The Serpent & The Lion

Chapter Twenty-Five

Loophole

Hermione sat down on the couch and ran her fingers over the serpent that resided on her right hand. She couldn't believe that she had met her ancestor and he had given her something so special to him. She smiled and pulled out the deed to the cabin Salazar had handed her. Hermione had seen and met someone who had watched her grow up within the walls and knew of her past before she did. It was comforting to know along with her mother and godfather to help her. Salazar was able to help her where her parents or godfather never could elder knowledge.

Harry squeezed her hand and she turned her head and smiled. "It's time to go to the great hall. We don't need to call attention to the headmaster." He said, and helped Hermione to her off the couch and the group left the tower.

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Tom walked down the stairs of the quiet manor. It was just another night of never ending nightmares that the dreamless potion could stop. He sat the oil lamp down on the kitchen table and eased his self down in a chair. Tom raised his sleeve and ran his fingers across the scar of the skull and snake that was scared into his forearm.

The research for a loophole of stopping the vision was fruitless. He couldn't give up on his search it was too important not find the information. He couldn't let Dumbledore sign that bill. It would cause far too much damage.

Tom gasped and painfully grabbed the scar. He closed his eyes and his heart was beating heavily and his breathing became ragged. He slowly pulled his hand away and opened his eyes. The scar was red and full of fever. The skull and snake was burned deeper into skin.

Amanda quietly walked into the kitchen. She had seen the event from the doorway. She sat down next to the man. "Tom." Amanda said gently. He slowly looked up. "You're getting worse. Aren't you? I've never knew the scar caused pain."

Tom sat back breathing heavily. "It very rarely flares up. It's an aftermath of The Dark Mark Curse. Minerva does not know. The scar is what causes my weakness. It torments me by giving never ending nightmares. Amanda I'm slowly dying from the curse. It is Satin's final victory. He wins no matter what good is in the world." explained to the woman. He breathed in a shaky breath and continued. "I ask of you not tell my wife or daughter. Hermione must carry the child and if she miscarries I will die within a second the baby or stillborn."

Amanda violently shook her head not wanting to believe the information. She had grown close to the man through their late night chats. The nights they sat in the library reading quietly and her telling him stories of Hermione.

"I'm fine Amanda. I must think." Tom said, standing with a shaky body. He left the worry woman at the kitchen table. She looked at the door he walked through. She sighed and went back to bed.

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Salazar walked around the corridors of the school, since he had left this tomb he walked the halls keeping an eye on Hermione. He wanted her safe from Dumbledore. It was to mainly make him feel at ease. He was quite fond of the witch. He had ever since she entered the Hogwarts.

Harry and Hermione walked down the corridors doing their regular rounds as head boy and head girl. They enjoyed the time alone even though they did catch a student out after hours.

Salazar ducked into the shadows and watched the couple and smiled. They really did make a wonderful couple. He was pleased with the match. He stepped out of the shadows when they walked pass him. He chuckled at the small snake that followed the couple. She was a guard as well. Salazar quietly followed the couple with his green robes blowing behind him.

Hermione stopped in her tracks and grabbed her right arm. Harry quickly caught her before her knees buckled from under her. Hermione closed her eyes as the pain shot through her body and breathing became ragged and her heart pounded.

Salazar saw the portrait began to move. "Be still and quiet." Salazar said, waving his hand. The portraits didn't move. The founder ran to Hermione and knelt down beside her. "Hermione my dear girl. Look at me." Hermione looked up and saw her ancestor. "Relax your body and breathe." Harry looked at he ghost with worry. "It's alright Harry." Salazar placed one hand over her heart and the other on her right forearm. Hermione sighed at the ghost's cold hands. "Relax. Take a deep breath." Hermione did as she was told. "Hermione's just fine." Salazar rose to his full elegant height. Harry helped Hermione to her feet. "Your father's scar flared up in pain. It's an aftermath of the Dark Mark Curse. I'll be behind you." Hermione nodded and they continued down the hall.

Salazar saw the headmaster wall down the hall. He saw Dumbledore notice the portraits frozen. The founder tapped Hermione on the shoulder and motioned to the headmaster. He smirked at Dumbledore. Salazar busted into a fit of laughter when Dumbledore tried to unfreeze his so called 'spies.'

"Dumbledore doesn't have much power does he?" Hermione shook her head trying to hold back her own laughter. "Watch this." Salazar waved his hand the portraits moved but couldn't speak. "Oh this is just too much fun."

"Grandfather." Hermione said in warning tone. "We mustn't draw too much attention." Salazar nodded and waved his hand the portrait were complaining about not moving.

The heads' quietly left the dumb founded Albus Dumbledore. Salazar made the small prank to make Hermione forget about her father's episode. He was pleased that it had work. He didn't need the baby stressed. It was far to important that the child was born.

Harry and Hermione walked through the portrait exhausted from rounds. Salazar wished the couple good night and left the dorm. He knew they were safe in the tower. He had his own portraits guarding the couple.

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Tom walked over the left staircase and pulled a rail towards him and stairs lowered to a secret room. He slowly walked down the stairs torches sprain to life as he passed. He stepped off the last stair and the stairs raised up closing it's self.

Tom circled the room and torches sprang to life lighting the room. The room was covered with bookshelves full of books and a table rested in the middle of the room. The room was enchanted to appear at each home of the next Dark Lord or Lady just like the prophecy hall and the meeting room and the training room.

Tom shook his shaking right hand in hope to stop the shaking. He walked around the room in hope to find Merlin's loophole. "Merlin do you have a loophole of stopping a vision?"

An empty canvas slowly was taken over by the legendary Merlin. "Dark Lord you only needed to call my name and I will have the answers you seek."

Tom turned around and saw a portrait he had never seen before that hung between the shelves on the right wall. He walked over to the portrait. "Master Merlin I need your help. My daughter had a vision that will endanger our world. I need a loophole."

"A loophole you say." Tom nodded his head. "Interesting in deed. I've never had a Dark Lord ask for a loophole. Whom is your daughter?"

"Hermione Riddle and of the Elder Race and the next Dark Lady."

Merlin smiled and stepped out of the portrait. "Elder Race. She has the gift of past, present and future of sight."

"Yes Master Merlin." said Tom and grabbed his right forearm. Merlin caught the young man before he hit the floor. He eased him to on of the chairs.

Merlin looked at Tom closely and sat down across from the man. He waved his hand and a crystal appeared in the middle of table in front of them. Merlin looked into the crystal ball and saw the fog clear. He smiled at the vision.

Harry and Hermione silently sound asleep in his bed. She rolled over and he took her protectively in his arms. He saw a serpent pent around her neck and the serpent ring on her right hand.

The scene changed. Salazar walked the halls of the school guarding the school of his creation and those of the students.

Merlin pulled back and looked at Tom. "You have a beautiful daughter and the man that rest in the bed next to her is powerful. He his protecting their child." Tom smiled. "You asked for my grandson's help." Tom gave Merlin a puzzled look. "Salazar Slytherin. He has come as you requested. He his protecting his heir. He will help her. The Dark Lady will be his apprentice. She will learn extended amount and become knowable."

"Master Merlin I need a loophole." Tom said, as his breathing became labor. "I'm running out of time. My grandchild will only give me so much strength."

Merlin sat back in his blue eyes shined at the wizard in front of him. "The loophole is simple. It isn't a loophole Dark Lord, but a matter of taking action. An action only you can do. You must go to the muggle Prime Minister and make him see differently. You must make him sign another bill."

"What bill Master Merlin?" Merlin waved his hand and a bill appeared in front of Tom. "You mean by changing his mind."

Merlin rose from his seat and walked across the room. "I wish you luck Tom Riddle." He said, and stepped back into his portrait.

Tom picked up the paper and sat back and read over the bill.

Advising Treaty

We, Shadows the ancient secret order of Merlin will advise the Muggle Prime Minister. Under these following bureaucracy:

The Shadows will only made known by the Muggle Prime Minister.

We will advise you on medical knowledge to the extent we see fit.

We will not allow any potions or magical spells used on muggles only on those that only demonstrate magical abilities.

The children that demonstrates magical abilities will be taught by a shadow until the age of eleven. Then at the age of eleven the children will take an exception test that will determine their acceptance into the wizarding world and to enter Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The children that pass are abused in any form will be taken away from their families and placed in wizarding families.

The children that do not pass will have their memories erased and their magic stripped. It's for the safety of both worlds.

Signature__________________________________________

Muggle Prime Minister : Dean S. Chase

Tom sighed and sat the bill down on the table. He smiled. He had to get Prime Minister Chase to sign the treaty. He was just grateful that Remus told him that the muggle world elected a new minister. Minister Chase was more opened minded than the last minister.

Tom rose his seat, grabbed the bill and left the secret room. He hoped sleep would find him. He would visit the muggle world when his strength returned.

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