Sadly this chapter is much shorter than the last because it only focuses on after they leave and about half of January. The next chapter is also significantly shorter but these two chapters both have lots of plot stuff.

Thanks to everyone who read, reviewed, alerted, and favorited this story!

Chapter 5: Powers, Confessions, and More Powers

Harry, Hermione, and Professor Martini landed in a dusty drawing room. Nothing had changed except for Professor Martini's clothes. When they left Hogwarts she had been wearing violet robes but now she was wearing a black dress that looked like it belonged to the Renaissance period. She was shaking a sleeve in front of her face and murmuring to herself.

"Welcome!" she said turning to face them. "To the Webster Estates in Essex. You both must be confused as to what is happening. Take a seat and I'll explain."

Harry and Hermione sat on a divan while Professor Martini sat on a chair facing them.

"Where are we? Why are we here? Why are you here? Who are you? How did we get here?" asked Hermione all her questions tumbling out at once.

"I told you, Hermione, you're in Essex. At the Webster Estates. Now take a breath and I'll answer your questions. I am Alyssa Kathleen Webster Martini, heir to the Webster line and destiny, although much of that has been fulfilled. We got here by two special portkeys I made a little over nine years ago. They're the rose in your hair Hermione, and the rose I assume is in your pocket Harry. We're all here because it is our destiny to be here. Tonight marks the beginning of the return of the founders to Hogwarts."

"What nonsense are you spouting?" asked Hermione.

"Do you know of the Founder's Roses?"

Great Hall. . . . . . . . . . .

Everyone in the hall (except for McGonagall, Snape, Dumbledore, and Ben Standish) was staring at the spot where Harry, Hermione, and Professor Martini had just been. The others were staring at each other, or more precisely McGonagall and Snape were staring at Dumbledore, who was staring at Ben Standish, who was staring bemusedly at the expression on Ron's face.

"Will everyone please return to their common rooms?" asked Dumbledore

Everyone started drifting out of the Hall. As Ron walked by, Ben clamped a hand on his shoulder.

"There are some things you'll want to hear. I suggest you stay." He said.

Once no students (excluding Ron) were in the Hall Dumbledore started walking over to Ben.

"They are safe Headmaster Dumbledore." He said once Dumbledore was close enough to hear him. "They're at Alyssa's family estate in Essex. I assume you know what they have?"

"Yes, I know."

"She's telling them now. Only Harry will return with them."

Webster Estate. . . . . . . . . .

"The Founder's Roses? asked Harry. "What do they have to do with us?"

"You both know the story then? That makes this loads easier." She said. "And to answer your question Harry. They have everything to do you two."

"Are you suggesting that these roses are the roses?" asked Hermione

"I'm not suggesting it-"

"Good."

"I'm telling you."

"WHAT???????????" screamed Hermione.

"I'm lost." Said Harry, "Completely and utterly lost. Can someone please explain what is going on?"

"Professor Martini is trying to convince us that these roses are two of the Founder's Roses."

"They are. Yours, Hermione, belonged to Lady Rowena Ravenclaw-Gryffindor. You are her chosen heir. Harry, yours is that of Lord Godric Gryffindor. He chose you to receive his powers."

"That's impossible. I'm a muggleborn. I have no wizarding lineage. I can't be her heir."

"Ravenclaw and Gryffindor had no children together. It was a second marriage for them both. They have few direct blood relatives. Harry you are related to Gryffindor but not Ravenclaw. They chose you both to be their heirs."

"This is a load of bull. Do you believe this Harry?"

"Yes. I do. Things just make more sense now."

"Like what?"

"Why I'm courageous to the point of idiocy and you're a super genius. We're more like Ravenclaw and Gryffindor then we realize. Don't you see it 'Mione?"

"You've obviously taken leave of your senses. I need fresh air, excuse me."

Hermione barged out of the room.

Great Hall. . . . . . . . . . .

"What about Miss Granger?"

"She won't believe it. She'll freak out."

Ron had been silent the whole time but now he spoke up.

"Can someone please explain that semi-cryptic conversation? For those of us that don't speak cryptic." He asked

"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, and Alyssa have been taken to an estate in Essex. There Alyssa is explaining that Harry and Hermione are the heirs of Godric Gryffindor and Rowena Ravenclaw. Only Mr. Potter will come back with any powers because Miss Granger is going to "freak."" Dumbledore explained.

Ron's face turned red from anger and frustration.

After Hermione stormed out Harry and Professor Martini were alone in the drawing room.

"You seem to be taking this in stride. Why is that?" she asked.

"I expect the unexpected. If you've had a life like mine you learn to expect the unexpected."

"That's a good philosophy. Would you like your new powers?"

"Sure."

"I need the rose."

He handed her the rose and she motioned for him to kneel.

"I, Alyssa Webster, give thee, Harry Potter, the full powers of Godric Gryffindor. The rose above thy head shall be thine and thine alone until the time of thy death upon which it shall be returned to the case. Now receive your powers."

The rose glowed and bathed Harry in a blood-red light. After a moment, the light subsided but the rose still glowed with a light faint enough to be seen in the dark room.

"I'll go fetch Miss Granger. Then we may leave. Milord." she said curtseying.

"Don't curtsey. Please don't curtsey. And it's Harry or Mister Potter if we're in class. I don't like titles. And I have enough as it is."

"Alright then, Harry. I'll go get Hermione."

Professor Martini headed to the nearest balcony. She was standing with her hair down looking at the rose.

"It's time to go."

"I don't want any of it. Take the rose back."

"I can't take it back. This is your destiny. You can't change that."

"Do I have to choose as Ravenclaw did? Do I have to be with Harry?"

"No. That would go against free will. You only have to be friends with him."

"I don't know if I can do that anymore. I need time."

"You have until April 1st. I need an answer by then."

"Why is it ALWAYS Harry and Hermione who are the special ones? They get everything! They get to take Potions, unlike the rest of our houses 6th years. Sometimes it seems like they speak their own bloody language. She always knows what to say to calm him down. He's always worried about her when we get in trouble. Like at the Department of Mysteries last year! I get attacked by FLYING BRAINS and he runs off to save the day! Hermione gets hit by a curse and he freaks out because he thinks that she's dead! Just once it would be nice if two people whose names aren't Harry Potter and Hermione Granger were the special ones! But NO! IT'S ALWAYS THEM! AND I'M ALWAYS LEFT OUT! He's Harry Potter, Golden Boy and The-Boy-Who-Bloody-Lived! And she's Hermione Granger, Super genius and the smartest witch of her age who could do a bloody Protean Charm in her fifth year! And I'm just Ron Weasley, the forgotten sidekick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Ron ranted gesticulating wildly.

"Why don't you go to the infirmary and get a calming draught from Madame Pomfrey and then return to your dormitory to await Mr. Potter?" asked Dumbledore.

Ron left the great Hall and headed to the infirmary.

"Headmaster, as much as I am opposed to telling you how to run your school.-"

"You didn't have a problem with it when you were a student."

"- May I but in in this instance?"

"Of course Benjamin. I value anything you have to say now that you are an adult."

"I would suggest asking a few portraits in the Gryffindor common room to keep an eye on those three in the coming months. This is just a pre-cautionary measure. I don't know if Mr.Weasley's state of mind is a good one."

"That is a good idea. Ronald could snap at the littlest thing." said Dumbledore. "Minerva, go speak with Troy, Meredith, Margaret, and Craig tomorrow. Ask them to keep an eye on Misters Potter, Weasley, and Miss Granger."

"Of course Albus."

"And you, Severus, are to inform all of Harry and Hermione's teachers that they will be acting oddly for a while but everything will eventually work out. Also tell them that they are not to try and rectify the situation.

"Yes, Headmaster."

After both Snape and McGonagall left the Hall, Professor Martini returned with both Harry and Hermione in tow. Hermione immediately stalked off and headed to the astronomy tower instead of Gryffindor tower. Harry wished everyone a better night than he had and slowly headed to Gryffindor Tower. By the end of the Christmas holidays the whole school, including students who didn't stay over the break, knew that Harry and Hermione had had a falling out. No one knew how or why, not even themselves in a way. But it was painfully obvious that their relationship had taken a turn for the worse. Both had dark circles under their eyes, barely ate and barely slept. They wouldn't talk unless they had to, they wouldn't walk together even if Ron was there to separate them, and they wouldn't sit next to each other unless they were in Defense or Potions.

Unbeknownst to anyone but himself, Harry was trying to fix the situation. After class one day about two and a half weeks after this whole mess had started he asked Professor Martini a question the answer to which could remake or completely shatter his (already broken) relationship with Hermione.

"Professor, I was wondering. I have a theory on why Hermione's acting the way she is. Does she have to choose me since Ravenclaw chose Gryffindor?"

"No, she doesn't Harry. If that was the case it would impinge upon her free will. She can be with whomever she wants so long as you two are the best of friends."

"I don't know if we'll ever be able to be friends again."

"Why is that Harry?"

"I love her. I can't be her friend and watch her marry someone else. But thanks Professor I needed to hear that."

That night, he found Hermione in her favorite spot: The Astronomy Tower. She was bundled in her cloak watching the snow fall. He locked the door and snuck up behind her.

"Herbology'll probably get canceled." he said.

She turned and glared at him for a moment before walking over to the door.

"It's locked until I unlock it. And I won't unlock it unless you listen to what I have to say."

"What is it Harry? What is so important that you have to interrupt me when I'm thinking? Has Professor Martini asked you to convince me to get Ravenclaw's powers?"

"No. I came to tell you something. I know why you don't want the powers."

"Why is that Harry?"

"You love Ron. And by accepting the powers you acknowledge that Ravenclaw and Gryffindor were together and you're afraid that you have to love me and not him."

"Harry, I do-"

"I'm not done Hermione. I asked Professor Martini and she said that you don't have to love me. You can be with Ron."

"Harry-"

"Just listen, Hermione. You can be with Ron, if you want. But if that's the case I don't think any of us could be friends again."

"Why, Harry?"

"I can't be your friend and watch you love someone else. I love you Hermione. I only wish you loved me too."

Harry walked over to the door and after unlocking it he walked back to Gryffindor tower. Hermione stood in the center of the astronomy tower, shocked. Her oldest friend, the person who had saved her life countless times, had just told her that he loves her.

He loves me? Was the only thought running through her head.

She headed back to Gryffindor tower and once in her dorm she grabbed some parchment and a self-inking quill. Then she started to make a list of reasons to not love Harry.

Reasons Not To Love Harry Potter

Ron- he'll be devastated

Our friendship- Wait that's already bust

Voldemort- self-explanatory

Then she wrote all the reasons to love Harry.

Reasons To Love Harry Potter

He knows me

He makes me laugh

I know him

We spend most of our time together

Voldemort's after me anyways

He loves me

I already do

"I love Harry," she whispered, "I'm in love with Harry Potter."

After classes the next day Hermione went to Professor Martini to get the powers of Ravenclaw. Professor Martini told Hermione to get a move on in not only telling Harry about getting the powers but telling him that she loves him.

R&R! I hope you enjoyed this chapter." After this we're close to the end.

Preview of next Chapter:"I don't love you, Harry." said Hermione.