Chapter 37 New Goals
As the day before the start of term arrived people started to arrive back at Hogwarts, however a large handful of students didn't return. The students who did return came by means of the Floo Network, it was just after lunch when Harry, Ron and Ginny returned to the castle.
"I wonder if Hermione killed Jack or Kim during break?" asked Ron as they walked though the castle toward the common room.
"I just don't understand why Hermione has such a problem with Kim." said Harry as Ginny grinned knowingly as they walked into the common room.
"I believe you where looking for this?" said Jack as he sat on the couch with a coffee table in front of him. Sitting on the floor beside him was Hermione across from Kim, each one of them had muggle playing cards in their hands.
"Yes." said Hermione as she playfully slapped Jack's leg. "You had to renig."
"No, I had the nine protecting the left bar." said Jack "You just need to get better at Euchre."
"Well I just learned this bid Euchre yesterday." answered Hermione with a laugh
"What are you guys doing?" asked Ron
"It's called Euchre." said Hermione "It's a muggle card game."
"Ah, looks different." said Harry as he remembered the Dursley playing it.
"It's an American version." answered Kim as he shuffled the deck
"You want to play Ron?" asked Jack
"Sure why not." said Ron as he sat down "So how do you play this game?"
"Kim why don't you teach him the basics." said Hermione with a smile.
"Sure." said Kim as she leaned forward to help Ron.
"Won…won." Said a high voice as Lavender ran across the room hugging Ron tightly. Before pulling out a bit and place her finger on his chest "Let's go somewhere."
"Sure….Maybe some other time Kim." said Ron as he let Lavender left to the far corner and started making out for all to see.
"Well that sucks." said Kim under her breath so that only Hermione, Jack, Harry and Ginny heard her.
"Don't worry." said Hermione as she placed her hand on top of Kim's.
"Wait I thought you two hated each other." said Harry
"Just a huge misunderstanding." explained Hermione
"That is an understatement." said Kim
"How was your break?" asked Hermione
"Good." said Harry "Well apart from a little run in with the Minister of Magic."
"What?" asked Jack
"Basically Scrimgeour showed up and wanted to talk to me." said Harry "Wanted me to come to the Ministry ever once and a while to show the public that I support them."
"A poster boy." said Jack
"Yes, he accused me of being Dumbledore's man and the being in the pockets of the Americans." Said Harry
"Tell them what you said to him." said Ginny
"I told him I was Dumbledore's man and Dumbledore trusts the Americans and so do I." said Harry
"Well he has got to love that." said Jack
"He hit the roof." said Harry "It was rather funny."
"I just hate politicians sometimes they keep trying to minutia things." said Jack before looking at Kim. "Sorry I forgot."
"Don't worry my Dad hates politicians and he is one." said Kim as she tried not to look at Ron and Lavender.
"Wait I finally got it." said Ginny "I can't believe I never saw it before."
"Saw what?" asked Harry
"Say anything and next Quidditch match I will make sure to knock you off your broom and no one will caught you." said Kim
"Alright, then." said Ginny "However I will say this I am just as upset about this as you."
"Ok, what am I missing?" asked Harry as he looked around confused.
"Come on Harry it isn't that hard to figure out." Stated Jack as Kim glared at him. "He should know."
"I am not having one of my major secrets on displayed for everyone to know." stated Kim as she slammed the cards on the table before walking off.
"Ok, will someone fill me in?" asked Harry
"Harry let me say this I was pissed at Kim because I thought she was after Jack." said Hermione "She wasn't."
"She wasn't?" asked Harry "But all the times she sat by Jack and everything else."
"Who else was she sitting beside?" asked Hermione as Harry's eyes widen
"Ron?" asked Harry
"Bingo." stated Jack
"But Ron hates Americans." said Harry as Jack raised an eyebrow "Sorry but it's the truth, and his entire family isn't that big of fans."
"Well we did lose more than a few relatives in the war with America." said Ginny
"Please that was over 200 years ago, let it go." said Jack
"It doesn't end there during World War II some drunken Americans shot my grandpa's brother while he was walking though the town." said Ginny "I mean my mom tolerates you because you are a family friend nothing more but if you where dating me."
"I am not saying I want that Hermione." added Ginny as she saw the look she was getting from Hermione "But she would freak almost as bad as when she freaked about Phlegm…sorry Fleur."
"I think she Mrs. Weasley wouldn't mind Kim." said Harry as Jack took a drink from a water bottle as if he was trying to stop himself from saying something he shouldn' they were sitting there McGonagall walked into the common room. Everyone turned and watched as she placed a large piece of parchment on the board before walking out. Instantly people rushed toward the poster
"Apparition lessons for everyone who will be or turn 17 by the 31st of August." Said Harry
"Well looks like you guys will learn that skill." Said Jack "I can't really."
"Ah because you know." said Harry
"Yes, because you have to be 18 to apparite in America." said Jack as Harry nodded yes head.
The next day was the first day of term and the first day that homework came pouring down almost as fast as the snow outside the castle walls. It got so bad that care of magical creatures along with all outdoor class had been moved inside because of near white out conditions. Later that night while Harry was visiting Dumbledore for yet another lesson on Voldemort's history, meanwhile Jack was standing in the library with a huge stack of books in his hands.
"Now we will need this one too." said Hermione as she picked up another book. "Why did you think just walking around Hogwarts would help you find out things about Merlin?"
"I was looking for Ancient energy source any room has to be powered by something." said Jack as Hermione led them to a large table.
"Normally you would be correct but what if it isn't at Hogwarts." Said Hermione as Jack raised an eyebrow "Now according to legend Merlin was a very powerful wizard however you have evidence proving he is in fact…"
"An ancient who used his advanced form to do Magic." said Jack
"Yes but the legends tell us more; supposedly at the time the wizardering community was disorganized they were just learning how to make good wands in large numbers." said Hermione
"Probably Merlin helped them with that." said Jack
"Possibly, now it is said he gathered two great wizards and two great witches and trained them to become the four unstoppable magical users." said Hermione
"The founders of Hogwarts." said Jack
"Correct now Merlin was their teacher and the first governor of Hogwart's school." said Hermione "He also helped design the school."
"So he may have hidden something here." said Jack
"Possibly it is said that Merlin built the first library at Hogwarts and filled it will untold number of books but no one has ever found it." said Hermione "Most people consider it a myth just like they thought the chamber of secrets was."
"And we are going to find it." said Jack
"Yes, Merlin's Library I would love to find that." said Hermione "And first place we need to look for information to find it is in the library."
"This is something I give to Daniel to do." Said Jack
"What I don't understand is why is you didn't come for my help before?" asked Hermione
"I didn't want to weigh you doing with my work." answered Jack as Hermione smiled as she opened the first book.
"Now let's get started." said Hermione as Jack opened his own book and started reading.
Meanwhile Harry found himself once again standing in Dumbledore's office after going into a pensieve to stare into the memories of different people.
"So Harry tell me what have you learned so far from our trips into the past?" asked Dumbledore as the two of them sat across from each other.
"Everything?" asked Harry as Dumbledore nodded his head. "Well Voldemort grew up an orphan; he was cruel even as a kid and collected items. Also he killed his muggle father and framed his uncle for it. Also Pr. Slughorn told him something and he is so ashamed of it and even changed his memories to hid it."
"Correct and that memory may be the key to defeating Voldemort." said Dumbledore "And it is up to you to get it."
"I will do my best sir." said Harry
"Yes, I believe you will." said Dumbledore "Now Harry I must ask you once again not to share this with…."
"With anyone apart from Ron, Hermione and Jack." said Harry
"And Miss Rilles." said Dumbledore as Harry blinked for a bit.
"Kim?" asked Harry
"Yes." answered Dumbledore
"Sir, I know she knows about Jack's secret but do we need to tell her everything?" asked Harry
"Harry, I once told Jack that the reason why I brought so many exchange students to the school was to help build relations with the rest of the world and maybe find new allies against Voldemort." started Dumbledore "That is not entirely true."
"What?" asked Harry
"Yes, it is important that we build bridges in this dark time but Miss Rilles was among the main reasons why I did this exchange program in the first place." Stated Dumbledore
"Why?" asked Harry
"Harry, you and Kim are linked in ways you don't yet understand." said Dumbledore "She may have just as much as stake in this war with Voldemort as your friends Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger and Mr. O'Neill."
"How?" asked Harry
"Harry, I can share with you almost everyone of my secrets however this is one that she must share with you." said Dumbledore "It is a secret that is ripping her apart on the inside and I think only you may truly understand what is going on with her. I recommend you talk to her about it sooner rather then later and make sure no one else is around. Others may not understand."
"Ok." said Harry wondering what Dumbledore was talking about. As Harry walked though the darkened hallways back to the common room he passed the library where he could see Jack and Hermione behind a small mountain of books. Finally he reached the common room only to find Kim sitting in their alone waiting for a report from either Jack/Hermione or Harry about what they learned.
"So Harry what did Dumbledore have to tell you today?" asked Kim as Harry sat down across from her in the ever darkening common room. The fire roared in a vain attempt to keep out the cold.
"Kim…Dumbledore told me you have a stake in the war against Voldemort more of a stake then almost everyone else." said Harry as Kim stopped smiling and glared at Harry.
"How much did he tell you?" asked Kim
"He told me you had a stake in this fight nothing more." said Harry "However he also told me this secret is eating you up, that it is a heavy burden."
"It's nothing compared to yours killing Voldemort." said Kim
"That is a burden I have learned to share with my friends." Added Harry "So let us share your burden."
"Believe me this is a burden that you can't share." said Kim as she stood up and walked toward the fire looking into it with her blue eyes "You can't get rid of what is in your very veins."
"What is it Kim?" asked Harry as he stood up.
"Since there is no way for you not to find out sooner rather than later I will tell you." said Kim "But promise me under no conditions are you to tell, Ron or Hermione."
"What about Jack?" asked Harry
"That bugger figured it out." said Kim "Damn Google."
"Google?" asked Harry "That is that muggle computer search engine."
"Jack used it to search my up my father." said Kim "He found the deep dark secret of the Rilles family."
"What is that?" asked Harry
"That until a few decades ago there is no Rilles family." said Kim as Harry raised an eyebrow as Kim turned around to face Harry with the fire right behind her giving off a eerily light. The shadows on her face made her look downright scary as her blue eyes looked straight at Harry, slowly she opened her mouth only to have hisses come out however Harry understood it clear as day.
"If I use my real family surname, I would be named Kimberly Ann Gaunt." Hissed Kim as Harry's eyes widened
"Gaunt?" asked Harry as he talked back in Parseltongue.
"Yes, my grandfather changed it after coming to America the same week he graduated from Hogwarts." stated Kim as she switched the human tongue. "My grandfather was the youngest son of Marvolo Gaunt he was only in his fourth year at Hogwarts when his father and elder brother where brought to Azkaban and his sister ran off with Tom Riddle SR."
"So you are?" asked Harry stunned.
"Ya, so tell me Harry can you trust me now? Do you want me to be your friend even though I am a family member to Tom Marvolo Riddle? To put it in simple terms I am the second cousin to Lord Voldemort, his blood is my blood and…. " Stated Kim as the sound of a falling book caused both of them to jump. Instantly Kim and Harry turned to see Ron and Lavender standing stunned in the doorway to the boys dormitories.
"Ron." said Kim as Ron turned and ran up the stair case while Lavender ran up to the girls.
"RON!" cried Kim as she ran to the bottom of the stairs only to hear the slamming of a door.
"Kim…." said Harry as the sound of the door opening caused them to look toward the door to see Jack and Hermione walking though the door.
"What just happened?" asked Jack as he looked around at the face of Kim and Harry. Kim's was a face of a mix of pure rage and pure sadness while Harry just looked ashamed.
"Thanks to Mr. Chosen one here I just lost any hopes I would ever have with Ron." snapped Kim as she stormed toward Harry "And to make it even worst Lavender knows and she will tell everyone about me."
"What about you?" asked Hermione
"That I am Voldemort's second cousin." snapped Kim as Hermione's eyes widened "And Harry just for your knowledge I came to help you stop him and regain my family honor."
"Sorry." said Harry
"Sorry…sorry…" said Kim with tears in her rage filled eyes as she slapped Harry so hard across the face it caused Harry's head to spin "SORRY WILL NOT CUT IT!"
"Maybe if we talk to Lavender she will not spill the beans." offered Harry
"Please Lavender hates my guts almost as much as Hermione's." said Kim "She probably has every girl up in our room up in arms by the time we get up there."
"You don't have to wait." said Jack as he pulled out his wand and pointed them toward five girls dressed in their night gowns who had their wands aimed at Kim. Instantly Kim, Harry and Hermione had their wands pointed at the girls.
Well I hope you liked the surprise I did with Kim and how she has a stake in this war. Now until next time please keep reading. Thanks Wilkins75