.

Ron muttered something under his breath.

"I'd better go, too," William said. "I'm supposed to meet the Headmistress early for my sorting."

"I need to get dressed," Ron said, grabbing his robes and pushing his way out the door.

"I'll... be right back," Hermione said, stepping out.

"We'd better start heading up front," Luna said, rubbing her head. "We'll be there in just a couple minutes." She stepped outside, Neville following her.

Harry found himself alone for several moments. He stared out the window. Something strange was going on. It seemed like everyone was hiding something from him. But, why?

"Er, Harry?"

Harry looked up to see Ron entering the compartment again. "Yeah?"

"Before we go, there's something I need to tell you," Ron continued. "It's about Luna. She didn't just pass out. She started talking in this strange voice, like how Trelonwy does when she's pretending to give some sort of prediction. And, she said something strange."

What?"

"I can't really remember. She something about Riddle's son's child. The heir of Riddle. She said that the person wore a locket around their neck. She said that they had the power to save the world and to destroy it. And," Ron gulped, "that this person is the only one that can save you."

Harry's eyes widened. "The heir of Riddle?"

"Yeah. That's what she said," Ron replied.

Harry thought a moment. "Suppose... Tom Riddle had a son. And then, they had a kid. And the kid stole Slytherin's locket from Sirius' old house."

Ron nodded. "But... wouldn't we know who the person is? Just look for the person with a locket around their neck with the last name Riddle."

"They'd hide it, I'm sure," Harry said. "And they'd change their name to something else. Chances are, they wouldn't want anyone to know that they were Voldemort's grand child."

Ron flinched. "Yeah."

"But, how will we know who it is? We, or at least you, must've been meant to hear it, since Luna told it in front of you. What if..."

Harry was interrupted as the door slid open. Ginny stood in the doorway, a disgruntled expression on her face. "Oh, sorry. Just making sure you were both ready. It's time to go."

"Alright," Ron said, following Ginny out the door. Harry followed both of them, hoping that Ginny would at least acknowledge him.

The three of them stepped out of the train and were soon on the park surrounding Hogwarts. "Good to be back," Harry mused.

"Yup," Ron said.

"...You can tell me."

The three of them paused as they heard the voice.

"I promise, I won't tell them who you are."

Harry, Ron, and Ginny snuck up to a Hogwarts wall, listening to the people around the corner.

"No! You can't help me! Nobody can!" another voice responded in an angry whisper.

Harry's eyes widened as he recognized both voices: Hermione and Jenna.

"Please, Jenna, I'm trying to help you. I know who you are..." Hermione began.

"Well, I wish you'd forget," Jenna hissed. "Do you think I'm proud of who I am? Do you think it makes me happy? I know very well who I am. I know about my whole family. You don't need to come and comfort me. I know, but I don't care! There's nothing I can do about it and there's nothing you can do, either!"

Hermione let out a gasp. "Jenna, please. If I'm correct, there's nothing for you to worry about. If..."

"If what, Miss Know-It-All?" Jenna questioned, sharply. "There's no denying it. I know about my mother's perfect little family and just why they refuse to take me in. And, I know about what my father is and what my grandfather was and about everyone else! But, you know what? I don't care! It doesn't matter! It's there, Hermione. Look at the proof! I can't change anything."

"Yes you can!" Hermione said. "It might not be too late..."

"Oh, trust me, Hermione. It is," Jenna said, icily.

Jenna turned to leave. "Wait!" Hermione said, grabbing Jenna's arm. Jenna tried to pull away, but Hermione reached out, again, grabbing her collar.

"Let... go... of... me!" Jenna gave Hermione a shove and took off running.

Hermione fell backwards, a ripped piece of cloth from Jenna's sleeve in one hand and a necklace in the other.

"Hermione!" Ron yelled, running forwards. "Oh, I'll get that little..."

"Ron, don't! Please," Hermione pleaded, letting Jenna's necklace fall to the ground.

Harry picked up the necklace, which was really just a chain with a small locket attached.

A locket...

Harry gasped. Hadn't Jenna just spoken of her father's family? Could her father's father be Lord Voldemort? And, could this be Slytherin's locket?

Harry looked town at the locket and slowly turned it over in his palm. If it really was the horcrux he'd been looking for, Salazar Slytherin's locket, he'd know right off.

Harry gasped. Carved on the front of the locket were the unmistakable initials: S and S.

And, try as he may, the locket wouldn't open, either.