Chapter 8

A week had passed and the seven heirs were getting back into the swing of things at Hogwarts. It had become a running joke amongst the heirs as it wasn't just the staff that was walking around with parchment in front of their noses; it was also the students as well. The only students that were not were the Gryffindor's and fifth and seventh year students. Harry's first potions class was most enlightening. As soon as he had walked into the classroom he was accosted by the professor. He was pulled roughly into the amply plush, side of Horace Slughorn.

"Mr. Potter I have been looking forward to seeing you. Your mother was one of my favorite students. Unfortunately she was a Gryffindor, but you can't hold that against her. Now let's see if you have her talent?"

Harry was then led to a table set up for the potion they would be working on. Harry had brewed the potion correctly and then had to listen to a long winded speech about how Harry was just like his mother. He had to admit that it was nice. He was used to being compared to his father, but not his mother. He enjoyed hearing that he had some of his mother in him as well.

After two weeks of school Harry was surprised to find himself cornered by one Daphne Greengrass. She had thrown Harry into the wall and then looked around. When she noticed no one she grabbed Harry by the arm and drug him into an unused classroom. After she closed the door she cast a few wards to keep out snoopers. Once that was done she turned to look at Harry and smiling at him she gave a low curtsy.

"My Lord, I have a proposal to put before you. May I speak freely?"

Harry stared at her with surprise he wasn't sure just what she had in mind.

"You may speak freely Lady Greengrass."

"My Lord, when we were informed that professor Snape had been given a logic problem to help him identify the real Heir of Slytherin, I was unconvinced that it was real. I asked for a copy of the problem and began to study students here at school to see who fit the clues. What I saw shocked me. After all who would believe me, if I told them that I believed Harry Potter was the supposed Heir of Slytherin. Now I need to know are you really the heir?"

She gave another curtsy and then met Harry's eyes. Harry stared at her for a whole minute before breaking down into raucous laughter.

"Lady Greengrass I was not expecting a student to figure it out. To answer your question, yes I am the heir of Slytherin. Now I am sure you can see why I sent professor Snape the logic puzzle. What would his reaction have been if I had just told him? I know that Voldemort has been claiming to be the heir. Now he is a descendent but from the younger son of Salazar Slytherin. I am directly linked, through my supposed muggleborn mother, to the oldest son. Now as you said that you had a proposal for me. However all I heard was a question."

She smirked "That is correct my Lord. I am sure my Lord that you wish for the identity of the heirs to remain a secret until the Heads of House have figured out there little puzzles. Therefore for my silence I ask to meet and speak with all seven heirs at once. The information would be of great benefit for me. To be the first to know who all seven heirs are could be a boost in my career choice. That is my proposal, I meet all seven heirs and you earn my silence."

Harry thought about it for a minute. "You want to meet all of us at once in exchange for your silence. I see no problem with that except we will require a magical oath of your silence. Also you will not be allowed to drop hints about our identities to help the professors figure it out. I want them to, like you; figure it out on their own."

Daphne was smiling a magical oath was normally a big deal, but for something like this she was willing to take the risk. "Very well my Lord, I accept. When can I meet them?"

Harry smirked, "Your oath first my Lady."

Daphne laughed "Your smarter and sneaker than you have appeared. I am guessing that you have been fooling everyone at this school since you set foot in it. 'I Daphne Greengrass, scion of Greengrass family, do by agree on my magic to hold my silence of the identities of the Seven Heirs of Hogwarts. Until such a time when the four heads of house have discovered the truth of the heir's identities themselves. I also agree to not knowingly assist the professors in figuring out the truth. So mote it be.'"

Harry nodded his head "I Lord Harry James Potter-Black rightful heir of Salazar Slytherin do by accept the magical oath of silence given by Daphne Greengrass, scion of house Greengrass. So mote it be."

There was a flash of light between the two of them and when it dulled Harry smiled. "Now my Lady if you would please make your way to the seventh floor. You will find a tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy being clubbed trolls. Across the hall you will find a door. When you are sure that the hallway is empty enter through that door. I will be there waiting and the other heirs will join us shortly."

Daphne looked confused but she turned and walked out of the classroom after taking down her wards. Harry watched her go, than he smirked.

"Dobby!"

There was a pop and the excitable little house elf appeared. "Lord Slytherin what can Dobby do for you?"

"Hello again Dobby. I need you to take a message to Hermione. Make sure that she is alone and that no one can hear you. You are to tell her to get the other heirs and go to the Room of Requirement. I will be waiting for them with a surprise. Can you do that for me Dobby?"

"Dobby can be doing this, Lord Slytherin." With a pop Dobby was gone. Harry then cast a disillusionment charm on himself than he to disappeared with a soft pop. Harry arrived on the seventh floo directly in front of the tapestry. Harry paced back and forth three times thinking 'I need a place where all seven heirs can talk.' When the door appeared Harry smiled and gave a silent thanks to Hogwarts and walked inside.

The room was decorated with a soft golden color. The four house banners and three other banners with the family crest of Morgana, Merlin and Madame Celeste were all hanging from the ceiling around the room. There was a large roaring fire in the fireplace and eight comfortable recliners placed around it. Each chair was in a different color, one for each of them. Harry sat down in the forest green chair and sighed. He loved magic.

Ten minutes later Harry heard the door open. He turned to see Ginny walking in. She saw the room and smiled. She walked over to the yellow chair and leaned back into it.

"So Harry what's this about needing us all here?"

"You will have to wait and see Lady Hufflepuff."

When Harry addressed her as Lady Hufflepuff she sat upright and stared at him. The look on his face meant that something serious was going on and it had to do with the heirs. The door opened up again and Daphne walked in. She stood stock still at what she was seeing.

"Wow, I never knew this room existed. It must be something for just the heirs."

Harry stood to greet her "That would be correct my Lady." He said with a bow.

Daphne noticed that he had gone from Harry Potter insufferable Gryffindor, to the honorable Lord Slytherin. She gave his a curtsy.

"It is an honor to be allowed to see this room my Lord."

Ginny was staring between Harry and Daphne with a look of confusion and a touch of hostility. Harry motioned for Daphne to take a seat in the black chair and Harry retook his seat. Just as Harry had sat down Daphne caught sight of Ginny. Daphne was out of her chair if an instant.

"My Lady, I do apologize for not greeting you. I had not seen you." Daphne said while she wondered just how many curtsy's she was going to be doing today.

Ginny inclined her head towards Daphne, than looked to Harry for an explanation when the door opened again. This time it was Ron, Hermione, Neville and Hannah. When they saw Daphne sitting there they all froze. Harry just stood up and ushered them to their seats.

"Relax guys; I will explain when Madame Celeste's heir arrives."

None of them looked happy about this but kept silent. Ron had slipped his wand into his hand and had it trained on Daphne. When the door opened up to admit Luna, the room was so tense it would be like swimming in Jell-O. Luna walked towards the group and when she spotted Daphne she grinned.

"I see that you figured out who Harry was and wished to meet all of us. Of and Lord Gryffindor do please put away your wand. Lady Greengrass is of no threat to us. She has sworn an oath to keep her silence until the all of the professors have figured out our identities."

Daphne was staring at Luna as she was a strange new potion ingredient. "How did she know all of that?"

Harry motioned for Luna to take a seat. "Now the time for explanations. What Luna said is true. Daphne figured out who the heir of Slytherin was. When she cornered me she asked to speak with all of us for her silence. After all a Slytherin does not give something for nothing. So I think introductions are now in order. Luna is the heir of Madame Celeste. She is a seer, which is why she knew what she did. Ron is Lord Gryffindor, Hermione Lady Ravenclaw and Ginny is Lady Hufflepuff. Neville is the heir of Merlin and Hannah the heir to Lady Morgana D' Ley Fey."

Harry sat back in his chair and smirked at the emotions playing across the face of the Slytherin Ice Queen. When Daphne got her wits about her she looked at everyone. She stood once more and curtsied.

"My Lords and Lady's, it is indeed a great honor to meet you. You have my appreciation for not hexing me on sight." Here she gave Ron a pointed look. "You have my vow of silence and I plan to uphold that vow. No one would believe me any way." She gave a true Slytherin smirk. "I honestly cannot wait to see the looks on everyone's face's when your identities are announced. I hope that you will let me see those looks as they would be worth a great deal of hilarity to me."

She gave yet another curtsy and sat back down. "I hope that you will accept my offer of friendship. This could be most helpful to my friends and me. Draco Malfoy had his goons ruling over the rest of Slytherin house and professor Snape allows him to get away with it. If I am friends with you in private now, then publicly when your heir-ships are announced Malfoy and his goons will finally get what's coming to him."

Ron let out a snort "Why does that not surprise me. Malfoy seems to think he is so high and mighty, when he is nothing but a sniveling little boy."

Daphne smiled at Ron "You know Weasley your family seems to be related to both Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. Therefore even though your family is not as wealthy as the Malfoys you have more clout than them. I do hope that when you announce who you are that your family gets what it deserves. A Malfoy begging for your forgiveness." Both Ginny and Ron smiled their thanks.

The eight teenagers talked for another hour before they each went their own way. When Daphne returned to Slytherin house she was surrounded by her friends. All wanting to know where she had been and why she had a Cheshire grin on her face.

She smiled "I have received great news but I am under an oath of silence. Now if you will excuse me I have homework to do."

The others all shared a look between them as Daphne walked up the stairs to her dorm. They knew something was up but they just couldn't figure it out. They also knew that there was no way for them to get Daphne to talk about it. Even if she hadn't taken an oath of silence, Daphne was the master of secrets. They were up a creek without a paddle and they all knew it.