AN: Don't you just hate it when life keeps you from doing what you love? I truly did not want this to sit as long as it did and I'm planning on updating a lot more regularly. Anyway, here's more of Harry/Sal and the chaos the snake gets up to before hitting Hogwarts.
Duner89 - Neither Neville nor Hermione can be Awakened yet. The Sirius/Dementor issue would send both on a complete rampage that would cause more trouble than its worth. Harry doesn't want to see his brother chasing down Dementors with the Gryffindor sword.
Key:
"Words"
Thoughts / "emphasis" / Title of Books or spells used
~~Parseltongue~~
¬¬Foreign Language¬¬
"Magical language"
A Snake Returns Home
31st July 1993 – Little Whinging
A half-starved and extremely tired black Grim, buried its head in its paws and cried.
Padfoot had finally managed to dredge up the memory of Lily's sister and her far too loud husband. It was the only place he could think little Harry could have been taken to be kept away from the magical world. He found the little town in uproar and Number Four, Privet Drive covered in police tape. Fear pierced his heart only for the organ to burst in agony when he managed to find a recent paper.
Murder-Suicide! One body still missing!
The details were gruesome. Vernon Dursley had beaten his wife to death with a cricket bat and attempted to do the same with his son. He then called the police in a moment of grief before killing himself to leave the boy at death's door trapped in a coma.
While the story was tragic, it was the details of the second boy that was the cause of Padfoot's breakdown. It seemed Petunia followed her sister's habit in using a journal, this one detailing how the Dursley family had taken in her orphaned nephew and treated him worse than an animal. Even when they finally moved him to an actual bedroom, they put locks on the door and fed him through a cat-flap. Yet now there was no sign of little Harry. Not even a body. According to the paper her last journal entry was a demented eagerness to Harry's return from his mysterious "freak school."
Padfoot rose from his place opposite the now abandoned house and dragged himself out of Privet Drive, his pain quickly morphing into rage that would be taken out on a traitorous rat and a manipulative Headmaster. The Grim growled in anticipation only to have its dark thoughts interrupted by a rancid smell of weeks old urine.
The smell itself wasn't an unusual one for a dog to pick up. What caught the canine's attention was the very familiar scent markers embedded in the piss. Hope briefly flared in the magical's chest as he recognised the unique mixture of James and Lily that made up his pup. It was old, incredibly faint, and there were strange scents overlapping Harry's, but it gave the old dog hope.
He turned towards Scotland and moved with even more determination. He of the Padded-Foot would get to Hogwarts and find out if his pup survived and Merlin help two men if he hadn't.
.
.
OoOoO
.
.
It was a subdued Harry who got back to the Leaky Cauldron after spending his birthday with one of the two women/girls he loved. Salazar had deeply missed the other Founders when he left Hogwarts to take down his son yet there was a special place in his heart for his Raven. He enjoyed the company of the girl she had been born as this life, and he ached over the state of both her lives. They were too similar, too painful, for someone as special as she, and old rages rose up to demand action against those who had hurt her.
If it wasn't for Luna's father being on his own, Salazar would have dragged her back to the Leaky Cauldron with him until the end of the summer.
He knew he needed to relax and that he was too high-strung to brew. There was only one thing that could ease his racing thoughts almost as well as his precious potions. Sparing. With quick flicks of his wand he cleared a space in the centre of the room and held out his hand, his body tingling from the summoning.
A unique battle-staff materialised within Harry's grip. It was bone white and slightly curved, carved from the rib of Esmeralda's eight-hundred-year-old father. Its core was a long thestral hair, wrapped in two feathers. The first was from Godric's griffin familiar, the second from the Animagus raven form of Rowena's sister Morgana. The entire surface of the staff was covered in carvings of snakes with their raised scale and fangs made from teeth and claws from Helga's badgers.
It was a powerful weapon created through love and honour.
The staff immediately resized to match his current height and Harry closed his eyes to savour the connection between it and his core. Slowly, to allow his new body time to learn the moves, he put himself through the training workout that had been part of his life for decades.
The Wizarding World had grown lazy since Salazar's time in relying solely upon their wands. The Founders had their own weapons, knew how to fight to the death as a mundane, and had often used their battle-staffs as physical tools of war as much as magical ones.
As Harry became one with the staff and they spun and moved in the narrow space, he had no idea he was smirking at how many waves he would be making in the coming years.
.
.
OoOoO
.
.
The rest of August passed in a lazy stroll. Hedwig got exercise by passing letters between him and Ro, with some of the missives having the raven-headed boy in giggles for entire days on end. Harry was also able to show a very relieved manager of Flourish and Blott's how to calm the Monster Book of Monsters. The man was so relieved he made Harry's purchases for the day on the house.
He caught sight of a brand-new type of broom by the name of Firebolt that had him itching to soar through the skies on it. The argument Harry had with himself over whether to buy the broom lasted long enough to bump into fellow Gryffindors Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas. Salazar even managed to keep a good conversation going with them about the merits of the Firebolt's statistics over the latest Nimbus.
The second to last week of August saw Harry 'bump' into Neville and a woman who could only be his Gran. Salazar had to force himself not to curse the woman where she stood for the way she was treating his brother. Yet again Harry was floored with how their new lives matched their own for Godric had been raised by his powerful clan chief uncle who had belittled the great Gryffindor at every chance. Running away from the arrogant shit was one of the best things his brother in all but blood could have done.
He didn't think. The moment Harry saw the scene he immediately injected himself between the two with his back to the irate woman. Harry had taken Neville's hand and was giving it a warm shake and the boy an even warmer smile. The innocuous questions were fired fast enough to pull the boy out of the funk he had instinctively fallen into.
"Excuse me, little boy, some politeness would go a long way." the formidable Augusta Longbottom declared in shock at being dismissed by a mere child. "We were in the middle of a personal conversation."
"Actually, Dowager Lady Longbottom, it's Lord Potter, and you were in the middle of dressing down the Scion to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Longbottom," Harry snapped back in his most aristocratic 'I'm higher in the food-chain than you' voice. He had turned to stare the woman dead in the eyes and the look clearly showed his displeasure. The retort not only brought her up in surprise but had also caught the attention of some of the other shoppers. Although Harry would bet being looked at as though you were worth less than the shit on shoes by a thirteen-year-old added to the woman's shock. "Now considering the close ties between our families, that essentially makes him my brother."
Neville couldn't believe anyone, let along Harry, was standing up for him against his Gran. To give her a public spanking had the nervous boy worried for Harry's safety until he mentioned seeing Neville as a brother. The self-confidence that his Gran was able to destroy with nought but a glance blossomed at what his house-mate was doing.
"Here is what's going to happen, Dowager Lady Longbottom," Harry snarled, stepping into the woman's personal space. The fury and power in his Avada eyes had a woman who had stared down Ministers, entire Wizengamots, and Death Eaters without blinking taking a full step back from the young Lord. "You are going to go back to Longbottom Hall and really think about the way you treat your grandson. You will consider if such behaviour is becoming of a woman of your stature and exactly what Lord and Lady Longbottom would say if they ever came to know how you treated their son."
The slaps continued to come. Both Longbottoms paled at the mentioning of Neville's parents with Neville worried about how Harry had found out when he never told anyone.
"I, on the other hand, will aid my brother in his Hogwarts shopping. I will then be keeping an eye on both of you to find out if your behaviour to Scion Longbottom changes," this time Harry's face morphed into a vicious grin that had those seeing it wishing they were somewhere, anywhere, else. "And if it doesn't, I will be taking Neville as a Vassal of my House until such time as he can take up his own Lordship. Have. I. Made. Myself. Clear?"
Augusta Longbottom, the Dragon Lady of the Wizengamot, nodded once at the enraged boy. The magic rolling off him had her thinking of another Potter decades ago who had stepped between her and bullying Gryffindors. While the boy was often compared to his parents, Augusta Longbottom now knew he was far more like his grandfather Charlus and she couldn't help the shiver at that thought. She spared a tear-filled glance over his shoulder at her grandson and then Apparated away with not a single word said in reply. Harry's ire had yet to settle and he glared around at the still watching crowd.
"Get back to your shopping!" He snapped with a roar that had everyone scuttling away before those glowing eyes could focus their way.
The wind that was picking up as his words was purely a coincidence.
Salazar had to take multiple breaths to pull his rage under control. Any perceived attack at his family, namely the other three Founders, was the sure way to break his Slytherin mask. He turned to face the still silence Neville and clasped his shoulders in a familiar position for the two old friends.
"I'm sorry about that, Nev," he offered in a friendly voice. "But I know what it's like to be talked down to by family. It's not helpful and I don't want to see you go through that."
The again stayed on his tongue as he remembered drunken nights between himself and Godric sharing their painful histories.
"Y..Yo...You really meant all that?" The Gryffindor asked the snake in lion's clothing. "Everything you said?"
"Everything," Harry beamed, his heart lifting when Neville smiled back, and offered a hand. "Here's to being friends and brothers."
"Friends and brothers," Neville automatically replied in awe, not even realising that he had taken Harry's hand.
The two boys spent the rest of the day enjoy the sun and shops. Harry explained to Neville about the different electives available and that he was allowed to change them in the first few weeks if he found he didn't like the ones he had picked. They were relaxing in Florean Fortescue's when Harry asked to see Neville perform a small transfiguration spell. Salazar simply couldn't understand why his best friend was having so much trouble with his magic in his new life.
"Wow, Nev," Harry eyed Neville's wand in amazement. "You've really put that thing through its paces in two years."
"Huh?" The boy in question blinked in response. He noticed Harry looking at the nicks and scratches in his wand. "Oh, this is my dad's wand. Gran said I'd be honouring his memory if I used it."
A flurry of emotions crossed Harry's face before he could contain them and suddenly Neville saw what had made his Gran walk away without a fight.
"Mr. Fortescue!" The green-eyed boy called out as he rose, dragging Neville along for the ride while leaving their shopping bags behind. "We forgot to get something. You wouldn't mind keeping an eye on all that, would ya?"
"Not a problem, Harry," the owner of the best ice cream in the country answered with a smile, covering their booth in a strong Notice-Me-Not charm as well as a preserving spell for the ice cream. The two had gotten close over the summer with Harry telling just enough of his past to make the old man protective of green-eyed boy.
Harry smiled in thanks and pulled a confused Neville out of the shop. Neville was quick to work out where his new friend was taking him and wondered if the day would ever stop being strange as Harry stormed into the wand store with a shout.
"Garrick? Garrick? Where are you, you crazy old bastard?"
"Mister Potter, behave yours..." The strange Wandmaker began to say as he came out from his back-room. The moment the old man caught sight of Harry, the words froze on his lips.
Harry smirked at the surprise written on the face of a man who was old when Salazar was born. Garrick Ollivander was a master Wandmaker who was so good someone cursed him with an eternal life only as long as he continued to make wands. The far too many centuries of life could crash down on the man if he ceased in his passion for more than a few years.
It had taken the combined power of Salazar and Rowena to make a powerful Glamour-Fidelius cross that would allow him to set up a shop. The moment anyone thought he had been alive for too long, the protective spell would then make them consider the Ollivander behind the counter as the son of the one they knew. In return the four friends had warned the old man of their eventual return through Awakenings and he had promised to keep the materials for each of their wands in case a replacement was needed.
"Sa...Mister Potter, you've changed since I last saw you," the Wandmaker caught himself and then eyed the boy standing next to the reborn Slytherin. "And you, Mister Longbottom, are two years late."
"My friend here is an expert at Herbology, Garrick," Harry beamed with a cheeky gleam in his eye. "And I'm sure with the right sword and experience he'd be an absolute beast at Battle Magic too."
Ollivander blinked at the hint and then his all-seeing eyes widened when he realised what he had been told. He scrutinised Neville closely, the look unsettling the extremely confused boy, and then smirked when he caught sight of the faint traces of Godric beneath the nervous child's magic.
In Neville's defence at being silent, he had no idea what was going on. Nor could he believe what Harry had just said.
"Be that as it may, Mister Longbottom needs a wand suited for him in order to reach his potential," the Wandmaker announced, stalking off into the aisles as Harry turned to his friend.
"It's the wand who chooses the wizard, Nev. Unless the wizard makes the want that is."
"We do not talk about that amendment, Mister Potter," Ollivander playfully chided as he returned with a box. Neville was looking down at his father's wand as though it had betrayed him.
"Oak, twelve inches with a griffin heartstring. Your father's wand," the scared boy looked up in surprise at the words. "You are not your father, Mister Longbottom. It is a good wand, the best for him, but not nearly good enough for you."
"I doubt I could use my dad's," Harry offered in an attempt to ease the obvious pain the boy was feeling.
"James Potter, mahogany, eleven inches, with a unicorn tail feather." Ollivander added almost absently. "No doubt only a little better fit for you than Frank Longbottom's is for Mister Longbottom but not by much. No, no, no, the wand must choose the wizard."
What followed was a five-minute hurricane of swapping wands for Neville as they tried to find one that fitted him. Sparks flew, walls were cracked, and one upset wand even blasted a hole in the ceiling, much to Neville's dismay.
Harry took it all in his stride and was leaning against the window, ankles crossed, and arms folded with a smirk as he watched the show. Only the Founders had been gifted with the knowledge of Garrick's process. The man was as good as he was because he received visions of the wands he had to create. Every wand in the front shop was meant for someone within a century of the wand's creation, whether the wand was the witch or wizard's chosen wand or simply one destined to be burned out in testing wasn't the point. Every wand handed over was meant for that moment with neither client nor Garrick knowing which the winner until would be...
"Aha!" Garrick announced with a flourish as Neville's new wand sparkled with pure joy at finding him. "Cherry, thirteen inches with a unicorn hair as core. A wand fit for focus and amazing power. I dare-say you would be a very good match for a dragon heartstring as well."
Salazar bit down on his tongue to keep from losing control, the laughter threatening to burst free at the old man's throwaway comment. Garrick was well aware that Godric's wand was a Redwood and Cheery combination with a dragon heartstring core that was perfect for a man of battle with the luck to turn defeat into victory."
"Come on, brother," he beamed, clapping Neville on the shoulder who was only staring at his new wand in wide-eyed bliss. "We've got ice-cream to finish!"
.
.
OoOoO
.
.
31st August 1993
Harry had immediately sent off a missive to Ro about his time with Neville as soon as his brother disappeared through the Floo. The reply was at first a deep, heartfelt gratitude for protecting her Godric and then a venomous rant about being half-a-mind to storm Longbottom Hall and take back her man from the evil harridan who had been mistreating him.
Salazar had laughed for almost an hour at that. More so because he knew she would do exactly that if provoked.
It took days and multiple letters that included passing on information from Neville's own messages to get the enraged Ravenclaw to stand down until they met up on the Express. Harry guessed it was only the news of the surprising talk and blanket apology, tears included, Augusta Longbottom gave her grandson that held Luna back.
The day before Harry went back home found him strolling through the Alley. His thoughts were broken by hearing his name being called and he turned to see a vision of beauty waving to him from Fortescue's.
Hermione had gone a deep brown from the summer sun and her eyes were alight with happiness at seeing him. For a few moments he couldn't breathe and then he was stalking across the distance to pull the excited girl out of her chair and into a swinging hug.
"HARRY!" She squealed in surprise at his reaction to seeing her. Her traitorous heart skipped at wondering what it meant but her more analytical thoughts immediately shot that down. His only reply was laughter, filled with so much joy that it had her feeling light-headed.
As suddenly as he picked her up, Harry dropped her back into her chair and plopped into the one beside her. He sent a smirking grin to the confused Ron and stuck his finger into Hermione's ice-cream to steal a scoop.
"Harry!" She squealed again, smacking his arm in the hope of making him behave. "Stop it. What's got into you?"
"I'm happy to see you," Harry grinned around his finger and wiggled his eyebrows to send her blushing to her roots. "It looks like the sun suited you both."
"Where have you been?" Ron asked with more force than he might otherwise have used. He didn't know why but the way Harry treated Hermione set him on edge. "We went to the Leaky Cauldron, but they said you'd already left and every shop said you hadn't been in."
"How'd you know I'm staying there?" Harry asked back, not wanting to mention his escapade into Knockturn Alley for some of his more illegal potion ingredients.
"Dad," Ron shrugged, uninterested in the topic. "After the news broke about the Dursleys, people were worried about you."
"Dursleys?" Harry frowned. He knew his past jailers hadn't been in the Daily Prophet, not with how diligently he'd been hunting through each copy in the hopes of news about Sirius Black. "What about them?"
"You don't know?" Hermione gasped, anguish filling her beautiful chocolate eyes. "Oh, Harry..."
"Your uncle only went and killed your aunt, didn't he," Ron said with enthusiasm around a mouthful of ice-cream. Hermione's head snapped around to look at the ginger in disgust and Harry was sure he heard her neck crack with the force. "Tried the same with your cousin then topped himself. People thought they did you in until Dumbledore explained how you were staying here for the summer."
"Ronald Bilious Weasley! You don't just blurt out something like that!" Hermione screeched, ready to lunge across the table at the insensitive child.
"It's okay, Hermione," Harry cut off her off before the rant began by capturing her hand in his. The touch pulled her thoughts up sharp and she gaped at Harry in shock. He never initiated contact, yet he'd been doing exactly that since she had called his name. "I didn't know but I suspected. Vernon was as angry as he'd ever been, and I left them the day I arrived. I told Dumbledore how they treated me and that I wouldn't be going back. I guess...I guess without me there to vent his anger, he turned it on the others."
And Best Actor Award goes to... He mentally chuckled.
The explanation brought tears to Hermione's eyes. She knew what wasn't being said. A person like Vernon Dursley doesn't do the type of things the news had been reported right off the bat. Those type of people worked up to it and she had no problems imagining her best friend suffering at the monster's hands. She launched herself into Harry's arms and smothered him in one of her bone-crunching hugs at the thought of an innocent Harry at such a man's mercy.
Ron, on the other hand, was thankful to avoid an explosion of Mt. Granger before school started. Although the situation did remind him of something else his dad had heard.
"''Ere, what's this I heard about you telling off Neville's Gran?"
Hermione pulled away from Harry to give him a questioning look and Harry was worried she was going to start suffering from emotional whiplash. He explained what happened without taking his eyes from hers.
"She was berating him for losing his book list. Never mind the fact everyone in the Alley could see it happening nor the fact that all the shops know exactly what third year material is needed for everyone's courses. No, she simply wanted to make sure Neville knew what a disappointment he was to her and didn't care who knew it."
"So, you played the White Knight," Hermione smiled, fondly remembering how Harry had stepped in to save her in first year. "Faced up to someone no one else would so you could protect Neville?"
"Yeah, I guess," Harry shrugged, running a hand through his growing hair.
"Well I think that's very nice of you, Harry."
"It's ruddy brilliant is what it is, Hermione. Absolutely brilliant! Anyway, we're all staying at the Leaky Cauldron tonight too. Hermione's there as well so we're all going to King's Cross together."
Harry beamed at the news Hermione was staying at the Cauldron and the three third years got talking about their school supplies. Ron stole the limelight with his brand-new wand – Willow, fourteen inches with a unicorn hair – while Hermione's excess of bags was explained by her extra classes. He closed his eyes and tried to remember how he had broken Helga from her insane need to learn and study to do it again now. Why everyone thought it was Rowena who was the book obsessive was beyond him. Being just, loyal, and hardworking are perfect reasons for people to hole themselves up in a library.
When Hermione announced she was going to get herself an owl and Ron's pet rat was under the weather, the three of them made their way to the Magical Menagerie. The shop was utter chaos and Harry burst out laughing when he heard the snakes ranting about their lot in life.
"It'sss them," he giggled with a point to the snakes, slipping partly into Parseltongue enough to cause Ron to shiver. "They're complaining about all the food they can see but can't reach and demanding they be served like the royalty they think they are."
"They're royal snakes?" Hermione asked in confusion. Harry grinned with a shake of the head.
"Nope. But they've got so used to being served their food that it's the only thing they have to explain their lives."
Salazar knew from visiting bazaars that snakes bred in captivity either accepted they were captives or made up their own reasons for their situations. While the situation hit too close to home, for both his lives, this batch were acting the perfect snobs.
She looked at Harry in awe, amazed not only at his acceptance of being a Parselmouth but also the ability to learn from snakes. Harry simply smiling back at her, soaking in her face like a starving man, when he heard something caught his attention.
"An ordinary, common or garden rat like this can't be expected to live longer than three years or so," the witch behind the counter explained to Ron as she examined a sickly Scabbers.
Harry's eyes snapped to the rat and he activated his Mage Sight. It wasn't nearly as powerful as Ro's, but it allowed him to see auras. Animagus he mentally hissed, forcing himself to stop the glare in case the rat turned his way. Quickly plans were formed and abandoned, his sharp mind spinning through both reasons for Ron having an Animagus rat and what he needed to do. Harry come to the frustrating conclusion that he had to wait until they reached Hogwarts before springing any attack on the human in rat form. He had to fight down a shudder at having an Animagus sleeping in their dorm room for the past two years.
He didn't noticed Hermione noticing his reaction to the words.
It also meant he had to keep Esmeralda hidden. Not only would instincts drive the snake towards the rat, but she would never consider allowing a hidden wizard near her bonded. Hmm, maybe I can send her ahead and have Dobby put her in my old quarters? He considered the idea as the Menagerie exploded into insanity as an orange...thing...made a break for freedom and chased the object of Harry's plans out of the shop. Ron ran after the rat and Harry blinked in surprise at the events, making a note to stop slipping into his meditative state when thinking.
The fallout from the insanity had Ron finding Scabbers and Hermione buying the orange thing that turned out to be a half-Kneazle named Crookshanks. Salazar could only sigh. Helga was the same in either life. She'd find the strangest animal possible and think it was as adorable as a bunny.
That Rowena was even more of a strange animal lover was completely ignored by the reborn Founder. For his own safety he couldn't think of the two ladies' quirks combined until he had his brother with him to share the insanity.
Case in point, Helga's damn badgers. Harry cringed at the memory of his love bringing back the small cete of badgers she had found. The animals had been chased out of their home and were starved so Helga, naturally, brought them to Hogwarts. That the little beasts were feral, had a nasty temper, and confiscated a perfectly good classroom near the kitchens didn't matter to his beloved Hufflepuff. They were misunderstood by everyone except for her.
And clearly so was this Crookshanks from the way his Hermione was berating Ron's attitude on their way towards the Leaky Cauldron. He only hoped that this time it wouldn't cost a student their toes.
"Harry!" Yet again his name being called pulled Harry from his thoughts. It was with surprise that he realised they'd reached the Cauldron and it was Arthur Weasley talking to him. "How are you doing?"
"Good, sir," He answered honestly as they settled around the man's table. "It's been a fantastic summer."
Arthur put his paper down and Harry caught sight of the front page and the familiar face staring out from it.
"He's still out there then?" He asked, and Hermione's head shot around as she caught the hope at the question that could so easily be taken different ways.
"I'm afraid so." Arthur confirmed, and Hermione was sure she saw relief flash in her friend's green eyes. "They've pulled us all off our regular jobs at the Ministry but so far no luck."
"Would we get a reward if we caught him?" Ron asked with an eye on Harry's clothing, counting the galleons. "It would be good to have more money."
"Don't be ridiculous, Ron. No thirteen-year-old wizard is going to catch Sirius Black."
Ron was saved from his father's ire by the appearance of Molly and the rest of the Weasley brood still attending Hogwarts. Percy did a fair stalk across the pub and held his hand out for Harry to take. Harry internally smirked and rose, his entire posture shifting to one of pomp and circumstance.
"Harry," Percy said as though they'd never met. "How nice to see you. I hope you're well."
"Hello, Percy. I'm exceedingly well, thank you," Harry returned in a professional voice that had everyone blinking in surprise. "Last year at Hogwarts, eh? What's your plans for when you're done?"
The two proceeded to exchange political banter, Percy talked about his final goal of being Minister had the twins chortling. Harry's comment about them needing one who believed in family above everything and wouldn't be afraid to fight against evil laws had the ginger blinking, a thoughtful frown crossing his face.
The pause in talk was enough for the twins to push their brother out of the way and take hold of Harry's hands.
"Simply splendid to see you, old boy!" Fred declared loudly.
"It's marvellous, old chap!" George agreed.
"Absolutely spiffing!" They finished together with a bow.
"That's enough you two," Molly declared with a huff, not appreciating her sons' sense of humour. "Hello, Harry, dear. I'm sorry to hear about your family."
"Relatives, Mrs. Weasley," Harry waved off her concern with a flick of the wrist. "Relatives are people you're related to regardless of feelings. Family are those you love regardless of relation. The Dursleys were never my family."
Harry's blasé reaction took them all aback and Percy quietly made his way up the stairs. Harry realised he had given the pompous snot plenty to think about. At least he hoped he had.
The dinner with the Weasleys was enjoyable. Conversation flowed, laughter was never far from being released because of the twins, and Harry learned that they were all being taken to King's Cross by car. He took his time in slipping back into his double room where an eager Dobby had already disassembled the potions lab. All his belongings were packed away and Hedwig was already on a lazy flight north to avoid being stuck in the cage.
He decided to laze on the bed with Esmeralda wrapped across his shoulders and read the Ancient Runes textbook. As much of a Potions Master as Salazar was, it was his girls who had truly Mastered Runes and Arithmancy. He and Godric were naturals, using magic instinctively that the ladies had to then break down in order to make one of their new spells teachable. The men simply did, much to their endless frustrations.
It was why there was no true Arithmetic formula for the Avada Kedavra curse. Salazar had created it to represent the fire of his family magic to strike fear into his enemies and never wanted the terrible magics involved in its casting to be understood.
A knock at the door brought Harry from his maudlin thoughts and Dobby instantly appeared. "It bes Miss Grangey, Master Harry."
"Let her in, my friend," he said, reaching up to stroke Esmeralda's head.
He heard the click of a door unlocking and watched as Hermione slipped inside without even looking around. Only when she made sure the door was closed did her eyes begin their search. Harry watched with amusement as her jaw dropped in a fairly good impersonation of a fish at what she saw.
"Harry?" She squeaked, raising a shaking hand to point at his shoulder. "What is that?"
"A basilisk, Hermione," He said with a chuckle. "You can come closer and stroke her, she won't bite."
"Harry James Potter, why do you have a BASILISK on your shoulders?"
Harry was extremely grateful for the silencing charms around the room.
"Because I'm bonded to her, Hermione," he explained patiently, though with a cheeky grin. "Esmeralda, this is Hermione. Hermione, this is Esmeralda."
~~"Her scent is familiar. She is your Helga?"~~
~~"She will be soon,"~~ he answered. "She says that it's very nice to meet you and you smell nice. I told her you've always smelt nice to me."
Esmeralda hissed with laughter at the blatant lie of her bonded and smacked his arm with the end of her tail. Hermione gradually shuffled forward, still trying to make sense of what she was seeing.
"Why aren't you dead? Or petrified?" She softly asked, dropping onto his bed. "Or me?"
"Basilisks have two magical lids they can close," Harry patiently explained. He stretched out his right arm and Esmeralda slithered slowly down it. Hermione looked like she wanted to bolt but was unable to move. "The inner lid changes the death stare into a petrification one while the outer cancels the magic completely."
"So, the basilisk last year?" Hermione asked, unable to believe she was about to reach out and stroke a basilisk.
"Unknown," he shrugged, the movement helping Esmeralda move closer to his deepest love. "Water, a window or your mirror weakens a death glare but does nothing for the petrification one. We'll never know if you would have died without the mirror."
Hermione's finger paused in stroking Esmeralda's crown at the pain in Harry's voice. She looked into his eyes and for a brief moment the emotions she saw there took her breath away. The he blinked, and they were gone. She couldn't work out if what she had seen was true or her imagination.
"Anyway, after all that happened with the school thinking it was me I decided to visit the goblins. I had to go on my birthday as they wouldn't see me before I turned thirteen," Harry explained, giving only enough details to make sense to his inquisitive girl. "As I'm the last in my family, I've been allowed to take up the position of Lord Potter. It's why Neville's Gran didn't do anything when I told her off. I was actually doing so through House obligations."
She gaped at the revealed Potter ring, her mind working a mile-a-minute to assimilate everything she was hearing.
"Now, according to the goblins the Potters come from the Peverells. But so did Salazar Slytherin. And when the family became Potters, one of them ended up marrying a Slytherin to bring the bloodlines back together. Mum was the first non-Squib in a line dating back to Salazar himself, hence our eyes are the same colour. I'm the most connected wizard to Slytherin there is."
And wouldn't that bit of news about one Lily Evans send the Pure-bloods crazy if he allowed it to be released.
"You're Lord Slytherin..." Hermione gasped, easily putting the pieces together. He gave her his lopsided grin in pride and flashed the second family ring at her.
"And the goblins took me to Salazar's vault where Esmeralda was in status along with a runespoor," Harry chuckled at how he was telling her the truth without filling in any pesky details about being Salazar. "I bonded with Esmeralda while the runespoor, called Moirai, told me exactly who he was meant for."
"Who?" Hermione squeaked, looking around the room as though expecting the three-headed snake to appear.
"Luna Lovegood."
"Wait, Moirai?" Hermione's bear trap of a mind caught onto the name. "As in the Fates? Hogwarts: A History says that there's a lot of anecdotal evidence that Rowena Ravenclaw was a Seer."
"She was." Harry confirmed, smiling brightly at the thought of his little sister. "And Moirai wanted to go to the most Ravenclaw of the Ravenclaws. Luna is also a Seer."
And once again Hermione's jaw was wide open at what she heard. She also suspected he was telling her that this Luna was Ravenclaw's descendant. She was about to ask about the strange blonde when she suddenly remembered why she'd sneaked into his room.
"You don't want Sirius Black to be caught," she accused, glaring at him as though it was his fault she had been distracted.
"The goblins told me that he named me his heir as soon as I was born. Why would a man do that if he was to betray the child and child's parents to their enemies?"
"Maybe he changed his mind?" She frowned, trying to look at all the options rather than what would give Harry someone who cared for him.
"Maybe," Harry agreed. "But it does mean there are questions. Like why now? I've been at Hogwarts for two years yet he's only now coming after me? I don't know what the answers are, Hermione, but I do know questions that need to be asked."
She could agree with him there. It was with a heavy sigh that she rose to leave the room, only stopping when he called her name.
"No one else knows about what I've told you," he told her. It wasn't technically a lie since he'd told Ro far more and in better detail. "I'm trusting you, Hermione."
"I won't betray you, Harry," She promised as her heart raced at the intensity of his gaze. It then skipped at the bright smile he sent her off with.
.
.
OoOoO
.
.
1st September 1993
As part of the course with the Weasleys, the morning they needed to get to King's Cross was the most chaotic of the summer. Hermione gave Harry a questioning look at the lack of a basilisk and owl, to which he simply smirked back. "Elf delivery."
The trip to the station ended up almost boring compared to the previous year's. Harry made sure to tell Hermione to look for Neville and Luna as it was clear, even without Legilimency, that Arthur was looking for a chance to take him aside. When the Weasley patriarch did so, Harry tried to head any conversation off at the start.
"Sir, is this about the Dursleys?"
"What...? No, no, Harry...and I am sorry about them...but no," Arthur stammered.
"Sirius Black then?" Harry nodded, leaving Mr. Weasley to gape at him in surprise. "I've heard rumours that people think he might be coming after me and that there are Dementors surrounding Hogwarts."
"How...?" The impersonation of a fish was now complete, allowing Harry to pushed on.
"I listen, sir. But I thank you for your worry and I promise, I won't be foolishly charging off to find the man." I'll be cunning and smart when I bring the man to me. He secretly amended.
Arthur sagged with relief and Harry quickly got onto the train before anything more could be said. He had no idea if Mr. Weasley knew something that he needed to know but he knew there wasn't time for him to get any information out of the man. A bit of reassuring wouldn't hurt their relationship.
As soon as the Express was on its way, Harry closed his eyes and opened himself up to the magic around him. ~~"Where are you my little Raven."~~
A pulse off to the back end of the train had Harry smiling and he led the way without looking in any of the passing carriages. It was an old trick of theirs. A bit of wandless warding that could lead any Founder to any of the others in case one was hurt or taken by their enemies. It was a trick that had saved both Salazar and Godric's life on multiple occasions.
The three friends found Luna and Neville in the very last carriage along with a shabbily dressed man who looked to be in a deep sleep. Harry's eyes locked onto the man, took in the greying hair for someone who seemed to be about the age of his parents and the poor clothes, and did some mental calculations to work out it was the full moon. His eyes widened, and he sent a grin of gratitude towards Ro for finding him a werewolf.
"What you got here, Beautiful?" Harry laughed, plopping himself down next to Hermione while Ron sat beside Neville.
"Hello, Handsome. I found myself a Gryffindor," Luna smiled widely, and Hermione looked between them with open eyes at their banter. "Can I keep him?"
Harry laughed at the way her arm was already possessively wrapped around Neville's. The boy in question seemed a little taken aback by her direct attitude but certainly not against it.
"Why not, Little Raven? You have my permission to court our good Gryffindor."
The blonde squealed happy and launched herself into Harry's arms for a hug. His laughter was filled with delight and he sent the blushing Neville a wink. The boy grew even redder when Luna broke the hug to jump onto Neville's lap.
"Hey, Nev," Harry grinned into the silence that followed the exchange. "Had a good few days, brother?"
Ron's ears turned red at the way Harry addressed the other boy. Neville took his cue from Harry and ignored the potential explosion building.
"I really did, Harry," Neville decided to hold onto the blonde who had apparently claimed him. If Harry thought it was a good idea, then who was he to argue? "I know I thanked you already but thank you. Gran's been totally different."
"It needed to be done," Harry waved the thanks away. Salazar and Godric's friendship went far beyond the need for thanks yous. "Just make sure to remember what I told you. Letting yourself down is worse than letting someone else down. Never stop doing your best. Especially now you've got that new wand."
Hermione was simply confused while it was Ron's reaction that changed the entire mood. He had watched Harry, in brand new expensive clothes, be friendly and flirty with Hermione most of the previous day. He was now doing the same with Loony Lovegood and apparently even Neville had a new wand, meaning having his own wasn't as special as it should have been. The red-head's insecurities and anger issues mounted until his mouth opened before his brain could engage.
"When did you get friendly with Loony?"
Harry struck like the snake he truly was. He launched himself from his chair and delivered a left cross that broke Ron's nose. The compartment door was forced open by Harry's magic as he picked up his former friend by the shirt collar and threw him at the door to the compartment opposite.
All but Luna watched in horror at how fast Harry moved. Instead the true Ravenclaw's pale eyes were filled with sadness at her brother's anger. Salazar had taken Rowena under his care, even become her Mind-Healer when her past became too much to bare and was without mercy in protecting her. Not even her Godric reacted to insults like the force of nature that lurked beneath Salazar Slytherin's mask. The only thing more stupid than attacking her would be when someone thought to attack Helga.
"What did I tell you?" Harry snarled, pressing his forearm into Ron's throat so that he cut off the boy's air. "What did I say would happen if you called her that name?"
Ron could only struggle to get free from the wild animal attacking him. Harry's eyes glowed and his magic crackled in the air.
"I've broken your nose, Ron. Want to go for me feeding you your bits and choking on them?"
The small shake of the head was all the captive boy could manage. The fear radiating off the boy did nothing to calm Harry's fury.
"Harry, stop!" Hermione pleaded, finally able to engage her brain. Harry's attack had been fast and deadly, exactly as promised at the Leaving Feast. "You'll get in trouble. Let him go. Please."
"I'm sure the boy is sorry for what he did, Mister Potter," a new voice spoke up behind Harry. Salazar could only surmise that the scent of blood had woken the werewolf up. "But you really don't want to get in trouble before even reaching Hogwarts."
Harry eased back his arm and the now purple Ron Weasley gasped in agony as he tried to relearn how to breath. Harry didn't need to look around to know that others were also watching.
"I don't like bullies, Ron," Harry spoke in a chillingly calm voice. The warning caused those listening to blanch. "I won't take what happened last year again, nor will I allow my friends to be bullied. I also won't allow my friends to be bullies. If this is something you're okay with, we can carry on as though nothing happened. If not, that's it, we're over."
Ron, filled with anger and embarrassment, looked at Harry and saw how little the Boy-Who-Lived cared for Ron's decision. The insecurities won, and he spat a glob of blood onto Harry's silk shirt.
"Screw you, Prince Potter. I hope Black finds you and you get what you deserve."
Hermione gasped, her hand covering her mouth at the horrible words. Harry merely turned to the side to look back into the compartment, ignoring the eyes that filled the hallway.
"Neville, if you could get Weasley's trunk down so he could find a new compartment?"
They shared a look that had Neville nodding and doing what had been asked. Denied of her perch, Luna did a quick Scourgify to clean Harry's shirt. Neville handed over the trunk without a word and Ron disappeared down the train. Harry re-entered their compartment, closing the door behind him before pulling Hermione into a deep hug.
"It's okay. It's okay," he told her, rubbing soothing patterns down her back. Green eyes locked onto dark brown ones that held the hint of amber in them. "I'm sorry, sir, I didn't mean to wake you up with all of that."
"Nonsense," the werewolf responded from his retaken seat. "I'm Remus Lupin, your new DADA Professor, so you can see it was my job to keep it from getting out of hand."
"Mr. Lupin," Harry nodded to the man as he eased himself and Hermione down into a seat. She had yet to release the hug and he was in no mood to release her. "I'm Harry Potter, this is Neville Longbottom, someone I consider a brother in all but blood."
The title caused a reaction from the Professor that caught Harry's interest and he put it aside for later.
"He's a Gryffindor through and through. The delightful blonde is Luna Lovegood, about as pure a Ravenclaw as you could wish for," the girl in question did a strange curtsy from her retaken position on Neville's lap. "The distressed lady in my arms is another Gryffindor by the name of Hermione Granger. Smartest Witch of our Generation."
Hermione sniffed as Harry brought a knuckle to her chin to force her into looking up at him. "Hermione, these two are friends and would love to be yours. They won't abuse you for being smart, they won't tease you for your love of learning. They'll be the true friends that we deserve."
Hermione's chocolate eyes widened as she realised that Harry knew exactly why she was crying. She was afraid that with the breakup of Harry and Ron's friendship. she would be forced to choose and, in doing so, leave her with only one friend no matter what. Here was Harry, not only explaining that he knew this, but also offering two new friends who wouldn't hurt her in a moment of annoyance.
She withdrew from his arms, cleaned herself up using the conjured tissue Professor Lupin provided, and smiled at everyone. The fear reseeded when she received honest smiles back.
"I noticed you didn't mention your own House, Mister Potter," Remus pointed out.
"Ah, that would be because I'm a Slythendor, sir," Harry replied with a Marauder worthy smirk. He stretched out his legs to give off the air of being incredibly relaxed. "I'm a Slytherin in Gryffindor colours."
Three sets of eyes looked at him in confusion while Luna giggled at the teaser.
"The Sorting Hat wanted me to be in Slytherin, but I didn't believe my Slytherin tendencies would match what the House is perceived to be. So, I asked for Gryffindor and Gryffindor I became. Doesn't mean I'm still not a Snake at heart."
"And just how many people are aware of this?" Remus asked, fighting back memories of another black-haired boy who chose the Lions over the House of Snakes.
"You four and the Hat. If you listen to the Hogwarts grapevine then you'll hear I'm the Gryffindor Golden Boy. Can't do no wrong, unless it was last year where they thought I was the next Dark Lord. Or unless your name is Snape," Harry ignored Hermione's automatic 'Professor Snape' as he caught Professor Lupin's reaction to the name. Bad blood perhaps? He wondered. "Now Snape believes I'm a pampered prince, born with a silver spoon in my mouth and as arrogant and useless at magic in the exact vein as my father."
This time Remus really had to fight back the growl at what he was hearing.
"Well, sir, my childhood was anything but that and I have the scars to prove it. I've also been told that the greasy git had a bit of a thing for my mother and is pissed at my father for winning her affections. And since I look so much like him, I'm getting the brunt of it."
Everyone had their own reaction to the news and the Professor's lack of reaction to the last bit proved to Harry that not only was it true but that the Professor had been at school with both his parents and Snape. Nothing like a bit of shocking truth to uncover secrets.
Harry quickly brought up two more students he was sure could have been sorted into Slytherin, the twins, and how they were the prank masters of the school. The change of subjects eased the tension in the room and soon the conversations flowed this way and that.
Harry didn't mind Hermione or Neville knowing his past as they eventually would anyway, and he used his little speech as an opening to the werewolf. Hopefully the honesty would give him a chance with the man when he attempted to cure him.
Hermione had never enjoyed a ride on the Express more once the initial unpleasantness was over with. No topic was off limits and at least one of the people she was with knew enough to engage her in discussion. The Lovegood girl came across as a bit flighty but knew topics far beyond first year. Well she would, wouldn't she? She's a Ravenclaw. Hermione thought to herself. While Neville wasn't as knowledgeable, Harry seemed to be capable of drawing the shy boy into a discussion even if it was to explain things to him. And the new Professor appeared to have spent time in the Muggle world as he was easily able to talk about the areas of France she had visited on holiday with her parents.
The trolley lady came and went, and it was to laughter that Draco Malfoy pulled open the compartment door.
"And here we have the perfect example of a Gryfferin," Harry announced before the blond could even open his mouth. Remus perked up at the tone Harry was using. It was the same one James used when about to deliver a verbal slap-down. "Every year, young Draco here comes a-calling. Every year young Draco here wanders over to the Gryffindor table or catches us in the corridors and spouts off. Now, while he might have been sorted into Slytherin, I'm pretty sure the 'Charge ahead and make it up as you go along' attitude is Gryffindor courage."
"Yes, Harry, that's exactly Gryffindor courage," Luna chuckled, remembering how he had claimed Sebastian tricked him into killing Slinky using the exact same method.
"So, you see, Professor," Harry continued, ignoring Luna's personal jab with long practice. Draco winced when he realised a member of staff was present. "Here we have a Gryffindor in Slytherin colours."
The blond slammed the door shut without uttering a world and stormed off as the compartment filled with more laughter. Remus could only think of how proud James would have been at Harry's verbal skills.
The weather had turned nasty and sometime later the train slowed and eventually stopped. Remus frowned when he realised that they were still a little time from Hogsmeade. The lights dimmed, and a chill formed in the air, quickly followed by a sense of foreboding.
"No, no," Harry snapped, shaking his head in denial. "They bloody can't be this stupid. The Ministry can't be."
"Harry? What is it?" Hermione asked, her fear rising, but he couldn't hear her.
He was too busy trying to erect his strongest shields against the rising effect of the vilest creature's known to Wizard kind. But he was too late, and their power had already seeped into his mind. A familiar scream echoed inside him, trying to force its way free and behind that memory were even more painful ones from Salazar's life. He could hear Rowena weeping across from him, her mind too open with her Sight to fight against the dreaded monsters.
"Dementorsss," he blindly hissed, hearing the compartment door open.
Remus didn't understand how Harry knew what was happening so quickly. What he did know was that his best friend's son and the unique Luna were already being badly affected by the Dementors. When the door opened and the Dementor stood in its opening he reacted, forcing his happiest thoughts forward.
"Expecto Patronum!"
The silver wolf slammed into the cloaked figure and drove it back. Remus followed, his protective anger causing the Patronus to be even stronger and the beast fled rather than be hurt any longer by the powerful magic.
Remus wasted no time in racing back to the compartment and handed out chocolate to the four children. "Eat plenty. I need to speak to the driver, so we can get to Hogsmeade."
Harry made sure Luna ate most of the chocolate, only nibbling his, and explained to the shocked Neville and Hermione what exactly had happened.
"Dementors are the non-human guards of Azkaban. They're foul, loathsome, disgusting beasts that should not exist," he ranted with venom. Salazar had needed his friends when he found out that it was the evil son of his bloodline's progenitor who created the Dementors and the Snake Lord always felt helpless when he thought of the lives taken by the creatures.
"Sa...Harry," Luna stopped her friend mid-rant with a gentle touch on the arm, kicking herself for almost slipping up. "Stop."
He sighed and gave a nod to her before continuing. "They feed on everything that's good inside you. They make you live your worst memories, trap you inside your own personal hell until they get close enough to suck out your soul."
"H...how...how do you stop them?" Neville asked with wide eyes. If a Dementor could make Harry this weak so quickly what could he do against them?
"The Patronus Charm," Remus answered as he stepped back into the compartment. "We're ten minutes away from the station. How are you feeling, Harry?"
"Worse than when I killed the basilisk last year and the bugger bit me," he answered truthfully, running a hand over his face in exhaustion.
"Basilisk?" Remus stumbled back into his chair with wide eyes and open mouth. "How? What? Why?"
Since the tale was easier on Harry's mind than thinking about what the Dementors had put him through, he was able to tell the story of their second year. Even the brief summary so that they covered everything in the ten-minute window left the werewolf staring at Harry in awe and not a bit of panic.
"Basilisk bite? Phoenix tears?"
"Yep," Harry gave a wry smile and rolled up his sleeve to show the scar. Well, the Phoenix tears would have been a reality if the Awakening ritual hadn't kicked in. Remus immediately promised himself to have a very stern word with Albus about what the hell the Headmaster was playing at.
The group were quiet when they got off the Express. Harry absently did a water repelling charm to keep them dry, not realising he did it wandlessly and silent, nor that Hermione caught it. Rowena was worried for her brother. He had put his mask on, the one that meant he was ready to go to war, and she feared that she would lose him all over again.
"Ro," he whispered to her as they made their way to the thestral drawn carriages. "Feel up to casting waves and changing plans?"
She didn't reply. Instead she used the walk to their carriage to See if Harry's change of plans would negatively affect them. She could tell pain and Darkness were coming whatever road they took but there was a sense of contentment and strength coming from whatever Harry had decided on.
The boy in question allowed Neville to go first and the two boys made sure the girls made it into the carriages with ease. She gave Harry a nod as he pulled himself in and he returned it with a smile of relief.
"Guys, don't freak out okay?" He said to Hermione and Neville before calling out. "Dobby!"
"Dobby bes here, Master Harry," the elf popped in with a salute. The elf was wearing what appeared to be a Slytherin green toga and a lion's mane wig.
Neville's jaw dropped at the outfit while Hermione looked like her brain had crashed. Luna merely giggled at her brother having such an eccentric elf.
"Can you retrieve Esmeralda and Moirai for Luna and me, my friend?" He asked without pause at the little guy's appearance. The others weren't so used to the strangeness.
"Yes, sir!"
"Harry, what the..." Hermione started only to be interrupted when Dobby returned with the two familiars. Both she and Neville jumped at the sight and could only watch as the snakes slithered onto their bonded's shoulders.
"Nev, Parselmouth, remember?" Harry reminded his brother who only nodded mutely. "I'll explain where these two came from, but the short story is that they're our bonded familiars. It's a stronger connected than a normal familiar. You know some things that have led to this point, Hermione knows others. I'll explain it all to you both when we have free time but I'm asking you both to trust me. Trust us."
"Harry, what's this about?" Hermione asked with concern, wondering if the Dementor had affected him more than he admitted.
"Protection," he told her with a determined look. "Protecting Neville, protecting Luna and protecting you."
He refused to say anything more. Instead he glared with rage at the Dementors on either side of the school gates. Esmeralda picked up on his emotions and hissed at the foul creatures.
The moment their carriage crossed the inner ward boundary, both Harry and Luna felt the castle sing in praise at their return. They sent Cassie warmth back and a promise to aid her as soon as they could. The promise caused the school to pulse with happiness. They both knew the Headmaster would have felt her reactions but didn't care. Hogwarts was theirs.
.
.
OoOoO
SN: No, seriously, life has been a pain these past few months since my last update of this story. What's doubly annoying is that it's my favourite story (even beating out Son of Potter) so to leave it so long has been horrible for me.
Harry talking about his past isn't too much of a stretch in case people are wondering. He's had many years as Salazar to get over some of the issues and he's using the story as way of bonding with Hermione, Neville and Remus.
Last Edited: 31/07/18
