Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters.
Web of Lies: Revelations.
Harry looked at them pensively. The first shock at being asked such a question had diminished, and now he was trying to think logically about it. On one side, he wanted to accept the offer, knowing he would need all the help he could get in order to defeat Voldemort. While his grandfather had said that he would tutor him while he was at school, the old man was just too busy with his duties as headmaster to help him, and Harry hadn't wanted to approach him, worried that he would stress the older wizard even more. On the other hand, could he afford to trust these two? He knew that if he accepted he would have to tell them the truth, for it was too dangerous to keep it from the pair.
A soft voice interrupted his confused musings. "What troubles you, young one?"
Harry snapped his head up and looked at the founder of his new house. Hesitantly, he spoke. "I would gladly accept your training, for I know I'm going to need it before long, but I hold many secrets. Secrets that, if revealed, could put not only myself but also others in danger."
Slytherin shrugged, seemingly unconcerned. *Everyone has secrets, young speaker; if you feel the need to tell us, we'll listen. If you don't, we don't care that much either way since you'll tell us when you feel the time is right.*
Harry shook his head lightly. "I wish it was that easy. I already know that a lot of people are going to be angry at me, even hate me when this comes out. I would not want for you to distrust me when the time comes."
The Lady Ravenclaw looked at him intently. "Why are you doing it, then?"
Harry looked at her sadly. "Because it's safer for me and for my friends and family." With careful words, he continued. "I'm not exactly who I pretend to be."
Salazar looked up, seemingly interested, but Rowena beat him. "Then the headmaster must know since he is pretending to be your grandfather, am I right?"
Harry nodded. "Yes, he knows. Actually, it was mostly his idea."
Rowena was about to ask something else, but Salazar stopped her. *Rowena, dear, if this secret is so important, and I think I've guessed most of it, then it's not really safe to talk about it here. * Turning to Harry, he seriously added, *I would like you to meet me down in the Chamber of Secrets. We'll be able to talk there without interruption. *
The woman frowned. "That's not fair, Salazar, you know I can't move from this portrait."
The man sighed a bit. *Don't worry, Honey, I'll tell you after I've met with our young speaker. After all, I can speak to you when the brats have gone to class.*
Harry was looking at the pair curiously, he hadn't noticed until now that Salazar was still speaking parseltongue and that the woman understood what he said.
"How...?" The pair turned to watch him with questioning expressions. "How can you understand what Sir Slytherin says? I didn't know you were also a parselmouth."
They both laughed at his confused face. "Relax, Child, I'm not a parselmouth. You see, just before my real self died, she cast a link between Salazar's ghost and me. At first, we didn't know what it was for, but through the centuries, the bond has grown, and now we can basically read each other's mind. It's almost as if we share our thoughts without thinking about it. We could have held this conversation in silence, but we've been speaking out of courtesy towards you."
Instead of looking more relaxed, Harry just felt more confused. "You're a ghost?"
Salazar nodded patiently. *Yes, I am, but Godric cursed me. *
Rowena snorted. "That is your own fault; I told you back then that you couldn't take revenge on Godric through those childish pranks you played, you were even worse than Peeves!"
Salazar looked up at her annoyed. *That's insulting, Rowena, I was not as bad as that bloody menace, and even if I had been, I had good reason to try and make Godric's life miserable. *
Rowena was about to reply when she caught Harry yawning. Smiling a bit, she nodded towards the sleepy teen. "I think it's time for you to go to bed, young one. After all, you still have lessons in the morning."
Alec nodded lightly and stood up. Before he could walk away, Salazar stopped him. *Remember to come down to the Chamber right after classes, young speaker. *
Harry was about to nod, when Rowena's upset voice interrupted them. "He has to do his homework!"
Salazar looked up at her amused, but nodded. *Very well, so come down after you've done your homework. No need to get Rowena angry. *
Guessing that was the end of their conversation, the young teen turned around and left the common room.
Alec's second day had gone by in a haze. He was able to do well in his classes even if he was half asleep in most of them. If Lan, who was constantly at his side, noticed his lack of attention, she didn't say anything about it. Instead, she kept talking excitedly about everything that was happening around them.
That evening, Alec quickly did his homework, finishing once again before all his classmates. With a glance towards the portrait hanging above the fireplace, the teen left the room silently and quickly made his way towards Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, making sure to use the less transited halls.
Once he stepped into the abandoned bathroom, Alec made his way to the sink that hid the entrance to the Chamber, trying not to alert the annoying ghost of his presence. The way down was just as slimy and eerie as he remembered. He quickly made his way through the dark halls, eager to reach the Chamber as soon as possible. After ten minutes, he finally arrived to the large doors, and with a soft whisper, they opened, allowing him entrance.
The first thing he noticed was that there was no trace of the basilisk. The only thing that remained from his fight was a large patch of dried blood. Looking around, he tried to find a fireplace in which Salazar could appear, but he didn't find anything.
Fifteen long minutes he stood there, patiently waiting for something to happen. He was about to turn away and return to his common room when something finally happened.
*I apologize for being late*
Turning around sharply, Harry came face to face with a floating white mass. Blinking, he recognised the face that had haunted the fireplace the night before and he couldn't help but look surprised.
*I thought you couldn't leave the fireplaces? *
The ghost smiled down at him and floated until they stood face to face. *I can't inside Hogwarts, but outside the castle, I can do as I wish. After all, Godric only had so much power; he couldn't have done more than that. *
Harry frowned. *Does that mean that this Chamber is not a part of the castle? *
Salazar shrugged. *In a way it is, in a way it isn't. You see, this chamber is an extension of Hogwarts, but it goes all the way towards the lake. Godric's power didn't reach that far, and he didn't know about this, so it's no real surprise that I can go around here as I please.*
Harry nodded in understanding and looked around, a bit uncomfortable at the sudden silence. Finally, moistening his lips nervously, the teen spoke. *You wanted to talk to me?*
Salazar nodded lightly. *Indeed, I did. But first of all, what should I call you? Alec? Or would you prefer Harry?*
To be continued...
A/N: Yes, yes, I know it's taken a while and no, I'm not giving up, but I've been extremely busy with exams and I really needed a break, I'm not sure if when the next update will be but I'll try to get back to a regular schedule, so don't fear. Thanks for all your reviews and special thanks to my beta-reader, Vinnie, and to Leena.