Chapter 10
"Ok so we know where we need to go but I'm still confused. How is Fawkes involved in this?" Harry asked
No one was able to answer for a few minutes until Professor McGonagall came up with a theory
"Harry with your permission I would like to cast a charm on the elder wand"
Harry nodded and placed the elder wand on the table. The professor walked over to the wand a cast a charm. Nothing happened for a few seconds until a brilliant white light filled the room. McGonagall returned the wand smiling
"Harry I believe I can answer your question. You see dear Fawkes is about connected to this almost as much as yourself and Hermione are. The spell I cast on the elder wand was a magical root connection spell. Legend has it that Merlin himself was the first wizard. Therefore his magic would be the purest magic" McGonagall paused seeing the light come on in Hermione's head
"You mean?... Are you serious?" Hermione asked
"Hermione you have known me many years when ever have you known me to joke?" Minerva replied with a hearted smile
"Ok and for all of us that weren't the smartest witch of our generations could someone please elaborate?" Sirius asked
"The elder wand wasn't created by any old wizard or by death as the stories would lead us to believe. The wand was created by Merlin himself. His magic flows through that wand which is why is so powerful. Fawkes must have known the prophecy was true and followed the wand throughout the generations with only a few deemed worthy enough to harness its full power" Hermione explained
Harry turned to face his mum "I think she would give you a running for your money mum" Harry laughed
It was at that moment that Fawkes began a trill a song confirming that what the professor and Minerva had said was indeed true.
"Ok so let me see if I've got this straight. In Gringotts lies the sword of King Arthur the most powerful sword in creation and the elder wand was created by Merlin... wait a minute in all the legends of Merlin he was always rumoured to have a staff of power? Does that exist?" No one answered because no one knew. Turning to Fawkes he saw into his eyes and something told him that he would find the answer when he and Hermione went into Gringotts.
"Ok me and Hermione are going to go to Gringotts. Professor please feel free to stay here and make yourself comfortable mum, dad, Sirius and Remus we will be back shortly and we'll carry on this discussion then. Fawkes would you be so kind as to take us to Gringotts?" Harry asked
The phoenix did not need asking twice in a flash of flame the three disappeared from their home and reappeared outside Gringotts. Upon entering they found Grip hook
"Ah Mr and Mrs Potter how may I help you on this fine day?"
Hermione handed griphook the note and upon reading it he ushered them into a private conference room
"If you would both please wait here I must go and fetch the director as only he can carry out this meeting"
Griphook left the room and returned a few minutes later with a goblin who was a couple of inches taller and wore red and gold robes
"Greeting your majesty's I am Director Ragnok, might I say what an honour it is to meet your esteemed selves" he bowed
"Please director it is Harry and Hermione and the honour is ours to meet the leader of the goblin race" Harry replied
Ragnok was taken back but gained his composure quickly
"Before we can continue this meeting it is bank that an heritance test is to be carried out to determine if you truly are worthy of Gringotts greatest treasure"
Harry and Hermione both consented. Ragnok moved forward and took a drop of blood from each of them. Placing each drop into an individual potion. He waited 3 seconds before pouring each potion onto two separate pieces of parchment.
BIRTH NAME: Harry JAMES POTTER
ANCESTORS: POTTER, GRYFFINDOR, HUFFLEPUFF, RAVENCLAW,SLYTHERIN, PENDRAGON
BIRTHNAME: Hermione JEAN GRANGER
ANCESTORS: GRANGER, GRYFFINDOR, HUFFLEPUFF, RAVENCLAW,SLYTHERIN, EMMRYS
"It seems you are worthy, if you both would follow me"
Harry and Hermione stood as they began to follow Ragnok they spoke through their mind link
"I'm the ancestor of king Arthur? Talk about weird!"
"You think that's weird Harry I'm the ancestor of Merlin! I don't get how though considering that I'm muggle born but still Harry together we are the relatives of two of magic's greatest symbols!"
Before long they found themselves staring at two golden doors. Both were covered in ancient runes and mystical patterns.
"Your Maj... Sorry Harry and Hermione only the direct descendants of King Arthur and Merlin may enter this room, to proceed simply place your hands on the door you will then be granted access"
Complying with Ragnok each placed their hands on the door they saw the door glow and many chamrs deactivate. The doors then opened and Harry and Hermione entered inside the vault.
It couldn't be called a vault really considering the sheer size of the room. It rivalled the Great Hall at Hogwarts. Inside they saw two golden thrones each with red felted cushions. They saw many different tapestries and a vast number of jewels. What struck them as strange was that Excalibur was not seen anywhere. That was until they saw a room hidden at the back of the vault they approached it slowly and saw the same covered runes that were on the vault door. Once again placing their hands on to the door they heard it click open
Upon entering the room they saw two things.
The first was indeed the sword of Excalibur it was a the most beautifully designed weapon either had seen. The legend was indeed true as the sword was sticking out of a black marble boulder spanning at least four foot in length and height. Upon approaching the sword Harry read the inscription
"To claim Excalibur state your full name and your claim"
The second thing was a staff that no one ever believed existed. The staff measure 6 foot in height and was golden with similar runes running down its length. Hermione noticed that it looked similar to the elder wand in aspects. The staff was being held up by nothing and Hermione noticed the same inscription that Harry saw at the stone containing Excalibur. They turned to face each other
"Are you ready?" Harry asked
"As ready as ill ever be. Be careful and know that I love you" Hermione replied
"I love you too" Harry said as he kissed her
They turned and went to opposite ends of the room
It was Harry who reached Excalibur first. He stepped up onto the stone and grasped Excalibur using both hands. With his boldest voice he stated out loud
"I am Harry James Potter heir to Arthur Pendragon I claim Excalibur in this name!"
Harry then pulled Excalibur from its stone and held it above his head.
Hermione approached the staff of Merlin and like Harry used her boldest voice
"I am Hermione Jean Granger heir to Merlin I claim the staff of Merlin in this name!"
She took hold of the staff and pulled it towards her. Hermione noticed that the staff so that it was just above the height of her. Walking back to each other they heard a wind blowing from the first chamber. Upon entering the saw two ghosts standing in the middle of the room
"Ah at last the new champions of light a pleasure! Allow me to introduce myself. I am King Arthur and this is my advisor Merlin!" The other ghost bowed his head with a twinkle in his eye that rivalled the twinkle of a certain dead headmaster of Hogwarts
Harry and Hermione stood dumbstruck stood in front of them were King Arthur and Merlin! Not knowing what else to do they both bowed and got down onto one knee
"Oh stop that besides you two are royalty now you need not bow to ghosts!"
They both stood slightly embarrassed. It was Harry who asked the first question
"How did you know when to appear?" he asked
"Well my boy it was quite simple really the staff and Excalibur told us when to appear. Very clever objects your holding there" Arthur replied
Hermione knew what the next question had to be
"Excuse me Merlin sir but how am I the descendant of you? I'm muggle born I don't see how it is possible"
Merlin chuckled "Oh my dear you need not call me sir but your question is very intelligent. The answer is simple my dear. Magic isn't about the ability to cast spells in every generation. The emmrys family line decided a few years after my death that it would be better if out magic became dormant until the rightful heir was found. So you see my dear although your parents were muggles that does not mean that they and yourself are of my blood"
Harry knew the next question "Why did you create the elder wand?"
"Ah Harry I believe I can answer that question. You see I asked Merlin to create it for me. I always wanted to be able to practise magic so Merlin being the dear friend that he is to me created a wand that channelled the power of his staff"
"So does that mean on comparison mine and Harry's magical levels are equal?"
"EXACTLY! I must say my dear you really are quite bright"
Hermione blushed at this comment and Harry asked the next question
"What about Excalibur?"
"One of my more brilliant creations Excalibur is a very powerful weapon it has the ability to deflect almost all types of hexes and curses it is completely indestructible and cannot be summoned away or stolen from you. In all my observations of the next few millennia I only ever saw one sword that rivalled Excalibur in its creation. One which I'm quite proud to say you both used to destroy that dark lord that caused all that trouble"
They both knew that he meant the sword of Gryffindor. Harry decided at that moment that Hermione would be the owner of that sword.
"I'm afraid my friends that our time in now up, we were only granted a small amount of time to speak with you both. All of our knowledge and ability regarding the staff and Excalibur has been given to you both and I'm sure that given the time you will both know what needs to be done" Arthur smiled
"Thank you both for these amazing gifts" Harry said
"Your quite welcome my boy" Arthur replied
Merlin looked at Hermione and said one sentence to her
"We look forward to seeing you two bring in the new age of prosperity"
With that they both disappeared. Harry placed Excalibur into a sheathe which had magically appeared when he pulled out Excalibur whilst Hermione had managed to make the staff of Merlin disappear until she needed it once again. They both looked at each other smiled and began to kiss each other senseless. After a few minutes they pulled apart.
"So then my queen are you ready to face the world?" Harry asked
"Yes my king I believe I am" Hermione replied
Holding hands they left the chamber and Gringotts. Not before giving Ragnok that they would return soon.
The world was about to change in the best way possible
Authors Note: So longest chapter yet! Wooo! What do you guys think? Don't forget to rate and review the next chapter sees the trial of Ron and Ginny the return of Molly and Harry and Hermione begin there reign as the new king and queen of magic!