Silence reigned for a few moments.
"How do you know that? I mean these people were alive years and years ago. How could you possibly prove it was me?" Hermione asked while Sarah chuckled to herself.
"You know the guard that I was talking about. Magic from being the Head member of the Guard allowed me to find and protect the heir until it was time."
"That still doesn't make sense." Severus was just as sceptical.
"Okay look. Were getting ahead of ourselves. Let's talk about the past some more okay."
When no one interrupted Sarah continued.
"The Goblins have guarded this secret for years because the Marauder was the first of wizarding kind that they ever respected. They made a pact with her that they would protect her secret and entrust the magic to the future generations. The Goblins agreed because they are actually a rather peaceful race who love a good prank. Something that will become more obvious from now on."
"Okay, but why pretend to be otherwise?" Bill asked curious about their supposed true nature.
"Until now, the Ministry would have sought greater control over Gringotts. With the Marauder's return they can no longer seek a ruling share in Gringotts. The Marauder also backed the original Gringotts. Without the heir the ministry could have tried to claim a ruling majority because of part wizard ownership. By having people perceive them to be a great deal nastier then they are, the ministry would not lay claim and risk angering the goblins."
"So the goblins are more like Fred and George then like Percy?" Charlie asked.
"Yes but they are still a very proud race."
"So how does that relate to Hermione being the heir?" Izzy queried.
"Well having set up business with the goblins and never trying to cheat them or abuse their position with in their joint business venture she earnt their trust. The guard by this time had formed. In total it was a group of sixteen people. Originally the guard was only bound by the word they gave to the Marauder. When the seer told the Marauder of the future the guard agreed to take oaths so that should she fail to be there for her children and this future came to pass the guard would still be bound to protect the family. The guard failed to protect the Marauder and so the magic came into effect. These magic oaths were overseen by the goblins of Gringotts. Part of the magic allowed the head of the guard to be able to find the new Marauder. That way the legend was passed down the generations and the guard would always be able to find the Marauder when they were needed."
"So that would make you the Head of the Guard?" Tai questioned.
"Yes I was. However with my death two of the families are now gone from the guard. So there is a new Head of the guard whose current identity remains unknown."
"Okay this history lesson is great and all but I still don't believe you." Hermione had stood there taking this all in and only now decided to speak.
"Well there is a way to prove it. Right Ragnorok."
"Indeed there is."
"Which means the History lesson continues. Now the trust between the Marauder and the Goblins eventually extended to the Hogwarts founders who were the first clients of Gringotts behind The Marauder herself. They also entrusted their wills to the goblins. The wills leave everything to the future true heir of the Marauder. These wills were magical wills and name the true heir."
At this stage Ragnorok produced five scrolls. Each scroll bore the crest of Hogwarts. The five scrolls flew forward and stopped, floating in front of Hermione. Each one unfurled to show her own name staring back at her. The scrolls then returned to Ragnorok.
"So you wrote my name on a bit of parchment. Still doesn't prove anything."
"I knew you would be difficult but really Hermione. Anyway we shall continue. These wills left everything to the future heir. This included all houses owned by the founders, the school and the grounds that it sits on, all money and artefacts owned by the deceased and of course the house elves of the five founders."
"Okay this is great and all. Now say for a minute that I buy into this story. You said the Marauder was killed. They way you told the story they weren't married yet and that would mean that there was no child. Ergo no link to the fifth founder."
Sarah turned to Hermione. She smiled at Hermione's triumphant look before speaking.
"Did I ever say they weren't married or that there was no child? They were married by the Goblin High King. A formal ceremony was going to be held but the Marauder was killed before the ceremony. However the Marauder had already given birth to a child. The child was part of the reason that Slytherin left the school. This child was the first link. You Hermione are the last."
Hermione mulled that news over whilst Sarah continued speaking.
"Now several things need to occur tonight. Severus and Tonks-"
"How did everyone know to come here?" Hermione interrupted Sarah apparently looking for a loop-hole.
"Well seeing as Severus and Tonks signed special magical contracts with Gringotts giving them guardianship they were able to connect with you when the emergence occurred. Severus saw the names and faces of those who would could be trusted by you both now and in the future. These people were brought here through various means. Some felt the emergence, others were summoned."
"Fine."
"Okay. Severus, Tonks as her guardians do you give permission for the oaths?"
"Yes."
"So Hermione ready to be given proof of your inheritance."
"As long as it is actual proof."
"Alright you heard me talk about the emergence right?"
"Yeah. What is that?"
"Well it resembles a fit. You probably don't remember it."
"She doesn't." Matt announced.
"Well this fit is your full powers surfacing. These powers are cemented as part of your being by a birth mark that until now was invisible to the naked eye. In some ways it resembles a tattoo. As time passes the mark usually spreads across the body. It almost always starts on some part of the torso. This mark also hints to the kinds of powers possessed by the heir. So Hermione show us some skin."
Hermione raised one eyebrow at Sarah's comments. She then raised the front of her top to show nothing on her stomach before raising the back of her top. This was followed by several gasps.
"Hermione have you always that?" Mimi called out from behind her.
"Had what?"
At this point Severus vanished the back of Hermione's top whilst Tonks conjured several mirrors. Through them Hermione could see her back. The image astounded her. Until now Hermione had never had a birth mark.
On her back was an image of a sleeping Dragon. The Dragon was an array of colours and seemed to be shooting out tiny flames. It appeared to be sleeping around some sort of tree. The trees branches ran up and over her shoulders. They looked as if they might eventually branch out down her arms and down the front of her body. There looked to be a corresponding roots system coming out underneath the dragon. Both seemed to be adorned with flowers. Each flower was a different colour and had yet to flower.
"Okay let's say I believe you now. What sort of danger am I in?" Hermione looked back at Sarah as the mirrors disappeared and the back of her clothes reappeared.
"Well the thing is we don't really know. Once the ceremony is complete I can recommend whom not to trust and where the threat may come from but once the ceremony is complete you won't have to worry."
"Why not?"
"Well the ceremony and much of the point of meeting tonight is to re-call the guard. Once they are reassembled, they will protect you and no threat will be able to take you down."