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Chapter Text

If you were to look around the office of one Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore’s office, I doubt you would know where to look for more than a few seconds before your eyes were drawn to another part. It was chaos in every sense of the word. Books, crystals, gadgets and things you would never know did what. A fully grown phoenix sitting on its golden perch to one side, while a ratty old hat sat high on a shelf. Lining the top of the walls sat portraits of all previous headmasters and mistresses seemingly asleep.

On a dais in the middle of the room, an ornate desk and chair stood proudly with even more shelves cluttered with all sorts of oddities. Large cathedral-like windows allowed for the sun to shine brightly through so that you wouldn’t need to rely on just the floating candles and roaring fire in the hearth. While to the side a spiraling staircase led to his private quarters.

It was here where Minerva McGonagal sat facing him like she had many times when delicate subjects rose and needed to be discussed. The last being the young Potter boy and his ability to cause their potions professor to lose any and all professionalism when teaching… regardless of the boy actually doing nothing to cause said professor to lash out.

“A new student starting their fifth year? This hasn’t been done since Phineas Black’s term as headmaster.” she questioned him as she briefly looked at the child’s transcripts.

“It is… unusual, yes. However, the situation is not something that we can just ignore. I assure you Minerva that if the situation was not as it is, then the child would undoubtedly still be home-schooled as they have been for the past four years. I can assure you that their marks will be on par or even far above most of their year-mates. In fact, I haven’t seen test scores like that in many a year.” she watched as he held back the laugh, though the twinkle in his eye did nothing to cover the mirth.

“Do not flatter me Albus, this is serious. What could cause a parent to suddenly change their child’s schooling in such a significant year?” She asked him as she eyed the transcript again, holding back the desire to grab them up and take a closer inspection of their results.

“That is not for me to say, suffice to say that it is in the child’s best interest that they enter the school as seamlessly as they can. Their guardian will be here momentarily, and will answer any question that you may have.” he looked over his glasses at her as she finally gave in to the need to know more. “Ah, here he is.”

The sudden bright flash of green flames rose in the fireplace only to die down moments later as a tall figure stepped over the grate and made their way into the room. Dressed in a dark grey robe with the hood up covering their face. While she knew instantly where they had come from, she was not sure who was under the hood.

“Minnie,” the grave voice she had not heard for nearly fifteen years reached her ears as she dropped the parchment to the floor as her hand reached for her wand instead.

“You have some nerve calling me that Croaker. What is the meaning of this?” she sniped as she pointed her now empty hand at the man.

Shooting a look that made many students over the years quake with fear at her friend and mentor who had hold of her wand. Standing, she stared at the man as he pulled his hood down and looked at the face that she had last seen as she fell asleep beside him that fateful night.

His dark hair now greying around the sides, a small beard that hadn’t been there before. But those piercing blue eyes that seemed almost white still held the same intelligence that had drawn him to her.

“My god-daughter,” he replied just as succinctly as he eyed her. “How are your shields?”

“Stronger than before.” she huffed, cocking a brow at the man.

“Let’s see shall we?” he chuckled before raising his wand at the woman standing before him.

She felt him fall into her mind, prodding every corner of her mind as he searched for even the slightest weakness that could be exploited. With each second that passed, she could feel his satisfaction at what he had found. Before he could find the weakness no matter how hard she tried to keep him out, now she could do so easily.

“Up to your satisfaction?” she smirked as she sat once more on the chair that she had conjured when she first entered the office.

“They’ll do.” he nodded before conjuring his own chair facing both the headmaster and the woman before him.

“Then would you mind explaining this?” she waved her hand at the parchment that had been picked up while she and Croaker had been in their little battle of wills.

“Fifteen years ago, I received a message very early in the morning. So early that the sun hadn’t even risen. Very few knew who I was, and even fewer now. When the message came they used my name and the name that had only been used by one other. I left for Paris in an instant. That message would only come if the worst thing that could happen… did.” he sighed as his eyes glanced at the small table of trinkets that squeaked, puffed and huffed.

“And you couldn’t wake me, to let me know you would be going.” she questioned, forgetting exactly who was in the room with them.

“No, every second counted.” he looked at her, a stare that she hadn’t seen ever as their eyes locked.

There was no use in trying to look into his mind. He was possibly the most proficient occlumens in the world. He had once told her how he had stood in a room with over a dozen men trained in legimins as they tested his shield. None of them had even cracked his shield, let alone got past them.

“Tell me Minerva, what do you know of the origins of Veela? Not the stories but the true origins?” he asked, completely changing the topic of his disappearance.

“No one knows. Not even their high priestess. It is theorized that they were daughters burned so that the gods would not force themselves on the girls for their beauty, and not offend the goddesses as men believed that their beauty outshone them.” she recited as if from a book.

“They were somewhat right.” Croaker sighed as he stood, shocking both them with his words.

“You of course know the history of Grindelwald, and the terror he brought to the world. Before his true rising, he caused the deaths of many aurors and hit wizards in France. What he did not realize was that in September 1927, he brought back a race that had all but fallen to what they are today.” He continued not looking at the two peers who hung on his every word, but out the window, lost in the memories that swirled through his mind.

“Why is September so important?” Minerva asked as she sat there looking at his back, piecing his words like a puzzle, but not getting the final picture.

“Because Leta Lestrange’s sacrifice to save the Scamander brothers brought back a race from extinction.” turning he saw Minerva still puzzled, yet Albus was lost and the pain of the time shone on his face. “Leta was with child.”

“No,” she whispered, her hand rising to cover her mouth as the soft sound left her lips. As if by covering her mouth she could take back the last few seconds that had passed.

“At one time I wished it hadn’t been true. I highly doubt she even knew herself. I have spoken to the High Priestess Celeste, the child born is a true Veela, the day she was born Leta’s body and magic gave way. The child, Alinta, was born in a bath of fire. Healthy and far more powerful than even the High Priestess was. She married, had children and then passed away within fifteen years.”

Her children?” Albus asked, his eyes watery as he listened to the story unfold.

“Her son, Llewellyn, carried the Lestrange name here once more. Her daughter was hidden in the conclave to protect her from even her brother. As you know Llewellyn died when he tried to flee before the dark lord heard the prophecy, leaving his sons Rabastan and Rodolphus as thought to be the end of the Lestrange line.

“Her daughter, Cordelia stayed in the conclave until she met her mate in an Irish wizard. Eion Granger,”

“Eion was no ordinary wizard. He was the last of his bloodline. A Gancanagh.” Albus coughed as he eyed Minerva, after all he was only a few years before her.

“Yes, well, considering he was my counterpart in Paris.” Croaker shrugged as he sat down as the sun began to set in the sky. “What do you know of the children of the gods?”

“They are fables, fairy tales told to children. Bedtime stories.” Minerva shook her head as she stared at him.

“Indulge me, please.” he sighed.

“Born of two magical parents, both highly powerful in their own way. From the anniversary of their sixteenth year on this earth -their sixteenth birthday- for that year, the gods and goddesses will visit them, test the child until one claims them as theirs. They will be given gifts far beyond those of the magicals.” she rattled off thinking of the fables she grew up hearing, the same ones she told her son when he was young.

“Hermione Jean Granger, born with the blood of Veela and Gancanagh. The only Child of the Gods is my god-daughter. I have hidden her for these past 15 years to save her. On the 19th of September she will be 16, and I am now asking for your help to protect my family from the Death Eaters who are still free, and have heard that a Child exists. One who, if tortured enough, would become the child of Hades and be able to bring Tom Riddle back to life.” For the first time since she had met Croaker she saw a crack in his shield.

“Tom Riddle returned to the muggle world after he was denied the Defense position.” She shook her head once more as she turned from Croaker to Albus.
“Tom Marvolo Riddle was hidden from the world when he remade himself into the Dark Lord Voldemort.” Albus sighed before turning towards Croaker. “We will do everything we can to help you save the child.”

Chapter Text

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Professor McGonagall stood the the side after the sorting of the first years, her eyes looking around the hall taking in all the students currently sitting in the Great Hall. She eyed the Weasley Twins with suspicion after hearing the chatter of their exploits on the Express. She knew that she should send an owl to Molly, but also knew that other than the banshee like howler, nothing would come of it.

Next her eyes met the Potter boy, surrounded by the younger Weasley boy and the rest of his year mates. She had been fearful that the boy would be like James and his cohorts. Instead she got a mix of Sirius and Remus bottled in the appearance of James. The smarts of his mother and something that was uniquely him. He didn’t set out to cause trouble… but it always seemed to find him.

Her eyes slid to the Ravenclaw table next, where a young blond head sat at the end. That young child, Luna, had been through so much, and if it hadn't been for her friendship with Potter she would have been lost to the world. He’d reached out a hand that first week and all but taken her in as a younger sister. She had a few friends throughout her year, but knew that her particular gifts scared more than intrigued.

Hufflepuff was next, where the first year group seemed to have already been adopted by the house. It warmed her heart that the older students readily and openly welcomed them into the fold. None more so than the Head boy, Diggory. He had proven himself a fine young man last year when he stood up and beside Potter with the fiasco that was the tournament. In the end they had shared the win for Hogwarts, and made the Scottish woman in her dance a jig.

Lastly, she turned her attention to Slytherin house. Most of them held to their rigid belief of blood purity, but some had been moving away from their parents' views. None more so than the Malfoy boy. He had decidedly made a truce between himself and the Weasley family, defying his father’s order, and had somewhat befriended Potter in the first few days of being students.

“Hogwarts offers a place where each student can learn. Each and every one of you comes from a different home. Some have never been out of the wizarding world, while others were thrust into it. No two are truly the same.” Albus called and caused the hall to quiet once more.

She watched as the students looked at one another. For the elder ones, they knew that the headmaster had left the usual script of jumbled words before the feast began. The first and second years seemed lost and took their cue from the others as they looked up at the front of the hall.

“Just as your journeys through the magical world vary, so does the schools.” he continued as if he hadn’t stopped to allow for the news to sink in. “Some are sent to Hogwarts, while others to the many schools around the world. Then some are also taught at home. Each journey shapes the individual. This year we have a new student, who until recently has been taught… elsewhere. It will be their choice to discuss any details that they feel necessary to share.”

Raising his hands, the students as a whole turned as the sound of the large doors swung open. It was the first time any would see the new student, though she did travel on the train with them all. Croaker and her fellow heads of house had gotten there early to set charms and allow the child to get comfortable for what would be a vastly different journey than anyone else.

She stood tall, her head held high under the scrutiny of the student body. Her hair curled and set like a doll would be before a child took it out the box. Large brown eyes and small button nose with a smattering of freckles across her cheeks. Most would think that she had used beauty charms or muggle makeup, but it was the heritage that she came from shining though.

She made her way up between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables with sure and steady steps. Her eyes not leaving the head table. It was obvious that she could hear the whispers from all those around her. The only sign that she was feeling the pressure was the slight twitching of the hands as made her way.

As the young woman stood in front of her, McGonagall realized that she would need to change the expected routine. Taking out her wand, she enlarged the stool for someone who would not be as small as the first years.

“Engorgo,” she muttered before cancelling the charm a few seconds later. “Miss Granger, if you would please.” she nodded towards the stool that was a much more appropriate height.

Stepping up and placing the Sorting Hat on Miss Granger’s head, she as well as the rest of the staff noticed that the hats brim enlarged also until it fell to just below the eyes. Quickly shooting a look towards Albus who only nodded his head slightly she turned back to watch as the sorting commenced.

As she was beginning to realize with this student, nothing was going to go as planned. What normally took only seconds had already surpassed what was otherwise thought of as a rare occurrence. She heard a few whispers of a Hat Stall, her eyes flicking between each table as the whispers began to get louder.

“Oh do hurry up.” the soft, but very obvious exasperation in her tone.

“I already know where I am meant to be.” she shot back to the unheard of comments.

“Well, by all means do show us.” the hall broke out in laughter as the Hat snarked.

They watched as the hat was removed and shrank back to its normal size. As impossible as it was, her appearance hadn’t altered as she turned the hat and gave it a look that clearly spoke of mirth and sass.

“It’s not my fault. You know that some things are out of an individual's control. Why would you be any different Elric?” She laughed before handing the hat back to the professor.

“Elric, Miss Granger?” Albus asked after a few seconds.

“It is the name the Founders agreed on when they added their magic to the hat.” and with that she turned and headed down the stairs.

“Griffendors,” Albus heard the muffled huff from the Hat as he too turned it to face him.

“Indeed.” Albus chuffed as he looked up to see Miss Hermione Granger walk confidently towards the Gryffindor Table and sat down beside the young Longbottom boy.

Chapter Text

The great hall slowly filled with students as they sorted the morning meal. She was still a little awed at the many choices available, from simple toast to a full English breakfast. It was true that magicals needed more calories than non-magicals, especially through their teen years. Burning through their energy source while they were not only physically growing, but also their magical core. It would keep growing, gradually tapering off until they had hit their magical maturation at twenty-five.

She had assumed it must have been a shock to any raised in the non-magical world, the amount they would consume but not gain the excess pounds that most would. No doubt becoming the envy of their friends and family, and claiming they had fabulous genetics. It was true, but not in the sense that would be explained until their eleventh birthday.

She had enjoyed her two weeks of school, and had truly begun to form a friendship with her roommate, Fay Dunbar. Her arrival had after all given the two girls a shared room while Lavender and Parvarti shared the second on their dorm floor. The two girls got along with the latter two, but were more reserved. Both seemed to take the same course load, though Fay took Muggle Studies while Hermione took COMC.

She had found that her previous tutors had kept within the same syllabus as the school, though in some areas she had advanced further. Her runic work was closer to the end of what they would learn in fifth year, while her charms had already reached newts level.

It was only the potions professor that had seemed to find a problem with her slightly advanced course work. Fay had given her plenty of warning to keep her head down and not to partner with either Harry or Neville since they seemed to be the two he focused on with his particular grievance to anyone wearing red and gold.

He’d deducted points because of loud breathing for Merlin’s sake.

“Mail’s here,” she heard Ron mumble around a mouthful of what she had to guess as sausage. She was just thankful that he wasn’t sitting right across from her.

As she had done every morning since her first night, she looked up to watch the parade of owls as they found their recipient. The colors and various species dodged one another in what could only be considered as aerial ballet. It wasn't until she noticed the one she had known for as long as she could remember make its way toward her.

The near all black plumage circled along with its counterpart, a near white owl. Their display had nothing to do with the flock of birds that had come in with them, but plenty to do with showing off to the hall.

“Get down here Aristotle.” I sighed when I noticed the white bird make its way toward Harry.

“You do realize that she’s a grown woman and can make her own decisions. I don’t think you trying to show her up is going to do you any favors.” I tutted as he tossed his head to the side, a chirp of indignation.

“Besides, her human may have a problem with you interfering with her choices.” Fay laughed as he pointed towards Harry who was sitting a little further down from Ron and shooting my owl a look that clearly stated Aristotle needed to back off.

“Hedwig is a lady.” Harry huffed while the terror Weasley twins looked suitably affronted on her behalf.

“Word from the owlery is that she’s turned away every suitor that’s shown his tail feathers to her. And she’s not afraid to use those talons to get her point across.” Lavender giggled and I had to wonder if there was any kind of gossip that she didn’t revel in?

“Regardless, he was brought up better. What would Helena say?” I scolded and he tucked his head under his wing.

“Who is Helena, and why do you talk to your owl like he’s human?” Ron asked, thankfully this time without food in his mouth.

“Helena is his mother. Aristotle here is her eldest chick of her last hatching. And I talk to him like this because magical owls do actually understand human languages. How do you think they can get the mail to the correct person? Think about it, the Prophet sends out hundreds of copies of their paper a day. They don’t have an owl for every single subscriber.” I shrugged before scratching said bird under this chin and offering him a few bits of bacon and sausage before opening my letter.

Little Bookworm.

It seems you have settled in well. Well at least from what Minnie has told me -and don’t you dare call her that or I will never hear the end of it. Already topping classes, and causing a few extra grey hairs to join the many that Snape has spelled black. I don’t know if I should be proud or… no I’m proud. Dirty Death Eater only got off because, well never mind. Just don’t cause any problems in his class, and I won’t have to come and change him into something more fitting for his station.

I received word from Celeste that a few unsavory characters have been searching for the conclave in the mountains, which means for now, our Yule plans are on hold. I’m sorry kid, but until they leave the area, I can’t risk your safety. We have been invited to a few of the seasonal gatherings and the Winter Solstice by a few of the lighter and neutral parties in the Mot. Do not worry, I will keep you from getting too bored with political mambo-jumbo.

On related matters your father’s side has since reached out. They fear what may happen if you become more like your father than mother. It is, as you should remember, unconventional that a Gancanagh mated with a magical, and they fear that you may show, shall we say, intimate overtures as you reach maturity in their world. If you are willing, their representative will be on English soil during the Yule break.

With only days away from your sixteenth birthday, we need to make plans. While it would be ideal to remove you from the school grounds, it can not be done without bringing more attention to your arrival. Albus and I have agreed that it would be best if you spent the night within the infirmary. An illness, similar to the muggle flu, suddenly hitting you the day before may be a good diversion if someone begins to ask questions.

The professors have already set up some wards around the isolated rooms in the dormitories as a precaution that you are unable to get free from your dorm-mate. Minerva has confided in me that you share the room with the Dunbar Heiress, which is frankly a boon. Her status being as it is, she can keep any secrets if it becomes necessary. While I do not believe letting her know the true extent of your heritage, your lineage may be something you can bond over.

Now, can you tell me why Aristotle seems to be aggravated as of late. He no longer seems to be the Lothario of the forest. Even Helena has noticed his change in demeanor. It has seemingly left the door open for a few of the wilder owls to try their luck with the female chicks that are still around… and the mothers are not amused.

I am intrigued and highly amused by your response.

Pappa.

I laughed before looking at the owl in question, and while I knew he didn’t know what was in the letter, it seemed like he had an idea. With a quick bark and a soft nip on my finger he took flight, circling the room twice before heading out of where the special windows had to be.

“Any plans for the day?” Fay asked as she looked up from her own mail, though she seemed a little miffed at whatever had been written to her.

The fact that it was Sunday, and I knew that the Gryffindor team had booked the pitch for tryouts didn’t go unnoticed. Fay for all her reserved personality was an avid Quidditch fan. She had given me the breakdown of the school’s teams. Strengths, weaknesses and statistics; all while calmly stating she’d never get on a broom unless it was absolutely necessary.

She’d also had a thing for the previous keeper apparently, and wanted to know exactly who would be taking his place.

“Just finishing up the essay for Binns and then I’m free. How about you?” I smiled as she tucked the parchment into her pocket.

“Any chance of getting a bit of help with the Defense essay? I’m stuck with the Reducto curse and its theory. I’ve got most of it, but a second set of eyes wouldn’t be a bad thing.” she smiled as I nodded.

“Why are you doing it so early? You’ve got the whole day to get it all done.” Ron groaned from where he sat, thankfully he’d finished eating and we were no longer privy to his eating habits.

“Because if we can get it done early, it means we’ll be able to get to sleep at a decent hour instead of trying to cram it all in after dinner.” Fay shot him before she stood.

“Can I get some help on that too?” Neville asked from his spot.

“Sure, meet us in the common in say half an hour.” We all saw the tension fall from his shoulders as he nodded his response.

It didn’t take long for the rest of the fifth year to join us at the table in the corner, each of us working on one thing or another. I wasn’t sure how it normally went, but I had hoped that Fay would join me like this every weekend -well those that didn’t have Quidditch games at least.

It was interesting to see exactly who they turned to for each subject. Neville for Herbology, Harry for Transfiguration and DADA, Lavender and Parvati for Divination. Dean for Muggle studies and Charms.

When all was said and done, we’d finished working an hour before the tryouts were going to take place. While Fay, Neville and I headed down to the stands, there was a mass exodus from the tower. I could have counted at least half the house in casual clothes, while another six in their jerseys. Before I could even ask, Fay had told me that since four of the six will be leaving at the end of the year, they’d decided that they would form a secondary team to at the very least have it ready for next year.

It didn’t take long before we noticed that there were more than just Gryffindors in the stands.

“Shouldn’t this be a closed practice? I’m pretty sure all the other teams are in the stands.” I asked, nodding toward the Slytherin stands where the Malfoy boy stood out with his blond hair and surrounded by two walls of muscle.

“Ideally it would be, but they can’t. All it would take is a pair of omnioculars and standing on the Astronomy tower to see anyway.” fay huffed before she turned back down to the field.

We watched as Angelina put them through their paces, even having the team join them to make sure that it was the best team. In the first drill, a simple lap around the field, three had been plowed and another two had ran into the goals.

“Second years, it takes skill to get on the team that young, and to be a prodigy like Harry to have made it in first year.” Neville groaned as he saw Lavender and Parvarti help the ones who’d hit the ground hard leave.

It was another ten minutes before they broke off into four groups. Harry had been up against only one other flyer, Ginny. Why she tried when it was obvious that it wasn’t what she wanted was lost on me for the most part. We all knew of course of the girl's feelings for him, but she’d been well and truly labelled and shelved as a sister much to her disappointment.

It had been another hour before it came down to the Keepers, with three showing true potential, as far as Fay and Neville were concerned. Ron, McLaggan and the older Creevy brother. Angela had them all take the posts and had all the Chasers (Katie, Alica, Angela along with Dean and Demelza from fourth year) take a shot at each one.

McLaggan, thankfully spent so much time criticizing the Chasers that he’d let two goals go by him and had been cut straight away. I could hear from here that the Weasley boys had started planning on something for some of the comments he’d yelled. I think even Harry was giving them a few hints on exactly what they should do.

In the end it came down to Ron and the third year, both saved all but one shot. Ron let through Angela’s while Collin had let Demelza’s slip by. Eventually they all made their way towards the locker rooms, where the team would be announced.

As we headed back to the castle, we saw the Slytherin team try to sneak into the change rooms, no doubt trying to find out who had made the team.

“Aguamenti” I muttered low enough so that only Fay could really hear.

She snorted as she looked towards where I had cast the charm near the corner of the locker room. As she grabbed Neville’s hand to slow him down, I stacked my wand up into my sleeve. It didn’t take long until we saw them start to slip. First it was the two walls of muscle that fell, and only seconds later that they pulled Malfoy down with them. No doubt Pansy’s squeal of disgust as she began to struggle in the mud before she too fell and landed on her hands and knees.

“I’ve heard of pigs wallowing in mud, but never snakes.” Fred… of George laughed as he and the rest of the team stuck their heads out of the doors and saw what exactly had happened.

“Wait until Professor Snape hears about this, you’ll get it then mudblood.” Pansy sneered as she crawled to where the ground was solid.

“Who in the world are you calling that? I’m pretty sure, and apologies to Dean, that Dean’s the only muggle born here. I am pure blood.” she sat on the ground gaping up at me as she looked from where I stood to the rest of the Slytherins.

“There’s no pure blood family in England,” she huffed.

“My mother was a French witch, and my father was from Ireland.” Rolling my eyes, I turned and headed towards the castle, Fay and Neville quickly catching up, while the Quidditch team started calling out about a party to celebrate the new team.

“I am so glad we did our homework earlier.” Neville muttered as he pointed out the Weasley twins as they turned towards Hagrid’s hut.

Chapter Text

Sneaking out of her dorm room had been far easier than she had suspected. All of the girls had retreated to their rooms by ten pm, and all but the seventh years had fallen asleep by eleven. She had left a note for Fay so she wouldn’t get upset at her sudden disappearance. When she had made it to the common room she found that only the Weasley Twins were still awake, and had to hide in a small enclave behind one of the tapestries for a good fifteen minutes before they too had left to head up to bed.

Escaping the tower had been relatively easy, what had been the hardest part was getting through the school without being caught by one of the prefects on duty. She had almost been caught three times as it was, and had only escaped Mrs Norris as she had entered the infirmary. In hindsight, she should have made her way down before curfew, but she didn’t want to cause anyone to worry or question why she would need to isolate herself overnight.

When she was excused by the mediwitch, she had made her way back to the dormitories and gotten ready for the day. Fay had obviously already left by the state of her bed and desk. She had quickly gotten herself ready and headed back down to the great hall where the rest of her year were all sitting having breakfast together. Thankfully only Fay and Parvati gave her looks of understanding before they started their day.

With double Charms starting the day, they were focusing on summoning charms and had started on non-verbal casting the lumos charm. She had for the most part been fine with the class having been tutored for so long she was proficient in most of the curriculum that would be studied through the year. She had paired up with Neville who seemed to be grateful for the help, yet when he accidentally summoned Professor Flitwick they quickly moved towards the no-verbal tasks.

She had barely sat down for lunch before she started to feel a little off. Her skin felt tight and hot, while the noise seemed to suddenly peak and then drop around her. It took a few seconds before she noticed that a few of the others were looking at her, their words not making any sense as the scraping of the bench suddenly became louder than a mandrakes scream.

“Miss Granger,” she thought she made Professor McGonagall’s voice out before she felt her back arch and her head thrown back suddenly.

“Professor, what’s going on?”

“That’s not normal right?”

“Is she going to be okay?”

“Potter, catch her!” she heard Professor McGonagall call before everything suddenly went a brilliant white before fading into black.
.
.
.
She expected to wake up and see the same ceiling she had when she woke this morning, or maybe Pappa’s face looming over her as he scanned her for who knew what. Maybe the sight of the Great Hall ceiling with the gloomy clouds that had been threatening to rain all morning.

What she hadn’t expected was to see nothing but blue sky, the smell of trees and grass tickling her nose, and the warmth of the sun like she had when on holidays visiting the conclave in the middle of summer.

“This is not what I expected.” she muttered to herself as she sat up to take in where she was.

Looking around she noticed little things that seemed familiar but didn’t go together. The caves of the Veela enclave were surrounded by a rocky mountain, yet here they were surrounded by the garden of Godric’s Hollow. What looked like a smaller version of the Black Lake led into the canals of the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. It was like her history had been mashed together to give her security.

“Did you expect a castle in the sky, Mount Olympus perhaps?”” she gasped as the voice echoed in her head, though she still heard them as if spoken right beside her.

Turning she looked for the body that should have been attached to the voice, only she saw nothing. No golden being, or globe of bright light. Just the four parts of her world intermingled together.

“Where am I?” she asked as she stood only to notice she wasn’t as she should have been.

Instead of the Hogwarts Uniform, she felt the softest of materials had been draped over her, held tightly at the waist by what felt like a never-ending loop of rope. A pair of sandals on her feet and wrapping up her calf. Slowly she began to walk around what she was coming to realize as a glade. She felt peace as she stepped from one foot to the other.

“This is your subconscious. All the parts that you feel belong to you. The Veela, the Gancanagh, your home in Godric’s Hollow, and the school that you have found yourself within. Each is different, but each a part of you.” The voice echoed once more.

“I thought it was only the Greek mythos that were reflected in the stories of the children?” she had found herself at the small table and chairs that sat in the back of her garden back home.

“Hence the garb you find yourself in. If you had thought of the Egyptian gods you would be dressed as so.” As the voice echoed she looked down as she saw the clothes change.
Where before she was draped in material, now she had a deep blue floor length dress, with a black and gold belt wrapped around her waist.

“Or Hindi,” her clothing changed to a golden sari, “Aztec,” again her clothes changed this time to a long white skirt with a poncho type top that had browns and yellows on it.

“So any God can lay claim to a child?” she asked as her clothes settled and she found herself wearing her school uniform as she looked down once again.

“Again you are limiting yourself. Each mythos as you called it intersects with others. Not by the names or that they are all one and the same. But that of each point of strength can be claimed by different deities. Persephone and Isis are very similar in their strengths, but both have other strong aspects of their being.” As the echo slowly faded from her mind, she watched as a woman stepped out of the cottage.

The woman walked as if floating on air, her frame shimmered in what she could only think of as the universe caught in the softest material as it draped around her. Her hair was the whitest of white yet had a wildness to it as she walked. She was beautiful and it hurt to look at her.

“I have watched you grow, childe, as if you were one of my own. Your Papa has done you well, as your parents had wished. He has taught you right from wrong, consequences and rewards. But also that the world is not just black and white, but everything is a shade of grey. That being brave is not always fighting, and that retreat is not always cowardness. He has loved you as if you were his own flesh and blood.” The woman smiled as she came and sat opposite her.

“Now, it is time for those of us who have seen your talents and potential to see who among them will have the privilege to call you theirs.” As the woman nodded toward the far end of the glade, Hermione saw dozens of figures, standing just at the tree line.

“What is going to happen?” she whispered as she kept watch of those she couldn’t quite see.

“You will be tested. Not just your knowledge. Your will, your strength of character, your heart, soul and very being. It will not be easy, and you will have no warning as to what is happening when. Those you see in the distance will watch, but not interfere.” The look in the woman’s eyes held her still, while she didn’t fear for her life she knew that this woman could and would stop her if she believed it necessary.

“But how, I mean how do you test someone's soul? It’s not like I can study the magical aspects of it in one year. Well I guess I could with a time turner but that’s really dangerous. And will I have to hurt people to prove my will? I don’t want to do that, I don’t think it’s fair to make me do that.” she ranted and could hear her tone pitch higher and higher with each thought that raced through her head.

“Childe, calm yourself before you do yourself any pain.”The sharpness of the woman's tone made Hermione jump. She hadn’t noticed that while she had started to work herself up into what she was sure would have been an epic meltdown, the woman had stood and came to stand in front of her.

“You misunderstood. What we will be looking at, watching for is not something you can learn. It is the very core of you. How that will happen will affect you in some ways, but in others you will not notice. You are the first of your kind in over a millennia and you may very well be the last one for another millennia to come.” The smile on the woman's face dropped slightly as she finished talking.

“What do I call you?” Hermione asked as she looked around.

“I am known by many names. But you may call me Gaia.” She watched as the woman Gaia changed. The long flowing white hair changed to a deep brown with fir leaves and feathers intermingled with the stands. The galactic material swirled and changed to waves of blues and whites, her feet bare.

“How did you do that?” she whispered as she sat back further in her chair.

“It is easier for you to see what you expect than what is true. We have no one true form. For you, I am the mother of Earth and all that it holds. So I sit here with hair of leaves and feathers, wrapped in the seas and… bare feet. To others I will look differently.” Gaia smiled as she wiggled her toes in the grass.

“So what happens now?” Hermione asked after she had thought through everything that she had been told.

“You wake up. You will remember this, and you may tell those you deem worthy of this knowledge. A word of caution, be wary of who you trust. Not all those who are brave are true.” Slamming her eyes shut at the sudden brightness, those last few words felt like they had been whispered in her mind.