Harry and Hermione met outside Dumbledore's office, wondering why he had called them at breakfast. The gargoyle moved aside as the approached and they entered the office. Professor Dumbledore stood behind his desk and smiled at them.
"Do sit down children" he said, pointed to the two armchairs he had conjured in front of the desk. Harry and Hermione dropped into the chairs and looked at Dumbledore as he sat down and adjusted his half-moon spectacles.
"Why did you call us here Sir?" asked Hermione
Dumbledore lent forward in his chair and looked at them seriously.
"I have decided to have you two move into the extra dorm in Gryffindor tower. We feel that it would be prudent for you to sleep away from the other students, where you activities will not arouse suspicion."
"There is another dorm?" asked Harry curiously, wondering why it hadn't been mentioned in "Hogwarts: a history"
"Yes Mr Potter. Hogwarts students used to study magic for eight years instead of seven. This was outlawed many decades ago."
"Are there two dorms Sir?" said Harry
"I'm afraid not Mr Potter. All those decades ago, only male students studied for eight years. It was deemed that girls only needed seven years of magical training, whilst boys required the extra year. You'll have to learn to live together. It will be easier for the two of you to practise together if you share a dorm, anyway."
Harry and Hermione looked at each other worriedly. They had enough trouble to be civil to each other when they saw each other in classes, how would they learn to live together?
Trying to change the subject, Hermione turned to the Headmaster.
"Why did the Gargoyle let us through when we arrived? I thought we would need the password."
Dumbledore smiled "The Gargoyle has recognised you as the heirs of the founders and therefore you are allowed to pass without question."
"Wouldn't this cause problems if an heir turned and wanted to kill the headmaster?' asked Harry curiously, wondering about the Heir of Slytherin incident in his second year.
Dumbledore nodded to him. "That is true Mr Potter, but this is not possible for two reasons. After Salazar Slytherin left the school, the other founders ensured that any of his heirs would not be able to have free pass into warded areas, such as this office. The gargoyle also has the ability to detect malicious intent towards the Headmaster, and therefore he would not allow the person through. He could sense the goodness in the two of you and therefore let you through."
Harry and Hermione nodded, absorbing this information.
They were still lost in thought when the Headmaster stood and said "I'll have Dobby show you the way to your dorm now. You are excused from morning classes in order to settle in."
Harry and Hermione stood and watched as Dumbledore summoned Dobby and requested that he show them the way to the eighth dorm of Gryffindor tower.