The Heirs | Year 4

The Tour

"So you're telling us that we've been hanging out with magic royalty all summer and had no idea?" Ron mumbled through bites of his Shepherd's Pie. Bits of potato fell out of his mouth and back onto his plate. I grimaced wishing he'd finish chewing before speaking.

"Ron, it makes no difference. I had no idea that I was the heir of Gryffindor to begin with, " I replied taking a bite of my own pie.

"You must be so relieved, though, to finally know your family history," Hermione added.

"What did you're dad think," Harry cut in setting his goblet back on the table.

"He's happy that I have answers. He knows that I love him and nothing would change that," I glanced around the room and noticed people looking at me curiously, whispering to their friends while looking sheepishly over their shoulders. Is this the scrutiny I would have to deal with all year?

"It seems you've gotten Mattheo Riddle's attention," Hermione interjected pulling me from my thoughts. Hermione's observation about Mattheo Riddle drew my attention once again to the Slytherin boy who had been watching me since my arrival. His eyes lingered on mine.

"Who is he?"

"He's the heir of Slytherin. We're friends with that lot. You'll probably meet them later," Harry answered motioning to the boy I'd just been watching. 

"I didn't know there was another heir here," I replied curiously before nibbling on a piece of bread.

"I'm surprised Dumbledore didn't mention him. Did he tell you about the extra magic heirs have?" Hermione started to reach across the table for the salt. I mindlessly pushed it towards her before replying.

"Yeah. He gave me this ring," I held my hand out showing them the ruby-crested ring now on my finger. "He said this ring amplifies my magic. He also said I could apparate anywhere on Hogwart's grounds.

"What! You are now required to apparate me to the Great Hall every morning before classes," Ron cut in finally taking a breath from shoveling down his food.

"Ronald, she's not going to apparate you everywhere so you don't have to walk," Hermione chastised.

"He also mentioned that my knack for occlumency and legilimency is actually inherited. The legilimency part, specifically, isn't a surprise to me; I've used it a few times in the past year," My mind turned once again to the moment I walked in on Logan sleeping with my best friend. I quickly shoved aside the memory, refusing to give it any more energy. 

Harry leaned forward, a concerned look on his face. "You haven't used it on us, have you?"

I flashed a sly smile as I picked up another spoonful of my meal. "Of course not."

"Loxley!" Ron exclaimed, looking horrified.

Hermione's face also gave away her worry as she chimed in, "You wouldn't invade our privacy like that, would you?"

I reassured them, "Of course not. Consider it research for lying, cheating ex-boyfriends. That's all." With that, everyone let out a collective sigh of relief and returned their attention to their food.

Harry looked up once again from his plate, his eye resting on mine, "How did your dad react to the news about your birth parents?" He scanned the room, likely searching for my father.

"He took it really well. He's always wanted me to know about my biological parents. He understands that nothing can change how much I love him. I honestly don't know where I'd be without him," I replied, my eyes scanning the room now also looking for him. However, my gaze was unexpectedly drawn once again to the Slytherin table, where the brown-eyed boy and his friends seemed to be glancing over at me and then signaling to one another.