Disclaimer- I own nothing but my plot. Thank you J K Rowling for creating this wonderful world for us to play in.
a/n- Thank you all for the kind words and support. You all truly brighten my day.
Enjoy!
Chapter 12
"Normal Speech"
Thoughts
'Mental Conversations'
Tonks home- Living room-
Emma Granger was currently resting after a crazy 24 hours. Andromeda Tonks was running some more diagnostics to make sure she was healing properly. This woman was incredibly lucky. Andy looked up to see her sister still sitting in the same spot beside Emma's bed. I wonder what Cissy is going to do now? Andy thought to her herself. "Cissy, can I speak to you for a moment?"
Narcissa looked up from her book when her sister spoke to her. "Alright Andy" she replied as she got up from her chair. She didn't want to wake Emma since she was finally sleeping peacefully. Narcissa walk over to a set a chairs that was across from Emma, this way she could still keep an eye on her.
Andy motioned her to take a seat and poured her a cup of tea. "Is everything alright Andy?" asked Cissy accepting her cup of tea.
"Emma is healing well. She will be just fine after sometime." Replied Andy. She waited for Cissy to take a sip of tea before continuing. "Cissy, what is really going on with you?"
Narcissa chocked a little on her tea. Leave it to her sister to ask the question she didn't have an answer to. She sighed before answering, "Honestly, I'm not entirely too sure." Andy was surprised to see her sister like this. Normally Narcissa was the one who had all the answers, the one who had life figured out. "Cissy, there is something you aren't telling me. What is really going on between you and Emma?" Andromeda all but demanded.
Narcissa quickly looked over at the bed to make sure Emma was still asleep. Looking back to her sister she said, "I wish I could answer that for you. Then that at least would give me an answer as well. She just lost the man she loves, and was at the mercy of a monster. For all I know, she will want nothing to do with me or my son because of that bastard."
Andy could see she was getting very upset. "Cissy, I'm sorry to ask, but what do you feel?" Andy knew she was pressing her own luck by asking such a question.
"Do you think that I haven't been honest with you sister?" Narcissa voice had a bit of an edge to it.
It was Andy's turn to sigh. "Cissy, I never said you weren't being honest. For crying out loud Cissy, I know you better than anyone. There is no reason take that tone with me. Do you want me to tell you what I see, or would you like to be honest with yourself? The option is yours."
Narcissa knew in that moment that she was defeated. Andy was right, she did know her. She put her head into her hands and took a minute to gather herself. "Andy, when I look at her I get this feeling that she is supposed to be in my life. There is no other way to explain it. I feel my magic reaching out for her. I don't even know if she still shares these feelings. I can tell you this, she loved Daniel with every fiber of her being. What would have happened if we stayed in France for the entire vacation? None of us know. I want to be in her life. I cannot tell you if that means more than just a friend. I will not pressure her. I will be there for her and the baby. Either as a friend or hopefully something more." Narcissa had a single tear streaming down her cheek. "Do you want to know what I think Andy? I think that she is the most beautiful woman in the world. Despite everything that has happened, she has a courage I have only seen once in my life, and that was by her daughter. I don't know what to do Andy. For once in my life, I am at a loss."
Neither Andy or Narcissa realized that Emma was listening to the whole thing. Emma couldn't believe what she was hearing. How, after all these years, could Narcissa still have these feelings? Emma had no idea what to do. She tried to sit up. She was still in a lot of pain, she let out a small yelp. Narcissa and Andy were by her side within a blink of an eye. "Emma, you shouldn't try to sit up on your own just yet." Andy said.
Emma managed to whispered, "I need some water. Throat is dry." Narcissa went over to the table to get it.
"Emma, I know your throat is healing, but you still shouldn't speak too much. It could set you back with your healing." Andy softly said as she was helping Emma sit up.
Narcissa came back over with a glass of water and helped Emma take a few sips before she asked, "How are you feeling Emma? Do you need anything else?"
"I feel like I have been hit by a train. Where is Maya?" replied Emma.
"They all went to the bank. Draco and Remus came back just a little while ago." Narcissa while taking a seat next to Emma. Once she was seated, she soft asked, "How much did you hear?"
Emma look her in the eye and mouthed, "All." Narcissa looked a little defeated and perhaps even slightly fearful. Emma grabbed her hand and looked to Andy and whispered, "Could you give us a minute?"
Andy came over with a pain potion and handed it to Emma. "Take this, it will help with the pain. I will be in the other room if you need me. And I still don't' want you to talk too much." Andy put her hand on Emma's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. Emma watched Andy walk out of the room before turning to back to Narcissa. "Cissy, I heard all of it. You are right, I love..." she took a deep breath and tried to control her voice. "Loved Daniel. He is the only man I will ever love."
Narcissa saw the pain in Emma's eyes and took her hands in hers knowing that it wasn't just from her injuries. "Em, I wish I could take that pain away from you. I am so sorry for your loss." Emma couldn't speak or a moment. The pain she felt was too much at that moment. Narcissa saw this and got up from her chair and sat on the bed, taking her in her arms to try and comfort her. "It's ok Em, just let it out." Emma finally was grieving for her loss.
After about 10 minutes, Emma finally managed to stop crying. "I'm sorry Cissy." Said Emma as she started to try to pull away and hide.
"There is nothing to apologize about Em. I know that Daniel was the only man you will every love." Replied Narcissa as she was gently rubbing her arms.
Emma was looking straight into Narcissa's eyes when she asked, "Did you mean what you said Cissy?"
"I meant every word of it Em. I wondered what would have happened if we had stayed in touch" replied Narcissa.
"What did you mean when you said you felt drawn to me?" asked Emma as she tried to pull away. She felt something stirring in her, and if she really thought about it, it made her nervous as well.
It was Narcissa's turn to feel a little nervous. "I don't know if I can really explain it Emma."
"Please. Try." Emma begged. She was beginning to wonder if she was having the same feelings.
Narcissa sighed and said, "You know I could never say no to you. I never imagined that it would still be like this after all those years." Emma gave a small smile at this response before Narcissa continued. "It's as if my magic recognizes you. I have this feeling deep within me that I am supposed to have you in my life. I do not know if that's means as just friend or if that means something more."
Emma stumbled over her reply, "Cissy, I don't know if…"
"I know Em. Do I wish for something more? You already heard the answer to that. But you also heard me tell my sister that I would never force anything upon you." Narcissa reassured her. She would never want to make this beautiful woman uncomfortable.
Emma took a moment to take everything in before responding, "We use to be great friends Cissy. Let's start with that."
Narcissa felt heart gave a little flutter. "I would like that very much Em. If it is not too painful, what was Daniel like? I would like to know of the man who stole your heart." Narcissa could see that this was a tough request for Emma, so she then said, "How about you tell me what Hermione was like growing up? I see so much of you in her." Emma's eyes held a look of relief. There was still a sadness in them, but they did brighten a little as she spoke about Hermione.
Eventually Narcissa could see that the pain potion Andy gave to Emma was starting to wear off, and helped her lay back down. When she was laying comfortable, Andy came back in to administer another pain potion. "Thank you Andy. Why don't you stay with us? It would give us a chance to catch up. I was just telling Cissy about Hermione." The three sat there and spoke of their kids, and what their lives have been like. Andy and Narcissa both carefully avoided bringing up Daniel. That wound was still too fresh for Emma.
While the three of them were speaking, Andy heard the floo come to life. She was just getting ready to go and see who came back when she heard Draco ask, "What happened to him?"
Andy sighed a little bit and her shoulders dropped a little. "Why can't he ever stay out of trouble?"
Emma looked a little puzzled and asked, "Andy, what are you talking about?"
Just as Andy was getting ready to respond, she heard Sirius say, "We aren't entirely too sure."
"Would it be too much trouble to continue this conversation later. Sirius, I'm not feeling too well" Said Hermione.
When Sirius looked at Hermione and saw that she was as pale as Harry was right before he passed out he said, "Let's bring the both you out to the living room and have Andy take a look at you."
"I just need to sit for a few minutes Padfoot" replied Hermione as she started to sway.
Amelia quickly threw Hermione's arm over her shoulders and said, "Let's get to the other room. You can sit then." Amelia started to help guide Hermione to the other room, but Hermione's stumbled over her own feet. Thanks to his quidditch skills, Draco quickly grabbed her other arm and threw it over his should to help get her into the other room.
"Sirius, bring them in here" called Andy as she started to transfigure some chairs into beds. While she was doing this, everyone managed to get to the door way. She looked up and saw Harry unconscious and Hermione pale as a ghost. "Will someone tell me what happened?"
Hermione started trying to say, "We went to visit our other vaults. Harry mentioned too much pow…." But she was slurring her words and then fell unconscious herself.
Emma saw what happened and tried to say, "Maya!" while trying to get up.
Narcissa put her hand on her shoulder, preventing her from getting up and said, "Em, you can't move like that just yet. Let Andy work. You know she won't let anything happen to her." Emma nodded to her, not being able to speak. Andy tried to get them into separate beds, but it was as if a hidden barrier was erected. Andy quickly realized what was happening and said, "Put them in the same bed. Take their clothes off, they need skin to skin contact. Quickly! We don't have much time!"
"Andy, what is happening?" asked Sirius as he was taking Harry's shirt off.
"Let me get these two set and examined." Replied Andy and she was helping Amelia get Hermione down to her bra and panties. After she managed to get both teens all set, she turned to Sirius and said, "I need you to call Minerva and Poppy." Sirius looked like he wanted to protest, but Andy gave him a stern look that meant that if he knew what was good for him, he would do as he was told.
Andy started doing her exam when she heard Narcissa say to Emma, "Andy will tell us in a moment what is going on. We just need to be patient."
"Cissy, I am tired of waiting. I need answers." Emma managed to say in a whisper.
Andy immediately felt guilty. She knew Emma has been though a lot over the last few days. "Em, I need you to trust me. I am trying to finish my exam as quickly as possible. I need to have Madame Pomfrey confirm my theory for me."
Emma was trying to get out of bed again and actually started trying to fight Narcissa. "Narcissa Black, if you do not take your hands off me and let me get to my daughter and her husband, you will not like the results!" replied Emma in a stronger voice that even had her surprised. No one expect Emma to get this angry. Suddenly, one of the lights in the hallway exploded just as Sirius, Minerva, and Poppy were coming into the room. "What the hell?" asked Sirius as he was looking at Emma trying to get off the bed and Narcissa trying to hold her back.
"Emma! You need to stop! You can reinjure yourself." Narcissa panted as she tried to wrap her arms around Emma and tried to pull her back onto the bed. Clearly, whatever Andy was doing for Emma was working. Minerva saw the struggle and went over to help Narcissa and Poppy made a bee line for Andy. "Emma, I need you to calm down. If you keep getting worked up like this, it could hurt the baby" Narcissa said as she finally managed to get her arms around her.
Minerva added as she grabbed onto Emma's arms, "Emma, I know this is hard, but you have to be strong. I promise you that everything will be ok. You already know that Andy won't let anything happen to them. I need you to know that Poppy is a strong willed as they come."
Across the room Poppy was quickly trying to complete her exam and asked, "What happened this time?"
Sirius walked up behind her and said, "Harry and Hermione went down to their vaults. They mentioned something about feeling the magic calling to them and said 'too much power' as Amelia and I were helping them both out of Gringotts, which is where Harry passed out on us. Hermione managed to make it back here before she passed out as well."
"Since everyone is here and you have both managed to examine my daughter and son in law, would someone care to tell me what in the bloody hell is going on?" replied Emma as she started to try and get out of bed again.
Andy came walking over to her as Poppy was pulling up the blankets over the teens. "Emma, I will tell you what is going on, but I need you to calm down. Cissy was right, if you don't you could potentially harm the baby." Andy waited for Emma to calm down before she continued. "They are ok. They have both almost completely drained their cores. They will be asleep for the rest of the night, and possibly tomorrow."
Emma grimaced a little when she tried to say, "What. Happened?" but it came out in a soft whisper thanks to the way she spoke earlier.
"We aren't entirely too sure. We know they went to their vaults, but that is all we know." Replied Andy. "Let me get you something for the pain Emma" she added as an afterthought. Narcissa was still holding onto Emma when Andy came back with the pain potion. "I added a little calming draught this. Once you drink this, I will get you some water."
Sirius finally looked around and noticed someone was missing. "Where's Remus?"
"He said something about having to run an errand with Dora. He was very cryptic if you ask me." replied Draco.
Everyone honestly forgot Draco was still there, what with everything that was going on with Harry and Hermione. Amelia sensed they were going to discuss family matters and said, "Well, if I am no longer needed here, I should be going."
"Amy, you don't have to leave." Replied Sirius as he went over to take her hands. "You know that you are considered family Amy."
Amelia pulled Sirius off to the side and quietly said to him, "Sirius, I don't know if I am ready for this yet. I never did say I would give you another chance."
Sirius gave her a gentle smile and said, "Amy, you will always be family."
Amelia sighed and shook her head. "Against my better judgement, fine. I just need to quickly check on Susan."
"I'll wait for you to get back before we start explaining everything." Replied Sirius and he bent to place a kiss on her forehead.
Sirius watched Amelia leave and turned back to see Narcissa holding onto Emma. "Em, would you please lay back now. This is too much on your body." He heard her say.
Sirius never realized how much Hermione was like her mother until he saw this. Emma tried to struggle against her again despite the calming draught and whispered, "I want answers. I want to know what is going on."
Narcissa managed to pull her back and said, "Em, no one is going keep anything from you." Narcissa saw that right now Emma's instinct to protect her family was fighting with wanting to stay there with her. "Em, you can trust everyone in this room. You know this. No one is going to let anything happen to either one of them." Seeing that she was finally getting through to Emma, Narcissa added, "Why don't you lay back and get comfortable while everyone gathers around, ok?"
Amelia walked back into the room just as Narcissa was helping Emma get propped up on several pillows. Draco was helping Minerva gather enough chairs for everyone. Andy came back over with Poppy and waited for everyone to take their seats. "Sirius, Draco, before you start telling us about what happened while you were at the bank, I want to explain what is happening to Harry and Hermione. Both have somehow drained their core. We do not know what happened in their vaults, and won't know until they are awake. Something is forcing them together. No matter what happens, we cannot touch them. Whatever is happening to them has to do with their magic and their bond. I had Poppy confirm all of this." Andy made sure everyone was following before she added while looking at Emma, "They will be fine, they just need to rest."
Minerva was the first to say, "Well, that explains what is happening now. Let me ask the question that is on everyone's mind. What happened at the bank?"
Sirius took a deep breath getting ready to start telling everyone what happened when Draco said, "Uncle, before you begin, I have a few requests."
Sirius just sat there for a moment and blinked at Draco. "Alright Draco, what are those requests?"
Draco looked right at his mother and said, "You need to sit with Mrs. Granger mother."
Narcissa and Emma looked at each other for a second before Narcissa replied, "You said requests Draco, and I know you always choose your words carefully. What is the second request?"
This time Draco looked at Andy and said, "Have a full strength dose of a calming draught ready."
~PAGE BREAK~
While Sirius, Draco, and Amelia were telling everyone what happened at the bank, Harry and Hermione were having their own experience.
Harry woke up in a beautiful garden under a large maple tree next to Hermione. The skies were a beautiful blue and there wasn't a cloud to be seen. Harry rolled over and gently tried to wake Hermione. "Maya, wake up love."
He bent down to kiss her, as if she was sleeping beauty. "Harry? What happened? Where are we?" asked Hermione as she rolled onto her side to try and push herself up into a sitting position. Once she was able to sit up, she looked around and said, "Where ever we are, it's beautiful."
Harry helped her up and was trying to figure out where to go and asked "Is that a castle in the distance?
"Good eye son. But I don't think anyone is home at the moment."
Both Harry and Hermione jumped about a foot in the air while turning to see who spoke to them but found that no one was there. "Dad?" Harry was frantically turning in circles trying to find who spoke.
"James Potter! Don't you dare try to prank our son!"
Harry and Hermione turned around one last time and found that they were face to face with Lily Potter. "Aw, Tiger lily, you are no fun." Replied James as he materializes right before their eyes, which caused Lily to smack up upside the head. Harry ran over to his mother and gave her a hug that would rival Hermione's.
"Where's my hug Prongslet?" Harry pulled back from his mother with tears in his eyes and all but threw himself at his father.
Lily started to walk towards Hermione, so that James and Harry could have some privacy. "You must be Hermione dear. Please, call me Lily. It would get too confusing to be called Lady Potter. We would never know who was being addressed." Lily gave Hermione a hug and added, "It's so nice to finally meet you. I have always watched over him and get some comfort knowing that he has found you." Lily and Hermione started to walk back over to Harry and James and heard them talking about quidditch. "If you two don't mind, we have other things to discuss. You can discuss quidditch later."
"But mummmm" replied Harry with a smile on his face that stretched from one ear to the other.
Lily chuckled at this and turned to Hermione and said, "When dealing with a Potter, you must always remember to keep them in check. Otherwise nothing will get done, and something, or someone for that matter, will most likely be on fire."
Hermione gave a hearty laugh and replied, "Harry is definitely his father then."
Lily managed to steer the group over to some benches that were placed just off to the side in the shade while James told Harry, "Every Potter male seems to fall in love with the brightest witch of the age, and it would seem that not one of us have learned from this."
"Oh? And what have they seemed not to learn yet dear?" asked Lily.
James looked at her with a grin only a marauder could give and said, "That they are usually right."
Harry leaned towards his father and said in a staged whisper, "good answer."
"As fun as this is to watch you boys play, where are we? Why are we here?" said Hermione.
James gave a great booming laugh and replied, "I like her Prongslet. She is just like your mother." He turned to Hermione and said, "For now, we will say that we are in an ancient garden. I know you want to know where that is, but that answer will have to suffice for now. All will be revealed later. We are here to give you some of the information you need. Your trials are almost upon you. You both have already taken the first steps to prepare for it."
"Dad, what trials will we face and what have we already done to start preparing for this?"
Before James to answer Harry's questions, Lily replied, "We cannot discuss the trials too much. That is a tale for someone else to tell. As for your second question. You both started preparing the moment you sealed your bond, and have continued along that path when you accepted your nobilities. The ancient magics accepted you both while you were in your vaults. That was what was drawing you there."
Harry looked at his parents and then to Hermione, took her hands and asked, "Maya, what happened in your vaults? You already know that my parents have been watching us."
"I saw them Harry. I spoke with them." Hermione softly replied.
"Who my love. With whom did you speak sweetheart?" Harry knew that every instinct was telling Hermione that this should be kept private.
"Rowena Ravenclaw and Morgana Le Fey." Harry placed his hand gently on the side of her face and turned it so that she was looking directly in his eyes when he asked, "what did they say?"
"Rowena told me that we will face many dangers in the years to come, and said to keep my faith and wit about me. She wants us to use the Room of Requirements to train, and she told me of the Founder's Tower, but we must claim our rights while in the castle in order to get to it. When Rowena gave me her wand she passed on all her knowledge and wisdom. She also gave me her notebooks, had me take a dagger, and asked to watch over her claws. She said if I ever felt lost, then I was to speak with the moon." Hermione took a deep breath before continuing. "When I took Rowena's wand, it combined with my wand I felt the power surge with mine. But it was nothing compared to when I took Morgana's necklace and bracelet. It gives me protection. She told me that the goblin prophecy is true and that I was the was the voice of reason. Morgana told me that we must keep the daughter of the moon close, and that when I woke, I would find myself altered." Hermione was finally able to look away from Harry's eyes. When she looked towards James and Lily and saw them watching closely.
Hermione turned back to look at Harry and said, "Harry, what happened to you? You said that it was too much power. Did the same things happen to you?"
Harry tilted his head to the side, trying to think of the best way to tell Hermione what happened to him. He took a deep breath and said, "Basically the same thing happened to me Maya."
"Harry James Potter, I know you better than that. Tell me the truth." Hermione had a fire burning in her eyes when she replied. She wasn't about to let him off the hook that easily.
"I knew I wouldn't get anything past you. I shouldn't have even tried." James snorted at this observation. I met them too Maya. Salazar Slytherin, Godric Gryffindor, and Merlin himself. Salazar gave me his wand too. It is now combined with mine. He also gave me the task of bringing his house back to what it is supposed to be, not the trouble it has become, and he told me to use his snakes. Godric told me to keep my head, stay true to my heart, and to keep you by my side. He knew that I would want to keep you safe, but told me that I would needed you at by side. I need to train hard, and he told me that the castle would help. We have to show the lions the way, they have become lost. Merlin told me to keep you close and to seek the other Founder's Heir. He wants me to keep you close and told me to not only trust my instincts, but also to trust the dragon, and the other child of the prophecy. Merlin told me that Voldemort created more soul shards that we must destroy. I blood bonded with his staff. When I did that, he transferred all his power and magic to me. It felt like my body was getting ripped apart. He also told me that when I woke tomorrow that I would find myself altered, and told me to hold off on going to the Pendragon Vault for now and that he would let me know when it was time to accept those roles, whatever they may be."
"What does it all mean though. Who is the child of the moon? And who is the Hufflepuff heir? Harry, there are so many more questions! Who is the dragon, and who is the other child of the prophecy?" replied Hermione.
Harry could see that she was becoming more and more anxious with each unanswered question. He held her close in his arms and said, "We will figure it out love." The both jumped a little when they heard a cough and looked up. "Sorry mum and dad, we tend to forget when other people are around when we start trying to come up with answers."
Lily looked at them with a warm smile and said, "Don't worry about it. That is lot to have to figure out. But that is why we are here." Lily looked to James and took his hand, silently asking for the strength needed to have this conversation. James looked deep into Lily's beautiful green eyes and send as much love as possible to her. Harry and Hermione knew that this was a moment they would never forget.
James nodded his head to Lily before looking back to Harry and Hermione and saying, "Let's start with your first question about the child of the moon. She is a year younger than you two. I believe she was sorted into Ravenclaw and is one of the reasons why Rowena has asked for your help with them. She is constantly being bullied for being different. But in truth, she hides behind that as a way to protect herself."
Hermione gasped. Harry creased his brow at this knowing that Hermione knew exactly who this was. "Harry, we need to look after Luna Lovegood. She is the child of the moon! Of course! Why didn't I see that before?"
This had James laughing. "You are very much like Lily. But we are on a little bit of a time limit. The other child of the prophecy is your Godbrother Harry, Neville Longbottom. Your other ally is Draco Malfoy."
Harry snorted at Draco's name. "Malfoy is an ally? Are you serious?"
"No, I'm James" he replied with a smirk on his face. "Yes, he is an ally. Draco is much different than Malfoy. You can trust him. When you get back, ask him why he was so different. You may have to tell him about what your life was like. Harry, you will have to let your walls down in order to let him in."
"But that only answers a few of our questions, not all of them. Where are we? And how will we be 'altered' when we wake?" asked Hermione.
"I see that you are truly Lady Ravenclaw." Replied Lily. "Those two questions will be answered shortly. We are just waiting for someone else to arrive. I have a little more advice for you both. I know that you plan to go to the paper for an exclusive. That is the right move darlings. You must trust those that advise you. Now, about your marriage and bond. You can't decide how to announce this right?" Lily paused to make sure she was on the path. "Announce it as a betrothal. Those who wish you harm will see it as a small obstacle, but will think they can get around that. They will try to potion you while at school. Let them. Make sure it happens in the great hall in front of witnesses. The potion will not affect either of you. However, when that happens, your bond will be announced."
"I take it you want us to ingest said potions as a form of evidence. We can then charge the person with attempted line left and the use of an illegal potion. Is this correct Lily?" said Hermione.
"Harry, she is a keeper" replied Lily. "Yes Hermione. But despite the bond you two share, those same people will still wish you harm." Lily paused a moment to take both Harry and Hermione's hands in hers and continued, "You two must stand together. Do not leave each other's side."
James stood up and went to stand behind Lily. He placed his hand on her shoulder and said, "As my mentor once said, 'Constant Vigilance!' Keep your wands and weapons on you at all times. I would recommend getting a wand holster and also make sure you conceal your weapons."
Lily placed her hand on James' and took a deep breath while standing. "It's time for us to leave." She saw the teens faces fall a little at this. "Don't worry you two. We will always be with you, watching over you. Who knows, we may even be able to visit you from time to time."
"Harry, I wish we had more time with you. I need you to know that we love you very much and approve of everything you have done and all that you will do." Said James. "Others will try to tell you otherwise. Don't let them Prongslet, we are proud of you, both of you." James and Lily gave Harry and Hermione a hug each. They turned to walk away.
"Wait! Who else are we waiting for?" asked Hermione while Harry was clinging to her hands with tears running down his face as he watched his parents leave.
"All will be revealed daughter" whispered Lily as her and James started to fade from view.
Hermione turned to Harry and saw the hurt in his eyes. "It's alright Harry. They will always be with you. Come on, let's start walking towards the castle."
"Alright Maya." They turned to walk towards the castle in silence. Hermione knew that Harry wouldn't speak about saying good bye to his parents just yet. As they walked a sudden breeze picked up causing them to stop. When they turned to look behind them, they saw someone standing there holding a staff. "Harry, who is…"
"You have such an inquisitive mind child." Replied the man with a smirk on his face. He turned to Harry and added, "I like her. I can see that you two are well matched." Hermione had no clue what was going on and she did not like it.
Before she could begin to rant, Harry said, "Maya love, this is insufferable pain in the arse is Merlin himself. I believe he is the reason we are here, where ever that may be." Hermione stood rooted to the spot with eyes as big as an owl. She wondered if she heard what Harry said correctly. When she turned to look at him, she heard Merlin give a loud booming laugh.
"I always knew I chose my Heir well! Lady Hermione, I believe you have some questions that need to be answered." Replied Merlin as he motioned them into a small court yard that was set off to the side. "Now I believe you would like to know where you are, am I right?"
"Yes, that is one of my questions my lord." Replied Hermione.
"Oh pish, none of this my lord. Please, call me Merlin. Now, as for your first question, you are at my home in Avalon."
"You mean to tell us that we are truly here?" asked Harry who finally found his voice. "When I spoke with you last, you said that the transfer of your knowledge and power would alter me. In truth, I believe that it almost killed me. What will happen to us?"
Merlin tapped his finger on his lip trying to think of the best place to begin. "You will have to wait and see for part of that. Do not try to argue with me on this matter. As for what I will tell you is this: your powers have grown. Yes, separately you are both powerful, but together you will be unstoppable. Now, let us go inside. While we are there, your training will commence. Once you have finished, your two familiars will present themselves. They will help prevent those from saying that you are turning to the darkness." Merlin made to stand but was stopped by Hermione.
"How will we train? I can feel that our time is running out here."
"You are right child. As soon as you step through the doorway to the library all that you need will be transferred. Come now, let us go. You are right about your time almost being up." Merlin helped shepherd both towards the castle. As soon as they stepped into the front hall a bolt of lightning struck both Harry and Hermione with such force, it lifted them off the ground. "I know I should have warned you both, but I knew that neither of you would have come if I told you what would happen. You will survive this, I swear."
Edited 7/3/17