here is it at last, chapter 3. sorry for the long wait, I have much to do with my education and hasn't found the time. I promise that I wont drop it, it will only take some time between the updates. R&R, enjoy!
- § -
There had been some severe pain, he couldn't deny it. When Salazar opened his eyes and looked around he paled and swallowed hard. 'Um… somehow I don't think that Uncle Vernon will be pleased by this…'. For the moment he was floating in the air, around one foot over the floor and he wasn't the only thing which floated. Every thing in his room hovered in the air and moved soundlessly around in the room. 'Crap… I hope the Dursleys haven't awoken'. Moving through the air with the swimming motions, Salazar managed to make it to the closed door. Almost afraid for what he might see on the other side he opened it slowly and peered through the small opening. Damn. Everything was afloat there to…
'Hm… bathroom, I need to find a mirror… by now the Order of the Frying Chicken and Dumbles should have arrived. I can't allow them to find out who I am just yet…' Spotting the door to the left, behind a sea of books he quickly made it over there and went inside. Then he looked in the mirror on the wall. A smile appeared on his lips. Yes, he looked like himself again. His long black hair was back and the bangs which had escaped the ponytail his hair was gathered in, framed his pale face with the high cheekbones. His eyes, they remembered him of molten silver when angry, but now they were serene and bore the colour of a calm lake. The only change in his appearance was the thin lightning bolt scar on the right side of his brow.
Yes, he did look good, but it would be hard to explain why he looked like Salazar Slytherin, when everyone knew him as Harry Potter. With a sigh he waved his hand and made glamours. Once again Harry Potter's familiar face looked back at him, but the long hair gathered in a low ponytail was new. He just refused to keep the messy hair which reminded him about a bird's nest. It was easier to manage like this. Satisfied with his appearance he took a deep breath and then focused on the rampant magic around him. He had to try to reign it in somewhat. It wouldn't do to have it kill or hurt someone by accident. Stretching out with his senses he gripped the magic and pulled it in towards himself, while erasing the rage and wildness in it.
Suddenly he sensed how two new presences appeared in the house. Tasting their magic he realised that it was the werewolf and the grim. In other words his godfather Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. 'Damn… this could become troublesome… with Lupin's heightened sense of smell… I have no idea if my scent has changed or if I still smell like "Harry". What to do…' He had no idea. 'I guess this is all up to the goddess of fortune to decide…' Shaking his head he waited for them and when the door opened he plastered a frightened look on his face.
When Sirius and Remus, finally had had enough and carefully approached the magic, it calmed down and they knew that it wouldn't hurt them. Remus smiled grimly and turned towards Sirius, who nodded, with an equally grim look on his face.
"Let's go" He said.
Then they ran towards the magic and disappeared behind its white walls. However they didn't notice that Snape followed them through unscathed too. Behind them Dumbledore gnashed his teeth, when he once again was denied entrance by the magic.
When Sirius and Remus entered the house their eyes widened and they both paled.
"Oh my…" Remus whispered but there was a twitch in the corner of his mouth.
Sirius on the other hand, had a hand clamped over his mouth, in a desperate try to contain the laughter which was dancing in his grey eyes.
"Merlin, what has the Potter-brat done now?" a voice whispered behind them and they swirled around, only to come face to face with Snape.
"Shut it Snivellus!" Sirius growled low, all traces of laughter gone from his eyes.
"I see that your vocabulary hasn't improved yet, still as thick as the usual dunderheads I have to teach I presume. Or are you perhaps thicker?" Severus snarled with a sneer on his face.
Sirius growled deeper and gripped his wand harder, but relaxed when Remus placed a hand on his arm.
"We don't have time for this. Sirius, leave Severus alone and stop baiting him Severus" Remus chided gently and then he moved towards the stairs.
When the door to the bathroom opened Salazar sent a prayer to the Goddess of Fortune and quickly pasted what he hoped, was a frightened look on his face. But when his godfather and Remus Lupin tumbled in through the door tangled together, he had to fight the urge to laugh at the men's not so graceful entry. But then his jaw nearly dropped to the floor when Hogwarts own resident potionsmaster and great bat extraordinaire, Severus Snape, gracefully floated inside.
"Harry!"
The sound of his godfather calling his name brought him out from his chock and slowly he turned to face Sirius. The love and concern he saw in the man's gaze made Salazar shiver, but it also made him feel warm and fuzzy. 'If he knew that I'm not Harry anymore… would he still love me? Would he hate me?' It hurt. Those thoughts hurt him, made him ache inside and made tears gather in his eyes.
"Harry! What's wrong Prongslet?" Sirius yelped.
Closing his eyes Salazar fought to calm himself and tried to convince himself that this was not the time for breaking down. Then he felt his godfather's strong arms around him. At first he stiffened, but then he slowly relaxed to the warmth of the embrace and the soothing hand running over his back and through his hair. 'This feels so nice…' Never before he had felt like this and suddenly he realized what this warm feeling was. He felt safe. He knew that his godfather loved and cared and that Sirius would protect him with his life.
"Sirius…" he whispered and snuggled closer. "Thanks for caring, for being here for me"
If Sirius was chocked by Salazar's words he didn't show it. He merely smiled.
"Of course pup. I'll always be there for you. Always." Sirius promised.
And Salazar believed him.
