Familiar Building

"Come to think of it, where are we?"

It was only after they had walked some distance that Ron suddenly remembered this crucial question.

Strictly speaking, Hermione's Apparition had not been entirely successful. The pressure Voldemort had brought to bear had been so great that she had lost focus for a moment at the last second.

Though they had still escaped and no Splinching had occurred, they had missed their intended destination and appeared somewhere unfamiliar.

"Wherever it is, it's better than being at You-Know-Who's old home," Hermione said without turning around.

Harry shrank back slightly.

He should have realized it sooner—the snake had been Voldemort's final Horcrux. How could he possibly have done nothing?

Voldemort must have set up some kind of Foe-Glass or Caterwauling Charm at Riddle Manor. The moment a stranger entered, he would know at once and rush over immediately.

Yet they had still fallen for it, barging in unprepared and nearly losing their lives.

It was all his fault. If only he had realized sooner—

"Harry, Harry—"

Hermione's voice brought Harry back to himself. He quickly said, "I'm here—sorry, what did you just say?"

One look at Harry told Hermione what he was thinking. She immediately turned around and said earnestly, "None of this is your fault, Harry."

"No, it is my fault. I should have known. Possessing Vol—You-Know-Who is dangerous. He knew I was watching that snake, and he set a trap in advance, just like when we went to the Department of Mysteries!"

The more Harry spoke, the more guilty he sounded, his fists clenched tightly.

"Listen to me, Harry, listen—"

Hermione put both hands on his shoulders.

"Don't forget, I was the one who told you there was no Dark magic in that room, not you—"

"But there really wasn't any Dark