Through the Fire

Chapter Four-The Second Heir

"Neville!" Harry yells after he gets over his shock now seeing who was the second Heir.

Harry would have chuckled at the stunned expression on his friends face, but he understand what his friend is thinking and feeling. "Ummm...Harry, what's going on? Neville asks. Harry can tell that Neville is trying to figure out where they are because of they way he is looking around for an exit. "The very last thing I remembered was coming into my magical inheritance on the eve of my birthday. I must have slept a day or two because receiving my inheritance was so draining. When I woke up, Fawkes was sitting on the end of my bed the next thing I know I'm here."

Harry takes in Nevilles new appearance and can see the difference in him. He seemed to have a luminescent glow like an angel but without the wings. His hair was longer reaching his mid back, where it was black before it now had streaks of red. If you look closely, you can see his pointy ears hidden behind his hair. Right off Harry can tell that Neville is an Elf.

Neville was already taller than Harry, but with his inheritance he grew a little more in height. He also gained muscles instead of the chubby frame he had before. One thing that still remained the same kind face and calming aura that was Neville.

Both friends looked at each other and smiled for the first time since they were transported here. Harry felt for the first time everything was going to be ok. Then it hits him, it was still his birthday. Harry checks his pockets of his tattered jeans and realizes he is not wearing a shirt. Forgetting about his state of dress for a minute Harry reach into his pocket and pulls out a wrapped gift and hands it to Neville.

"Happy Birthday my friend," Harry says with a huge smile on his face. Neville takes the gift from Harry's outstretched hands.

"Thank you, Harry. I have your gift at home." He tells Harry. Then Neville pulls him closer whispering in his ear. "Not to sound crazy but are we dead and of we are not will we ever go home? Also, who are they?"

Harry began to chuckle then outright laughed at Neville's questions. It is a true testament of Harry's sanity that he has been here too long. Speaking of which how long have I been here?

"To answer your questions, young heir," Rowena says. "You are not dead, but very much alive. Also, you will return home when you both have completed your training."

"What about time?" Harry asks. "We are supposed to start school in a month."

"Time here passes a little different than it does in your time," Godric says. "As to where you are we are in the "in between." It is the place where if you use just a little bit time, space and magic you are able to speak to those you choose."

Smiling to that Harry looked to his left side to see Neville take a seat that seemed to appear out of nowhere. "Why are we here?" Neville asks.

"You are here because you have come into your inheritance. You along with young Harry are our last remaining Heir. As you can guess, we are the founders of Hogwarts. You were brought here today because the Castle is in danger it needs your help in defending her and keeping her students safe," replies Salazar

The flabbergasted look on Neville's face is so funny Harry could not stop the belly laugh. If Harry had the same expression he had on his face when they told him, he could see why they laughed at him.

Neville turned and looks at his friend in surprise. Hearing Harry laugh was a surprise but also a great thing. It was not often that his friend laughed especially like that. This made Neville laugh at the situation. If it weren't for the fact that Harry's laugh was so infectious, he would have thought he heard wrong.
Trying to catch his breath "Yeah, mate that's pretty much how I looked when they told me," Harry says to him.