"I'm an owl!" Hermione squealed happily.
"That's cool Hermione" Ron said emptily trying to sound sincere, Hermione didn't notice the lack of sincerity.
"So Neville, how long have you known the difference your wand made?" Hermione asked.
"The second I held it, with my old wand, I picked it up and a faint, blue light shone, but with this wand, when I held it, gold streaks, almost as bright as the sun came out!" Neville said, getting happier and happier as he continued.
"Gran almost cried with happiness, she said that my powers rivaled my dad's, she said this after she saw me in my room one night practicing curses on my new magi-meter." Neville said, hoping they would ask him what it was, and sure enough they did.
"Well, to start, it's the size of rememberall, but when you tap it and say 'metreyo', it turns into something like those scales at muggle carnivals, you take the large hammer and hit the bottom and the ball goes to a height according to the strength, it's the same purpose with this, except with magic" he explained pulling out a small glass ball. They had all noticed that Neville's speech had changed, not drastically but he didn't speak like the Neville they knew before. The next hour of the trip was quite uneventful, but then, for the first time since they were first years, there was an announcement,
"We will be making a stop in fifteen minutes time, do not be startled" Was all the voice said, and for the next fifteen minutes, all they did was guess why they were stopping.
"Maybe we're out of fuel" Seamus suggested.
"The Express doesn't run on fuel!" Hermione droned, as if thinking it did was a crime, but in that fifteen minutes and their guessing, his was the most sensible. Finally, when the train stopped, a silence fell upon every compartment, even Malfoy shut up for this. They heard hundreds of foot steps, and finally, the door in their compartment opened, revealing 5 pale, scar covered boys, about Harry and Ron's age.
"Do you mind if we come in here?" one asked.
"Sure! The more the merrier" Ron said in an oddly cheery voice.
"Thanks," one said and they all smiled.
"It's unusual for the train to stop, how come you didn't get on at Kings Cross?" Hermione questioned interestedly.
"Too dangerous, we're being hunted." One said.
"Hunted, by who?" Hermione gasped.
"Vampire hunters, bloody gits never give up" one said.
"Why would a vampire hunter be after you guys?" Seamus asked confused.
"We're vampires" One said casually.
"You're what?" Neville said edging back calmly, hand rested on his wand.
"Vampires, we've been portrayed a lot differently by books, until this point we haven't interacted with wizards. By the way, I'm Cyrus, this is Ian, this is Roy, this is Anthony, and this John." They all smiled and said hi.
"So, what are vampires about?" Ron asked bluntly.
"Well, we don't kill when we feed, that is the main thing, we are not evil either, our blood cousins, the vampaneze are quite different. They are purple skinned monsters, they kill humans when they feed, and we are at war with them. A few months ago, Professor Dumbledore came to the mountain during session, and asked for a meeting with the princes. He asked them to ally the wizards against Voldort and his death eaters for the vampaneze had already joined this voldort, he suggested that the princes send all half vampires 17 and younger, attend Hogwarts so we can learn defenses against these bad wizards." Ian said.
"You have princes?" Seamus asked dumbly.
"What mountain?" Hermione asked intrigued.
"Sorry, I forgot. Our government is based on 3 positions, Generals, which are soldiers, Princes, who are our leaders and commanders, there are 5 princes currently, and finally, there's regular vampires who are just citizens. The princes live in vampire mountain, all I can say about it is it's very cold." Ian informed them.
"So, how do you change in to bats?" Neville asked. They all laughed hard about this.
"We don't that's just a myth. One myth that is true though is we live for centuries, half-vampires such as my self, age a year every 5 years, full vampires, age 1 year for every 10. To be a half vampire means that your still half human, you don't have all full vampire abilities, your not as strong as full vampires, and you can't flit, which is moving at a speed that the eye can barely see, also we can't communicate telepathically like full. But, compared to humans, we are still incredible, if half vampires were to enter the Olympics, they would surely win over 98% of the events." Roy said.
"Only 53 of us have come, we were the only ones who had potential to do magic, Dumbledore gave us some tests and stuff." Syrus said. Then, Harry began explaining about the wizarding world, and correcting them on the name 'voldort'. Harry took a liking to Syrus, he seemed quite similar to Harry.
Finally they arrived at Hogwarts.
"All firs' years and new students come with me" Hagrid shouted.
When they reached the Great Hall, the Sorting Hat had just finished its song.
"Brinsk, Ian." A voice called, but it was not McGonagall this time, it was...Tonks! Harry nuged Ron in the ribs and pointed up near the hat.
"Crikey Harry, look, it's Tonks!" Ron said.
"I know you twit.!" Harry said jokingly, Mean while everyone around them began cheering, Ian had been voted a Gryffindor. In the end, there were 19 Gryffindors, 17 Hufflepuffs, and 17 Ravenclaws. No Slytherins. Among the Gryffindors were Ian, Ron, and Syrus.
"This year, I'm sure you've noticed, we've opened our doors to new students, they are to be treated with as much respect as you show each other, we are all at a war these days, do not start more within yourselves." Dumbledore started.
"Normally, I wouldn't make a speech before the feast, unfortunately, this year is much different. We'll have 4 new teachers this year, and a new subject, our first new teacher, will be teaching Potions is Miss Nymphadora Tonks." Everyone in the hall cheered for Snapes absence, except or the sulking Slytherins and the confused Vampires.
"Our next new teacher is a Mr. Remus Lupin, to many, he is not new, he will be taking back his old job of Defense against Dark Arts." Once again almost all cheered, especially Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"Our next new teacher will be a Mr. Sirius Black, as many of you know, he was at one point in Azkaban but be assured, he was as innocent of that crime as I or anyone here is. He will be teaching our new subject, dueling!" Ron, Harry, and Hermione were so taken back with happiness they almost forgot to cheer.
"Our final new professor is not able to be here today, but soon enough, he and several students from his old school will be here, he is former headmaster in a school in America and will be taking over Transfiguration for this year while Professor McGonagall is at Vampire Mountain, teaching the princes, in the mean time I will be taking over that class, now you may feast." And with the word feast, large portions of food appeared on each plate. Harry had waited until he had finished his meal to greet Sirius but he was intercepted by Dumbledore.
"Harry, I believe you've been needing to talk to me?" He said. Harry decided that Sirius could wait, this was important.
"Yes professor" Harry nodded, with that, Dumbledore led Harry to his office.
"Skiving snack-boxes" Dumbledore said, Harry was confused until the Gargoyles blocking the path to his office moved.
"So tell me Harry, what's been bothering you?" Dumbledore asked attentively.
"Well professor, this past month, I've been having these spells of not remembering whats happened, first, it happened during apparation class, then when we were attacked by death eaters, Hermione said I used ancient magic, but the spells she described I have never heard of, could it be Voldemort?" Harry asked, afraid of the possible answer.
"Harry, you are involved in a second prophecy was made by Professor Trelawney's grandmother.
'The year that the Heirs of greatness meet,
Is the year a great evil may know defeat,
It will take plus one vampire,
With out, the causes will be dire.
It will take the heirs of the Hogwarts four,
To be complete it will take two more.
The heir of Merlin and the heir of wizard unknown,
All their ancient powers shall be honed'"
"This is the year the heirs must meet Harry. During the moments you can't remember, were you rather excited?" Dumbledore queried. Harry nodded.
"Then it is as I suspected, Harry, you are a true heir of Godric Gryffindor. At those moments you can't remember, it was his spiritual being, he was sort of possessing you, it's just a sign of you being his heir, over the next few week's you will be able to control his power instead of him using you to control his power. You also share the heirship of Salazar Slytherin due to Voldemort, and lastly, you are part Merlin, not nearly enough of this to be an heir, but you are quite distantly related. On the other hand for Gryffindor, he is your greatest of grandfathers. When you return to the dormitory, please send for both Ron and Neville, they are as involved in this prophecy as you are Harry, now please, go get them for me." Professor asked tiredly. Harry nodded and right before he left he had to asked one thing before he left.
"Professor, who is the unknown wizard the prophecy, was talking about?" Harry asked curiously.
"Harry, I'm honored to say that wizard is me" he said with the usual twinkle swimming in his eyes, and with that, Harry was off to fetch Ron and Neville, he didn't need to think at all about them being heirs, the only thing that bothered him was that Ron never had periods in which he couldn't remember what happened. He decided he wouldn't mention it until he returned from Dumbledore's.
When he arrived in the common room Ron had just finished sweeping the floor with Neville in a game of wizard's chest.
"Hey guys Professor Dumbledore said he wanted to see you." Harry said trying to hide the excitement for when Ron returned.
"Me too?" Neville asked awkwardly.
"Yes you too Neville" Harry laughed. For some reason Ron looked terrified as he stood up and left. Harry sat in the corner for fifteen minutes waiting anxiously for Ron to return, finally, he returned, Neville still not their.
"Harry! I'm the heir of Merlin can you believe it? Me! The heir of one of the greatest wizards of all time!" Ron said.
"Ron, I-I think we're related." Harry said trying to figure it all out.
"How do you figure?" Ron inquired.
"Dumbledore said that I was distantly related to Merlin, not nearly enough to be his heir though, I'm already heir of Gryffindor so-,"
"You are?? That's great Harry! I mean who ever thought our in our first year we'd turn out to be the heirs of the greatest wizards of all time!" Ron said happily. Harry completely agreed then remembered,
"How come you never told me about your memory lapses?" Harry asked.
"I feel like kind of a prat now but I felt the same way you did, I thought I was being possessed by you-know-who. I was afraid If I said anything you'd avoid me, sorry mate."
"It's okay Ron" Harry said forgivingly, just then Neville ran in.
"I'm the heir of Hufflepuff! I'm the heir!"
"Didn't see that coming, how bout you Harry?" Ron
"Nope" Harry finished.
"Let's go tell him our news." Harry suggested and Ron nodded.
"Neville, Neville! Wait up" Then dead in his tracks he stopped and turned around.
"Yes?" He said instantly calming down.
"Me and Harry are heirs as well" Ron said smiling.
"Wow! Which ones?" Neville said, happy he had friends with him.
"I'm the heir of Gryffindor and-," Harry started.
"I'm the heir of Merlin!" Ron finished.
"Wow! That's amazing Ron, Merlin!" Neville said amazed.
"Should we show him the gift from Fred and George Harry?" Ron asked peaking Neville's curiosity.
"Well, he is an heir, I think we should." Harry confirmed.
"Neville, follow us" Neville did so and what he found amazed him.
"Fred and George are amazing!" Neville said admirably. What they found amazed them, he too was a double animagus, he was of course a badger and a bear. Neville read up on his animals for hours, as Ron and Harry snuck out to the room of requirement, where it was full of books on lions, phoenixes, stags, and wolves.
"You go first Harry" Ron said as he nudged Harry, Harry nodded reluctantly and once again created his patronus animals and the lion, just as before ran and took his place next to Harry, and the stag joined the lion on the opposite of Harry.
"Haha this is great! Their like guarding me, this is bitchin!" Harry laughed.
"Ok now me." Ron created his animals and his phoenix landed on his shoulder and his wolf laid down before him.
"Haha wicked" Ron laughed.
"Okay, now is the real test, giving them actual form, I'll go first" Harry said.
'I don't think I can do it' Harry thought
'Don't be stupid Gryffindor, Godric was well known for his ability to change himself' a voice said. Harry thought it best not to ask the voice who it was and just do as it said.
"Solidaro" he said, pointing his wand towards the lion at first, nothing, but then, starting at the tail, it began crawling through the lions body, within about 45 seconds it was completely solid.
"Bloody hell, Harry! That's brilliant!" Ron whispered. Harry leant down slowly and began to stroke the lions mane apprehensively at first, and then he got more comfortable as the lion began to do a kind of purring thing, Harry wasn't sure but he knew it was safe and the animal trusted him, he did the same with the stag, it was a lot less friendly as the lion had been, but after about 10 minutes of Harry letting it get used to him, it was almost as comfortable with him as his lion.
"Your turn Ron" Harry laughed. First, Ron made the phoenix, it was just as calm as Harry's lion had been. His wolf though was quite different, it almost bit Ron at first, but after a few minutes, it clamed down and laid down at Ron's feet and then noticed the lion, it immediately rose to its feet and bared it's fangs. The lion responded with a roar and rose to its feet.
"Harry what do we do?" Ron asked frantically.
"Let them finish, they will not hurt each other" Sirius said from the corner.
"Sirius, how long have you been there??" Harry said confusedly.
"About 10 minutes, but let them finish." Sirius said wisely.
After a bit it became obvious this was just a test of each other, first the wolf took a swipe at the lion with its paw, the lion did the same but the lions hit sent the wolf flying. After a bit more, they finished and gave a sort of bow to each other and returned to each others owner.
"My animal and your fathers fought in the beginning. They stopped though. This is how we learned how, I thought that Fred and George would figure it out, they're pretty clever." Sirius grinned.
"You're... not mad?" Harry asked weakly.
"Course not; I'm sure your dad would have been proud that you figured it out. He was a double animagus too, he just never liked his lion, I never new why." Sirius shrugged and gave them some pointers and before they knew it, it was 1:30.
"We should get to bed, I'm teaching my first classes tomorrow, see you then" Sirius smiled.
"This is incredible Harry, I can't wait to find out who the other heir is!" Ron said enthusiastically and with that they started for there dorms.
"I'm telling you Harry, the cannons this year are gonna be great there gonna right out- what the hell?" Ron stopped abruptly.
"What's wrong Ron?" Harry said, nervous at the way Ron pulled for his wand.
"Do you hear that chanting? It's bad Harry, I can feel it can you?" Ron asked. Harry stood still for a moment, then he heard it, in some different language there was definitely chanting and Harry could not only feel the danger, he could see shadows approaching him.
"I feel it Ron, I think we better get our wands out and watch our backs." Sure enough, when the word 'backs' left Harry's tongue, 4 masked students with torches appeared on either sides of the corridor still chanting, and then the torches disappeared and the chanting stopped.
"Harry Potter, you must come to an end, the Dark Lord does not need your constant interruptions of the cleansing, you will die tonight, as will the Weasel!" one of the hooded people said.
"Try it ya prats!" Ron challenged.
"Granoko!" Ron shouted, sending a burst of purple rays towards one of the masked people, on cue, the person was in the air spinning very quickly, currently incapacitated.
"Carnido blarkosos!" Harry pronounced calmly, sending a multicolored jet of light towards the presumed student next to Ron's first target, who blocked it and sent a curse right back at Harry.
"Bikgingo!" he laughed, a green jet flew out of his wand and hit Harry in the chest, Harry's face grew blank and he dropped to his knee's.
"Lewshando!" an unfamiliar voice, and a similar red jet flew and hit Harry, only this time, it seemed to help Harry, Ron would have been more confused had he the time.
"Bookarus!" Ron yelled, sending the apparent leader of the attackers, to the wall with a thud.
"Basilisks of the Lord, scatter!" one of them shouted, with that they all ran out, had Ron not been checking on Harry, he would have cursed them.
"Is he ok?" the unfamiliar voice asked as they stepped from behind the shadows.
"Yea he's-who are you?" Ron asked awkwardly.
"I'm Luke Dio, I just started here I used to go to school in the states." The boy explained, he seemed about Harry and Ron's age only a bit taller.
"Thanks" Harry coughed.
"I felt...bad." Harry managed to say.
"I'm not surprised, your heart stopped. That's a nasty curse you got hit with, a few more moments you wouldn't be talking." Luke said grimly.
"Who the hell were they Ron said angrily.
"I don't know but I don't really feel like being here when they get back, you?" Both Ron and Harry shook their heads and then they headed towards Gryffindor common room after they established he was indeed a Gryffindor.