Disclaimer, summery and warning: See chapter one!

What happened so far: After defeating Voldemort Harry finds out that Ginny is dead. In shock, he uses a spell gives him a new start, minus the memories. Right after arriving in another time without memories he stumbles into a village where they are about to burn two children. Furiously Harry fights the whole village alone only to find unexpected help. They all escape though by then Harry is wounded and unconscious. As usual, he doesn't let such small things stop him for long and starts to get to know his new companions, including a grumpy Salazar Slytherin who after shipping of the kids to a new family invites Harry to become a defence Professor in his new school. There Harry meets Godric and Helga and is promptly brought to the hospital wing! In the meantime, Ron and Hermione followed him to ensure he was safe and not alone in a strange place. They can protect their memories and are much better prepared and now Salazar worries what their arrial might do to Harry's memories!

New life, new time

Chapter six

Two weeks have passed since Harry came back in time and tomorrow will be his first class to teach. The kids are there for a few days but the founders apparently had them come way before classes started and have used the room of requirement to create two separate sleeping quarters that remind Ron and Hermione on what they saw in the same room when they came to Hogwarts to search the Horcrux. They were bunking in two big rooms one for girls and one for guys and while Salazar loathed to do it, The four founder stayed there too to get to know them all. During the day they were left to either read in the library or play games where ever they wanted. Ron even helped with that and organised broom races mostly for the older kids. Apparently, this is how they get to know the kids before the founders all pick some for their own house during a meeting they'll have without the kids present. They do talk to all of them to see what they might like and Rowena even makes notes for every child on what they seem to prefer and what she noticed about them as well as with whom they are friends towards the end of that week.

But tonight before dinner they called the names of their house and they start to sit at their house table and tonight they will be shown their dorm rooms and their new common rooms for the rest of the year. Hermione loves the idea especially since this way they can already make a few friends without being set in the boundaries of their house and will probably have an easier time interacting with the children from other houses.

Harry is a bit nervous about the next day. Salazar had talked with him a lot. A few hours every day, to make sure Harry knows what he's supposed to teach when. Harry had suggested to quiz the older kids first, they probably learned a lot of different things at home and it might be good to see what they already know and what not to see if anyone needs to learn something that is planned for the younger years. Salazar was pleased with the suggestion and planned the quiz for that with Harry together. They started to become a real team when planning and Harry had enjoyed it much more than their trip to an appropriate tailor as Salazar had called it. He had ordered a custom made wardrobe for Harry everything from the finest materials available and Salazar insisted that at least three outfits should be done before they leave the shop to ensure that Harry has something to wear and while Harry insists that it is enough already, there are still new outfits being sent his way from the tailor since apparently, Salazar doesn't agree that it's enough. Including underwear, much to Harry's embarrassment since Salazar had discussed them with the tailor to get something fitting for the clothing and also from well-made material of course. By the end, Harry had nearly cried because he just wanted to leave but Salazar refused to budge and in the end even dared to say, "If you quit whining and just bear it I might start calling you my friend." When they had returned to Hogwarts and Harry had proudly told Hermione that Salazar would finally admit being his friend Salazar had just grinned and said, "You should listen more clearly, I said I might and I think I won't."

Thinking back about that day makes Harry smile fondly at the stubborn man anyway and no matter how often he denies it, even the students already noticed that the head of Slytherin is different with Harry around. A lot of kids like Harry too and it seems like Salazar might get his wish that most will go to Harry if they need anything. At least the younger ones. Godric even joked once that Harry will be the mommy while Salazar will be the strict and feared as well as respected father in their house. He didn't dare to say it a second time after he got hit with a few well placed, very quick and rather painful as well as embarrassing hexes from Harry for calling him a mommy.

Still, now Harry is a little nervous and goes to bed thinking about the next day and everything he will have to do with the different years he'll teach that day.

The next morning he wonders if he has a new memory or if it was just a dream he goes down to breakfast so deeply lost in thoughts that he doesn't notice when Salazar is right next to him until the other one says, "A penny for your thought."

Harry jumps wand in hand and pointing to Salazar faster than the man can blink but Harry calms again quickly and puts it away again. "Don't scare me like that."

"What were you thinking about that deeply?" Salazar asks. "Usually you notice my approach long before I could have scared you!"

"Nothing big." Harry mumbles. "A dream, I'm not sure but it might have been a memory."

"What was it about?" Salazar asks worriedly.

"Teaching." Harry smiles a little, "I dreamed about being in a strange room with lots of other kids and we were all wearing something similar to the uniforms you have the kids wear. I was teaching the other kids defence and one of them was really happy about having done a successful expelliarmus and everyone was clapping like it's such a big deal. Ron and Hermione were there and two boys that look a lot like Ron and exactly the same as each other and a girl that had the same hair and freckles."

Salazar frowns and just hopes that Harry won't dream more of that girl now remembering that Harry had been in love with Ron's younger sister who is dead now or rather will be in the time Harry came from.

During breakfast, Harry sits next to Hermione and asks, "Did I teach Defence before? I had this dream about a strange room with dummies and teaching a boy an expelliarmus and everyone clapped for him and there were twins that resembled Ron and you two and some others."

"Yeah." Hermione replies, "The one who learned was Neville he couldn't cast that spell before if his life depended on it and you helped him master it during a DA meeting. That's what we called that group and you sort of tutored everyone there."

"Some looked much older though." Harry wonders.

"You were still better and taught us all something," Hermione says.

"And definitely better than the teacher who only let us read and copy from books saying theoretical knowledge was enough since we'd probably never have to use those spells." Ron adds, "She was bonkers."

"Shut it, Ron!" Hermione hisses angrily towards the redhead before turning to Harry. "It was also much more fun with you. You were great so don't worry about your first class today and don't think too much about anything. You'll be fine."

Salazar could slap both of those morons. Hermione's reaction probably makes Harry wonder about it all the more. And while he is right about that, Harry is distracted by classes most of the day but at least the children seem to enjoy his class and his carefree attitude even in class. He tries not to lord his power as a teacher over them since he's not that much older especially with the older years. He also wants them to feel relaxed and confident enough to succeed.

What Harry doesn't notice is that by lunchtime Salazar frowns at even more of the older students and trying to stand in their line of view of Harry whenever they are not seated at the head table. Salazar also hardly leaves his side. Some of the students already find it amusing to watch how jealous Professor Slytherin seems to be whenever anyone as much as looks at his Professor Potter. Some of them are sad that apparently the good looking young man who is also funny and kind, as well as powerful, is taken. What makes it worse is that the second choice of some of those, namely the also good looking even if a bit grumpy head of Slytherin house, is also obviously interested in someone else. But most are happy for them especially since even though Professor Slytherin is glaring more at whoever is looking at his Professor Potter, they also get away with more when the younger man is around and just laughs at their antics. It seems that one laughter from that man is enough to silence any and all complaints the older certainly would voice otherwise.

During lunch, Harry does, however, notice the scar on his hand again while eating and while looking at it finally figures out the thought that was at the back of his head and remembers the teacher Ron had mentioned and just sighs, "I didn't like that teacher that only did theories did I?"

"No, you did not," Hermione replies looking worriedly at her friend as did Salazar and Ron.

"She caused this scar too, didn't she?" He asks. "Did I really lie to her to make her that mad?"

"No, you didn't lie." Hermione replies, "You just told her something she didn't like and tried to deny. She didn't want it to be true."

"At least that means I didn't get this because I was a total liar." He smiles a little to calm the worries he saw in his friend's eyes.

"No, Harry," She says gently, "You aren't a lier, and never were."

Harry just continues eating and tries very hard not to think about what he might have said that she didn't want to be true because somehow he feared it might be another bad memory.

A few months pass and nothing big happens apart from everyone settling into a routine and the students start a secret betting pool on when someone will catch Professor Potter and Professor Slytherin or Professor Weasley and Professor Granger kissing. The only Professor who knew about that also is very sure that the second couple will be caught first since they at least are already a couple while Salazar Slytherin still has some wooing to do, at least once he admits to like the other, while Professor Potter seems to be totally clueless.

Said Professor, of course, is Godric Gryffindor who wondered by now if he should try to speed things along but every time he wondered about it while watching them during a meal Hermione would glower at him and occasionally says "Don't even think about it."

In the hope that she and Ron, who still seem wary about Salazar, won't interfere with a possible relationship he rather listens to her demand. Maybe they won't stop anything if he doesn't try to push their friend into anything no matter how much he wants to help his younger half brother.

Ron and Hermione are both surprised how peaceful the castle can be without a megalomaniac out for their friend's blood. And even after half a year in the castle, nothing special seems to happen apart from the fact that the former golden boy of Gryffindor is still considering Salazar Slytherin his best friends, a fact that is occasionally getting on Ron's nerves. And while nothing special happens to trigger it, something will happen during a normal night after a normal day.

Because shortly before falling asleep Harry's eyes just happen to fall onto his left hand and the scar that sadly didn't disappear even after all the attempts to at least lessen it by Helga. For a moment he wonders the very same thing he tried to stop himself from wondering all this time. What had he told that pink woman he saw in his memory. What was it he had said to make her seem too afraid to admit it's the truth? To at least consider the possibility that it's true and rather punish him this harshly just for saying it. It must have been something awful. He tries again to get rid of the thought believing that Salazar might be right and he doesn't want to remember. Eventually, he tries to fall asleep. But maybe because of those last thoughts, maybe just due to a bad coincidence, this night he dreams of something that truly terrifies him.

Once he wakes up from the dream with tears in his eyes he gets out of bed, unwilling to fall back asleep and dream of it again. He takes a robe to put over and walks towards the living room in his quarters and says to the snake, If someone knocks here, tell Salazar that some of the kids might need him, I can't, I need some fresh air.

He goes outside towards the lake and just sits there and cries until he feels strong arms around him not too long after. "What happened?" Salazar's gentle voice asks.

"Please tell me it was just a dream and not a memory," Harry whispers. "Tell me that Ron and Hermione have never mentioned the name Voldemort."

Salazar just sighs and holds him tighter, "I can't lie to you Harry, you know that."

It answers enough and Salazar just holds him gently while he cries. Harry has no idea how long he cries before his tears start to run out and he calms a little. "What did you remember about him?" Salazar finally asks gently. "Maybe it helps to talk about it. I don't know everything that man did, but I do know that everything involving him must be terrible."

"I dreamed of a tournament. It was exciting." Harry says, "There was a dragon with a golden egg I had to get and Ron and Hermione tied up underwater. I only had to rescue one but couldn't leave the other until another player had rescued her. But there were more." He stops for a moment. "I was doing okay in the game and was with one other in a leading position even though they were older than me. Then there was a labyrinth. It was really scary with creatures and all. The end was the worst. Someone else was there trying to take out one player after the next. Two were out and two left. Cedric and I. We found the cup in the centre together. We decided to win together, to share it and take it at the same time. But something went wrong. It was a port key and we were in a graveyard. It felt familiar and I knew we had to get away. I had a memory in my dream-memory because I had known it from seeing Voldemort kill someone there. I told Cedric we had to go but he was exploring. Not seeing the danger. Someone came and held something. That something spoke and said 'Kill the spare' next thing I knew, a killing curse was thrown at Cedric and I was too slow to do anything, I was too shocked to even move. Next, I was tied up by that person, he was the traitor, he had caused my parents death I don't remember how but I knew in that dream. And then he used a bone and cut off his own hand and he…he…."

Harry starts to cry again and Salazar sighs, "I presume he used your blood? I recognise that ritual." Harry just nods with his tears running down once more and Salazar just rubbed gentle circles on his back.

"It was my fault if I had fought harder." Harry sobs.

"Nothing that you just said makes me blame you." Salazar gently says, "You were kind to share a win instead of fighting him over it. You were young and in shock and no one can expect you to be perfect in every situation that wizard was older, more experienced and feared by everyone, and you were only a young boy. Just be glad that you apparently got out of there somehow and rest assured that before you came back here, Voldemort was defeated. He won't be able to harm more people. It is over Harry, nothing but a bad memory, and in this time hardly more than a nightmare. You are safe here and all your friends are too."

Once again it takes some time for Harry to calm before he asks, "Did I kill him? Did I become a murderer?"

"A murderer?" Salazar asks shocked and moves Harry in his arms to let him see his tear stained face and says, "You saved countless of people, how can you possibly consider yourself a murderer?"

"I killed him!" Harry replies, "Didn't I? Hermione and Ron, sometimes they treat me like I'm some kind of hero and that would explain it. They think I am for killing that monster but I'm just a murderer aren't I? He was human, didn't look much like it but he was, wasn't he?"

Salazar is quiet for a moment and just looks into Harry's begging eyes. Green eyes that begged him not to hate him for what he had done. What he obviously had to do. He doesn't even remember it and only knows that it's what must have happened and yet it is already torturing him. "Harry," Salazar finally breathes, "You always say that I'm a good man despite all my growling and snapping. If I can be a good man, how could you be anything but a better man?"

"But you aren't a murderer," Harry whispers. "I coursed Cedric's death just by letting him get dragged into my mess and I did kill Voldemort did I not?"

"And I killed two people," Salazar says straight out. He fears that Harry will hate him for it but better Harry hates him than Harry hating himself.

"You wouldn't" Harry breaths shocked.

"I did." Salazar just says.

Harry frowns a little but doesn't move away from the protective arms that are still around him. "Why? You must have had a reason."

"One time I did. The other, I don't know." Salazar says.

"Tell me." Harry breathes cuddling even closer into his friends embrace and leaning his head on his friends shoulder his mouth so close to Salazar's skin that he feels Harry's breath.

Salazar swallows and starts to tell Harry about his father, how he had hurt his mother and many others, how he always played with the woman he found and never cared, sometimes forcing himself on them against their will like with Salazar's mother. Salazar explains how he had killed his own mother to come into this world how he had later hunted down his father. He hadn't intended to kill him, he just wanted to confront him but when he found him trying to force yet another young woman to please him even though he was by then getting on in years and the poor girl wasn't really a woman yet. Still, Salazar had only screamed and raged at him until the man had laughed. He had lost it at that moment and killed him in his own anger. At that moment it was from anger, not to protect as he's certain Harry did.

Through the story Harry didn't move, he just stayed in his arms breathing evenly and Salazar wonders if he's fallen asleep until Harry breaths, "You still protected a young woman. And who knows how many others he might have hurt in the future."

"As did you, Harry." Salazar says, "I might not know Voldemort, but from what I've heard, he was much worse than my father."

"You didn't kill your mother you know," Harry says next, "You can't kill someone if you can't even form a proper thought to do anything. You were just born and that things went wrong isn't your fault. Or would you blame any of the children in this school if their mother had died giving birth to them? Would you have blamed me? And I bet that girl you saved from your father, sees you as a Hero!"

Salazar just keeps holding on to Harry as tightly as he dares for a little longer before he says, "Would you have blamed Cedric if you had been 'the spare'?"

Harry looks at him in surprise for a moment but then smiles a little and shakes his head "No, it wouldn't have been his fault for wanting to share the glory of winning."

"Then how can it be yours now?" Salazar asks, "And if you say that I'm a hero for killing a rapist, then you are a Hero for saving the world from a lunatic and murderer. So how about we both try to stop all that self-hatred and accept that if we both say the other isn't to blame, we both must be innocent. Right?"

"Right." Harry sighs and cuddles even closer into his embrace before he whispers, "This feels so nice. But also so very strange, like I never had this before. Usually, things feel familiar. Even the castle had felt that way before I knew that I had been here before, but this doesn't. Why is that?"

"Maybe because it hadn't been me who held you?" Salazar assumes, "With your friends around there was surely someone to comfort you."

"It's nice though." Harry replies, "Even if it isn't familiar. It's very nice."

They stay like this for a little longer before Salazar asks, "Ready to go back inside?"

"I don't want to sleep again," Harry says with a shiver.

"Then let's just go inside and sit and maybe go over some lessons to distract you." Salazar suggests "And tonight you come to see me before you go to bed and I'll give you a dreamless sleep to ensure that you have a bit of peace again and I'm sure that you'll be fine after that."

"Thank you, Sal." Harry says, "You really are a great friend."

"I was wondering how much longer it would take you to point out that you believe us to be friends." Salazar sighs.

"Would you be here if you weren't?" Harry asks grinning.

Salazar smiles back at him and says, "If you promise to never mention that I did come after you, I might stop denying it."

"You will stop." Harry insists, "Or do you think I'm stupid enough to fall for that little might you threw in there twice?"

"Fine." Salazar grins. "I will consider you my friend. As long as you smile."

"How can I not smile with a friend like you?" Harry smiles gently.

"Now come," Salazar says. "Let's get over your lessons for today."

Harry smiles a little and walks with him back to the castle, this time to Salazar's quarters and it's the first time Salazar takes him there. Until now he had ensured that no one knew where to find him just to ensure that no students could annoy him easily. He was confident that Harry would deal with everything unless he really needed Salazar's help and he did have that handy little snake in his room. A snake that luckily can be very annoying and loud and hadn't waited for the first student to knock on Harry's door to tell Salazar that the other speaker had been crying, gone out for air and looked like he needed some comfort.

Now he asks the snake if there had been a knock on either door before going over some lesson plans until Harry falls asleep on his couch. He stays by his side all through the night just in case Harry has another nightmare and already plans to corner Hermione the next day. She is a little easier to bear than her by now fiance Ron and he has to know what else Harry might dream about to be better able to calm him and to be a little more prepared. Not that he wouldn't let Harry tell him from his point, even if just to hear if he blames himself for anything. But he'd still be a little better prepared and would like to find out who had comforted him and how just to maybe help him better by giving him the comfort of familiarity while comforting him.

Authors Note: Thanks to daithi4377, Grounded Forever, Gambito, vjean1997 and littlesprout for the reviews.

Harry's first major bed memory but at least not of Voldemort, at least not yet. How do you think Salazar will react when he hears how he has been comforted so far (or not) And how long until more memories come back, including some of Voldemort, the heir of Slytherin? And will we find out more about the people in the future including little Teddy who didn't come to the past with Ron and Hermione? Or will Harry eventually remember him and posibly regret that he left his godchild behind?