Chapter 13 (OK, there was a catch on the Gifts...)

Hermione and her head of house, Professor McGonagall, sat in comfortable chairs in front of Headmaster Dumbledore's desk. Over the years, many of the unusual instruments lost their mystery as Hermione learned more about the wizarding world, but she still would love to spend a day by herself, playing with all the toys' in the office.

Dumbledore didn't waste time on too many pleasantries. He greeted her and let her know how proud her was of her accomplishments, but changed the subject to the Gift's of the Founders immediately. I know you are a voracious reader, so I have no doubt that by now you have no doubt committed to memory your Head Girl Handbook.

Yes, Sir. Hermione answered.

I am very well aware of your sense of morality and how you may have reacted to one gift in particular, so I'm sure it will be a relief for you to know about some changes that have been made since the handbook was written. Hermione leaned forward and kept her eyes on Headmaster Dumbledore, the posture of someone listening with rapt attention. The last time all 4 gifts were bestowed on any one student was in the mid 1940s. Hermione correctly surmised that the last student to receive all 4 gifts must have been Tom Riddle. The gifts are incredibly strong, and after certain issues with said student, it was determined that all 4 gifts held too much power together to be given to any one person. We had to perform rituals and ceremonies, but we were able to successfully modify the founder's gifts very slightly. Since the modification, each Head Boy and Girl is allowed to select one gift. The ceremony will be Friday evening Hermione nodded. I know of your great concern for our house elves, so it may ease your mind to know that no Head Boy or Girl has selected the gift of Slytherin since the restriction was placed.

That is a relief, Hermione stated and wondered how they would react when Draco selected it anyway. She knew he would. She then asked, Why did a gift like that last for so long? I can understand it even up to the 15th-17th centuries, but after that?

Minerva jumped in, I can provide some perspective from when I was in a student. By that time, many of us were engaged to be married by 6th year and in that case a future spouse would be selected. In other cases, if a Quidditch captain was Head Boy, he might select the Quidditch Captain of the rival house and assign him chores such as cleaning and polishing the Quidditch gear. It was all innocent fun.

Dumbledore continued, For several hundred years before that, it was though of as training. If one was not selected as Head Boy or Girl, but was a slave for one, it was thought to teach empathy to those in your employ. To further clarify, Miss Granger, the Slytherin gift was not at issue at all when the decision to stop giving all of the gifts was made. It was all four gifts in combination that was far too powerful.

Hermione thought for a moment, Professor McGonagall? Can I assume that had you been available and not on order business before start of term, this is information I would have known about before now?

Yes, absolutely, Miss Granger. Minerva responded. I'm sorry for any discomfort the lack of information may have caused you.

Hermione grinned, You may need to inform Professor Snape of this as well. Since he has never had a student that became a school head, I'm not sure he is aware of the limitations. I'm certain Draco is not aware of them.

Albus and Minerva exchanged very amused looks.

Dumbledore explained her selections. The choice is yours, but the Order would like to suggest you select Goddrich Gryffindor's gift. Courage and additional power under pressure when fighting for something Gryffindor would believe is a powerful gift. The term fighting for' is not literal; striving towards would also be an accurate translation. It's also a gift that continues for a lifetime, not just for the school year. Hermione nodded. We understand that the Ravenclaw gift may tempt you as well. It's the power to obtain and retain the information from any bound volume with just a touch. We'll understand if that gift proves too irresistible to you. It's a gift that only lasts the year, but the knowledge is permanent. And don't underestimate the gift of Hufflepuff. It's another lifetime gift. To know one's ultimate life goal will succeed if one honestly puts one's all into it is quite powerful. I'm sure it's very easy to see how in the wrong hands, these gifts would have devastating power.

Hermione's head was spinning. Knowing any book just with a touch! That was more power than she ever dreamed of. She imagined herself spending her winter holiday taking her appiration test, and then traveling nonstop from library to library touching every book she could reach. This sounded so much better than having a slave! What is the ceremony like?

I can't give you the full details, but there will be a purifying ritual that Professor McGonagall will help you with and special robes. It takes place in the Great Hall on Friday evening after dinner. Very few people are there; you and the Head Boy select your gifts. If by some chance someone does select the Slytherin gift and the selected person has the option of declining, a representative will be sent to the selected and that person will be asked if he or she wishes to be of service to a student head of school for the year. The selected will only be told that the service could involve anything short of death. But as I earlier stated, no one has opted for the Slytherin gift since the limit was placed.

Hermione noticed something. The selected student was not told which student he or she would be serving. It's quite a lot to digest. I'm glad you have given me time to think it over.

Dumbledore smiled at her. I'm sure we can count on you to make a wise choice. Now, off you go unless you have more questions, I have some things to attend to. Both Hermione and Professor McGonagall stood up, but Dumbledore gestured for Minerva to stay. She sat back down as Hermione left the office.

Minerva pondered out loud, The Ravenclaw gift may prove too irresistible for her.

I think she might be capable of giving us quite a surprise on Friday night. Don't go with your gut feelings, make sure not to skip any steps of the purification rituals before the gift ceremony.

Albus! You can't think that innocent child might need the whole cleansing process? Minerva commented.

Dumbledore looked lost in thought, There's something dark emanating from her that I've never sensed before.

You must be imagining things, I sensed nothing of the sort. Minerva argued.

Dumbledore didn't back down. It was quite faintbut it was there. Please do as I ask.

Minerva nodded. I've never known you to be wrong. I pray you are this time.

*

Hermione made her way back to her quarters. Draco teased her about continuing their initiation that night in her room this time. She just smiled and stated, I need to sleep! Please make sure I'm not disturbed.

She didn't wait for a response. She entered her room, secured the door, then quickly changed into a comfortable nightshirt and climbed into her bed. She thought about reading, but a huge yawn changed her mind. She swallowed her dreamless sleep potion and drifted right off.