Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot!

Summary: Hogwarts is in store for some very colourful characters. The Founder's Heirs have been found at Hogwarts.

Rating: PG-13

Ship: DM/HG

The Heirs
Redone
Chapter Two
Powers

"So, you're alright?" Ron asked eagerly the next day. He and Harry had come to the Heads common room to see Hermione. She had sent Harry an owl telling him where to find the common room last night.

Hermione sighed. "I'm fine, Ronald. It was only a brief fainting spell. It's not as if it's life-threatening." She was sitting on the blue loveseat, Harry was seated on the red and Ron was on the yellow.

Harry pushed his glasses further up on the bridge of his nose. He looked around the common room approvingly. "So, Dumbledore did the décor, hey? It looks great." He stood from the sofa and looked at the rearing statue of the Pegasus. "It almost looks real." He stroked the sculpture affectionately.

Draco's door opened and he stepped out groggily. "What's all the noise?" he demanded harshly. He yawned and his eyes became focused. "Oh, its you."

Hermione blushed noticeably. He was only wearing satin boxers. To cover her embarrassing moment, she looked at her watch. "It's almost eleven o'clock. What are you doing in bed still?"

"What about you? You're still in your pyjamas." He deliberately avoided looking at her. Hermione was still in her pyjamas – a light blue spaghetti strap tee with a kitty on it and long flannel pants made up her pj's.

She rolled her eyes. "At least I wasn't in bed until eleven." She mumbled. She hoped no one had noticed her blush.

Harry had noticed her blush. He watched her as she went into her room to change. He also watched Malfoy watch her enter her room. He was going to find out what it was that was going on between those two.


"We don't have our first class until one." Hermione said. 'The Golden Trio' walked into the Great Hall to see everyone eating their lunch. They started towards the Gryffindor table.

"And what would that be?" Ron asked desperate hope filled his voice.

Hermione grinned at him. "What else but Potions?"

Ron groaned. For the past six years their first class on the first day just happened to be Potions. Once, just once, Dumbledore could have made it so they didn't have to suffer from Snape's cruelty. "Is it with the Slytherin's?" he asked. Hermione's grin grew even wider.

Ron's groan could be heard throughout the whole hall.


Professor Snape put down the register and looked at each and every one of them before continuing. "This year will be the most challenging of them all. If you are not up to broken bones just from the mere touch of an impure concoction, leave now." No one moved. "Very well then. Mr Malfoy, Ms Granger, go down to greenhouse five to see Professor Sprout. She is expecting you. I want you back in ten minutes."

Draco stood very slowly. Maybe he could make Hermione believe in the next ten minutes? Nope, not enough time. He'll do it later when they had time alone.

She stood and moved toward the door. So far, everything was going OK. She hadn't set a single thing on fire yet! Her hand rested on the door for a brief moment. It was only a moment! And yet it caught on fire. She had spoken too soon.

A jet of water streamed past her. She turned to professor Snape and the rest of the class. Smiling sheepishly, she said, "sorry?"

The class had gone according to plan after that. No more outbursts of flames. As she sat down next to Draco for the evening meal, Hermione noticed that he was unusually quiet. "What's wrong?"

"If I told you, you wouldn't accept it." He replied bitterly.

"Try me." She retorted. A cat jumped into her lap, she absently stroked it.

Draco sighed. "It's just us being the founders heirs. It's nothing important." He glanced down at the cat in Hermione's lap. It was Demeter.

It is done. The whisper was in his mind alone. She will accept it now.


Caressing Cronus' soft fur, Hermione spoke amiably with Demeter. Demeter was rejoicing in her success with Hermione. Cronus was surprised at Demeter's success. Harry was clearly taken aback by the change in Hermione, Ron was in silent awe of Demeter and Draco was just glad that Hermione had finally accepted it. Even if it was some spell that was doing the accepting for her.

It was good to have a cat again, Hermione thought. Chrookshanks had died in the attack on her family, the one that had rendered her parentless. He had jumped to her defence, scoring himself a place in her heart forever. She had promised herself that she wouldn't cry over the loyal cat that had given his life for her.

Unbidden, a tear came to her eye. She wiped it away quickly and stood. "It's time for you two to go back to the Gryffindor common room. I'll see you tomorrow." She stretched, covering the tears that now leaked from her eyes freely.

Harry, ever the observant one, noticed them, but chose not to talk about it. He knew she was still recovering from what happened over the holidays. "Night, 'Mione. Don't let those damn nightmares wake you up." Ron said. To Harry's amusement, Hermione's face began to redden.

"We better go, like, now. Before she kills you with her infamous death glares." Harry joked while he walked out the portrait hole. Ron followed after him, keeping a wary eye on Hermione.

After the dynamic duo left the common room, Draco turned to the girl he loved. "Nightmares?" he asked. Earlier that night they had decided to be friends. They owed each other that much.

Hermione walked to her door. "Drawbacks from the attacks on my family, its nothing really important."

Draco could tell there was more to it than Hermione was saying but he chose not to pursue it; she would tell him in time. They said goodnight and went to their rooms. Inside, Draco lay on his bed, thinking.

He might be able to stall the Death Eaters a few days longer while Hermione adjusted to the newly accepted powers she held. She was the strongest of them, they all could see that. She could inflict some major damage if she knew how to control her abilities.

On top of that, she had appeared to care deeply for Cronus and vice versa. Maybe he could get the god to teach her control over her power.

What's bothering you? Demeter's voice was phrased in his mind.

He should've remembered that Demeter could get into his mind! It's only Hermione. I'm worried about her… Is there anyway I can protect my mind from you?

"I thought you'd never ask." Startled, Draco turned on his side. Demeter was there, curled up into a ball. "You have more powers than just the water element, you know."

Curious, Draco lifted a brow. "And what power is this?"

"You're psychic."


Hermione cautiously looked into his room. "Draco?" she called softly.

A soft 'hmm' answered her call.

"Would I be able to sleep in here…with you?" she asked carefully.

"Mm hmm." Was his sleepy reply. He moved over on his bed so she could lie down. He jerked up abruptly. "It's the nightmares, isn't it?" he asked, suddenly wide awake.

"Yes," she answered, suddenly scared. He wouldn't use this against her, would he? She seriously hoped not.

His tone became softer, "c'mon, go to sleep. Tell me about your nightmare in the morning." But she had already dozed off. He looked at the magnificent girl and planted a soft kiss on her lips. Lying back down on the bed, he was asleep in minutes, a faint smile plastered across his face.


It had become a regular occurrence. Each night for the last three weeks, Hermione would come into his room in the middle of the night, sleep, and wake up to find herself encircled in Draco's arms.

The part Draco liked most about that arrangement was that he could hold Hermione securely to him in the night. It felt as if he was protecting her from the ugly night demons and their torture methods.

If she could, the mornings after her nightmares she would tell him about them. One particular night, Hermione came into his room, crying.

Draco instinctively went to her and held her in his arms while she cried. After what seemed like hours, her tears subsided and her breathing became regular again. Once he felt that she could move, he guided her over to his bed and sat her down. "What was it?" he asked softly. Tears welled in her eyes again. "What did you see? Come on, Hermione, if you tell me I'll be able to help you. What did you see?" she looked away from him.

"I-I can't. It's too painful." She kept her gaze firmly on the bed and not on him. "It's too painful." She repeated, fresh tears falling down her face.

Draco looked steadily into her eyes. "I won't make you tell me, Hermione, but I have to know so I can help." He sighed, giving up. "Go to sleep, I won't ask again if you don't want to live through it." Kissing her forehead, he lay her down gently.

Its worse this time. It was not a question.

Draco sighed, he thought he had put his shield up – obviously he hadn't. It is. He answered.

Did you try? Cronus' voice sounded frustrated. He had become akin to a father to Hermione and he didn't like it when his surrogate daughter was tormented.

I would if I could. Her mind seems to have become aware that I'm probing it. She won't let me get in there.

Draco looked around his dark room. Cronus was lying on the bed with Hermione, curled up in the space between where Hermione lay and here he would lie when he went back to bed. I should be able to do it while she sleeps. Her surrogate father appeared to be asleep.

I hope you're right. I don't want anything to harm her. Not while she's sleeping and definitely not while she's conscious. Cronus answered.

The next morning was snowy and dishevelled. Draco hadn't gotten a lot of sleep. He couldn't. Cronus looked at him in an accusing manner. Did you find anything? They used mind speak – telepathy was just too big a word – when they were separated, wanted to speak privately to one another, or when they needed to be quiet.

Her mind is still protected. She must've come up with a spell to protect her mind from me. Draco replied.

Cronus sighed; she had told me she had invented a spell. I, of course, didn't believe her. I must remember to listen to Rowena's heir. The black cat didn't talk much of times past. Something was seriously bothering him. Draco didn't care to ask, in case his head got bitten off – like with Demeter.


"It's funny, in an ironic way." Draco said.

"Tis," Demeter agreed.

"The one with the mind probing abilities can't get into the mind it's absolutely necessary to get into. I realise that if we can't get Hermione back to normal, she'll be more dangerous than Voldemort." Draco commented. Harry couldn't believe he was hearing this from Draco Malfoy. He was the one who had saved Hermione from Voldemort! Now he was saying she'd become worse than Voldemort!

Ron, jolted back to reality, "she will be?"

Harry rolled his eyes, exasperated. "No, Ron, she'll be a harmless little bunny rabbit with a bad temper! Don't you get it?" he didn't wait for Ron's reply. "If she keeps having these nightmares and not telling us about them, she'll break down and we'll lose her to the Dark Side."

"We will not lose Hermione to the Dark Side. It's not possible. And I won't let it happen. I can't believe you were even talking about that possibility."

They turned to the sound of the voice. It was Cronus. Harry wondered just how much he had heard.

"Hermione told me about the dream."

They stared at Cronus blankly. "How?" Draco croaked. Harry looked at him. He realised Draco was just as worried as himself. Perhaps even more.

Cronus gave them a Cheshire grin. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Well, what was it?" the grin vanished.

"I can't say. It's up to her to tell you. Don't rush it from her." Cronus said sorrowfully.

Hermione's door opened. "Why's everyone standing around? Aren't we supposed to get the prefects meeting underway?" she asked.


The next days were similar to the first few nights in the Heads common room. Hermione hadn't come into Draco's room crying again. They doubted she would cry in front of any of them again.

Hermione discovered something new when she was lazing around the common room. She absently pointed her finger at Draco's door, which was open. It slammed shut, making her jump. Looking up at the door then back to her finger, she tried something.

She balled her hand into a fist. She felt all the open doors and windows slam shut.


Draco looked up in time to see the room's windows slam close. The echoing gasp around the Charms class was unmistakeable. They felt the power surge as plainly as he did.


The Defence Against the Dark Arts class were – to say the least – surprised when they realised that they couldn't get out of the room after all the doors and windows had banged close.

Harry indolently began to pace the classroom. He realised it was probably Hermione messing with her powers. But could she do something as big as locking all the students in their designated classrooms?

He didn't want to find out.


Ron stood back a moment, realising that the door wouldn't budge. It had moved seconds ago, why wouldn't it move now? It couldn't have been the massive power surge…could it?

Ok, where is everyone? Draco's voice sounded in his mind. Is everyone ok…'Mione?

I'm in Divination. Ron said quickly: he was getting very freaked out. Oh, I'm fine, by the way.

Harry answered next. Defence Against the Dark Arts. I'm alright. Did you do this, Hermione?

Depends what I did. What did I do? Hermione asked.

Did you lock everyone in their classrooms? Draco asked. A flood of terror raced through Ron's body. Hermione did this? Nah, she can't have…can she?

Must've. I was just testing out my powers. It's no biggie.

Ron sighed. So it was her. Can you undo this? He asked.

Of course.

A second later, Ron was sprawled on the ground below the rope ladder leading to Trelawney's loft.


Ron, nursing a bandaged arm, strode in to Heads common room angrily. Harry looked up and stifled a laugh. "Hermione's doing?" he asked once he had stopped smiling.

Ron glared. "Nah, Cornish Pixies did this." Sarcastically said. He sat on the yellow loveseat, still glaring at Harry.

Harry's smile broke out full force. Jokingly, he called to Hermione. She entered the room and looked around at the two. "What?" her hair was tousled and she looked as if she had been sleeping. Harry looked pointedly at Ron. When Hermione had entered the common room, Ron had turned himself around so she couldn't see him.

She now turned towards Ron who refused to look at her. Sighing, she raised her hand. Ron rose several feet into the air and began to spin around slowly.

"Me?" she asked. Ron nodded and glared in her direction. Hermione dropped her hand – Ron dropped to land on the sofa neatly, wincing as his bandaged arm came to a rest on his lap.

Hermione looked at them, now wide awake. It was, after all, nearly midnight. "We're still going to do this aren't we?" Harry looked at her keenly.

She sighed. "You get Draco—"

"No need, I'm here." Hermione groaned. She didn't want him to see her like this. She was in her pyjamas for Merlin's sake!

"Fine. You guys sit and wait while I get changed." She snuck a look at Draco. He was wearing blue jeans and a green tee. His cloak was draped lazily about his shoulders and his hair was hanging messily. His hair looked cute that way.

Practically running into her room, she went to the closet and looked inside, wondering what to wear. After a while, she decided upon a pair of black jeans and a blue v-neck. She threw a red velvet cloak over her shoulders to keep herself warm. Haphazardly tying her hair up in a pony tail, she walked out of her room. "Why are we doing this, again?"

The three boys jumped. They had been talking quietly amongst each other. They seemed to be doing that a lot when she wasn't around. She was beginning to suspect something wrong when she caught them doing it – nearly everyday. Hermione could only assume it was about her.

Harry was first to speak. "Because you need to master your power. The rest of us can control our powers fully and you're still having trouble when it comes to your telekinesis."


"Great. Just great. Peachy." Draco groaned. He hadn't meant for this to happen! Of course he had volunteered – but not for this! It was an outrage.

Hermione smiled sweetly. Well, as sweet as one could get when dealing with a very tired, very pissed…very strong girl who just happened to be the love of his life. "Don't worry. I won't hurt you – much." She started to laugh wildly. She gasped. "Sorry. Don't know what overcame me." She looked apologetically at the three boys.

Ron lent over to Harry and whispered audibly. "That was weird." Hermione glared at Ron. She cocked her head.

Ron soared across the room, landing with the unbandaged arm sprawled underneath him. "Ouch." Hermione commented spitefully. "That'll teach you."


"I hope you learnt your lesson, Ron." Ginny said to her brother jokingly. "If you didn't learn from that experience, I know just what's in stall for you." She and Hermione exchanged looks and gave each other a high five.

They laughed maliciously as Ron turned to them, both arms bandaged and the latest injury in a sling. He glared. "Oh, just wait until I can move my arms again."


He threw his brandy into the grate and scowled. How could this have happened?! He had made sure that she was close to death when he left…

It was that boy. Draco. He had stopped them in time to make sure she was still alive. He'd boil him alive if he weren't his heir.

Oh, well, he would fix that. It was time to get rid of the Granger girl. For good.

He laughed harshly. He would kill her himself.


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Felicity2