Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
A/N: This story is H/Hr. If that is not the ship you sail, abandon ship and find another captain. Also, I don't particularly like Ron or Mrs. Weasley and this story reflects that. There is slight bashing, but mostly comeuppance. Also if Dumbledore can do no wrong in your eyes, it would be a good idea to stop reading. While there is no bashing, there is questioning of his decisions.
Reviews are lovely and constructive criticism is as implied, constructive, but flames will be use to line my birdcage.
Chapter 5
All the students left aboard the train along with a few adults who were unable to Apparate. The castle was quiet, almost deserted. After a visit to the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey declared both teens free of potions, but decided that it was better to error on the side of caution and Harry and Hermione took another dose of antidote followed by a flushing draft a half hour later.
Heather had been sitting in the classroom with both teens reviewing the Horcrux information that they had when she looked up and said, "Well, little one, are you ready to go meet your grandmother?"
"Where are we headed?" asked Harry as Heather took them into a section of castle that he had never been in.
"Ravenclaw tower. It's just up the way."
"Do you have the password?" he asked.
"Password? Oh, no, Ravenclaws don't use a password. You'll see."
"Were you in Ravenclaw?" asked Harry.
"Both Hamish and I were Gryffindor, as was most of the family. Dad was a Ravenclaw though, and he was a bit put out that we weren't, neither of us, my younger sister wasn't either."
Harry looked at her and shook his head. "Minerva McGonagall married someone that wasn't a Gryffindor? Huh."
Heather snorted. "It was an arranged marriage, Harry. It isn't uncommon, especially in pure-blood families to arrange marriages. It keeps political ties, family gold, and property from being handed off to undesirables. As it is most of wizarding society is related to one another and without Muggle-borns it would be much worse. Of course, I don't feel given my situation that I am in any position to throw stones. My mother's biggest objection to my marriage is because she raised Hamish, thought of him as a son. My father? Let's just say that propriety was far bigger issue with him."
"You have a younger sister?" asked Hermione with a confused look. "I don't remember an aunt other then Auntie Cat."
"Isobel was forbidden to date a Muggle, on her seventeenth birthday, she packed up and left the house, leaving only a note. She was quickly disowned by our father. Mum looked for her after Dad died, Hamish and I looked for her for years, but she vanished. We believe that she left the country and is hopefully happy and healthy somewhere with her children and grandchildren."
"I'm sorry," said Harry.
"Me too. I would like to know what happened to her, Mum would like to know, but at least this way I can believe that she is happy."
"Are we going to get in trouble for going into the Ravenclaw common room?" asked Hermione looking around.
"Term is over, little one, besides, you did indeed hear the Fat Lady tell me to visit her didn't you. I like this portrait better than the one that is in the library. Furthermore, as she is my grandmother, as I am a descendant of Ravenclaw's, I don't really need a password, as technically neither of you do to enter either tower also, but don't spread that around and getting into the Ravenclaw common room can be a fun challenge." They came to a large oak door with a door knocker in the shape of an eagle. Heather used the knocker to wake the guardian.
The bronze eagle came to life and eyed them carefully. It opened its beak and a soft female voice said, "For some I go fast, for others I'm slow.
To most people, I'm an obsession, relying on me is a well practiced lesson. What am I?"
Grinning, Heather looked at the teens and said, "Time." The eagle nodded to her once then the large oak door swung forward on its hinges.
Harry frowned and said, "That doesn't seem too secure. Granted I wasn't completely sure, but I reckon Hermione could have gotten past."
Hermione nodded then said, "I was almost in Ravenclaw, but at the last second the hat changed its mind and said Gryffindor."
"And I have been a bit upset about it ever since," came a voice from the wall. "But if what I have heard is true, then perhaps it is for the best."
Heather turned and smiled. "Hello, Grandmother. It is good to see you again. Have you met my youngest daughter?"
"Secure the room please, Heather." Once she did the portrait smiled and said, "Not personally, but I have seen her spending many hours studying in the library and she and Helena have had many engaging conversations."
Heather looked over at her daughter who was taking in all of the bookcases in the room and she could tell it was taking all of Hermione's restraint not to rummage through them. She might even be regretting her placement in Gryffindor house with the Ravenclaw common room's similarity to a library. "Hermione, come here please."
She pulled her eyes away from a stack of tomes and walked over to her mother. "Hello," said the teen.
"I've heard a great deal about you, Hermione. Now, bring your mate over to see me too, as he is my grandson."
Harry who was watching, walked over to the portrait and smiled. "Hello." He looked at her intently then said, "I've seen you in the headmaster's office."
"Very good Harry. There is a portrait of all of us in the heads office." Seeing Harry get distressed she quickly added, "Except Salazar. His was removed after he left the school. There is only one portrait of Salazar Slytherin anywhere on the grounds. It is in the Slytherin common room and he was restricted. He may communicate to others in the room if he chooses to, but he may not leave his frame."
"Sorry," said Harry running his fingers through his hair, "but I'm a bit jumpy."
"You have earned it. I want you both to know that I am very proud of you. You are a credit to the house of Gryffindor. Have you spoken to your grandfather yet, Harry?"
Shaking his head in the negative, Harry said, "Um, didn't find out about that until the other day and he hasn't said anything."
"We knew as soon as you came back into the office carrying your grandfather's sword that this is where things might end up. Only his grandson would be able to use it."
"So I wouldn't be able to?" asked Hermione in a fairly indignant tone.
Rowena frowned a bit and said, "That is a good question. Your grandfather never thought less of our daughter, so it is possible that you would be able to use it. However you should ask."
Harry was staring intently at the portrait and asked, "What is that you are wearing?"
"It is a diadem. I enchanted it to have magical properties, it grants wisdom to the wearer."
"Is it at the school somewhere or in someone's personal collection?" asked Harry.
"The diadem is lost, child." She looked at Harry carefully and said, "Albus considered it, but he couldn't have used it. No one has known where it is for centuries."
"How did..."
The woman in the portrait raised an eyebrow at him. "I have a portrait in the headmasters office, Harry. Now, Heather come here."
"Yes, Grandmother?" replied Heather as she stepped forward.
"I have several journals and other private papers hidden behind my frame. Never before have I allowed another to use them, to look upon them. I ask that you bring them back to me when your task is complete should any of your descendants need them. Please also feel free to add your own notes and discoveries." She saw the look on Heather's face and said, "Don't worry Heather, dear. I will keep an eye on all the future generations of your granddaughters."
The frame opened and a hiding place the size of a shoebox was revealed within the stone. Hermione just looked at Harry as Heather conjured a box and carefully placed the priceless documents within it. "I am honored Grandmother."
As Heather looked at the piece of parchment lying on the top of several bound journals she started. "Aye, child, there is a second prophesy, or I suppose I should say that is the original prophesy and the one that Sibyll made was a second."
Hermione looked forlorn while Harry groaned. "Heather? Is it... What's it say?"
She looked back at both teens then at the portrait. "Who made this and is there an orb at the Ministry?"
"I cannot answer that question, I would find it unlikely. Feudalism of the past and that for which it passes today, are very different. We had no organized central government. The Picts were slowly becoming Gaelicised." Seeing Harry's confusion, she said, "Scots and we did not answer to anyone in the south. Even the Romans failed to completely conquer or occupy us." With a sigh she continued, "As for where the prophesy originated, your grandfather. He was a seer." She chuckled at the look on Hermione and Heather's faces. "I understand your sentiment and have never understood why the subject matter of divination is taught in school. Either a person is a seer or isn't. Reading tea leaves will never tell you about tomorrow and crystal balls," she clucked and shook her head. "Where was I before I mounted my, what do you call it, soap box?" They all three nodded. "Yes, Godric was a seer, it is not uncommon for someone in every generation to have visions," she looked pointedly at Harry. "This is one that he had shortly before he died. My sister came to me after Godric passed and read it to me, she suggested that I keep it safe until it needed to be revealed."
"Sister?" Harry asked confused. He received two elbows in the ribs for that question.
The portrait just laughed at him. "It would do you well to read the history of this great school, Mr. Potter, but I do believe that your mate and your cousin are able to answer your question."
Hermione looked to the portrait for permission to continue. When she received a slight nod Hermione said, "I told you the other day that Gryffindor remarried, he married Ravenclaw's sister, Rhonwen, several years before his death."
"That is correct, child, what the book does not say is that Godric and I were soul bonded and my death was particularly hard on him. Rhonwen had been taking care of Godric since my passing. Our son had been killed many years before and our daughter in the forests of Albania shortly before my own death. Godric had taken to raising their children, but with his failing health, what was to become of them, their inheritance, and the school itself, was uncertain. I suggested that he marry my sister, thus allowing the children to come of age with a recognized guardian."
"Oh, well that's different than," said Harry and he looked meekly at Hermione.
Heather had an odd look on her face and clarified, "Their children?"
A grin appeared on the portrait's face and she said, "Rhys and his wife were killed by a dark wizard and Helena… Helena was troubled. She was fated to her husband and once he became ill, there was little that we could do for her. Being fated is not uncommon in our line. Not so much in the Gryffindor, but sometimes it seems more common than not, in Ravenclaw."
Heather nodded. "Dad was always a bit paranoid about Hamish and I. I don't know what he would have done if he'd been living when we received our notification from the Ministry." She had a softened expression on her face and said, "It was too late at that point anyway. It just made it easier to tell Mum."
"Mum, what does it say?" asked Hermione pointing to the parchment on top.
Heather conjured three chairs and sat with a sigh. She then conjured a pair of cotton gloves and carefully lifted the piece of parchment from the stack. "The Serpent will once again rise and his reign will be thrice more terrible than before. As the light falls, two from ages past will again become one. Betrayal and deceit appears from kith they thought as kin. Only with true kin will they find their way in the darkness. In the darkest days trust must be earned. Together, the lion and eagle relying on the cleverness of two who are one, loyalty of the wolf and his mate, and cunning of two of a kind, will be victorious, ending the Serpent's line forever."
"Different style than Trelawney's," commented Harry. "It's a bit more optimistic."
Heather shook her head and said, "It's always nice when they don't contradict each other."
They were all quiet for a moment then Hermione dug around in her bag and pulled out her personal notebook and a fountain pen. He had seen her use that several times over the last few days and she admitted that it was a gift from her mother, her hand often cramped when using a quill for long assignments. Hermione looked up and asked, "May I copy it to my notebook?"
An expression Harry instantly recognized and almost chuckled at, appeared on the portraits face as he realized the implications of Hermione being descended from Rowena Ravenclaw. "Grandmother, Hermione. I am your grandmother and I expect to be addressed as such. You will also instruct your daughters to do the same."
Swallowing hard, Hermione tried again. "May I copy it to my notebook, Grandmother?"
"I dare say that is a very good idea. I do request that you put some sort of protection on it, however. Times are troubled and the sympathizers of Slytherin's heir are more common than believed."
"I've charmed it a bit, but I'm not sure that it is completely secure."
The portrait beckoned Hermione and she spent an easy half hour making notes on concealment charms and other spells lost to the ages. "Now, the three of you, as I am not sure how much longer we will be able to have this open avenue of communication, there is a bit more on the current situation that I would like to say. First of all, I do not agree with Albus about the snake. I agree that he has an unnatural connection to it, but to entrust a portion of his soul to a living being, I don't believe so. Therefore there must be another relic somewhere.
"The documents you hold contain a list of items that I left to others, perhaps you will find what you are looking for within. I suggest speaking with Helena, she might be aware of something I am not. We had a tenuous relationship at best, so her cooperation I cannot guarantee, but she does seem to genuinely like Heather.
"Godric and I have discussed any of his remaining items that would be accessible, but we were not able to come up with any suggestions. The sword came back to the school too late, so I doubt that he would have been able to use it as a vessel."
"Dumbledore was pretty sure that it was the snake," stated Harry in what he hoped was a respectful tone.
The portrait nodded and said, "Albus did believe that the snake was the last, but we, and I discussed this with Godric and Helga, we believe that she is nothing more than a bonded familiar. She will need to be killed, if nothing else for that reason alone and should Albus be correct, but he tended to be a bit short-sighted when it came to his own genius. He was also lacking the experience and wisdom that comes from a millennia of observation."
She smiled at Harry and continued, "Just think back to your own evacuation of Privet Driveseveral years ago. I suggested that perhaps it would be better for one Order member to retrieve you and then Apparateyou to school, but instead you were led on a broom ride above England for hours. We won't even get in to the fact that you had been locked up and isolated and then brought to the House of Black. Godric and I were angry that you were not brought to the school. You would have been safer and the environment much more suitable. Albus even took to avoiding rooms with one of our portraits with as much as Godric berated him over it. The portraits of the founders cannot be silenced like the others can. I've always wondered if he was trying to raise a martyr." The last was barely audible, but it was heard by all three of them.
Heather took that information and nodded. The thought had occurred to her also and she was sure she didn't know half of what truly occurred all these years. Harry just frowned. It was still too early for him to think ill of Dumbledore.
Hermione was confused and deciding to change the subject she asked, "Grandmother, what is a bonded familiar? What makes one different than my cat or Harry's owl?"
Heather looked at her daughter oddly. "Isn't that something that is covered in Defense class, little one? It used to be second year with how to protect them, sixth."
Rowena Ravenclawbristled and said, "For the last thirty-five years that position has been cursed and instead of bringing in Aurors on a yearly basis, Albus brought one fraud after another into my school. Their first year," she indicated Harry and Hermione, "was a weak wizard who was possessed by Voldemort himself, second was Gilderoy Lockhart, their third was the only competent teacher they have had yet, but as he was often out ill dealing with the complications of his transformations, they had an unqualified substitute, fourth was a Death Eater in Polyjuice who taught the entire school how to use Unforgivable Curses, but failed to explain the damage that it does to ones soul when they are used, the black etchings that are created." She looked at Harry knowingly and he realized that she knew what he had done, or attempted to do. He was unaware however that they damaged the soul. That was something he was going to have to ask Hermione about. "Then he decided to place the Gryffindor fourth years under the Imperious Curse."
"He what?" Heather exploded. "Hermione?" She carried quite a bit of baggage about that particular curse.
"I didn't remember, Mum, I didn't know and when I said that it was illegal he told me to take the curse or get out of his classroom," she looked at her shoes, "so I took the curse."
"Do not blame the child, Heather. She is more like her father than she is like you, but it was heart warming to see her break the rules on occasion and I dare say her sense of honor and courage might be greater than her intellect. Gryffindor house brought her out from behind her books, had she been here she would have continued to hide behind them and wouldn't have become the magnificent young woman she is today. Still, it would have been nice to have my granddaughter in my house. Godric still chortles over that one."
She sighed the sigh of the long suffering then continued, "Fifth year was that horrible woman from the ministry that attempted to teach them using theoretical learning only, but my granddaughter in her genius and my grandson in his skill, taught their classmates and they were able to make up for some of the damage done. Blood quill on my grandson," she muttered.
"What?" said Heather sharply.
"When I mentioned to the class that Voldemort was indeed back Umbridge-" mumbled Harry.
"Delores Umbridge?" questioned Heather. "She's a sympathizer, what was she... Why didn't Dumbledore toss her out?"
"Couldn't. Fudge was in denial," said Harry.
"Blood quill, Harry?" She raised her eyebrow at him and held out her hand. Heather hissed at the words etched on the back of his hand and clenched her jaw. "Where was my mother?"
"She said that she couldn't intervene," said Harry with a hushed voice.
"And Dumbledore?"
"He wasn't speaking to me that year because of the connection I have through my scar to Voldemort," his voice still quiet.
"Is that the year you were banned from playing Quidditch for getting into a fight?" asked Heather.
"Yes."
In a pinched voice Harry recognized from six years of knowing McGonagall, Heather said, "I see." She took a deep breath and said, "Please continue, Grandmother."
"I see that you are starting to understand the picture I am painting for you, Heather. I have been left to wonder about a great many things. Now, after my granddaughter tricked that, I think the students referred to her as a toad," Hermione nodded, "to walk into a herd of livid centaurs, the daft woman then proceeded to insult them, Delores left the school; however, we did watch her attend the service this morning. It is very interesting that with everything that she did that year, she is still in a position of authority at the Ministry. And as for this year, Severus was moved from Potions and Horace was brought back. I believe that Harry was instrumental in bringing Professor Slughorn back to the castle."
"You are saying that I was used once again," he said flatly.
"I am saying that it would havebeen polite to give you the option of assisting in procuring the new teacher instead of manipulating you into it, but yes, such as it was," Ravenclaw nodded.
"Please tell me that he had nothing to do with the Weasleys and their love potions," said Harry imploringly.
"No, Harry, he didn't. Albus, although short-sighted and manipulative, did genuinely care for you, he was also not a fool and knew better than to interfere with a fated couple. He even made an observation several days before he was killed that he was going to request that Poppy test both you and Hermione for potions as soon as examinations were over. Both of your behavior toward each other this year disturbed him greatly."
"You've made several references to Harry being your grandson and me your granddaughter, how did you know?" asked Hermione.
She smiled and said, "The castle recognizes magic, Hermione. Unfortunately that sort of teaching is no longer offered to our more magically gifted students. The curriculum has changed through the years. When children of too many high ranking Ministry officials, Wizengamot members, and even old pure-blood families find a subject difficult, the subject is often dropped from the curriculum. We wouldn't want the blood-traitors and the Muggle-borns doing better than the proper pure-bloods after all. The school is in danger of losing its accreditation by the ICW."
"Since I'm not Muggle-born anymore, I presume that means we fall into the blood-traitor category?"
Heather chuckled, "We are a big bunch of blood-traitors, Hermione, and proud of it."
Ravenclaw cleared her throat and smiled. "Magic leaves a trace, a signature and you, yourself possess one. You were identified the first time you did magic within these walls. We knew who you were. Did you never wonder why the staircases were always where you needed them to be or secret passages opened for you?"
"I just figured that I was lucky. I mean poor Neville..."
"No, child, it was answering to you, you willed it. You wanted the stairs and they were there. That was how James was able to discover so many secret passages and he in turn passed that knowledge along to you and Harry in the form of the map." With a grin she said, "Perhaps your children will find places that even neither James nor your mother discovered."
The guardian of Ravenclaw tower could be heard, indicating that there was someone about to enter the common room. "Grandmother, we have to go. There is still much to do before we leave the castle today. Is there anything else that you feel we should know?" stated Heather.
"Tom spent a great deal of time in the Chamber, it is possible and even likely that you might find something useful down there. Other than that, good luck and I hope to see you all again one day." With that, Rowena Ravenclaw left her frame.
Heather turned around to see five people entering the common room. McGonagall looked irritated, Flitwick bemused, and her daughter, granddaughter, and son-in-law were looking around wide-eyed.
"Heather," came McGonagall's irritated burr.
"Sorry, Mum," although Harry observed that she looked anything but, "we had a bit of business to take care of. Just wanted to confirm several things with her," Heather said as she quickly sealed the box she was holding and shoved it along with the notebook Hermione had open into Hermione's book bag. The little girl that came in with the party quickly scampered into her grandmother's arms and it was obvious that she had no intention of being put down anytime soon. "It's nice to see you again Professor Flitwick."
He looked at Hermione and grinned, "So Godric got another one. That was what they were arguing about after your sorting. He looked like the cat that ate the canary for days. I thought it was because Miss Granger was just exceptionally intelligent, I didn't realize that it was because she'd lost another one of her granddaughters to him. Ahh, well." He turned to look at Alwyne and grinned, "Maybe I will get the little one."
Hermione ran over to where her family was standing and hugged them. "Gwendolyn, this is Harry Potter. Harry this is my sister, Gwendolyn, brother-in-law, Richard, and niece, Alwyne."
Harry shook their hands and said, "It's nice to see you again." He took in the red headed woman with the same thick orange red curls her mother had. She along with Hermione also inherited her heart shaped face. Where Hermione had her mother's chocolate colored eyes, Gwendolyn's were a brilliant blue.
"Heather," the irritated voice was back.
"So, Mum, have you met Gwendolyn yet?" she said in a tone with faked innocence.
"As a matter of fact, I did. She seemed to think that she had an appointment with you and was waiting at the gate."
Heather checked her watch and then looked up. "Sorry, it's atomic. I forgot about the magic."
"I won't even pretend to understand what you just said, I was; however, a bit surprised to find her standing outside the school waiting for you. Filius was kind enough to bring her to my office and one of the portraits informed us as to where you were."
Heather looked at her eldest daughter and said, "Sorry about that, poppet. We lost track of time."
"That is okay. I am just glad that you told her that I existed last night or it would have been really awkward instead of just the bit that it was." She chuckled. Gwendolyn noticed her mother's body language was very tense and decided to change the subject. "Molly Weasley popped in just as we were getting ready to leave and she is greatly concerned about Hermione's safety and believes that it is imperative that she come to stay with them at once. Also for me to just ignore that little row that they had this morning, it will all be better after she's at the Burrow for a few days."
Heather's eyebrows were raised and asked, "What did you tell her?"
Gwendolyn frowned at her mother's response. "That I would discuss any and all arrangements with Hermione and would be getting back to her. She's of age, if she wants to go I think that you should let her." Seeing the look on their faces she asked, "What's wrong?"
"Love potions," Hermione spat. "Molly Weasley put Harry and me on love potions so that we would be with Ron and Ginny. Ginny was actively assisting and Ron knew about it."
"So not going to stay at the Burrow again, I suppose," said Gwendolyn looking back and forth between her sister and Harry trying to ascertain what was different.
Flitwick squeaked and fell out of his chair. When he finally recovered he said, "Not to worry, Miss Granger, or um, Miss McGonagall, your grandmother has asked me to take a vow of secrecy, I am unable to break any confidence we discuss today or in the future as it relates to today's topics."
Richard hissed then began to pace. "Love potions? They used love potions? We trusted them with you. We..." he looked at his wife and mother-in-law and then sat down hard. "Hermione, I need to know if-"
"She's already been asked that several times, Richard," placated Heather. "She never went out with him and Harry and Ginny only snogged." She looked at her family and said, "We have quite a bit to discuss."
"So since I got your owl that asked me to meet you here, and since Hermione watched you use your wand, I presume that you've lifted the charm. What happened?" asked Gwendolyn.
"She and Harry were the students I was supposed to meet."
"I'm sorry I missed it."
"It was quite entertaining," nodded Heather. "I thought we were going to lose Harry there for a minute."
"Yeah, well, once you lifted the charm Hermione was fine, I on the other hand have had a fairly shocking week," defended Harry.
Flitwick had been looking at Richard and said, "You look very familiar to me, Mr. Granger. I know you were never one of my students, but have we met before?"
"I don't believe so, Professor..."
"Flitwick. Filius Flitwick, head of Ravenclaw house and Charms Professor."
Richard smiled, "Hermione has enjoyed your classes. It is nice to meet you, but I am a squib professor. Perhaps I look a bit like my biological parents, Julia and Paden Granger."
Heather's eyebrows shot up and she smirked a bit. She had no idea how he was going to react when she suggested that all three of them meet her at the school, but had guessed that meeting people who thought highly of Julia and Paden just might irritate him.
Again the diminutive professor squeaked, but this time he did not fall over. "I was under the impression that you... Julia and Paden, really."
"Yes, they turned me over to my parents, Heather and Hamish McGonagall, to raise when I was not quite eleven." He looked around and smiled, "So this is the Ravenclaw common room. It looks like a library, Hermione. Does yours?"
"No. Not at all. Our furniture is a bit more comfortable though. The arm chairs are squishy."
Harry stood and walked over to the bust of Rowena Ravenclaw sitting on one of the bookcases. He ran his fingers along the diadem and then his eyes got wide. "Albania. She died in Albania. Heather, I need to talk to the Grey Lady."
She looked at the bust Harry was fingering and back at the portrait who had returned, but was sitting still as if a Freezing Charm had been put on her. Heather knew that she talked to very few people and wondered if her mother or Flitwick ever had a conversation with the founder. Something about the diadem bothered Harry, and as they were at the castle, they might as well see where it goes. "Of course, Harry. I will leave a message for her in the library and then we will get some lunch. She speaks to people at her pleasure so she might elect not to, but as she did tell you that she would yesterday, I think our chances are good."
"I've never found her difficult to get to have a conversation with me. She enjoys discussing academic topics," stated Hermione.
"You've spoken to the Grey Lady?" asked Flitwick.
"Loads of times," Hermione supplied and Heather just nodded in agreement.
Flitwick squeaked again. They had all been moving toward the exit and into the corridor. "I will leave you. If there is anything that I can be of service with, Minerva, please don't hesitate to ask." He turned to look at Harry and said, "I don't know what the specifics of your task are, Mr. Potter, and I don't know if the Prophet is accurate or not, but I do wish you luck and I will see you again in September." He pressed a box of Ice Mice into Harry's hand and then the little professor tottered away.
