*A/N* Hey guys, one of my reviewers asked about how and why no one from the underage magic office contacted The Burrow because of all the spells cast by Ron, George, and Percy. It was a very good and honest question, so I want to post both the review and my reply, just in case anyone was wondering the same thing. Here goes...
REVIEW:
Hey I just thought of something. Seeing how many SPELLS were being thrown around at the Weasleys, all of them cast by the UNDERAGED members of the household and their visitors, why hasn't the Burrow been bombarded by letters from the Underaged Magic Users Office (or whatever that place that kept harassing Harry every time magic was used around/by him *lol*)? I would have also thought that TWO Unforgiveables used on the wand of a underaged magic user like Ron, would have definitely got the office calling the aurors on the Weasleys.
MY REPLY:
Well, there is a difference in 'fanon' and 'canon'. 'Fanon' is what is often seen in fanfics such as Harry being the Heir of Gryffindor (He's really not according to JKR), having a 'trust' vault and not knowing about the 'main' Potter vault, and one that pops up everywhere, the underage magic tracer on the wand.
For the tracer, i decided to do something different and sort of went with canon for it. Ron actually stated in one of the books, that while the children in wizarding households are traced, the underage magic people dont send out letters to the parents of wizarding children because they expect the parents to handle the issue, and punish the child if they use underage magic. Seeing as Percy and George were defending their sister, Molly and Arthur just let it go. As for Ron, well, he wasnt himself.
If you remember at the end of 1st year, Salazar told Fred and George how to get around the trace by NOT reading the little piece of paper that is handed out to all students. He told them that the trace breaks once they step back through the gates of Hogwarts to begin a new year, or they turn seventeen. (The piece of paper is actually canon, but i took liberties with what Salazar told the twins.) Seeing as everyone is on Christmas break at the moment, Ron isnt being traced right now so the underage magic people didnt even know it happened.
I dont post reviews and my replies very often, but like i said, i thought it was a very honest question, and i wanted to let others know my response in case they were wondering.
Oh, and also, just thought id give you all a little teaser here. At the end of the chapter, Molly does something to Albus that i hope you will find entertaining. It's not much, but it's kind of funny. Especially coming from her!
Now...ONWARD! LOL
Chapter 34
A Stubborn Fool
"Emeralda my dear, I'm here and I'm alone. I know he came to you. What did he want?" Salazar asked, as he heard her slithering up the pipe.
He heard her stop and breathe a sigh of relief.
"Master, he wants me to kill everyone inside the castle. You and the Headmaster especially. He said that you and the Headmaster are traitors and set muggles loose inside the school. I know this is not true though." She replied. "There is something wrong with the boy Master. He had no black book this time, I saw no glow, and he spoke in our language."
"I know my dear." He said with a heavy sigh.
He explained to her everything that they had found out in the last few weeks, and when he was done, Emeralda sighed loudly.
"This is a grave situation Master. Is there anything I can do?"
"No Emeralda, I'm afraid not. For now I want you to return to the Chamber. I will tell the Headmaster that I heard you in the walls, and that you were threatening all our lives. He will know that is a ruse. Ron will be in attendance and I don't want him to know that you are on our side. It may put you in danger and I don't want to see you hurt. We need him to think you are his friend."
"It won't last long though Master. He will suspect something if nothing happens." She replied.
"I know my dear, but it will buy us time. Actually, I changed my mind. Instead of going to the Chamber, head to the Slytherin common room and wait for my return. That way I can let you know of the situation and warn you if I feel you are in danger. Fred and George are in there, so alert them to your presence."
"Very well Speaker. I will wait for you in the pipes."
Salazar nodded and told her that he would be there later, and he heard her slither off in that direction. Then he sighed again and headed for the hospital wing.
"Well I guess what Emeralda told you isn't a surprise." Merlin said, after Salazar rushed into the hospital wing and told them what Emeralda had said. "I'm just glad we haven't given Ron his wand back yet. Unleashing Emeralda is his way of saying 'you can't beat me'."
"Indeed." Salazar replied.
"Mr. Weasley, it may be beneficial if you were to attend this meeting. He is your son after all, and you have every right to be there." Merlin said, turning towards him.
Arthur looked back at Molly, who was still sleeping, then looked around in an unsure manner.
"Why don't you all go." Poppy suggested gently. "Arthur, she's sleeping peacefully right now, and there is nothing more that can be done at this point."
He sighed tiredly and nodded. "Very well. Poppy, if she does wake up for some reason. Let her know I'll be back as soon as I can."
"I will." She assured him.
They all left the hospital wing and began making their way towards the Headmaster's Tower. When they were halfway there, they met Godric breathlessly making his way down the stairs.
"You know, someone once told me that some students take to jogging around the lake in order to get into, and stay, in shape. Perhaps you should look into that." Salazar said with a sly grin.
Godric glared at him for a moment, but then he smirked. "Oh shut up."
Salazar snorted. "What did she tell you?"
"Uh…umm…" Godric said, glancing at Arthur questioningly.
"We are going to tell Percy and Ginny, he might as well know too." Salazar said, waving his hand around.
"Tell them what?" Arthur asked, looking at both 'boys' curiously.
Salazar sighed and looked at him. "It would take too long to explain here Mr. Weasley, but there are things that Percy, especially, needs to know. Ginny just kind of happened to be there when things were said, so we were going to tell her too."
"Harry, I don't what is going on here, but whatever it is, I want to know. I must ask you though," he said, narrowing his eyes. "Is it dangerous? They are my children, and I don't want them involved if it is."
"Arthur, I can assure you that it is not dangerous." Minerva said gently. "In fact, it will leave you in a better state I think. Fred and George already know, but Percy and Ginny do not. Please, I ask you to trust us."
Arthur looked at Minerva uncertainly, but he nodded. "Very well. I suspect whatever it is, is very large."
"It is, but Albus does not know, and he can't know." She stressed. "You will understand why when it is explained."
"All right." He said with a bit of reservation. "But I want to know all of it."
Salazar nodded. "I understand." He said, then he turned to Godric.
Godric sighed and shook his head. "Mother told me that Ron was in a right angry state. He was yelling and throwing things in the common room, and apparently he didn't like being left without his wand. He kept shouting that everyone had turned against him, and he swore revenge, then he stormed out of the Tower."
"All right." Salazar said with a sigh. "Let's go and try to talk some sense into Albus."
Everyone groaned slightly and Arthur looked at them all curiously, but he didn't ask any questions. They made their way silently towards the gargoyle and when they arrived, Salazar took several deep breaths, then he turned to Godric.
"Do I look like a panic stricken twelve year old?" He asked with a grin.
"Not while grinning." Godric chuckled.
"Oh shut up." He said, which made everyone snort.
"Arthur, no matter what happens, and no matter what is said, you must remain quiet and not say anything." Minerva said desperately. "It will all be explained soon. Please, I beg you, trust us."
He narrowed his eyes a bit, but he nodded. "All right."
Salazar turned to the gargoyle and nodded. "Let us pass."
"As you wish sir." It replied, then it stepped aside.
Arthur's eyes widened. "I thought you needed a password to gain entry."
"We do, but they don't." Minerva said, pointing to Salazar and Godric. "Just remember what I said."
He nodded again and they all made their way up the stairs. Salazar took several more deep breaths, and without knocking, burst frantically into the room and started shouting.
"Professor, Professor!" He cried. "I heard the giant snake in the walls! It's saying it's going to kill everyone inside the castle!"
"POTTER!" Severus yelled. "Don't you know how to knock?! We were in a meeting discussing…"
"Severus please." Albus said calmly, waving his hand in the Potion Master's direction. "Harry, slow down and tell me what you know."
Salazar took another deep breath, and positioned himself so that Ron, who was smirking broadly, couldn't see his face.
"I heard the giant snake in the walls and it was saying that it was going to kill us." He said a bit more calmly, but then he rapidly glanced back and forth between Ron and Albus.
Albus seemed to understand what Salazar was trying to do, and he nodded slightly. "I understand Harry. Was the giant snake saying anything else when you heard it, and did you try to talk to it?"
"I did sir, but it didn't want to talk to me. It said something about only obeying the young Master, or something…I'm not sure. I couldn't hear it all that well. It also was saying that it was on a mission to kill you and me specifically, and was mumbling about muggles."
"I thought it was best if he came to let you know Albus." Minerva stated in a concerned tone. "If the giant snake is on the loose again, then we may need to close the school and not let anyone come back until it's taken care of."
Salazar tried to hide a smirk, and he seriously thought about kissing the witch.
"NO!" Ron stood up and shouted. "You can't close Hogwarts!"
"Well Mr. Weasley, what are we to do? The giant snake poses a danger to everyone." Albus said. "And you still haven't told us why you were seen coming out of a girl's out-of-order lavatory."
"Ron?" Arthur asked curiously, even though he already knew that part.
"I'm not telling you all anything." He said stubbornly as he sat back down.
"It seems suspicious to me Headmaster." Severus drawled. "I catch the boy coming out of the restroom, and Potter hears the giant snake in walls shortly after."
"Ron, did you open the Chamber of Secrets and set loose the giant snake again?" Harry asked in a sarcastic manner, even though he already knew what was going to be said.
"Don't be ridiculous Potter." He spat. "That seems more up your alley. You can talk to it after all."
"Some would claim that you can too…Tom." Salazar said, glaring at him.
Albus's eyes widened, and Severus's hand inched towards his wand. Nicholas cast a sideways glance at Salazar, as did Merlin and Godric, in an effort to figure out what he was up too.
Ron smirked at him. "Sorry I didn't catch that? Could you speak English?"
"No, because I know you can understand me just fine. We both know who it is that is opening the Chamber of Secrets, and it isn't Ron Weasley, nor is it me. Isn't that right Tom Riddle, or should I call you, Lord Voldemort? Speak freely please. I'm the only one that can understand you." Salazar said calmly.
Ron's smirk turned into a glare. "Sorry?"
"Oh, don't play dumb Tom. We are two somewhat like minded individuals, though your thirst for blood and trying to rule the world is a bit cliché and leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. You are young, and so very, very stupid."
"I'm not stupid!" Ron shouted, causing Salazar to smirk. "And don't call me that filthy muggle name!"
"Is that so?" Salazar asked coyly. "So you HAVE come out to play Tom Riddle. I must say that your diary is a work of art, but I know things about horcruxes that you don't. I've seen what you look like now, as an adult, and the result is not pretty. I'm sure that Ron has told you some things about me, and I just want you to know that I take great pleasure in the fact that I destroyed you as a one year old child. Some Dark Lord you turned out to be."
"You know nothing!" Ron stood up and shouted. "I will make you pay Potter! I will make you pay!" He screamed.
Suddenly a bright glow began emanating out of Ron, and it flew up and out of him, before shooting off towards Albus's desk where it disappeared with a bright flash. Albus jumped up and backed away from his desk, but Ron sank to the ground, landing on his hands and knees.
"Mum! Mum! Is Mum all right!? Mum!" He cried, looking up at everyone.
Arthur took one look at his son's terrified, tear streaked face and ran to him.
"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! I couldn't help it! He made me do it! He made me do it! Where is Mum? Where is Mum?" He asked frantically.
"Shhh, shhh son, it's all right. She's fine, and she is in the hospital wing." Arthur said, trying to comfort his son.
"Arthur, take him to Poppy. Minerva go with them." Albus said shakily, as he glanced at Salazar, who was glaring at Albus's desk with a look of contempt and hatred written all over his face. "Harry, remain here."
"I want Mr. Flamel and Mr. Nilrem here as well." Salazar stated, still not taking his eyes off the desk.
Albus narrowed his eyes, but he nodded his head. "Very well. Remus, please escort Mr. Roffin out. Severus, remain here please."
They waited for everyone else to leave, but when they were gone, Albus looked at Salazar sharply.
"Harry, what was that about?" He asked curtly, motioning for them to sit.
"A gamble." He stated honestly, taking a seat in front of the desk. "I figured that if I made Riddle angry enough that he would go off and start pouting." He added, waggling his fingers in the direction the glow disappeared to.
"It was risky." Albus said simply. "He could have hurt you."
"He was unarmed and there were plenty of adults around to subdue him if needed."
"You are arrogant Potter." Severus spat. "Admit it, you had no idea what you were doing, and you just wanted to play hero. What of Mr. Weasley? What if he could have been hurt?"
"Riddle wouldn't have hurt him because he needs Ron right now. I suspect this isn't over though. He will pout for now, but he will be back." Salazar said, causing Severus to sneer at him.
"Harry, you know too much about this for my liking." Albus said, glaring at Nicholas and Merlin. "I suggest you forget what you know, least you get caught up in something you don't know how to handle."
"Again, you think to lowly of him Albus." Nicholas said with a chuckle. "And I for one, agree with Harry. This isn't over. We need to destroy the diary."
"I told you already, it needs to be studied." Albus stated firmly. "If there is even a chance that we can learn about his other horcruxes, we need to take it."
"Albus, there are things you need to know that we have figured out." Nicholas said with a sigh.
It took a little while, but Nicholas told Albus the conclusions that they all came up with earlier in the Slytherin common room. Albus seemed to listen thoughtfully, and asked a lot of questions, but when Nicholas was through explaining it all, Albus's sighed and shook his head.
"I'm sorry Nicholas. I understand where you are coming from, and I understand the Weasley's situation, but it can't be destroyed, not right now anyway."
"It's not worth the risk to young Mr. Weasley, or his family." Merlin said.
Albus glared at him. "I stand by my decision."
"For the 'Greater Good' I imagine." Merlin replied distastefully.
Albus's glare deepened. "I do not appreciate being talked to like that from a guest in my castle, especially one who never graduated from here. I wish you all to leave."
"This isn't over Albus." Nicholas said, with a curt tone. "Harry, let's go."
"Yes sir." Salazar said, scowling at Albus as they left.
Albus glared as they left, but as soon as they were gone he looked at Severus and sighed.
"Severus, now more than ever I need you to keep an eye on Harry. He said some disturbing things while he was speaking Parseltongue."
"What kind of things Headmaster?" Severus asked curiously.
"Harry said he wanted to be like Voldemort and that he admired him." Albus said gravely.
Severus narrowed his eyes slightly, but kept his face blank. "Very well Headmaster." He replied, standing up to leave.
Severus was angry. He knew Salazar had said no such thing, and he didn't appreciate Albus trying to manipulate him like that, but he wondered what the old man was up to by saying it.
Salazar was fuming as he, Merlin, Nicholas, Godric, Remus, and Arthur made their way towards the Slytherin common room. They had met up with Godric and Remus in the hospital wing to check on Ron, and found that Poppy had given the clearly distraught boy a calming draught. He wouldn't stop talking about all the things Riddle had made him do, especially over the last month and a half, and Poppy finally had to give him a dreamless sleep potion in order to help him rest. It wasn't until Salazar and the others showed up that Arthur had finally left Ron and Molly's sides and headed down to the dungeons so they could talk.
However, when they reached the first floor to access one of the shortcuts that led to the dungeons, Salazar stopped in front of a suit of armor and sighed loudly.
"Will you please change this stupid password?" Salazar asked, rolling his eyes and looking at Godric.
Merlin chuckled lightly as Godric grinned at him.
"Nope." He said, folding his arms across his chest.
"You are a stubborn fool. Did you know that?" Salazar asked rhetorically.
"Yes, I am quite aware of that, but the fact that you are complaining about it proves the point it's trying to make." Godric said with a chuckle.
"I hate you." Salazar grumbled.
"I love you too my friend." He answered as he turned towards the suit of armor. "Salazar acts like a baby."
Nicholas and Remus burst out laughing, while Merlin grinned, but Arthur's eye's widened as the suit of armor stepped aside to allow then to access the shortcut.
"How did you kids know that?" He asked.
"It's a long story Mr. Weasley, but you will understand when we explain it all." Godric answered, as Salazar continued his grumbling.
When they finally entered the common room, Salazar stopped in his tracks when he heard extremely loud, angry hissing.
"No, you listen to me you big fat shrew! I don't care how big you think you are, but Speaker is mine, not yours!"
"Master created me you tiny little worm, and I refuse to listen to your babbling. Shut up before I come through this wall and eat you!"
"How DARE you talk to me like that! I am the deadliest snake in the world! You are lucky that there IS a wall between us, or else…I would bite you!"
"I am not afraid of you, or your insane delusions you piece of fish bait!"
"I have NEVER been this insulted in my life! I demand you apologize to me this instant!" Nora yelled.
"NO!"
The common room wall that Emeralda was behind shook violently as she threw her head against it. Nora, who had been angrily slithering back and forth in front of the wall, slithered backwards quickly, and Percy, who was leaning against it, shrieked and jumped away.
"What was that?" Arthur gasped, staring at the wall with wide-eyes.
Fred and George had apparently cast silencing charms on themselves and were doubled over with laughter, but Ginny was nowhere to be seen.
"I'm not afraid of you!" Nora yelled. "You…you…you are just a big fat shrew!"
Merlin, Godric, and Nicholas began chuckling.
"Well Salazar," Merlin whispered. "It looks like you have some females fighting over you."
Salazar rolled his eyes, and fully stepped into the common room. "Ladies please!"
"Speaker!"
"Master!"
"Speaker," Nora said in a soft silky voice as she slithered over towards him. "The Shrew is here, and is saying some very horrible things to me. I say you let me bite her."
"Master, Fish Bait is delusional and needs to be put out of her misery. Please let me eat her. I could use a snack."
Nora glared at the wall behind her and raised her head up in a haughty manner. "Speaker, The Shrew seems to think she is in charge of you. Please set her right."
Merlin and Nicholas snorted, while Fred, George, and Godric, who had also cast a silencing charm on himself, laughed silently. Salazar sighed, and stared at the ceiling as he shook his head.
"My dears, I belong to the both of you, and I love each of you equally. We need to stop this, and work together. Please, can we stop fighting?"
"If that is what you request Master, then I will do so, but that squirmy little worm needs to learn her place."
"Learn my place!? I'll have you know…"
"Please, please!" Salazar cried, holding up his hands. "No more fighting. We have business to attend to. Nora, I love you my dear, but please stop calling Emeralda names. Emeralda, I love you from the bottom of my heart, and I am asking you to also stop calling Nora names. We need to work together. Now, both of you apologize to the other."
With a lot of grumbling from both snakes, they finally apologized to each other, but giving the fact that they called each other 'Shrew' and 'Fish Bait', Salazar knew it wasn't over between them.
"Where is Ginny?" Arthur asked, looking at his sons as they all sat down at a large table in front of the fireplace.
"Oh, she's asleep in her room." George said. "She fell asleep on the sofa while we were waiting for Gordy to come back, but we moved her."
"Maybe it's for the best." Arthur said, nodding his head. "She has had a very long day, as have the rest of us. There is more things about Ron we need to discuss, and I don't want her learning about it just yet. I also understand that Harry and Gordy have something they need to tell us." He added, looking at the two 'boys'.
They nodded, but Fred and George's eyes widened. "You're going to tell Dad?" They asked together.
"Yes, he should know." Godric said, giving him a small smile.
"What happened in Professor Dumbledore's office?" Fred asked. "Are we going to have to steal the diary?"
"Fred!" Arthur and Percy said together as they glared at him.
"I've already told you that is not a good idea." Percy said, at the same time Arthur exclaimed, "How could you suggest such a thing!?"
Salazar sighed. "Yes, we are going to have to steal it. Right now it is in Albus's desk, but he is likely to move it."
"Harry!" Arthur exclaimed as he looked at him in shock. "You can't steal from Dumbledore!"
"Yes we can, and we will." Godric said. "Mr. Weasley, Percy, there is something you need to know about Harry and I, but first, let me put wards up in case Ginny wakes up and over hears us."
Godric began warding the area where they all sitting, and Arthur's eyes widened as he recognized what the difficult wards were.
"How can you…" Arthur began, but Godric smiled at him.
"Mr. Weasley, I'm a lot older than I look."
"A little over a thousand years old to be exact." Salazar added, and then…he started at the beginning.
Arthur and Percy sat through and listened to the whole story with stunned looks. After Salazar was finished, they were speechless for nearly fifteen minutes. Not to mention the fact that Merlin decided to tell them who he really was, only added to their shock.
Arthur finally stood up and began pacing back and forth, but then he looked at Godric with wide eyes.
"You're really Godric Gryffindor?"
Godric nodded and smiled. "Yes Mr. Weasley. You saw my adult appearance this morning while I was at your house."
"Godric Gryffindor was in our house." Percy said with a slight squeak in his voice.
"Yes." Godric answered with an amused chuckle.
"And you're the reason why Salazar Slytherin's reputation is so bad?" Arthur asked, still staring at the two Founders in shock.
"Yes." Godric answered with a sigh. "I was an angry coward for doing what I did. Salazar is not the man I painted him to be."
"I can attest to that." Merlin said with a smile. "These boys are best friends, and it is because of me that their friendship turned sour. I found a way to achieve immortality, or longevity as I like to call it, and Salazar wanted it too."
"Godric tried to talk me out of it and we fought about it. I had tried to find my own way to achieve immortality, and it took me down some really dark paths, but in the end I gave up and went to Merlin."
"It was during Salazar's trip down those very dark paths that I grew fed up. We got into a major fight, and that night Salazar left the school." Godric said quietly. "After that I became angry, and then I did what I did."
Arthur stared at the two Founders with a sad expression on his face, but Percy looked at Merlin curiously.
"Why at the age of six hundred and fifty, did you want to attend school?"
Merlin chuckled and looked at the lad with a smile. "Hogwarts had been in session for about five or six years before I came. It was rumored to be the finest school for witchcraft and wizardry in the world. There were other, smaller schools, but nothing like this had ever been achieved. It was also rumored to be founded by the four greatest witches and wizards of the age. Salazar, Godric, Helga, and Rowena. Me, being me, I wanted to learn. Just because one is old, doesn't mean that one stops learning. I was curious, so I enrolled."
"It was Merlin. We weren't about to say no." Salazar chuckled.
"Something I was secretly hoping for." Merlin said with a grin. "I was sorted into Slytherin, and I mostly studied under Salazar, but all the Founders taught all the students. Rowena was in charge of Charms, Runes, and Arithmacy, Helga was Herbology, Potions, and Healing, Godric was Physical Combat, Transfiguration, and Dueling, and Salazar was Defense Against the Dark Arts, The Dark Arts, and Blood Magic."
"The Dark Arts and Blood Magic?" Arthur asked looking at Salazar in horror.
Salazar laughed and nodded. "The Dark Arts back then were a lot different than they are today. While some would use them for very bad reasons, most used their head when it came to them. Some of the really bad ones such as Fiendfyre, Bludgeoning Hex, and others like them were mostly theory based. The 'Dark Arts' that I taught were things like the knockback jinx, revulsion jinx, tripping jinx, confundus charm, and other various hexes, jinxes, and curses. Some were nasty, but most weren't. Basically things that you would find in books like 101 Hexes for the Vexed, and other such titles."
"What about the Unforgivables?" Percy asked.
"I taught those too." Salazar admitted. "The Killing Curse was used to humanely put down cows, sheep, chickens, and other livestock for food, so in a sense, it was a necessary part of everyday life back then. It was also used to ease the suffering of witches and wizards who were extremely old in age and wanted to die peacefully, as well as those who were suffering from severe pain and ailments that no muggle or wizarding cure was available for. You have to understand that we also lived in a time where it was kill or be killed. Muggles were actively hunting us, and since muggle repelling charms hadn't been invented yet, it was pretty easy to find us. Magic was mostly all we had. The Imperius Curse was helpful in many of those situations, because we could use it to make the muggles go away, and while it is nasty, the Torture Curse was handy as well."
"As for Blood Magic, I still don't understand why that is considered dark." Godric chuckled. "It's mostly used in wards for protections of residences, buildings, personal property items, and to hide secrets."
"Exactly." Salazar said with a nod. "Case in point, while Albus uses a fancy name for the blood wards that he put around Privet Drive, he still used a type of blood magic. A bit hypercritical if you ask me. The Founders enchantments for the school are also based on blood."
"It was you who summoned the badgers last year!" Percy exclaimed, pointing to Salazar, who just grinned and nodded.
"Magic is magic Mr. Weasley. It's neither light nor dark. It depends on the caster's intentions which makes light or dark." Merlin said with a smile.
Arthur furrowed his brow and nodded slightly. "I suppose I can understand that." He said, then he looked sheepishly at his children. "I often use the killing curse myself to kill our chickens or other livestock when we eat them. I try not to let you all see it though."
Percy, Fred, and George's eyes widened in shock, but they didn't say anything.
Arthur sighed heavily, but then he smiled at them. "Well, I must say this has thrown me for loop. I never would have guessed this in a million years, and never would I have guessed you rescued James and Lily. They were so young, and Molly and I felt so bad for them when they went into hiding. We were so very heartbroken when we learned what happened that night, but I am thankful for what you have done Salazar."
"I isn't me who you should thank Mr. Weasley. Mitzy and Fripsy were the brave ones. If not for them, it wouldn't have been possible." He said.
Arthur nodded his head, then looked around at his sons. "It makes me feel better about Ron's situation too knowing you all are working on it, and Salazar you saved my wife today. I want you to know that our Family owes you a life debt."
Salazar shook his head and smiled at Arthur. "It's not need Mr. Weasley…"
"Arthur, please." Arthur said. "Call me Arthur."
Salazar smiled. "Arthur, it's not needed. I can't die, therefore you owing me a life debt is not necessary."
"Well, whatever my family can do for you, let us know, and we will be there to help."
"I will keep that in mind." Salazar said, as he shook Arthur's outstretched hand.
"Does this mean we aren't in trouble?" George asked with a grin, which caused everyone to laugh.
"I suppose so." Arthur chuckled. "But I don't want Ginny to know this. Not until she is older anyway."
"I understand." Salazar said. "But let me ask you Arthur, are you trained in Occlumency?"
"Very basic occlumency." He admitted with a sigh.
"Well I think I can help with that." Nicholas said with a smile. "It's not exactly Occlumency, but it's somewhat similar. Just ask your sons."
Fred and George laughed. "It was a really wicked feeling."
Since it dealt with family magic, Nicholas wouldn't say much about it, but the twins told Arthur and Percy that it wouldn't hurt. Nicholas preformed the spell that he had used on the twins last year, and seeing as the truth was now sealed in Arthur and Percy's mind and they couldn't talk about it, Salazar didn't ask the elder Weasley for an oath.
They sat there talking and joking about different things, but the main thing they focused on was Ron and the diary. Salazar had no other plan other than sneak into Albus's office and steal the diary, and Emeralda offered to let them use some of her venom in order to destroy it.
This went over better with Arthur, seeing as he was a little leery about using Fiendfyre.
Percy asked if they were going to tell Molly any of this, but Arthur shook his head. He explained that it had been her own idea to be obliviated by Albus, simply because she didn't feel she could handle knowing about the situation and not being able to protect her son. Arthur told him that when Molly was better, he was going to talk to her and see if Poppy was willing to obliviate her again in order to erase the memory of what happened that morning. Percy and the twins agreed with their Dad that it was the best course of action.
Ginny was also discussed, and while no one condoned obliviating her because she was so young and still mentally developing, Arthur did say that he would sit her down and explain the situation and tell her only what she needed to know. He said he was not going to give her any details, but he would impress on her that this situation was a onetime thing, and that he would explain to her that their mother would not remember what happened. He was going to tell her to never talk about it with her mother, but to talk to himself, Percy, and the twins if she needed to.
Merlin offered his help in healing both her and Ron's mind, and explained to Arthur that the children were young and may be slightly more traumatized than anyone realized. Arthur seemed to think about it for a moment before agreeing with him, and he said that he would arrange for Merlin to take a look at Ron and Ginny over the summer, or before the end of school if needed.
Several more things were discussed and Albus was one of them. Arthur said that after what happened that morning, his trust in Albus was now at an all-time low. He asked Nicholas, Merlin, Salazar, and Godric to keep him updated on what was happening with Ron and the diary, seeing as he no longer would believe half of what came out of Albus's mouth.
Needless to say, Salazar found that rather funny.
It wasn't until Minerva came in to tell the Weasleys that Molly was awake that they left. Salazar and the others told them that they would remain in the common room to give the family some space, which Arthur thanked them for.
When they had left, Merlin turned to Salazar and smiled.
"I actually have something rather important to discuss with you Salazar, and it refers to the horcrux in your head. Between Nicholas and I, we have discovered a way for you to remove it, but one that also allows you to remain as Harry Potter."
"Really?" Salazar asked in surprise.
"For the last year and a half, I have been working with different stones in order to find the right one. I found what I was looking for in obsidian, which is more glass than stone really. In a sense, it works similar to Godric's stone. It will allow to resume your normal adult form when you take it out, but will allow you to look like Harry Potter when it is placed under your skin. I call it the Polyjuice Rock." He said with a grin.
"At first we thought about using hair from your own head, but when we tested it on me by having Sirius drink Polyjuice to look like Nicholas, it wouldn't work right. It wasn't until we used Nicholas's actual hair that we were able to somewhat achieve what we were after." Merlin said. "We explained the situation to Lily, James, and Harry, and the lad was more than happy to donate quite a number of hairs."
"I have broken down the obsidian and remade it with Polyjuice, containing Harry's hair, infused throughout it. I have not perfected all the details yet, but I am very close, and I am confident that I will have this done in a few months." Nicholas added.
"That is excellent news. I must admit, I really miss my adult form." Salazar said with a bright happy smile, which caused them all to laugh.
"There is a catch though. It won't allow you grow up as you have been doing." Nicholas continued. "It will need to be remade every summer from Harry's hair, so that it will appear you are growing."
"I understand." Salazar said with a nod. "But how do you propose that we get the bloody thing out of my head in the first place?"
Merlin pointed to the wall and chuckled. "Emeralda, would you be kind enough to donate some of your venom for this?"
"Of course I would! Anything to help Master!"
"Brown noser!" Nora yelled.
"Shut up you intolerable little worm!" Emeralda yelled back. "You are just jealous because I am actually good for something!"
"I keep Speaker company while you hide in the walls and in your stupid little Chamber!" Nora shouted.
"Enough!" Salazar cried, silencing the two snakes immediately. Then he turned to Merlin. "Are you sure that basilisk venom will work on me?"
"I am. The best course of action is to inject it right into the scar itself, that way we know we got it." Merlin answered with a nod.
"Sounds painful." Godric winced.
"It will be." Salazar said with a sigh and a slight shudder. "But in the end, it will be worth it." He grinned.
They all chuckled, and since it was very late in the evening, Merlin and Nicholas decided to head home. They agreed to take a day to rest, seeing as this one had been very tiring to all involved, but tomorrow they would start anew, and would start planning the best way to steal the diary from Albus.
The next day dawned with a few surprises for all involved. Molly, who had been told everything by Merlin, including who Salazar and Godric really were, decided that she didn't want to be obliviated. She admitted that she had made a mistake in letting Albus do it, and said she wanted to remember what happened so that if anything like this happened again, she would be prepared for it.
Like Arthur, Molly felt better knowing that the two Founders, Merlin, and Nicholas were handling it, and while she was a bit leery of Salazar, she wasn't outright hostile towards him. Salazar understood, and told her that trust would come in time. Molly did smile at Godric though, and told him that it made more sense that Godric Gryffindor would have a phoenix, instead of an eleven year old Slytherin boy.
Molly also spoke her mind and gave Albus an earful. She demanded that the diary be destroyed, but he still held firm and told her it needed to be studied. Molly argued that it wasn't worth Ron's well-being, and after Albus, yet again, told her otherwise, she slapped him hard across the face and told him never to come near her family again.
After Salazar learned that, he didn't stop laughing for nearly ten minutes. Albus was quickly digging his own grave with his supporters, and the stubborn fool was too blind to even realize it.
Ginny wasn't happy that she wasn't going to know the big secret and nearly threw a fit because of it. Arthur and Molly put their foot down and told her that she was just too young to understand, but that perhaps in the future they would tell her. However, they did tell her that Ron was going to be all right, and explained that he had accidentally stumbled across a very dark object that messed with his mind. They assured her that everything was being handled, and warned her not to say anything to anyone because if the wrong person, such as Malfoy, got wind of this, then Arthur could lose his job. That seemed to quiet her a bit and she finally calmed down and agreed with her parents.
After Ron woke up in the hospital wing, he immediately wanted his Mum, which Molly was happy to note. She assured him that she wasn't mad, and that she understood that he wasn't himself at the time. Ron told everyone that he felt better than he had in a few months. He understood mostly what was happening because of the talk in Dumbledore's office. He knew that the diary was Voldemort's and said he didn't want anything to do it.
Nicholas explained to him that he needed to stay calm and try to hold back his temper and anger, or else there could be a repeat of what happened. Nicholas told Ron that the diary still had a hold on him, and that its influence could possess him again because Ron had put a lot of himself in the diary. Ron understood that, and told his parents, Nicholas, and Merlin that he would try his hardest.
Salazar and Godric wasn't around for that talk though. Everyone thought it was best if they kept their distance, least it set Ron off again. He truly didn't like the two 'Slytherin gits' and didn't want them to be anywhere near him. Salazar and Godric had rolled their eyes when they learned that, but agreed it was for the best.
Later that day, Percy and Ginny moved back into Gryffindor Tower at the request of their parents. The twins didn't want to leave Slytherin house at first, but Godric and Salazar told them it was for the best. Ron needed the support of his family right now, and that included them. The twins finally agreed, and Salazar felt a little better about his common room not being destroyed by 'all the bloody Gryffindors'. That however, only made Godric chuckle and caused a mischievous glint to appear in his eye, which set Salazar on edge.
It was only later that evening that Severus finally got the chance to tell Salazar what Albus had said about him 'admiring and wanting to be like Voldemort'. This greatly confused Salazar and he also wondered why Albus had said that. Did the old fool misunderstand what he said, or was Albus planning something?
*A/N* Dont worry, Salazar is not done with Riddle just yet. There is one, maybe two more chapters left in second year, and the chapter coming up is going to have the showdown between the two. I promise! :)