A/N: Many people have mentioned that use of Salazar's portrait is similar to that of DarknessEnthroned in A Cadmean Victory, and I would like to acknowledge that the idea of using Salazar's portrait is indeed influenced by his story. I needed a mentor for Harry and while I have already mentioned that the Chamber contained tomes, scrolls and such other artefacts, I needed a way to enable Harry to use them as they were about a thousand years old, that's where Salazar portrait comes in. A Cadmean Victory has heavy romantic elements in it; something I find myself incapable of writing, therefore the story will not be romantic but rather make use of friendship and alliances to further itself.
The Tutor
"You had quite an exciting evening," understated Salazar's portrait, to which Harry offered a shrug.
"Godric would have been disappointed by the unsightly display by his students, nevertheless, I am proud of the display of cunning and resourcefulness of my descendant," Salazar felt proud of every second his descendant successfully took a breath. For Harry who had been made feel unappreciated and unloved since he could form a thought it felt good to be praised, it made him feel more confident in his abilities, something he suspected was Salazar's aim from all the praise showered on him. However, the constant comparisons to the achievements of Salazar, his wife and the other three founders kept him grounded.
"So are you going to do it? I know that the Bank will allow you to exercise full control over the Potter Estate even when your legal status as an adult gets revoked at the conclusion of the tournament, but are you willing to alienate the local bank and an entire race," Salazar asked. The Bank referred to the United Magical Bank of Switzerland that had evolved from the monetary arm of the Guild that had preceded the ICW. The Guild was an association of traders before ICW came into being. Salazar had been one of the respected members and promoters of the Guild. Magic made travel more efficient and swift than even the modern non-magical modes of transportation, therefore most magical communities were connected transcending national borders. The Guild Hall held one of the other two portraits of Salazar, where he spent most of his time before meeting Harry. The ICW's international trade relations body still functioned from the building that housed the Guild for more than two millennia.
Harry had desired emancipation so that he could move the Potter Estate away from Britain. Salazar had explained to him the benefits of using the Bank and Harry agreed that he didn't desire any form of governmental control and oversight over his financial resources. The Bank offered facilities in both magical as well as non-magical worlds and had branches in major cities of the whole of continental Europe and a single branch in the Americas. The magical banking in the British Isles and all the former colonies of the British Empire are monopolised by the Gringotts. After listening to Binns drone about goblin rebellions for three years, Harry believed it prudent to move his assets to the Bank, away from the monopoly of a race prone to rebellions and a bank answering to the government. The UMBS was founded by various magical races including, humans, dwarves, veelas, sirens and satyrs, each member race having two representatives on the board of directors, forming the governing body of the bank. The bank ensured that no single race gained the monopoly over the economy of the continent and ensured no interference by the government of any of the European countries in the banking structure, trade and commerce. The continent was no better in terms of political equality amongst the races, but the bank provided a common platform for dialogue between the various factions sharing their combined economic interests.
"I am. It's better to have my assets under my control. Further, wasn't you the one who said that as a wizard capable of travelling great distances in an instant, national boundaries are nothing but shackles that ought to be cast of off, so we can enjoy true freedom of movement," Harry replied affirmatively and carried on with conviction.
"Very well, I listened to the rules of the tournament," Salazar motioned towards the work desk. There sat a magical device of Greek origin, which Salazar had bartered from an Arabian trader. The device allowed for translation of a written text and to be read out aloud. The only limitation was that it translated every language into one spoken in Greece a thousand years ago, something Harry couldn't comprehend. Harry had provided his memories to calibrate the device to modern day English, while the device could translate any language it is calibrated to, it can only speak in one language.
"And," Harry prompted.
"Your participation is irrevocable. However, each champion is allowed a tutor, who is a member of the staff of their respective school if the demand is made by any two participating teams," Salazar informed him.
"Let me guess, you wish to be my tutor," Harry asked dryly.
"No, I can help you without anyone knowing. I want you to ask a member of the staff to be your tutor," Salazar clarified at Harry's look of surprise, "as for the Sorting Hat, to be exact."
"You want me to ask for the Sorting Hat to be my tutor?" the incredulity he felt at the thought apparent.
"Yes. The hat was made by Belladonna by enchanting Godric's hat. It had memories implanted of all four of us until the founding of the school," Salazar offered by way of clarification. "It started as a joke on Godric when Helga and Belladonna turned Godric's hat into the scabbard for his famed sword. He searched for his beloved sword for days, before one day during a duel against me it fell onto his head when he was about to be defeated, sensing his need. The look on his face was worth losing the duel and suffering his boasting for nearly a month," Salazar's eyes glazed over in remembrance. "Then the three decided to turn the Hat into partly sentient and behave like Rowena's priced diadem. The difference was, the hat usually talked in a sarcastic manner and made liberal use of sexual innuendo. Rowena was mortified when told about the inspiration for change. It was only a decade into teaching did we decide to enchant the hat to sort students in houses, since it became tedious to do so ourselves," he finished.
"So when you ask for the hat to be your tutor, you, in reality, gain access to collective knowledge possessed by the four most brilliant and learned wizards and witches of my age." Salazar summarised for Harry's benefit.
"You mean all that knowledge and no one bothered to ask the hat all this time," Harry asked breathlessly.
"We tend to overlook the seemingly insignificant things."
"What about Belladonna?"
"She documented her knowledge in a Grimoire as per the tradition of the magical folks of the old, look for it in one of the shelves. It has a black dragon hide cover with a violet belladonna on the front side."
"What? Haven't I told you that she was a particularly vain woman, however, that might have been one of the reasons I loved her so," Salazar said seeing the look on Harry's face.
"I must be leaving. I'll get late for breakfast," with that Harry left the Chamber for the day.
XXX
The news that Harry Potter had been expelled from the house had yet to be made public, so when Harry stepped into the Great Hall for breakfast sans house colours and crest, the rest of three houses broke into hushed whispers discussing the implications of the event, after all, expulsion was a rarely used form of punishment and to use it on one of the most iconic figures of modern magical history was unfathomable. Harry stepped into the Great Hall with his head held high and without showing any trepidation at being the centre of attention, last three years had enabled him to happily ignore the multitude of people whose attention he caught, with practised ease. He turned to sit at his regular seat when he saw Amanda wave at him, so he went to join her.
"Good Morning," Harry greeted her.
"You seem too chipper for someone who had been expelled from their house." Amanda nodded her greeting.
"Hey, I didn't have to be subjected to Ron's beastly snoring, so I slept just fine." He could see Ron giving him a filthy look while the others within the earshot guffawed at the dig.
"I would like you to tutor me in duelling. So if the offer's still open, I would be grateful if you would help," Harry said after a moment's silence.
"I wouldn't mind. Although I must warn you, the moment you slack off the deal's off. I can't be wasting my time if you won't apply yourself," Amanda replied.
"I won't."
"Do you have someplace in mind where we could practice?"
"Yes, I have an abandoned classroom on the third floor. Nobody goes there."
"Good. Meet me by the Fat Lady's portrait straight after dinner. I will evaluate your skill and determine how much work you will need."
"Will do. And thank you."
"Don't thank me yet," Amanda got up to leave as she had finished her breakfast.
Harry saw Professor McGonagall approach, as he finished his breakfast.
"Professor, a word please," Harry requested to speak to her.
"Mr Potter, I am terribly sorry for the mess you find yourself in with the tournament and your expulsion. However, there is nothing that can be done about it now," she replied sensing his query.
"Oh. No, it isn't about that. I just wish to inform you of my desire to seek a tutor for the tournament. I wish to call a meeting regarding this today after classes are over," Harry informed her.
"Very well Potter. I am glad that you are willing to seek help. Is there something else?" at his answer in the negative she turned and left him to go to his class.
XXX
The classes seemed longer than they usually were, however, once the last class got over Harry received the summons to the Headmaster's office. The day had been tiresome; the Gryffindors gave anything from hostile to apologising looks, some juniors had come and apologised to him, citing pressure from seniors for their lack of support. The 'Puffs had all expressed their support and said they believed him that he had not entered in the tournament, it was a welcome development to have the support of one house, just disappointing to see that it wasn't his own. The Snakes either were sneering or gave him calculating looks as if calculating his chances in the tournament.
Prof McGonagall was waiting by the gargoyle guarding the entrance to the Headmaster's Office. She gave the password and escorted him to the office. All the others were already present; Krum and Karkaroff, Fleur and Madame Maxime, Cedric and Sprout, Dumbledore and Snape, and finally Harry and McGonagall.
"Now, that Mr Potter is here we can begin," Dumbledore began, "Beauxbatons and Hogwarts desire a tutor for their champions, therefore it has been decided that all the participants can have a member of the staff from their respective schools as their tutor, although heads of the school are precluded from offering any help as per the magical contract they all signed as judges of the tournament."
"Mr Krum, do you desire a tutor?" Dumbledore politely asked.
"Da. Prof Nickolas Makarov." A tall dark haired man with large eyebrows stepped out of the shadows and took Krum's side. He was well built and filled the room with his presence. Makarov was the duelling instructor at the Durmstrang and a retired professional duellist who had the distinction of being crowned champion as an amateur, U-17, U-19 and professional level.
"Miss Delacour?"
"Qui. Madame Aphrodite Thebaux." A blonde woman dressed in a business suit stepped forward and made a similar motion to Makarov as she took Fleur's side. She was the personification of her given name and all the males shifted uncomfortably as her presence washed in the room. Harry felt a pull towards her and determined she was partly or wholly veela. Aphrodite was a Greek veela who had been one of the first to be allowed in the Beauxbatons after Grindelwald's defeat. The Dark Lord's failed attempt at power had left most of the institutions be it educational or hospitals on the continent in ruin and everyone was forced to share their resources and cooperate. Xenophobia of any sort was frowned upon and disapproved in the whole of the continent after bearing witness to the atrocities of the last war. Aphrodite Thebaux was an expert in Charms and Enchantments, two of the branches of magic that members of her race had an affinity to.
"Mr Diggory?"
"Yes. Prof Filius Flitwick." The tiny Charms professor and former Duellist excitedly jumped forward and took Cedric's side.
"Mr Potter?"
"Yes, the Sorting Hat," Silence greeted his reply. It was amusing to see all these people look so confused, although some did look insulted.
"I beg your pardon, Mr Potter. It seems my ears are playing tricks," Dumbledore could only be the one who could try to seek amusement in this.
"I said the Sorting Hat will be my tutor," Harry enunciated slowly and added with a smile, "might be the age catching up sir. If you wish I could take you to Madame Pomfrey."
Dumbledore chuckled lightly, however, others watched the byplay horrified.
"Mr Potter," indignation laced McGonagall's voice.
"Present Professor," Harry replied cheekily.
"Relax Minerva, I keep telling you that you are too uptight, you need to unwind sometimes lest you have more grey hair than me by the time Harry graduates," Dumbledore cut her off and seemed to be amused by Harry's antics than anything else. "Now, Harry I believe you have a good reason to ask for the Hat." Dumbledore's tone indicated that the time for tricks was over.
"A thousand-year-old sentient artefact that has seen more than anyone else alive and holds something that has already helped me in a tight spot," Harry replied with amusement and gave a pointed look at the last part.
Dumbledore looked thoughtful for a while and then seemed to come to a conclusion.
"Mr Potter has a right to have his request honoured. However, Mr Potter, it's your responsibility to convince the Hat to help you," Dumbledore concluded as with a flick of his hand he summoned the artefact, most of the attendees looked amazed at the casual display of wandless magic.
"I would like to say told you so Mr not-Slytherin. You should have let me put you into the house you most belonged to," Hat's pronouncement met shocked gasps as no one had known this little detail regarding the sorting of Hogwarts' resident celebrity.
"Don't look so surprised. Most of those I sort are eligible for more than one house, Mr Potter here was eligible for all and none at the same time," Hat dryly stated.
"What do you mean?" Dumbledore asked hoping for any insight regarding the prophesied saviour of the magical Britain.
"What I mean is that Mr Potter had some qualities that made him suitable for all the houses and at the same time some that made him unsuitable for them too. For Hufflepuff, he knew hard work yet he never knew what loyalty was like. For Ravenclaw, he possessed intelligence, yet unlike most of the house that likes to bask in their superior intellect, he wished to remain in obscurity. For Gryffindor, he possessed the sheer nerve and bravery to stare certain death and still carry on, all the while lacking the same to stand up for himself. For Slytherin, he was cunning and ambitious, yet his ambitions could not be appreciated by those around him," the Hat never really got a chance to be heard and today it was milking the occasion for all its worth.
"Then why, Slytherin?" McGonagall couldn't control herself from asking. For one of her favourite lion to be a snake was not something she could wrap her head around.
"That is for me to know and you to guess," the Hat enigmatically quipped back.
"Yet you chose him to be a Gryffindor," Dumbledore probed.
"Of course, I did. The brat had to learn not to meddle in my work," the Hat replied. "And now look how the noble 'Gryffindors' have labelled him 'not-noble-enough'."
"Hat, would you shut up and come with me," Harry said. It was annoying to be discussed as if he wasn't there. He knew people talked about him, good for nothing dunderheads have nothing better to do, but to be talked about like this was just unbearable.
"And if I don't."
"I could try every fire spell ever known to man and see if Godric's enchantments still hold. Or Belladonna's for that matter," the last part was hissed in parseltongue.
"Fine then, Mr Potter you most certainly are the most entertaining person to dwell in this castle in nearly a thousand years."
The group was dismissed and everyone went their own way.
XXX
"Put me on, Mr Potter if you don't want us to be heard," Harry put the Hat on its prompting. He felt its presence in his mind.
"Interesting, most interesting, I had always suspected your mother's heritage. Your survival that night confirmed it. Your recent memories lend further credence to my hypothesis."
"You saw my memories, I didn't even feel an intrusion," Harry exclaimed.
"Quiet Mr Potter. Just think whatever you want to say, there is no need to shout it out. As for feeling the mental intrusion, I possess the skill in mind arts that is equivalent to that possessed by Salazar at the time of the creation of the school. It's the only reason he suggested you to ask for my assistance. I possess the knowledge of the four, but the only skill I can truly teach you is in mind arts."
"That means I would have to depend on Amanda for all practical work."
"I guess you do. I can teach you the mind arts, Latin, runic languages and magical theory. We will begin with the mind arts. If you could master them in two weeks, by the time of the first task you can do almost any branch of magic with little practice within the bounds of power constraints."
"Two weeks," Harry repeated weakly.
"Yes, two weeks. You will undergo intensive training so as to ensure that you bypass my level or at the very least be my equal in terms of skill in mind arts. A wizard in control of his senses is one in control of his power. Master your mind, master your magic."
"What about classes?"
"You have come so far without classes, so I hope you have realised that you can do without them for this year."
"Fine, so what's the plan?"
They discussed the finer details of the lesson plan for the next two weeks, with the first task after the end of the third. The Hat that now wished to be addressed as Rex, talk about having a big ego, also informed him about the history of the tournament and speculated various beasts that could be involved in the first task and ways to deal with them.
XXX
"This is the corridor that was out of bound during your first year, isn't it?" Amanda asked as they stepped into the once-forbidden part of the castle.
"Yes, it used to house a big arsed three-headed dog, Fluffy," Harry offered as a reply.
"You mean the rumours were true."
For next ten minutes, he gave an account of the events of his first year and debunked any rumours.
"You have experience with being in danger and not freezing up. That's good, most people freeze when they see a hostile spell coming their way. What you need is practice in spell casting and learning to use magic offensively, something that isn't so difficult given you have an abundance of power," Amanda noted. Her tone analytical similar to that of Rex when they discussed their lesson plans.
They decided to meet on alternate days. One day Harry would read theory and the next they would duel. Amanda would then offer commentary and suggestions to his spell usage. She gave him one of her own defence books relating to tactics as she bid him good night promising to meet him the day after tomorrow after dinner in their practising place.
Thus, began two very long and tiresome weeks of training in mind arts and duelling. The mind arts left him drained mentally, while the duelling left him in a similar state physically and magically. Harry didn't go for classes and spent most of the day either practising or reading. The only time he left the chamber was to his practice duels with Amanda where he was trounced soundly, however, he was making steady progress or so Amanda said and to eat meals which he ate with Amanda and sometimes got invited to Hufflepuff table by Cedric.