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Chapter 7

(Ebony P.O.V)

When I finally got the all clear, I went wandering. I think I must have been channelling my inner Lavender, because the first tower I explored, on the top floor was cupboards and trunks full of clothes. A lot of the clothes were elegant dresses, and dress robes, so I made a mental note of where to find this room, for when it came to Harry's 'coming out' ball. I'd come back here near the end of the summer to get something for it.

I then quickly exited the room, to avoid becoming a Lavender clone (I think I may have found myself a new Bogart form). The inner Hermione must have come out in me next, because I found the Library. This one was bigger than the one at Hogwarts. Much bigger. I wandered the isles for several minutes, glancing at titles, until I fond a secluded alcove. As I stepped into the alcove, I saw a painting in front of me. It was of two people, but they weren't moving. It had to be the only still portrait I had ever seen in the wizarding world.

The one person painted was an old man, with long white hair and a beard, and blue eyes. The other was a woman with long black hair, and blue eyes. The woman's chair had a raven perched on top of it.

"I see you've found the portrait of your ancestors then." A voice said from behind me. I looked round, already knowing Rufus would be. "That painting is also in a book. It is of Merlin, and his granddaughter, Rowena Ravenclaw."

"She was Merlin's granddaughter?"

"Yes, she was, and he cherished her greatly. It was her death that caused his own."

"How?" I asked.

"It is a tragic story. Back in those times, there was no law protecting soul bonded couples from arranged marriages. Ravenclaw and Gryffindor were a soul bonded couple. But Rowena's father had already arranged a marriage for her, to another man. Her mother and her mother's father, Merlin, could do nothing to stop it. Her mother was killed before the wedding took place. And then, Rowena was forced to marry her betrothed. Unable to see his best friends so upset, Salazar Slytherin left. That was the true reason that he left, not a fight over blood purity. Godric married another, and had a child, and Rowena and her husband also had a child, in the hopes that one day, their descendents would find each other, and be happy. Rowena died, not long after her daughter of pure heart break, leaving her grand son to the care of others, as Merlin himself had died of grief from seeing his granddaughter so miserable. Godric killed himself an hour after sensing Rowena's death. Due to a soul bonded couple being separated, we lost three of the greatest wizards, and witch, our world has ever seen. It's why laws were passed, so that soul bonded couples could be viewed as married in the wizarding world, so nothing like that ever happened again."

"I guess the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw lines were always meant to merge." I said.

"It would seem so. There was Rowena and Godric, now there is you and Harry. I think that you're right. The two lines were meant to become one." Rufus admitted. "I've been taking a look around this library. The few books I've looked in reveal that there are spells here that were thought lost long ago. It would definitely give you an advantage if you learnt them."

"Wont you?"

"Of course. Maybe… Dumbledore has his Order of the Phoenix, and the Dark Lord has his Death Eaters. It may be time for a new group to step up to the mark."

"Are you suggesting we form one?" I asked him.

"That is exactly what I'm suggesting. And not just wizards and witches. Magical creatures and mutants as well."

"Recruit creatures like the Werewolves and Vampires before Voldemort has a chance."

"Exactly." Rufus said. "And if the Ministry can see them fighting against Voldemort when he returns, then it will give them all the more incentive to push for equal rights."

"They shouldn't have to fight for that." I said.

"You're right, but it seems to be the only way."

"It does, doesn't it? Well, if our group aren't just those with magic, then the wizards and witches will underestimate them. Mutant's don't rely solely on their powers, like wizards do."

"I know what you mean. Which is why we need them on our side. Now, I believe Victor said he'd be returning sometime today?"

"I don't know. He just said he was leaving for a while to do something." I shrugged, my face impassive. I didn't want Rufus to know that I was afraid. Afraid that dad was just going to leave. That was one of the things that had happened in my dreams while I was in a coma.

"Well, by tomorrow, he will most likely be back. Then, he, Sirius and I can get to talking about setting something like this up. I'd start reading those books if I were you, Ebony."

"Right. See you later Rufus."

"See you later, Ebony."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me looking at the portrait of Rowena and Merlin.


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