Chapter 26
When Molly arrived, Minerva McGonagall left the hospital wing and made her way back to Gryffindor Tower to speak to the Quidditch Team and Mr Longbottom. She paused outside the portrait of the Fat Lady to gather her emotions. She took a deep breath to steady herself before speaking the password "Summer flowers" and entering the Common Room.
"Professor are they alright?" Katie Bell asked worriedly.
"Ron and Harry are awake and fine. Hermione and Fred were still unconscious when I left the Hospital Wing. Until they awaken, it is unclear how they will be." She told them honestly.
"Can we visit them, Professor?" Alicia Spinnet asked quietly.
"Currently their families are with them you can visit with them in a couple of days." She said, her Gryffindors nodded in agreement.
"Professor why can't Hermione and Fred know about their soul bond?" Angelina Jhonson asked.
"To answer your questions, I need you all to swear upon your magic not to share information learned this evening partaking to Fred and Hermione with anyone unless I grant you express permission to do so." She said very seriously. Oliver Wood was the first person to stand and draw his wand.
"I Oliver Charles Wood swear upon my magic to not reveal anything learnt this evening concerning Fred Weasley and Hermione Granger without the express permission of Professor Minerva McGonagall. So mote it be." Oliver glowed silver for a second as his magical core accepted the promise. Angelina, Alicia, Katie and Neville all repeated the same oath.
"You can speak about what I tell you this evening with any of the Weasleys except for Fred and Ginny. You can speak to Harry Potter and Lee Jordan about it. You can come to me, Professor Snape, Professor Dumbledore or Madam Pomfrey about it as well. You can, of course, speak to each other about it as well." She told them looking each of them in the eye to ensure they understood. They each nodded, and she continued.
"Professor Dumbledore made Harry, Lee and the Weasleys take wand oaths just as I made you. We took this precaution to keep Fred and Hermione safe. I am not telling you everything, but I will share what I am allowed. During Christmas break, there was a prophecy made about Fred and Hermione which told that they were soulmates. It also said that they had to learn the information from the prophecy themselves. It said that they had to learn about the soulbond and prophesy on their own or they could die." She told the four Gryffindors.
"They could die," Oliver whispered.
"Yes, which is why we are keeping the information very quiet and making people that learn about the soulbond take wand oaths. It's for their protection." She told them.
"Can you tell us anything else about there situation? Why could Fred feel Hermione's pain?" Oliver asked.
"As their bond gets stronger so do their powers and abilities. There is a link between them that allows them to share feelings and magic. When the bond is complete, they will be able to speak through their minds. Currently, they can only feel the bond and access each other's magic when in serious distress or pain." She told them standing up.
"It's getting late, get to bed and if you think of any more questions come to find me later in the week." She told her cubs as she left the Common Room.
Back in his office Professor Dumbledore sat with his old friend Nicolas.
"Albus, what is so urgent that I had to come to the school this evening?" His friend asked him.
"This evening Voldemort attempted to steal the stone. He possessed our defence teacher. He got through all of our obstacles except for the mirror." He told him.
"I feared that would be the reason for our meeting. Is the stone still safe?" Nicolas asked worriedly.
"It is, Mr Potter got it out of the mirror after his mother's protection allowed him to destroy our possessed teacher. Voldemort fled the scene, in astral form and I doubt he will attempt to return to the school in his current form again." He told his friend.
"The stone must be destroyed. I cannot allow such evil to gain immortality. Perenelle and I have lived much longer than we should have. We have travelled the world, watched empires rise and fall. We have watched generation after generation of friends pass on to the next world. It is time we get our affairs in order and join them." He said more to himself than to Albus.
"Nicolas, please don't be hasty I'm afraid to say that Voldemort has already taken steps to immortality by creating 7 Horcruxes," Albus said, and Nicolas paled.
"What? How could a man do that to himself, to do it once is unthinkable but seven times its unheard of its madness? To destroy one's soul like that is disturbing? How did you learn of this information?" Nicolas spoke in a horrified voice and quickly drank the remainder of his elf wine.
"Over Christmas Sybil spoke a prophecy. The prophecy is about two of my students; Hermione Granger and Fred Weasley. The prophecy speaks of a muggleborn girls descended from Merlin and the Founders of Hogwarts. A girl who will be more powerful than all those before her. The prophecy spoke of her having a creature inheritance and magical inheritance. It said she would have a mate and that she could either use her powers for the side of light or the side of darkness." Dumbledore told him.
"That seems impossible Albus. It doesn't explain how you know of Horcruxes either." Nicolas asked.
"Patience my friend we are getting there. We used inheritance parchments on Miss Granger, Mr Weasley and Mr Potter to find out what inheritance they each possess. We found that Miss Granger is stronger than me; he is a nymph and also has fae and succubus powers. Her magical core is 15,000, and that is before she bound with her soulmate Mr Weasley merging their magical cores. We also discovered out that Hermione will have many magical abilities." Albus said.
"What kind of abilities?" His friend said.
"She is a natural at Earth and Elemental Magic. She can control; Earth, Air, Sea, Forest, Fire, Light, Darkness, Ice, Thunder, Plants, lightening and Metal. She is a natural healer. She is a multiform natural animagus with the ability to shift at will into any animal. She is a natural at runes and ancient magic as well as at potions, transfiguration and charms. She is a natural at wandless magic and is a natural born Parselmouth. She can use dream Seduction and has a natural aura of calm with magical creatures. She is a natural at defensive magic and is an Enchantress. She is developing her abilities very quickly, and it is only a matter of time before she has full access to them." Albus said.
"The girl is undoubtedly powerful she will be in danger Albus," Nicolas said.
"She needs to be protected at all costs. She will help Harry Potter defeat Voldemort. The prophecy spoke of a werewolf that would be after her as his mate to force her to use her powers for the dark side. We found out about the Horcruxes when we did Harry Potter's inheritance parchment as it informed us he shares his body with one-eighth of Voldemorts soul." Nicolas gasped.
"We plan to remove it from him in a ritual at Gringotts after his third year at school. It takes two years to brew the correct potion and gather all of the right materials. The curse brakes I have entrusted with the task also need to learn the ritual." Albus explained.
"That is a lot of information to process Albus. If what you say is true the girl has a stronger magical lineage than most pure blood's and has an unprecedented amount of powers and abilities. She could either be a saviour or a destroyer. Harry Potter is a Horcrux, how did we not know this already? Why did he not get tested after his parent's death?" Nicolas asked.
"I assure you, my friend, I speak the whole truth. As for Harry, he was seen by Madam Pomfrey after that fateful Halloween night. Other than the scar on his forehead there was nothing wrong with him. To detect such dark magic, it would have required a team of specialists, and there seemed to be nothing wrong with the boy. Now that we know of the Horcrux we are working as fast as we can to remove it from him." Albus said gravely.
"Why are you sharing this information with me, Albus?" Nicolas asked.
"Nicolas you are one of the smartest men I have ever had the pleasure to meet. You are the most accomplished alchemist in over a thousand years. You have studied ancient magic. I've been teaching Miss Granger myself. She is a brilliant girl who is developing skills and abilities much faster than I expected her too. She is good at wandless and nonverbal magic. Her earth and elemental abilities, as well as healing abilities, have already begun to manifest. She is a phenomenal child destined for great things. I want you to help me teach her. Pass on your knowledge to the next generation. She's destined to unite the wizarding world, tutor her in alchemy and teach her old magic. Don't destroy the Philosophers stone yet. If you and Perenelle decide your time on the earth is to come to an end don't do it without passing on your knowledge." Dumbledore told his friend.
"That is a reasonable request. I have tried tutoring many students over the years, and none have been able to comprehend the complexities of Alchemy and old magic. I'd lost hope that I would ever be able to pass on my knowledge. Maybe young Miss Granger is who I've been waiting to teach. I want to meet her Albus." Nicolas said.
"She is currently unconscious in the hospital wing. She was in the chamber with Mr Potter and Voldemort this evening. Voldemort placed her under the Cruciatus and while under the curse she lost control of her magic. She put on a large display of elemental earth magic which Voldemort witnessed." Albus said.
"Voldermort witnessed her abilities; he will try to recruit her Albus," Nicolas spoke knowingly.
"Yes he will, I recently rebranded the Order of the Phoenix. Keeping Miss Granger safe is our priority. We won't allow him to get to her." Albus told him.
The pair continued to talk long into the early hours of the morning. Eventually, Nicolas left with the promise to return later in the week once Hermione had awakened.
The occupants of the Hospital Wing remained there for over an hour watching over Fred and Hermione. Eventually, Minerva McGonagall returned.
"How are they doing? She asked looking down at her two cubs whos glowing hands were still entwined.
"They haven't yet woken up." Narcissa Black told her.
"Maybe you should all get some rest; I'll arrange rooms for you in the castle so that you can be nearby for when they awaken.
"I don't want to leave Fred, somone should get Ginny from the kitchens, she should be in bed by now," Molly said.
"Lee and I will get her; she can sleep in Fred's bed tonight, have a taste of Gryffindor tower before she is sorted in September," George said jumping up and kissed his mum on the cheek. Lee followed.
"Let us know when they wake up, we'll come back in the morning," George said before heading to the door with Lee.
"I'll head back to the tower with you," Percy said kissing his mothers head.
"Charlie and I will come with you to the entrance hall; we should head back to the flat and get a few hours sleep. We both have early shifts tomorrow. Dad sends us a patronus when there's change." Bill said as he and Charlie kissed their mother's cheek. Their dad nodded, Charlie quickly kissed Tonks goodnight, and the four Weasleys and Lee left The hospital wing.
"Minerva I'd like to take you up on the offer of a room, I would like to speak to Draco in the morning," Narcissa said Minerva nodded.
"I should be getting home too; I have an early morning shift at the hospital. Can I use your floo Poppy?" Andromeda asked.
"Of course Andy." Poppy replied.
"Sirius I'll owl you tomorrow. Molly, Arthur, Mr and Mrs Granger I hope your children make fast recoveries."
"I'll come with you mum," Tonks said, and the two women stepped into the fireplace.
"Tonks cottage," Andromeda said dropping floo powder into the grate. Green flames flared, and the two witches disappeared.
"We'd like to stay with Hermione professor." Mrs Granger said looking down at her daughter.
"I'll stay with Harry too." Said Sirius, transforming into Padfoot and setting himself at the foot of Harry's feet.
"Okay, try to get some rest if you can, Narcissa if you come with me I'll show you to a room," Minerva said, and the two witches left the Hospital Wing leaving the Weasleys, Grangers and Sirius to watch over Harry, Hermione, Fred and Ron.
Poppy went into her office and into her adjoining rooms to get some much-needed rest.
"How are you holding up George?" Bill asked as they walked through the halls of Hogwarts.
"As well as can be excepted I guess. It was always Fred and me, we were each other's other half. We have a twin bond; I know what he thinks and feels. Until he met Hermione, we were always on the same wavelength. We pranked and joked and talked about girls. Now he is more serious, and his first responsibility is Hermione. I always knew that we would one day have girlfriends of our own but didn't expect it to happen so quickly. I love Hermione she is like my sister. I'm happy that Fred has found his soulmate, many people go their whole life without finding that kind of love. I wish that Hermione didn't get into such dangerous situations and that they could be happy, each time she gets hurt I witness Fred in so much pain, and it's frightening. I'm so worried about him, about them. I've researched soulmates, they are always powerful, and are formed in times of need, and they are sort after for their powers. They are in danger, and I don't know how to keep them safe."
"It isn't your responsibility to keep them safe George, that's what adults are for," Charlie said.
"It is my responsibility, I feel it. Every time Fred is in pain, I can feel it stabbing in my Gut. I know there is more going on. My research said that soulbonds such as theirs with the golden glow only happen if a witch or wizard has a creature inheritance. I know that you know what is going on with them. Please tell me what you know." George pleaded. Charlie and Bill met each other's eyes exchanging a silent conversation and then nodded to each other.
"Okay we will tell the three of you everything we know, but you need to take a wand oath not to repeat the information we tell you to anyone," Bill said ushering the three Gryffindors into an unused classroom. He and Charlie proceeded to Ward, the room against eavesdroppers. Once George, Percy and Lee had made wand oath's they told them all about the prophecy, inheritance parchments, Hermione's powers, the Order and Horcruxes. They didn't leave out any information. Once that had finished, they waited expectingly for the berarge of questions. The three Gryffindors were shocked silent.
Eventually, Percy spoke; "I want to join the Order."
"You can't join because your not of age and are only in your fifth year," Charlie told him.
"I am about to start my sixth year and will be 17 in a matter of months." He told them.
"Even so you are still a student, and the Order does not recruit students. If you want to help keep an eye on Fred and Hermione. If you notice anything odd tell us. It is essential that they are kept safe." Bill said Percy nodded.
"How are you taking this George?" Charlie asked.
"I don't know. You just told me that my twins soulmate is a badass nymph with long-forgotten powers who can either save us all or kill us all. He who must not be named wants her; a werewolf wants her. She and Freddie will be parents in less than a decade. How do you think I Feel Charlie? You and Bill have just dropped multiple bombshells on me. I know massive chunks of Fred's future and can do nothing about it. Our life plan was to graduate Hogwarts and open a Joke shop; dark lords, magical inheritances and teenage pregnancy was not part of our life plan. I want to scream and cry at this fucked up situation. I want to portkey both of them to a deserted island in the middle of the Bermuda triangle, surround it by wards and make it unplottable." George ranted.
"You can still open a Joke shop George. I'd be worried about you if you didn't react so strongly. You need time to process the information. We wanted to take them both away too, but you can't fight a prophecy like this one they always get fulfilled one way or another. We have to be there for them and not interfere. When they learn of the prophecy and inheritances themselves, they will probably go through many emotions. When Hermione gets pregnant, we will have to support them. Work hard, make sure Fred works hard. Get your OWL'S, and NEWT'S get your shop up and running because Fred will have a child much sooner than he probably wants. Most of all provide laughter and enrich what is left of their childhood. They are going to have to grow up much faster than anyone. Dumbledore has already started training Hermione to fight and use her abilities." Charlie said.
They continued talking for a while before they eventually left the classroom they were in and made their way down to the entrance hall. Charlie and Bill went out into the grounds making their way to the large iron gates that led to Hogsmeade, once outside the gates they aparated back to their flat and went to bed.
George, Percy and Lee headed down to the kitchens of Hogwarts. Tickling the pear on the fruit bowl picture guarding the entrance they entered the kitchens. At least fifty little elves were running around preparing breakfast for the next day.
"Mr Weasleys and Mr Jordan Sirs, how may Cricket be of service?" an elderly looking house elf asked bowing low.
"Hello, Cricket we are looking for our sister Ginny," Percy said kindly.
"Young Miss Weasley is in Poppet and Fizzy's quarters. Cricket will take you to her. Sirs must follow Cricket." the elf said turning around and leading them to a small door at the back of the kitchens. The three Gryffindors had to duck slightly to get through the door.
On the other side of the door was a long corridor lined with doors with the names of the house elves who lived there. Cricket stopped at a door that said 'Poppet, Fizzy and family', Cricket raised his fist and knocked three times. There was a shuffling sound, and Poppet answered the door.
"Poppet, Misters Weasley's and Jordan are her to collect Miss Weasley," Cricket said.
"Okay, thank you for bringing them Cricket, please come in Sirs." Poppet said with a smile stepping aside to let the three boys into his quarters. Cricket shuffled his way back to the kitchens.
The three Gryffindors stepped through the door and found a spacious living room. It was very similar to the Gryffindor common room; there was a warm fire, squishy armchairs and a sofa. There was a bookcase in one corner and a pile of toys in another. The walls were a cream colour, and a photograph of the small family sat on the mantle. Fizzy was perched on the sofa nursing one of her twins; quiet suckling sounds could be heard over the hiss of the fire. The three Gryffindors averted their eyes to give her privacy and Fizzy laughed.
"It has always amused me how wizards feel uncomfortable to watch something as natural as one feeding a child from their breast. Sit down, boys." She said. They each shuffled further into the room and took seats in armchairs still averting their eyes. Fizzy chuckled again and straightened her toga, so it covered her breast once her child stopped feeding. She gently took the baby and put it over her shoulder patting his back lightly to burp him.
"It's safe to look, boys," she said her voice filled with mirth, Boppet summoned a tray of tea and set a cup in front of each boy, he chuckled as he settled onto the couch next to her kissing her head as he did so.
"How are Miss Hermione and Mister Fred doing?" Fizzy asked.
"They were still unconscious when we left the hospital wing. Hopefully, they will wake up tomorrow." Lee told the couple.
"They will be alright; their bond will protect them, they have strong magic," Fizzy said nodding to herself.
"You know about the bond?" George asked.
"We house elves know many things and have many abilities, we see the bonds that link our charges. Miss Hermione and Mister Fred have a beautiful golden bond that strengthens each day. They are a powerful couple. Miss Hermione will do great things." fizzy told them proudly.
"Do we have bonds?" Percy asked curiously.
"Yes you each have blue bonds which are familial they link you to your blood family and your chosen family, for example, Mister George and Mr Lee see each other as brothers. All three of you have a familial bond with Miss Hermione and Mister Harry. Mister Percy, you share a rich red bond with your girlfriend Miss Penelope which means you love each other deeply. Mister Lee and Mister George have pink bonds with their girlfriends which signifies lust, with the potential for love. You also have many green bonds which represent friendship." She told them.
"You can see all of these bonds?" George asked.
"Yes, I can also see unprovoked potential bonds in people." She said.
"What does that mean?" Lee asked.
"Unprovoked potential bonds are usually between mates or soulmates; i can see that potential before they have ever met." She said.
"Fizzy you should set up a buisness. Who needs Cupid when you have a house elf that can see who your soulmate is. Who's my soulmate? George asked.
"Not everyone has a soulmate, Mister George; one must find love on their own. You cannot cheat. You will know who yours is eventually." Fizzy said.
"It isn't Angelina is it?" he asked feeling a little sad because he liked his girlfriend a lot and Fizzy had said it had the potential to be love.
"No Mister George it isn't, but that doesn't mean that Miss Angelina isn't what you need right now. Don't dismiss a good relationship, let it run its course and it will lead you to your soulmate." She told him." George nodded, he had a lot to think about. He quickly finished drinking his tea.
"Thank you for the tea; we should be getting to bed, where is Ginny?" George asked.
"Miss Ginny is in Twinkle's room," Poppet said standing and motioning for George to follow, he led George through a different door to the one that they had entered.
It led to a small hallway that had six doors. Two of the doors were open, and George could see a small bathroom and a small kitchen. Poppet opened one of the closed doors which led into a small bedroom. Twinkle and Ginny were both asleep on a small bed which was against a wall. The ceiling of the room was bewitched like that of the Great hall, and thousands of stars twinkled above them. The walls were painted as a moving mural that depicted magical creatures playing in a lush green field.
George lent down and carefully lifted Ginny into his arms. She stirred slightly and blinked sleepily up at him.
"Geor-Awge," She said the end of his name coming out mid-yawn.
"Shush Gin-bug go back to sleep, and we will talk in the morning," he said, Ginny nodded and snuggled into his chest, sleep quickly reclaiming her.
They made their way back to the small living room where Fizzy gave them a box of cookies that Ginny had helped to bake. The three Gryffindors bid Poppet and Fizzy goodnight and made there way back to Gryffindor Tower where George tucked Ginny safely into Fred's empty bed.
George did not sleep that night; he laid silently in his bed as his mind went over all the information that he had learnt.