All was silent as the room watched the interaction between the professor and the strangers. All though no one could identify them, everyone could tell they were important people. At last, the female in the group spoke.
"Take of the glamour ion-nin. I want to see your face. Don't hide. I missed you, and it took your father this long just to find a portal so we could get you." she said.
"Before I do, I think I should explain to everybody who you are, that way they understand." Hermione paused for a moment, the turned to face the crowd. "Students, Professors, Headmistress; these people are my grandfather Elrond, my mother Arwen, and Lord Glorfindell of Imladris and the House of the Golden Flower. I came here many years ago to escape a brewing war and to find peace, as well as to control the magic raging inside of me. Even the wizards, or Istari as they are called, could not help me. I was transformed to a teenager, with all my memories of my home and family locked away for safety. It was only after Voldemort was destroyed that they were returned to me. Now-" Before Hermione could continue, she was interrupted by Glorfindell, who had a very worried face as he heard Hermione speak.
"Wait, you mean to tell me that Voldemort was from here? We sent you to a place filled with danger?" He paused turning to the black haired man named Elrond beside him. "How did he get to our world then? That would have taken an incredible amount of power."
"I know melleth-nin. I can only say how happy I am to see that my granddaughter is safe." Glancing at Hermione, he implored, "Let us see your true face. Surely now you can reveal it. The danger has passed…." He stopped at the dangerous look he received from the girl before him, who had risen to her full height, magic crackling in the air around her.
"Do you mean to say that Voldemort is in our homeland? And you are just now telling me?" She finished, her voice rising to a near scream. "All these years I have been worrying about you and now you come marching in only to ruin my day by saying that the Dark Lord thousands died trying to defeat has come back from the dead and is threatening to kill the people of middle-earth? Great!"
"Calm down, please, Hermione. We were getting to that. No one has been hurt yet. He only just revealed himself openly. We felt a presence enter the land 5 years ago, and we thought it only as a surge of power from Radagast, because he had planned to sail after Gandalf to Valinor." Arwen said, desperately trying to calm her daughter down before something bad happened.
"I understand, but is father alright? What about uncles Elladan, and Elrohir? Are you okay?" Hermione sighed, and Professor McGonagall decided to take this moment to burst in.
"Miss Ganger, if that is truly who you are, could you remove the glamour so we can see you for who you are? If you would like to I can remove the students to give you privacy."
"No, that okay Headmistress. They can stay, but must leave afterwards. I think we need to have a talk with my family and Glorfindell up in your office." Hermione said.
Sensing her former student wanted to reveal herself to her students alone, McGonagall offered to escort the newcomers upstairs and to get refreshments for everyone. Elrond, Arwen, and Glorfindell left, leaving Hermione to deal with the curious students.
"Before I remove the glamour, you must understand that I am a half elf like my mother and grandfather. I will look quite different, but expect to be treated the same way as before. Understand?"
A chorus of 'Yes ma'ams' soon followed. Hermione lifted her arms up and whispered words in a strange language and was enveloped in a soft white light. The students looked towards their professor and gasped. Hermione now was a few inches taller and had shining gold hair that fell in waves halfway down her back. Her eyes had become sea blue, and sparkled with tiny suns. But what drew the most attention were her pointed ears, which stuck out from her hair. Hermione looked at her students and colleagues who stood in awe at the woman in front of them.
"I want you all to practice your charm over the weekend, and be ready to perform it at our next class. I'm sorry for the disruption, but you all handled it admirably. Therefore, 20 points will be awarded to each house. Class dismissed." With that Hermione spun around and exited the classroom, running towards the Headmistress's office, reveling in how free she felt now that her secret was out. She quickly reached the office and made her way upstairs where she opened the door and stepped inside.
"Answer my questions now please, and you'd better explain why you need me now." Hermione snapped, angry at her mother and grandfather for keeping away for so long.
"ion-nin, your uncles have sailed along with most other elves. We need you to come back because-" Her mother burst into tears, causing Hermione's heart to sink into her stomach.
Glorfindell stepped forward, pity filling his eyes. "Lady Hermione, Princess of Gondor and Arnor, the last Istari who resides in middle earth, chosen one of Eru Illuvitar, and the Heir of Isildur; you have been called upon to take your rightful place in our world. You must lead us against this dark foe."
"But why? Can father not do it, or one of my younger brothers?" Hermione cried, fearing the worst. McGonagall guided the young girl to a seat, stiffening as Hermione yanked out of the witch's grasp and taking a step towards the elves by the fireplace. " Tell me now, or I swear to all that is holy that you will rue the day that you were born!"
"King Ellesar was struck down by Voldemort, and lays dying in the palace. No one can heal him, and the new ruler must be crowned. As his eldest child, you are the one to take the crown. Your duty awaits, my lady." Glorfindell finished. He suddenly moved forward and caught Hermione, just as she went limp.
Hermione succumbed to the darkness in her mind, wondering how after being in stasis for only about 200 years, everything could go wrong and now she had to take up a throne that she never wanted. It was too much, especially after hearing about her father's fate. Could she not be able to enjoy time with him? Elrond moved towards the flames and the other elves followed.
"Where are you taking her?" asked the concerned Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"You have been told everything that you need to know, Minerva." Elrond responded. "She will be safe, but I hope she has the strength for what is to come. Her choice will tear her apart no matter what she decides. Yet I know she will follow her heart. Thank you for caring for her while she was in this world. I doubt we will see each other again." With that, Elrond turned and walked into the fireplace, and disappeared, quickly followed by Arwen and Glorfindell, who held Hermione in his arms. Minerva could only hope that her student would get the happiness she deserved.
Thanks for evrything so far. Keep reviewing please. Next chapter will be up sometime next week