Chapter 1
Tears flowed down her face as Hermione recalled the look of her father's face while he fell of the boat. The look of deathly shock. And the look of the leader's face.
Triumph.
She gritted her teeth and balled her fists. She would get her revenge on him. But first, to do that, she would have to meet the leaders of Hufflepuff and Gryffindor. They had already been informed and they would be gathering in the castle of Gryffindor.
On deck, the mood was solemn. The Queen, her mother had not left her chambers since the death of the king. For now, it was down to her to decide on the course of action. Even the seas, were unforgiving. Huge waves tossed and turned their boats. Rain fell from the sky with no sign of stop. Already half of the dozen ships in the fleet of escape ships had capsized, forcing the passengers to be cramped onto the remaining ships. Their journey time had also been increased.
Before long, Hermione was drenched from the downpour. Her long hair was plastered to her head. But she stayed. She needed to distract herself from the pain of her father's death.
'Your Highness, you shouldn't be out here,' Janice, her handmaiden called to her from under a magical umbrella. 'You might catch a cold, and plus, your mother's wishes to speak to you.'
Hermione instantly perked up her eyebrows. Her mother finally decided to come out? Hermione dashed back in, only stopping to mutter a 'thanks' to Janice and to whisper the spell 'exaresco' to dry herself. She stopped herself right outside the door of her mother's chamber to calm herself. She was panting. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door thrice.
'Come in,' a dry voice came out. Hermione opened the door and went in. Her mother looked ill. She had grown thinner and her face had gone pale.
'Hermione,' her mother said. Hermione rushed forwards to embrace her. Tears dripped down in waves. Mother and daughter finally mourned together for the king's death.
When the two finally broke apart, Hermione was the first to speak. 'Mother, you look ill, are you alright?'
Her mother smiled, and said, 'Do not worry about me, there is something you have to do when you reach Gryffindor. A story passed down from king to prince, queen to princess. I am sorry that the prophecy had to fall on your generation. If I could Hermione, I would take the task for myself.'
'What task, Mother?' Hermione asked, curiosity evident in her voice.
'You shall see,' her mother said in weird voice. 'For now, Hermione, I must resume my role as Queen.' Her mother stood up, placing the crown on her head and walked out the room.
A week later, the 5 ships arrived in Gryffindor, bruised and battered by strong waves and winds. Hermione and her mother hurried to the castle to meet with the other. There, Hermione saw Ron, Harry and the king and queen of Hufflepuff and Gryffindor. Looking at the kings, a pang of sadness shot through her heart and she reminisced the death of her father again. She swallowed. No, she had to appear strong. There was another wizard whom she didn't recognise. A long silvery beard trailed down to the ground and sitting on his long crooked nose was a pair of half-moon spectacles.
'Hermione, Michelle, I believe introductions are in order. This is Albus Dumbledore,' Harry's father said.
Hermione's mother nodded. 'And he is the one who can help us?' Harry's father replied with a curt nod.
'Interesting, yes – I believe these 4 would work, Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione. Please excuse us kings and queens, I wish to speak with them alone.' The man called Dumbledore whispered, his voice barely audible.
The Kings and Queens looked at each other sceptically, but heeded his words and left. When they did so, Dumbledore swished his wand and four images appeared.
'Do you know what these are?' he asked.
'Those three, the sword, cup and diadem are the three treasures of our founders. But I don't know what that locket is.' Hermione replied instantly.
Dumbledore looked around at the others. 'Same as well? I'm not surprised.' He said. 'All four of these are the treasures of our founders.'
'But we only have three founders!' Ron interjected.
'That's what you've been taught,' Dumbledore replied calmly, as if he had been teaching this to people for hundreds of years. In fact, he looked old enough to be able to do that. 'When these lands were first founded, there were four. The fourth being – Salazar Slytherin. After years of peace however, Slytherin started to wage war, seeking the other treasures.' Dumbledore paused and swished his wand. The picture of what she assumed was Salazar Slytherin floated up.
'No surprise: we won. But only because we outnumbered them. Slytherin's people were powerful. The three leaders than exiled the land of Slytherin, destroying the land, hoping the people Slytherin would not live on.' Dumbledore adjusted his half-moon glasses and continued. 'Now, the people of Slytherin are angry. They have come to finish the work of Salazar Slytherin. And you 4 are the only ones who can stop it. I fear the work of our ancestors have come to bite us in our rear.'
Ron opened his mouth to speak, but Dumbledore raised his hand. 'No, do not interrupt. There is a prophecy about you four which foresees this event.' Dumbledore waved his wand, and fiery words appeared.
The excluded land shall come to haunt.
The treasures they seek, the remaining three.
Two shall be won by foe
And two by thy ally
This can only be done by prince and princess, united from different lands.
Seek each in pairs.
For Victoria to see the side with all four values.
'You must split into pairs: a prince and princess each and to locate two of the four treasures. We must figure out a way to steal the other two from our foes. Only then can we win. Your parents, and me will spread out among Hufflepuff and Gryffindor to lead the defence.' Dumbledore said calmly, stowing his wand in his back pocket and the images disappeared. 'You must succeed.'
Harry gritted his teeth nervously and said, 'I think I should go with Ginny, and find the sword. You, Ron, should go with Hermione, and find the cup, seeing as Rav…' Harry stopped himself.
'No, it's ok, I want to be angry. I want revenge.' Hermione said, setting her jaw in determination.
'Revenge… revenge is a dangerous thing, princess. I think one should treat it with caution,' Dumbledore said, tilting his head upwards. 'But, good luck. You should set off tomorrow.'