A/N: I won't be writing anything to you at the end of this chapter. Sorry it's so short, but I wanted it to stop there. In case any of you are wondering why I chose "Romeo and Juliet", we're studying it in English right now and I wanted to use it later on, so that's why they're both reading it. Also, now that I'm on the tenth chapter, I just wanted to say that I thought that was kinda cool...wowzas, ten chapters! And one more thing, could I get some more reviews rolling in here? I know that sounds greedy but if I don't get any I don't feel like writing....soooo. Please write a review! OK I'm done with the groveling, here's chapter ten...

P.S. My b-day's in 7 days!

Chapter 10: The Heirs

Almost as soon as Harry finished the 4th Act, the train stopped with a jolt. The book went flying and Hermione woke up. Harry looked down and said, "We're here."

"I figured that," she replied, straightening up and self-conciously smoothing her hair. Harry stood and grabbed her hand, to lead her out of the compartment. As they were leaving, he snatched up the play book and handed it to her.

"I was reading it," he said sheepishly.

"Really? What'd you think?" Hermione asked.

"It really--" he started, but then he was cut off by Dean and Seamus running up to them.

"Harry, Hermione, Dumbledore wants to see you in his office-- right away!" Seamus said breathlessly.

"Now? What'd we do, we just got here!" Hermione replied anxiously.

"I dunno, he just said it was urgent."

Harry and Hermione looked at each other questioningly, then headed off to Dumbledore's office. When they reached the entrance, they began guessing at passwords, knowing that they were usually sweets, and finally hit upon the right one (Fizzing Whizbees) and they stepped onto the stairs. Dumbledore was waiting for them when they finally reached the doorway.

"Please have a seat," he said, cordially. When both of the friends were seated, Dumbledore himself sat down behind his desk and folded his hands.

"I have something of importance to discuss with you both, for each piece of news has to do with you both," he began.

"Wait, Professor, before you begin, may I ask you something?" Hermione asked. When he nodded, "Forgive me if this question is inappropriate, but why didn't Ron make prefect?"

"I take no offense Miss Granger. Mr. Weasley was not chosen because, one, he has an infamous short temper and we feared he might resort to drastic measures on some of the students such as what he did in his second year with the slug incident. Second is, he had a more important job this year... to help keep you two out of danger."

"But Professor, why would we be in danger?" Hermione asked.

"Let me begin with the end of last school year. As we feared, Voldemort has indeed returned although none of his usual crimes have been committed over the summer. But each of you has something that he needs. Both of you have powers that some can only dream of and go back to ancient magical times. But these powers go hand in hand and one without the other, all is lost." Harry and Hermione looked at each other confused, but continued to listen.

"When this school first began 1,000 years ago there were four founders, as you both know. Although many know of Salazar Slytherin's heir, Tom Riddle, few know of a more powerful heir. Godric Gryffindor's. His blood can be traced through generations, though some of his relatives have been Squibs and Muggleborns. Even with the witches and wizards linked to Gryffindor, not one has been as powerful until now. Gryffindor prided many things, qualities he himself had. Courage, strength, will, comradery and the ability to see through to a person's soul, to the kind of person they were. The skills that flowed through his veins, though natural, had to be trained. Just as his heir must be trained now, in the wizarding world's hour of need. Harry, this person is you. Your ability to defeat the almost undefeatable began to show at a very young age. Now after five years of watching you grow, it is time you learned to hone your skills, for full grown wizards' powers can only go so far to defeat Voldemort and his followers."

All through this speech, Harry's knuckles were white from clinging to the chair, and Hermione had become rigid in her seat.

"But, Harry, this power can only go so far to help us. Around the same time as Gryffindor was alive so was another great wizard, known in the Muggle world and our world... Merlin. These two met while slaying a troublesome Chinese Fireball. Afterwards, they became close friends. No one dared to cross their paths when they were together because of the incredible powers that could be unleashed at any moment. In fact by many accounts, they said that one could almost feel an energy emitted from them in a room. Merlin prided himself on keeping a cool head in a pressured situation and for retaining information. This knowledge helped him out of many situations. Those two were his main traits, although his ability in any branch of magic was unrivaled. He and Godric shared many good qualities, such as those, so when they were together these perfect balances of intelligence and courage defeated many a Dark wizard. Such a blend of virtues has not been seen again, before now. And as Gryffindor did, Merlin had an heir as well."

"Who, Professor?" Harry asked, with a sinking feeling in his stomach, although he already knew the answer. He looked over at Hermione, pale and trembling with fright, tears streaming down her face.

"Me," she whispered, and Dumbledore nodded gravely.