Chapter 15
After a few seconds, Harry recovered quickly and covered Hermione who was still lying down too engulfed in passion to even be embarrassed. She was still flying high and wondered why Harry had stopped.
"Hi, Ginny," he called out as if to answer the question that was apparent in Hermione's eyes as Ginny tried to flee. Hermione then realized they'd been discovered and quickly sobered from her passion-drugged state.
"I'm so sorry, Harry, Hermione," Ginny apologized again. "I'd forgotten my books in here earlier. I didn't think anyone would still be in here."
"No, problem," he answered. But it was a problem. He wanted Hermione and if Ginny hadn't opened the door and interrupted what they'd started, Hermione would have been his. "My fault, I forgot to lock the door."
"I'll just get my books and leave."
"No, please. It's okay, Ginny. Really." Hermione tried to persuade her. "Harry and I should really get to bed too." She was disappointed with the interruption, but since they'd been working with fate so much, she had to believe that it just wasn't the right time. But she knew deep in her heart that when she and Harry consummated their relationship, it would be one of the best days of her life and it would be magical.
Ginny took her books and tried to avert her eyes away from the both of them. She'd been embarrassed before, but that was probably the most embarrassing so far. She knew she should have knocked but she didn't think they would have heard her if she knocked anyway. She didn't know how she would face them without blushing every time.
Ginny tried to convince herself that they were probably more embarrassed than her, but she knew that they both knew she was family and she would not blab about what she saw. She walked out feeling confident that they would not make a big deal and they would all forget what happened soon enough.
Harry was smiling down at Hermione who was still naked from the waste up except for his cloak that he'd covered her with when Ginny showed up.
"We'd better make ourselves decent and go up to bed, then?" He lifted his brows with the insinuation.
"Yes, but it would be better if you went to your bed and I went to mine. I don't think I want to go through that again. If it was anyone besides Ginny, I would be mortified."
"You know no one else knows about this room besides the seven of us."
"But what if it was Neville or Ron?" Harry thought about it. He didn't want any other guy beside himself to see Hermione naked even just half way naked.
"You've got a point there. Come on, then." He lifted her up and grazed his hand on her breast before he grabbed his shirt. She had an instant reaction to his touch. Sometimes she felt like she was a walking bundle of pure libido where Harry was concerned.
They dressed and went into the common room. It was deserted except for Hedwig who was waiting for him on the table.
"Hi, Hedwig." He dug into his pocket for a treat. "What've you got for me girl?"
Hermione was slightly amused by the way Harry was talking to his owl, then she remembered that she may have been the only one he was able to talk to during those lonely summer days at the Durselys. Her heart ached for him. For someone who'd been in such a hateful environment, he came out almost unscathed.
Harry earned a nip on his hand as he thanked Hedwig and let her fly out to go to the owlery. He opened the letter that was attached to Hedwig's leg. His brows furrowed when he read it.
"What is it, Harry?"
"I don't know yet. I just received a missive from Dumbledore. I'm to meet him after breakfast tomorrow instead of attending the first lesson and he said I was excused for the rest of the day from the lessons, training and Head boy duties."
"Hmm! He must have something else planned for you. Don't worry so much about it Harry. You know Dumbledore always does what's best."
"You're right. Let's go to sleep. I still have to meet with Merlin even if we don't do the song research. Goodnight, love." He bent down and gave her a chaste kiss. He was afraid he'd lose his control if he deepened the kiss.
"Goodnight my love," she whispered.
Harry was a little hesitant with meeting with Dumbledore, but he knew that the headmaster would not have asked him to come and cancel all his lessons and responsibilities if it wasn't of utmost importance. He told the others he'd meet them at the room at the end of the day when everyone was done.
Ginny hadn't even mentioned the little incident from the night before, but he did notice her blush when she made eye contact with him or Hermione. He smiled at her as if to let her know everything was all right. By the end of breakfast, she'd stopped blushing.
He walked up the steps after the gargoyle opened to reveal the stairway up to the headmaster's office. He stared at the door for a few seconds and then knocked.
"Come in Harry," Dumbledore beckoned. Harry opened the door and was greeted by the headmaster. He looked older than when he last saw him down at breakfast.
"Good morning sir."
"Good morning, Harry. Why don't you sit and make yourself comfortable."
Just the sound of his voice was making Harry nervous. He sounded as if someone had died. He was so solemn that Harry was afraid to pry and search his feelings.
"You asked to see me this morning?"
"Yes, Harry. I've something to tell you and I think I've put it off long enough."
"Sir, if this is about you and Professor McGonagall…." The headmaster smiled. He wished it were as simple as that.
"No Harry. It's about information that I think you should know about yourself. I'd been keeping it to myself long enough. I believe it's time you knew everything. I believe you're finally old enough to understand some decisions that were made long before you were born."
"Sir, if this is about being a descendant of Merlin, I already know."
"That's just part of it. Ah, I didn't think it would be so difficult when the time came, but I want you to know that I have been keeping this secret that I am about to tell you for quite a long time for your safety."
Harry was a bit distressed. He knew that Dumbledore had made the decision to let the Dursely's raise him in order to strengthen the spell that he placed on him. He knew that when he'd made the decision it was for his safety and had come to accept it when he told him in his fifth year. What else could he be keeping from him?
"I know you'll have millions of questions after I tell you and I hope that in the process of telling you, I would have answered some of it. Let me start with Avalon. You must know that the because of the name, it is owned by someone who is also a direct descendant of Merlin, right?" Harry only nodded. He wanted so much to use his empath power, but he also wanted to listen to what Dumbledore tells him before he could feel what he wanted to feel.
"Well, Avalon and the land surrounding it are now owned by you, Harry. Since you are an heir of Merlin, the estate belongs to you." Harry's mouth dropped open, and then narrowed suspiciously at the headmaster.
"Sir, if I own it, then why is it you are telling me this now and not a few months ago when I first started living there?"
"Well, it so happens that the ownership was transferred in your name only a few weeks ago. You see, the estate was owned by your great-grandfather who past it down to his son, your grandfather of course." Harry was shocked.
"But I thought Aunt Petunia was my only living blood relative, if I just inherited it, then that means my grandfather just died recently?"
Dumbledore sighed. He didn't know how Harry was going to take the news of who his grandfather was, but he knew he had to tell him before it was too late. The war was at hand even though they hadn't heard much activity from Voldemorts camp or from his followers' actions.
"No, Harry. See, that is part of what I need to tell you. Your grandfather was adopted. Your great-grandmother died during the fight against Grindewald. But before the fight, your great-grandparents name sent him to your great-grandmother's sister, Camilla Potter, and her husband, Jamison Potter. They brought him there for safety because the dark lord Grindewald was getting stronger and was targeting children of those who opposed him. They'd placed a memory altering charm on your grandfather and to those who would set eyes on him. They lived in a secluded area so weren't bothered too much. Your great-grandmother died during the fight with Grindewald and after the war your great-grandfather was so distraught and afraid to lose his only son that he left him with the Potters and allowed them to give him their name. You see they couldn't have children of their own and there were still threats of dark magic especially to those who worked against defeating Grindewald. They'd find their family mutilated when they'd get home and your great-grandfather didn't want that for his son. So he kept his distance for a while until it was safe and the threat was gone, but he'd always watched him from afar and became friends with him." He paused. He wanted to calm himself down from the emotional turmoil he'd just recounted to Harry. Harry became quiet and became somber. Dumbledore continued with the story.
" So, he grew up as Harrison Bryant Potter and attended Hogwarts and was also in Gryffindor. He didn't learn about his true identity until Merlin connected with him on his 16th year. He was hurt and angry that his real father gave him away, but he soon understood what his fears were. He understood that his true identity needed to remain secret because of other evil that may arise. The less they knew of his true heritage, the better off he was. Then he met your grandmother and they were married soon after they met. Your grandmother was from Beauxbaton and they'd met in Paris during one of the World Cup competition. He was fond of Quidditch too. Your grandmother died giving birth and your father was so overwrought that he died the following year. Your great-grandfather was so heartbroken and so were your adopted great-grandparents. But they raised your father as if he were their own just as they did his father before him."
Harry was on overload with information. His family tree had been so tragic. He guessed he was just following in their footsteps after all.
"Your biological great-grandfather stayed in close contact with the Potters and his grandson. Your father found out only when he was approached by Merlin in his teens. He found out that the Potters were not his biological grandparents, but they were closely related."
Harry's head was reeling. How could they keep this kind of information from him? Someone must have known. Sirius or Remus must have known. They were his father's best friends. Why hadn't they told him any of this?
Dumbledore saw the questions beginning to form. He could tell by the way Harry's eyebrows furrowed as if in deep thought.
"No one knew of your father's real heritage except your father and then your mother, Harry and me of course. They would have told you as soon as you were old enough to understand, but they were gone before that time came." Dumbledore fought hard to fight the tears from falling down. Harry could see that talking about his parents were very painful for him as well. He knew they meant a lot to him.
"Your father was bound by secrecy because like I said before it was for his own safety. He had a hard time accepting the truth and was angry for a while. But your mother helped him see that the actions to conceal his true identity were for his safety. His real grandfather kept a close eye on him as he was growing up. He was proud of him as much as his adopted grandfather was. He also grew to accept his real grandfather after many arguments and pain. Your mum also helped him realize that your great-grandfather didn't' throw his father away and that he wasn't ashamed to acknowledge him as part of his family. He realized that the threat against his biological family seemed to be great especially since the rise of Voldemort was apparent and the threat to them was very real."
Harry was also almost in tears. Hearing about how much suffering his family had gone through was always so emotional for him.
"Then what happened to the Potters? And what is my true last name?"
"The Potters fell victim to Voldemort during the first years of his reign. He'd wanted to wash out the families of powerful witches and wizards still living. The Potters were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. They were wonderful people and they loved your father very much as much as I did."
"What do you mean?" Harry's stomach took a tumble.
"Harry, I am your great-grandfather."
A/N: I bet you guys saw that coming, right. See there was a reason I gave Dumbledore a wife. Now you know. Hope you're not too disappointed. Thank you for your wonderful reviews. And just to re-iterate a few facts: From the Lost Years of Merlin Series : Rhiannon (Rhia) was Merlin's twin sister. Eo-Lahallia (Hallia) was his love interest/girlfriend. Hallia's brother was Eremon and they were from the clan Mellwyn-bri-Meath also known as Deer People. Yes, they were able to transform themselves into a deer. That is where Merlin learned from or in this case obtained the first power of transformation from.