CHAPTER 2

Confusion and Concern

Hermione closed the book and looked at Harry and Ron. Her expression indicated that she was wondering what they thought of the story. After an uncomfortable pause of exchanged looks, Ron finally spoke.

"Blimey! What the bloody hell was that silly story all about?" asked Ron in his customary manner when presented with something that he did not fully understand.

"Is that story suggesting that Hogwarts had five houses in its early day?" queried Harry. "That seems a little farfetched, but we thought that about the Deathly Hallows. What are you thinking?"

"That is what I am wondering," replied Hermione. "I have never seen or heard or read anything in the past that even mentions that possibility. But after our experiences with Beedle the Bard and the Deathly Hallows—well I—well I can't just dismiss it like we would have in the past."

"It sounds like a load of waffle to me," reiterated Ron in a skeptical tone as he sat down on the couch. "If there were a fifth founder and house, you'd think someone would have found out and talked about it by now. I'm just sayin'."

Hermione sat down next to Ron. "I agree. It could be just a story. But what if it isn't? Can you imagine all the work it would take to hide it? It would really have to be an incredible situation to make people go to all the effort necessary to completely erase something like that from history."

Just then, Molly walked into the room with a platter of fresh from the oven biscuit. Ron grabbed three and started gobbling one of them before the others could get a chance to take some. Hermione, and then Harry took a biscuit from the platter and thanked Molly before sampling them.

"Mrs. Weasley," said Hermione.

"Yes. What is it dear?"

"I am just wondering. Have you ever heard talk of the idea that Hogwarts had five houses in its early days?"

"No. Why would you ask that?" replied Molly, looking confused at the question.

"I was just reading this book of old tales. One of them seems to suggest Hogwarts might have had five founders and five houses in the beginning, instead of four."

"I seriously doubt it, dear. I don't think such a thing is possible. Someone would have talked about it by now," she said, sitting the platter on the table before turning to walk back into the kitchen.

Hermione sat back, having second thoughts about the story. It did seem quite impossible. Perhaps it was just make believe and nothing more.

Just then, the front door opened and in walked Ginny and Mr. Weasley. "Hello everyone," said Arthur in his normal cheerful, boisterous voice. "What have we all been up to today?" Ginny went straight to the couch and sat down next to Harry, giving him a hug before reaching for a biscuit.

"Not much, dad," said Ron. "Hermione was reading us a story while mom made biscuits."

"I thought you were going to the school," said Arthur as he took a big biscuit off the platter. "Still warm. Nothing better than that."

"Oh, we did go," said Ron. "It is really starting to look good."

"Yes," added Harry. "They are really making progress. I think the quidditch pitch will be ready for this fall."

"That is very good news. Very good, indeed. Did you go with them, Hermione?"

"No. I went to Diagon Alley. I did some browsing at Flourish & Blott's."

"Buying the store out is more like it," quipped Ron, pointing to her stack of new books.

'Some of us like learning Ron," said Hermione, a bit of attitude in voice.

"I know—really—I mean that is what we—uh—I love that about you, Mione," said Ron, scrambling in an effort to undo his remark. "Really. Where would we be without all of the stuff in your brain? Your reading saved us loads of times. Loads. We'd have never…"

By now, Harry, Ginny and Arthur were chuckling and wincing as they listened to Ron struggling to extricate himself from the hole he had dug himself into. It was almost painful.

"…okay, Ronald. Okay," said Hermione, smirking a bit in the direction of the others.

Ron sat back. Harry looked at him and whispered, "Why do you always do that to yourself? One of these days she's going to pull out her wand and you'll end up being Neville's next Trevor, or a tea cozy."

Ron looked at Harry, knowing he was right. He had the best girlfriend imaginable. Better than some might think he deserved. He needed to be more mindful.

"Oh," said Hermione, looking at Ginny. "I saw you in the Daily Prophet office. You were talking to Barnabas Cuffe. I didn't want to bother you."

"It was okay. He likes the stuff I have written for the school newspaper about quidditch," she said with a bit of excitement trying to stay subdued. "He may want to run some of my articles in The Prophet."

"That's wonderful," said Hermione as Harry gave Ginny a congratulatory hug and kiss on the cheek.

"Way to go, Gin," added Ron. "My brainy sister. You might—uh—yeah…"

Ron cut himself off and glanced at Harry. He seemed to be heeding Harry's words. They might still be hope for him.

"I have a question, Mr. Weasley," said Hermione, looking at Arthur.

"A question? Well, what is it, Hermione?"

Everyone looked at her as she spoke. Harry and Ron were certain of what she was going to ask. Ginny and Arthur appeared curious.

"Have you ever heard or read about the possibility of Hogwarts having five founders and houses, instead of four, back at the beginning?"

Arthur looked upward, mulling over the question. Ginny looked confused by it. Harry and Ron just sat, wisely being quiet.

Finally, Arthur said, "No, I cannot say I have. Why would you ask? It seems a strange notion."

"I read a story in this book," said Hermione, offering it to Arthur. "It seems to say as much. It has me wondering."

Arthur took the book and started skimming through it, glancing at the various stories. After a couple of minutes, he handed it back to her and said, "This seems to be just a book of children's stories. It reminds me a little of the old Beedle the Bard book we used to read to the boys and Ginny when they were little."

"I thought the same thing," replied Hermione, sitting forward. But after the situation with The Tale of the Three Brothers and the Deathly Hallows…well, I—uh—I can't dismiss it so easily. I can't stop wondering."

"If you really want to investigate it, I guess you can always take it into the Ministry and have them examine it," offered Arthur. "They might be able to offer some ideas or answers."

"Yeah. Or you could take it up to Hogwarts," suggested Harry.

"Madam Pince or Professor McGonagall. I bet they could help you," offered Ron.

"Yes, Ron. That's a really good idea. I will go to the school and talk to them tomorrow.

Ron looked at Harry, who smiled at him. He had apparently exonerated himself from earlier and was back in her good graces. It was always painful watching him mess up like he had done. He never intentionally did it. It was always oafishness or naivety. It always felt good when you finally saw him recover.

Just then Molly entered the room. "Dinner is ready. I hope everyone is hungry."

Ron was the first up, as usual. By the time the others made it to the table he already had his plate filled. "Save a little for the others," said Molly. "We have guests, you know."

Ron sat up and waited for the others to take a seat and serve themselves. Dinner was always delicious at The Burrow. Molly was a great cook. Even the house elves at Hogwarts could learn a few things from her.

After the meal the group retired to the living room for some light relaxation. Ron and Harry played wizard's chess while Hermione and Ginny talked with Arthur and Molly.

They all eventually made it to bed for the night. In the morning they were all awakened by the smell of bacon frying, Ginny's famous cinnamon rolls baking and coffee brewing.

Following breakfast, Hermione was the first to leave, even beating Arthur's departure for a meeting at the Ministry. You could tell she was anxious to get to Hogwarts for a chat with Professor McGonagall and Irma Pince even though she did not say as much. Ginny helped her mom clean up while Harry and Ron discussed their plans for the day.

Breakfast was just coming to an end for the staff and repair workers still there during the summer when Hermione walked into the Great Hall. Head Mistress McGonagall and professors Flitwick and Hagrid were walking her way. Was it luck? Synchronicity? It did not matter. This would save her the trouble of trying to find her.

"Hello, professors," she said, walking upon them before they noticed her.

"Allo, Hermione," said Hagrid in his big, cheerful voice. She gave him a hug, as best anyone of normal size can give to a nearly twelve-foot bearded behemoth.

"Yes, Hello, Miss Granger," said Professor Flitwick, who at a scant three-foot tall looked particularly diminutive next to Hagrid.

"Good to see you, Granger," said Head Mistress McGonagall in her perpetually formal manner. "How are you?"

"I am fine."

"What brings you here, today?" queried the headmistress. "I wasn't expecting to see you until closer to the start of school."

"Actually, I came to see you, professor. I've been doing some reading and have some questions I am hoping you can help me with."

"Really? What are these questions?"

"They could be a bit—uh—involved," replied Hermione. "I thought we could sit down to talk about them."

"Oh. Very well," said Professor McGonagall. "I have some work to attend to in my office. We can go up there."

"Certainly."

Hermione followed as they made their way to the stairway for the office of headmaster or mistress.

"Tabby cat," said the professor in the direction of the door. It opened and the stairs started moving.

They quickly stepped onto the stairs as it spiraled upward. When it finally stopped, they walked across the entry and through the doors into the office that was once that of Dumbledore.

It seemed oddly familiar as she looked around, but odd. She recognized the portraits on the walls, including the one of a napping Dumbledore. Much of the furniture was the same, but Professor McGonagall had placed many of her things in throughout the room in place of things that had belonged to Dumbledore or Snape.

"Well now, Miss Granger," asked the professor, sitting down in her large chair and looking over her glasses. "What is it you desire to talk about?"

"I have been doing some reading over the summer, professor," she said taking a seat across the desk from the professor.

"Well, yes. I would be surprised if you hadn't."

"I found an old book similar to The Tales of Beedle the Bard. It is full of—uh—I prefer to say folk tales, instead of children's stories. One story in particular kind of disturbs me. It has me wondering."

"Very well. What is this book? What is this story?"

"I have it right here," said Hermione as she reached into her beaded bag. After a moment of rummaging, she pulled out the book and extended her arm to hand it to the professor.

After a few seconds, professor McGonagall's expression change from curious to one of deep concern and shock. "Where did you get this book?" she asked in a very serious, accusational voice. "Have you been secretly searching the Restricted Section of the library? Have you somehow found your way into the Forbidden Section? There is a very strong spell guarding it. You should not have been able to enter it."

"No, professor. Of course not. Why would you ask that?" responded Hermione, wondering now what she had stumbled upon.

"I have only heard of this book. I have never actually seen it. It is supposed to be locked in a vault with a select few other books. That book you had called "Secrets of the Darkest Art" is one of the books locked in it. Or did you recover that, as well?

"I haven't taken anything from the library, professor," asserted Hermione, squirming a bit at being accused of having taken things she should not have.

"That is supposed to be the only known copy of the book. If you didn't get it from the library, then where did you get it?"

"I found it on the bottom of the back shelves in Flourish & Blott's with some other ancient books," replied Hermione, looking to prove her innocence. "From the dust and spider webs on them, I would say they had been there for a very long time."

"Oh—well then—what is this story that has you concerned?" said the professor, still sounding worried and a bit apprehensive.

"It's there, in the book. The Gryffindor bookmark is it.

Professor McGonagall opened the book and started reading. Hermione sat quietly, looking around the room. A few moments passed, and then the professor closed the book and sat it down on her desk. "That is a very unusual story," she remarked, still sounding concerned. "It seems to hint at the idea Hogwarts originally had five founders and houses. I suppose that is what you came here about."

"Yes, professor," replied Hermione. "I find the idea—uh—should I say—intriguing. Have you ever heard rumors or stories about such a possibility?"

"No, Miss Granger. No, I have certainly not," said the professor in a serious voice that hinted at scoffing at the notion of it being anything but a silly story. "I think it is a well-establish fact that Hogwarts was founded by four people and that it always has always had, as it has today, only four houses."

"I understand your skepticism, professor, said Hermione, trying to sound agreeable. "It is a pretty strange notion. I thought the same thing about the Deathly Hallows. But maybe this is just a story."

"Yes, I think it is best you forget about it. You will have plenty of other things to think about before school starts."

Hermione reached to retrieve the book as she got up, preparing to leave. Professor McGonagall picked it up first, holding onto it while obviously contemplating whether or not to give it back.

Hermione looked at her with a confused expression. "May I have my book, professor?" she asked.

"Well, I am—uh—wondering if we should check the library to see if it is missing a book. I—well—I suppose we can—oh never mind—here," she said, handing the book to Hermione. "I am sure it is yours. Just be careful. I think it is best that you just forget about that story. I am sure it is just a story."

"Certainly, professor," said Hermione as she took the book and stuffed it back into her bag. "Thank you. It was so good to see you, again."

"It was good to see you, as well, Miss Granger. I look forward to seeing you again in the fall," replied the professor. As Hermione turned to walk toward the door, she noticed the portrait of Dumbledore. He was awake and looking at her with his eyebrows raised like he was not altogether pleased with things. It was a bit unnerving.

Hermione's mind was now full of questions as she descended the stairs and walked toward the front of the school. What in this book earned it a place in the Forbidden Section? Why was Professor McGonagall so dismissive of the story? And then why did she give the book back to her, instead of placing it in the Forbidden Section with the other copy?

By the time she arrived at the bottom of the revolving stairway, she had decided to visit the library before leaving. Maybe she could find some information about the author of the book, Fescue Mordelock. That might help settle her mind.

The library at Hogwarts was on the first floor, so she hurried across the entry and into the corridor leading to it. Hermione was now on a mission.

Being summer, the library was empty of students. She would have the place to herself unless Madam Pince happened to come into the area where she was searching. She started grabbing books and leafing through them one-by-one.

Several of them mentioned Fescue Mordelock. Apparently, he was a popular author in his time during the 1600s. She copied down the key points from the various accounts of his life and writing. The similarities in the entries were striking, almost suspicious in their closeness to each other.

Fescue Mordelock (born circa 1606 in Liverpool, England – died circa 1711 in Sussex, England). He was an author of several books relating to folk stories and similar genres. Some of his titles include: The History of English Folktales & Poems—1645, The Minstrel's Wanderings—1649, The Vanishing Bard—1657, The Collected Tales of Magic—1659, Tales from the Countryside—1660, Stories of Fairies, Nymphs, Gnomes, Pixies & Brownies—1662, Secrets of the Leprechauns—1672, Mysteries from the Origins of the Magical Folks of the British Isles—1707. Oddly, none of the accounts of his life mentioned Things Forgotten Things Lost—1684. Maybe it was just a coincidence. Perhaps it was considered a minor work not worth mentioning. Still, it was curious.

Hermione was just finishing her search, having seemingly depleted the books that should contain him. As she sent the last book up towards it shelf and turned to leave she heard the unmistakable staccato of Professor McGonagall's heels entering the library at her customary rapid gait. She automatically wondered what would bring her here.

Hermione carefully walked toward the front of the library as she heard Madam Pince greet the professor. She peered around the corner of the shelves near the librarian's office. She saw Professor McGonagall and the librarian talking. After a moment they began walking into the maze of shelves and books.

There was virtually no chance of anyone spotting her spying on the two of them. She cautiously followed them as they made their way straight through the regular portion of the library and into the Restricted Section. They continued further and further back into the deepest parts of the library.

"Professor Dumbledore told me of this place a while ago. He gave me this spell to open the vault, but I never expected to use it," Hermione heard the professor telling the librarian. Her mind was racing as she wondered what she was about to witness.

"Yes," replied the librarian. "He entrusted me with guarding the location. I have no idea what is actually in the vault. I have only opened the shelves for Professor Dumbledore when he had a need to open the vault."

They eventually stopped at the back wall. As Hermione peeked around the end of the aisle, Madam Pince cast a spell and the bookshelves parted to reveal a door. Professor McGonagall cast a spell and the door of a small vault opened.

The professor pulled out a stack of books. Hermione immediately recognized the copy of Secrets of the Darkest Art she had used while chasing horcruxes. She had wondered whatever had happened to it after she returned it to the school. Then the professor lifted up a book identical to her copy of Things Forgotten Things Lost. After a brief examination, she placed it back in the stack and returned the books to their place inside the vault.

The professor resealed the door and Madam Pince closed the shelves. Hermione turned and hurried out of the library as fast as she could without being detected. She had to wonder what Professor McGonagall knew, or was the professor just being cautious?