The white figure on the other side of the hall turned wearing a small, sad smile. Hermione slowly walked forward tears streaming down her face as she went. So caught by the fact that Sarah hadn't been lying, that she was dead, Hermione failed to notice the old and regal looking Goblin sitting behind her. Behind Hermione, Severus and Tonks had pushed to the front of the group and into the cavern. They followed Hermione who had reached the white figure and was now talking to her. The rest of the group slowly moved into the room. Once they were all inside the doors snapped shut behind them.
The cavern was huge. Lit only by torches not every part of the cavern was visible. These darkened parts looked as if they could go on forever. Behind the chair of the goblin king stood five doors. Four were inlaid with animal symbols. The fifth stood directly behind the chair of the goblin king and was covered in shadows. On the floor there seemed to be a series of carvings. At the closing of the door Hermione, Severus and Tonks were snapped out of their conversation.
"Now that you are all here I suppose it is time to explain." Sarah announced to the room. Her eyes flashed over everyone. Noticing they settled into five groups. The Weasley's, Diggory and Chang, the Teachers, the Digidestined and Hermione and her guardians.
"The full truth this time?" Hermione queried, giving Sarah a suspicious look.
"More or less. It will be the full truth as known at this current time. If that changes well you'll find out later."
Hermione had been about to ask a question when Sarah raised her eyebrows. Hermione knew that Sarah was going to tell them the truth but having waited this long Hermione was being impatient. She had realised as soon as she had seen Sarah that she had mourned Sarah this whole time too.
"But first, before the truth we should all be introduced. So we shall start with me. All you need to know is that my name is Sarah and I am recently deceased. Everyone here should already know Hermione and Severus. Hermione of course attends Hogwarts and Severus is the potions Professor at the school. Tonks is next to them and is the most recent Auror to graduate."
Everyone looked at them wondering why she was bothering. Then she started speaking again.
"Okay let's get the other Hogwarts staff done. There is Professor Minerva McGonagall, Head of Gryffindor and Transfiguration teacher. Then there is Professor Pomona Sprout, Head of Hufflepuff and Herbology teacher. Next to them you have Professor Filius Flitwick, Head of Ravenclaw and Charms teacher. Finally we have Rubeus Hagrid, Gamekeeper and Keeper of the Keys. Also recently promoted to Care of Magical Creatures Professor. I should add that standing with them is Kingsley Shacklebolt, also an Auror."
"Really Hagrid that's fantastic news."
"Awesome"
At Hermione and the Weasley twins congratulations Hagrid had ducked his head which had turned bright red.
"Moving on. In the red corner we have William Weasley, prefers Bill and is a Curse Breaker for Grigotts. His younger brother Charlie Weasley works with Dragons in Romania. Then you have Fred and George Wesley, twins and ruling pranksters of Hogwarts."
Bill and Charlie didn't seem all that fussed. Fred and George took the opportunity to bow for everyone.
"We also have Cedric Diggory, member of Hufflepuff house and prefect. With him is Cho Chang, member of Ravenclaw mouse and a prefect as well. Both play quidditch."
Unlike the twins neither seemed to appreciate the staring.
"Finally we have the largest group. First of we have Tai and his friend Koromon, both big soccer fans. His younger sister is Kari accompanied by Salamon; both are rather quiet but very friendly. Next to them are Matt and Tsunomon, friendly and he is a musician. His younger brother is T.K. with Tokomon, never-ending hope is their motto. Then you have Sora and Yokomon, talented at most sports. Then there's Mimi and Tanemon, sometimes brutally sincere. Behind them is Izzy and Montimon, their curiosity is greater than most. Next is Joe and Bukamon, a more reliable pair you won't find. Then there is Davis and Demiveemon, friendly and hot-headed. Yolei and Poromon, sincere and caring. Cody and Upamon, reliable and come with their own honour code. Finally Ken and Minomon, two of the kindest people you could ever meet. For those of you who don't know the beings with them are called digimon."
Sarah took a deep breath before continuing. Allowing everyone to take them in. Most of the faces were curious.
"Lastly we are in the cavern of the Goblin High King, Ragnorok. As such he is present. This is he."
She pointed to the Goblin behind her. Everyone looked at him, even Bill hadn't met him. This left him wondering what could be so important for him to be involved.
"Are you quite finished or are you going to spin this out?" He spoke with a deep voice which was full of amusement, apparently he liked Sarah.
"You know me. So what do you expect?"
The Goblin King sighed before addressing everyone else.
"You may call me Ragnorok. This could go on for quite a while so I shall speak with you more soon."
Once finished he sat down again. All those who had met goblins before were a little shocked. He seemed more reasonable than other goblins.
"Very well. I suppose you are all wondering why you were gathered here. Was there a crime committed? How are you all related? Does it even matter? I am going to try to answer those questions."
Everyone looked at her rather sceptically before she continued.
"To know the truth we must first go back to the past. To the founding of Hogwarts and the often unknown and unacknowledged fifth founder of the school. The Marauder."
When she finished the only person to react was Bill.
"You mean that myth the goblins pass around."
"That is indeed correct. Only it is no myth."
"Well that would explain a lot."
He was the only one who knew the myth and understood what it meant. Everyone else had watched the exchange curiously. Even Tonks and Severus weren't aware of the full myth.
"Indeed. As Bill said it is believed to be a myth and is rarely spoken of by wizards. The truth is known only to the goblins who protect the secret. There was indeed a fifth backer of Hogwarts. They are known only by their last name. Marauder. This person provided the monetary backing for Hogwarts. They were one of the reasons that the peace was kept at Hogwarts. This person was the only muggle born that Slytherin ever held any respect for, you see. Indeed it is said that they were born on Halloween, on a Friday that coincided with a blue moon. This is said to have gifted them with extraordinary powers. For several years the group was happy and the school was strong. So much so that Slytherin asked the marauder to marry him. She readily agreed. However another who was disgusted by his betrayal of his once staunch belief's murdered the Marauder. After her death the group was not the same. Eventually they fought over the school's direction and the Marauder's death. Blame was thrown around and eventually Slytherin left. He felt it was the only way to end the fighting. Many used his departure to further their own beliefs and the current story about the fracturing of the school came into existence. The goblins, the only others who knew the full truth have kept this secret for years. Protecting it until the right time. Telling only those they trusted from the human community."
Sarah ended to catch her breath giving Bill a pointed look. At her last words he had become quiet honoured. Trust from goblins was rare and hard to earn. Apparently he had though. Most were thinking over everything they had heard.
"Okay but what does this have to do with us here and now?" Izzy asked. All heads turned back to Sarah.
"Everything. You see this wasn't the end. It was known at the time that there were those who had taken up an oath to protect the Marauder. Their failure condemned them and their decendants to continue serving the next Marauders. Furthermore one of them was seer. They foresaw a time when the guard would be needed and the true heir would return. The magical pact they made occurred in this very room. As did five wills. All overseen by the Goblin High King of the time. They were for the five vaults behind us. Leaving them to the true heir when they returned. The true heir is said to be the connection between the five Hogwarts founders. That is why you are all here today. For the true heir has returned and is in danger. It is time for the Houses to be reunited and the guard to return. Time for myth to be revealed as truth and the truth of the goblins to be revealed. It is time."
At the end of Sarah's speech no one spoke or moved. They all wanted to laugh but she was being serious. Deadly serious. It was in the way that she spoke. The way she held herself. No one in the room was going to question the fact that she spoke the truth.
"So who is it?" Cody spoke through the hushed silence. It was question they all wanted answered, though some were already positive of the heir's identity.
"The heir is Hermione."