The Last Heir
By: Erica Evans
Chapter One:
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. What is not familiar to you is what I created.
"Father, are you sure," the young woman said, clutching her newborn child close to her heart. Her father nodded grimly, his dark hair falling out of its plait.
"It must be done," he replied, and held out his hand. "This is for the protection of our house, and for the legacy that is Gryffindor. Chivalrous, brave, valiant, we must be strong for the days that are coming. No longer will we all work harmoniously under one roof for one has left, never to return. Though he can not see how he ways are flawed, for the rest the choice is clear. One day we will need to bring balance to the world again. One day the world will be torn as it is today, and one day the world will be reminded of the good we have done. You, child, are to pass that along, so that all after you will know what needs to be done."
"But on Godfrey's head?" the young woman asked.
"No," her father replied. "On yours." A soft blue mist came from the aplm of his hand, encircling her head before disappearing into her dark hair. "So that all below will feel a pain that only a true heir can bear. Some may roar, other a caw, and others a wail, but whoever the receiver will know it is almost their time. When the ache takes place within the sight, they will know that their time has come."
His daughter looked up at him and a tear slid down her face.
"Do not fear, child, for it is not in our realm to do so. You are the daughter of Gryffindor, and I promise that when the pain to too much for you to see, you will have strength still, and when your ears do roar, they will do so until you can accept the fact that I am gone, and you are now the last heir."
OoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Taylor was very glad that term was starting in two weeks. For one, it would be great to be back at Hogwarts with her friends. Second, this year, her sixth year, would be much less stressful. And third, her twin sisters would be in separate houses, thus not allowing them to constantly argue.
Sighing, she glared at the ceiling. In the above bed room, her sisters were engaged in another quarrel. It had been non stop since the beginning of their summer break.
Thank Merlin, Taylor thought for at least the thousandth time, that Michelle and Ashley are in two different houses, or Gryffindor tower would never have a peaceful night.
"Michelle Katherine and Ashley Suzanne!" Taylor's mother's voice boomed from the bottom of the stairs. "Stop that bickering this instant. You have five minutes to be ready to Floo to Diagon Alley or you WON'T be returning to Hogwarts this year!"
Taylor smiled. Not that she liked when her sister's arguing was enough to get them into trouble, nor did she enjoy that her mum had to yell at them at all. Taylor was simply glad that her mum had returned home safely. With the war going on, each day was touch and go, and since her mum was home, it meant that they were going to Diagon Alley.
"So this is where you have been hiding," Mum said, sticking her head into the sitting room. "Five minutes, Taylor. Be ready to Floo."
"Yes, Mum," Taylor replied. She knew her mother was still in her Auror mode, having just returned home from work. Taylor swung her legs off the couch and followed her mother into the kitchen.
"Mum, is Paul coming?" Taylor asked. Her mum was pulling her dark hair back from her face having already changed out of her Auror robes.
Her mum glanced at her. "I am not your boyfriend's minder, Taylor."
"But you work with his mum," Taylor replied. "Did she mention if they got their books and stuff yet?"
"No, Paul's mother didn't mention anything," Mum replied. "You have three minutes, why don't you fire call over there and ask?"
Taylor nodded and grabbed a pinch of Floo powder. Kneeling beside the fire, she threw the powder into the flames and said "Twelve Wicket Lane, Paul Crowley." She stuck her head into the green flames and a shiver ran down her spine as she felt her head magically spinning in the flames.
"Crowley residence," a young voice said and Taylor opened her eyes. Before her was a blond haired boy, sitting at the table.
"Andrew, its Taylor," Taylor said, recognizing her boyfriend's second year brother. "Can you get Paul for me?"
"He just left for Diagon Alley," Andrew replied. "You just missed him. Literally. A second sooner and he probably would have kicked your head. Might have been rather funny actually."
Taylor smiled. "Thanks Andrew." She pulled her head out of the fire as her sisters came into the room, their identical faces glaring at each other.
"He just left," Taylor said to her mother.
"Then let's hurry along, shall we? Now, does everyone have their supply and book lists?"
"Yes, Mum," the three girls replied in unison.
"Your wands?"
"Yes, Mum."
"Your emergency portkeys?"
"Yes, Mum," Taylor chorused as she fingered her bracelet.
"Right, you can never be too careful. Now where is Peter?"
Taylor glanced around, realizing that her brother was missing.
"Peter Douglas Swikeman!" Taylor's mother yelled. Footsteps were heard running down the stairs and her brother came into view as he entered the kitchen.
"Next time when I say five minutes, I mean five minutes," Mum said to him. He gave a short nod and continued to look at the floor.
"Taylor, you first please," Mum instructed. After throwing her Floo powder into the fire, Taylor yelled, "Diagon Alley!" And stepped into the flames.
Keeping a one eyed watch on where she was (she hated traveling by Floo powder) she carefully stepped out when she saw the familiar grate of the Leaky Cauldron.
"Scorgify," she heard a male voice say, and turned to see her boyfriend's tall frame standing beside the grate. His seventeenth birthday had been at the end of term, and now that he was of age, he was able to the magic freely.
"Paul!" she cried and threw her arms around him. "How was your trip?"
Paul shrugged. "France is France; it doesn't seem to change from year to year. But Grandmum, she got crankier as each day went by. Two weeks was like an eternity."
"I agree," Taylor said as he bent down and kissed her swiftly on the lips.
"Oh!" Michelle cried as she came tumbling out of the fire place into Taylor's arms. Ashley, Peter and their mum all came moments later, with momentary pauses in between each, allowing them to straighten their robes and get the soot cleaned off them.
"Nice to see you, Paul," Mum said. "I take it your trip went well?"
"As expected, Mrs. Swikeman," Paul replied, and took Taylor's hand.
"Good," Mum replied.
They were all silent as they left the Leaky Cauldron. Once in Diagon Alley, Taylor saw familiar faces everywhere. She said hello to Neville Longbottom, one of her fellow Gryffindor sixth years. Two Hufflepuff sixth years, Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott, each smiled and waved as they came out of Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Taylor passed Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley, who was a year below Hermione and herself. Hermione and Ginny each gave smiles as they were being hurried along by what looked like Ginny's mum. As they stepped into Gringotts, Taylor saw Ron Weasley and Harry Potter and who she assumed was Ron's father. Neither Ron nor Harry seemed to see her and passed by without a word or a glance. But Taylor was used to this. She had been in Gryffindor with Harry and Ron since they had all been sorted six years ago, but they barely knew she existed. Most of the Gryffindors barely knew she was in their house, much less in their year. Hermione, Pavarti Patil, Lavender Brown and Claire Veca, her dorm mates, knew her name, which bed was hers and that was about it. Taylor kept her head down, her nose out of trouble, and her mouth shut. She did very well in her studies and was in the top ten for her year. She was one of the few Gryffindors that Professor Snape didn't terrorize and even though she was a superb flyer and a huge fan, she had never gone out for the house Quidditch team. No, it was best if Taylor didn't make herself known. Gryffindor had one celebrity, they didn't need another.
The trip down to the vaults was uneventful. Mum collected gold what was necessary and soon they were walking back towards the front doors of Gringotts.
As the huge doors opened onto the scene on Diagon Alley, the bright sunlight and warmth or the late August day had been replaced by that of smoke, screams and Death Eaters.