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A/N: Still tweaking :D
Chapter – 3
A new hope dawns
In the darkness stood the Hogwarts castle, as though enjoying the quietness which is so rare during school days. In a low flash, Harry and Hermione fell on the way outside the huge castle gates.
"Why did we land outside the Castle?" Asked Harry, who was clearly not expecting to land on the dirt.
"Each moment, dark forces try to penetrate the castle walls…" said a drab, long voice.
Harry and Hermione looked directly at the dark figure, whose shape and features were vague in the dark background. But, the voice was unmistakable; Harry had heard it for five years. As they walked nearer to him, the figure of Severus Snape became more visible.
"…And, the protection of the castle has been hiked up, No teleportation into the castle walls." completed Snape.
"Why are you here during the vacation?" Asked Harry, not liking the welcome he had received.
Snape was quick to notice the pure anger and hatred burning in Harry's eyes. He had no intention to add wood to this fire, but, surprisingly, he knew what it would be like to be alone, he had not been unaware of such situations.
"The Castle needs all the protection, potter. As the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, I think I'll fill in that role perfectly…" muttered Snape as he started walking towards the castle.
"WHAT? You and Defense against the Dark arts? I don't believe it!" roared Harry.
"It's not important now; the Headmaster wants you at his room immediately! Follow me then..."
Harry and Hermione looked at each other, then, Hermione started walking. She was followed by Harry, who was apparently a bit confused with this relatively 'nice' snape.
During what seemed to be an eternity, Harry noticed Snape having stealthy glances at him. He knew that Snape was looking at the expressions on Harry's face, but said or showed nothing. But, these glances made his foggy mind feel like a thunderstorm, just chaos everywhere…
Hermione wasn't feeling any better either. In a way, her condition was worse than Harry's, because of the secrecy of her bond with Sirius. She had an immense presence of mind, because even in this riptide of emotions, she never let anything out. She just focused on the castle, drawing closer and closer with each step.
After what was fifteen minutes for Snape and an eternity for Harry, they entered the headmaster's room.
"Here they are, Headmaster." Announced Snape, and the face of Albus Dumbledore looked up from his desk.
Before him, stood a very disturbed Hermione and a Blank faced Harry. But he was no healthy man either; he was looking paler than ever, tiredness was clearly showing on his wrinkled face.
Harry hadn't seen Dumbledore so tired. He guessed that Dumbledore must have been engaging himself in something serious during the past few days and that he called them here to help him.
"Thank you for your time Severus, now you may leave." Snape raised his right eyebrow, showing discontent in not being included in the would-be discussion, then turned and walked out. Dumbledore scrutinised them for a long time. He looked at Harry, his appearance, but didn't say anything. Before Harry or Hermione could say anything to break the gloomy silence, Dumbledore spoke.
"I have called you here to give you a very important job, that is, if you are willing to accept it." Then, he looked at them both.
"Just as I thought!" Harry thought, "He does want us to help him in his current efforts." A smile appeared on Dumbledore's face, as if he had just heard what Harry had thought.
"But first, I would like to entrust you with a very powerful secret." He looked at them again. Both faces showed doubt.
"A secret so powerful, so well kept, that I had to go to great lengths to possess it…"
This only increased the suspicion on the face on Harry and Hermione.
"… a secret that can change the course of Destiny…" Dumbledore Paused.
"… a secret that concerns you two."
"What is it sir?" Burst out Harry, who was a bit too impatient with Dumbledore right then. His secrecy over the prophesy still rankled.
"Well, it is that, you, Harry Potter, are the successor of Godgric Gryffindor and Helga Hufflepuff!"
"WHAT!" The look on Harry's face showed a great amount of surprise.
"And you Hermione," Dumbledore moved on, as though he had expected this burst of emotion, "you are the successor of Rovena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin!"
"Oh!" Hermione's face showed doubt rather than surprise, "How come that's true? My parents are Muggles, Professor!"
"No, they're not. They are just children of a long generation of squibs. I trust you know that there are other Grangers in the wizarding world?" Dumbledore inquired with satisfaction.
"Yes, Sir. But, if I am their successor, How come I was sorted to Gryffindor?"
Her suspicion was evident through her tone.
"My dear girl, the sorting hat sorts on the basis of desire and destiny, rather than your heritage. It was destined that you and Harry would be friends. Same was the case with Harry here; he was sorted to Gryffindor, because he asked the hat to do so." Said Dumbledore; with a little smile which was well hidden by his magnificent long beard. Harry was nodding, thinking of what he just said.
The next few minutes passed in silence. Harry and Hermione were too stunned to move, and Dumbledore, who was apparently quite happy to let the surprise set in, had turned to his desk.
"And what is the job that you would like us to do, Sir?" Hermione asked finally.
"Yes, about that…" Dumbledore turned, facing them again, his demeanour suddenly solemn.
"This ongoing war with the dark has caused so many casualties, that I have grown tired of it. And I am quite sure that you two are too."
Harry's head slumped. Hermione's eyes twitched, but she immediately assumed a façade of blankness. Dumbledore glanced at Harry, but went on to look at Hermione a bit longer. The same doubt that had occurred to Hermione hours ago now seemed no more a doubt. She was sure that Dumbledore did know everything.
"How does he manage to know EVERYTHING?" This was more a confusion than a doubt.
"…I have thought long and hard about this," Continued Dumbledore, "You two being the successors of the most powerful wizards and all, I've decided to send you back in Time." Saying so, he looked at their faces, calmly waiting for their reaction.
"This night keeps getting weirder and weirder." Hermione thought.
"Back in time? To which year sir?" Asked Harry, who had the habit of doing before thinking.
"To 1940." Harry was going to ask why, but Dumbledore, as though he had anticipated this, said before he could speak. "You will be sent to Hogwarts, where you will study, but, in Tom Riddle's batch. Your goal will be to prevent him from walking down the dark path."
This proposal made Harry think. "That's a great plan, if we can prevent Lord Voldemort from ever rising, this war would never occur. Sirius, Mom and Dad would be alive today!" A new spark was ignited inside Harry, thought small doubts about their journey still remained.
"Sir, I don't understand…" Voiced Harry, but Dumbledore interrupted him again.
"Your doubts will be cleared in due time. For the next one month, you will be staying here. As the successors of the founders, you have some very unique powers and abilities. You will be working on improving them, and I will assist you." Dumbledore sighed. "I trust that's enough secrets for one day, now, off you go to your dormitories. Your possessions would be waiting for you there. And, we start your training first thing tomorrow. Good night then." Dumbledore turned back to his desk.
Harry and Hermione also turned and started walking. Their minds, still foggy with doubts, were more hopeful than before. The hope of ending this war igniting this new found hope.
A/N : We are so sorry…. We didn't mean to be this late. But we had our school fest and some really important project work and was really busy with them. Sorry for updating so late. We promise. Next time wont be so long.
Hope two chapters make up for the time.
Please,please review. We really appreciate it. You know we cant correct ourselves without someone telling whats wrong. We will also consider ideas if you have them.
By the way ^hpPy NeW yEaR^