*thanks to ArystaNyx for editing!*
Hermione was the first to arrive at the station. Her parents had to drop her off early due to a work trip. As she sat and waited, she pulled out any books she could find on her creature inheritance and her great great grandmother's diary.
She was so engrossed in her reading that she didn't hear the boys walk in.
"Hello, 'Mione. You didn't meet us on the Platform. You alright?" Harry said, hugging her before sitting in the seat across from her.
The brunette nodded. "Sorry. I got here early. Mum and dad had to go on a trip. How was the rest of your summer?"
"Good. Missed you after you left. This one here was boring." Draco said as he sat down beside her, pulling her to his side in a hug.
Before she could respond, Luna arrived at the door. "May I join you?"
"Of course, Luna. You're always welcome." Hermione said with a smile.
Luna sat beside Harry and gave him a smile. She noticed Hermione's books.
"Creature Inheritance. That's a lovely subject. What is yours?"
"Fae. My great great grandmother Ithena was Elven. Apparently I'm the first girl born into the family since her. It's passed down to me. I found this necklace when I come across her old home in Granger Village. Problem is, I can't figure out how to open it; and I have just three weeks to figure out how to unlock it." She huffed.
Luna thought for a moment. "Go see Hagrid. He'll know a spot or two for you. I believe your a forest Elven fae. You'll know when it's right. She'll speak to you."
Hermione nodded. "Thank you, Luna. I'll do that." She smiled.
The train ride was spent with the four of them talking about their summers and eventually Neville showed up.
Once at Hogwarts, the Sorting began and finally the feast. The trio enjoyed themselves before it was time to head to the dorms.
"I'll meet you in the dorms shortly. I need to talk to the professors." Hermione told the boys. They nodded and left.
Hermione walked to the front of the Great Hall, stopping in front of her Head of house and Professor McGonagall.
"Excuse me, Professors. May I speak to you both?"
"Of course, Miss Granger. What can we help you with."
"Well, I was wondering, since the term doesn't officially start until Monday, I was hoping I could spend some of the weekend down at Hagrid's. My 14th birthday is in a few weeks and I haven't quite found my creature inheritance and I was hoping he could help me find a spot in the forest that was safe that I could sit and think."
The two professors looked at each other. "I never knew you had one, Miss Granger." Professor Snape said.
Hermione pulled out her papers from Gringotts and handed them over. They looked them over.
"Ah, yes. I received your letter over summer explaining. Well, we see no reason why not. Let someone know where you will be in case anything happens. Good luck." McGonagall said with a smile.
"Thank you, Professors." Hermione smiled at them as she turned away.
Once in the Common room, she spotted her two friends sitting on the couch in front of the fire.
"What took you so long?" Draco asked as he scooted over for her to sit.
"Talked to Professor McGonagall and Snape about me going to Hagrid's this weekend to the forest."
"And?" Harry asked.
"They're fine with it as long as I let someone know where I am."
The boys nodded. They sat and talked for awhile longer, discussing going to the library the next morning to do research. They decided to call it a night and went their separate ways.
In the Headmaster's office, Minerva, Severus and Albus were sitting around the desk.
"I called for us to meet, Albus, to inform you that one of our students has requested permission to join Hagrid at the forest on the weekends before her birthday. Apparently she has some sort of creature inheritance and believes the forest will help unlock it."
Albus looked at the older witch, a look in his eyes she didn't like. "And who might that be?"
"Hermione Granger, sir." Severus spoke.
Albus sat back in his chair, hands touching at the fingertips in front of his face. "Is she the only one?"
"That we know of. I'm sure if she does have one she'll inlist the help of Potter and Malfoy in the library. It's not very common a child having some sort of creature lineage among their family line." Severus spoke again, watching how Albus' demeanor changed.
"Albus, Potter's family line back to the Perevells, who I do believe, had a creature lineage. If he done the same test young Miss Granger done, then I'm to assume he found one and will be working towards unlocking his as well." Minerva explained.
"Malfoy as well. But I only know of Veela being among the Malfoy line; and it's not far fetched that Draco could very well carry the only male gene in several generations." Severus explained to the two.
"I see." Albus cleared his throat. "Well, I suppose we shall see what transpires."
He stood and left the office into his personal quarters. Minerva and Severus giving each other a look before departing as well.
Hermione woke the next morning, a little extra pep to her. She made sure her grandmother's diary was in her satchel, along with parchment and her self inking quill, and headed down to meet with the boys.
"You're awfully bouncy this morning." Draco said as she come literally skipping down the stairs.
"And you're awfully dreadful this morning." She replied back, a smirk on her face.
"Yes well, not all of us fancy spending half the morning in a library on a Saturday when it's supposed to be nice weather to practice Quidditch." Draco sassed back.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's only for an hour or two. I do believe you will survive."
"No I won't! I'll wither away without the sunshine and fresh air."
"Oh don't be so dramatic. Come on. Let's go eat and get started." Hermione took his hand, not letting go, and walking to the Great Hall.
Harry just smiled at the two. He hoped this year was their year.
The trio arrived and began to eat. Harry began reading more of his parents journal. Learning everything he could about them. When they finally finished, the headed to the library.
"Morning Madam Pince. We'd like to see any books on Creature inheritance and the like. Could you tell us where they are please?" Hermione greeted the older witch.
"Hmm. I'm sorry, Miss Granger. It looks as if they are locked in the Restricted Section. I cannot allow you to get anything without your Head of House or the Headmaster's written approval."
Hermione's shoulders slumped and her face fell. "Oh. Okay. Thank you."
Draco and Harry gave each other a look. "Don't worry, 'Mione. I'm sure we could talk to Snape and he could give you permission." Harry said.
She nodded. "Yes. I'm sure. I'm going to Hagrid's. I'll be there if you need me. I'll set a timer for dinner and see you two then."
Hermione turned and headed for the groundskeeper's hut. The morning had a slight chill but Hermione loved it. As she got closer to Hagrid's, she could see him tending to his over sized pumpkins.
"Good morning, Hagrid."
"Well, good mornin', 'Ermione. What brings yeh to my part of the grounds?" Hagrid gave her a gentle hug when she approached.
"I need your help. I've recently discovered I am a descendant of a Elven fae. I was wondering if there were any places in the forest that would be safe for me to be while I try and unlock my inheritance. I feel like I need to be out there." She said, looking up at him.
He scratched his beard for a moment before his eyes lit up. "Come with me. I know a place or two." He set his garden hoe down and waved for her to follow.
Fang immediately jumped from his perch on the steps and bounded after them. Hermione made sure to stay close to Hagrid as they walked. The first stop was the clearing just on the other side of Hagrid's garden.
Hermione closed her eyes for a moment. She then shook her head. "No. Not the right place."
Hagrid nodded. "A little further in then."
The two walked further into the forest until they come to another meadow clearing. Hermione looked around before closing her eyes once again. She could feel a sort of pull in her magical core, leading her further.
"I need to go this way. Something is pulling me there. Is it safe?" Hermione looked up at the half giant, worry in her eyes.
"It is. One more safe area tha's still within limits; but there are creatures out there that may or may not take kind to trespassers."
Hermione nodded. "I just want to see, please."
He nodded and led her even further into the forest. They come to a stop around a small pond, willow trees hanging over the edges. Little twinkling lights floated around the water and the flower patches splotched among the ground.
"This is where the little nymphs and fairies live. They have the magic that keeps this deep part lovely and lively."
Hermione walked forward a few steps, closing her eyes again and taking a deep breath. She could feel the air tingle around her and the wind gently blow. Suddenly she heard tiny bells ringing out. She opened her eyes to see the nymphs and fairies surrounding her in a tornado of light.
"Would ya look at tha'. 'Ermione, I think yeh made some friends there." Hagrid whispered.
The witch smiled. "This is it. It's where I'm meant to be to unlock my inheritance." She turned to the half giant who was smiling proudly at her. "Thank you."
Hagrid just nodded. "I'll be within shoutin distance. My hut is just a few yards away. I'll leave yeh to it then." Hagrid and Fang turned and walked away.
Hermione smiled and looked around. She walked towards the ponds edge and found a beautiful spot where the willow tree branches hung over the water and flowers surrounded the base of the tree. She sat down and pulled out the diary.
She ran her fingers over the engraved name of Ithena Fiona Hawthorne-Granger. The clasp on the front had a lock that was the shape of her locket. She pressed the locket into its spot and it opened. Opening it she began to read, getting comfortable in the grass.
To my dearest granddaughter of many greats. If you have found this and it's locket, that means you have inherited my Elven magic. My dear, it is wonderful to know that what I wrote here will be passed down. Elven magic has only been passed down through the years to the only female born in generations of both Hawthorne and Granger.
I write this in my final years here. As of now, there has yet to be a girl born. I do have hope for my great grandson and his new wife. If you are that child, then my dear, it's lovely to meet you. This diary will be your guide to unlocking the Elven gene.
Hermione continued to read the rest of the day. Every now and then she'd glance up to the water nymphs splashing or the fairies lighting up around her for light. She gave them a polite thank you and kept reading.
Before she knew it, her timer went off, signaling it was time for dinner. She sighed as she packed up. She stood and looked around.
"Thank you. For letting me enter your home. If it's alright with you, I'd like to come back and continue my learning."
Tinkling bells sounded around her. She smiled. "Thank you. I shall see you tomorrow."
She followed the path back to Hagrid's, keeping in mind to thank him for making said path for her to find her way back. As she come into sight, Hagrid stood.
"Thank you, Hagrid, for the path. And thank you for helping me find such a beautiful place."
"No problem at all 'Ermione. Did yeh do okay in there, then?"
She nodded. "I did."
He nodded. "I was waiting on you to head back to the castle for dinner. Wanted to make sure you made it out safe an' sound."
She gave a chuckle and the two headed up towards the castle. Once inside she said her goodbyes to him and found her two friends at the table.
"There you are. Got worried about you." Draco said as he visibly relaxed at the sight of her.
"Told you she'd be out all day, likely reading if she found the right spot." Harry smirked.
"I did actually. A beautiful place where the fairies and nymphs live."
"Aren't they temperamental when it comes to strangers in their home?" Asked Draco.
She nodded. "They are, but they immediately welcomed me. I think it's a link to unlocking the inheritance. I'll tell you both about it after dinner. I'm starving."
She began piling her plate full of her favorite foods. The boys just smiled at her as they all ate in a comfortable silence.
A/N: IM ALIVE! Soooo sorry I've been away! Life! Work, home, you name it! But here it is! The next chapter is in the works and if my mental state can stay intact I'll have it out soon!