This week was slower than any harry could remember. True not much people in Harry's year would meet eyes with him, but he knew they were talking behind his back. He was tired of muttering, staring and all the constant pointing. He was subjected to almost daily ridiculing of Slytherins. They had named him and Dumbledore insane for warning the world about Voldemorts return. To top it off, Umbridge's lecture were a constant torture. They weren't allowed magic and he had landed himself in detention on the very first day. Typical.

Ron and Hermione did not actually help to improve Harry's mode over the few days. They kept bickering about stupid stuff. Here, Harry admitted that he was tired of school on his very first week. He didn't even look forward to the weekend because somewhere in his small part of brain that was still sane, he knew a homework filled weekend was on its way.

The only thing that could possibly lighten his hopes was that Heir ceremony or whatever you called it. Wouldn't be it exciting to find that actual descendents of owners of Hogwarts lived. It would be cool if it was a Gryffindor this time. He thought only a few times a day, which would it be.

Hermione had predicted that it might be a Ravenclaw. 'See there is a pattern in history. Last time it was Hufflepuf, before that a Slytherin and before that a Gryffindor and the pattern continues. So it is only fitting ', She said at Gryffindor table on Friday lunch.

At last the time had come. The hall was buzzing excitedly at Friday dinner. They all hastily finished dinner and stared continuously at Dumbledore who was taking his time eating. Finally, when he stood up, the hall went unusually quiet.

'Well it is time for me to summon the prophetic light', He said and the Ron shook with excitement next to Harry' but before that-'

The hall sighed. Just get on with it Dumbledore.

'If the heir is from our school, he or she is therefore chosen to compete not to retreat, once chosen you should know that you hold the pride of our school. You shall not show a certain increase in the size of your head and treat others like inferior. You will continue your regular classes for the rest of six months. And if it is someone from outside, then I request you to make them as comfortable. The choice may Now let us begin' Dumbledore said it all in one go. Maybe he knew how much waiting had the students and staff done.

The students held their breath. Even the teachers were staring intently at Dumbledore. Then Dumbledore stood still, placed his right hand on his nose, took a deep breath and pointed it straight at the ceiling. Just as before the light came but this time it fell on Dumbledore.

The hall was silent for few seconds and just harry noticed Dumbledore's face was turning graver by each second, the light vanished, leaving Dumbledore as still as a statue.

He took a gaze around the hall and said in a small voice 'this time the heir reconstillating ceremony will be conducted by Heir of …Salazar Slytherin'.

The hall went silent. Not a single Slytherin looked happy, even Draco Malfoy who bragged just about everything. Now under normal circumstances the respective houses would start dancing and cheering and have celebrations all night but now…

Harry felt as someone had yanked the ground from under his feet. He knew full well that the heir of Slytherin was Voldemort. Voldemort at Hogwarts? .No way. Why would he help continue Hogwarts? Harry had only one thought when he looked at the panic stricken faces of fellow students. They would soon be packing trunks for home soon.

'And who would that be professor? Professor McGonagall asked in a timid voice which showed she dreaded the answer she knew.

The students went into further trauma when Dumbledore announced, 'The heir of Slytherin is … Merliah Grace, daughter of Voldemort',