By Tiara Light
Join Hartly Pannaish Jevanus, or just 'Harry' because his full name is to stuffy, as he finishes his Hogwarts education and moves into the wider world while waiting to return to a place and time when he was someone else entirely. AU though there are some roughly HBP compliant reference especially from before Halloween. (I am in Total Denial). Creature Harry much later.
Slash no 'real' pairings any time soon. HP/portraits you'll just have to read to find out :P
"Regular Speech"
/Thoughts/
(s)parseltongue(s)
Chapter 2 Meeting the Residents
Harry's sleep is restless, filled with bad memories and horrendous nightmares. His familiars old and new do their best to comfort him. When Poppy comes in to check on Harry the next morning she finds all four of them arranged on the bed with him. The two birds perched on either side of the headboard making an occasional sound of reassurance. The ocelot kneazle cub is curled up in a ball beside Harry, its head tucked firmly under his chin. The most surprising however is the giant anaconda resting on the bed, it's mighty coils encircling the sleeping young wizard protectively.
Poppy approaches the bed and its unusual occupants cautiously "Harry wake up." She calls gently then louder until he begins to stir. "It will soon be time for breakfast to be severed."
Harry groans and rubs the sleep from his eyes before noticing his new companions. /It was not a dream. /
Harry sits up stiffly. Running a hand through his hair to settle it, he encounters the tangled mass of his long hair. So'am slithers off the bed allowing Harry to stand up and stretch properly. He reaches up to rub his ear wondering why it is so soar. Harry snaps his attention to Poppy hoping she had not caught his movement. Not only had he been too tired to change his clothing he had also completely forgotten about the earring. Harry moves to his trunk to grab a fresh set of dark metallic gray robes and the potion Lillith had give him, he would look at the box of earrings later in private. He snatches up a comb and shoes as well before hurrying to the bathroom to get ready.
Harry is soon back in the main room grumbling about his hair. "I go to all the trouble to grow this stuff out and I still can not figure out how to get it to stay calm."
Poppy turns to see what is bothering Harry and quickly covers her mouth to keep from laughing. "Harry dear, do you remember the spritz potion I had you get?" Harry nods shortly. "Get it out and bring me a brush, I will show you how to keep your hair under control."
Harry brings Poppy the requested items and watches his reflection in the window in exasperated interest as she mists the surface of his hair lightly as well as the brush. Poppy gently smoothes his hair out from the underneath side expertly calming his hair to return the soft waves Lillith had revealed in it.
Harry holds his breath until Poppy is done, waiting for the explosion that he is sure will happen if she notices the earring. "Thank you Miss Poppy." Harry is relieved when she does not seem to notice.
"You are welcome Mr. Jevanus. Now shrink your chest and bring it along." Poppy heads towards the staff lounge.
Harry complies quickly and trots out of the infirmary to catch up with Poppy, his pets follow him automatically. "How many people are here, besides the obvious?"
"Most of the staff is already here, they prefer to ready their rooms themselves just as I do. Actually, the only ones missing are Mr. Filch our caretaker, Professor Sinclair Divination, Professor Slughorn Potions, and whoever Albus hired for Defense Against the Dark Arts." Poppy leads Harry down the twisting halls taking the long route to the staff lounge.
"Are Professors McGonagall, Sprout, Flitwick, and Slughorn currently Heads of House?" Harry pants a little at the pace he has to use to keep up with Poppy.
"Yes they are. I take it they have not changed." Poppy finally stops in front of a large landscape being held up by a couple of suits of armor.
"Well Slughorn retired for awhile so they assigned the new potions Professor to the position, he came out of retirement the year I came from. " Harry waits while Poppy gives the right hand suit of armor the password. "Have you had many Defense teachers?" Harry waves his pets toward a nearby alcove.
"With the war going on it is hard to find qualified teachers who are not committed to it on one side or the other." Poppy changes the topic of their discussion as they enter the staff lounge. "Are you sure two week will be enough time to study everything?"
Harry nods. "Yeah, most of it is just reviewing theory and a bit of practice so I have the feel of the spells. I will be focusing mainly of Potions, Runes, and Arithmancy since they are the classes I feel I need the most work in without outside distractions. My studies should go fairly smoothly and I will be ready to start testing a week from Monday."
Albus stands up to greet them cheerfully. "Good morning Poppy, Mr. Jevanus. I hope you slept well. I take it from your conversation that I should have the testers here on the sixteenth?"
"Yes sir, if that is acceptable with you." Harry follows Poppy to a pair of empty chairs avoiding looking the Headmaster directly in the eye.
"Good morning Albus, I slept satisfactorily once I got to bed. I never knew how much work it was to look after a school aged young man outside of medical necessity." Poppy stifles a yawn, using the movement to analyze the subtle tension between the Headmaster and their guest.
"They are that Poppy. So young man, what type of broom did you get?" Albus asks trying to draw Harry into a conversation.
"A Lightening Bolt sir." Harry says quietly while staring at his plate waiting for food.
"I have never heard of that one before, who makes it?" Asks a vaguely familiar woman with dark brown hair, just starting to show strands of grey, cut in a chin length bob.
"Harry, let me present you to Madam Rolanda Hooch our flying instructor and resident broom fanatic." Poppy introduces her colleague ignoring the mock glare she receives. "Rolanda let me introduce Mr. Hartly Pannaish Jevanus."
Harry looks questioningly at Poppy who nods. "It is nice to meet you Madam Hooch. Mr. Jeweks is making a broom for me."
Rolanda looks at him intently for a moment before returning his greeting. After that, the introductions go smoothly around the room. Towards the end of the meal Albus gives Harry a scroll listing all the standard information OWL students are expected to be familiar with for all the courses that have OWL tests. He also gives Harry a list of books that cover the topics the best. As Albus escorts Harry to the door and asks Poppy to escort him to his temporary rooms, they are interrupted by the entrance of the school's current divination teacher.
"Dumbledore." Professor Sinclair greets Albus stiffly; she is a short square jawed woman with close-cropped white hair and cold pale green eyes.
"Ah, good morning Raven, you are looking well this day." Albus smiles at Raven Sinclair his eyes twinkling. "I hope you had a good vacation."
Harry remains stoic when Raven's eyes fasten onto him. /Great another hostile Professor. /
"Dumbledore, please tell me this, this child is not your newest Defense disaster. I admit his power levels are impressive but there is no way he can control a roomful of little beasts."
Harry bristles at being called a child but remains silent when Poppy throws him a cautionary look. He believes he did quite well with the DA.
"Of course not Raven, Mr. Jevanus is a fine young man but he still has two years of schooling to finish before I would even consider it." Albus winks at Harry who barely stops himself from glaring at the old man. "Raven Sinclair, this is Mr. Hartly Pannaish Jevanus more commonly known as Harry. He is a refugee student from a private school, he will be taking his OWLs soon and joining us for his sixth year." Albus is completely unfazed by his Professor's behavior.
"Mr. Jevanus." Raven sits down stiffly in the chair Harry had been sitting in.
Harry inclines his head to her, keeping his reaction completely neutral. "Professor Sinclair."
Raven snorts. "Boy you do not have to like me."
Harry's eye flash with fire at the term boy. "Is not liking you a good reason to dislike you Professor?"
Raven smirks at Harry, filing his reaction away for future reference. "I can see that the sorting hat is going to have a difficult time placing you young man."
"I can see where it might, since I grew up away from this school's standard behavioral structure." Harry represses a smirk of his own; it was not even a lie per say. The Dursley's had forced him to grow up certain ways far sooner than most of his peers. He had also been completely isolated from the magical world almost like a muggle born would be. Harry gives a half bow to the Professors and follows Poppy out, leaving Albus to conduct his staff meeting in private.
After Poppy has had time to guide Harry out of ear shot Albus turns to his staff. "Well now, what do you all think of the young man"
Raven sips her tea feigning disinterest. "You are aware that his magic shows the classic symptoms of stress."
Albus inclines his head. "He is recovering from complete magical exhaustion, just out of the infirmary in fact. As far as I know he has yet to face the mental and emotional ramifications of the situation that brought it on."
Raven looks up from her tea. "You need to be cautious of that one Headmaster. His magic is not even fully recovered, and already you are the only one who would be able to weather a full magical outburst."
"I am aware of this, that is why I put him in the top room of the Founder's Wing for now." Albus says soothingly. "It has almost as good a view of the stars as the Astronomy Tower does."
Raven only rolls her eyes at the Headmaster's obtuse change of topics. "You play the fool to well Dumbledore."
"Is that wise Albus? We know nothing about this young man, and no one knows what secrets may still be hidden in that wing." Minerva McGonagall looks at Albus sternly.
"I assure you Minerva, that I know enough
about young Mr. Jevanus to say with full certainty that he is firmly on
our side of this war." Albus fills Minerva's cup with more tea.
"I heard quite a buzz about Poppy's young man when I stopped at The
Three Broomsticks late last night. He seems to have impressed several
of the more prominent citizens." Filius Flitwick pipes up from farther
down the table.
"Really?" Minerva turns to face Filius.
Filius nods enthusiastically. "Rosmerta seems to absolutely adore the boy and Mr. Menagerie was highly impresses by how he handles himself in an emergency. It seems there was a bit of a problem with his newest shipment of creatures that caused quite a panic. He did not say exactly what it was, but young Mr. Hartly did not hesitate to lend help when the need became apparent."
Minerva looks impressed. "Very noble of him."
"Or very foolish, considering he is still recovering from magical exhaustion." Raven says drolly.
Albus smiles knowingly his eyes twinkling. "As I understand it the type of assistance he rendered did not require the use of magic and Poppy was there as well."
"I should hope he did not use magic, he is underage." Minerva snaps primly.
"He has a waiver so he can study for his OWLs." Albus says benevolently.
"I want to know how he convinced Leonard Jeweks to make him a broom." Rolanda grumbles. "I have been asking him to make me one for years."
"Really Rolanda you need to base your concerns on something more solid than an imaginary broom you wished you owned." Mathias Numeric says in exasperation.
"And what should I base it on then? One of the bizarre muggle gizmos that you are always tinkering with. I might as well try to read my coffee grounds." Rolanda scoffs.
"I beg your pardon, but I disagree strongly to you implying Muggle Studies is in any way related to the false mysticism applied to divination." Mathias argues back.
Raven scowls at the two arguing professors. "Precisely what do you mean by that?"
Rolanda grins maniacally when Mathias blanches.
"Ladies and gentleman please remember we are all friends and colleagues here." Albus interrupts mildly.
The three professor fall silent, thoroughly chastised by the implied disappointment in Albus' voice.
Pomona Sprout clears her throat softly. "I think the lad should be given the same fair chance at a good magical education that any other child receives when they come here."
The rest of the staff nods in agreement with the Herbology professor.
"Really Albus we can not give you a fair opinion of the young man until we have interacted with him beyond a single meal." Astra Sinastra says calmly. "While he seems polite enough right now, none of us have taught him. You must take into consideration the way stress effects a person's behavior, you did imply that he still has issues to deal with before he can begin to settle into a degree of normalcy."
"Right you are Astra. Will all of you give him a chance to settle in properly, a little leeway perhaps to help him adjust to the differences he is likely to encounter here?" Albus looks around slowly meeting each person's eyes. They each nod in acquiescence. "Good, now on to the usual business; class requirements proposed schedules, security, morale, ands special requests."
"We have a record low number of first years, and we have lost several older students." Minerva reports sadly.
"How bad is it Minerva?" Albus asks his eyes dimming.
"Ravenclaw has lost seven, Hufflepuff five, Slytherin two, and Gryffindor one. We will only be gaining nine new students." Minerva tells them while referring to her enrollment sheet.
"Ten." Albus corrects. "Are there any objections to the current schedule?"
"Half the student we lost were second years." Minerva sighs tiredly. "There are not going to be enough first or second years to fill a classroom without combing all four houses. The same thing goes for a few of the OWL elective classes. I suggest that we go ahead and combine all the houses for the first and second years. Also we can double up the houses for the rest of the years without making any class size to large except maybe NEWT Charms and Transfiguration. If we loose anymore from the older years that will not be a problem either" Minerva trails off a heavy silence falling over them. She shakes herself and goes on with her report. "On a similar note, there are no Muggle Studies OWL students this year at all. I have asked Mathias if he would be willing to oversee a Study Hall during those times he usually would be teaching third through fifth years."
"I have agreed, Madam Pince and I have set up a bookshelf attached to a card file that will allow the students to access the library's non-restricted book while in Study Hall." Mathias responds energetically. "Tap the file cards of the books you want and they appear on the book shelf, return the books to the shelf and they automatically go back to their place in the library. The books will not be able to be removed from the room, if the students wish to check them out they will have to go to the library likewise if they need a restricted book. Checked out books will not appear in the card file."
"Ingenious." Albus praises enthusiastically. "Go ahead and combine the necessary classes."
Minerva smiles stiffly. "Very well Albus. I have confirmed what books and supplies are needed for all our courses except Defense."
Albus just twinkles happily and hands Minerva a note. "He can not make it in person until the fourteenth."
"You could have told me sooner." Minerva plucks the offending note away from Albus.
"The book selection only arrived this morning." Albus says serenely.
Minerva chooses to forego any further attempts to find out who the new defense Professor is. "Hogsmeade; I have received several letters from parents concerned with the security, or lack there of, provided during the trips."
"I am loath to cease all visits to the town. It is only handing Voldemort another victory without him even lifting a finger." Albus says gravely.
"It is my opinion that Hogsmeade is unsafe for anyone who does not have basic practical knowledge in dueling and has passed their OWLs in Charms, Transfiguration, and Defense." Minerva sweeps them all with a challenging look.
"Surely OWL students have enough training to make do, those trips are one of the few things they have to help relieve the stress of the upcoming test." Goshbeak Kettleburn puts in cautiously.
"Perhaps if their guardians signed a permission slip." Pomona suggests quickly trying to maintain a congenial air to the meeting.
Minerva considers the suggestion grudgingly. "I will agree to fifth year and above being allowed to go with their guardians permission so long as their grades in those three classes are consistently acceptable or above. If they can not maintain their grades then they do not need to be goofing around in Hogsmeade."
Albus claps happily. "Very good now we can discuss morale boosting events and holidays."
"No Albus we need to talk about what other security measures will be taken." Minerva frowns sternly at her friend and employer.
Albus sighs disappointedly. "Of course Minerva, we will get the depressing topics out of the way first so we can focus on the fun stuff last. There will be regular and random Auror patrols of Hogsmeade and the perimeter of Hogwarts. There will also be random inspections of the castle proper for anyone wearing the dark mark or possessing dark artifacts. I am adding am identification charm to the existing wards of the school, I will always know who is entering or leaving the grounds. Poppy has also requested that a medical detection spell be worked into both the wards around the grounds, and the few on the school itself so that first aid may be rendered in a timely fashion. Her detection charm will also serve as a way to know instantly that there is harm being done within our halls." Albus falls silent waiting for his staff to comment.
"It sounds like everything is under control." Flitwick says with tentative optimism.
Minerva frowns. "I suggest strongly that anyone not a student, professor, or trusted Auror be watched closely whenever they are in the school." Minerva glares her coworkers' protests into silence. "Discreetly of course, there are more than enough portraits and ghosts in the castle who can observe without being intrusive."
Raven nods thoughtfully. "It would be for the best, I would rather we be over cautious than have the war fought inside the school itself."
"Any objections?" Albus asks to which his staff indicates there are none.
Before Albus moves on to the next item on his agenda Professor Horace Slughorn slips into the room apologizing for his late arrival.
"That quite all right Horace you are just in time for the fun stuff." Albus smiles brightly at everyone. "I have taken the liberty of drawing up the rough plans for six very special day and two additional feasts. I want each of you to choose one of the six events to apply your considerable talents too; there are enough of you to allow you to work in pairs. I will assist the new Defense teacher and Hagrid with the two feasts.
None of the staff looks happy with the prospect of so many special events requiring their attention.
Goshbeak steels himself to ask the inevitable. "What are our choices?"
Albus twinkles brightly when no one tries to argue him out of so many events. "Halloween, Christmas, Hogmanay (kind of like New Years ?), Valentines Day, Hocktide, and May Day. The ones that I am overseeing are Easter and Beltane."
Astra sighs resignedly. "Since most of the time Halloween is celebrated in the evening and night time it would be the most advantageous for my schedule.
"May Day usually incorporates numerous flowers and plants so I guess that is where I could do the most good." Pomona mumbles.
"I can not decide what holiday I would like to do the most, I usually help out at Christmas but it would be nice to do something new to." Flitwick bounce becoming excited.
Albus beams at the tiny professor. "You can always assist your fellow professors with their holidays. This is just so the planning is delegated fairly and so one person doesn't get stuck doing everything."
Horace hums noncommittally while looking the other over. "I will be the brave one here and take on Valentines Day."
Rolanda grins suddenly. "I will do Hogmanay."
"I suppose that I shall look after the Hocktide celebration if only to make sure some of the old traditions are properly incorporated." Minerva sniffs in disapproval.
"I am willing to help you with that Minerva." Raven says softly.
"Runes can serve well when enchanting things like mistletoe." Professor Glyph Squigglesmoore says in boredom.
Professor Emmaline Vance has a small smile appear on her face. "I have always wanted to see what I could do to customize fireworks and such, so I help with Hogmanay."
"I guess May Day is not to bad, I might be able to coax a few fairy's out of the forest to make their rings where everyone can study the." Goshbeak says quickly to avoid the other two holidays left.
"I will cover Halloween, maybe this year nothing will go wrong." Mathias grumbles. "Muggles do have a few novel ideas about the holiday."
"Boresst do you think you could research the ancient roots and traditions of St. Valentines Day in order to assist our Potions Professor with his duties?" Albus asks catching the ghostly History professor's attention.
Professor Binns inclines his head. "Of course, I can also contact a few interesting ghostly personages to consult on properly romantic atmosphere."
Albus looks surprised for a brief moment by the ghost volunteering any comment. "Such as?"
Binns looks vaguely amused. "You know well enough that I was always a recluse and Horace is not much different. Casey was a Parisian who was caught in a compromising position at the royal opera with some jealous noble's wife. I believe the muggles named him Casanova. Quite the silver-tongued rogue still, but totally harmless in his permanently insubstantial state. Being a ghost has its benefits and disadvantages."
"I am sure it does. You can invite your acquaintances to help so long as they do not harm the castles residents in any way." Albus shoots the ghostly Professor a stern look to which he receives a grave nod. Albus taps a stack of parchments in front of him to record the names and passes them around. "These are the dates and some basic ideas, the rest is up to you. Be creative and remember that we are trying to help everyone forget their troubles for a few short hours. Now is there anything else we need to address?"
"I do have a question." Glyph says softly.
"Of course Glyph." Albus waits patiently for his shy Runes Professor to ask his question.
"If Mr. Jevanus is as powerful as Raven suggests will You-Know-Who try to recruit him and how do you propose we deal with the possibility that some of the students might already be marked?" Glyph looks highly distressed by the possibility.
"Hmm," Albus looks thoughtful. "I do not think Mr. Jevanus will make himself approachable unless I am sorely mistaken, he has lost to much to Voldemort to be tractable. As to your other concern, if there should happen to be anyone marked the Aurors will deal with them as necessary and the additions to the wards will protect the other students in the meantime."
Glyph does not look entirely convinced but nods in acceptance anyway.
When nobody else speaks Albus dismisses them all from the staff meeting. Soon the only ones left in the lounge with Albus are his four Heads of House and Raven Sinclair.
Raven swirls the dregs of her tea a few times and upends them on her saucer. "There is no such person as Hartly Jevanus."
Albus looks at her and the remaining professors shrewdly. "Of course not, Harry was given a new name when he so precipitously arrived here. He is a very rare survivor of a direct attack by Voldemort, it is best his real identity be left well alone."
Raven grunts and stares at the uninformative puddle of leaves. Her eyes glaze over becoming distant and unfocused; she slaps a napkin over the tea leaves before flipping the saucer over. When she lifts the saucer Raven smirks. "That is oh so much better."
"Raven," Ablus' voice takes on a warning tone.
"I do not trust mysteries old man." Raven looks intently at the patters decorating the napkin and pales. She quickly folds the cloth up secreting it away in her robe and looks worriedly at the Headmaster. "You are right Albus, it is safer for 'everyone' involved not to tickle the sleeping dragon. I will not do any further readings on him nor will I disclose what I saw. I need to prepare my class room, good-day Headmaster."
Raven retreats quickly leaving the Heads of House looking at Albus expectantly.
Albus turns to return their regard. "Mr. Jevanus has many secrets that will come to light as they may, please respect this. When he is sorted, I will be able to share a bit more with whichever one of you becomes his Head of House. Please do not share what you learn about him with anyone else not even each other unless it is a dire situation. Now is there anything that the four of you need to discuss?"
Minerva shifts uncomfortably and looks at the others who just shrug or shake their heads. "No Albus that appears to be all that needs to be covered for now."
"Wonderful!" Albus stands and ushers everyone out. "Now I can take a stroll down to Honeydukes to restock my supply of sweets."
Filius and Pomona laugh at the Headmaster good-naturedly.
"And check out the newest gossip as well." Minerva says with a disdainful sniff.
"The human mind comes up with the most delightful flights of fancy based on even the tiniest scrap of truth." Albus replies to his deputy with a smile. "It really is a fascinating study."
The five of them bid each other a good day and head off to complete whatever task they have set for themselves.
As Poppy guides him through the familiar stone hallways Harry contemplates using the Room of Requirement to make the most of his study time. The room will be able provide everything he needs, in a safe comfortable environment, without having to hunt everything down himself. He will only need to take writing materials with him so he can take notes that he can reread as needed. Harry quickly concludes he should work on his new subjects first. Then he can tackle those that he knows but has difficulty with. He figures that he can leave his best subjects until last and just brush up on anything on the list that is unfamiliar. The only reason for him to visit the library is for a book that he can carry with him to meals, probably history he muses since it is entirely bookwork.
Just as Poppy begins to climb a secluded stairway he has never seen, Harry's land bound pets catch up with them along with Poppy's kitten.
"Well that was awkward." Harry breaks the silence pushing his hair out of his face.
"Do not worry about Raven, she is usually very gentle, but her annual visit with her family always upsets her. She also is not fond of Albus, she feels he meddles a bit to much and keeps to many secrets." Poppy continues on up the stairs leading them into an obviously little used part of the castle. "And she has had some bad experiences with mysterious men."
"I can understand all those sentiments, but I am still glad to be leaving divination behind. Does the entire staff always meet for meals?" Harry does not want get to close to someone whom is truly competent in divination.
"Only the Headmaster eats every meal in the staff lounge, an informal setting to interact with his staff or some such excuse. Today was our monthly staff meeting so everyone who was on premise showed up. Otherwise there are only three or four people there at a time."
"That's good because I rather felt like a bug under glass today." Harry shifts uncomfortably as they stop in front of a painting of a dark wood study without any occupants, on a small landing at the top of the winding staircase they had just climbed.
"Relax Harry you already know most of them, you will be fine." Poppy smiles reassuringly at him. "Now the suite of rooms which the Headmaster has assigned you is a bit unusual. The ceilings and walls are enchanted to give the occupant an unobstructed view of the land surrounding Hogwarts and the sky above, similar to the Great Hall ceiling. This is also the only place in the castle where there are portraits of the Hogwarts' Founders. They can move about the castle as they want but their home canvases are here, they rarely leave the suite these days."
"Canvases?" Harry looks at the empty painting with much more interest.
"Yes, each room has a life-size full-body portrait of one of the Founders, and the door has this blank painting on both sides of it. This painting not only serves as a security mechanism but it also allows the Founders to easily communicate with those who are visiting." Poppy glances at the painting quickly to check to see if it is still empty. "I should also warn you that the portraits have become uniquely gregarious over the last one thousand years or so."
"Uniquely gregarious, precisely what do you mean by that Miss Poppy?" Harry also glances at the painting, which he discovers is no longer empty.
(s) Ah visitor, how quaint. Gryffindor will enjoy a lovely little boy to tease. (s) Whispers a tall blond man who is now residing in the painting.
(s) I beg your pardon!? (s) Harry lapses naturally into parseltongue when exposed to it.
(s) My Liege, is something amiss? (s) So'am maneuvers himself onto the landing behind Harry to discover what has caused his friend's shocked outburst.
"You speak the language of snakes!" The man switches to English in surprise. "I have never met anyone else with the gift since these canvases were hung."
"Mr. Jevanus may I introduce you to Sir Salazar Slytherin." Poppy says stiffly.
"But I thought Slytherin had dark hair." Harry stares at the handsome blond haired blue-eyed man in the picture in shock.
"That," Salazar says with distaste, "is my cousin. Unfortunately, we were named after the same ancestor, so we not only shared the same last name but also our first name. When the family disowned him for his bloody ways, he took on the name Gaunt from his wife's family. An equally unsavory bunch, who were prone to fits of madness and wholly inappropriate inbreeding."
Harry can only gape as much of what he believes about Slytherin is turned on its ear.
"Well hell Sal you've stunned the lad speechless with the mere eloquence of your presence and on your first meeting to I am jealous." Chuckles a broad shouldered red-head as he saunters into the painting.
"Harry this is his Lordship Godric Gryffindor." Poppy does not wait for any further comments to be made before swinging the portrait open to display the other side of the painting. Two ladies smile out of the picture at them. "The tall willowy lady with silver hair is Madam Rowena Ravenclaw." Rowena bows her head solemnly in acknowledgement while her companion bounces enthusiastically at her side. "And her cheerful friend cycling through a rainbow of hair and eye colors is the Lady Helga Hufflepuff."
"Hello." Helga greets them brightly. "My, my you are the youngest and prettiest guest we have ever had."
Harry blushes. "Um, thank you, I guess."
"Do not worry about Helga she is relatively harmless." Rowena say sardonically.
"Oh shush Row. Do not trouble yourself young sir, I will behave myself. The one you really need to watch out for is our little red stallion." Helga giggles as Harry struggles to control his increasing blush.
"I heard that Helga." Godric sputters from the other side of the door.
"Does that answer your question Harry?" Poppy interrupts the brewing sparring match between the Founders.
"All to vividly." Harry responds struggling to get his blush under control. "Are there any actual windows in the rooms so that Hedwig and Orion can move in and out freely?"
Poppy nods affirmatively.
"I take it that those names do not belong to you current shadows." Godric pokes his head into the painting with the ladies.
"Hedwig was my first familiar, she is a snowy owl. When I thought she had not survived the attack on me I became lonely and decided to find a new friend. One unusual circumstance lead to another and I ended up with three new friends instead of one. The rather impressive snake hovering protectively behind me is So'am. The feline duo is Paladin and Imp; they are ocelot kneazle cubs. The gold and silver one is Paladin, he is mine, and Imp belongs to Poppy. Orion is a peregrine falcon who decided I could not leave the pet store without him." Harry shrugs resignedly. "When we got back to the castle I discovered Hedwig was here as well and also recovering from the side effects of the attack."
"I am glad she is still with you young sir." Rowena gives him a barely discernable smile.
"Thank you Madam Ravenclaw." Harry bows to the elegant founder.
Salazar slides into the painting on the opposite side from Godric. (s) Such charm, it would be a shame to waste such talent on Gryffindor. (s)
Godric rolls his eyes "Quit hissing Sal, it is impolite to talk about other like that, and its kind of kinky."
"Both of you hush, or you are going to run our guest off." Helga admonishes the two men.
Godric looks at Helga indignantly. "Nonsense my good woman, such a beautiful young man is quite used to such flirtations."
Harry is not quite sure how to respond to this. The only people who had ever flirted with him were the Weasleys, and he knew them well enough to know when they were teasing and when they were not no matter what tone they used. He does not count Cho's odd emotional outbursts as normal, at least he hopes not.
Poppy notices the guarded look Harry is giving the portrait and puts on her most formidable expression. "You lot may well have been the founders of this school, but I am its current medi-witch, you will mot traumatize my patient anymore than he already is with your idiosyncratic quirks. Do I make myself clear?"
"I will keep watch over him Madam Pomfrey." Rowena assures Poppy while giving her companions a cold glare.
"I would never do such a thing!" Godric protests loudly.
"And you would never dye the lake orange or run through the Great Hall naked with students present." Salazar drawls lazily.
Harry hides his face behind Poppy to hide a grin. "That must have been very traumatic."
"I beg you pardon." Godric huffs indignantly to the amusement of the other founders.
Harry grins even broader now that he has recovered from his surprise at meeting these rather odd portraits. "After all the younger years would not understand or appreciate the opportunity, and the older students had to have been very frustrated by the interesting imaginings that it aroused while not being able to do a thing about it. Rather cruel all around if you ask me."
Godric can only gape at Harry as Helga giggles helplessly leaning against Rowena who covers a smile with her hand. Salazar quickly covers his own giggles by switching to parseltongue easily forgetting that Harry can still here him.
(s) Why Sir Slytherin you have a charming laugh. (s) Harry grins wickedly at the founders from around Poppy's shoulder.
Salazar's expression now mirrors Godric's shocked fluster.
"It would appear that you can hold your own against the best and the worst of the Mr. Jevanus." Rowena smiles at Harry again this time with a sincerity that reaches her eyes.
Harry bows again. "My friends call me Harry, if you please Madam. My best mate had four rather rambunctious older brothers so I learned to tease back in sheer self defense."
"I am sure they provided you with very effective motivation. Hopefully we can be equally helpful to you learning process. Do please come in and look around, we can easily explain everything here within and answer any question that might occur to you." Rowena motion Harry into the room and exits the painting. Her voice calls out from within the suite in answer to Harry's earlier question. "These rooms do indeed have entrances of which your winged friends can make use of."
"Do you want me to stay for a while?" Poppy offers gently when Harry hesitates on the threshold of the suite.
Harry takes a deep cleansing breath and shakes his head. "No I need to get settled in and think a few things through on my own."
"Things will work out Harry." Poppy hugs Harry lightly. "If you need me you can use the floo to call me, it is blocked to through traffic unless there is an emergency or you can summon a house elf to deliver a message."
"Thank you." Harry disengages from Poppy and enters the first room of the suite.
"Your welcome." Poppy steps aside to allow Harry's friends into the suite and closes the door.
The first thing Harry notices about the room around him in the jaw dropping bizarreness of the furnishings being backed by nothing but open air. He notices in passing that the room has a blue and bronze color scheme.
"Over here young Harry." Rowena calls from his left.
Harry turns towards her voice and finds a set of tall bookcases blocking his way. He moves slowly into the room focusing on the bookcases and floor to maintain his sense of equilibrium. He notices that the floor is covered in an odd patchwork of three different materials. A wedge shaped area around the bookcases is made of wood. There is a long rectangular area on the opposite side of the room that appears to be paved with cobblestones. The leftover triangle is covered with a grey stone that looks like it should be in the dungeons.
Harry moves beyond the end of the bookcases so that he can see the life-size portrait of Rowena hanging over a lit fireplace flanked by more bookcases.
"Welcome to the Founders Study Harry. I am sure you have noticed the way the floor is dissected." Rowena smiles smugly. "The library area is defined by the wooden floor. The grey stone is naturally resistant to staining, even when magic is involved, so it is ideal to use in potions labs. The cobblestone area is a dueling alley; the stones can be adjusted to simulate many different surfaces. What you can not see are the powerful and ancient protective wards that also separate the areas. The various bookcases, shelves, and cabinets in here will provide you with almost anything you need to learn a myriad of topics, though we as the founders of this school reserve the right to censor what goes on in here." Rowena pauses for a moment to decide what information to impart next.
"Alright Row you have monopolized our dashing guest's time enough for now. I want to show him the livable area of the suite." Helga's cheery voice draws his attention to an open door tucked in the back corner of the library through which a warm glow can be seen. To left of the open door is a closed door on the intersecting wall.
Rowena smiles indulgently. "Of course dear, any in-depth conversations can wait until Sir Jevanus has settled in."
Harry studiously fights off a blush as he bows formally to Rowena he then moves through the open door. This room is decorated in cheerful yellow and creams with fanciful wrought iron accents; the floor is paved with river-stones in a myriad of natural shades and covered with a multitude of throw rugs. To his immediate left is another closed door; to the right against the wall is a kitchenette done in golden pine with touches of white and yellow. Ahead of him, Harry can see another fireplace made of stone flanked by pine bookshelves. A large comfortable looking couch, upholstered in dark ochre chenille is sitting cozily in front of the fireplace. The rest of the room is dedicated to a riot of plants; the lush spill of greenery is bisected by a meandering path complete with a bench and fountain. The garden somehow grounds the room so that the lack of visible walls is not disturbing in the least.
"Wow this is spectacular." Harry moves to stand behind the couch where he has a clear view of Helga.
"Thank you, young sir. This is the Founder's Solarium. Everything in here is pretty self-explanatory. Any questions?" Helga beams down at Harry from her portrait.
"Are all the plants relatively harmless, I mean if I fall asleep on the couch none of them is going to sneak up on me right?" Harry looks suspiciously at a couple of trellised vines.
"Oh no dear, they all stay put. I always keep a check on that after the one time Sal snuck some Devil's Snare in that attacked Godric when he did fall asleep in here once. Most of these are muggle varieties, or useful and safe for anyone to use." Helga replies quickly. "There are several herbs and vegetables that you can use to enhance any cooking you attempt. The preservation cupboard and pantry always remain fully stocked."
"That is perfect." Harry begins to recalculate his study plans in light of these new resources. "What is in the next room?"
Helga gives him an impish grin. "It would be unfair of me to interfere with the joys of discovery."
"In other words find out for yourself." Harry comments in amusement.
"Just so dear." Helga waves as he moves to the closed door.
Harry wonders briefly which founder will be represented in the next room before he opens the door. His first observation is that the floor of this room is entirely made of dark beryl wood soften by a scattering of thick throw rugs. He barely registers the black and green ivy pattern on the silver rugs before his attention is drawn to the huge bed that dominates the center of the room. It is made of the same wood as the floor with four elegantly fluted columns soaring almost ten foot into the magical sky swathed in several layers of sheer black drapes. The bed linens are very dark green shimmering with subtle silvered patterns.
Harry quickly finds the portrait located in the room. "A clever way to give the occupant a sense of security from the wide open vista. How much did each of you actually contribute to decorating each of the rooms sir?"
"We each chose a room here to express our own tastes when the school was first completed. Through the years a few changes have been made at our request by either the house elves or the Headmasters." Salazar smirks at the openly admiring look Harry is giving the room. "It appears you approve of my humble efforts here in the Founder's Bedchamber." Harry tries to keep a straight face at the use of such formal language. "Helga suggested boudoir instead."
Harry grins impishly at the portrait and darts a quick look at the bed behind him. "Why ever would she suggest that?"
"Interesting." Is Salazar's only response.
Harry looks at him oddly then shrugs. "Is that your answer or an observation?" I am not to sure that 'interesting' is any better than 'curious'."
"A properly aristocratic name, and yet you prefer a low-born moniker. You carry yourself with all the poise and presence of a leader, but you treat everything around you with deference and caution. You wear your hair and clothing in a style befitting the head of a noble house, and yet I see a little golden earring that as usually only worn by the disinherited or rebellious. Moreover, I can sense your magical potential has only begun to mature, but still you outrank all the students and most of the staff in raw magical strength. Yes you are most certainly an intriguing study in opposites. I shall enjoy examining and analyzing you in exhaustive detail Mr. Jevanus." Salazar leans nonchalantly against his frame staring lazily at Harry his voice almost a purr.
Harry just stares back at Salazar not knowing exactly how to respond, he notices a hand reach into the painting. Before Harry can react to the disembodied addition to the portrait, the hand pinches Salazar somewhere on the back of his thigh and retreats.
"Gryffindor!" Salazar roars whipping around trying to locate his attacker.
"Um, sir." Harry coughs a little, both to attract Salazar attention and to cover a laugh. "That hand looked too delicate to belong to his lordship."
Salazar blinks blankly at Harry for a moment. "Helga!"
A giggle greets Salazar's yell and he stalks out of his painting to find the female founder. Harry shakes he head and decides to see what is beyond the door to the left of the one he entered. Upon opening the door, he finds himself looking straight at another door with a third door to the left defining three sides of a box. A quick peak through the left-hand door confirms Harry's suspicion that it leads into the study. He opens the other door and is nonplussed at finding a huge walk in closet filled with a wide variety of clothing. The closet is paneled completely in aromatic cedar, the only room so far in the suit not to be enchanted. A door at on the opposite side of the closet draws him onward in curiosity. The room beyond is revealed to be an elegantly functional modern bathroom with a cantilever sink, mirror, water closet, and a large multi-jet shower. Harry admires the white marble veined with gold that compromises the floor, fixtures, and wainscoting. He notes with amusement that the hardware is gold with ruby accents that match the towels and rugs perfectly. The upper part of the wall and ceiling are painted to mimic the sky and enchanted to cycle from day to night and back again, but unlike the rest of the rooms it obviously a painted effect.
Harry returns to the 'hallway', leaving his shrunken trunk in the closet, wondering what the rest of the room holds. The floors are made of the same white and gold marble in here; the enchanted walls block him from discerning anything else except a red velvet chaise and the edge of the room's portrait. He can hear the sound of running water as he approaches the portrait cautiously, to Harry's immense surprise it is empty.
"Hello young Harry, welcome Gryffindor's Bathing Chamber."
Harry whirls around to find the missing red-haired founder lounging in a large pool, somewhat like a cross between a natural lagoon and the prefects bath.
"Would you care to join me?" Godric laughs heartily when Harry blushes and turns quickly back around to avert his eyes.
"No thank you sir." Harry tries not to hyperventilate after being startle so badly. After catching his breath, Harry glares at Godric's empty painting. "Precisely how can you be in the bath instead of the portrait?"
"Ah yes, I suppose you are a bit young." Godric sighs dramatically.
"I am sixteen, thank you very much." Harry clips out.
"Really, how fortuitous for us. But do not let me make you uncomfortable, besides I am wearing something you modern types call a bathing suit." Godric grins when Harry turn suspiciously toward him. "Now to slake your curiosity. This little beauty is the most advanced version of a magical spa tub in the entire castle, complete with waterfall." Godric motions behind him where Harry can see a collection of lush greenery bracketing the aforementioned waterfall. "To my right, your left, is a cozy fireplace blocked from all floo use I assure you. To my left is a sauna panel, just lay down and it will do the rest. Next to the chaise you will find some built in cabinets that contain a wide variety of massage essentials. We all know how to help ease abused muscles properly, or if you are more comfortable there are a couple of well trained house elves that can assist you. Confused yet?" Harry shakes his head no. "Good, now then about my current location. What you see is the corporeal representation of the part of my magic that I imbued in the castle while we were building it, we all invested ourselves heavily into the school during its construction. These projections are anchored to the foundation of the castle and powered by the extensive magic that builds up in the area. Before you panic about sharing the space with the lot of us, the projections have certain limitations. Only one of us can be present solidly at a time for a maximum of eight hours out of twenty-four. In dire circumstances we can draw on the wards to protect the school together, or if the wards are broken the power is diverted to us so that we may reinstate them as soon as possible. The other limitation in effect under normal circumstances is that we must wait a day full day between visits, that means that since I am here today Rowena can not visit until the day after tomorrow. That gives you time to settle in before she starts grilling your brains into mush. We have a long-standing schedule to avoid confusion or bickering."
"How corporeal?" Harry asks, uncertain if he really wants to know.
Harry does not even have time to take a step back as Godric leaves the water and descends from the raised marble platform that houses the spa to stand in front of him. Godric's hand touches Harry's chin tilting his face up slightly. He bends down just enough for his very real feeling breath to ghost across Harry's mouth. Harry reacts instinctively by parting his lips and closing his eyes.
Godric chuckles softly before kissing the tip of Harry's nose. "Not so young indeed Mr. Potter." Harry tries to recoil but the founder holds him still. "Yes we know the truth of what brought you here Harry. We are part of the castle itself; there is no way to hide anything that goes on here from us. Do not worry little one your secret is safe with us, and we have decided to help you in any way we can."
Harry turns his head away from Godric. "I don not know." Godric releases Harry and he steps back. "So much has happened. Now this, and I can not do a thing to change any of it." Harry clenches his jaw to deny the tears he can feel beginning to flow down his cheeks.
Strong arms encircle Harry, cradling him against Godric's broad chest. "Let it out young Harry, it is alright to release your pain. Here you will get to know some people that were taken away from you too soon. You will also make new friends, some that will be with you throughout your life, and yes some that you will lose. And in a few year you will see your old friends again. With the time you have gained, you will be better prepared to deal with what you need to do. For them as well as yourself."
Harry cries for a while until he can feel some of the weight on his heart ease. He snuffles a bit before looking up at Godric. "Its no fair."
"Life is not fair my lad, though I wish for your sake it was." Godric smiles fondly at Harry.
"Its not fair, you got my wetter that I did you." Harry covers his discomfort with his break down with a lame attempt at humor.
"Well if you are so wet then I suppose this will not make much difference." Godric sweeps Harry up into his arms and heaves him into the bath before Harry can even yell at him.
Harry surfaces spluttering and hissing expletives at the man doubled over laughing. The comments he is making in parseltongue attract the attention of his land bound friends.
(s) Is something wrong my liege? (s) So'am slithers up directly behind Godric.
(s) Besides being dumped fully clothed into a tub of water by that hyena in lion's clothing, no. (s) Harry gestures rudely at the still laughing founder.
Paladin runs into the room yowling which causes Godric to look around quickly to see what is wrong. He comes quite literally nose to nose with a rather large snake. When he tries to backup Godric trips over the kitten and stumbles backward until he hits the steps leading to the tub causing him to fall ungracefully into the tub with a curse.
Godric shakes his wet hair out of his eyes to find Harry laughing at him. "It would have been a lot quicker just to say yes you know." He pouts.
With another yowl, Paladin launches himself into the water causing a huge splash drenching both Harry and Godric again.
Harry laughs even harder while trying to talk at the same time. "At least I know that bathing Paladin will not be a problem."
Godric can not help grinning also as they watch the cub swim and splash about enthusiastically.
"Fully clothed is not usually how I bathe, though it certainly guarantees that I am now fully awake." Harry climbs out of the tub.
"You could always get undresses." Godric suggests slyly.
"Aren't you a little old for me, great grandfather?" Harry responds blandly.
"One is never to old, hey!" Godric realizes what Harry called him and makes a grab for him.
Godric fall back with a fist full of cloth and a mewl of protest from Paladin at being sloshed around.
Harry just shakes his head. "I suppose I should be flattered but right now things are just way beyond the normal weirdness that is my life. I really do need some time to adjust and study so I can retake my OWLs, then I can try to figure out where this new oddity fits in." Harry grins as he walks off, listening to Godric's colorful exclamations as So'am decides to take a swim as well.
Harry returns to the closet where he had left his trunk and decides to move it into the modern bathroom for now. With no portraits to spy on him directly Harry feels a bit more secure. After using a drying charm on himself Harry resizes his chest and retrieves some writing materials. Harry leaves the bathroom only to find his way blocked by Godric as he looks through the clothing to find something to wear.
"Hello again young Harry." Godric waves cheerfully, ignoring the way his towel slides lower with each of his movements.
Harry refuses to be baited again as he brushes by Godric and steps calmly over the wet swimsuit on the floor. It is only after Harry closes the closet door that he speeds up, almost throwing himself into the study and planting himself as close to Rowena as he can.
"Any problems dear?" Rowena asks smoothly knowing full well the type of antics Godric gets up to.
"Besides not having a chance to deal with watching two people die because of me. Being abused physically and mentally by my 'family' since I was dumped on their doorstep? Being bullied and intentionally flunked because one of my teachers has a grudge against a dead man? Being hunted, tortured and driven to the brink of sanity by a madman who is the Dark Lord and his followers? Maybe being possessed by the same dark wizard counts as a problem? How about having the fate of the entire world dumped on me because of some crackpot divination teacher might have made one true prophecy? Oh and please lets not forget after enduring all of that some moronic want to be Death Eater tampering with a portkey and catapulting me into the past! Why yes, I have a problem. I have to deal with that nosy old coot called Headmaster and a bunch corporeally gifted portraits with strange idiosyncrasies that at the moment I am quite frankly not capable of handling on any level!" Harry rubs his temples. "Please do not be offended, I am absolutely amazed by the feat of magic the four of you have accomplished here. I am extremely grateful that you and the other are willing to help me. I am also flattered that any of you would wish to treat me with such familiarity, but I am too overwhelmed to appreciate much of anything right now. I just want to sit here quietly and set up my study schedule, it is one of the only things I have any control of."
Rowena is taken aback by the bitterness revealed by Harry's candor "I am sorry Harry. I am afraid we do not interact enough with living beings anymore, we tend to forget what living life can be like, and time is always seems so short. I will go talk to the others and give you some time to gather yourself. Is there anything you need to know before I go?"
"What schedule do you use for your corporeal visits, Godric implied you were next." Harry gazes tiredly at her.
"Yes I am next on the schedule, then Sal, Helga, and back to Godric. If that is all then I shall leave you to your planning." Rowena examines Harry closely before exiting her portrait.
Harry applies himself to working out a daily schedule, breaking each day into four sections divided by meals. He allots the most productive hours of each day first to those subjects he knows need the most work. Mornings and evenings would be for those things he knows well or that just need a bit of reading to be brought up to par. Today is mostly shot so he decides just to skim through some History, Potions, and Occlumency texts during what he had designated as third and fourth periods on his timetable. Tomorrow would begin a routine he hopes will be sufficient for his needs. First period every morning before breakfast he will study Occlumency and he will carry either a History or Potions books with him to read at breakfast in the staff lounge. Harry is careful to leave time to get his new broom and to get a few hours of extra rest occasionally. He regretfully decides his private books will need to wait. The first subjects on his timetable are Arithmancy, Transfiguration, and Astronomy. Harry finishes his schedule by leaving question marks on those day that the test will take place on. He duplicates the schedule three times so he can post one in each room.
Harry summons the suggested reading list out of his robes and is relieved to find that is still readable after his dunking. He peruses the shelves until he finds the main History book he needs and books on basic theory of Potions and Occlumency. He retreats to the kitchen area to fix some lunch and settles in to read on the couch, which Harry finds to be even more comfortable than it looks. Harry immerses himself in the books as he used to do when he was younger and books were the only escape he had. After reading a bit from each of the books he realizes that there is simply too much information that he should have already known, he is not going to be able to cover it all in the time he has. Harry ponders his options carefully as he reads up on all the history Binns had not taught them and decides that he can study History without the aid of classroom time. Whereas Potions absolutely had to be a hands on process so he needs to qualify for the class, besides he knows that Slughorn is a competent teacher and fairly even handed despite his stupid 'club'.
Harry finds the garden like setting soothing; the quiet calm is so different from the atmosphere he has become used to while trying to study. Even though he is enjoying the relaxed surroundings Harry decides that it might be a bit to quiet, considering one of his new friends is a young cub.
"Paladin, So'am where are you?" Harry easily raises his voice to carry throughout the suite.
For a moment Harry does not hear anything, then a door bumps open and he can hear the swish of scales coming toward him.
(s) We are here my Liege. (s) So'am slithers into the room slowly.
(s) It is fine So'am, I was only wondering why it was so quiet. (s) Harry looks up from his book to acknowledge his friends' arrival.
So'am snickers. (s) Understandable my Liege, he does have an overabundance of energy. We are lucky today, between the trip up here and the swimming he seems to have expended most of his surplus energy. When we were done swimming that was food already waiting for us. Between a full belly and all the exercise the cub curled up in a sunny spot to nap. I instead decided to avail myself of the steam spot that the oddly scented one called a sauna. (s)
(s) Pardon my intrusion Shossanuss, I did not intend to disturb your relaxation. (s) Harry stands quickly and relieves the snake of its burden when he realizes it is cradling the still sleeping cub in one coil as it maneuvers around the room.
(s) It is no difficulty Liege, I do not think one should spend to long in such high heat, it can befuddle the mind making one incautious. (s) So'am coils up on the hearth while Harry deposits Paladin in a sunny patch on the couch.
Harry sits back down and contemplates the anaconda in front of him. (s) Is there a particular reason that you call me liege instead of using my name? (s)
So'am lifts his head. (s) Yes and no. Liege is a term of respect, and loyalty, freely given. Snakes in general tend to be rather formal, but I am aware humans have different ways of expressing themselves. In time, I think I will be able to know you well enough to use your given name. (s)
Harry nods. (s) Thank you. (s)
So'am hisses contently and settles back to nap some more. Harry continues to read, only pausing to visit the loo and to fix some supper. It is very late when he marks his place in the Potions theory book. Harry prepares for bed and slides under the sheets of the huge bed without seeing hide nor paint of any of the founders.
End Chapter 2
Thank you to the following people for reviewing.
Mumimeanjudy / Vellouette / Shadowgal ANBU /
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Draco is my King / amour de vin / santanaann / Ladynight
