Disclaimer: Believe me, if I owned Harry Potter, I wouldn't be writing this for free because my name on it would be worth something, regardless of how good this story is.

A/N: Congratulations to Asiza Valentine for guessing the identities of the eight. Lots of cookies for you! And jabarber69, I will be continuing this story. My head might explode if I don't. Thank you so much to all of you that reviewed!

The Chosen Eight

Chapter Three

Heritage Revealed

A month had past and things were beginning to settle back into their normal, chaotic states. Hermione was starting to smile a lot more, Ron wasn't constantly fussing about her, and Harry was able to breathe easy. However, some things had changed. Ginny had gained a prominent place with the trio, effectively turning the aforementioned into a quartet. Not that Harry minded, of course. Ginny had become a constant in his life that he couldn't imagine living without.

Something was also different with Sirius. Not that he treated Harry any differently, but he became secretively lately, often receiving letters that he kept hidden. Not that Harry minded. His godfather was entitled to his own secrets, and Harry suspected that he was a little worried about Remus, who was currently living underground spying on werewolf clans under the command of Fenrir Greyback. Tonks also seemed anxious about this fact, which Sirius had confided in him was because the Auror had taken a fancy with Moony. However, Remus, being the low-self esteemed bloke he was, kept her at arms length. That was the precise reason that Sirius felt it was his duty to get them together, even if he had to "lock them in a closet until they snog themselves senseless." The loss of this little game was also probably partly to blame for Sirius's state.

The Order meetings were beginning to become a chore to attend. Nothing new could be discovered. Whatever Voldemort was planning, he wasn't giving them any hint. The four friends had been excited at first to be allowed attendance; however, now they were beginning to regret ever wanting in.

Mid-July had at least brought about something, or someone, new. Fleur Delacour, of Phlegm, as Ginny referred to her. Apparently she had met Bill Weasley and they had fallen for each other hard, resulting in a quick engagement. Neither Ginny nor Hermione could stand Bill's new fiancée, which they made perfectly clear to both Harry and Ron.

"She's a nightmare," Ginny raged. "She is so stuck on herself. Not to mention she speaks to me as if I were a toddler!"

"I know!" Hermione agreed. "And she thinks everything in France is so much better than here! Wish she'd go back!"

Harry, unfortunately, had tried once to defend the part-veela. "She isn't that bad." But at the glares he received from the two girls, he quickly added to that, "Ugly, though, don't know what Bill sees in her. Must be the veela charm, poor bloke just can't resist it."

Luckily, this caused the ire of the girls to lesson, and after Harry and Ron had a loud conversation in hearing range of the two degrading the French girl's look and manner, Ginny and Hermione began to find her quite agreeable, much to everyone's obvious relief. Fleur, apparently, was the only one unaware of their palpable dislike.

OoooOoooOoooO

Dear Sirius,

I'm sorry I haven't been able to respond to your letter on my birthday. I truly appreciate your gift. I fear, however, that my mother is starting to suspect that I am in secret correspondence with someone. I am certain she has not suspected who it truly is, more than likely she believes it to be Dumbledore. Whether she is displeased or not, I cannot tell. She seems to be unhappy as of late with the life we lead as well. I just hope that I can find a way out before I become too deeply involved in all of this like she has. I am sincerely grateful that you have taken me under your wing.

Yours truly,

Draco

P.S. I have a feeling that something big is being planned. I felt it prudent to warn you.

OoooOoooOoooO

Dear Draco,

I was glad to receive your letter, I was beginning to worry about you. Your warning is very appreciated. As to your mother, I do not doubt that she has probably gotten herself in too deep. I doubt she ever wanted to become a Death Eater, she never liked getting her hands dirty. No matter how much she could sympathize with the cause, she was always a true aristocrat, suited only to a life of leisure. I'm guessing your father is behind her dealings with Voldemort, and even with him gone, she cannot break free. You, however, have an opportunity. Voldemort has not claimed you yet, and you must not let him. I am always here for you, Draco, and even if I am not available, there are those who you can turn to. If you ever need anything, and I cannot be reached, go to either Remus or Harry with one of my letters. Yes, I know the history between you and Harry, but if you are truly to break free, you will need to make peace, as I have told you many times. If not for your sakes, than at least for mine. I don't think I want to have to choose sides.

Stay safe,

Sirius

OoooOoooOoooO

Harry waited impatiently in the kitchen for Sirius and Remus to finish eating. It was August 1, the day after his enormous birthday party. The two Marauders had promised to take him somewhere, not that they gave any hint to where that somewhere was. Apparently, they loved to keep him in suspense. It worked entirely too well for Harry. He had risen early and inhaled his breakfast. Finally, the two older men put him out of his misery. They led him to the fire and instructed him to take a hand of Floo powder.

"Now," Sirius said. "Through it into the fire and yell Alabaster Castle."

Harry did as he was told, and ended up in the most magnificent room he had ever seen. Rich, crimson carpets lay on the golden-tinted marble floor. Plush cream-colored sofas and chairs scatter the room adorned with deep red and gold pillows. All the other furniture around the room was made from a rich mahogany wood.

Harry looked around in awe, barely hearing Sirius and Remus come through the fire. He managed to breathe one word, "Wow."

Finally, he snapped out of it long enough to ask where they were.

Sirius answered him, "We are at Alabaster Castle, the ancestral home of the Potters, dating back, I believe, to your direct ancester, Godric Gryffindor."

Harry looked at Sirius, clearly startled. "The Godric Gryffindor."

Remus chuckled. "Don't look so surprised, Harry. Many of the oldest families in the wizarding world can trace their roots back to the founders, some more directly than others. The Blacks, for example, came directly from Salazar Slytherin."

"And they wouldn't let you forget it," Sirius stated in obvious disgust. "However, founders' blood doesn't really mean anything. Just because you have the blood of a founder doesn't necessarily make you his or her heir. Those are chosen by the founders."

"What do you mean chosen?"

"The founders set up a kind of spell that would allow their memories to handpick their heirs, the ones that would be chosen from among all wizarding kind. They hoped that their heirs would be able to restore unity to the wizarding world. Unfortunately, none of the heirs have ever been able to stay united," Remus answered sadly.

"How many heirs have their been?" Harry asked.

"Oh," Sirius replied. "There have been many heirs through the generations. I believe Dumbledore is an heir of Gryffindor, and you know Voldemort was one of Slytherin. I have a sneaking suspicion that McGonagall is one of Ravenclaw, but I can't be sure. However, the powers and strengths that the chosen heirs are granted diminish if they fail to unite, which is what probably led Voldemort down the paths he has taken. He wanted to stand on his own, but he couldn't and keep his power, so he set off down the path of evil. I don't think any of the heirs living today have kept a quarter of the power they once had before their failure. I know we don't."

"What do you mean, you don't?" Harry asked, confused.

"The Marauders were chosen as heirs in our seventh year. James was Gryffindor's, Sirius was Hufflepuff's, I was Ravenclaw's, and Wormtail was Slytherin's. Never really understood Wormtail's until he was revealed as the traitor. I guess his ambitious got the best of him," Remus said sardonically. "He apparently thought his ambitions were worth more than the vow of unity we took. Most thought we would be the ones to bring about unity. We were the first heirs in centuries to actually unite in any shape or form. But Wormtail destroyed that chance."

Harry looked at the two older men in shock. He would have never guessed that Wormtail's betrayal ran this deep. Sure, him giving Harry's parents up to Voldemort was bad enough, but he had ruined the world's hope of unification. He had ignored his duty as a chosen heir. It was yet another reason for Harry to hate the rat.

Tbc…

I hope I explained the heirs thing okay. Please review!