A/N: New chapter 9, and it's properly labeled this time!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 9

The next few weeks passed by quickly and before they knew it was the last day of classes before Christmas Break. Professor McGonagall walked around the Great Hall gathering the names of the students who would be remaining at school. Hermione replied with a 'Yes' when asked.

As McGonagall asked the Slytherins, Draco was one of the few to say yes. He hated not to go home and see his mother but he couldn't stand to be around Bellatrix, who had moved in so her sister wouldn't be alone.

"I don't see why you don't come to the Burrow with us. It's our last year, why stay here during break?" asked Harry.

"You know why Harry." Hermione whispered to him, "Besides, it's no big deal."

The morning post began flying in. An owl swooped down over the Gryffindors and dropped a letter in front of Hermione. Hermione picked it up and turned it over. Hermione name was written in Emerald ink so she knew it was from Dumbledore. She opened it up as her friends watched.

Ms. Granger,

I would like for you to join me in my office once you have finished your breakfast. I have something important I need to go over with you and Mr. Malfoy.

Dumbledore

When Hermione looked up from the note, she was met with three pairs of eyes.

"It's just a note from Dumbledore. He wants to meet with me and Malfoy to go over something. It's probably Head duties."

"That means we have less time to spend together before we leave tomorrow." Ginny said.

"Oh it's not like this is going to be the last time we see each other. I'm sure this won't take too long anyway."

Hermione finished her breakfast quickly and left the Great Hall. As she entered the Headmaster's Office, she was a little surprised to see McGonagall and Snape.

"Welcome Ms. Granger and have a seat." Dumbledore greeted and gestured to the empty chair next to Draco. She sat down in the chair ignoring the person to her right and looked at the professors behind the desk.

Dumbledore cleared his throat and gazed at the two teenagers in front of him, "I have called you two here for a very crucial reason. But first I want to stress that what is said in this room remains amongst the five of us. No one must know. Mr. Potter will be told later at an appropriate time." he paused for a moment then continued, "The fate of the world now rests on your shoulders. You may have to stretch your minds a little for what I'm about to tell you.

"Hundreds of years ago, there were only two beings with magical powers, one witch and one wizard. Their names were Nero and Cassandra. It's unknown how they got these powers but since they had these powers they were looked to as a living God and Goddess. And they both accepted the title. Both were very powerful and no one knows what all their powers included. I've been researching for years but haven't found much. I don't even know the extent of their powers", Dumbledore gave a chuckle and continued, "The two didn't always get along because they were almost complete opposites. But they shared this special connection, a bond between them. When it came to protecting and helping their people they put differences aside and worked together.

"Every once in a while, some great creature would threaten the lands and they would put a stop to it but for the majority of the time there was peace. For some reason out of no where they two turned on each other. It is unclear why but because of this there was a break in their bond. Cassandra locked herself away from the world and Nero left. After their parting, Nero's heart became tainted and full of hate. He spread terror throughout the lands out of anger of losing her. Cassandra tries to stop him but was unable to. She couldn't bear having her powers anymore and decided to give up her powers. She picked people who were loyal and trustworthy enough of it that she knew wouldn't abuse the powers. These were the beginning of the wizarding population. After this, she faded away and no one saw or heard from her again. Once Nero was finished, he too gave up his powers and in doing so he filled them with Dark Magic. This is where the Dark wizards come from. Since both Cassandra and Nero gave up their powers, they became ordinary people but weak. They eventually died and the non-magic folk soon forgot about them."

"So what does this story have to do with us?" Draco interrupted.

"If you would let me finish Mr. Malfoy and listen, I will answer you question. Now, Cassandra had the Sight. Once she and Nero went their separate ways she had a vision that a dark and powerful wizard would rise in the future and try to take over the world. As we know now, that wizard was Voldemort. When she saw this, she knew she wouldn't be around to put a stop to him, so she cast a spell that would have her and Nero's souls reincarnated when the time came to stop this wizard."

"So, what you're saying is that you think Draco and me….are… Nero and Cassandra?"

"Yes." the old wizard replied with a smile.

The room was silent as the two teens gazed at Dumbledore processing everything he had just said.

Draco glanced at the others in the room and rolled his eyes, "I don't believe it. This is some kind of joke. You can't be serious."

"Oh I am Mr. Malfoy. I wouldn't joke about something like this." Dumbledore replied, "I have something that might change your mind. It's a simple test to see if you are the reincarnated souls of Nero and Cassandra."

Dumbledore picked up a small, black draw string bag off his desk and opened it. He turned the bag over above his hand and two rings fell out into his palm. He held the rings out for two to see. They looked almost identical, one being bigger and one smaller. The rings were covered with Celtic designs and in the middle a purple stone. "Slip these onto your right ring finger." he instructed.

A second after they did, a purple light shone from the rings filling the entire room. A smile spread across Dumbledore's face, "These are the rings of the God and Goddess. That purple light means that you two are their reincarnated souls."

The light faded and Dumbledore continued. "Now, your magical powers will increase ten fold but only if you accept your destiny. By doing so, you will help Harry in bringing down Voldemort. Once you agree, there is no turning back. Do you accept?"

Hermione glanced at Draco then to Dumbledore. It was a little hard to believe it was all true but she trusted Dumbledore and knew he wouldn't joke when it came to stopping Voldemort. "I accept."

Everyone looked to Draco and waited for his answer. He sighed, "Yeah I guess so."

Dumbledore clapped his hands together, "Wonderful! You will slowly gain their powers over the next few months and the three of us are going to help."

"What exactly were all their powers?" Hermione asked.

"Well Ms. Granger, besides high level of magic, they were both Animagus and Metamorphagus. They are the only to have both those powers. Professor McGonagall will assist you the Animagus of course. I will help you with the wand work. You Ms. Granger will have the gift of the Sight. But that is all I can tell you for now."

"Is Snape going to teach us anything?" Draco asked.

"Professor Snape is busy at the moment doing other jobs for me and will work with you later. Any more questions?"

"Yes Sir, how are we supposed to defeat Voldemort? I thought that was Harry's job and he has to do it." Hermione asked a little confused.

"In the end it must be Harry to kill him but your job is to help weaken him and make it possible for Harry to do that. I had another plan but it is proving more difficult than I thought. A plan will be made later on how you two will go about it. And one last thing before you leave. Before your training starts I want the two of you to try and become friends. I know it is a lot to ask from the two of you especially but Nero and Cassandra were able to do. I will send you a message when your training starts and do not mention this to anyone. You may leave now."

Hermione and Draco rose from their chairs and left the room. Neither spoke until they were in the corridor.

"Do you really believe all of this? Draco asked.

"Of course I do."

"I don't see how you do. You're a smart girl Granger. Use your brain. Children's stories are based off of them. Course you wouldn't know that since you're Muggle-born."

"Of course you have to bring that up. Always got to rub my heritage in my face. What about the rings?"

"Doesn't prove anything. Dumbledore could have put a spell on them to shine purple when we put them on. This is probably some big joke the three of them put together. They're laughing at us right now."

"You don't know Dumbledore like I do. He wouldn't joke about something like this. I trust him and believe him. Now, if you excuse me I'm going to spend the afternoon with my friends before they leave."

Hermione turned and left Draco standing in the middle of the corridor alone.

"But we need to talk about this!" Draco called after her.

Hermione turned around, "We have all break to do that. Besides, you said you don't believe in it." and with that she carried on her way without looking back.

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A/N: Thanks for reading!