Harry Potter and The Secret of The Heirs

Chapter Twenty One

The Fate of The Heirs

For some reason that Harry could not explain, he didn't believe Ginny.

'Ginny,' he said gently, 'I saw him get the mark. He looked pleased with himself, like he'd fulfilled his lifelong ambition or something.'

'In a sense he has,' Ginny said. 'By spying he's getting back at his father. He hates him you know. Absolutely despises him. He's going to betray him and teach him a lesson. I told him that you guys wouldn't believe me if I told you however it's true. Draco doesn't want to be a Death Eater. He may be a bad boy, but he's not evil. Anyhow, I care about him. So it doesn't matter what you say I'm going to stand by him.'

And with that she walked out of the room and slammed the door behind them. As they were about to leave the room, the door opened again. In paraded Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle.

'Well, well,' he said. 'What have we here, Potty, the Weasel and the Mudblood?' Hermione looked as though she was fuming. 'How dare you accost my girlfriend like that Potter, if you do it again I'll kill you. I don't appreciate you three planting ideas in her head, nor do I appreciate being told by these imbeciles that Ginny's ex-boyfriend picked her up and carried her to an empty room. Oh and incidentally Granger, is Potter a good shag, now that you've got what you've been longing for all these years?'

Hermione's face went red.

Malfoy turned and walked out the door.

'I don't care what Ginny says,' Hermione said. 'That boy is unquestionably evil. How dare he?'

They made their way back to Gryffindor Tower somewhat discouraged, until Harry remembered what Dumbledore had said about Malfoy.

"There are some things you don't understand."

Perhaps Ginny was right.

Somehow Harry wasn't sure it was a risk that they should take. Except that Dumbledore trusted him, and Harry trusted Dumbledore's judgement completely. If they were to trust Malfoy, it would be going against the grain. It would be like his parents trusting Snape. Harry wondered if Snape had heard The Prophecy of Saoghal and told Dumbledore. Somehow, Harry couldn't see Snape caring enough about the Potter's, but what about the other Heirs. If Snape knew whom one of them was, would he have betrayed Voldemort for them, and then not tell Dumbledore who they were? If he wanted to protect them, Harry knew he would do the same. He had to work out who the other Heirs were. It was crucial.

*~*

The woman looked down at her hip. The eagle was there, just as it had been a couple of weeks ago, getting brighter too. She didn't know how much longer she could hide it. She didn't want it to be true. She was afraid, there was too much to live for now. If only there was another way. She knew what The Prophecy of Saoghal meant, she knew more than most. She had heard the entire prophecy and although it had been partially revealed a few weeks ago, she knew the truth.

Two will fall and two will stand, each the same character will be.

Was she destined for death, now of all times? All the signs pointed in the one direction.

*~*

Despite the cancellation of Hogsmeade visits, the school settled back into its regular routine without too many problems. The seventh years in particular were hit hard with work in preparation of their upcoming N.E.W.Ts but that was to be expected.

Harry and Hermione did however pass their apparition tests, Harry the first time and Hermione the second. She had been so furious when she had failed, all because she was a metre to the right of where she was supposed to have been. Now that they no longer had to attend apparition lessons, they had Friday afternoons off and could join Ron in his laying about in the common room afternoon.

Because school had been sent home early the week of their dragon visit, Charlie had had to delay it until over the Easter break. Most of the seventh years were happy to have lessons in the holidays, if it meant practical experience. It was better than not having it at all. Only the Slytherin's complained.

Hagrid was still away, but the Trio made up for it by visiting Charlie and visiting Sirius. Harry wondered where in fact Hagrid was. He had said he'd be back by Christmas, yet he still hadn't returned and Harry had not heard from him, since receiving the Christmas package. Charlie however, didn't seem so concerned when it was mentioned.

'Hagrid's been delayed,' he said. 'It shouldn't be anything to worry about; he'll be back soon enough.'

Nonetheless, Hogwarts just didn't feel the same without Hagrid. Harry missed him greatly.

Crookshanks appeared to have gotten over his craziness, content to just lie down and sleep most of the time. Hermione figured he must have worn himself out earlier in the year. She only would let him out hunting occasionally now, and usually only under Sirius' supervision as Padfoot.

'He's getting older,' she said. 'I don't want him to get caught by some larger animal.'

'Then why do you let him out with Padfoot?' Harry asked. 'He'd be likely to eat Crookshanks any day.'

Neither Harry nor Hermione had mentioned their Animagi Training to anyone, nor had they talked about it between each other. Harry often wondered what animal she was learning how to transform into. His lion form was progressing along nicely. Sirius kept remarking that he shouldn't have too much longer to go before he was able to transform at will, in just seconds. He hoped that he would be ready to transform by the time he needed to escape from danger.

Ginny began ignoring them after their confrontation, which made things difficult for the upcoming Quidditch match against Ravenclaw. Now that Ron didn't have Cannons practices to deal with anymore, he began pushing the Gryffindor team harder again. Ginny was late to half the practices just to spite Ron. Things were not looking good; if the team couldn't work well together then there was not a single chance that they could possibly win, even though the new Ravenclaw Seeker was seemingly hopeless. Finally, after the practice before the game Ron whispered to Harry;

'I think I've got to have words to Ginny or it's all going to end in World War Three on the pitch tomorrow. Time to swallow my pride, I think.'

'Ginny,' Ron called. 'I need you over here for a second.'

She glared at Ron as she marched over.

'What is it?' she asked heatedly. 'Another accusation today?'

'Gin, I'm sorry for what we said about Malfoy,' Ron said. 'We just worried about you, trying to look out for you. We do care about you, and Harry did see Malfoy get the Dark Mark. It's just a bit hard for us to believe that he's really playing on our side. Can you understand that?'

Ginny nodded slowly.

't doesn't mean that it didn't hurt Ron,' she said. 'If we're going to get anywhere we have to trust each other, more than you realise.'

'Okay, Gin,' he said. 'Just don't let that creep hurt you.'

'Bickering behind us?' Harry asked. Seeing the nods he continued. 'Good, now let's crush Ravenclaw tomorrow.'

After showering, the three made their way to visit Charlie, who was still staying in Hagrid's hut.

It is not often that you get unexpected surprises, but today seemed to be full of them. Harry, Ron and Ginny knocked on the door to greet Charlie and Hagrid himself opened the door.

Harry ran to greet him.

'Hagrid you're back,' he yelled. 'I was worried about you.'

'Don worry bout me,' Hagrid replied. 'Ah've jus been taking care of business. Took a bit longer than anticipated, tha's all.'

Hagrid invited them in and made them tea, while he filled them in on what had been going on.

'Ye know a couple of years ago when we went and visited the giants?' he asked. 'Well we went again, me and Olympe to ask them to help us stand against Voldemort. Dumbledore thinks we need protection now, specially in light of Hogsmeade. Those poor kids Harry, didn one of them use to follow you round and photograph you?' Seeing Harry nod he continued. 'Dumbledore got the giants hiding in the forest's around Hogsmeade and a couple in the Forbidden Forest as well. Don know if they'll be any help but it's worth a shot. At least they're not on You Know Who's side.'

Harry agreed. He had heard about what the giants had done when they were allied with Voldemort and was sincerely glad that they weren't allied with him now. They farewelled Hagrid early in the evening as Ron insisted his team get plenty of rest before the big game tomorrow.

*~*

Harry and Ron were a bundle of nerves the next morning, despite both being extremely competent Quidditch players. They had lost a Beater in the Shrieking Shack explosion, hence were forced to promote one of the reserves (Dean Thomas), who had never played a game of Quidditch before. The Quidditch match was due to start about an hour after breakfast, so Harry and Ron forced down a little food before making their way down to the Quidditch change rooms to prepare for their game.

Gryffindor was in a good position. Ravenclaw had beaten Slytherin, but lost to Hufflepuff and Slytherin had beaten Hufflepuff a couple of week's prior. So the standings were:

Wins Losses Games

Gryffindor 1 0 1

Slytherin 1 1 2

Ravenclaw 1 1 2

Hufflepuff 1 2 3

This meant that if Gryffindor won their next two matches, no matter what the margin was they would win the house cup for the third time in a row, or fourth if you counted the year before the Triwizard Tournament as well.

The Ravenclaw team was a better match up than the Hufflepuff team despite their recent loss. Ron appeared to have his work cut out for him, the Ravenclaw Chasers having no trouble monopolising on the Gryffindor Teams mistakes. When the score had reached Ravenclaw sixty, Gryffindor ten Ron called a time out.

'What's going on out there?' he asked.

'Their Beater's are just whacking the Bludgers at us, quicker than Seamus or Dean can handle,' Ginny replied.

'Any sign of The Snitch?' Ron asked.

'No,' Harry replied.

'Only grab it if we'll win,' Ron said. 'If they'll win and their Seeker is going after it, put her off somehow.'

'I know Ron,' Harry said somewhat frustrated.

Ron signalled to Madam Hooch that the time out was over. Harry began searching the field for The Snitch again. There was no sign of it, as he swerved to avoid a bludger. Honestly for someone who's so obsessed with sport, Dean is a pretty bad Beater. He turned around and Ravenclaw had scored again. That meant they were sixty behind.

He spied it floating just above the grass. He also spied the tiny Ravenclaw Seeker who was miles away trying to dodge the Bludgers that Seamus and Dean had began to repeatedly hit at her, given that they weren't having any effect on the Chasers. Harry dived immediately and pulled up just before the ground with The Snitch in his hand.

'I've got it,' he called.

Once again the fate of the Quidditch Cup would be decided by the result of the Gryffindor - Slytherin game. Except this time, Gryffindor only had to loose by less than a certain amount to win the cup.

*~*

That night the celebrations continued late into the night, however they weren't quite as rowdy as the last. Somehow Neville hadn't managed to smuggle in any Butterbeer this time, or perhaps he didn't feel it was necessary this time, given that he was looking cosy in the corner of the room by the fire with Natalie McDonald. He was obviously congratulating her on the Quidditch match.

'They make a cute couple don't they?' Hermione asked as she came up behind him and gave him a big hug. 'Congratulations on your win today.' He turned around and kissed her.

When he pulled away he noticed people staring at them.

'Why are they staring Hermione?' he whispered.

'Because you haven't kissed me in the common room before,' she whispered into his ear.

It clicked.

Harry had forgotten that. He had subconsciously not flaunted their relationship out of respect for Lavender's feelings, but he wanted to b able to kiss the girl he loved when he won a Quidditch match.

'Let's go dance,' he said.

He led her out to the area of the common room that had been designated as a dancing area, as a slow number came over the wizard wireless. They moved slowly in time to the music together, only pulling apart when the song ended. Harry felt a closeness that had been there since he danced with her at his birthday. He kissed her when the music stopped and took her of the dance floor.

'I'll meet you here in ten minutes with the Invisibility Cloak,' he whispered in her ear as he left her standing there. 'I'll hit you on the back when its time to go outside.'

He made his way upstairs looking for any sign of Ron and/or Parvati and unable to find them he grabbed the cloak, threw it over his head, and then made his was down to Hermione who was waiting patiently by the door. He patted her on the back, and they made there way outside.

'Where do you think Ron is? It looks like he's picked up Parvati again.' Harry asked her as he threw the Invisibility Cloak over her head.

'Potions dungeon,' she replied with a smirk on her face.

'Nup,' Harry replied. 'That's reserved for Ginny, my bets on Transfiguration.'

They walked toward the Transfiguration classroom and sure enough Ron and Parvati were snogging inside. They left them to their own devices, as an idea came to Harry's head.

'What if we spied on Ginny?' Harry asked.

'What?' Hermione asked.

'She wasn't at the party right,' he said. Hermione nodded in reply. 'Well then I can only guess where she is and if we go and check up on them we can find out once and for all if Malfoy is on our side.'

'I don't know Harry,' she replied. 'I don't want to see anything, it's different with Ron, and we know he just sneaked away a couple of minutes before we did. We don't know how long they've been gone.'

'Just a quick trip,' Harry gave her a 'you don't have to look and we could find out something' look.

They wandered down towards the dungeon, Harry remembering he had The Marauder's Map in his pocket. He pulled it out, said the password and showed Hermione the map. It showed Ginny and Malfoy in the Potions Dungeon, but they certainly weren't snogging. Nor did it seem that Ron and Parvati were either. They must have had another tiff. Ron was back in the common room, talking with Rose.

'Perhaps she'll grab his attention tonight,' Harry said.

They entered the room and found Ginny and Malfoy sitting in a corner of the room talking.

'They don't believe me,' she said. 'This was a stupid idea.'

'It wasn't a stupid idea Ginny,' Malfoy replied harshly. 'If I didn't do this I'd be in hiding or worse, I'd be dead. Both are pretty bad. Either way I'd be away from you and that's not what you or I want.'

'Well how can I get them to believe me?' she asked.

'When I know something I'll go straight to Professor Àille,' Malfoy replied. 'Until then you're going to have to be brave. We need Potter for this to work. It's the only way I can get Father. He wants Potter. He knows that the Dark Lord will reward him, if he brings Potter.'