Chapter 38 – Meeting Helga

How anyone could have overlooked or loss track of the massive fireplace in front of him Harry would never understand. The fireplace itself had to be about seven feet wide and about five foot high. The mantle over the massive stone construction was four inches thick and eighteen inches wide. As Harry got closer to the structure he noticed that the Hufflepuff coat of arms was carved into the face of the mantle at a number of places.

The fire in the hearth suddenly flared up as Harry got closer to the mantle. He glanced back and saw that Hermione, Professor Sprout and the two house elves were looking at him anxiously. Harry smiled back at them and held his founders key up as he took another step closer. Everyone saw a little dance of magic that ran across the mantle and down through the hearth. When the magic spell dispersed, Harry saw the mantle gleam as if newly polished and the soot and grime of the entire fireplace disappear. Harry also saw that the badger in the middle front of the mantle had transformed into a keyhole.

Harry looked over his shoulder at the people and elves behind him and motioned them a little closer. He inserted his key into the lock and turned it. With a slight rumble of stiff machinery or magic the massive fireplace and part of the floor started to rotate around in a circle. Harry drew his wand as Hermione, Professor Sprout, Talvon and Frap stepped onto the turntable.

As the massive fireplace rotated a little bit of light was cast into the room beyond. Harry cast a Lumos spell to see a little better into the darkness. When the fireplace had moved halfway around the chamber beyond was lit by a number of torches and Harry stowed his wand back in his wrist holder.

The hidden rooms of Helga Hufflepuff were radically different from the chambers of Godric Gryffindor they had been visiting. While that set of rooms were a little imposing and filled with weapons, the scene they saw before them now reminded them a little of the feeling of arriving home after a long and difficult journey. The yellow and black of Hufflepuff was blended softly into the wall hangings and occasional pillows that decorated the room.

There were a number of easy chairs and sofas of various styles sort of gathered around the fireplace in a rough semi-circle. There was a small desk in one corner of the room but the centerpiece seemed be a very ornate and comfortable looking rocking chair that served as the center piece of the grouping of chairs. A small cabinet sat next to the rocking chair with a couple of books open on top of it. A small chamber off to one side probably held Helga Hufflepuff's bedchamber.

Harry saw a few little chairs that seemed to be just the right height for a house elf that were next to the rocking chair. It wasn't hard to imagine a gathering of people just sitting and watching the fire burning in the hearth and having a nice easy conversation.

Ceramic tiles decorated part of the walls; Harry saw that they illustrated and explained a different number of herbs and wildflowers. There were also a number of paintings depicting views of Hogwarts with other magical creatures walking around the grounds. Harry saw pictures of goblins, centaurs, a tawny colored griffin and even a mountain troll calmly existing side by side with students and the house elves. There was a larger portrait of a badger sitting at the feat of an older witch above the desk.

The voice coming from the room startled everyone – even Harry and Hermione who had been expecting it. "You must be Harry and Hermione; Godric has told me about you. You must all come over here as I'm not quite as mobile as I once was."

Harry and Hermione led Professor Sprout and the two house elves over to look at the portrait of Helga Hufflepuff. The founder had a very kind and gentle face that was framed by hair that was a couple of shades darker than the Weasley red. She had very blue eyes and a smile that seemed like it was always present. One couldn't help but return the smile.

Harry stepped up, bowed and spoke after they had all gathered in front of the magical painting. ""You're correct Lady Hufflepuff. My name is Harry Potter and this pretty young witch next to me is Hermione Granger. May I present the current head of your House, Professor Pomona Sprout, and two of the many house elves here, Talvon and Frap."

Hermione blushed but joined the other three in bowing to the founder of Hufflepuff house; she acknowledged the visitors with a nod of her head and a small seated bow. Lady Hufflepuff reached down and scratched the head of the badger at her feet and apologized for the arrangement of the chairs in the room. "I was so used to sitting in my rocking chair facing the fire that I never thought about the people that might visit here after I died. Do you have time to sit and visit a while?"

Harry thought that question was probably a question that Lady Hufflepuff had asked a lot while she was alive. She seemed to be (or had been) a person that simply like being with people just for the sheer joy of sharing their company. Harry could understand her reputation for entertaining and welcoming all magical creatures that came to visit Hogwarts.

Shaking his head no, Harry went back and grabbed the two little chairs from the semi-circle and brought them back for Frap and Talvon. Hermione saw what he was doing and brought a simple chair up for Professor Sprout to sit upon.

"As much as I would like to stay and talk with you Lady Hufflepuff, there is still a curfew at Hogwarts and I have an early Quidditch practice in the morning. If I may ask for a favor, I would like to return with Hermione and perhaps have a good talk with you some other day. I'm sure that Professor Sprout and these two good house elves would be happy to answer any questions you may have and entertain you to their heart's content."

"You are ever as gracious a wizard as Godric described. Don't look so shocked; the portraits of the three existing founders still talk and visit each other. Not as much as we used to but until recently we had no other company. We do thank you Lord Gryf… excuse me, Harry. I have a message from Rowena for you and Miss Granger."

Harry looked a little worried about what the Ravenclaw founder wanted to say to him. "Don't fret so much. We've all decided that since you are clever about finding things, we shall not help you with the location of the Chamber of Secrets or the Repository of Learning."

Hermione snorted under her breath and Harry remembered that the secret library of Rowena Ravenclaw was the one chamber she had really wanted to investigate. 'It's ok Hermione. We'll get to it sooner or later.'

Harry bowed to the portrait. "Please tell my grandsire thanks and that I do know a good spell for burning enchanted wood."

Helga Hufflepuff shook with laughter. "Very well, young man. It has been a long time since Godric had to deal with a prankster. He enjoys a good laugh more than most. I shall pass on the message but you had best beware the next time you see him. He still has some defenses in his room he can employ."

"Thank you for the warning then Lady Hufflepuff. I look forward to hearing some tales about Godric when we come back and visit. But we must take our leave now."

Professor Sprout looked slightly bewildered as Harry Potter actually turned down an invitation to sit down and talk with one of the original founders of Hogwarts. She studied his face for a minute while he was having a private word with Miss Granger and realized that he was being generous and leaving this initial meeting to just her and her house elves.

"Thank you Mr. Potter and Miss Granger. Frap, would you take these two exceptional students back to the entrance to Hufflepuff house and then return? With your approval Lady Hufflepuff?"

"Please call me Helga when we're in private… Pomona. Yes but only if you tell me a little bit about these two youngsters as we talk. Good evening to you both Hermione and Harry."

Harry and Hermione bowed and curtsied in return and said that they would be happy to come back. Frap took hold of the belt loops of the Harry and Hermione and turned quickly, taking them with her. When she returned a minute later, Frap sat in the chair next to her mate and listened to Professor Sprout and Lady Hufflepuff talk into the early hours of the morning.

Xxxx xxxx

Harry and Hermione thanked the little house elf when she took them to the corridor outside the entrance to the kitchens. Frap surprisingly did a deep courtesy to Harry. "You have done an exceptional kind deed for Hufflepuff house and all the house elves here at Hogwarts Lord… Harry. If you ever need any assistance from my mate and me, please call on us."

Seeing the look of amazement on Harry's face, Hermione thanked Frap and watched as she turned and disappeared. Hermione hoped that Madame Sprout's meeting with Lady Hufflepuff was as wonderful as Harry's and hers had been with Godric. Harry still looked a little dazed as Hermione reached out her hand to take his. When he looked at her, she pulled him into a fierce hug. "You've got yourself into a bad habit Mr. Potter."

Smiling back at her closeness, Harry spoke into Hermione's ear. "And what would that be, Miss Granger?"

Hermione released Harry and started giggling. "You've done an incredible favor to two of the head of houses. I wouldn't be surprised when word of this gets out that Professor Flitwick would give you a complete pass for a couple of days to find out where the portrait of Rowena Ravenclaw is. But meanwhile we really need to get back to the tower."

"Thank goodness we don't have to do a favor like that for Professor Snape. Godric told us that Salazar Slytherin had left the school before the portraits had been painted. There will be no portrait to track down but only the Chamber of Secrets to find and explore."

"Well, we're not going to be doing that now. We'd best hurry. Unless we're sneaking back under you father's cloak."

Harry just grabbed Hermione's hand to hurry her along. She had gotten a lot better at running since she had been joining Harry in the mornings. They thundered up the main staircase and dashed down the hallways to continue their climb up to their common room. They were headed down one of the corridors on the fourth floor when they heard some cries for help coming from one of the side passages. Never one to resist helping anybody, Harry pulled Hermione in the direction they heard the cries coming from.

Two corners later, they found something very strange. Three wands lying on the floor. The two Gryffindors were puzzling about that when they discovered the sources of the voices. Looking up they saw that Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle were flattened on the ceiling and struggling to get loose.

"Get us down from here" came the demand from Draco Malfoy.

"Did you hear something Hermione?" Harry asked in a very casual manner.

"I'm not exactly sure Harry. It could have been just mice or the wind. Maybe we ought to hurry and get back to our common room." Hermione turned to leave but was stopped by another voice.

"Please get us down Granger." The seldom heard voice of Vincent Crabbe cut through the silence of the corridor.

Harry moved to step under the trio of Slytherins and looked up. "Why should she do that? You have been the loudest in complaining about her 'type' being here at Hogwarts?"

"Would you just shut up Potter and get us down from here?" Draco Malfoy's temper was only curtailed a little by his embarrassment.

"Manners, manners. I think we have enough time to get back to the tower Hermione before Filch and Mrs. Norris start their rounds. They go through this corridor a lot." Harry held out his arm for Hermione. They had taken two steps away when they heard Malfoys voice again.

"All right. What do you want? I don't want to be stuck here all night."

Harry turned around and picked up the wands from the floor. "I think a sincere apology for the name calling would be in order."

"I'm sorry for the things I've called you Potter."

"Not to me. To the nice looking, powerful witch with the wand standing next to me."

Malfoy struggled against the invisible bonds that held him and his cronies to the ceiling. After a half-minute of struggling he appeared defeated. "I'm sorry that I ever said anything that you found objectionable."

"Miss Granger" Harry prompted.

"Very well. Miss Granger."

Harry nodded to Hermione and she cast the "Finite Incantatem" spell toward the three Slytherins. The three dropped like stones to the floor and would have been hurt except that Harry cast a cushioning charm at the last second. Hermione and he tried to keep a straight face as the three landed in a huge pile of feathers.

Draco and the others spent more than a minute removing feathers out from their clothing and mouths. Harry silently banished the feathers which got a grateful look from both Crabbe and Goyle. Malfoy led the other two up to where Hermione and Harry stood. He held out his hand for his wand.

Harry tossed Crabbe's and Goyle's wands to them but held on to Draco's. "Two more things if you please, Mr. Malfoy."

Draco realized that Harry was having a little sport with him but it was better than waiting for Filch while stuck to the ceiling. Draco grumbled but turned to Hermione. "My thanks Miss Granger."

"Thank you Mr. Malfoy." Draco was surprised when Harry calmly handed him his wand.

"I thought you wanted two things."

Harry smiled. "The Thank You was sufficient but I am still curious who did this to you."

Goyle started speaking then. "It was that Weasley brat. She…"

Draco turned on Goyle suddenly. "Shut it." He turned back to address the curious Gryffindors. "We were just having a friendly little chat with her. Really. We just wanted to know how her life was going on without the golden boy being in it. She just disarmed us and hexed us for no good reason. That witch has a serious temper problem."

Harry smiled as he continued talking to the Slytherin. "You have no idea Mr. Malfoy. She's done far worse to me at times; consider yourself lucky you can still stand and talk. But enough for our social time; we all need to hurry home before Filch really does see us."

The two parties split up and headed in different direction. Harry was about to reach for his invisibility cloak when Malfoy's voice sounded in the corridor again.

"Hey Pothead?"

Harry turned to see what else Malfoy wanted. He saw Malfoy glare at him a bit and then surprisingly saw him smile evilly. "This changes nothing Potter. You're going to regret ever showing up for school this year. It's lucky for you that I'd been up there for a while."

Harry laughed. "Been there, done that. Good night Draco."

Hermione watched as the Slytherins withdraw from them. 'What just happened Harry?'

Harry drew out the invisibility cloak and threw it over the top of them. 'Never underestimate how mad a bloke can get when he's been embarrassed. We could have just left him there to piss himself and he's upset that it was us that came along to rescue him.'

Hermione wrapped an arm around her boyfriend under the cloak. "You really are something else Harry."

Xxxx xxxx

The lively discussion at the staff table over breakfast the next morning halted suddenly when Professor Snape sat down to eat. "What's happened now?"

Dumbledore nodded to Professor Sprout who started retelling the news. "The 'Hearth of Friendship' was found and opened last night. I spent a good deal of the last twelve hours talking to the portrait of Helga Hufflepuff. We were just trying to find a time when all who were interested could join me in visiting her again."

"If it's really been opened, I'm not sure a crowd of people would be the best way to talk to one of the founders."

"Believe me, it's really been opened. Perhaps you're right though Severus" Professor Sprout said. "I'll ask Lady Hufflepuff how many visitors she would like at one time."

"I think it would be an incredible opportunity to learn about the actual founding of Hogwarts" Professor Flitwick said. "And maybe something about the other founders."

Dumbledore took a look around the table and surprisingly cast a privacy ward. "I can tell you now that we actually have two of the four founders' portraits to talk to. Godric Gryffindor's Abode was also discovered recently and Minerva and I have had the pleasure of sitting down and conversing with him a bit. I'm of the opinion that this news not be made available to the students or the board of governors quite yet."

Professor Snape didn't miss the look that Sprout gave to the Gryffindor table and the particular messy haired boy sitting in the middle of it. "To what do we owe this timely happenstance? Or is it a who?"

Professor McGonagall took a look around. "It's actually a little confluence of time and people. The headmaster thinks that the school itself is ready to give up some secrets and they seem to have chosen Lord Potter as its' agent."

Hagrid almost choked on the slab of bacon he was chewing on. "LORD POTTER? You mean to say that young Harry is an honest to goodness Lord? Blimey!"

Dumbledore turned to look at the rest of the staff at the table. "The student we are referring to has come into his inheritance and will become Lord Potter when he becomes emancipated. Being Harry, he wants none of the fame or acknowledgement that goes with this. Harry has made the formal request that none of his instructors or anyone else treat him any different from the rest of the students here. He particularly does not want the rest of the students to regard him as anything special or different."

Snape made a disgusted sound at that last comment. "Like that is going to happen. The Boy-Who-Lived! He's been the center for any and every thing unusual that has happened here since last year. He's as bad as his father. A spoiled troublemaker." The Potions professor threw down his napkin and gathered a few scones and rolls to take with him as he stormed out of the hall.

Dumbledore shook his head sadly as he watched Snape leave the Great Hall but then he had a thoughtful look cross his features. He looked at the rest of the upset staff carefully. "I hope the rest of you will respect and adhere to Mr. Potter's request. He still had many years left here at Hogwarts and I think he would like to just be a student."

A few smiles and chuckles from the rest of the staff was the response to that statement. "Well maybe as best he can be anyway. Poppy, could I see you for a second before you return to the medical wing?"

"Of course headmaster." Madame Pomfrey had finished her meal and stopped by the headmasters spot at the table. ""What do you need Albus?" she said quietly.

"I realize this is a little unusual but could you take a copy of Mr. Potter's incoming physical and give it to Professor Snape with the word that he is not to divulge the contents to anyone else?"

A gleam of understanding lit up Madame Pomfrey's face. "Of course sir. Would you like me to tell him to come see you after he has read it?"

"No, I think the lesson will be in that piece of paper. I shouldn't have to reinforce it."

Madame Pomfrey bid farewell to the rest of the staff at the table and hurried to leave the hall and go do the chore that Dumbledore had given her. She paused at the entrance and looked back at the green-eyed second year that seemed to be the magnet for a considerable amount of good and bad fortune. She watched as Harry laughed at something one of his housemates said and hoped she wouldn't spend any of the rest of the year seeing him professionally.