Chapter 10
A few days after the Diagon Alley visit, the seven decided to discuss their impending fate. They'd been all busy with their training that they hadn't really had time to discuss it with each other. Even their evening discussions did not include anything related to their destinies. They'd happily kept of the subject until today. They were all sitting in the library of all places for a bit of privacy from the adults. Since the other teens joined the household, Tonks and Mad-Eye also became semi-permanent residents.
"Well, I don't know about you, but there is one part of the prophecy I don't quite understand," Hermione started. "Everything was pretty much straight forward except for the part where it says
" When the seven songs of wizardy are deeply seeded,
only then will the circle be completed.
Each one must find their truth within
for each is essential for the chosen one to win. "
"You mean something has finally stumped the great mind of Hermione Granger," teased Ron. He earned a glare from Hermione.
"Well, do you know what it means, then? I've looked all over this library and can't find a bloody book that says anything about the songs of wizardry!" Everyone gasped including Harry who was enjoying Hermione's frustrations too much. No one had ever heard Hermione curse until today and they were a bit stunned to say the least.
"What?" she asked them confused.
"Hermione, I think it was your choice of words that has everyone speechless," Harry chuckled.
"Sorry," she told them and walked to where Harry was sitting and took the place next to him.
"Well, let's leave out the seven wizardry song for a bit and go to the next line," Ginny suggested. "It sounds as if we have to discover something inside ourselves. Something that we don't know about ourselves, right?"
"Yes, I agree, I am just trying to find what those seven wizardry songs are supposed to be. Since there are seven songs and seven of us, there might be a chance that each song is for each of us."
"I'll go for that. Harry, you've been quiet, what do you think the seven songs are?" asked Neville who had been more vocal lately.
"We could ask someone," he suggested.
"Well, I guess we could ask Dumbledore or something," Draco put in.
"Why don't we start with the people who are here first and then if they can't answer then we'll go to Dumbledore," Lavender suggested.
"Great, why don't Draco and Ginny ask Mad-Eye, Ron and Lavender ask Remus and Neville can go ask Tonks," Harry suggested.
"What are you and Hermione going to do?" asked Ron suspiciously.
"Well, I was thinking we should go through the library again to see if Hermione missed something, unless you want to of course." Ron shuddered at the thought.
The team dispersed and went on their separate missions. Neville was thankful they'd assign Tonks for him. He would be happy to have a chance to talk with Tonks. Any time with her actually was time well spent for him. He walked around the house happily in search of Tonks.
"Okay, Harry. They're gone. Why did you really want to be alone?" Harry was surprised at how well she knew him. Either that or she was growing some empath powers.
"Well, I can think of a lot of things to do now that we're alone," he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted his brows and smiled at her. He placed a light kiss on her lips and pulled her closer.
"Really, Harry. I know there's something you'd rather do without everyone, so out with it."
"You know, I'm beginning to think you could read minds or something."
"No, love, I just know you so well. Now what is it?"
"Sometimes you're just so impatient," he smiled to soften the blow and to let her know he was not really insulting her, but just playing with her.
"I'm waiting," she told him as she put her arms across her chest and started stamping her feet.
"Oh, all right. I wanted to try to leap both of us to see if we could ask Merlin about the seven songs." She beamed at him.
"Really!" She was so excited. She'd heard Harry telling her about leaping himself to Fincayra for his training, but he'd never tried leaping with anyone else before.
"Yes. Now hold my hand."
"Maybe, I should hug you just in case."
"'Mione, if you hug me, I won't be able to concentrate and we might end up who knows where."
"Oh, okay."
She held on to his right hand and waited anxiously. Harry concentrated. He pictured Arbassa, the oldest oak tree in Fincayra, in his mind. He pictured himself and Hermione standing in front of the entrance. In less than a minute they were engulfed in a swirl of darkness and then found themselves standing in front of the giant oak tree.
Harry made a swishing sound and the door opened on the side of the tree trunk. Hermione was so amazed at what she was seeing. Everything around her was so vivid. They looked so alive. Her eyes grew into saucers when the part of the tree opened to let them in. Harry pulled her inside. He remembered the first time Merlin showed him the place, he looked just as Hermione looked: in awe.
"Ah, Harry, Hermione. Nice of you to visit."
"Hi, we sort of came on official business."
"Well, then. Why don't I make some tea and we could discuss this official business."
Merlin waved his hand and conjured up three cups of tea along with a plate of biscuits. Hermione was still amazed at the things that Harry had now been accustomed to. She'd only met Merlin once and other times all she'd learned about Merlin and Fincayra was what she'd hear from Harry. To actually be in the place was amazing to say the least. She could almost feel all the magic that radiated from everywhere.
"Okay, so now tell me what this official visit is all about?" Merlin asked though he already knew what their question was.
"Well, sir. We were a bit stumped with one part of the prophecy that referred to the seven wizardry songs. I couldn't find it in any of the books in the library," Hermione quickly explained. Merlin chuckled. Hermione reminded him so much of Lily. She was very intelligent and frank, but most of all because her love for Harry radiated from her soul.
"Well, you probably are correct in that assumption, my dear. It had never been written in any of the books. It was only something that was passed down from generation to generation within the family. It is, however, rather unfortunate that the passing down of the songs were before your great-great grandfathers time. They'd found no reason to write such things even with threats of dark forces were apparent. They prided themselves in being the only wizarding family with the honor of knowing the song. Quite selfish on their part I'm afraid, but that is all in the past. You will be the first of the your generation to be able to see the songs and you my dear," he pointed to Hermione," and the other five will be the first to see it that are not my descendant."
"It will be an honor, sir." Hermione answered.
"No, my dear, it is quite an honor for all of you to be able to see it again."
"Sir, where is it that we may write it down for the others?"
"Ah, that my boy will be a true test of your skill. You will need to find it, and the only clue I will give is that it is within the walls of Arbassa."
"Why could you not just show us since it had been passed down from generation to generation anyway."
"Sorry, my boy. In order to see the songs you must be able to look beyond what can be seen and it is only when you can see it will be okay to continue the tradition once again, however, since it was stopped, the songs faded into hiding and only you have the power to find it, my boy."
"Then, I shall try my best to find the songs and restore the family tradition and share it with all of the wizarding world."
Merlin chuckled. He'd never seen Harry so determined, not even during his training. "I am sure you will, my boy. You may start now if you wish, I'm afraid I will have to leave the two of you soon. These old limbs must rest. You know your way back I presume."
"Yes sir, thank you."
"You're quite welcome my boy. Please come visit as often as you like even if only to search for the songs. That is in fact the next stage of your training." With that he disappeared with a slight pop.
"Well, Harry. I guess it's up to you to find it first before we can even try to decipher what the songs mean."
"I just hope I don't fail all of you."
"I have faith in you Harry. So do everyone else. You've come a long way in a short time. I know you have far more skills that you let us see, but I also know how dangerous it is to reveal all you've been learning until the time will come to use such skills."
He walked over to where Hermione stood, placed his forehead on hers and smiled. "You are probably the best thing that's ever happened to me. I love you `Mione." He brushed her lips to hers.
"I love you too Harry. Always have and always will." They kissed again with more intensity that the last. Passion was ignited quickly and they became oblivious of their surrounding.
Harry didn't know how long he'd be able to keep from making love to Hermione. He wasn't sure any more about waiting until they were both ready. Every time they were together, flames were ignited that were getting harder and harder to extinguish. But in the back of his mind, he knew that the responsibility and consequences that came with such an act would be too great for either of them at that time of their lives. There were too many things going on including fulfilling their destinies.
Hermione was having similar thoughts. She didn't know if she could keep her practicality when it came to her passions with Harry. He didn't even have to touch her to ignite the yearning for his body. She only had to know that he was in the same room! She didn't know how she was going to do it, but for their sakes she was going to try to fight what she knew was inevitable until they were free to indulge with such liberties. She hoped she would be strong enough to do so.
They pulled away from each other breathless. Harry pulled Hermione into a tight embrace and whispered, "I don't know how much more I can hold back. I want you so much."
"Oh, Harry. I feel the same way."
"We'd better go back and tell the others what we've discovered. Besides if we stay here alone too long, I may not be able to keep my hands off you any longer." Hermione just nodded in response. She couldn't trust her voice especially with the intense feelings she was experiencing. She knew it was only a matter of time before they both gave in to their primal urges.
Harry took her hand and concentrated on getting them back home. Though the ache in he felt his loins were nearly unbearable, he had learned to clear his mind and force his body to follow the peacefulness his mind conjured. After that he felt the pain go away and he was once again free to concentrate on Library back at Avalon. Then a familiarity of some sort struck Harry at the thought of the name of the mansion. He'd heard the name before, he knew that Merlin had mentioned it a few times, but he couldn't easily recall just what it was at that time.
Seconds later they found themselves inside the library and five pairs of eyes staring at them.
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