Readers I'm back! So sorry for the delay. I was having major writers block. Please enjoy this chapter!
The Serpent & The Lion
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Stubborn Actions
Tom paced the room ignoring his weak and shaky body. He looked over at the bed and saw Hermione and Harry asleep. He was glad that his daughter was able to rest. Tom could feel Hermione's magic was extremely high, because it was protecting the child's health and growth.
He pulled out his handkerchief and coughed into the cloth that was now stained brown from past attacks. He grabbed onto the mantle for support. He pulled the handkerchief away and sighed heavily. He turned and looked at everyone and said, "I'm fine. Don't worry about me."
Salazar walked over to Hermione and placed his hand over her stomach. "Hermione's magic is strong. It's draining her energy."
Tom's head snapped in the founder's direction. "What does it mean, Salazar?" He asked with worry.
"The baby is developing faster than normal. It's natural for a Elder Race's child to develop quickly from what I can tell right now. Hermione will have a seven month pregnancy instead of the normal nine months."
Tom's knees buckled from beneath him and his face flushed. Remus was at Tom's side before anyone could blink. He lifted the man into his arms and noticed he had lost weight. He knew it was from the curse that was causing the weight lost. Remus sat him down in an arm chair next to Minerva.
"Tom's magic is draining as well. It's from their connection." Salazar removed his hand from Hermione's stomach. He snapped his fingers and Magic Relishing Potion appeared in his hand. He turned to Tom. "This is a potion of my own creation. It will help build up your magic. The child is developing well. So your strength will return within time."
Tom took the bottle with a shake hand and took in one sallow. He leaned back and closed his eyes. Minerva squeezed his hand and placed a gently kiss on his cheek. She rose from her seat. "I must return to upper part of the castle. You as well Severus. Dumbledore will be asking questions. Children you as well. Harry will stay here with Hermione." she told him. He nodded and rose from his seat. They both kissed Hermione the forehead and left the room followed by Ginny and Ron.
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Minerva and Severus were stopped my Nearly Headless Nick and informed them that they were needed in the headmaster's office. He floated away from the professors. Minerva narrowed her eyes and walked down the corridors.
She smirked and looked at Severus and said, "Salazar Slytherin."
The statue's eyes opened. "You speak the name of a founder, Minerva McGonagall-Riddle and for which will have protection around you from anyone in the room. You may step forward," and the statue jumped aside. The couple stepped onto the staircase.
Severus gave Minerva a strange look. "I'm not the only one that knows secrets the castle holds." She smirked and she knocked on the office door. They heard 'enter' from the other side of the door. They walked into the office.
"Have a seat." Albus said in a forceful tone. Fawks opened his eyes and looked at the couple and winked. Severus quickly took a double look and he winked again. "I want to know where have you been for the last four hours?"
The Potions Master noticed Nagini slowly slither up onto the mantle unseen by the headmaster. He smirked at the snake. She stuck out her tongue nodded.
"I was helping Severus of course. Where do you think I've been. Swimming in the Black Lake!" Minerva hissed. Nagini hissed a chuckle. "He asked for my assistance."
"Miss Riddle?" He asked narrowing his eyes slightly.
"That is why I was helping him along with Mr. Potter and his friends. I see no problem that. Do you Albus?"
"You're dismissed. I have work to do." He said nearly in a cold tone. They quickly swept from the office. "Fawks what are they up to? Minerva always done as she was told. It seems we must keep an eye on her. Severus as well. Since the fall of Voldemort I have lost control over the boy. I must get that back if I'm going to link our two worlds."
'You're out of your mind old man. I wouldn't even sing you a song if I was to be cut!' thought the phoenix. He turned to Nagini who was resting on the mantle. 'We need a Shadow meeting!' Fawks sang.
Nagini hissed and nodded her head. She slithered through a secret tunnel and down to the dungeons.
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Nagini slithered into the room and up Tom's chair. She hissed in his ear causing him to jump. "Nagini." He said noticing her panting. "What is it?" He hissed.
"Shadows must be called. Now"
Tom stood up and lowered his hood over his head. He slowly made his way out of Salazar's private chambers without Remus and Sirius noticing. The ghost stepped through the wall. "Where are you going?"
"I must call the Shadows. A meeting must be held." He walked down the many stairs that led to the school's Shadows Headquarters.
"Tom this is madness." Salazar said, stepping in front of the man. "You will kill your self. You are too weak to call the Shadows. It will take all the power you have left."
Tom walked past him without a word. He opened the door and the torches sprang to life. He lowered his hood. Salazar lifted Tom sleeve relieving the dark mark. "Tom look at your mark!" He ignored the founder. "It doesn't matter if your grandchild is giving you some strength, but it's not enough." Tom lifted his sleeve. "Think of Hermione! Damn it! Stop!"
Tom touched his mark and fell onto the marble stone floor. "I'm sorry Little One." He whispered.
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Hermione straight up out of bed with her shirt and face drenched in sweat and yelled, "Daddy!"
Remus, Sirius and Harry jumped when the they heard Hermione yell. They all looked around for Tom but didn't see him. Salazar stepped through the wall.
"Hermione come with me." Salazar told her and helped her out of the bed. "All of you stay here. She must do this on her own. It's time for your first lesson as an Elder."
The men opened their mouths but Hermione shook her head and followed her ancestor down the long corridor. Salazar held her hand so she wouldn't share the fate as her father.
Hermione opened the door to the meeting and gasped at the sight of her father. She quickly ran over and knelt down onto the floor. She pulled up his sleeve and touched the dark mark. She screamed at the burning pain.
"He tried to call the Shadows." Salazar said quietly. He knelt down next to Hermione. "Now my child. As an Elder you have the powers of Earth, Water, Wind and Fire. The powers of the North, South East and West. In the rare case the power of Life and Death." Salazar pressed to fingers against Tom's pulse point on his neck. "He's gone." Hermione's let tears fall. "My child look at me. I need you to say, Servo vita. I must be done wandlessly. Now Hermione." Salazar turned Tom over on his back and placed her hand his heart.
"I don't have that type of power!" Hermione cried.
"Now Hermione!"
She nodded and took a deep breathe. "ServoVista!" The serpent ring on her right hand began to glow bright sliver and green around his heart.
Salazar felt the foundation of Hogwarts shake. He smiled when watched each founder appear in the room. Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff appear in the room.
Tom opened his eyes and coughed and breathing heavily. Hermione sighed and removed her hand. He looked around and saw the each founder standing around father and daughter.
Hermione buried her face into her father's chest and her body shook with sobs. Tom rubbed smoothing circles on her back.
"What happened?" Tom asked looking at Salazar.
"You killed yourself my stupid man! You're lucky that your daughters so powerful! She saved your life and brought every found to help in the fight to protect our school." He snapped his fingers and Tom and Hermione returned back to Salazar's chambers followed by the founders.
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Latin translations:
Servo: Save
Vista: Life
