Name: Chamber of Destinies

Author: Sweet-calmness

Genre: Romance/Action/Angst

Disclaimer: I own the plot, nothing more

Chapter 4

Harry and Hermione spent the rest of their holidays together. None of them heard anything from Ron, and they were getting worried. It is now the 1st of September, and the two are sitting in their compartment on the Hogwarts Express. Hermione was reading Millenniums Backwards- the History of the Powerful. Harry, on the other hand, was "trying" to stare out at the window, but his eyes doesn't seem to want to obey its owner and kept on reverting themselves onto Hermione.

Their compartment door slid open, and Ron came in. Hermione and Harry looked up. Beside Ron, was Luna. Hermione thought her eyes were deceiving her. Did I just see Ron hold Luna's hand?

'Hi guys.'

'Hi Ron, Luna.' Harry and Hermione said politely. The two watched Ron and Luna sit down quite nervously. Hermione noticed Ron's ears turning red.

'So, Ron...what have you been up to?' Harry asked.

'Umm....well, you see...' Ron stuttered, but still couldn't find an answer. Hermione saw Luna squeeze his hand, and she smiled.

'What he meant to say Harry is that he and Luna are going out.' Hermione giggled. Ron turned a bright scarlet.

'Hermione!'

'What?'

'Why did you have to tell?'

'You never told me not to.'

'I never told you to, either.'

'Well, to bad, I told.'

'Grrr...You are such an annoying prat.'

'Annoying prat, huh! I really feel sorry for Luna right now.'

'I love Luna!' Ron's blush doubled in intensity. Luna blushed as well, and Harry and Hermione turned around, trying to suppress their giggles.

'Ok. Now we got that out of our system, does anyone want to play exploding snap?' Harry asked. He didn't get an answer for, the compartment door slid open again. In walks Ginny and Neville.

'Hi.' Both of them waved. Ron seemed a bit apprehensive, looking over at Ginny and Neville in an older protective brother fashion. Ginny seemed a little peeved at that action.

'RON! I'M NOT GOING OUT WITH HIM!!' Ginny screamed at her older brother, sounding awfully like Mrs. Weasley.

'Ok, ok.' Ron held up his hands in defence. The trip was uneventful. When Malfoy stepped into their carriage for his usual screwing, he seemed un- Malfoyish. Instead of picking on them, he just eyed them carefully. The one his eyes stayed on most was Hermione for some reason. Hermione then realized something.

If Sirius is really my father, and since Malfoy's mother is Sirius's cousin by blood, that means that Malfoy is really related to me! She looked back at her supposable cousin. When his eyes fell on Ginny, Hermione swear she saw a smile. It vanished quickly, so Hermione wasn't sure.

The rest of the train ride went by in a snap. Hermione spent her time reading her school books, especially Millenniums Backwards- the History of the Powerful. She found it rather interesting, and was delighted when she turned to a full chapter of her ancestors; Merlin and Gryffindor.

It was too bad that she wasn't able to finish her chapter when the train stopped in arrival at the school's tiny platform. The freezing wind blew pass by, leaving Hermione shivering in her skirt and uniform. Hermione headed for McGonagall's office. She was astonished when she saw Harry and Ron following her.

'What are you two doing?'

'We're the two head boys Hermione. You're not the only one that can be chosen you know.' Ron said. Hermione mentally cursed herself. Of course I wouldn't be the only one chosen. There's at least one pair of head boy and girl in the year.

'Cool. Then all of us well be together.'

'Yeah, I can't wait to see the head boy dorms. They're marvellous, or at least that's what Fred and George told me.' Hermione snorted.

'Yeah Ron. It's always about what you get isn't it?' Harry laughed.

'We better get going, or else McGonagall will kill us.' Just like normal times, the trio walked away.

A silhouetted figure slid from his hiding place behind the wall.

'Who are you Hermione?'

Hermione recognized the corridor she was walking in. It was the seventh floor, the one she often spent, watching Godric Gryffindor in his wall sized portrait. She was swaying from side to side, moving with the wind that blew in softly, making a whistling sound. Her eyes set upon a marble statue, painted gold and red.

It was a griffin, standing tall and proudly. Its features were delicately sharpened; it always seems like it was looking at her, staring down at her proudly. She then found herself saying something.

'Accio wand.' A glow erupted from the statue and a poll of light shone through. A single wand lay amidst the light, glowing with power. Hermione watched as the new wand she brought from Ollivanders float out of her black robes and into the light. FLASH.

Hermione eyes widened and she set up abruptly up from her bed. It was lucky that she wasn't sharing a room with anyone anymore, thanks to the privileges of being a head girl. She put her hands over her eyes and rubbed them tiredly.

She looked around to find her wand, sitting on her bedside table. She still hasn't told Harry or Ron about the wand yet or anything that has been happening for the past month for that matter. She really doesn't want to burden Harry with any of her troubles, and as for Ron, well; he can't help much, can he?

Hermione was also troubled by something else. In her dream, two wands were merged together. Is it what Ollivander meant? That her wand is not finished? Well, there's only one way to find out. She thought half-heartedly. Getting out of her bed, she pulled on her cloak and got an oil lantern. Quietly as she could, she exited out of her room, closing the door inaudibly. She glanced over at the other three rooms adjacent to hers, containing Ron, Harry and Malfoy.

Hermione smiled at the thought of Malfoy sharing a dorm with them. It was a huge stun at first; when McGonagall told them. Harry and Ron took quite a while arguing with her, asking her why she was punishing them so harshly after 5 long years of professor student bonding. H

Hermione sat in the sidelines, and watched the teacher and two students battle it out in amusement. She really did not mind if Malfoy had to stay with them. Actually she was looking forward to the time. She wasn't exactly sure that Malfoy is what he seems, and being Hermione, she is going to find out.

After a good 30 minutes, McGonagall has finally threatened the two boys that if they keep up the conflict, they're going to get a double set of homework and then have detention with Filch. The two boys shut up instantly.

Hermione made her way out of their lounge room and out into the corridors. The portrait of Dumbledore swung open, letting the young girl through. Hermione thanked the painting, and her artwork professor winked at her, leaving her with a warm feeling inside.

It took her a pretty long time, climbing 7 stairs, going down 2, then taking more then 24 turns to get to the seventh floor where the griffin statue is.

'Accio wand.' She whispered amiably, her voice wavered just slightly. The beam of light shone through, and there appeared the wand, just like Hermione knew it would. The new wand she brought from Mr. Ollivander flew out of her robes pocket, and went into the light, merging with the other. Hermione reached out for the now complete wand, and the moment she touched it, the familiar sparkle swam around her.

She examined the wand carefully. It seemed to be made of a mixture of mahogany and holly; the two woods blend in. Still 12 inches long, it was swishy and supple like before, but way more flexible. There also seems to be a phoenix feather and another core in it. Hermione waved it around a bit, and to her amazement and glee, it suited her perfectly.

'I guess the wand is complete now, but how can it contain two cores?' she asked herself. No normal wizard or witch would have more then one core in their wand, but on the other hand, she isn't normal is she?

She put her wand back into her pocket, and headed for the door. Something made her stop. She turned around to be face to face with Godric.

The founder of Hogwarts smiled down at her softly.

'Hello Hermione. What brings you here during the middle of the night?'

'Hello sir. Umm...I couldn't sleep and I thought I'd get some fresh air.'

'Is that all?' Godric raised an eyebrow. Hermione's own eyebrows rose.

'Sir, can I ask you a question first?'

'Sure Hermione.'

'Who do you think I am?'

The painting was a little taken aback by this. Hermione surveyed him suspiciously. For a moment, the human and artwork stared at each other, each refusing to blink. Finally the old man gave up, and his shoulders slouched.

'Hermione, I was put here to guard a room. A chamber that is.' Hermione's heart beat quickened at those words. A chamber, it must be...?

'I was to guard the first gate to the chamber, and will only let the heir through.'

'The heir?'

'It's you, Hermione.'

'Me?'

'Yes you. Your mother left the first gate of the Chambers of Destinies in my care, and I was to be the guardian until you are ready to take on the responsibilities as the power. I have-'

'Okay, stop, freeze, rewind! I have no idea what you're talking about. I know I'm the only one left from the Gryffindor/Merlin blood line, but that's all I know. Please explain!!' Hermione blurted out, a little unnerved.

'Okay, I'll slow down. What do you want to know first?'

'The chamber.'

'Okay, the chamber was built by your ancestors, Godric Gryffindor and Merlin. It is an equivalent to the chamber of secrets, but only the Gryffindor heir has the power to get in. You should have had dreams on the chamber at least once now.' Hermione nodded.

'Good. The chamber is mainly made for the heir's own use. To train, to work, it is a great place for the heir to get some privacy. It has many features that I'd think you'd find rather inviting.' Godric winked, trying to make Hermione smile. It didn't work.

'Your mother was the last one to be in it. She told me to look out for you when you get admitted to Hogwarts. Your grandfather and mother made sure that no one knew about your being, not even Dumbledore. I still do not know the entire story, but I'm sure you can find all the answers to your questions in the chamber, if you know how to open it, that is.' Hermione was taken aback.

'You don't expect me to just accept this do you? I'd think I would have a choice of whether to go or not, I mean, it is MY life.'

'It is your choice, and no one will be forcing you to go Hermione. However, the burden of defeating Voldemort was put upon you the moment you were born, and there is no way anyone can escape it. It is destiny.' Hermione frowned.

'What? Harry is the one that is supposed to defeat Voldemort, not me.' Godric signed.

'Yes you. As I told you before, I do not know everything. The answers are in the chamber. Are you ready?'

Hermione eyed the chamber hopelessly. She wanted to find out more about herself, but if she goes in, it will also mean that she has taken up the challenge of becoming a part of the war. I need to find out more, and the only way to do that is to go into the chamber. As long as I have my friends along side me, I'm sure I can make through anything that is thrown at me.

'I'm ready.'

'What is the password?' Hermione thought hard. How was she supposed to know what was the password, no one told her. Then she remembered something.

FLASHBACK

'I was to guard the first gate to the chamber, and will only let the heir through.'

END FLASHBACK

'I know what the password is.'

'If you get it right, then you may enter.' Godric said, staring down at Hermione.

'It's me isn't it, Hermione Black Gryffindor?'

The portrait swung open without a squeak.

'Welcome to the Chamber of Destinies, milady.'

Hermione ventured down the wide pass way that was to lead her to the second gate. Her slippers clicked against the marble floor, and each step she took echoed through the tunnel. She reached another portrait, this time of an older man then Godric. The man has a white long beard the reached his waist. His brown hair was tinted with white, showing age, the old face was wrinkled, but in his eyes, which was a bright sky blue, showed intelligence and wisdom beyond others. She saw a label under the portrait. It printed Merlin.

'Hello?' The aged man looked over at Hermione and his face lightened up in astonishment.

'Lady Gwen?' Hermione coughed faintly.

'No, I'm not Gwen. I'm Hermione.' The painting went silent. Hermione noticed a tear sliding down at the old man's cheek.

'The blood lines are all dead, except for you, isn't it?' Hermione nodded mutely, also wanting to cry. The image opened his arms (if it's possible), and Hermione went in to hug the painting. It was awkward, hugging a piece of art, but to Hermione, it was like hugging her real great-something grandfather. She felt safe.

It was a few minutes later that both the girl and elder let go of each other. Hermione wiped the salty tears of her face and exhaled.

'Password Lady Hermione?' Hermione thought for a moment. Her eyes caught sight on the necklace around her neck.

FLASHBACK

...The stone on it is called everlasting. Unlike the sword, the necklace can only be used or worn by the Gryffindor heir. The necklace was passed down to all the women of the family....

END FLASHBACK

'Everlasting.' The portrait swung open.

'Good luck.'

Hermione walked out into a huge room. Her eyes set on the door in front of her. The door; this was the door that would lead her to the truth. It was chestnut brown, and Hermione noticed runes engraved around the door. Her hands brushed over them, and they lighted up, glowing. Hermione looked up and saw her name in large glowing letters, forming out of no where. The door opened.

Inside was the dream chamber Hermione saw in her past visions. There it all were; the fire, the floor, the rococo door. She walked down the front steps and turned to her right, past the French columns. Her eyes met the right wall. It was a huge family tree. Starting with Godric, Hermione's eyes followed it down the line. Godric married a lady named Andrea, and they had a son who married Merlin's only daughter, Danika.

She read down. Danika's great-great-grand daughter was named Hermione Alexandria Gryffindor. So that's where my name came from. Flipping through a few generations, she saw her grandfather's name, Damian Gryffindor. Underneath it was her mother, Gwen Katherine Gryffindor. A thin golden line; like all the others, connected her mother to Sirius Black, and beneath them was.

'Hermione Black Gryffindor.' Hermione whispered, keeping her voice down although she knew that no one will be able to hear her. It seems weird to say her own name, but it felt right to her heart. She then noticed something, other then her name, every other name in the family tree has a single red word imprinted beneath them. Dead.

'They're dead, all dead.' And she wept.

Author's message: Third time's the charm, they always say!