Was and Will Be

A/N: This is PART TWO OF CHAPTER 7. Part one is listed as Ch.7 and this one is as Ch.8. It'll prolly be the same with Ch.8. This is an ALL NEW part because last time (before I had to re-upload the whole thing), PKY wouldn't upload all of Ch.7, so it never got through to you, except for the members of BrainstormQuill. Anyway, happy reading and please R&R. Thanks very much for taking the time o read such a long story!

Part two – The future they withhold

            His heart thumped fiercely as his steps became louder and louder in the hall. Finally he stopped in front of the stairs and stared at them for a moment, losing all trail of thought and letting space for only these feelings to go away… why wouldn’t they just go away? He groaned and kicked the stair-post hard, making the troll-leg-umbrella tremble and fall with a loud thud. Granted, Mrs. Black –whose portrait they hadn’t been able to bring down after all this time- started screaming at the top of her lungs.

            Neville took his hands to his ears, trying to make the sound die down with little success. ‘Stop it you old hag! For crying out loud!’ Neville screamed at the portrait.

            ‘WHAT A DISGRACE! A PUREBLOOD IN THIS HOUSE, HELPING THESE SCUM!’ she screamed back.

            ‘Shut the bloody hell up!’ He felt his temper rising, the emotions he’d been trying to suppress blossoming with no looking back.

            Remus appeared from the kitchen, eyes wide with shock. ‘What on earth is going on here?’

            As soon as Mrs. Black registered his presence, her “attention” turned to him. ‘THE HALF-BREED! THE BLOOD TRAITOR’S BEST FRIEND. HE’S STILL HERE! HOW DARE YOU BEFOUL THE HOUSE OF MY FATHERS, YOU FILTHY—‘              

            ‘What in the name of Merlin is your problem?! You are the one who is disgraceful. Thinking that you’ve got it all! Thinking that you are better than everyone and everything!’

            Just then, Harry and Draco came out of the Library, looking startled at the apparent competition of who-can-scream-louder between Neville and Mrs. Black. Harry looked dishevelled, not just because of the commotion and Draco held his amused / controlled position as usual, looking only the least bit perturbed.

            Hermione came down from the stairs. ‘Someone please shut her up! I’m trying to study here!’ she yelled.

            ‘… YOU SHOLD ALL BE PUNISHED FOR DISHONOURING THE ANCIENT AND MOST NOBLE HOUSE OF BLACK! THE DARK LORD WILL HAVE YOUR HEADS, YOU STAINS OF DISHONOUR, CHILDREN OF FILTH…’

            Remus made void acknowledgement to Mrs. Black’s insults and started towards the curtains, so she would stop yelling, but Neville was ahead of him and had started yelling and shaking uncontrollably with rage.

            ‘THAT’S IT! YOU’LL SHUT UP RIGHT NOW! VOLDEMORT ISN’T BUT A WANNABE WORLD DICTATOR AND THEY ARE SO MUCH MORE THAN YOU EVER ACCOMPLISHED IN YOUR PITYFUL LIFE!’ Neville didn’t even know why he was arguing with a portrait, but he had to let it all out… or some of it at least. He had to convince himself of the place he held here and where he wanted to be.

            They all gaped at him as his body started emanating a faint but growing bright aura. Neville raised his arms as he spoke and the aura became more visible and powerful. Finally, from his hands came beams of icy white light and hit Mrs. Black’s portrait square in the centre.

            She shut up for a second before letting out one more ear-tearing scream and blowing up as her voice died down with  ‘YOU SHALL PAY FOR WHAT YOU’VE—.‘ The huge portrait fell from the wall, face down.

            Remus’ eyes were wide with shock, he knew what Neville was, but never thought he could canalise all that power when Neville was “in charge”. He must be experiencing a horrible tense moment for that to come out, he thought. He saw the silent tears that had wetted his cheeks and felt like going to comfort him, but knew better not to.

            Neville stared at what he’d just done. He felt much relieved now that some of it had come out of his chest, once and for all. For what he’d heard, they had been trying unsuccessfully to bring her down for years. Moments later, when the astonishment had passed, he noticed something dark blue behind the ruined and firing drapes and the rests of the once insufferable portrait. He frowned and walked nearer to get a better view, followed closely by Harry, Draco and Hermione.

            Remus started that way also, but something told him he should just stay behind and see what the children discovered. He watched intently, his wand ready for any emergency.

            Neville pushed aside the rests of the “sanctuary” and his eyes landed on some letters he’d seen in the attic:

The Noble and most Ancient

House of Black

"Toujours Pur"

            Harry looked as bewildered as Neville felt, Hermione was staring at it with utter interest and Draco just watched with lazy curiosity and elegant detachment. They all darted forward to try and see closely what this all was about.

            Neville read the rest of the tapestry, it seemed as a family tree, but as far as Neville could tell, it started in the Middle Ages. He scrolled down with his eyes and they landed on a Salazar Slytherin, linked in a line of gold to a Helga Hufflepuff, next to a Godric Gryffindor, linked to a Rowena Ravenclaw. He gasped and turned to Hermione. ‘Is this-?’ He didn’t even need to finish at the sight of the others’ faces.

            Remus came up and examined the Family Tree from behind the four heads. ‘The Black Family from the Founders times! That is amazing!’ he exclaimed.

            'Well, at least we're clear on the Most Ancient part now,' Draco commented idly as he studied the tapestry.

            Harry quickly scanned it all and then his eyes stopped in something that wasn’t quite all right. Godric and Rowena’s line was double gold, while Salazar and Helga’s was single; he turned to Hermione. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ he asked her.

            Hermione narrowed her eyes in concentration as she studied the relations. Finally she came to her conclusion. ‘Apparently Helga and Salazar didn’t marry, but they had offspring.’ She pointed with her finger, following the vertical line, ‘Sargeant Slytherin, see?’ she demonstrated.

            Draco followed the lines of marriages and offspring down, trying to place the names of his family ancestors there; hours of studying the noblest history of the Malfoy’s paid off somehow. He gasped and they all turned to him, Draco barely ever showed any unplanned change of mood. ‘It’s all clear now…’ he muttered to himself.

            ‘You don’t really think you-?’ Harry started, before anyone could ask anything.

            Draco turned to him. ‘Yes, I think that is quite right,’ he assured.

            Neville, Hermione and Remus looked at each other in confusion. Hermione spoke, ‘what’s that supposed to mean?’ she asked, annoyed she didn’t have an answer.

            Both Draco and Harry started talking at the same time, immediately, Harry quieted and let Draco explain. ‘Remember that time when me and Ginny went to the to see the centaurs?’

            Hermione nodded, still trying to connect the pieces. Draco continued.

            ‘Well, they also told me-‘ He glanced at Harry, as if letting him know he was about to say it, he nodded and Draco continued, ‘they said I was to be a pillar for him,’ he directed Harry a pointed glance.

            Hermione nodded slowly. ‘Yyes, and?’ she inquired.

            Draco sighed. ‘They directed me as “The Living Heir”. I didn’t quite—‘ he didn’t finish, for Hermione had gasped; meaning, that she had put it all together.

            ‘Merlin’s beard! So you are the heir of Slytherin? I mean, we did have a faint clue… but this is—it is big!’ she exclaimed.

            ‘Hm,’ was Draco’s response to her amazement. He broke a small, almost imperceptible smile; she looked very beautiful when she had found an answer.

            Neville listened intently at this whole explanation. It made much more sense now; very powerful wizards, Warlocks; heirs o the houses of Gryffindor and Slytherin. He laughed softly and then noticed something behind the tapestry. He frowned and moved it aside to let show something brown.

            Harry followed his gaze and leaned closer to see what it was. He flinched in surprise and glanced over at Lupin, who was looking just as bewildered. Remus nodded and prepared for anything.

           

            Neville lifted his hand, and it travelled down an old wooden door, with black metal hinges on the sides and an ornate black handle, which portrayed a raven’s head. Neville tried pushing it, but couldn’t. He looked back at his friends for some sort of answer.

            They all tried to Alohamora it, no use. They tried pushing the door, nothing happened. Lupin had helped them with the troll-leg umbrella so they would try it the old muggle way, but it was still unsuccessful.

            ‘Why can’t we open it?’ Harry protested like a little child that had been denied his biggest present on Christmas day.

***

            After seeing what Salazar had done, Godric started to fear what he’d known all the way but hadn’t wanted to accept it; it was –as Salazar had put it- a losing battle. Despite the Will Strengthening potion Helga had started to make for him, they were losing Salazar and there was nothing they could do about it.

            He had even started to fear that the love he had for Rowena -a love that had never died- wouldn’t keep her safe anymore. He loved Helga now and in spite of that, he had attacked her, Godric decided it was time to take another measure, one that he didn’t like, but had to be done. He had gone to the Bonding Archwizard -the one that had made Rowena’s bracelet- and asked him to make two mirrors, two two-way mirrors. He would give one to Rowena in Christmas, and he would keep the other. That way, if she ever needed him because of Salazar or any other threat, she would be able to contact him.

            Meanwhile, the stunning spell Salazar had thrown to Helga had lasted much more than it usually did and he was starting to worry, thinking he’d done permanent damage of some sort. Godric and Rowena came and went from the room to check on their friend, but Godric knew Salazar would much rather see them as less as possible; at least until Helga woke.

            After several hours had passed, it was well past midnight and tiresome was getting the best of him. He was lying next to her with a protective arm around the woman he loved and his eyes were heavier with every passing minute.

            When he was about to drift off for good, he felt her stirring and his eyes flew open, he sat up a little and set his pale balls moving fast to scan every part of her. ‘Helga?’ he asked tentatively.

            Without opening her eyes, she smiled a little. ‘Good to wake with you next to me,’ she said in what she tried as a seductive tone but came out more like a croak.

            Salazar smiled back a little and sighed in relieve as he kissed her temple. ‘Glad you are back. Don’t do that again, you gave me a big scare for a moment there.’

            Helga was the only one that saw Salazar Slytherin in that rather sappy attitude and she loved it. She cleared her throat and opened her eyes, wincing a little. ‘Seems like someone got a little worried, eh?’ she asked as nonchalant as possible, trying as best as she could to hide the smile.

            ‘You bet I did. You’ve been out for hours’

            ‘Well, your spell was pretty nasty,’ she asserted.

            ‘I said I was sorry,’ he defended.

            She reached for his face and kissed him. ‘It’s ok, I’m ok now’

            ‘But why did it affect you so much?’ he asked, sincerely concerned.

            She hesitated for a moment. ‘Let’s just say I’m a little weak,’ she said vaguely.

            ‘What do you mean? Are you sick?’

           

            ‘Uhm… not exactly’

            ‘Then what is it?’

           

            She figured she couldn’t hide it anymore; that he wouldn’t give up anytime soon so she let out a deep sigh. ‘I—I got something to tell you,’ she started. Salazar frowned, not sure what to think of this. Helga took a deep breath and continued, ‘I’m… expecting a child,’ she finally blunted out and searched for a hint on Salazar’s eyes of how he would take this.

            He gaped at her for what seemed an eternity and then blinked, still not saying anything.

            Helga couldn’t help the anxiousness and decided to speak. ‘So? What have you got to say to this?’

            He seemed to finally had regained the ability to speak, or part of it. ‘Huh? I… uh—‘

            ‘You what? You’re killing me here!’

            He shook his head. ‘Do you mean, you’re bearing an heir to me?’

            She raised an eyebrow. ‘No, I’m bearing your child,’ she corrected.

            ‘Right, that’

            ‘Then?’ she pressed.

            At last, he snapped out of it and blinked again at her, moments later a huge grin drew itself on his face and he lifted and spun Helga around. ‘That’s wonderful! I—I have absolutely no words to—‘

            The door slammed open, and both Godric and Rowena bursted in, wand in hand. ‘What’s the matter? What’s all the yelling about?’ Godric inquired. They were both half dressed; obviously, they had been caught in the less appropriate time.

            Helga and Salazar looked at them and smiled. ‘We’re having a baby!’ Salazar cried out in joy.

            ‘Excuse me?’ Rowena demanded and gave her friend a killing glare.

            ‘I—I’m sorry, I was going to tell you tonight but—‘

            ‘That’s wonderful!’ she squeaked and jumped to hug her.

            Godric came up to his best friend and clapped him hard on the back. ‘Mate, you’re the master,’ he said with a proud smile.

***

            The house was beautifully decorated, golden lights hung from the once dark and grim walls. A huge Christmas tree had been brought from a nearby forest, and they had all decorated it with their own magic.

            They had sorted it into four sides and it had turned out to be that Harry and Hermione had got one side, Draco and Ginny got another, Neville and Remus the third one, and Mrs. Weasley and Dumbledore the last one. It was a very amusing sight if you went around the tree; you could pretty much distinguish four different trees there.

            Draco and Ginny’s flank had been particularly noisy; they had argued over and over again and each time they told the other to sod off; the rest would just roll their eyes and Mrs. Weasley would snap at her youngest daughter for her choosing of words. It had red and silver hangings; and blue, silver and gold adorns that had been almost systematically placed, much to Ginny’s annoyance, but she looked happy in the end. The lights that decorated it around were just plain yellow-silver ones. All in all, it was a very elegant and simply-decorated tree; normally it would seem shallow, but there were a couple of “addings” –by Ginny- that gave it a lively spark.

            Harry and Hermione’s side had been much more merry; they had even sung a couple of Christmas songs, gaining more than one cocked head and raised eyebrow from the infamous Draco Malfoy with this. If you had to call it something, the word warmer could describe it fairly well.

            The lights were multicoloured, the adorns were red and green, and there were little Santas, Rudolphs and Merlins –that looked more like old hags wearing red dressing robes- sprinkled around. Having grown up in muggle homes, they had mixed some of that tradition with the wizard one. You could say that they were randomly placed; presumably thanks to Harry’s “un-messy” ways, but if you looked a little closer you could see Hermione’s hand being played amply all over it. Their hangings, unlike Ginny and Draco’s were white and gold; sort of gullible but rather elegant.

            Neville and Remus’ part was very much a traditional wizardring homes’. The hangings showed candles that really burned, candy canes that ate themselves and then appeared again, Santa being pulled by some kind of flying horses instead of reindeers, and instead of hangings, they had cast falling snow over the pine tree that would disappear when it was too much. The only particular thing that Harry noticed was a stag, a black dog and what appeared to be a dire-wolf –but Harry assumed it was a werewolf-, all dressed in Christmas outfits. Remus stared at it with a distant melancholy when he thought no one was watching, but Harry new better. He just sighed and decided to enjoy the falling snow over their tree.

            When Dumbledore and Mrs. Weasley were done, you could very easily differ which one had chosen which decorations. In the only thing that they had managed to agree was in the hangings; which were an intermittent concert of the four colours of the houses at Hogwarts. What was really sweet for all five of them was that they had also agreed into putting small adorns with the pictures of each of the current inhabitants of Grimmauld Place, plus the rest of the Weasleys… including Ron.

            At seeing this, Harry felt the old sadness of the memory of his friend. He also realised with terrible dread that this was actually going to be the first Christmas he wouldn’t be spending with his best friend. He felt a knot form in his throat and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he was surprised to meet pair of grey eyes staring fixedly at him, trying to read all this emotion Harry was experiencing right now. He took a deep breath and managed a small but sad smile and a nod. He received one in exchange and they both returned to what they were doing.

            They hadn’t told Ginny about their finding yet, after Remus’ persuasion. They would wait until after Christmas Eve was over to carry on whatever they had planned; a small time warp of peace in whatever was expecting them in what they feared wouldn’t be too long.

            So Christmas Eve had come and they had a marvellous dinner with all the inner members of the Order and the Weasleys. They were all happy, but Harry knew that in the back of their minds was the same as in his… there was someone missing. He confirmed this in Hermione too when he studied her eyes; but he was surprised that she wasn’t letting in any of it. She usually didn’t hold that act for so long, she would hold it while there were people around, but then she would open up to him… but again, many things had changed for them both in a very short period of time.

            Dinner was over and it was time to open the presents; they had resolved that instead of waiting till the next morning, they would open their presents at midnight; and so it was… Harry received seven gifts and was so happy about them all; despite most of them were old books. He was even more surprised at Draco’s gift; he hadn’t really expected something from him, and when he saw the elegant grey bow with a green ribbon wrapping it, he couldn’t help the grin. At opening it, his eyes widened when seeing a very expensive looking Rolex made of stainless steel… or so the box said.

            Harry looked up at him, puzzled. ‘I thought you hated everything muggle-related?’ he asked.

            ‘Well, as I told you, you got to thank beautiful brunette for it. Let’s just say that the stinky muggles have some things that are worth it,’ he said with a sneer. ‘Oh, and it’s not just a watch. It becomes an invisibility device that grants you undetected presence for a couple of minutes. I thought it could come in handy some day,’ he assured and was definitely very proud of his gift.

            ‘Blimey! Thanks Malfoy!’

            ‘Yeah, I know you love me. You don’t need to praise my genius,’ he said with a smirk.

            ‘I—think you went too far with that, but thank you anyway,’ Harry said with an amused grin.

            When it came for Harry to give Hermione her gift, he took out a small golden box, with a transparent bow wrapping it. ‘Merry Christmas Mione,’ he said with a smile and kissed her cheek.

            She smiled back. ‘Thank you Harry!’ she said with her eyes set in the beautiful package as she opened it. When she finished undoing it, she opened the small box and gasped at a rock that had a misty glow in it. ‘Wow! This is beautiful!’ she exclaimed.

            ‘I found it months ago and did some research. It is supposed to be a Vie Liason Charm,’ he said and continued at Hermione’s puzzled expression. ‘It’s sort of a Life Thread Charm. It is supposed to carry the sparkle of your life in it and it can save your life and tell whoever sees it, how stable it is at that moment,’ he was saying as he undid the lock, ‘I’m going to need some of your blood,’ he said softly.

            Hermione frowned at first and then stretched her palm so he could take whatever quantity he might need; he only took on drop and it fell on the back of the bracelet. He muttered some words and then turned it around after the blood had sunk in it. ‘It only works if certain conditions are fulfilled... I just hope I’m the right person…’ he muttered as he put the bracelet on her hand.

            The mist started to dissipate and then wrap itself around something Hermione assumed was her own blood. A second later, it went back to the misty whitish smoke it was at the beginning.

            She saw Harry’s expression darken horribly for a split second, and then in the centre of the Charm, a small spark started to glow inside the blue rock. She noticed Harry grin widely, as if he’d just confirmed something.

            She met his eyes and then he kissed her cheek again. ‘Thank you,’ he just said and went back to his place with the same grin all the way.

            Next, it was turn for Harry to give Draco his Christmas gift. To be honest, he had considered very thoroughly what to get him or if to get him something. He would’ve never thought he would be giving Draco Malfoy a gift, and moreso… thinking so much about it!

            Finally he made a choice. Maybe it would be too much, but to him it was some kind of official welcome to the group and a sign that he trusted him completely. Harry looked up at the blond boy and took a deep breath; he crossed the living room in three long strides and gave Draco a very roughly wrapped package –like all of his presents, except for Hermione’s-. ‘Merry Christmas Malfoy,’ he said with a smile.

            Draco examined him and took the package, wondering what he was so nervous about. He studied it and looked up at Harry with a smirk. ‘Got to work a little on your wrapping abilities Potter… did you remember you were a wizard?’ he said very smoothly.

            Harry rolled his eyes. ‘Shut up Malfoy! And bloody open it,’ he said a little annoyed.

            He chuckled and slowly opened it, enjoying very much the eager face Harry was displaying at the moment, worth a thousand galleons if you asked him. When he saw what was inside, he frowned at first and slid his hand over the leather-bound cover. He looked up at Harry, who made a gesture that clearly said “Please open it”; he did so.

            To say he was astounded at what he saw was saying way too little. He couldn’t quite describe the emotions that were passing through him. It was warm and cold; it was nervous and reassured; if you could put it in one word, it was—it was overwhelming.

            He was looking at several muggle and wizardring pictures. As he turned the pages, he saw who he took as Harry’s parents and the infamous marauders pose as a big happy family; go on Hogsmaede weekends; graduate from Hogwarts; get married; beautiful Lily Potter holding a new-born Harry; a gleeful Sirius Black and a mischievous-looking James Potter posing like brothers with a whole life ahead of them. He also saw a Christmas picture where they all looked so happy it was almost like in those muggle frame portraits.

            As he went on, there was a time warp to what appeared to be Harry’s first year at Hogwarts, when he looked so small and clueless. Draco looked up at Harry with an unreadable expression and felt himself drawn to a reality when that wobbly boy was almost an adult. He looked back down at the boy with too-big muggle clothes and his friends; the sacred trio waving at him as they went through third year. When he saw Harry and Hermione at the Yule Ball, a strange sensation took over his stomach; he raised his hand and placed a delicate finger on a very beautiful Hermione, and then they travelled to Harry, looking almost peaceful as they both stared at the stars.

            Who would’ve thought it? He said in his head and Harry smiled at him warmly, knowing with just those intangible words that the gift had been perfect.

            When Draco had finished with the photo album, he looked around and noticed everybody staring at him in silence; he shrugged, ‘What?’

            Just then, Dumbledore stood and clapped his hands. ‘Now it’s time for my present to young Harry!’ he said with a twinkle in his eyes.

            Harry turned to him. ‘Wonderful!’ He exclaimed; he had always received great Christmas gifts from Dumbledore.

            ‘He snapped his fingers and a long packaged materialised in his hands. ‘I am positive this may come in handy soon, it is yours by right Harry’

            He flinched and hesitantly stretched his hands to take the package. Was that what he thought it was? He opened it slowly and distinguished red gems and a carved blade. He looked up at his old Headmaster with disbelieving eyes.

            ‘Yes it is,’ Dumbledore smiled and winked at Harry.

            He gasped and ripped off the rest of the paper. ‘Brilliant!’  he exclaimed as he waved the sword around.

            ‘You’re the heir to Godric Gryffindor, and I believe it is time to go to its rightful owner’

            ‘Thank you Albus. It is a great gift!’

            After that, most of the gifts consisted in magical dark detectors of “latest technology”, old and new books and a couple of things for the house and the bedrooms; but there was one thing that caught Harry’s attention, and it was when Draco gave Ginny her Christmas present, at the end of it all.

            She had given him a cute case with strange patterns she said she had made herself –meaning, with her wand- and claimed they were little snitches and helmets. To Harry, they seemed more like round things on gold and silver with some white and black.

            Draco pretended he liked the forms; Harry couldn’t help but snort at himself at the other boy’s chivalry. ‘Gee Gin! You really put some effort in it!’ he commented. ‘How did you know I liked…’ he hesitated for a moment and then continued smoothly, ‘…all of this!’ he exclaimed with a very convincing surprised tone that even he was surprised to hear.

            Ginny could’ve easily jumped off her skin with glee. ‘Well, I know you love Quidditch, and this is something I’ve grown to identify you with,’ she explained.

            Draco caught the meaning of those forms and kissed her cheek. ‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘Here is yours,’ he handed her a small velvet box in dark green. Ginny took it with curious eyes.

            ‘You’re such a manipulating bastard. You know that, right?’ Draco heard in his head and snorted softly.

            ‘You should learn some of it,’ he replied obnoxiously and Harry rolled his eyes.

            Before Harry could reply, there was a gasp and he looked up to see a Ginny with eyes so wide he feared they would come out anytime. Draco also looked up, a little taken aback by such an expressive reaction to his gift.

            ‘Oh Draco! It is beautiful!’ she said as she took out a small silver ring with a red-orange rock in the centre, which changed colours according to the light.

            He smiled, glad she’d liked it. He took it from her when she was about to put it on and held it between his long pale fingers. ‘It is a promise ring. You saved my life once and I never got to thank you properly,’ he said and slowly slid the ring on her finger.

            Harry watched with a mix of amusement and awe. How could he be so cool? And bloody aware of it over all! He looked just like a movie star in a lame millionaire blockbuster hit, and they all bought it. He shook his head with a small smile and sighed. That’s dear ol’ Malfoy, isn’t it? What a bloke, he admitted.

            Ginny smiled gently at him. ‘You didn’t need to, but it’s perfect. Thank you,’ she said and kissed him softly on the lips, much to everyone’s surprise. Draco however didn’t seem surprised at all; it was amazing how he always managed to do that.

            Harry snapped his fingers and attracted everyone’s attention.

            ‘What is it Harry?’ Remus asked surprised.

            ‘I haven’t told Sirius Merry Christmas,’ he said with a smile and darted off the living room towards his bedroom.

           

            They all followed and winced when he tripped over that blasted troll-leg umbrella. Ginny gasped and took her hands to her ears, ready to start hearing screams that never came. She frowned and walked to the Hallway and cocked her head to a side at seeing where the insufferable portrait had once hung.

            They all stood speechless as she walked slowly towards it. When she had examined the tapestry and the door behind, she turned around and looked at each one of the presents with a killing glare.

            Dumbledore suddenly remembered he had to be somewhere else and apparated away with a wink at the kids. Molly decided it was time for some tea and Remus thought he could be very useful to her in the hard task of boiling water and fixing tea for them all.

            Harry had just come down with the mirror in his hand and slowed his pace when he identified the situation. He bit his bottom lip and resumed his way downstairs. ‘I got it! Anyone else wants to tell him Merry Christmas?’ he said, hoping this would enlighten the mood enough so they wouldn’t have to face a very angry Ginny. No such luck.

            ‘What the bloody hell is this about?’ she asked in the calmest tone she could manage.

            ‘Look, we were going to tell you… but after Christmas dinner,’ Hermione began.

            ‘Right, because little poor Ginny can’t handle that there is a blasted secret door behind what used to be a portrait that no one seemed to able to take down’

            ‘It’s not that Gin,’ Harry came closer but stopped at Ginny’s glare.

            ‘Ah no? Then what is it about?’

            ‘We just wanted a break before—‘ Neville continued.

            She turned to him with a very puzzled expression. ‘Before what? Why hasn’t anyone told me about this? You see, I usually am a bleeding part of this!’ she snapped.

            ‘Yes, but we didn’t want to disturb you at school, you know with NEWTs…’

            ‘And Luna…’ Harry continued.

            ‘So I’m not strong enough to hear it all without having a nervous breakdown?’

            Draco had been quite throughout the whole thing, but now he stepped forward and looked into Ginny’s flaming chocolate-brown eyes. ‘Ginny, you are overreacting—‘ He put a hand on her shoulder and she roughly pushed it away.

            ‘Shut up! You have no idea,’ she just said and looked at Hermione and Harry especially.

            ‘Hey! If you didn’t notice, I’m involved too,’ Draco said annoyed. ‘You won’t get a blazing answer from any of us if you continue with this little fit because you’re not even listening to us, so it’s up to you!’ he finished.

            Ginny sighed and looked at them all. ‘Can you please tell me what’s been going on?’ she asked more calmly.

            ‘With your mouth shut to an acceptable size is much better, don’t you reckon?’ Draco said with a sneer, Ginny ignored him.

            The other three sighed in relieve and then told her all about what they had found out of Draco being Slytherin’s heir, about this infamous Chest of Power, and the Protector. They also told her about how the three had tried opening the door without any luck.

            Ginny’s face went from angry, to surprised, to scared in just a couple of minutes and her eyes landed on the closed door. She walked towards it and touched the wood, and the metal and her hand stopped at the doorknob for a moment.

            Somehow, Harry, Hermione and Draco felt drawn to the door and came closer to the red-haired girl, each placing a hand on the door. She looked up at them and then back at the knob. ‘Alohamora!’ she said with her wand in hand, and a click was heard.

            Neville heard the click and darted towards the other four. ‘You did it! How did you—? Never mind,’ he was getting a faint idea, but none of the others seemed to do the same so he just continued and pushed the door open for them to walk in.

            After what felt like forever of a damp, stone, long corridor, Harry spotted stairs and gasped a little, hurrying to them. Hermione felt as if she’d known this castle like in a deja-vu, but paid it no attention, for they were too busy going through all the Chambers and room of it.

            At least fifty two environments between bedrooms, Ball rooms, Living rooms, kitchens, Halls, etc. Finally, after hours walking, they reached what seemed to be the East wing; apparently the most important by the way it was decorated and taken care of.

            Hermione was fascinated; she had never been to a real castle before despite living near a field where there were at least eight of them. It was tangible history between her fingers and her mind was already way ahead of her at the thought of all the stories that might’ve taken place inside these very walls.

            The third floor was the most amazing. It wasn’t just stone corridors, there were tapestries depicting a serious of different subjects and scenes; just looking at it was amazing. Apart from the dust that covered every corner of the castle, nothing seemed to have changed since it was last used.

            ‘I wonder why the Government hasn’t taken this over. It is a wonderful piece of architecture and history?’ Hermione mused out loud as they passed two rooms that seemed to have some terrible warm aura around them that tried to drag her inside… it was amazingly spooky.

            They made it to the end of the corridor and there was a grand oak door with inscriptions on the top stone arch. It was written in Ancient Runes and at seeing her friends’ faces, she was utterly happy she had got an E on her NEWTs for that class. ‘It says “The Conference Room. Only those with our blood shall pass, the rest will surely go aghast”.’ She frowned at this and stepped closer.

            Suddenly, the Gargoyle that decorated the arch on top of the door came to life and Hermione choked a scream. ‘Granger, Hermione Ann.’ By this moment, Harry had reached her and was holding her close instinctively. The Gargoyle identified him too, ‘Potter, Harry James’

            Draco, Neville and Ginny stared at it and decided to come close to the Gargoyle as well. ‘Weasley, Ginivra Sue. Malfoy, Draco Leigh. Longbottom, Neville Irving. Welcome to the Conference Room,’ it finished and the door opened itself.

            ‘And you wondered why no one had claimed the castle…’ Draco commented idly as he looked up at the high ceiling. He turned to the other four, who were silently laughing. “What?” he asked with a frown.

            Harry managed to suppress the laughter for a little moment. “Leigh?”

            Draco narrowed his eyes at him.

            “Seriously, who would name their child Leigh?” Hermione got out.

            “Hey! It is a much respected name amongst the old English royal line?”

            “Sure, and so is Ludwig, but I won’t name my child Ludwig,” Ginny said between giggles.

            “Shut up,” Draco said sulkily and took the lead.

            They all let one more laugh and followed Draco through the long corridors.

            A moment later, Hermione got lost in all of her surrounds. Soon, she was too taken by the hundreds of books that went back as far as 1500 years! And made her own way, passing her hand through all of the books and admiring the paintings and sculptures as well, fascinated.

            Ginny was looking at the strange instruments that lay all over while Neville examined the round table that sat in the middle and Harry just looked around, taking it all in and his mind racing at how this Gargoyle had known them all.

            Draco took every single thing that came across his way and after examining it for a split second; he tossed it to a side. But then, he stopped at what seemed like a display cabinet that had weapons inside. He walked over and looked at Harry, who turned around and followed the blond boy.

            ‘Brilliant! Real weapons!’ he exclaimed, his hand never leaving his belt, where the scabbard with Gryffindor’s sword in it. Draco cocked an eyebrow at him. ‘What?’ Harry defended, ‘well, excuse me for not having a weapon room or whatever at my place!’ he said annoyed.

            With a wave of his hand, Draco opened it and his hand was dragged to a beautifully carved arc that was accompanied by silver arrows. He took them and a warm sensation flooded him; he threw the arrow case to his back and smiled. ‘You were right, it is brilliant,’ he admitted and he smiled triumphantly.

            Harry looked around and saw Hermione deep inside a book that seemed to have her utterly confused. ‘What’s wrong?’ he asked.

            She jumped a little and looked up at him from the floor. ‘Uhm… nothing—well, this book says a lot of the things I suspected, but there is something that doesn’t make sense.’ She continued at Harry’s bewildered expression, ‘It says here that the room was specially designed to let in only certain people, and I have no idea how this relates to us at all or how on earth that creepy Gargoyle knew our full names, or—‘ she stopped, ‘I’m rambling, aren’t I? It’s just that there are so many unanswered questions, and I have no clue, and I just—don’t know how to react…’ she finished barely above a whisper.

            Harry thought for a moment. ‘Uhm… I don’t know how much this can help, but maybe Sirius might help us. Worth trying, isn’t it?’ he said.

            Hermione wasn’t too convinced on this, but anything right now sounded like a possibility, she nodded.

            Harry smiled at her vote of confidence and took out the mirror from his back pocket. He touched it and the surface started to ripple; he frowned, this had never happened before, except when he had first fixed it. ‘Sirius?’ he asked tentatively, no answer. ‘Sirius, are you there?’ He was starting to get worried when he heard some rumble and someone’s face started to form on what had been his own reflection a second ago.

 ***

            Twelve more days to go, the Solstice would take place in January the sixth and the Chest was almost ready. They only had to perform the spell that would bond all the runes to the carvings to the lock to finally open it when The Power of Shikeon was inside the Chest. This was done by a serious of spells and potions that would take time to merge and work together.

            Today, Christmas day was when the third rune, Salazar’s rune, would finish it period, and they would move on to Rowena’s, leaving it for six more days so it could ripen and it would finally be ready.

            They had the Christmas dinner and they exchanged presents while they enjoyed a moment of limbo in-between the whole Chest and Salazar affair. But now it was time to go back to the real world.

            ‘It is almost time fellows; we should be on our way’

            ‘Can I leave this in my room?’ Rowena protested seeing Godric had already done it moments ago.

            ‘Actually, going over to the tower and climb to the third floor would take you too long,’ Helga pointed out.

            ‘And you can’t apparate and come back, you know that,’ Godric put in with a shrug.

            She sagged and pouted, ‘but I wouldn’t want it to—‘

            ‘Don’t worry, it won’t, I’ve just take the potion,’ Salazar responded her unvoiced restlessness.

            She opened her mouth a couple of times and closed it again, recognising they were right. She placed it safely in the breadth of cloth tied to her waist and followed.

            They got to the Conference Room and the Gargoyle welcomed them.

            ‘You know? We really need to get that thing a new voice, it’s really annoying,’ Salazar mused.

            ‘Oh! I’m with you there mate, ‘Godric agreed.

            ‘You’re such wimps!’ Helga laughed.

            ‘Won’t argue with that at all,’ Rowena added.

            ‘Just get in there!’ Godric pushed his wife inside playfully.

            ‘You’re such a caveman!’ she retorted.

            Salazar was already in front of the Chest, watching the little tan line finish forming itself from the rune to the lock in a wriggling way. ‘All set! Your turn dear,’ he told Rowena and stepped aside.

            She came forward and stood directly in front of the Chest. She put both hands, palms facing the outside of the little container, and closed her eyes. ‘Caladeria runa Ratzhid garumic!’ She repeated the spell several times and then separated a hand from the Chest, to point to the right, ‘Accio potion!’ she called and a little pink flask flew to her hand. She opened it and poured the contents from the rune to the lock, drawing the winding lines of the way it would follow. Finally, her eyes focused again and looked up at them. ‘Done! Now we’ll just have to wait to see if it starts to work,’ she stated and they all smiled.

            As the four waited, there was a ghastly silence in the room while the golden path drew itself from one place to the other.

            ‘Sirius?’ a voice echoed in the huge room and they all jumped and looked around.

            ‘Where did that come from?’ Godric asked alarmed.

            ‘Don’t know, it sounded close’

            ‘Sirius, are you there?’ it called again and four eyes fell on Rowena’s waist.

            She gasped and slowly produced the two-way mirror from her belt. She looked on what was supposed to be her reflection and recognised a boy about eighteen calling for someone named Sirius. She looked up at Godric, who shrugged in confusion and took the mirror from her hands.

            ‘Who are you and what do you want?’ he asked.

            Harry flinched when he saw a very beautiful woman in the mirror and then a man asking rather rudely who he was and what he wanted. ‘Excuse me?’ was all he managed to say.

            Draco frowned and came closer to Harry; so did Ginny, Hermione and Neville. ‘What is it Potter? Hallucinating again? I told you not to take that stuff,’ he commented as he perked his head to see more clearly.

            ‘Shut up Malfoy!’ He said a little angrily and returned hi attention to the rude man.

            ‘Who are you and why are you in my bedroom?’

           

            ‘Your bedroom? I’m in a very strange room that knew my name, you must be mistaken and I—‘ he stopped and shook his head with a frown. ‘Hey! And what are you doing with my godfather’s mirror?’

            ‘What are you talking about? He’s just given me this mirror!’ The beautiful woman had appeared again in the mirror and now he could see two more people there.

            ‘What the—?’

            Hermione yanked the mirror from Harry’s hand. ‘Hold on, we’re not communicating here!’ she said. ‘I am Hermione Granger, we’ve just come here to this castle, and we wanted to speak to someone. Are you dead? Behind the veil? Do you know Sirius Black?’ she asked very rapidly.

            Rowena shook her head at seeing this girl that looked so much like her. ‘I am Rowena Ravenclaw and this is my castle. Judging by what I’m seeing behind you, you’re in the same room we are. This is very interesting,’ she finally mused.

            They all gasped. ‘Ravenclaw?’ Draco asked bewildered. ‘That is not possible; you’ve been dead for over a thousand years!’

            ‘Have you got to be so subtle?’ She rolled her eyes and took the mirror, ‘I’m Ginny Weasley. It is a pleasure to meet you’

            ‘I’m Harry Potter, and this lovely gentleman is Draco Malfoy,’ Harry introduced. ‘Oh! And this is Neville Longbottom,’ he finished, showing Neville’s face.

            ‘My name is Godric Gryffindor, this is Helga Hufflepuff, and he is Salazar Slytherin,’ Godric said, facing the mirror at each one.

            When hearing Slytherin’s name, they all tried to get a closer look, but they were staring at Ravenclaw again.

            ‘May I ask—‘ Harry started but Hermione had clapped her hands and gasped. He turned to her, ‘what’s the matter?’ he inquired, puzzled.

            ‘Don’t you see it? We can ask them anything and we’ll get it firsthand!’

            ‘She’s right Potter. We’ll have all the answers we needed’

            It was now Ginny’s turn to take the mirror. ‘Would you be so kind in answering some questions we have. Apparently there is this power that some Dark Lord wants and somehow we’ve been getting all these clues. Might you have the answers we need?’

            Rowena glanced at the other three, fear in her eyes. Helga took the mirror now, trying to appear nonchalant and putting a smile on her face. ‘We would be delighted, what would you like to know?’ she answered kindly.

            ‘Good. I think you may want to know that Harry and Draco here are Gryffindor and Salazar’s heirs, and that they are Warlocks’

            Salazar took the mirror from Helga’s hands. ‘Can I see my heir?’

            Draco took it and looked in the face of the infamous Salazar Slytherin. ‘It’s me, Draco Malfoy’

            He nodded and stared at him, after a moment, he started to speak. ‘That’s why you are involved, kids. See, Godric and I are Warlocks too, and if the castle still stands and the Gargoyle let you in, then the two girls are probably Rowena and Helga’s heirs as well. But as for the other bloke there, I am not sure…’

            The girls gasped. ‘Are you sure?’ Hermione asked.

            Rowena took the mirror. ‘Yes, there is no way you could’ve come in otherwise’

            ‘And they must be using our magicked objects. Can I see my heir?’ Ginny came closer and looked at her forbear. ‘Indeed, she is wearing Spiricte. It gives you power over magical creatures’

            Ginny took a hand to the little amber hanging from her neck. Harry took his hand to the sword, Draco looked at the arc, and Hermione held her wrist.

            ‘You should know, my heir, that those arrows will never miss their target, and that they will always come back to you. I enchanted them myself,’ Salazar said proudly and Rowena rolled her eyes but laughed.

            ‘Brilliant!’ Draco exclaimed.

            ‘That sword you have on your waist, boy. It can go through anything you will it to,’ he said and Harry grinned widely.

            ‘And that little bracelet… if it is active, then the person you love the most, and that loves you the most must have put it in you. It is a force of pure love, and it will scare away foes when it is needed,’ Rowena stated and a silence followed her words.

            Hermione stared open mouthed back and forth between Harry and Draco. Harry was trying not to smile, because he felt his friend’s emotions behind the impenetrable face and eyes.

            ‘But what about me?’ Neville cut in, feeling he was supposed to in the precise moment.

            ‘My guess would be that either there are two heirs or—do you reckon…?‘ she asked, looking at her friends.

            ‘There is no other explanation, because it is impossible to have two heirs alive in the same timeline…’ Godric said deep in thought.

            ‘He probably is the Protector, a kind of Guardian Angels for us, Warlocks,’ Salazar explained.

            ‘I already knew that…’ Neville said rather heatedly.

            ‘I can understand how you feel, but you should look at it this way: without you, we would be lost,’ he said with a wink.

            Neville smiled a little and nodded. ‘You’re right as a matter of fact’

            ‘Yes, and since you have a body of your own, you may even learn how to use it at will in the end,’ Godric encouraged.

            Neville grinned, reassured; all the doubts he might’ve had dissipated now.

            ‘So what is this whole thing about?’ Harry asked, ‘why did Voldemort want my blood?’

            ‘Ah, that is probably because the only way a person can open the Chest is with our blood, in your case, the blood of the heirs,’ Godric took the word now.

            ‘But what is this thing?’

            ‘It is the power of Mother Earth, what we call The Power of Shikeon,’ Helga answered.

            ‘No one should possess that kind of power. It would give the bearer… whoever is able to hold it, unlimited power,’ Salazar took  the word and the three stared at him.

            ‘But if it’s Mother Earth’s power, then why would you seal it?’ Ginny inquired.

            ‘That, my girl, is a long story,’ Godric interrupted before Salazar could answer.

            ‘But we need to know it!’ Neville protested.

            Helga took a deep breath and looked at Salazar, who nodded. ‘Salazar used to be very ambitious—‘

            ‘Like a good Slytherin,’ Draco put in.

            ‘But that isn’t such a great quality, my boy,’ Helga snapped.

            ‘Ambition leads you to the top,’ he protested.

            ‘Or to destruction,’ Salazar finished.

            ‘Anyway, one day he discovered this power and wanted to posses it—‘ she stopped.

            Salazar sighed. ‘So I looked for a way to be able to fulfil that wish, and I joined with a being called a Symbio—‘ he stopped when he heard Hermione gasp.

            ‘Why would you do that? Symbios are vile! They always try to take over the body that is their host!’

            ‘Almost always,’ he corrected, a little annoyed at the girl.

            ‘But it is trying to, and—and winning,’ Godric said heavily.

            ‘That’s horrible!’ Ginny cried.

            ‘It is, indeed,’ Helga said sympathetically and looked at the man she loved with sad eyes; just knowing she would inevitably lose him ached her heart to death.

            He perceived her feelings and continued. ‘So that’s why we’re sealing it, so that it doesn’t fall in the wrong hands, and—‘ The image started to vanish as the eyes of Slytherin turned a darker shade. ‘But I won’t let that happen, they will all be long dead before they can keep me from that power!’

            The five gasped when hearing the voice change so suddenly.

            ‘We have to go. Be careful with that, and keep him from the horrible fate that runs in his veins,’ Helga said with fear in her eyes and put the mirror down.

            They stared at each other for a long time. Finally, Hermione decided to break the silence. ‘Oh Merlin! That is so horrible!’

***

            It looked just like he remembered it. He hadn’t been there since he had last tried to get it and his friend had collected him. A shudder ran through his spine at the itching sensation of longing, but he held it back; he had to for the sake of his friends. It was getting more violent and the only one who perceived it was Godric, but he tried not to panic and Salazar was utterly grateful for this.

            Just when he had thought he’d had it all, he was fighting a losing battle. Indeed, that feeling would never leave him, but he had someone else now and he had grown to love her. There wasn’t one day he didn’t regret going to The Naturals Forest –whose name had changed to The Dark Forest after numerous attacks on students and themselves- all those years ago. He now was thirty-seven years old and looked at least fifty; and now he stood where it had all began.

            The big plain was still as quiet as a graveyard, which he knew it probably was. They had massacred almost fifty thousand men almost four years ago in that very place and he could still smell the blood in the air.

            Something inside him started crumpling and he closed his eyes, knowing what it was. Suddenly, a voice in his head echoed.

            ‘Salazar, you cannot let it take over here, it is too dangerous and I can’t very well stun you’

            He opened his eyes and focused on his friend’s concerned face. Luckily, neither Rowena nor Helga had noticed. ‘I know Godric, I know you need my blood. That’s all you care about, isn’t it? Your blasted chest?!’ he snapped.

            Godric frowned and obviously, he knew what was going on here. ‘Yes, we do need you to bury it, but you’re weak right now and I don’t reckon another stunning will help,’ he said in his friend’s head as calmly as he could. He was hurt by his words, but knew that wasn’t the man he loved.

            ‘I’m sorry, it’s just hard. My head is spinning. Could you please—‘

            ‘We will,’ he finished before his friend asked the whole question. ‘Rowena, Helga, we should get this over with. This place gives me the creeps’

            Both women hurried to where they were and nodded. ‘Yes, it is not the most likeable place on earth, is it?’ Helga admitted.

 

            ‘So where did you say this was Salazar?’

            ‘To the South-east, just under the hill,’ he pointed where Rowena had nearly died that day and felt again the power wrapping him. He started to feel he was losing control. ‘Please, let’s hurry,’ he urged.

            They got there and Helga produced the Prism of Odeon from her small leather bag. She took a deep breath and  walked to close the circle the other three were making. ‘Are we all ready?’ she asked but looked at Salazar, who nodded hesitantly.

            ‘Ok then, here we go’

            ‘We’re sealing it for good, right?’

            Rowena turned to Salazar. ‘Yes we are Salazar, you really believe you can—?’ He nodded and to her, he looked scared, she sighed and caught Godric’s eye. He nodded as well, understanding what she was trying to say.

            ‘We all know the spells, now let us start!’ Helga ushered and put the small Prism in the middle of the circle. She tapped it with her wand and it suspended in the air.

            Rowena tapped the little red rock and it lifted in the air. She followed it with her  gaze.

            Godric gave Salazar one more look and he nodded in reassurance. He waved his hand, and the Chest they had worked so hard on appeared in front of him.

            Salazar looked it with a little anger, which he was fighting back with all the strength he had. He looked at both, Helga and Rowena and for a second, he thought the unthinkable… he almost pointed at their hearts but luckily the Will-Strengthening potion he had taken earlier was still working on him.

            He pointed at Rowena first and a small beam shot from his index to her open palm. She winced and a trickle of blood gushed from her slit palm and drenched the chest. Salazar had a quick flashback to so many years ago, when they had done the exact same in Godric’s hat, when edifying Hogwarts. He shook it away and did the same to Helga with a previous smile at her.

            Helga’s blood soaked the chest as well. Salazar pointed at Godric and for a moment, he felt like a snake wanting to attack a very sneaky prey. He shook his head and shot the same beam at the man that was his best friend and the Symbio’s worst enemy.

            Godric squeezed his own hand, so his essence wrapped the small chest as well and then pointed at Salazar and shot the beam at his open palm. He bit his lip and put his hand face down, so the thick red thread would fall directly on top of which thus would put an end to this.

            The Chest of Power glowed for a few seconds and then imploded, slowly opening to reveal an inside so dark, it seemed like a black hole ready to absorb whatever it could. The four smiled.

            They looked up at the Prism, which now was spinning rapidly high above their heads. All four pointed at it and started speaking in ancient Latin, saying the spell that would activate its full power so they could summon The Power of Shikeon.

            Four jets of light reached the small crystal and as it turned, the light reflected in all directions and the opaque red colour it had had a second before was now a vivid and intense dark red at the same time.

            Salazar felt as if the amount of potion left in his body diluted slowly and the evil being inside him fought to get out, knowing full well it was very close to the ultimate power. ‘How long do you reckon this will take?’

            ‘You think you are—‘

            ‘Yes’

            ‘We’ll do it quickly’

            ‘Now, the summoning,’ he informed the four.

            A strange incantation flowed out of their mouths like oil sliding through a smooth, steep surface. The Prism spun even more rapidly till it formed a whirl that started to expand. Suddenly, it stopped for the shortest moment and then it concentrated in one point on the ground. It shot itself there and a huge hole started to open.

            Rowena and Helga gasped at this, they had no idea they could do similar magic and the way it performed itself was so gentle, and strong, and natural, it was beautiful just to look at. Godric’s expression on the other hand, was as set and concentrated, one couldn’t bare think he could be disturbed. His eyes were set in the amazing display of colours and power and at the same time, his attention was on his friend’s mind, which he sensed in a big struggle.

            Slowly, a whitish and blinding light started to emerge from the hole that had just formed a minute ago. They all stared with wide eyes and for one single moment, Salazar put his guard down, the one he had been so precariously holding up in order to prevent the likely apocalypse.

            His eyes suddenly went blank and he looked down at his friends. The Symbio started rising in the air with Salazar’s arms open. Godric perceived this and with a look of panic, he focused on his friend.

            ‘Salazar, NO!’

            ‘Salazar is GONE! And now it’s only me!’ he started laughing like a maniac.

            Immediately, he tried to reach for his mind, in hopes he could get him back before the worst happened. He received a shock so big, he was thrown back ten feet and landed unconscious on the ground.

            The Symbio turned to the merging light and power and pointed both his hands at it. ‘Come to me, I command!’ he cried and the sphere of whitish light began setting itself as a knife and started in the direction of his caller. It started sinking into his body through his open palms.

            Helga noticed the Symbio and what it was doing for the first time and gasped. ‘NO! Salazar, no!’

            ‘There is no Salazar anymore!’ He pointed at her and without hesitation, a jet of light hit her and she fell to the ground, revolving in pain. ‘Crucio,’ he muttered slowly the curse that had never been thought could exist with a smirk.

            Helga felt like she was being crucified, hundreds of needles went through her skin mercilessly and she revolved in pain on the ground, screaming at the torture.

            Rowena gasped when she saw the expression of unbearable pain on her best friend and the satisfied smirk on the Symbio’s. ‘What are you doing to her you vile creature!’ she yelled accomplishing what she’d set herself for; getting his attention away from the other woman.

            The Symbio turned to her and regarded her with eyes so deep and shallow, it was as if she was being sucked into a huge void with no escape. At that moment, she knew she was lost.

***

            A tall man, with dark salt and pepper hair and green-grey eyes paced along the expensive-looking Persian rug that sat in front of the roaring fire. Every once in a while, he would let out some cussing words in his mother Language and would take his hand to his ever greying hair.

            The young woman stared at him and inside she felt a mix of fear, embarrassment and relieve at the recent events. Her nut-shaped eyes followed every step of her grandfather and all she could manage to do was bite her bottom lip and pull her knees up closer to her chest, feeling more secure in that position.

            ‘This was not supposed to happen!’ he said with an Italian that clearly gave away his central-italian background. He glared at Agnese, he knew she was hiding something.

            Her eyes widened when she realised she wouldn’t have a choice but tell him everything eventually. ‘W—wouldn’t you think it was a sign? Everything seems to be falling into its rightful place,’ she said tentatively.

            ‘NO!’ he shouted, and at seeing his grand daughter’s eyes full of fear, he sighed and came closer to her. ‘Agnese, dear, I know you are fond of these kids, but you know what happened, you know what this moment implicates,’ he said.

            Usually, he and Agnese had a very nice relationship; based on kindness and mostly respect but ever since Harry and the rest had come into their lives, this had changed slightly and he didn’t quite like it.

            She was taken aback by the sudden shout and didn’t know if to yell at him, be afraid or say something. She figured he was under a lot of stress, seeing how hell had broken last time the Power of Shikeon had been freed by someone. But what pained her most was that he didn’t see how these kids would never do something like that! Hell! She didn’t even think they wanted all this power and responsibility judging by what she’d seen of them.

            Finally, a sigh escaped her lips and she stood, away from her grandfather; she took a deep breath and spoke what she’d already said before. ‘Nonno, I know what happened. I know Salazar Slytherin killed a lot of people and did things that should have never been part of this world… But Nonno! Salazar Slytherin had a Symbio inside him! It wasn’t even him doing those things! They don’t—‘ she stopped when Nonno held a hand in front of her.

            ‘You’ve already said your defence, Agnese. I’ve heard it, but you are blinded by your fondness towards them. I’ll tell you again what I’ve already told you before, and I don’t want another fight please. You said it yourself, they are seventeen and eighteen now. Do you honestly believe that that age is enough to control such a power and know what to do with it? They will be consumed! Anyone would!’

            ‘No, Nonno. Seventeen and eighteen is not enough, but you need to see that they are not like other kids. They have been through so much and I don’t think they would even try and use the Power!’

            ‘You don’t know that Agnese! They must be eliminated’

            ‘Nonno, please listen to me. They will not use it, they’re noble, and trustworthy, and all they want is to have a normal life as wizards’

            ‘What about the Sleeping Dragon? He’s awake now and do remember the tendency of his line,’ he tried to reason out with her.

            Agnese sagged a little, knowing he had a very valid point there. ‘He won’t, he has the others to prevent that’

            ‘And so did Slytherin’

            ‘It is different,’ she said looking down, Nonno crushing her faith as he very easily could whenever he wanted to.

            He sagged. ‘All right, let’s say none of them wants to take advantage of it,’ he started, ‘only they can free it, and there is someone that does want it for himself. You know the situation, it would be like giving it to The Dark Lord on a silver tray!’ he tried, hoping this would put her fully on his side. He knew she wouldn’t betray them, but it wasn’t all right to have your right hand man (woman) not entirely agreeing with you.

            She took two steps forward and spoke in a desperate voice. ‘He can get it if he wants and you know it! As a matter of fact, he is probably already plotting a way to do so!’ She was gesturing wildly with her hands, trying to make her point.

            ‘That doesn’t mean we have to make it easier for him!’ he said, his voice rising again.

            ‘He can also free the Chest, if he has blood from the other heirs,’ Agnese said rather insolently, trying to dissuade her grandfather.

            ‘That’s why we will use Alevia. And you will too’

            Agnese gasped and took her hand to her mouth, shaking her head horrified. She didn’t want to have them killed, and least of all, kill them herself as guardian of the Chest.

***

            Lying here, in front of the couch was about everything he could wish for. They had been checking out the last books and slowly, everyone had cleared, calling it a night. Now, in the huge Library, with the big couch in front of the merrily burning flames, he could very easily forget everything and anything that was ahead… just because they were there, in speaking terms and just in peaceful silence.

            He stared at her, passing through the pages with such naturalness and simple elegance. Her slightly curly brown hair fell to her shoulder, half-covering her face; but he could still make out her brown eyes deep in concentration. It was amazing how she could plunge herself into her little own world, where everything was under control and in which she was simultaneously untroubled and putting things together over and over again.

            Suddenly, he was pulled away of his voyeuristic rambles by that same pair of light brown eyes staring at him with a quizzical look. ‘What’s with you?’ she asked clearly amused.

            Harry shook his head and smiled. ‘Nothing at all.’ Should I? He asked himself while she continued to gaze at him.

            Hermione frowned, not buying it. ‘Save it, I’ve seen it all before’

            Harry was a little taken aback by here response. ‘What do you mean?’

            ‘That I know you’ve got something in your mind and that I’m not buying that cute smile and the “Nothing at all”,’ she said matter-of-factly.

            Harry sagged and smiled again. How could she always know? He would never have the answer to that. He stood and walked to the far corner of the room. ‘Well, I’ve been meaning to show you, but I wasn’t sure…’ he trailed off and sat at the piano.

            Hermione frowned and stood, following him. ‘What are you—?’ she started but her words got lost in the air that was now filled with beautiful Christmas music, played like in a Piano concert. ‘Harry, I—I didn’t know you played the piano?’ she said as she watched his fingers slide through the black and white keyboard. So smooth, so natural, so—not him…

            He continued to play. ‘I don’t.’ He stopped and looked up at her, ‘it’s Draco,’ he finished as he let the words sink in on her. He looked at her intently, waiting for the gears to click into place in her mind.

            Hermione closed her eyes and shook her head. ‘What’s that?’

            ‘That I can’t play the piano’

            ‘Then how do you—?’

            ‘Draco plays the piano, he was taught since he was a little boy,’ Harry continued patiently.

            ‘I know that Harry. I know he knows how to play the piano, he has played for me a couple of times, but how can you—?’ her eyes widened as some of it started to make sense.

            ‘Remember that incident, months ago? Well he didn’t only transfer his energy to me. I was too drained for that to work; he had to give me part of his spark of life because I was more dead than alive back then. I even saw my parents, and they—‘

            When he started to talk about seeing his parents, Hermione watched him closely, eager to see more of this. He very seldom talked about his parents, and least of all saw them. When he didn’t elaborate, she resigned and let him move to the next subject.

            ‘Well, the thing is that that deed created a connection between us. At first—‘

            ‘That actually makes sense,’ Hermione said reflectively. ‘Voldemort did tell us you were more in the other side. And it was something rather strange when he brought you back,’ she thought out loud.

            ‘Indeed.’ Harry stood to face her, ‘that’s why the both have been taking Occlumency with Profes—Albus the past months,’ he explained and then continued quickly. ‘I didn’t know if to tell it to you because I hadn’t even come to terms with it and I—we both tried to push it away at the beginning’

            Hermione stared at him and blinked. ‘So that’s why you guys have grown closer…’

            ‘Well, partly yes. I guess I just needed someone different for once,’ he regretted saying it when he saw Hermione’s expression. ‘N—No Mione, that’s not what I meant!’

            She held up a hand. ‘I see, don’t worry,’ she fought back tears at this. Harry reached out for her, but she moved away. ‘It’s ok, really, I know what you mean. I’ve felt it myself.’ Liar, she called herself. Truth was, she didn’t quite understand, and she felt rather left out at this statement Harry had made.

            She moved to the door of the Library and turned around. ‘You play beautifully,’ she managed a sweet smile, which she really meant despite all the feelings she had right now. ‘I’m glad you told me. Good Night Harry,’ she finished and went out, to her room.

            Harry sighed; he had meant this to be a romantic moment, when he could attempt to do what he’d wished for so long… but it had definitely had come all wrong. ‘Night love,’ he muttered and started putting together the books the old muggle way, only using magic to lift them and put them where they belonged… ‘Where they belong…’ he trailed off and apparated to his bedroom, not feeling in the mood to climb three flights of steps.

***      

            ‘I want to know what’s going on,’ Ginny was saying from her spot on the bed.

            ‘But don’t you reckon they haven’t told us for a reason?’ Hermione argued.

            ‘They’re doing exactly what they did back in fifth year!’ Harry retorted angrily.

            ‘That was different’

            ‘Like hell it was! And they should tell us with more reason now!’

            ‘Harry, fifth year was for your own protection,’ Ginny sided with Hermione.

            ‘Wow, wow, whoa. Hello? Person who hasn’t been in the trio for forever here,’ Draco commented.

            Hermione, Ginny and Harry turned abruptly to him. ‘There is no trio anymore,’ Hermione said curtly.

            Draco knew he hadn’t said the right thing and regretted it at seeing her eyes but his expression betrayed none of it. ‘Well, what happened in fifth year?’ He tried to get out of it.

            ‘They wouldn’t tell me what was going on,’ Harry started darkly.

            ‘Or me, or Ginny, or Ron!’ Hermione almost yelled and then shut all of a sudden, as if she’d said some unnameable thing.

            Harry felt as if a dart went through his heart once again and decided to try and move on with the conversation. ‘But the thing now is that we’re in the Order and it’s something like the fate of the world on our shoulders now!’ Harry said sarcastically.

            ‘Exactly why they haven’t told us anything,’ Hermione made an effort to move on with the conversation as well after a spilt second.

            ‘They probably think we’re not ready or something,’ Ginny mused.

            ‘Well, I’m sure they know more,’ Neville put in.

            ‘I’m with Neville,’ Ginny said.

            ‘So am I,’ Harry took a step to them.

            ‘I am not sure I want to know more,’ Draco said honestly.

            ‘I—am with Draco here’

            ‘Hermione!’ Harry said.

            ‘Draco!’ Ginny whined.

            ‘Fine!’ Draco agreed. After a moment, Hermione recognised defeat and agreed too.

            ‘We talked to the founders!’ Ginny blunted out all of a sudden when they were in the kitchen, having dinner.

            Mrs. Weasley dropped her cup and stared at her youngest daughter. ‘Are you feeling all right, honey?’ she asked, putting a hand on her forehead.

            Ginny brushed it away. ‘Yes!’ she said sulkily.

            Mr. Weasley put his cup down slowly and took out his glasses. ‘How?’ he just asked.

            ‘We went through the passage and ended up in Ravenclaw’s castle,’ Draco filled them in.

            ‘And how did you contact them?’ Remus inquired.

            ‘The two-way mirror, we were trying to reach Sirius,’ Harry stated in a flat tone.

            ‘I see, so I take it they told you everything,’ Dumbledore said softly.

            ‘They didn’t have time, Slytherin got out of control and they had to go,’ Hermione responded. ‘We need to know what you know,’ she finished.

            ‘Very well, I guess we don’t have a choice now,’ Dumbledore started.

           

            ‘Oh yes we do. We can stick to the original plan,’ Molly interjected.

            ‘We agreed we wouldn’t tell them unless it was really necessary’

            ‘And since we need their blood—‘

            ‘And they already know most of it—‘ Tonks put in.

            ‘And they are officially in the Order—‘

            ‘Ginny hasn’t graduated yet,’ Mrs. Weasley pointed out.

            ‘But she is as involved as the others, dear. We have no choice,’ Mr. Weasley tried to reason with her.

            ‘It is rather necessary,’ Remus finished calmly.

            ‘Fine!’

            Arthur took a deep breath. ‘I take it they told you about The Power of Shikeon.’ They nodded.

            ‘And The Chest of Power?’ Tonks asked and they shook their heads.

            ‘We start there then. What the founders designed to keep the power of Mother Earth under control and unreachable for overly ambitious souls, was this Chest,’ Dumbledore explained.

            ‘And they hid it and put it under a lot of guards, just in case’

            ‘Now, we don’t know where it is, but… Remember that attack to The Burrow?’ Arthur asked and they nodded puzzled.

            ‘Well, it was performed by Voldemort’s followers to get The Prism of Odeon.’ He stopped and continued at their bewildered expressions. ‘A kind of key that enhances the powers of the performing wizards’

            ‘We know that only the four founders—’ Arthur was saying.

           

            ‘Or their blood,’ Tonks provided.

            ‘Can open the Chest after getting past all those tasks,’ he continued.

            ‘There are legends that say there is a Portkey hidden, and a Moribius spell—‘

            Hermione gasped; Harry, Draco, Ginny and Neville looked at her with puzzled expressions. ‘Moribius spell is one of the most dangerous spells to perform, not to mention that badly performed, it can kill the caster’

            ‘—said backwards can activate it,’ Remus continued.

            Dumbledore was staring at each face and sighed. ‘I know it is a lot to take in, and that’s why we didn’t want to charge you with such a burden… anymore than you already have for being who you are’

            ‘We were hoping we could keep it under control so that you wouldn’t have to deal with it,’ Molly started. ‘But as I see, that was naive of us,’ she said heavily and stopped.

            ‘Mrs. Weasley,’ Harry said to her, but looked at them all. ‘We appreciate it, we really do. But this is our battle to fight, and you can’t protect us forever,’ he said with a small smile. ‘There comes a time in a person’s life,’ he regarded his mates with an intense gaze, filled with determination and a lot of other mixed emotions, and continued, ‘when they have to grow up. They have to make their own decisions and weight the consequences of them.’

            He stared at each adult in the room. ‘Make their own choices and stop accepting the decisions of others where their own life is affected, even if they’re with the best interests at heart.’ He looked kindly at Mrs. Weasley, there was absolutely no trace of an eighteen year old in those eyes or in those words. ‘This time is only coming for us now, and we must do what we must,’ he finished.

            They all stared at him with a little disbelieve and admiration altogether and nodded, no words were needed.

***

            ‘What have we got?’ a cold voice asked from a dark corner in the old Riddle Country Cottage in the outskirts of Rome, in the valley of the Tiber River.

            A tall and handsome man was standing on the threshold of the Master Chamber. His dirty blond hair fell slightly to his forehead and he had a marked Austrian accent; he bowed and then gave his report. ‘We can use the girl. She’s Nonno’s most trusted and the heir Warden. She wants them to get to the Chest, she trusts them and believes they will stop you, my Lord’

            A shrill laugh was heard from the corner. ‘Isn’t she a dreamer? Didn’t she see what I did to useless Potter?’ he mused out loud.

            ‘But he’s still alive, and has the Malfoy boy on his side’

            ‘I know he’s still alive you useless dump! Crucio!’

            The man fell to the ground for a moment and screamed in pain, then it stopped and he got up with an effort. ‘I—I’m sorry Master,’ he said shakily.

            ‘Do you have anymore information?’

            ‘They’re fighting a lot over the heirs. She doesn’t want them killed or harmed, and I believe she might even end up working with them behind Nonno’s back’

            ‘Another ally and she doesn’t even know. Isn’t that wonderful?’ he chuckled and sobered. ‘Does he suspect of you?’

            ‘No, he trusts me fully’

             ‘Very well Marik, you’ve been very useful. You can go now,’ he said and made a dismissive gesture.

            Marik bowed and with three steps backwards, he was out the door and dissapparated.

            Moments later, a tall man, with silvery blond hair pulled back on an elegant ponytail materialised from next to the armchair The Dark Lord was sitting on.

            ‘Did you hear that Lucius? Your boy is with them,’ he said in a very dangerously calm voice.

            Lucius took a deep breath, cursing Draco with all that he had. ‘I don’t have a son, Master’

           

            ‘I recall that before mine and Potter’s little encounter seventeen years ago, I personally made sure he was taught in everything he was supposed to. Exactly to prevent this from happening’

            ‘I can’t understand why he turned out that way. We were sure to follow all your commands and give him all you ordered’

            ‘Then where did you blow it? I missed that part when someone that was supposed to help us, turns to their side. Can’t you do anything right?’

            Lucius just looked down. ‘I am sorry my Lord, I am useless’

            ‘Apparently you are. I believe that not too long ago, he nearly defeated you’

            ‘Yes my Lord, I am weak’

            ‘Indeed you are. Crucio!’ he cast and laughed at the screaming man on the floor.

            After a moment, he pulled his wand back and Lucius stopped yelling in pain. He stood up elegantly and dusted his robes, trying to put the most presentable face although he looked very pale.

            ‘They won’t take long to figure it out, especially if the little mudblood Solver’s powers are strengthening now that the circle is closed,’ he threw Lucius a terrible glare.

            ‘We have the Prism and we’ll get their blood before they can get there’

            ‘Good then, you may go,’ he said and gave what seemed to be a smile. Lucius started to walk out but stopped when Lord Voldemort spoke again. ‘And—Lucius, don’t screw it up again, will you?’

            He bowed low. ‘Yes Master,’ he said and then added, more to himself, ‘they’ll get what they deserve, and dear Nonno will be of much help’

***

A/N:  I sincerely apologise for the time-warp some of you have probably noticed. In the end of Ch.6, Helga woke Salazar to go and bury the chest and now we’re back at Hogwarts and they are working on the enchantments for the Chest. Truth be told, I had a lapsus stupidus and my mind got ahead of me. I hope you can understand this little slip.

            The pictures you saw are not mine or anyone I know’s. Most of them are from an artist called KB, and others like GWENDY. If any of you know him/her, let me know so I can properly credit the artist.

            I can't promise Ch.8 will be up too soon because I have to go through the whole story again to pick some loose ends and wrap it all up for the end. But I think I can promise that Was and Will Be will be finished before HBP comes out… or at least that's my goal.

            If you read, please review, I will appreciate EVERY bit of constructive critic or just a smiley saying you liked it (although PKY doesn’t let you do that lol). You’re all cordially invited to join us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BrainstormQuill .