AN: I'm not quite sure what to make of this...it just sort of happened. Call it an experiment of sorts.

This ties in slightly to What Could Have Been.

There are hints at multiple pairings.


Salazar Slytherin was a man of many layers, many faces, and many names.


Slytherin.

The Founder-Who -Left. The Pureblood Supremacist. The Dark One. The Evil One. The one who brought forth the Heir of Slytherin. The one who built the Chamber.

The one who lived on and on, and gained another name.

Lord Voldemort.


Salazar.

The man who struggled with what he was raised with. The one who questioned whether Muggles really were filthy animals. The one who wondered whether it was really so wrong to allow Mudbloods to learn magic. The one who doubted the morals he was taught from birth, his own morals.

The tortured one.

The one who couldn't break free of the chains of the past, of family, of blood.

(Well, not the first time, anyway.)

He lives again. And again. And again. And again. And again.

And each time, the bonds get weaker. He becomes freer.

He tastes success, finally, in the year 1979, though his identity remains secret 'till long after.

R.A.B

He declares himself a free man, at last, on the night of May the 2nd, 1998. He's named a traitor by one side, and doubted by the other, who label him unbelievable, but he is free.

Theodore Nott.


Sal.

The brother, friend, lover. The one who was cunning and ambitious, cold and cruel, but also clever and intellectual, driven and calm. The one who really did care, but just hid it under his skin. The one who missed them all terribly, who felt powerful remorse.

The one who thought that he may well live on, through his only daughter...and see his friends and love again.

But her life is cut short much too soon.

And so he lives again. And again. And again. And he will forevermore, because he misses them so.

In the end, he sees them again. He lives out his life the way that he really should have the first time. They live out their lives the way they should have.

They are best friends again, the four of them.

He is given his second chance at love.

He's not quite sure what to feel when he's Sorted into her House.

He thinks she might be smiling that amused smile of hers.

He certainly doesn't expect her to tease him for his new name.

She is supposed to be the clever, wise one, after all. Surely she is above such childish notions?

But then again, even he honestly doesn't know if it's better or worse than the first.

Scorpius Malfoy.