Judging from the polls, I see that some of you are still rooting the ship of Neville/Luna… which is very interesting… That ship is in the lead! I have changed one of Neville's powers, by the way, but there will be more on that later.

Thank you to -- LadyLady1994, Dream-Like-State, Aealket, LadySelena.16, ally leigh, Robyn Hawkes, B00kw0rm92, blossomgirl94, cyiusblack, zcubed, Rebecca, Angel JJK, the shattered star, voldyismyfather, Lightest'Ink, notwolf, yellow 14, Samara Longbottom, Edwardslover09. And a huge thank you to those who did 33 as well~!!

~*~*~*~*~

The Founders Heirs
Chapter Thirty-Three: Sunday Bloody Sunday
R&R

And the battle's just begun
There's many lost, but tell me who has won
The trench is dug within our hearts
And mothers, children, brothers, sisters torn apart

"Sunday Bloody Sunday" -- U2

Hermione waved her hands lamely around the room, "This is it." After talking to the other heirs and their friends for a while, the heirs decided to show their friends their rooms before dinner, and then show the friends their own rooms. They were staying on the floor beneath the heirs, and didn't know how to get there and back. Hermione, not for the first time, wished there was a Marauders Map for the castle.

She watched as Emilia surveyed the room approvingly, "Wow, it's … luxurious! Is mine going to be like this?"

Hermione shrugged, "I've no idea. I haven't seen your rooms yet, I was only told where they were. It will most likely be something akin to this room… maybe not as lavish."

Emilia pouted, "You would get the better room -- with your fancy spells and cocky titles."

"Hey! I didn't ask for any titles -- I just wanted to be Hermione. Not "Smartest witch of her age", or "Amazing Ravenclaw Heir" or--"

"I think I get the point!" She laughed, and then dropped her trunk on the floor and jumped onto the bed, sighing contentedly as she sank into the covers of the large bed.

Hermione plopped down next to her, "So what do you think?"

"Of? Friends or room?"

"Both, I guess."

"Your room is amazing, as is the castle. Your friends… Gotta' be honest, Sue, they're a little weird."

"A little weird never went amiss," Hermione countered, then turning to face Emilia and propping herself up on her elbow. "Blaise is funny."

Emilia rolled her eyes, "Blaise is funny. He's also gorgeous, but knows it and is exceedingly arrogant."

"Well, he is friends with the master of arrogance." Hermione didn't mind Blaise at all, hence, her calling him by his first name. She had never really interacted with him before this year, and so never had reason to call him by his second name. Calling Draco 'Malfoy' was second nature to her, and it would be weird to change it. She supposed that even if they were friends, they would still call each other by their second names. It was just something they were used to, and didn't feel the need to change.

Besides, she had found it easier to say 'Blaise' than 'Zabini' when she first met him, but was now well accustomed to saying Blaise. Hermione had feared that Blaise and Malfoy would be rude to her sister upon meeting her, but Blaise had been far from it.

Actually, he had much more welcoming than Hermione liked.

It wasn't that Hermione was overprotective of her fifteen year old sister, but she wasn't comfortable with a Slytherin pureblood chatting her up, either. Hermione was well aware that Emilia was probably better looking than Hermione, with her lighter, almost blonde, hair and clear blue eyes. She also had a tamer, wavier version of Hermione's curly and, at times, unruly hair. Emilia also had fairer skin than Hermione, giving her a 'fair maiden' look, as Hermione thought.

Despite this, it had never crossed her mind that Blaise would think Emilia pretty. Even though he was only somewhat serious and half joking, she was shocked. Blaise was evidently not as biased and prejudiced as other Slytherins -- namely his best friend, Draco Malfoy.

Sure, Draco had been nicer the past week or so, and the change had caught Hermione's attention -- his comments were no longer biting, his taunting bordering on friendly, rather than aggressive.

This was welcomed by Hermione, as she didn't have to put up with his constant stream of insults for her, which was refreshing to say the least. It had shocked her to find that once they got past their differences, she and Malfoy had a lot in common. He actually read books, too, rather than copy homework from friends. Her raven-haired best friend came to mind here.

"Master of arrogance, eh?" Hermione's started in surprise; she had forgotten Emilia was beside her. "I thought he was just cool. Cool as in impassive." Emilia added.

"He is. But Malfoy is very arrogant at times."

"Arrogance isn't bad," She made a grab for Hermione's bracelet, and examined it closely, "Hmm.. Very interesting, Ms. Granger. Explosive and passionate are words associated with lovers, at times. I do wonder though, are you two passionate?"

Hermione pushed her sister, "You come up with such tripe, Em. We argue ninety-nine percent of the time, and the other percent we're just co-existing."

"Whatever, but I think he's gorgeous, too. It's not fair, why are all the good-looking boys in the Wizarding World? And I can't even tell my friends."

"The famous pout is coming out!" Hermione declared, a grin on her lips.

"Shut up, Hermione." There was still a matching grin fighting through Emilia's pout, though.

"So how has Dad been, lately? I know we talked earlier, but I got the feeling he was holding back..."

"Yeah, he was. But he's been doing better lately." Emilia hesitated, "It--It was hard, you know. You weren't there… and I struggled to try and make him happy. You were always the one who connected with Dad best, and I--I couldn't. I reminded him of Mum too much, and sometimes he would go out all night and not come back till the next afternoon. I spent all my time on my grades," She let out a bitter chuckle, "My grades have never been better." Realising how resentful and cynical she was sounding, Emilia cleared her throat, "But as I said, he's been getting better. He went back to work, and is doing is original hours, too. He and Tina go out sometimes, and I think they're really helping each other through everything. Everyone's getting on, Hermione, and we're all going to be okay. I mean, there's not much more we can do, is there?"

Hermione wrapped her arms around her sister, laying Emilia's head on her chest and stroking her sister's hair, "And who did you lean on?"

Softly, "You."

"I felt like I was having one-sided conversations in those letters… I just said--"

"You really helped me, and I relied on your letters more than you think. Thanks, Hermione."

"I'm your sister, there's no thanks needed." They sat like that for a while, Emilia eventually drifting off to sleep.

Hermione closed her eyes and sighed, it was so hard. Everything was so incredibly hard, and she just wished it would all cease. She hated being apart from her sister, leaving Emilia to try and keep their father going, to abandon her family in their moment of need. She hated having to split her life between magic and muggle, wishing she could merge the two. Hermione had planned on living near her sister after Hogwarts, then when her sister was finished school, she would allow Emilia to livewith her, too. But where would she live? Would Emilia live in a Wizarding village -- could she live in a Wizarding village?

Hermione felt aversion run through her, and realised that she didn't want to live in England. She didn't want to live where there were reminders of the horrible war that was ongoing, she didn't want to live in the core of where the destruction bred.

She wanted to travel; eventually settling in one country. Perhaps she could work for a foreign Ministry and compare the laws of English and foreign laws.

Hermione was then starkly reminded of the situation she was in, and the fact that she might not make it out. She was going to defeat Voldemort, or die trying. But could she knowingly leave her father and sister to bury another body?

Emilia snored lightly, and Hermione glanced down at her.

It was all so hard.

~*~*~*~*~

Luna wondered when it had become like this; when the thick, awkward silences that occupied their time together started. Had it always been like this, but Luna had been too entranced in her own world to notice?

She politely showed Ginny around her room, smiling as Ginny made sound effects in all the right places. She let out a rather long whistle as she spotted Luna's bed and slowly sat down in it. Luna could almost predict the question coming.

"Will my room have a bed like this?"

"Probably… not."

"Hardly fair." Silence again.

Luna was never awkward, it just wasn't in her nature to feel uncomfortable around people or in a situation; she never cared enough to feel awkward. This feeling was distinctly different to her, and she had an urge to get rid of it.

"This is awkward."

Ginny spluttered for a moment, startled at the announcement. After some time, she nodded, "Yeah, it is. At least you've still got that blunt nature..."

"Is that why it's awkward? Because we don't know each other anymore?"

The red-head shrugged, "I suppose so. I'm not the fortune-telling, all-powerful one here, though."

"You're just as valiant, valuable and needed as I am."

"Maybe you don't know me anymore," Ginny laughed. "You four are the biggest asset to the light side, do you know how much hope you put into people after that mini-battle?"

Luna blinked, momentarily surprised. She felt a surge of pride, knowing she had given a beacon of hope to students. Hope was a rare thing, and it allowed people to do what is thought impossible. Luna truly believed that. "I'll be happy knowing I've given someone hope in my life. That I've given someone the motivation to look at the lighter side of things in such dark times."

"Yeah." She replied, her voice low. "But you just spoke as if you're a dying person."

"I'm not -- I'm just appreciating everything now, because there might not be time for it later."

"So you think you're going to--"

"Ginny, please." Luna commanded, her eyes focusing on the floor, "I don't want to think about death, okay? But if worst comes to worst, I will sacrifice myself for my friends -- who are my family at this point-- and the rest of the world. Or at least Britain. If I truly believed my death was rid the world of Voldemort, I would do it in a heartbeat." Ginny looked properly aghast here, "I think all the heirs feel the same way, Gin. I'm not the only one."

"You're all preparing to die?" She screeched.

"No, no, no! We're just prepared for every possible outcome -- it's just a precaution. It's always there, in the back of our minds."

"I can't handle anymore death, Luna. I've had enough to last a lifetime." Ginny's head was hung, and she was now sitting upright next to Ginny.

"It's the circle of life; people leave, and new people arrive. We'll always remember those who pass, but don't forget those who are still with you."

"I like Neville." Ginny admitted, her eyes still averted. "And I don't mean as friends, or as a school crush. I really like Neville, and I don't know about love -- because I've never been in love before. But I get these chills every time I think of him, and a part of my heart beats ferociously each time he looks at me. And maybe it's just me and wishful thinking, but he looks at me like … like I'm all he ever wants or wanted. And I hate it when people put him down, because I don't understand how they don't see how amazing he truly is. He has one of the biggest hearts I've ever known, a kind and affectionate nature that he can't disguise, even though he tries to. And--and he lets me be me, not some popular, Quidditch-obsessed fan girl."

Luna smiled, "I advise you to tell him because… it seems you feel very strongly for Neville, Ginny. And if that's the case, I beg you not to let that pass. Love is so scarce in times like these.."

"But if he died--" Ginny chocked here, "I--I don't know what I'd do."

Luna closed her eyes jadedly, "I know how you feel."

Her eyes widened, "You.. Like.. Neville?"

"No, no." The two girls lay back then and Luna remembered a time she thought she did love Neville, and almost absent-mindedly muttered, "No." As someone else came to mind.

Ginny turned to her, but said nothing for a minute. "I missed you, Luna. I missed your straight-forward approach to everything, and how you listened and never judged. I missed being your friend -- and you stopped writing to me then, too. Only writing to Harry… And to be honest, I think that's why things are so awkward."

Luna frowned, "I did write back. Your letters got shorter, and then so did mine. We ran out of things to say…. Besides, you still wrote to Neville."

Ginny looked over at Luna in realisation, "Maybe we weren't as close as we thought."

"Maybe," Luna conceded. "But we're still friends. And we'll always be there for each other. You know that, right?"

"Yeah," She smiled, "I do."

~*~*~*~*~

It had been said so nonchalantly that Neville had thought he had heard wrong, but judging by the amusement in Harry's expression, he wasn't mistaken. The problem afterwards was how to answer it, and the scrambling to grasp in answer in those short few minutes. How was he supposed to respond? Regardless of his 'heir' status, Neville was still intimidated of Harry's powers. And right now, he didn't know whether Harry fancied Ginny or not.

"So?" Harry probed. Neville didn't know if he liked -- no, that was a lie. He knew he liked Ginny, but just knew that she didn't return the sentiments. It was something that Neville had thought about frequently, and considering her reactions and words to his, he came to the conclusion that Ginny Weasley only liked him as a friend.

So, he answered the only way he could, "I wish." He had meant to say no. But settled for 'I wish' over 'I want to marry her'.

"Oh... So there's nothing between you and Ginny?" Harry asked, confused.

"Nope. Why? Do you still like her or something?" Neville knew his worried and nervous expression totally killed the nonchalance he had been going for.

"No. So how's living with Malfoy? Must be horrible." The change of subject was swift, but Harry knew not to let silence dwell. It only lead to discussions that he wasn't willing to participate in -- subjects he wasn't willing to breach.

"Actually, he's not that bad. He mostly keeps to himself, and only mocks me a little. Him and Hermione though… There's some serious issues there."

"I can't say I'm shocked."

"Yeah, but I had hopes that they would get along. They're kind of alright now, anyway. They only bicker a little… and they talk more, too."

Harry frowned, "Brilliant."

"It will be! They'll eventually give up all their arguments. They're just both very competitive... And stubborn... And smart, and both always want to be in control. You should see the duels between those two!"

"I will," Harry reminded him, "What about you and Luna?"

"We're peace-makers. Well, Luna is a peace-maker. I'm the coward who won't get involved in fear of being turned on."

"You're not a coward. You need to build your confidence, Neville. You're much more powerful and intimidating than you think. Did you know you're one of the most powerful wizards in the world?"

Neville was quiet for a moment, "But I haven't changed in that aspect. I didn't suddenly become arrogant and confident once I got powers. I question myself, a lot, and it's not something that helps you on the battefield."

"I think you're capable of a lot, Neville. And you're going to beat me in duelling tomorrow, you know. You should believe in yourself, Neville. Everyone else does."

Neville was in slight shock at being told he was intimidating, powerful and great from the 'Chosen One'. Why did everyone suddenly think he was all-powerful? Which, in reflection, Neville realised he was very powerful in regards to his magic. But his insecurities brought him down, and his self-confidence was very fragile. In that aspect, Neville was easily torn down and made an easy target.

But if Harry Potter thinks he's intimidating -- Neville stopped in his thoughts. He must be doing something right.

His thoughts were halted by a knock on his door and two girls stepping through, "You ready for dinner?" Ginny asked, smiling slightly at him.

Harry answered for them, "Yeah, we were just about to head down. Just remember what I said, yeah, Nev? You're a lot more powerful than you realise!" He grabbed Luna by the elbow then, bringing her outside the room with him, leaving Ginny and Neville alone.

Neville didn't know whether he should hit or thank Harry later.

"Lead the way, Great Gryffindor Heir." He blushed and nudged her,

"Haha."

~*~*~*~*~*~

"You know, I think things would be a lot easier with name cards." Blaise announced as he surveyed the table in front of him.

"It's not a formal dinner. Besides, you just want to sit across from Granger Two."

Blaise held his hands up defensively, "You got me! She's magnificent, though."

Draco raised his brows, "Magnificent?"

"Yeah, so?" The two sat down then, picking their seats as there was no one else in the room yet. They had gotten bored upstairs and decided to head to dinner and wait for the others to arrive. Blaise had been hoping for a lot more gossip from Draco, but was sorely disappointed.

The only exciting information had been that Draco had finally rid his father's beliefs in exchange for something realistic.

Draco had instantly felt more relaxed with Blaise in the castle; finally, he had an ally. He didn't haveto be so defensive and masked all of the time now, and it was awfully tiring keeping his walls up everyday. Blaise knew all there was to Draco, so he could let himself just be. Rather than the emotionless Draco that took quite some time to perfect.

Contrary to everyone's belief, Draco didn't care if Blaise took a shine to Muggle-Granger. It wasn't that Draco hated Muggles, he just didn't care. He was impartial in the matter of Muggles; neither hating nor liking them. He didn't hate Emilia Granger, but was rather indifferent towards her.

But he certainly didn't mind Blaise flirting with her, all the more power to Blaise for making the effort. Especially when she would be returning to the muggle world shortly and Blaise to Hogwarts.

Draco had found that derogatory comments came to him less frequently now, too, since he didn't have the urge to put distance and hate between he and Granger all the time. He could relax.

"You never told me that Granger's sister would be fit." Blaise complained.

"I didn't know," Draco stressed, for the fourth time that day already. "Besides, she's not all that great."

"She's gorgeous."

"She's average, Blaise." Draco rolled his eyes, "Actually, I think Granger might be better looking."

"Granger's not bad, bit too noble and know-it-all for my liking though. Still, I think she's sound."

"You would." Draco drawled, then changed the subject, "So have you talked to Theo?"

"Just before he went… He broke up with Clara, too. 'Bout time -- that girl was so bitchy. I don't get it. Anyway," Blaise moved on, "He was a bit put out that I was picked to go, but he'll just have to accept that people like me more than him. Simple fact."

"And people call me arrogant." Draco tutted,

"It's a Slytherin thing. Theo's just not meant for Slytherin -- he's more of a Hufflepuff, I think. Loyal and all that. Oh, look who it is." Blaise paused to lean back in his chair and prop his elbow up on the back of it, looking casually at Emilia as she entered the room -- as if he didn't know she was coming.

"Emilia," He started with a grin, "How you doin'?" Hermione thought he distinctly reminded her of a character from a TV show she watched at summer.

"A little nauseous, I think." Hermione replied, seeing as Emilia didn't answer and was instead staring at him with a bemused expression.

"Are we a little jealous, Granger One? Never fear, for there is enough of me to go around."

She rolled her eyes and sat opposite Draco, Emilia -- much to Blaise's delight -- taking the seat opposite Blaise. If there was one thing Blaise Zabini loved, it was the chase, and this girl enthralled him to no end. He didn't know what was so alluring about her, he just knew he was attracted and was going to pursue it.

What girl wouldn't want him anyway?

"Where are the others?" Hermione asked, glanced around at the empty seats.

"No idea, but I think Dumbledore is coming," Draco spat.

"Why are you so hateful?" Hermione demanded, "What is your problem with him?"

Draco locked eyes with Hermione, and she was stunned at the ferocity in those grey orbs, "My problem," His tone was laced with venom, and Hermione could feel the disdain rolling off of him in waves, "is that he could've stopped it. Maybe, I don't know, find another way to unleash these stupid powers other than killing off relatives. He knew it was coming, Granger. Especially after Lovegood's father's death -- but do tell, what did he do to protect your family afterwards?"

The thought had never occurred to her. Questioning Dumbledore had never crossed her mind, and so that theory had never risen in Hermione's thoughts at all. Her mind was blank for a moment, grasping at straws for an answer.

To put it simply, Hermione Granger was stunned speechless. Draco Malfoy looked quite smug, replacing his earlier look of anger.

Emilia cleared her throat nervously, "So… any good jokes?"

"Did it hurt?" Blaise asked suavely.

Confusion laced her features, "What hurt?"

Blaise's grin was fully-fledged now as she walked into the line, and Draco mentally groaned at what was to come, "When you fell from heaven."

Everyone, save Blaise, at the table groaned loudly then and Blaise laughed, "Oh, just for the record -- wasn't a joke, love."

"You must be the worst Slytherin in existence." Emilia replied, still confused on the motives of the boy sitting across from her. She was highly intimidated by him, and hated that she blushed so easily. It was at times like this that she wished she was as outspoken as her sister, who would've replied with something callous. Well, perhaps not callous, but something to counter her own embarassment.

And from what Emilia had heard about Slytherins and their tolerance for Muggles, he had to be the strangest one in the history of Hogwarts.

"I'll take that as a compliment then, so thank you, Millie."

Millie? Emilia had never been called that before. She decided she didn't like it.

She flushed red as Blaise winked at her, ducking her head to cover the red blush on her cheeks. This was going to be a long holiday…

~*~*~*~*~

It was another fifteen minutes until the professors and other teens had arrived, but they had occupied themselves with talks of the holidays and what they were going to do tomorrow. Hermione had, to her chagrin, found herself enjoying the company of Draco and Blaise, who were both funny in how they interacted.

Draco was cool, controlled, arrogant and sarcastic whereas Blaisewas hot-headed, cocky, slightly impulsive and comical.

Conversation flowed easily once the table was full, and Hermione found herself surrounded by several different topics and wondering which one to join in with. She heard Harry defending his Quidditch moves, and instantly shot down that conversation as an option. Emilia was telling Luna about muggle life, and Hermione was interested in what Luna thought of it all. She forgot Luna was a pureblood and wouldn't know how muggles lived and what they did in place of magic.

Just as she was about to explain the school system to Luna, Dumbledoreentered. All talk ceased as gazes focused on the impressive professor, manoeuvring his way through the room to sit head of the table, where McGonagall ordinarily sat.

"Merry Christmas, sir." Luna was the first to speak, and Hermione could hardly say she was surprised.

"Merry Christmas all," He smiled widely at everyone, enjoying the friendliness and warmth between the friends. He was delighted to see the heirs get along, namely the Ravenclaw and Slytherin heir, which had been the most challenging of the four. "I only have a few moments to spare before I have to return to Hogwarts, but I needed to speak to you about a few things."

His gaze settled on Draco over his glasses, observing the boy silently, "As you know, some of the Death Eaters have assumed Draco to be dead."

Ginny, Harry and Blaise's eyes all widened in unison -- they had not been told this.

"We are not sure how they came to this assumption, but we have heard from two reliable sources that the Death Eaters -- and Voldemort -- are convinced of his death. Voldemort is no doubt suspicious of the lack of media attention surrounding Draco's demise. I feel that it would be unwise to play on Draco's "death" though, as it would backfire disastrously. If people were to start doubting the heirs, hope would wane in a lot of people who only started daring to believe after seeing you four. Also, the fact that there will not be a funeral will provethat Draco is alive."

"So what do we do?" Lupin asked anxiously.

"We do nothing." Was Dumbledore's simple reply.

The table was quiet. "Nothing?" Moody repeated.

"As I said, it would be unwise to encourage these rumours, yet it is still in our advantage for the Death Eaters to believe Draco's death. Lucius Malfoy is currently doing what he can to ensure the Death Eaters don't find the castle, nor find Draco.

"They will, eventually, know that Draco is in fact quite alive and well, but we have the upper hand until then. Any questions?"

There were none. It was slightly surreal and absurd that anyone could believe Draco was dead, when he was sitting beside them with a blank expression on his face. "It's crazy," Ginny mumbled, staring at her plate in thought.

Harry nodded, "Yeah, it is…"

Hermione seemed to be the only one not dwelling on these thoughts, as everyone else looked pensive; even the constantly active, Blaise. Her eyes travelled up the table to Dumbledore, who was doing the same as she. He met her gaze for a minute before continuing around the table.

Her eyes observed Dumbledore, noting his brightly coloured robes and weary features. Despite the distinct weariness about him, he also emitted a powerful aura, one that made you instinctively aware of how great a wizard he was. But to Hermione's great surprise and slight delight, his eyes held that spark again. The spark for knowledge and of happiness, the twinkle that was usually so dominant in his blue eyes had returned. She had been haunted by the memory of his cold, sorrowful eyes that day he informed her of her mother's death.

Hermione was then reminded of Draco's words and allowed her eyes to drop.

And then widen as she saw her Headmasters blackened hand. Before she could stop herself, Hermione spoke, "Oh my, Professor, your hand! Are you alright?"

Dumbledore glanced at his blackened and singed hand and then placed it in his lap, away from scrutiny, "I'm fine, Miss Granger. Just an accident with magic is all." He sent her a look then and she looked at Harry, who averted his eyes.

Horcruxes.

~*~*~*~*~*~

I will be following canon in some aspects, as you can see. Voldemort has still split his soul, but whether they will have to continue hunting them into their seventh year..

What do you think I'll do? ;) lol
I finally have a solid fic for me to start when I'm finished the Founders Heirs. It will be set during the war again, but with entirely different pairs and plot lines. ENTIRELY different pairs. Plus, they won't have those "wow" powers. Just the ordinary ones! It will be great, and I cannot wait to write it!! Anyway..

Reviews are welcomed! Don't forget to vote in the poll :)

xCailinNollaigx