A/N: Hope you like it although it is a bit short although longer than the original one...tell me what you think! Enjoy!
Chapter 10: The Heirs
Almost as soon as Harry finished the 3rd Act, the train stopped with a jolt. The book went flying and Hermione woke up. Harry looked down and said, "We're here."
"I figured that," she replied, straightening up and self- conciously smoothing her hair. Harry stood and grabbed her hand, to lead her out of the compartment. They picked up their belongings on their way. As they were leaving, he snatched up the play book and handed it to her.
"I was reading it," he said sheepishly.
"Really? What'd you think?" Hermione asked.
"It really--" he started, but then he was cut off by Dean running up to them.
"Harry, Hermione, Dumbledore wants to see you in his office-- right away!" Deansaid breathlessly.
"Now? What'd we do, we just got here!" Hermione replied anxiously.
"I dunno, he just said it was urgent."
Harry and Hermione looked at each other questioningly, then headed off to Dumbledore's office. When they reached the entrance, they began guessing at passwords, knowing that they were usually sweets, and finally hit upon the right one (Fizzing Whizbees) and they stepped onto the stairs. Dumbledore was waiting for them when they finally reached the doorway.
"Please have a seat," he said, cordially. When both of the friends were seated, Dumbledore himself sat down behind his desk and folded his hands. "How has your summer been? I trust that Ms. Granger took good care of you, Mr. Potter, since you are here in one piece."
"Yes Professor. She did," Harry replied, grinning at Hermione. She She returned it with a faint half-smile, then looked anxiously back to Dumbledore. He, however, took no notice and was apparently trying to get a rather large Chocolate frog out of it's box.
"Would either of you care for one?" Harry stretched out his hand to take one, and thanked him. However, Hermione shook her head and continued to stare at Dumbledore apparently anxious as to the reason that they were called there. When he made no move to explain, she spoke up.
"Please, Professor, why are Harry and I here? Have we done something wrong?" He finished off the candy , and as he savored the last few bits, he pressed the tips of his long fingers together and regarded the two teenagers over them.
"I have something of importance to discuss with you both, for each piece of news has to do with you both," he began.
"Wait, Professor, before you begin, may I ask you something?" Hermione asked. When he nodded, "Forgive me if this question is inappropriate, but has this anything to do with why Ron didn't make prefect?"
"I take no offense Miss Granger, and no it doesn't, but since you ask, it might be a good way to begin what I am to tell you. Mr. Weasley was not chosen because, one, he has an infamous short temper and we feared he might resort to drastic measures on some of the students such as what he did in his second year with the slug incident. Second is, he had a more important job this year... He has quite a bit to be getting on with. As do you two,"
"But Professor, why would we be in danger?" Hermione asked.
"Let me begin with the end of last school year. As we feared, Voldemort has indeed returned although none of his usual crimes have been committed over the summer...we fear he is planning something big. But each of you has something that he needs. Both of you have powers that some can only dream of and go back to ancient magical times. But these powers go hand in hand and one without the other, all is lost." Harry and Hermione looked at each other confused, but continued to listen.
"When this school first began 1,000 years ago there were four founders, as you both know. Although many know of Salazar Slytherin's heir, Tom Riddle, few know of a more powerful heir. Godric Gryffindor's. His blood can be traced through generations, though some of his relatives have been Squibs and Muggleborns. Even with the witches and wizards linked to Gryffindor, not one has been as powerful until now, due to another prophecy made about the wizard living now. Gryffindor took pride in many things, qualities he himself had. Courage, strength, will, comradery and the ability to see through to a person's soul, to the kind of person they were. The skills that flowed through his veins, though natural, had to be trained. Just as his heir must be trained now, in the wizarding world's hour of need. Harry, this person is you. Your ability to defeat the almost undefeatable began to show at a very young age. Now after five years of watching you grow, it is time you learned to hone your skills, for full grown wizards' powers can only go so far to defeat Voldemort and his followers."
All through this speech, Harry's knuckles were white from clinging to the chair, and Hermione had become rigid in her seat.
"But, Harry, this power can only go so far to help us. Around the same time as Gryffindor was alive so was another great wizard, known in the Muggle world and our world... Merlin. These two met while slaying a troublesome Chinese Fireball, that not even the most expert dragon tamers could make safe. Afterwards, they became close friends. No one dared to cross their paths when they were together because of the incredible powers that could be unleashed at any moment. In fact by many accounts, they said that one could almost feel an energy emitted from them in a room. Merlin prided himself on keeping a cool head in a pressured situation. He had a mind like a steel trap. His knowledge helped him out of many situations. Those two were his main traits, although his ability in any branch of magic was unrivaled. He and Godric shared many good qualities, such as those, so when they were together these perfect balances of intelligence and courage defeated many a Dark wizard. Such a blend of virtues has not been seen again, at the same time, before now. And as Gryffindor did, Merlin has an heir as well."
"Who, Professor?" Harry asked, with a sinking feeling in his stomach, although he thought he already knew the answer. He looked over at Hermione, pale and trembling with fright, tears streaming down her face.
"Me," she whispered, and Dumbledore nodded gravely.