Hermione grew more frustrated with her research on Horcuruxes. The only mention she found was in a book called Magick Moste Evile and it had barely been but a sentence long. And that had spells that she found beyond horrible.

Viktor hadn't been much help either, saying that it was the worst kind of magic and not something he was willing to put in writing. Even if he could erase it once Hermione had read it, he wouldn't dare mar her skin with something that foul.

She leaned back on her bed, vanishing her half of the conversation before she opened her curtains. She knew that her sleeves would hide her arms, but she still liked to keep her clothes as free of ink as possible.

"Everything alright?" Lavender asked.

"Everything's fine," Hermione said. "Just talking to Viktor before supper."

Lavender smiled. "How is he?"

"As well as can be expected. Loving practice."

"Why wouldn't he? He's still the best seeker according to the stats," Lavender said. "I bet that's nice."

"He likes it. He says that until next season he wants to keep his rank. Maybe until the next world cup. I doubt it'll last that long." Hermione sighed. "But I do my best not to crush his hopes."

Lavender laughed. "You never were good at seeing the future," she said.

Hermione bristled a little at that comment. She might not have been good at divination, but she figured that some common sense was just as good at predicting sports outcomes as actual magic.

After supper the boys were chatting about Harry's luck, or lack thereof, about talking to Slughorn. Hermione was half listening, trying to read a book. Just a little fantasy for fun.

"Any luck on your end?"

Hermione shook her head. "I don't think that's the point though. Dumbledore's the most powerful wizard currently alive. I think he knows what they are. I think it's something to do with Slughorn he's looking for."

Harry thought it over. She knew that he hated the idea that Dumbledore was keeping something from him. Harry hated being in the dark. Hermione didn't blame him. But if Viktor wasn't going to write it out for her, she figured the next best option was the one person she was almost certain knew.