They learn that Sirius's late brother Regulus had stolen the Horcrux locket, and hid it in the house, where it was stolen by Mundungus Fletcher. House-elf Kreacher locates Fletcher, who had the locket taken by Dolores Umbridge. The trio infiltrate the Ministry and steal the locket from Umbridge, but Grimmauld Place is compromised in their escape. They hide in the wilderness, unable to destroy the locket and with no further leads. The locket affects Ron, and he abandons the group. Harry and Hermione discover about Dumbledore's past friendship with the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald. They travel to Godric's Hollow, Harry's birthplace, where they are attacked by Nagini. They escape, but Harry's wand is damaged. One day, a doe Patronus guides Harry to a pond containing Gryffindor's sword. When Harry tries to recover the sword, the locket nearly kills him. Ron, guided back by the Deluminator, saves him and destroys the locket.