Title: The Heirs of Slytherin and Gryffindor
Harry looked up from his book. "You went where?" He was extremely curious to find out what was occupying so much of his best friend's time. "And with who?" He set his Defense Against the Dark Arts book aside.
"I went to the library with Hermione and Ginny to look up that legend that George told us about." Ron's eyes sparkled. "And you'll never guess what we found out!"
"I'm still stuck on the fact that you went to the library with Hermione." Harry winked at Ron who was now a rather unnatural shade of red. "Because I am truly confused as to why you would willingly do such a thing even for that silly story that your brother told us."
"Oh, sod off!" Ron mumbled.
"You mean like you did last night while moaning about Hermio..." Harry jumped back from his seat as Ron lunged at him. He yelped in surprise as Ron jumped the couch and tackled him to the ground. They wrestled until Ron gained the upper hand.
A loud alto voice interrupted their rough housing. "Would you two please act your age?"
Harry looked up from his position under Ron's knees to see Ginny and Hermione standing over them. They were smiling down at the boys. But before either boy could respond to Hermione's query, Ginny coughed out, "They are acting their age: four and four."
Ron pushed himself off of Harry's chest. "Funny. Hysterical. Remind me to hire you for our next party."
The girls laughed as Harry got up from the floor. He turned around and nearly bumped into Ginny. She was still laughing and he couldn't help but notice that her eyes were a clear, bright mocha brown today.
Since his fifth year, last year, Harry had begun to notice how Ginny's eyes would light up whenever she laughed. He'd also noticed how graceful she was. How she seemed to glide across the common room. How kind and considerate she was of everyone, including the Slytherins. How...
"Earth to Harry. Come in Harry." Ron's voice broke him out of his rather odd thoughts about Ginny.
"I'm paying attention!" Harry blinked and tried to forget about how close he was standing to Ginny. How she was looking at him as if she were worried about something. How...
This time it was Hermione to break his train of thought. "Are you sure you're listening, Harry?"
"Positive. Now what did you three find out while I was in detention?"
Ginny held out a roll of parchment and Harry took it from her. She began, "Well, we found out where all of the writings on the Heirs were. Most of it is in the main library. Only two books are in the Restricted Section. We got a look at the other five books."
Harry was shocked, "There are seven books about the Heirs and this story that George concocted?"
Ron smiled, "I think he was telling us the truth. Why else would there be seven books about the Heirs?"
Hermione glared at Ron who again had a rather nasty red color on his face. "What we found out was that each Founder has an Heir. This story first came out way back during You-Know-Who's first stab at power. The Ministry tried to find the Heirs who were supposed to be able to defeat him. But they couldn't find them all."
Ron nodded, "They found two of the Heirs: the Slytherin and Gryffindor Heirs. But they hadn't be able to locate the other two before... Well, before..."
Harry's voice was quiet. "Before my parents died."
Ginny put her hand on Harry's shoulder. "That's right. Harry..."
He shook his head. "I'm okay. It just doesn't make sense. Why would he kill my parents then?"
"Actually, it does make sense. Especially after finding the names of the two Heirs that the Ministry could locate." Hermione pointed to a section of the parchment in Harry's hand. "James Potter was Gryffindor's Heir. Which makes you also his Heir."
"So Voldemort killed my dad and wanted to kill me..."
Ginny nodded sadly, "Your mother just got in his way trying to protect you."
"So we were curious as to why You-Know-Who never tried to kill the Slytherin Heir." Ron said, "At first we thought it was because he himself was the Heir. But no..." Ron carried out the word 'no' to emphasize their mistake. "You'd never guess who the Slytherin Heir is."
Harry thought about it for a moment. He couldn't think of anyone in the Slytherin house who may be the Heir except for the Malfoy's. But then why didn't Voldemort secure his power base by making Draco take the Dark Mark? "Who?"
Hermione grinned wickedly, "Severus Snape."
Harry's mouth dropped open. "Professor Snape?"
"Yeah." Ginny sounded excited. "The books say that only when the four Heirs are together can You-Know-Who be defeated. Which means that Dumbledore needs to find the other two Heirs and quickly."
"That would explain why Dumbledore stood up for Professor Snape when Voldemort vanished. He couldn't afford to lose one of the only two Heirs he could find." Harry sighed in frustration. "But how is he going to find the other two Heirs?"
"That's what we don't know. We think that's what in the two books in the Restricted Section." Hermione answered.
"So how far back does this um... Heir-ship go?" Harry asked.
Ron grimaced, "From what we found, you two are direct Heirs. Gryffindor and Slytherin are like great grandparents to you and Snape."
"And that's not all." Hermione pointed again to the parchment. "It's in one of the books that the Ravenclaw Heir was placed in the wrong house by the Sorting Hat. It mentions how the Ravenclaw Heir thinks they are truly of Gryffindor."
Harry pushed his glasses back up his nose. "So someone we know could be the Ravenclaw Heir?"
Ginny nodded excitedly. "Yep."
Harry rolled the parchment up and tucked it into his book bag. He looked over the three friends in front of him. "Let's see who we can get to give us 'permission' to get into the Restricted Section."
"The last time we tried that we got lucky." Hermione groaned. "Who will we go to this time? McGonnagal will never sign the paper and we certainly can't ask Snape."
"Maybe we could ask Snape." Ginny tilted her head in thought. "Maybe we can come up with something. Besides, if Snape signed the slip, Madame Pince would never question it."
Harry thought about it for a moment. There was no way that Snape would ever sign the paper for him or Ron. The only two people who could talk him into it would be Ginny or Hermione. So which one would have a better chance? "We'd only have one go at this. Snape will know something is up if both of you ask." He looked at Ron. "So which one should it be?"
Ron looked the two girls over and sighed. "He despises Hermione. But she's brilliant. And he seems to actually like Ginny. But she's a Weasley. It's a toss up."
Hermione nodded. "If we can come up with a plausible story, he'd sign it for me. If we can't, it had better be Ginny."
"Well, I can't come up with a reason we'd need the books on the Heirs." Harry shrugged. "And we'd have to be careful. If he knows he's an Heir, he knows that I am. And it would be kind of obvious that we're lying to get our hands on the books."
"Wait!" Ginny shrieked. "I've got it! We tell him that Hermione is going to be helping me with a History of Magic assignment. We have one of you guys follow us to the library and into the Restricted Section while wearing the cloak."
Ron got excited. "And we'd take the two books we need and hide them under the cloak. And Snape would never know that we got them."
Harry smiled widely, his green eyes bright and sparkling. "Bingo. This might just work."
He got up and went up the stairs with Ron. At the top, the boys looked down at the common room and watched Ginny and Hermione leave to find Snape. They looked at each other and then continued on their way to their dorm.
******
"And that's why we need that copy of 'Elven Mysteries and Mayhem', Professor." Hermione cringed as Ginny tried to explain their need to get into the Restricted Section of the library. She didn't think that Snape would go for it. He was glaring at Ginny who didn't seem even a little daunted by his look.
"And Professor Binns requires this book? Why isn't he signing this paper?" Snape went back to looking over the reports that the third years had turned in earlier in the day.
Hermione tried to smile. "He can't hold the quill well, Professor. He told us to ask you as you would understand the need for such a volume."
Ginny spun her head around and gaped at Hermione's use of such a blatant lie. She peeked over her shoulder at Snape who seemed to be thinking over the latest bit of information.
Professor Snape looked at the slip of parchment on his desk again and then looked at the two girls. "Fine." He signed the slip quickly and threw his hand into the air to dismiss them. "Now leave."
Ginny grabbed the slip from the desk and pulled Hermione out of the Potions dungeon. They ran down the dark hallway and reached the stairway before Ginny even thought of stopping. She leaned against the wall and looked in shock at Hermione. "You realize that you just lied?"
"Yeah. It just came out of my mouth."
"What happens if he checks it out with Professor Binns?"
Hermione shrugged, "We'll have the books by then. At worst, you and I will get a detention. At best, he'll ignore it and not check it out."
"You have a lot of faith in that." Ginny whispered as they began to climb the stairs. "I wish I had that."
"George told me a couple of other rumors. I tend to believe that they have some truth to them." Hermione grinned.
"What kind of rumors?"
"It's nothing." Hermione continued toward the Great Hall. "At least not right now."
Ginny opened the door to the Hall and held it while Hermione slipped through. They looked around the crowded room and spotted Harry and Ron at the Gryffindor table. The boys were surrounded by the Weasley twins and Lee Jordan. "Do we even want to get involved?"
Hermione nodded. "If we don't, Harry and Ron will only get into trouble."
So, Ginny stepped up behind Ron and tapped him lightly on the shoulder. He looked up with a relieved expression on his face. "Where have you guys been?"
Hermione slid into a seat on Harry's right while Ginny shoved her way between George and Ron. "We were getting Professor Snape to sign a permission slip about Ginny's latest project."
Fred's face quickly took on a sour cast. "Snape? That slimy git?" He and George visibly shuddered. "Why would you even want to ask him anything?"
Harry snickered and elbowed Hermione. He answered, "Maybe this project is worth it. Maybe, if Ginny does well, Snape will vanish."
Fred blinked and slapped Harry on the back. "Don't we wish!" He stood up and pulled Lee with him. "Come on. We've got detention with Filch in thirty minutes." George followed his brother and Lee out of the Great Hall.
Ron whispered, "So he signed it?"
Ginny smiled. "Yes. Hermione lied and he believed it long enough to sign it."
Harry stared at his best friend in surprise. "You lied?"
Hermione looked down at her plate and mumbled a response. "Yes."
Ron whistled, "I can't believe it! Hermione Granger lied to a professor! Has hell frozen over? Cause I'm not feeling cold yet."
Hermione nearly choked on a forkful of Shepard's pie. And Harry had to set his glass of pumpkin juice down before he spilled it. Ginny's face was a bright red.
Ron laughed, "Are pigs flying? Are those pigs flying around the ceiling?"
Harry ducked as Hermione flung a biscuit at Ron's head. From his seat on the floor, he could hear the two of them begin yet another fight. He settled himself in a more comfortable position and bumped into someone. He looked up and smiled at Ginny who was also hiding under the table.
"What is their problem?" Ginny asked, exasperated with her immature brother.
"They like each other." Harry answered.
"What?!"
Harry closed his eyes and groaned. He hadn't meant to say that. Ron was going to kill him if he could beat Hermione to it. "I meant..."
"I know what you meant, Harold James Potter!" Ginny glared. "Don't you try to take it back."
"Ron told me a few weeks ago." He shrugged. "I guessed about Hermione."
Ginny smiled brightly, "This make so much sense now! But do they have to fight so much?"
"They wouldn't be Ron and Hermione if they didn't." Harry answered. "Fighting is flirting with them."
Ginny giggled, "Let's hope they don't ever move on to third base. Someone could get killed!"
Harry turned a rather odd shade of red as Ginny moved closer to avoid Ron's feet. He couldn't believe how much Ginny had changed over the summer. For the first time since his first year at Hogwarts, Harry hadn't been allowed to go to the Burrow over the summer. And it seemed that he had missed quite a bit. Ginny seemed to be much more outgoing now. And she didn't blush when she talked to him anymore. It was almost like she... well, like she didn't like him anymore.
"Earth to Harry!" Ginny reached out and brushed a lock of hair out of her friend's eyes. "Anybody in there?"
Harry blinked as Ginny pulled her hand back. "Yeah. Just thinking. That's all."
"Must be hard for you."
"What?"
Ginny smiled wickedly, "Thinking."
"Funny. Ron was right. You should be at our next party."
"You wouldn't know a party if it bit you in the butt, Harry."
Harry snickered, "Are you sure?"
"Of course." Ginny whispered. "You're too much of a straight arrow."
"No I'm not."
"Are YOU sure?"
Harry was about to snap back at Ginny when he felt someone grab his shoulder from above the table. He looked behind him and saw Seamus and Dean smiling at him.
"They're done and gone, Harry, my friend." Dean's deep voice whispered.
"Yeah! You can come out now." Seamus winked.
Harry crawled out from under the Gryffindor table as Seamus helped Ginny from the other side of the table. He noticed an odd look on Dean's face as Seamus pulled out a chair for Ginny.
"What's wrong?"
Dean shook his head. "If Seamus was anymore obvious..."
Harry frowned, "He likes Ginny?"
"You didn't know?" Dean laughed. "Man, are you dense?"
"No."
"He's been writing to her all summer." Dean answered.
"ALL summer?" Harry watched as Seamus started talking to Ginny.
"Yeah. Weren't you there?"
Harry sighed, "No."
"Bummer, man." Dean clapped Harry on the back and walked away.
Harry watched as Seamus said something that made Ginny laugh. He felt betrayed, but he didn't know why. Seamus was his friend. He should be happy for him. And he had wanted Ginny to get over her crush since his second year. He should be happy for them both. So why did he feel like his heart was breaking?
******
"Madame Pince?" Hermione called out. "We have a permission slip to get a book from the Restricted Section."
The librarian witch took the slip from Hermione's outstretched hand and looked it over very closely. She pulled at it and crumpled it up in her hand. She held it up to the candlelight around her desk. Finally satisfied, she pointed down the hall to the small room that housed the Restricted Section. "The door will only open twice. Once for you two to enter; once for you to leave."
Hermione nodded and pushed Ginny ahead of her. As they walked, they tried not to look behind them at Ron who was hiding under Harry's cloak. Hermione couldn't help but feel odd about this whole expedition. For some reason, Harry hadn't wanted to come. In fact, he had been glum since dinner two nights ago. He had been avoiding most of the Gryffindors including his Quidditch teammates.
She had gone to Ron to find out what he knew, but Ron had wanted information from her about Harry's attitude change. A whisper from behind the girls broke Hermione's train of thought.
"Are we almost there?"
Ginny smiled to herself. "You know, Hermione, Ron is so very impatient."
Hermione merely nodded. She knew that and agreed with it. That's why she couldn't believe that Ron didn't know what was wrong with Harry. He had been fine until Ron had started a fight with her that night. And now, she thought maybe something had happened after she and Ron had stormed off.
"Ginny, where were you and Harry during... well, during..."
Ginny whispered back, "Under the table. We didn't want to get hit by any flying objects."
Ron snorted in disbelief.
"If you're not quiet, Ron, we'll get caught."
Ron sighed and followed the girls through the now open gate that separated the Restricted Section from the main library. He stepped away from them and quickly found both of the books he was looking for. He tucked them into the satchel under the cloak and went back to Hermione and his sister.
Ginny reached out and pulled 'Elven Mysteries and Mayhem' from the shelf and tucked it into her book bag. She turned to find Hermione standing near the gate. She walked over and whispered, "Did Ron get the books?"
Hermione nodded and pointed just behind Ginny. Ron's hand appeared out of thin air and waved. So Hermione triggered the gate and stepped out closely followed by both the invisible Ron and Ginny.
"Let's get out of here."
The trio went toward the exit and stopped at Madame Pince's desk to check out the book that Snape had signed for. As they waited, they noticed Dean sitting with Neville in the far corner of the library. Hermione pointed Dean out to Ginny. He was waving at the girls and motioned towards seats at the table they were using. Hermione shook her head and pointed toward the door.
"Are you sure you won't stay?"
Hermione jumped when she heard Seamus' voice come from behind her. She checked to make sure that he hadn't tripped over Ron and looked over at Ginny.
She was blushing! Hermione stared in disbelief. Ginny was blushing over Seamus! This was new. She would have to remember to question Ron later about it. She took the book from Madame Pince and thanked her. As she was putting it back into Ginny's bag, she tried to listen in on what Ginny was saying to Seamus.
Ginny smiled, "I wish we could stay. Hermione and I have to get back to the common room. We have a project to work on."
"Really?" Seamus sounded interested. "What about?"
"History of Magic. A report that I have due for some extra credit."
"Okay. I wish you could stay, though." Seamus winked at Ginny who turned an even brighter red.
Hermione interrupted, "Hey, Seamus, do you know what's up with Harry?"
Seamus seemed to grimace. "Dean says that he thinks he knows what's wrong, but he won't cough up the information. I think he's joking. I hope Harry's okay though. I'd hate for him to hide away for the rest of the week. I have to ask him something."
Ginny set her hand on Seamus' arm. "I'm sure he's fine. He just has a lot to think about lately, I'm sure."
"Yeah, well, I'll see you later, Ginny." Seamus slipped away from the group and went over to join Dean and Neville.
"What was that?!" Ron's strained whisper came from nowhere.
"What was what?" Ginny retorted as she exited the library. As soon as the group was far enough down the corridor, Ron took the cloak off. He stared at his little sister.
"Could you have flirted anymore with Finnegan?"
Hermione simply continued walking. She wanted to hear what Ginny had to say.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Ginny snapped back.
"Wasn't it bad enough that you wrote to him all summer? I mean, what about Harry?" Ron grumbled.
"What about Harry?! There is no Harry! Grow up, Ron!" Ginny shouted all of a sudden.
Hermione was shocked. Up until the summer, Ginny had always blushed when Harry was mentioned. Now she claimed that he didn't even figure into her thoughts anymore.
"I have grown up!"
Ginny shrieked back a reply. "Have you?! Then why don't you just admit that you like Mione?!"
Hermione watched Ginny spin around and run off down the hallway. She turned back to Ron and was amazed at his expression. He was opening and closing his mouth as if he were a fish searching for air to breath. "You okay?"
Ron looked at Hermione and turned a deep red. He grumbled an answer and thrust the satchel containing the books the group had been after into her arms. He turned around and stalked off down the corridor in the opposite direction from his sister.
Hermione just stood in the hall and stared at the wall. She couldn't imagine what had gotten into Ginny for yelling at Ron like that. And she couldn't understand why Harry was avoiding them. Even Ron seemed to be confused about something. "Ugh!" She found the stairwell and slowly climbed her way to the Gryffindor dorm.
******
"So they had a fight. Who cares?" Harry mumbled.
"I would think that you would, Harry." Hermione was flipping through one of the books on the Heirs while Harry scanned the other book. "I've never seen Ginny so angry, and Ron, well, he's never yelled at Ginny before."
"Maybe I don't want to talk about it."
Hermione looked up at her friend and sighed. She could tell he was miserable. "Does this have anything to do with Seamus and Ginny?"
Harry's head shot up from the book in front of him. "What?"
"I thought so."
"Whatever, Mione. Let's just finish this."
She stood up and walked around the table. Harry tried to focus on the book he was reading. Hermione gently shoved him to the side and sat down next to him. She put her arm around Harry's shoulder. "You know, there's a Muggle saying. You don't know what you have until you've lost it."
"So I screwed up, Mione. Nothing can change that. If you remember, I WAS the one who wanted Ginny to forget her little crush." Harry sighed.
"And now you regret it. Because you can't understand what she would see in Seamus, right?"
Harry looked into Hermione's eyes and frowned. "Why did I screw this up so bad?"
"People like you Harry... well, they have a hard time recognizing love when it comes into their lives. Your family certainly doesn't love you. And you've never had anyone who really loves you just because you are you. Everyone that has ever shown interest in you has focused on the fact that you're HARRY POTTER... THE BOY WHO LIVED." Hermione smiled weakly.
"And because those people exist, you don't know who really cares about you. Who really loves you." She squeezed Harry's shoulders and waited for him to respond.
It had been nearly a full minute before Harry answered her. "Maybe you're right."
"Snuffles loves you and I think so does Professor Lupin. They cared about your parents and they care about you. And I know Ron and I care about you. And even in some twisted way, I'm sure Snape cares."
Harry snorted in disgust. "Now there's someone I should worry about."
Hermione smiled, "Aren't we a pair?"
"Huh?"
"We're moaning about nonexistent love lives."
"Maybe for me."
"What do you mean?"
Harry laughed for the first time in days. "Ron really cares about you."
"You're nuts, Harry Potter." Hermione looked down at the book that Harry had been looking at. "Totally of your rocker."
"Whatever you say, Mione." Harry shrugged and stood up. "Just don't make the same mistake I did. Don't wait until he's found someone else."
Hermione watched her friend walk up the stairs to his dorm. He seemed to be walking a little taller. The talk must have done him some good. And he did have a valid point. She settled into the chair and thought long and hard about Ron and his apparent crush on her.
******
Harry lay on his bed and glanced at the scrap of parchment in front of him. He wanted to talk to someone about what Hermione had said to him, but he knew Ron wouldn't be in the mood after having such a fight with Ginny earlier. And he didn't want to talk to Seamus. No that he disliked him now, it just would be uncomfortable for both of them. And it would be the same with Dean.
He considered Neville for a moment before thinking that it would be best to get outside help. Someone who wouldn't look at him differently for what he had to say. Someone who would still love him no matter what he said or did. Someone like Sirius.
But he didn't want to endanger Sirius by writing such childish stuff to him. It wasn't worth him getting caught over. So Harry sighed and began to write:
Professor Lupin,
I know it's been a long time since we've talked. And I know I would normally go to Snuffles about anything that was bothering me, but I can't this time. It's nothing too terrible, but it's just not worth risking Snuffles' life over. And I know he would want to come back and see me if he knew about this.
I know you know, but, at the end of my first year here, Hagrid gave me a picture album. It had pictures of my parents and pictures of you and Snuffles in it. There was even one picture of Peter. It's not there anymore; I couldn't stand to look at it.
Anyway, over the years, I've realized that both you and Snuffles cared a lot about my dad and mum. Did you love them? It may seem like an odd question to you, but I just talked a little with Hermione, and it brought up a lot of things for me. Mostly questions; about the people in my life and how they fit into my picture of who I am.
For example, Ron, I think, has fallen in love with Hermione. And while neither one of them appears ready to see it just yet, I wonder where I'll fit in. I know things will change and I know that they have to, but still.
I seem to be avoiding the main problem here. Hermione told me tonight that people like me find it hard to recognize love. And I think she might be right. And because of that, I may have lost the only person who has ever loved me for me. Help me please, Professor.
I just feel kind of lost. I would talk to my friends about all of this, but I can't. I wouldn't bother you, but I have to just this once. I don't know what to do.
Sincerely,
Harry Potter
*****
Harry sat down at breakfast the next morning and tried to keep his mind off of Ginny and Seamus. They were sitting together at the end of the Gryffindor table, deep in discussion about something. He picked over his food and looked up in surprise as Hedwig dropped a letter in his porridge.
He glanced at the handwriting and was a little disappointed. It was from Sirius not Professor Lupin. Harry waved it in front of Hermione's face and elbowed Ron before he stood up to go to the common room.
The trio carefully avoided every Gryffindor they came across on their quest to find a place to read Sirius' letter. Finally, Harry pulled Ron and Hermione into a small alcove in the back of the common room. He ripped open the letter, forgetting his earlier disappointment, and began to read.
Dear Harry,
Remus wrote me a letter a few days ago. It appears that the Order is getting closer to tracking Peter down. He seems very eager to catch him. But I fear they may find a trap if they are not careful.
I believe I have managed to convince Dumbledore that he should try to convince the governors to allow Remus back into Hogwarts. Your stories of his classes sound so much better than what I've learned of Lockheart and Crouch-Moody put together.
I will soon be in another hiding place. The Ministry has heightened their alert in Ireland and may already be looking for me here. I will let you know as soon as I'm settled somewhere else.
Have a good rest of the year, Harry.
Love,
Snuffles
Hermione frowned. "You don't think he's going to get caught do you?"
"Nah!" Ron answered to relieve Harry who looked like he was about to be ill. "Snuffles has always been able to stay ahead of the Ministry. They won't ever catch him."
Harry looked at the parchment and sighed. He worried about Sirius all of the time. Last year, in one of his letters, Sirius had hinted that something was wrong. And over the course of the year, his letters had gotten sadder and darker. Almost as if he had given up hope of ever being cleared of the murders that Peter had framed him for. Now, he seemed to be a little more upbeat and more like his old self.
"Harry? Are you okay?" Hermione's voice brought him back to the present.
"Yeah. Just thinking about Snuffles." He stood up and looked at Ron. "Listen, Ron, I'm going to walk around for a while. It's Saturday and I think I'll just try not to think of anything. If an owl comes for me from Professor Lupin, give it to Hedwig. She'll find me."
Ron blinked in surprise, "You think Professor Lupin might write?"
"I wrote him last night and I want to know what he has to say."
Hermione nodded, remembering what she and Harry had talked about last night. "We'll send Hedwig right away if the letter shows up. Come on, Ron." She tugged on Ron's sleeve. "I want to talk to you about something."
Ron nodded and left the alcove. Hermione turned to her friend and smiled. "I hope you hear from Professor Lupin soon."
Harry smiled and hugged Hermione. "Good luck, Mione. Let me know what happens."
"I will."
*****
"So what do you want to talk about?" Ron slumped on his bed while Hermione stood in front of him. They had come to the boys' dorm to get away from Lavender and Parvati.
"It's about what Ginny said." Hermione sighed, "While you two were arguing in the hallway."
Ron turned a bright, beet red. "She was kidding, Mione. She was just trying to make me angry."
"If it had been nothing, Ron, you wouldn't have rushed off like you did." Hermione sat next to him on the bed. "Tell me something, Ron. What would you do if I started seeing Victor again?"
"I'd tell you that you were making a big mistake."
"Why?"
Ron tried to stay calm, "I don't know."
"I think you do."
"Maybe I just don't trust him." Ron mumbled.
"What if I asked Dean out. or Neville. or Malfoy? What would you say then?"
"I would ask you what the hell you were thinking."
"Why?"
Ron looked up at Hermione and sighed, "Because I."
"You what?" Hermione wanted to tell him that she liked him, but she couldn't help but feel afraid that he might not like her. That Harry might be wrong.
"BecauseIthinkyou'rebeautiful." Ron rushed through his answer.
Hermione smiled, "You could have taken a breath, Ron."
"You're not mad?"
She looked at his eyes and noticed a spark of fear in them. He had honestly been afraid that she would hate him, that she would never want to be his friend again. "No. I'm not mad."
"Good." Ron sat there and fumbled with his hands. He didn't know what to say now.
"Harry and I talked last night. About a lot of things. Including your sister and you." Hermione wanted to be honest with him.
"And?"
"I pointed out to him that he had waited too long to recognize what he felt about Ginny. And now, she was with someone else." She paused and took a breath. "As he was leaving, he told me not to make the same mistake with you."
Ron stared at Hermione. Her eyes were bright and brave. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You like me?"
"Is that so hard to believe?"
"Well, frankly, it kind of is."
Hermione leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips. "That's too bad."
Ron couldn't believe that she had just kissed him. Her lips had felt like silk. He reached out and took her hand in his. "So I guess this changes a few things."
"Yeah, guess so."
"What should we tell Harry?"
"The truth."
Ron nodded, "Of course."
Hermione leaned back and settled against Ron's warm body. He wrapped his arms around her and smiled. "I could get used to this, Mione."
"So could I, Ron."
They kissed again and simply held hands as they whispered to each other about when they had each first known about their feelings and how much they meant to each other. They were so involved that they didn't even notice when Dean and Neville came into the room to get their books and homework. The two boys smiled knowingly at each other and locked the door behind them as they left.
*****
"So here's the information we've been able to glean from the books." Ginny pushed the parchment towards Ron and Harry. She smiled at Hermione and continued. "There's a spell that's been designed to identify the Heirs. However, the caster must be within twenty feet of the thought-to-be- Heir for the spell to work. If a red, green, blue, or yellow aura appears, the person IS an Heir. If the aura is black, the person IS NOT an Heir."
"We're assuming that the aura colors will change based on which Heir is found. For example, if we cast the spell on Professor Snape, his aura would be green. Yours, Harry, would be red." Hermione said.
"So. the Hufflepuff Heir would have a yellow aura and the Ravenclaw Heir would have a blue aura?" Ron asked.
"Correct." Ginny nodded. "So, we should test the spell on one of the two Heirs we know about. That way, we can determine if it truly works. And if it does."
"We could begin to eliminate people from our lists." Harry finished.
"Right." Ginny answered.
"So who's left on the Hufflepuff list?" Ron looked over the spell written on the parchment.
"We have Justin, Leo, Aislinn, and Cole. The Ravenclaw list is a tad longer of course." Hermione checked off the names on her notebook.
"Is Leo a pureblood?" Harry asked. "I thought that both of his parents were Muggles."
"His parents were both squibs, actually." Ginny frowned.
"Ouch." Ron grimaced. "Bad luck."
"No kidding," Harry agreed.
"I think it would be easier if we all learned the spell and then went in groups of two to check our guesses out." Hermione looked at Harry for his response to her idea.
"That's a good idea. That way, if we screwed up the spell, we would know what we did wrong. It would also make it easier for us to cast the spell. The caster wouldn't have to worry about watching for the aura."
Ron smiled, "Then let's go. Ginny, you come with me. Mione, you go with Harry."
Hermione nodded as the group broke up into their respective pairs. "Harry and I will take Aislinn and Justin. They often go places together. They'll be easy to catch."
"Sure. We'll take Leo and Cole then." Ginny pocketed her wand and gathered the books into a neat pile. "Let's go."
Harry looked up from his book. "You went where?" He was extremely curious to find out what was occupying so much of his best friend's time. "And with who?" He set his Defense Against the Dark Arts book aside.
"I went to the library with Hermione and Ginny to look up that legend that George told us about." Ron's eyes sparkled. "And you'll never guess what we found out!"
"I'm still stuck on the fact that you went to the library with Hermione." Harry winked at Ron who was now a rather unnatural shade of red. "Because I am truly confused as to why you would willingly do such a thing even for that silly story that your brother told us."
"Oh, sod off!" Ron mumbled.
"You mean like you did last night while moaning about Hermio..." Harry jumped back from his seat as Ron lunged at him. He yelped in surprise as Ron jumped the couch and tackled him to the ground. They wrestled until Ron gained the upper hand.
A loud alto voice interrupted their rough housing. "Would you two please act your age?"
Harry looked up from his position under Ron's knees to see Ginny and Hermione standing over them. They were smiling down at the boys. But before either boy could respond to Hermione's query, Ginny coughed out, "They are acting their age: four and four."
Ron pushed himself off of Harry's chest. "Funny. Hysterical. Remind me to hire you for our next party."
The girls laughed as Harry got up from the floor. He turned around and nearly bumped into Ginny. She was still laughing and he couldn't help but notice that her eyes were a clear, bright mocha brown today.
Since his fifth year, last year, Harry had begun to notice how Ginny's eyes would light up whenever she laughed. He'd also noticed how graceful she was. How she seemed to glide across the common room. How kind and considerate she was of everyone, including the Slytherins. How...
"Earth to Harry. Come in Harry." Ron's voice broke him out of his rather odd thoughts about Ginny.
"I'm paying attention!" Harry blinked and tried to forget about how close he was standing to Ginny. How she was looking at him as if she were worried about something. How...
This time it was Hermione to break his train of thought. "Are you sure you're listening, Harry?"
"Positive. Now what did you three find out while I was in detention?"
Ginny held out a roll of parchment and Harry took it from her. She began, "Well, we found out where all of the writings on the Heirs were. Most of it is in the main library. Only two books are in the Restricted Section. We got a look at the other five books."
Harry was shocked, "There are seven books about the Heirs and this story that George concocted?"
Ron smiled, "I think he was telling us the truth. Why else would there be seven books about the Heirs?"
Hermione glared at Ron who again had a rather nasty red color on his face. "What we found out was that each Founder has an Heir. This story first came out way back during You-Know-Who's first stab at power. The Ministry tried to find the Heirs who were supposed to be able to defeat him. But they couldn't find them all."
Ron nodded, "They found two of the Heirs: the Slytherin and Gryffindor Heirs. But they hadn't be able to locate the other two before... Well, before..."
Harry's voice was quiet. "Before my parents died."
Ginny put her hand on Harry's shoulder. "That's right. Harry..."
He shook his head. "I'm okay. It just doesn't make sense. Why would he kill my parents then?"
"Actually, it does make sense. Especially after finding the names of the two Heirs that the Ministry could locate." Hermione pointed to a section of the parchment in Harry's hand. "James Potter was Gryffindor's Heir. Which makes you also his Heir."
"So Voldemort killed my dad and wanted to kill me..."
Ginny nodded sadly, "Your mother just got in his way trying to protect you."
"So we were curious as to why You-Know-Who never tried to kill the Slytherin Heir." Ron said, "At first we thought it was because he himself was the Heir. But no..." Ron carried out the word 'no' to emphasize their mistake. "You'd never guess who the Slytherin Heir is."
Harry thought about it for a moment. He couldn't think of anyone in the Slytherin house who may be the Heir except for the Malfoy's. But then why didn't Voldemort secure his power base by making Draco take the Dark Mark? "Who?"
Hermione grinned wickedly, "Severus Snape."
Harry's mouth dropped open. "Professor Snape?"
"Yeah." Ginny sounded excited. "The books say that only when the four Heirs are together can You-Know-Who be defeated. Which means that Dumbledore needs to find the other two Heirs and quickly."
"That would explain why Dumbledore stood up for Professor Snape when Voldemort vanished. He couldn't afford to lose one of the only two Heirs he could find." Harry sighed in frustration. "But how is he going to find the other two Heirs?"
"That's what we don't know. We think that's what in the two books in the Restricted Section." Hermione answered.
"So how far back does this um... Heir-ship go?" Harry asked.
Ron grimaced, "From what we found, you two are direct Heirs. Gryffindor and Slytherin are like great grandparents to you and Snape."
"And that's not all." Hermione pointed again to the parchment. "It's in one of the books that the Ravenclaw Heir was placed in the wrong house by the Sorting Hat. It mentions how the Ravenclaw Heir thinks they are truly of Gryffindor."
Harry pushed his glasses back up his nose. "So someone we know could be the Ravenclaw Heir?"
Ginny nodded excitedly. "Yep."
Harry rolled the parchment up and tucked it into his book bag. He looked over the three friends in front of him. "Let's see who we can get to give us 'permission' to get into the Restricted Section."
"The last time we tried that we got lucky." Hermione groaned. "Who will we go to this time? McGonnagal will never sign the paper and we certainly can't ask Snape."
"Maybe we could ask Snape." Ginny tilted her head in thought. "Maybe we can come up with something. Besides, if Snape signed the slip, Madame Pince would never question it."
Harry thought about it for a moment. There was no way that Snape would ever sign the paper for him or Ron. The only two people who could talk him into it would be Ginny or Hermione. So which one would have a better chance? "We'd only have one go at this. Snape will know something is up if both of you ask." He looked at Ron. "So which one should it be?"
Ron looked the two girls over and sighed. "He despises Hermione. But she's brilliant. And he seems to actually like Ginny. But she's a Weasley. It's a toss up."
Hermione nodded. "If we can come up with a plausible story, he'd sign it for me. If we can't, it had better be Ginny."
"Well, I can't come up with a reason we'd need the books on the Heirs." Harry shrugged. "And we'd have to be careful. If he knows he's an Heir, he knows that I am. And it would be kind of obvious that we're lying to get our hands on the books."
"Wait!" Ginny shrieked. "I've got it! We tell him that Hermione is going to be helping me with a History of Magic assignment. We have one of you guys follow us to the library and into the Restricted Section while wearing the cloak."
Ron got excited. "And we'd take the two books we need and hide them under the cloak. And Snape would never know that we got them."
Harry smiled widely, his green eyes bright and sparkling. "Bingo. This might just work."
He got up and went up the stairs with Ron. At the top, the boys looked down at the common room and watched Ginny and Hermione leave to find Snape. They looked at each other and then continued on their way to their dorm.
******
"And that's why we need that copy of 'Elven Mysteries and Mayhem', Professor." Hermione cringed as Ginny tried to explain their need to get into the Restricted Section of the library. She didn't think that Snape would go for it. He was glaring at Ginny who didn't seem even a little daunted by his look.
"And Professor Binns requires this book? Why isn't he signing this paper?" Snape went back to looking over the reports that the third years had turned in earlier in the day.
Hermione tried to smile. "He can't hold the quill well, Professor. He told us to ask you as you would understand the need for such a volume."
Ginny spun her head around and gaped at Hermione's use of such a blatant lie. She peeked over her shoulder at Snape who seemed to be thinking over the latest bit of information.
Professor Snape looked at the slip of parchment on his desk again and then looked at the two girls. "Fine." He signed the slip quickly and threw his hand into the air to dismiss them. "Now leave."
Ginny grabbed the slip from the desk and pulled Hermione out of the Potions dungeon. They ran down the dark hallway and reached the stairway before Ginny even thought of stopping. She leaned against the wall and looked in shock at Hermione. "You realize that you just lied?"
"Yeah. It just came out of my mouth."
"What happens if he checks it out with Professor Binns?"
Hermione shrugged, "We'll have the books by then. At worst, you and I will get a detention. At best, he'll ignore it and not check it out."
"You have a lot of faith in that." Ginny whispered as they began to climb the stairs. "I wish I had that."
"George told me a couple of other rumors. I tend to believe that they have some truth to them." Hermione grinned.
"What kind of rumors?"
"It's nothing." Hermione continued toward the Great Hall. "At least not right now."
Ginny opened the door to the Hall and held it while Hermione slipped through. They looked around the crowded room and spotted Harry and Ron at the Gryffindor table. The boys were surrounded by the Weasley twins and Lee Jordan. "Do we even want to get involved?"
Hermione nodded. "If we don't, Harry and Ron will only get into trouble."
So, Ginny stepped up behind Ron and tapped him lightly on the shoulder. He looked up with a relieved expression on his face. "Where have you guys been?"
Hermione slid into a seat on Harry's right while Ginny shoved her way between George and Ron. "We were getting Professor Snape to sign a permission slip about Ginny's latest project."
Fred's face quickly took on a sour cast. "Snape? That slimy git?" He and George visibly shuddered. "Why would you even want to ask him anything?"
Harry snickered and elbowed Hermione. He answered, "Maybe this project is worth it. Maybe, if Ginny does well, Snape will vanish."
Fred blinked and slapped Harry on the back. "Don't we wish!" He stood up and pulled Lee with him. "Come on. We've got detention with Filch in thirty minutes." George followed his brother and Lee out of the Great Hall.
Ron whispered, "So he signed it?"
Ginny smiled. "Yes. Hermione lied and he believed it long enough to sign it."
Harry stared at his best friend in surprise. "You lied?"
Hermione looked down at her plate and mumbled a response. "Yes."
Ron whistled, "I can't believe it! Hermione Granger lied to a professor! Has hell frozen over? Cause I'm not feeling cold yet."
Hermione nearly choked on a forkful of Shepard's pie. And Harry had to set his glass of pumpkin juice down before he spilled it. Ginny's face was a bright red.
Ron laughed, "Are pigs flying? Are those pigs flying around the ceiling?"
Harry ducked as Hermione flung a biscuit at Ron's head. From his seat on the floor, he could hear the two of them begin yet another fight. He settled himself in a more comfortable position and bumped into someone. He looked up and smiled at Ginny who was also hiding under the table.
"What is their problem?" Ginny asked, exasperated with her immature brother.
"They like each other." Harry answered.
"What?!"
Harry closed his eyes and groaned. He hadn't meant to say that. Ron was going to kill him if he could beat Hermione to it. "I meant..."
"I know what you meant, Harold James Potter!" Ginny glared. "Don't you try to take it back."
"Ron told me a few weeks ago." He shrugged. "I guessed about Hermione."
Ginny smiled brightly, "This make so much sense now! But do they have to fight so much?"
"They wouldn't be Ron and Hermione if they didn't." Harry answered. "Fighting is flirting with them."
Ginny giggled, "Let's hope they don't ever move on to third base. Someone could get killed!"
Harry turned a rather odd shade of red as Ginny moved closer to avoid Ron's feet. He couldn't believe how much Ginny had changed over the summer. For the first time since his first year at Hogwarts, Harry hadn't been allowed to go to the Burrow over the summer. And it seemed that he had missed quite a bit. Ginny seemed to be much more outgoing now. And she didn't blush when she talked to him anymore. It was almost like she... well, like she didn't like him anymore.
"Earth to Harry!" Ginny reached out and brushed a lock of hair out of her friend's eyes. "Anybody in there?"
Harry blinked as Ginny pulled her hand back. "Yeah. Just thinking. That's all."
"Must be hard for you."
"What?"
Ginny smiled wickedly, "Thinking."
"Funny. Ron was right. You should be at our next party."
"You wouldn't know a party if it bit you in the butt, Harry."
Harry snickered, "Are you sure?"
"Of course." Ginny whispered. "You're too much of a straight arrow."
"No I'm not."
"Are YOU sure?"
Harry was about to snap back at Ginny when he felt someone grab his shoulder from above the table. He looked behind him and saw Seamus and Dean smiling at him.
"They're done and gone, Harry, my friend." Dean's deep voice whispered.
"Yeah! You can come out now." Seamus winked.
Harry crawled out from under the Gryffindor table as Seamus helped Ginny from the other side of the table. He noticed an odd look on Dean's face as Seamus pulled out a chair for Ginny.
"What's wrong?"
Dean shook his head. "If Seamus was anymore obvious..."
Harry frowned, "He likes Ginny?"
"You didn't know?" Dean laughed. "Man, are you dense?"
"No."
"He's been writing to her all summer." Dean answered.
"ALL summer?" Harry watched as Seamus started talking to Ginny.
"Yeah. Weren't you there?"
Harry sighed, "No."
"Bummer, man." Dean clapped Harry on the back and walked away.
Harry watched as Seamus said something that made Ginny laugh. He felt betrayed, but he didn't know why. Seamus was his friend. He should be happy for him. And he had wanted Ginny to get over her crush since his second year. He should be happy for them both. So why did he feel like his heart was breaking?
******
"Madame Pince?" Hermione called out. "We have a permission slip to get a book from the Restricted Section."
The librarian witch took the slip from Hermione's outstretched hand and looked it over very closely. She pulled at it and crumpled it up in her hand. She held it up to the candlelight around her desk. Finally satisfied, she pointed down the hall to the small room that housed the Restricted Section. "The door will only open twice. Once for you two to enter; once for you to leave."
Hermione nodded and pushed Ginny ahead of her. As they walked, they tried not to look behind them at Ron who was hiding under Harry's cloak. Hermione couldn't help but feel odd about this whole expedition. For some reason, Harry hadn't wanted to come. In fact, he had been glum since dinner two nights ago. He had been avoiding most of the Gryffindors including his Quidditch teammates.
She had gone to Ron to find out what he knew, but Ron had wanted information from her about Harry's attitude change. A whisper from behind the girls broke Hermione's train of thought.
"Are we almost there?"
Ginny smiled to herself. "You know, Hermione, Ron is so very impatient."
Hermione merely nodded. She knew that and agreed with it. That's why she couldn't believe that Ron didn't know what was wrong with Harry. He had been fine until Ron had started a fight with her that night. And now, she thought maybe something had happened after she and Ron had stormed off.
"Ginny, where were you and Harry during... well, during..."
Ginny whispered back, "Under the table. We didn't want to get hit by any flying objects."
Ron snorted in disbelief.
"If you're not quiet, Ron, we'll get caught."
Ron sighed and followed the girls through the now open gate that separated the Restricted Section from the main library. He stepped away from them and quickly found both of the books he was looking for. He tucked them into the satchel under the cloak and went back to Hermione and his sister.
Ginny reached out and pulled 'Elven Mysteries and Mayhem' from the shelf and tucked it into her book bag. She turned to find Hermione standing near the gate. She walked over and whispered, "Did Ron get the books?"
Hermione nodded and pointed just behind Ginny. Ron's hand appeared out of thin air and waved. So Hermione triggered the gate and stepped out closely followed by both the invisible Ron and Ginny.
"Let's get out of here."
The trio went toward the exit and stopped at Madame Pince's desk to check out the book that Snape had signed for. As they waited, they noticed Dean sitting with Neville in the far corner of the library. Hermione pointed Dean out to Ginny. He was waving at the girls and motioned towards seats at the table they were using. Hermione shook her head and pointed toward the door.
"Are you sure you won't stay?"
Hermione jumped when she heard Seamus' voice come from behind her. She checked to make sure that he hadn't tripped over Ron and looked over at Ginny.
She was blushing! Hermione stared in disbelief. Ginny was blushing over Seamus! This was new. She would have to remember to question Ron later about it. She took the book from Madame Pince and thanked her. As she was putting it back into Ginny's bag, she tried to listen in on what Ginny was saying to Seamus.
Ginny smiled, "I wish we could stay. Hermione and I have to get back to the common room. We have a project to work on."
"Really?" Seamus sounded interested. "What about?"
"History of Magic. A report that I have due for some extra credit."
"Okay. I wish you could stay, though." Seamus winked at Ginny who turned an even brighter red.
Hermione interrupted, "Hey, Seamus, do you know what's up with Harry?"
Seamus seemed to grimace. "Dean says that he thinks he knows what's wrong, but he won't cough up the information. I think he's joking. I hope Harry's okay though. I'd hate for him to hide away for the rest of the week. I have to ask him something."
Ginny set her hand on Seamus' arm. "I'm sure he's fine. He just has a lot to think about lately, I'm sure."
"Yeah, well, I'll see you later, Ginny." Seamus slipped away from the group and went over to join Dean and Neville.
"What was that?!" Ron's strained whisper came from nowhere.
"What was what?" Ginny retorted as she exited the library. As soon as the group was far enough down the corridor, Ron took the cloak off. He stared at his little sister.
"Could you have flirted anymore with Finnegan?"
Hermione simply continued walking. She wanted to hear what Ginny had to say.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Ginny snapped back.
"Wasn't it bad enough that you wrote to him all summer? I mean, what about Harry?" Ron grumbled.
"What about Harry?! There is no Harry! Grow up, Ron!" Ginny shouted all of a sudden.
Hermione was shocked. Up until the summer, Ginny had always blushed when Harry was mentioned. Now she claimed that he didn't even figure into her thoughts anymore.
"I have grown up!"
Ginny shrieked back a reply. "Have you?! Then why don't you just admit that you like Mione?!"
Hermione watched Ginny spin around and run off down the hallway. She turned back to Ron and was amazed at his expression. He was opening and closing his mouth as if he were a fish searching for air to breath. "You okay?"
Ron looked at Hermione and turned a deep red. He grumbled an answer and thrust the satchel containing the books the group had been after into her arms. He turned around and stalked off down the corridor in the opposite direction from his sister.
Hermione just stood in the hall and stared at the wall. She couldn't imagine what had gotten into Ginny for yelling at Ron like that. And she couldn't understand why Harry was avoiding them. Even Ron seemed to be confused about something. "Ugh!" She found the stairwell and slowly climbed her way to the Gryffindor dorm.
******
"So they had a fight. Who cares?" Harry mumbled.
"I would think that you would, Harry." Hermione was flipping through one of the books on the Heirs while Harry scanned the other book. "I've never seen Ginny so angry, and Ron, well, he's never yelled at Ginny before."
"Maybe I don't want to talk about it."
Hermione looked up at her friend and sighed. She could tell he was miserable. "Does this have anything to do with Seamus and Ginny?"
Harry's head shot up from the book in front of him. "What?"
"I thought so."
"Whatever, Mione. Let's just finish this."
She stood up and walked around the table. Harry tried to focus on the book he was reading. Hermione gently shoved him to the side and sat down next to him. She put her arm around Harry's shoulder. "You know, there's a Muggle saying. You don't know what you have until you've lost it."
"So I screwed up, Mione. Nothing can change that. If you remember, I WAS the one who wanted Ginny to forget her little crush." Harry sighed.
"And now you regret it. Because you can't understand what she would see in Seamus, right?"
Harry looked into Hermione's eyes and frowned. "Why did I screw this up so bad?"
"People like you Harry... well, they have a hard time recognizing love when it comes into their lives. Your family certainly doesn't love you. And you've never had anyone who really loves you just because you are you. Everyone that has ever shown interest in you has focused on the fact that you're HARRY POTTER... THE BOY WHO LIVED." Hermione smiled weakly.
"And because those people exist, you don't know who really cares about you. Who really loves you." She squeezed Harry's shoulders and waited for him to respond.
It had been nearly a full minute before Harry answered her. "Maybe you're right."
"Snuffles loves you and I think so does Professor Lupin. They cared about your parents and they care about you. And I know Ron and I care about you. And even in some twisted way, I'm sure Snape cares."
Harry snorted in disgust. "Now there's someone I should worry about."
Hermione smiled, "Aren't we a pair?"
"Huh?"
"We're moaning about nonexistent love lives."
"Maybe for me."
"What do you mean?"
Harry laughed for the first time in days. "Ron really cares about you."
"You're nuts, Harry Potter." Hermione looked down at the book that Harry had been looking at. "Totally of your rocker."
"Whatever you say, Mione." Harry shrugged and stood up. "Just don't make the same mistake I did. Don't wait until he's found someone else."
Hermione watched her friend walk up the stairs to his dorm. He seemed to be walking a little taller. The talk must have done him some good. And he did have a valid point. She settled into the chair and thought long and hard about Ron and his apparent crush on her.
******
Harry lay on his bed and glanced at the scrap of parchment in front of him. He wanted to talk to someone about what Hermione had said to him, but he knew Ron wouldn't be in the mood after having such a fight with Ginny earlier. And he didn't want to talk to Seamus. No that he disliked him now, it just would be uncomfortable for both of them. And it would be the same with Dean.
He considered Neville for a moment before thinking that it would be best to get outside help. Someone who wouldn't look at him differently for what he had to say. Someone who would still love him no matter what he said or did. Someone like Sirius.
But he didn't want to endanger Sirius by writing such childish stuff to him. It wasn't worth him getting caught over. So Harry sighed and began to write:
Professor Lupin,
I know it's been a long time since we've talked. And I know I would normally go to Snuffles about anything that was bothering me, but I can't this time. It's nothing too terrible, but it's just not worth risking Snuffles' life over. And I know he would want to come back and see me if he knew about this.
I know you know, but, at the end of my first year here, Hagrid gave me a picture album. It had pictures of my parents and pictures of you and Snuffles in it. There was even one picture of Peter. It's not there anymore; I couldn't stand to look at it.
Anyway, over the years, I've realized that both you and Snuffles cared a lot about my dad and mum. Did you love them? It may seem like an odd question to you, but I just talked a little with Hermione, and it brought up a lot of things for me. Mostly questions; about the people in my life and how they fit into my picture of who I am.
For example, Ron, I think, has fallen in love with Hermione. And while neither one of them appears ready to see it just yet, I wonder where I'll fit in. I know things will change and I know that they have to, but still.
I seem to be avoiding the main problem here. Hermione told me tonight that people like me find it hard to recognize love. And I think she might be right. And because of that, I may have lost the only person who has ever loved me for me. Help me please, Professor.
I just feel kind of lost. I would talk to my friends about all of this, but I can't. I wouldn't bother you, but I have to just this once. I don't know what to do.
Sincerely,
Harry Potter
*****
Harry sat down at breakfast the next morning and tried to keep his mind off of Ginny and Seamus. They were sitting together at the end of the Gryffindor table, deep in discussion about something. He picked over his food and looked up in surprise as Hedwig dropped a letter in his porridge.
He glanced at the handwriting and was a little disappointed. It was from Sirius not Professor Lupin. Harry waved it in front of Hermione's face and elbowed Ron before he stood up to go to the common room.
The trio carefully avoided every Gryffindor they came across on their quest to find a place to read Sirius' letter. Finally, Harry pulled Ron and Hermione into a small alcove in the back of the common room. He ripped open the letter, forgetting his earlier disappointment, and began to read.
Dear Harry,
Remus wrote me a letter a few days ago. It appears that the Order is getting closer to tracking Peter down. He seems very eager to catch him. But I fear they may find a trap if they are not careful.
I believe I have managed to convince Dumbledore that he should try to convince the governors to allow Remus back into Hogwarts. Your stories of his classes sound so much better than what I've learned of Lockheart and Crouch-Moody put together.
I will soon be in another hiding place. The Ministry has heightened their alert in Ireland and may already be looking for me here. I will let you know as soon as I'm settled somewhere else.
Have a good rest of the year, Harry.
Love,
Snuffles
Hermione frowned. "You don't think he's going to get caught do you?"
"Nah!" Ron answered to relieve Harry who looked like he was about to be ill. "Snuffles has always been able to stay ahead of the Ministry. They won't ever catch him."
Harry looked at the parchment and sighed. He worried about Sirius all of the time. Last year, in one of his letters, Sirius had hinted that something was wrong. And over the course of the year, his letters had gotten sadder and darker. Almost as if he had given up hope of ever being cleared of the murders that Peter had framed him for. Now, he seemed to be a little more upbeat and more like his old self.
"Harry? Are you okay?" Hermione's voice brought him back to the present.
"Yeah. Just thinking about Snuffles." He stood up and looked at Ron. "Listen, Ron, I'm going to walk around for a while. It's Saturday and I think I'll just try not to think of anything. If an owl comes for me from Professor Lupin, give it to Hedwig. She'll find me."
Ron blinked in surprise, "You think Professor Lupin might write?"
"I wrote him last night and I want to know what he has to say."
Hermione nodded, remembering what she and Harry had talked about last night. "We'll send Hedwig right away if the letter shows up. Come on, Ron." She tugged on Ron's sleeve. "I want to talk to you about something."
Ron nodded and left the alcove. Hermione turned to her friend and smiled. "I hope you hear from Professor Lupin soon."
Harry smiled and hugged Hermione. "Good luck, Mione. Let me know what happens."
"I will."
*****
"So what do you want to talk about?" Ron slumped on his bed while Hermione stood in front of him. They had come to the boys' dorm to get away from Lavender and Parvati.
"It's about what Ginny said." Hermione sighed, "While you two were arguing in the hallway."
Ron turned a bright, beet red. "She was kidding, Mione. She was just trying to make me angry."
"If it had been nothing, Ron, you wouldn't have rushed off like you did." Hermione sat next to him on the bed. "Tell me something, Ron. What would you do if I started seeing Victor again?"
"I'd tell you that you were making a big mistake."
"Why?"
Ron tried to stay calm, "I don't know."
"I think you do."
"Maybe I just don't trust him." Ron mumbled.
"What if I asked Dean out. or Neville. or Malfoy? What would you say then?"
"I would ask you what the hell you were thinking."
"Why?"
Ron looked up at Hermione and sighed, "Because I."
"You what?" Hermione wanted to tell him that she liked him, but she couldn't help but feel afraid that he might not like her. That Harry might be wrong.
"BecauseIthinkyou'rebeautiful." Ron rushed through his answer.
Hermione smiled, "You could have taken a breath, Ron."
"You're not mad?"
She looked at his eyes and noticed a spark of fear in them. He had honestly been afraid that she would hate him, that she would never want to be his friend again. "No. I'm not mad."
"Good." Ron sat there and fumbled with his hands. He didn't know what to say now.
"Harry and I talked last night. About a lot of things. Including your sister and you." Hermione wanted to be honest with him.
"And?"
"I pointed out to him that he had waited too long to recognize what he felt about Ginny. And now, she was with someone else." She paused and took a breath. "As he was leaving, he told me not to make the same mistake with you."
Ron stared at Hermione. Her eyes were bright and brave. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You like me?"
"Is that so hard to believe?"
"Well, frankly, it kind of is."
Hermione leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips. "That's too bad."
Ron couldn't believe that she had just kissed him. Her lips had felt like silk. He reached out and took her hand in his. "So I guess this changes a few things."
"Yeah, guess so."
"What should we tell Harry?"
"The truth."
Ron nodded, "Of course."
Hermione leaned back and settled against Ron's warm body. He wrapped his arms around her and smiled. "I could get used to this, Mione."
"So could I, Ron."
They kissed again and simply held hands as they whispered to each other about when they had each first known about their feelings and how much they meant to each other. They were so involved that they didn't even notice when Dean and Neville came into the room to get their books and homework. The two boys smiled knowingly at each other and locked the door behind them as they left.
*****
"So here's the information we've been able to glean from the books." Ginny pushed the parchment towards Ron and Harry. She smiled at Hermione and continued. "There's a spell that's been designed to identify the Heirs. However, the caster must be within twenty feet of the thought-to-be- Heir for the spell to work. If a red, green, blue, or yellow aura appears, the person IS an Heir. If the aura is black, the person IS NOT an Heir."
"We're assuming that the aura colors will change based on which Heir is found. For example, if we cast the spell on Professor Snape, his aura would be green. Yours, Harry, would be red." Hermione said.
"So. the Hufflepuff Heir would have a yellow aura and the Ravenclaw Heir would have a blue aura?" Ron asked.
"Correct." Ginny nodded. "So, we should test the spell on one of the two Heirs we know about. That way, we can determine if it truly works. And if it does."
"We could begin to eliminate people from our lists." Harry finished.
"Right." Ginny answered.
"So who's left on the Hufflepuff list?" Ron looked over the spell written on the parchment.
"We have Justin, Leo, Aislinn, and Cole. The Ravenclaw list is a tad longer of course." Hermione checked off the names on her notebook.
"Is Leo a pureblood?" Harry asked. "I thought that both of his parents were Muggles."
"His parents were both squibs, actually." Ginny frowned.
"Ouch." Ron grimaced. "Bad luck."
"No kidding," Harry agreed.
"I think it would be easier if we all learned the spell and then went in groups of two to check our guesses out." Hermione looked at Harry for his response to her idea.
"That's a good idea. That way, if we screwed up the spell, we would know what we did wrong. It would also make it easier for us to cast the spell. The caster wouldn't have to worry about watching for the aura."
Ron smiled, "Then let's go. Ginny, you come with me. Mione, you go with Harry."
Hermione nodded as the group broke up into their respective pairs. "Harry and I will take Aislinn and Justin. They often go places together. They'll be easy to catch."
"Sure. We'll take Leo and Cole then." Ginny pocketed her wand and gathered the books into a neat pile. "Let's go."