Chapter 4

Severus gritted his teeth and fought to remain calm. He didn't know why, but when he saw how Black hugged Harry, rage rose inside him. His mind screamed at him to attack and rip away the annoying menace from his Harry. Wait… his Harry? 'Since when did P…' At the thought of calling Harry by his surname pain ripped through him and his darker side roared with fury. Biting his lip until he draw blood, He fought to regain control over himself. He couldn't deny it any longer… his other self would never allow him to remain at Voldemort's side any longer. Not now when someone worthy of being his master had appeared. Voldemort had merely been a substitute, his other half needed to be bonded to someone powerful. If it wasn't, it's own power would break free and destroy him.

Severus sighed and placed a hand on his face. For a long time he had thought of himself as two different personalities. He hadn't wanted to acknowledge that he wasn't as human as he wanted to be. 'No… I'm not human at all… and I can't refuse to accept it any longer' Now when his other…, no when he had recognised Harry as possible master he wouldn't be able to reign in his instincts any longer. There was only one choice left, but first he had to get this situation back under control. Opening his eyes he let his gaze fall on the boy and his godfather. Then he tried to sneer, but somehow it ended up as a smile.

"Po… Harry, as much as I understand that you're happy to see that mutt, you have to take control of your magic immediately." He said and glided closer.

***

Salazar jerked and then stared at his potionsmaster. 'He called me Harry… He's never done that before…' then he snapped his out of it and nodded softly.

"You're right as usual, but I don't know how to do it" Salazar said, lying smoothly.

He wanted to see what this man knew, since the knowledge of how to rein in magic was considered dark and forbidden by the Ministry. It was seen like this because it was a way to either help a person to control his or hers magic or to take control of it by force.

"I'll help you through it. Close your eyes" Severus whispered and moved closer.

Closing his eyes Salazar focused on Severus's voice. It was deep and silky, soothing for his frayed nerves.

"Empty your mind by envisioning a blank space. Focus only on the emptiness of your mind"

Listening to his directions Salazar quickly emptied his mind and found himself in a dungeon room. Smiling at the form his now empty mind had chosen to take, since the mind usually took the appearance of the place where the person felt the safest, he whispered:

"Done, what now?"

If Severus was surprised by how quickly he had accomplished something he had trained at for months in Hogwarts, it didn't show in his voice.

"Now go deeper inside your mind until you find something which looks like a glowing pillar or core. Its form varies depending on the person, but it will glow and probably be large"

Nodding Salazar looked around in the room, seeing nothing at first. Then he saw it. It was a snake engraved on one of the walls. Stepping closer he examined it and then smirked. Could it be so simple?

"Open" he hissed at the snake, who opened its eyes and looked back at him.

"Ssstate your name, you who ssseek entrance to the deeper levelsss of the mind" the snake hissed back and bared its fangs.

"I am Sssalazar Ssslytherin" He hissed and watched as the snake moved away its upper body from the wall.

"Ssso you sssay, but will you let me take some blood from you to prove it?" the snake asked.

Its eyes, which were rubies, glinted and the sight forced Salazar to suppress a shiver.

"If I sssay no?" Salazar asked, even though he though he knew the answer.

"I won't let you enter and will defend the door. Beware, my bite carry death"

Pondering on it for a moment he stared at the snake and wondered if his bond to his familiar might protect him from the snake's venom. Most likely not though, since this snake was a defence mechanism created by his mind. The he made his decision.

"Very well, but I have been blood adopted once in my life, ssso there may be tracesss of Gryffindor blood in my veinsss." he said and stretched out his left hand towards the snake.

The snake hissed again and then struck with lightning-fast speed. Salazar gritted his teeth when the serpent buried its fangs in his flesh. There was no pain, but warmth spread out from the bite and the skin itched.

"Touched by our king, ah I sssee that you are the one you claim to be." The serpent said and withdrew its fangs.

Returning to the wall it glided back among the stones until it was nearly invisible again. Then it spoke.

"Forgive me Great One, I'll grant you accesss to the deeper levelsss." it said and then the sparkle of life faded away from its eyes and the door swung open.

With a deep bow Salazar showed his gratitude, then he went deeper down into the darkness before him. While walking he reflected over the mystery that was the potions master. There was something about the man, he just couldn't point it out. In his memories, the man had clearly hated him, but now when he had faced him in the house after his resurrection the man had been polite and… perhaps caring. Yes he cared. Salazar smiled and his eyes sparkled with mischievousness. Oh yes… when he was back he had some pranks to do… and if he was right in his suspicions the potions master wouldn't dock to many points or hand out any detentions. Then he turned serious again. 'What could have made Snape change his opinion about me? Does he know?' No, Salazar was sure that Snape didn't know who he was. There had to be something else, and suddenly he felt somewhat frightened. It had to be something great, if it made Snape to change his mind and Salazar hated not knowing what it was.

Suddenly a light in the end of the tunnel caught his attention. Well it looked like he was there. Cautiously he steeped out in the room and then he gasped and his eyes widened. In front of him was a huge, white lake of light. Taking a closer look at it he suddenly knew that it probably was very deep as well, if not bottomless. The lake radiated power and it mesmerized him. At a slow pace he moved closer until he stood at the shore. Up so close, he could see that the light wasn't white, it was a myriad of different colours. 'It's beautiful' he thought and bent down. He stretched out his hand and then let his fingers touch the surface.

Power and warmth washed over him at the same moment his fingers touched the surface. With a gasp he closed his eyes and just felt. It was hot and so strong and it filled his body to the brim. He trembled while the power rushed through him and greeted him. For that was what it was, he suddenly realized. This was his own magic greeting him and it was very happy to see him. With a smile he just let go and let himself be pulled into the lake by the magic and at once white, pulsing warmth engulfed him.

Then… it was over. When he opened his eyes he was floating in the middle of the lake. There was still the presence of power in the air, but now there was a serene feeling present, which hadn't been there before. After a moments rest Salazar began to swim towards the shore. When he reached it he walked up and then turned around to let his gaze sweep over the lake. Suddenly he saw it. Fine strands of magic rose from the surface and disappeared through the ceiling. 'There they are… now I only have to call them back and my magic should recede.'

Still with his eyes closed he focused on the strands and then carefully he began to pull them back.

"Done. Is it those threads I'm supposed to pull back?" he asked, even though he already knew the answer.

"Yes" the potion master simply said.

While reigning in his magic Salazar could feel how the house sank lower and lower towards the ground. He was careful to not miss any strand, because he didn't want the other things in the house broken when he stopped his magic. However, he did miss a strand which was hidden behind another. It led to the Dursleys.

Then, he was finished. Slowly he opened his eyes and wearily met Snape's eyes.

"I'm finished." he whispered and then sank down on the floor.

"Well done child." Severus said and moved closer to help him up.

It was then they heard a loud crash and a roar from the master bedroom.

"BOY!"

"Uh oh" Salazar said and fought to stand up.

He didn't want uncle Vernon to find him sitting on the floor. However, tired as he was from reigning in his magic and going through his change, his body refused to support him. 'Damn it! This is not going to be fun' he though and moved closer to Sirius and Remus.

"It's my uncle and he doesn't sound happy. Please be careful, he might be violent" Salazar said, keeping his eyes locked on the door.

Quickly Severus moved so that he was in front of Harry, then he draw his wand, which he had tucked away earlier. No one was going to harm his Harry. He was quickly joined by Black and Lupin, who both had serious looks on their faces. Then the door flew open and a very large man entered. His face was very red and his small eyes shone with rage and malice. But when he laid eyes on the three wizards in front of him and the wands pointed at him he faltered somewhat and took a step backwards. Then he regained his confidence in a bout of fury.

"Freaks! What the hell is the meaning of this? Get out of my house and take the damned boy with you! I'll no longer allow him to sully my home with his freakiness." He shouted with spit flying from his mouth.

Snape growled low and took a step forward. When he spoke his voice was freezing.

"Silence."

Vernon, despite his fury knew that he was close to an invisible limit and wisely held his tongue.

"We will leave. I won't allow the child to stay here any longer. You won't be allowed to sully him anymore with your freakiness" Severus said and then waved his wand while muttering a sleeping charm.

Then he turned to the stunned werewolf and Black.

"Go and fetch his things, I believe that they are locked inside the cupboard. I'll take Harry to his room and pack whatever there is to pack in there" Severus said.

Then he picked up Salazar and swept out from the room before anyone could protest.

***

Well this certainly wasn't what Salazar had expected. To be carried by a man who he remembered hated him. But tonight, Snape had shown great concern and fierce rage, when he had faced Vernon. Deep in thought he didn't hear when the man asked him something. It was only when he heard Snape say his name for the third time that he noticed.

"I'm sorry. I'm still… tired. Can you repeat what you said?" Salazar asked.

When he heard a soft sigh he awaited an acerbic comment but it didn't come.

"I asked if there is anything important hidden in your room which you want to take with you." Severus said and moved towards the door to his room, following Salazar's scent which lingered in the air as a guide to the bedroom.

"Yes, under a loose floorboard. I have my most valuable possessions there."

With a nod Severus went to the door and was about to open it when he heard a gasp from behind and a frightened voice yelling for his mum. Swirling around Severus gathered his magic around him as an invisible shroud, prepared to defend himself and the precious burden he carried in his arms.

Then he nearly sighed with relief as he saw the pig's wife and their son. When looking at the two children he noticed how one of them apparently was well fed and spoiled, while the other was starved and abused. Once again Severus felt rage gather inside him and he wished to inflict harm upon those vile creatures who had dared to mistreat his master. But at the same time he knew that his master didn't wish for harm to fall upon those devils in human disguise.

"You're disgusting! If it had been your son in Harry's position Lily would have taken good care of him! Get out of my sight before I loose my temper!" Severus snarled and glared at them as if wishing to kill them with his gaze.

The horse-like woman whimpered and then pulled her whale of a son into a room and closed the door quickly.

With a sneer on his face Severus then opened the door to Salazar's room and walked inside. When he saw the small, dirty room he felt how anger rose inside him again, but this time he forced it back. Slowly he strode over the floor until he stopped in front of the bed. Cleansing it with a wave of wandless magic he then laid Salazar down on it. Then he straightened up and looked down on the child on the bed.

"Well, if you tell me where the things, you want is I'll get them for you. You better lie down and rest"

Salazar nodded once and then closed his eyes for a moment, gathering himself. Then he opened them again and smiled, somewhat shyly.

"Thanks, no one has ever stood up against them for me. I… thank you for defending me Professor."

Severus smiled softly and nodded to show his acceptation. Then he spoke in a gentle voice.

"You may call me Severus, when we are alone, or in the free periods."

"Yes prof… Severus. Now the only things I have here I want to take is under a loose floorboard. See the one which is slightly lighter then the others? Lift it up. All under it is what I have in here I want to take with me."

Severus slowly moved over to the one and carefully pried it up. Then he gasped. Under it was a myriad of things. He could see a worn photo album, some wrapped food and the invisible cloak. But there was more beneath it. Carefully he picked up all of it and then he shrank it and placed it in a bag. When he had checked that he hadn't misses anything he turned towards Salazar.

"Done. I've gathered the things you wanted. Shall we take our leave?"

"Yes, there's nothing left to hold me here anymore" Salazar said with a small smile on his lips.

With a smile of his own Severus picked him up and then they left Private Drive for ever.

Help!

I'm searching for a story where Ginny and Bill gets disowned by their family and later adopted by Sirius. The main character is Harry and he feels left out.

Please, if you know of this story or a similar one, tell me.

If you know any story with Harry Potter in a crossover with Twilight or Anita Blake, please tell me.

The stories don't have to be on this site.

Thanks, Witton