10,000 years ago,
Hogwarts
Godric Gryffindor watched as the last slat of the roof was slotted into place and grinned, taking off the pointed hat off and wiping his brow. The other Founders gathered around, Helga Hufflepuff smiling knowingly as she gazed upon the building whilst Rowena Ravenclaw chased after her young daughter, Helena, with Salazar Slytherin laughing uproariously at the spectacle.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Godric asked his companion as she smiled wider and nodded, her curls bouncing on her head with the movement.
"Yes, Sir Gryffindor. It is most beautiful, just as it will be years from now." Helga answered, her voice quiet as Rowena finally caught Helena and wandered over, the child on her hip and Salazar following behind. Together, the four, plus child, looked up at the newly-constructed castle, four with satisfied expressions and one with an innocent child-like manner on her young face.
"Now, all that's left is the wards." Salazar said, successfully breaking the silence. Looking at his fellows as they stared silently at him, he added, "What? It has to be done. We don't want normals to find this school."
"Always the busy-body." Godric teased, his smile infectious as Slytherin scowled and huffed, crossing his arms childishly. A quirk of his lips soon betrayed him as Salazar sighed and rolled his eyes, looking away as his shoulders shook a little.
"At least I care about the future of this establishment." Slytherin retorted, his voice shaking with repressed laughter as Godric scowled playfully.
A gasp soon broke the happy atmosphere as Rowena gripped her head and crouched down, a vision taking hold of her…
Present day
Dumbledore stumbled to his feet as soon as he was sure that there would be no more of magical surge coming at him. Straightening his robes, he jumped as flames erupted in the fire grill beside the desk, and watched as Snape's head came into view, looking pained as if he had been put through the Cruciatus Curse multiple times within the past day.
"We need to talk." The head said, the voice of the man at the other side of the fire call cracking a little as the Headmaster nodded.
"It'll do no good, Headmaster." Came a voice. Startled, Albus looked around as something sighed and the voice said, "Up on the bookshelf where you so kindly stuff me each year."
Looking up, he saw the Sorting Hat staring down at him, a serious expression on it's 'face' as it unfurled it's pinnacle and said, "It's happened then? Godric always did say to wait for this day."
"Godric?"
"That's right. Godric Gryffindor, my original owner."
"How come you've never spoken unless it was the Beginning of the school year?" Albus asked the Hat, thoroughly curious as to why the sudden change in attitude. The Hat hummed, causing Fawkes to trill suddenly. Chuckling, the Hat 'looked' to the phoenix and said, "Relax, old friend. All is well."
'Looking' back at Albus, the Hat continued, "There was never a need to speak out. The magical surge was not by accident, Dumbledore. It was the cause of Four Houses being united by one cause. 'Twas something foretold by Rowena Ravenclaw herself whilst building this fine castle."
"Madam Ravenclaw was a Seer?"
"And a fine Seer to all who knew her," The Hat answered Dumbledore's question, adding, "You'll find no record of the prophecy at the Ministry, Dumbledore. You forget that it was I who sorted you into Gryffindor, despite my better judgements and that I can read you like an open book as the saying would go."
"What of that power surge earlier?" Dumbledore asked, the Hat raising it's eyebrows, revealing no eyeballs where they would have normally been. Chuckling once more, causing Dumbledore to look at the Phoenix to be sure that he wasn't singing, The Hat shook itself gently before it answered, "'Twas the result of magic."
The statement had the Headmaster confused even more as he tried to get the Hat to tell him about this Ghost King. But it seemed that the Hat had gone back to it's previous state of silent observer as green flames fired in the grate and Severus stepped out, brushing himself off. His robes were askew and his hair had gone all over his face, sticking to his forehead from the sweat. As he stepped out of the fireplace, the door banged open to reveal Professors Flitwick and Sprout, both looking slightly worried.
"What's happening, Albus?" Filius asked, squeaking into the silence. Dumbledore looked around at the assembled, noting that Minerva hadn't arrived yet. Gulping, he turned to face the desk and answered sincerely, "I admit to sat that I have not a clue, Filius."
"Impossible." Snape answered, his face confused as he watched the old man's shoulders slump slightly. His eyebrows raised however, when the headmaster nodded and looked back to them.
"No, but we have some clue to what happened. In the Great Hall." A voice said, the tone happy yet serious as the group looked around to the ghost of Nicholas De Mimsy Porpinton as he smiled and said, "You're up here wondering what happened with that surge of magical power when there is a group of young witches and wizards all laying unconscious in the Great Hall."
"What are you saying, Nick?"
"I'm saying, that you should go and see if everyone is alright, Albus Dumbledore. You're the Headmaster of this establishment, go see if your students are well." Nick scolded, turning around to phase through the wall from where he'd appeared from. Pausing, he added, "You might want to check on the people from Amity Park as well. They'll be wondering what had happened. Five of their own were there when this happened."
With his words out, Nick floated through the wall, leaving the adults wondering what he'd meant. Looking at each other, the three Heads of Houses all scrambled for the door, wrenching it open and filing out, somehow managing not to topple onto Minerva as she stood there frozen with her hand raised as if to knock. Her eyes widening slightly, she quickly sidestepped the stampeding teachers and watched as they ran down the spiral staircase, before shaking her head and raised her hand to knock on the door frame of the office.
A hand fell on and through her shoulder caused her to shudder slightly before she looked at Nearly Headless Nick as he said, "I wouldn't, Minerva."
"Why's that?"
"Because, this is something that even Albus won't understand. It's beyond even my knowledge." Nick answered, looking pained, before he added, "I'd go down and see if your students are well, Minerva. You'll find them in the Great Hall, mostly likely unconscious from the events."
Nodding, the Head of Gryffindor House hurried down the stairs, towards the Great Hall, bypassing a small group of Americans who watched with dazed interest. Looking at each other, they quickly followed the rushing teacher to the Great Hall and paused at the clean but chaotic scene in front of them. Everywhere, students lay unconscious and scattered with five figures lying in the middle. Stretchers were conjured out of thin air while the Heads of Houses flitted about from one to the other, even McGonagall as she stopped dead at the cleanliness of the Hall. Looking over to them, she saw that one of the Quintet was starting tostir slightly and hurried over as Hermione Granger blearily opened her eyes and smiled before shutting them again, slipping back into unconsciousness.
Calling someone over, Minerva stood and watched as the fleet of stretchers were sent up to the Hospital Wing, eight of them carrying the Golden Trio and their newest friends. Looking around as the last stretcher passed her, Professor Minerva McGonagall nodded to herself and left for the Infirmary, intent on sitting with her students.
Not exactly where I wanted to end it but the next part doesn't really fit in with this chapter so I'll leave it here…
I have some free time on my hands in the morning so I'll try and update then. Don't kill me if it's not up then… please.
In a bits, guys.
Hermione
