Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, although their positions have changed from how she made them in the 5th book, it belongs to J.K. Rowling. Of course I own the plotline and everything though for this story. Just thought I should refresh your memory!
A/N: Sorry that you all waited so long for the last chapter. I didn't realize how much time had passed.
Chapter 17- Explanations and Lessons
Professor Figg and Dumbledore were sitting there, surveying the two in front of them.
"Yes I see it now that I look more closely, Albus. They both have it,"said Professor Figg.
"I have seen the possibilities growing ever since they became friends. They showed the signs," he replied.
It irritated Harry that they were talking about him and Hermione like they weren't even there. He glanced at her.
"We're right here you know," she snapped. Harry was taken aback. He had never heard Hermione speak to a professor like that before.
"My apologies, Miss Granger. Please have a seat," said Dumbledore.
"Thank you," she said. Now that Harry had actually stepped into the room, he saw that it had changed a bit. There was a long table in the middle of the room with four chairs around it. It had the usual emerald green upholstery and chocolate brown wood workings. He and Hermione took seats at one side of the table and the teachers sat at the other side.
"Now that we know more about your ancestors we can see that we were correct in thinking that you two were the heirs of Merlin and Gryffindor," said Dumbledore. "Harry's powers from Gryffindor are shown definitely through one of his physical traits. So are yours, Hermione. The heir of Merlin has the power to see the soul of a person, no matter what a face they put up. They can see through disguises and lies. The heir of Gryffindor has the abilities to defeat evil. These powers can be seen through something that some of your ancestors before you had."
"What is it, Professor?" Harry inquired. "What's the trait?"
"Your eyes. Your mother had emerald green eyes as you well know, Harry. Green eyes with that special spark behind them. Yet also there was a kind and giving person with a good heart as well. Something your mother gave which lives on in you. A loving heart. Something which evil cannot bear. So the Killing Curse rebounded upon Voldemort.
"And Hermione's has a rarer one. Her eyes are a brown color-- deep brown. Besides being this lovely chocolate brown color--"
"Thank you, Professor..." Hermione blushed.
"You're welcome, dear. But besides that, when someone looks deeper into them, they can see a sensible person, one who thinks things through...truly logical. One doesn't see it very often and I believe that you are about the fourth to have had the abilities of Merlin. Because as we all know Merlin is one of the greatest and most famous wizards of all time. Gryffindor's renown, though great in the wizarding world is only known to few Muggles.... not that it makes him any less distinguished.
"We began to recognize the implications of your friendship towards the end of your first year here. What with Hermione solving a very complicated riddle that takes an immense amount of logical thinking and Harry defeating Voldemort yet again, we began to monitor you. Harry managed to defeat the Dark Lord twice more and a third time escape his wrath. Most unfortunately you Miss Granger were Petrified in your second year, although you do show another amazing amount of intelligence in figuring out the beast that lurked within the school. Third year you and Harry managed another difficult task.... saving two lives at once. And you Miss Granger have always shown an aptitude for learning and magic.... the top in you grade.
"So around your fourth year, we took the signs more seriously and began to monitor you more closely, finally by realizing the rare colors of your eyes, that we had a match of powers. The combination is extremely rare and the two involved have to have a strong bond of friendship and loyalty to one another, a bond so strong that it is one that cannot be forced on them. In history there have been those who had the opportunity to be the matched pair, but could not develop the bond needed.... and sometimes in extremely inopportune cases the two missed the ability to be friends by a few years. Your mother, for instance Harry, with those same fiery green eyes of yours, missed the opportunity. There was a child a few years behind her in school who showed the signs. Brown eyes and extremely logical. Those powers of hers that you possess came in handy to the Order. Unfortunately, they did not save her from an extremely untimely death as she had no one else with her to strengthen them."
Feeling that the explanation had been fulfilled to the best of his abilities, Dumbledore sat back his chair, laced his fingers together and surveyed them over them top of his half-moon glasses.
"Do you have any questions?" he asked.
"No," they replied in unison.
"Good. One more thing. I want you to have a Secret- Keeper to keep this secret safe from the Dark Lord. I don't want him to know that we have a weapon. Who do you trust most besides each other?"
Harry and Hermione looked at each other and shared a silent word. They looked up.
"Ron," they said together.
"Ah. I had a feeling and I agree that he is trustworthy. Please send him to my office at the same time you leave for your lesson on Tuesday. We will probably drop in later to discuss. The actual placing of the charm will not occur right then. Now I will take my leave and give you over to Professor Figg."
They both stood as he left and Professor Figg did as well. Before they had a chance to sit back down, she had cleared away the table and chairs with a flick of her wand.
"Now, I know Mr. Potter is well equipped in Defense spells. But I would ask your assistance Potter in aiding Miss Granger to catch up," she began.
"All right. But it won't take her very long to catch up. She's good at this sort of stuff," he replied with a smile at Hermione. She kept her eyes downcast, and she flushed a bit, and a smile played at her lips.
"Very well then. Let's begin with 'Expelliarmus'. I know it's simple but it's good to know and be able to do well. After we learn this we will move on to a very advanced type of magic...one that they don't teach here at Hogwarts."
Hermione looked anxious yet excited. Harry grinned at her and then turned back to Figg.
"So, expelliarmus......." said Figg as she went into a speech about how it is performed and such.
Much of the lesson was talking and when they emerged, they had a list of spells to practice until their lesson on Tuesday at eight o'clock.
***
When they arrived back at the common room, it was empty and they arranged then to work on the spells the following evening and then bid each other good night. As they headed to their respective sides of the dormitory, Harry snuck a look at Hermione as she went over to her dormitory and was surprised to see her looking at him as well. He quickly averted his eyes, and raced up the rest of the stairs.