Chapter 43
Bad News & Spilling Secrets
For the most part, life had been quiet for the last few days since Rita's article. Salazar had occasionally come across someone who made a scathing remark or two, but he just shook his head and ignored them. Draco was torn about what to do, seeing as he didn't want to defend Albus, but nor did he want to agree with 'Harry' on anything.
It was quite funny to watch his inner struggle really.
However, many people had come up to him to offer sympathy and encouragement. Susan Bones even told him that her Aunt, Amelia Bones who was Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, had contacted her and asked Susan to tell him that if he wanted to press charges against his muggle family that she was more than willing to look into making that happen. Salazar told Susan that he didn't, seeing as that part of his life was done with forever, and assured her that he would send a letter to her Aunt explaining his decision.
Salazar received a letter back from Madam Bones telling him that she understood the need to move on from unpleasant past experiences, but that if he ever changed his mind, her offer would still stand.
Salazar was just thankful that there was someone out there who was willing help out a 'child', instead of sending him nasty howlers full of gruesome details of what they wanted to do to him.
With the exception of the occasional turning of a page, it was completely silent in the Snake Pit as Salazar, Godric, and Blaise sat at the tables doing homework, reading, or studying. Nora was sleeping soundly on the rock Salazar had gotten her during the summer after first year, while Hedwig and Nehum sat together on Nehum's perch. They were leaning against one another and snoozing. Emeralda wasn't with them though because she was out hunting for food in the Forbidden Forest. She had come back many times saying she had a belly full of spiders.
Salazar just hoped she wouldn't eat one of the centaurs.
"SIR!" A disembodied voice shouted just inches from Salazar's ear, causing him to jerk so violently that he smeared the ink on his Potions homework.
Blaise and Godric were also startled, and Godric drew his wand and stared around with wide eyes, as Blaise let out a slight yelp and dropped his Transfiguration book. Nora hissed loudly, and Nehum and Hedwig squawked angrily.
"Even though you are disillusioned Severus, I can see the cheeky smirk on your face." Salazar chuckled, causing Blaise and Godric to snort as they relaxed and went about what they had been doing.
Severus chuckled as well. "It's not every day I get to sneak up on you. However, there is something very important that I need to discuss with you." He said, suddenly sounding very serious. "It involves my dark mark."
Salazar looked towards Severus's voice in alarm. "What's the matter?"
"It's growing darker." The young man said with a bit of nervousness.
"Let me see it. We can go to my room so the rest of Slytherin house won't see you." Salazar replied as he stood up.
They walked the sort walk to Salazar's room, and only after the door was shut, Severus finally lifted the disillusionment charm. Salazar studied the pale, nervous Potions Master as he lifted the sleeve of his left forearm.
Salazar took his arm and held it up to inspect it.
"You were right. It's definitely getting darker." Salazar said with a sigh as he leaned against the wall.
"Karkaroff's is getting darker as well. He came to my office yesterday evening to show me his. He, like myself, is scared, though I did not show that I was alarmed. You know what this means don't you?" Severus said, looking towards his mentor as the man began to pace the bedroom.
"Yes, and we can assume that the rest are getting darker as well. Has Malfoy contacted you?"
"No sir, but if you want I can check with him."
"I'll leave that up for you to decide. With Karkaroff readily available to us, you may not need to check with others. Keep me posted, but have you told Albus yet?" Salazar asked.
"No sir, I came to you first. Honestly, I was hoping it wasn't real, because it's been getting darker for over two months now, but when Karkaroff came to me last night, I knew I couldn't ignore it any longer."
Salazar nodded and squeezed Severus's shoulder tightly. "Four years ago I told you it was your decision. If you want to leave the spy life, I will look into removing that mark, but if you choose to do this, it is your choice. However, you do need to tell Albus because he needs to know, BUT if you choose not to be a spy, you tell him point blank-no. Do NOT let him guilt trip you into spying on Voldemort." Salazar said, looking at the young man with fear in his eyes. "One slip up Severus, and Voldemort will kill you. I don't want to bury you while you're young." He added in a whisper as he drew in a deep breath, but then he continued.
"I want to bury you at an old age, after you have lived a full, healthy, free, and loving life." Salazar said as his voice cracked slightly. "You mean too much to me, and I can't lose you right now, my son."
Severus looked at him in shock, but there was hope in his eyes. "Son?"
Salazar nodded softly. "It's been a long time since I've had one, but yes, I consider you a son."
They looked at each other for several long minutes, but finally Severus nodded. "Thank you." He whispered. "It's been four years, but I'm still getting used to being wanted for me, and not for what I can do for someone."
"It takes time." Salazar said softly. "But it's true, I love you like a son." Then he took a deep breath. "I know what I want you to do, but it's not my choice to make. If you choose to stay a spy, I will support your decision."
"I think I will sir." Severus said quietly. "We need someone on the inside, and I'm the perfect man for the job, but I don't want to disappoint you."
"You can never disappoint me." Salazar said with a reassuring smile. "And as I said, I will support you, but if at any time you want to quit, do so. I will not think less of you."
"I will sir." Severus said with a hint of a smile on his face. Then he stood up straight and regained his 'Professor' stance. "I will tell Albus about my mark the first chance I get, however at the present time, I need to make an announcement in the common room."
Salazar chuckled a bit. He knew this was knew to Severus and it would take a while for the young man to process it all. Instinct forced him to clamp down on any emotion until he could work it out in private later, so Salazar was not surprised by the abrupt change of subject.
"All right. We will wait until you enter the common room, then we will give you the chance to snarl and glare at us, before shooting the floor with a blasting hex to get our attention." Salazar said with a grin, which caused Severus's eyes to sparkle with mischief.
"I think you will like this announcement though." Severus said with a feral grin, as the reapplied his disillusionment charm.
"Oh really? What is it?"
"You will have to wait Mr. Potter." Severus 'snapped'. "You get no special privilege from me."
Salazar threw back his head and laughed loudly as they made their way back into the sitting room. Godric was looking at him oddly, and Blaise looked curious as Salazar sat back down in his chair, as Severus headed out of the entrance tunnel.
"Well, his mark is getting darker." Salazar said in a more subdued tone. "That means Voldemort is getting stronger, and will likely return soon. How he is accomplishing this is a mystery though. I told Severus to let Albus know, but everyone else needs to know as well."
"Salazar, we are in no position have Voldemort return. We can't kill him permanently because we don't even know if we have found all of his horcruxes yet." Godric said with wide, concerned eyes.
"I know." Salazar said with a deep sigh. "Seven is the maximum number he can make, so unless we find out otherwise, we need to assume that is how many he has. We have destroyed the one in me, the diary, and the diadem."
"That's three, so we need four more." Blaise said, staring at Salazar with wide eyes. "What could they be?"
"Anything." Salazar said with a sigh. "And that's the problem."
"What do we do?" Blaise asked. "I mean, I know what you all are going to do, but what about us kids?"
"Learn everything you can." Salazar said as he gazed at the young man. "Godric and I will teach you all we can on top of your normal classes. If war is coming, it's coming sooner than any of us predicted and you and the others will be a target, simply for being my friend. You have to learn to defend yourselves."
Blaise gulped slightly, but he nodded firmly. "I understand."
Just then, a loud boom sounded above their heads, and they looked up to see Severus snarling at them. Salazar stifled a chuckle as Godric readied the stairs, and Blaise summoned the Walking-Through-Walls potion.
When they emerged from the floor, Severus snarled at them again before turning to address the rest of the house.
"Now that Potter and his worshipers have graced us with their presence, there is an announcement that I need to make." He said dryly. "It is a tradition of the Triwizard Tournament to hold a ball. This ball is called The Yule Ball and is held on Christmas night. It is open to only fourth years and above, unless you are lucky enough to have an older student invite you as their date." He said, and another sneer appeared on his face as he looked at Godric. "So some of you, will have to peel yourself away from your hero worship for an evening." He said, then he turned to readdress the rest of the house. "This is a formal ball, so dress robes are required. Our Champion," he snarled, "must find a date since it is required that he have one as well, even if he pretends he does not want to be a Champion. No excuses Potter." He spat. "I will not let you embarrass Slytherin house more than you already have. You will do what is required of you, or I will personally see that you have detention from now until you graduate. Is that clear?"
A very pale and flushed cheek Salazar swallowed hard. "Yes sir."
"Good." He said with smirk, then he strode out of the common room with his robes billowing behind him.
An excited hum filled the main common room as Salazar slowly sank back down in the Snake Pit.
This was not going to be fun.
"I'm going to kill him. I'm going to kill him." Salazar muttered under his breath the next morning at breakfast as they sat at the Gryffindor table.
All night long he had pleaded with Severus to try and get him out of this somehow. Unfortunately, the order had not come from Severus, it had come from Albus, who said all the Champions must open the Yule Ball with the traditional opening dance.
So he absolutely needed to find a date for the evening.
"Who are we going to kill Harry? Snape or Dumbledore?" Neville asked with a snort.
Salazar glared at him. "Albus. Who else?"
George laughed loudly at him. "Cheer up Harry, you can always take Ginny."
Salazar turned his glare on the lad, and shot a particularly nasty horn growing hex at him, but George managed to duck just in time. The lad burst out laughing, but everyone glanced down at the length of the table to find Ginny making googley eyes at Salazar.
"I think not." Salazar said, turning to bury his head in his plate. "This would not be a problem if I was fourteen. The problem is, I'm not fourteen. I don't want to take a young lady who is going to think that we are going to end up as a couple, and nor do I want to take someone who only wants to go with me for bragging rights."
"Oh Harry, you're such an idiot!" Hermione said, whopping him on the arm with a book. "Take me you dolt. I will think neither thing, and since I know the truth, it will be easier on you."
Salazar sighed and looked at her. "That was my first thought Hermione, but then I thought about it. It's not fair to you. This is your first ball, and you need to have fun. You need to go with someone whom you truly want to spend the evening with, not someone who you have to spend the evening with. You only get one fist ball, and it must be an enjoyable one. I can't do that to you."
"Aww, how sweet Salazar. I didn't know you had it in you." Godric snorted, causing Salazar to grab Hermione's book and hit him with it.
Everyone laughed, but Hermione smiled softly and patted his arm. "I do want to go with you Harry, you must believe that."
Salazar smiled, and took a deep breath. "I'll tell you what, if you don't have a date before two days prior to the ball, then we will go together. I say that because I also don't wish to deny any young man the pleasure of your company for the evening." Then his face grew dark and he scowled. "So long as he keeps himself respectable, abides by your wishes, and keeps his hands to himself. If he so much as holds your hand in a fashion you don't want him to, I'll hex him until he cries, and will make him apologize to you while on his hands and knees, begging for mercy."
Everyone burst out laughing, but Hermione blushed a deep red. She giggled a bit, and leaned over to kiss his cheek.
"Yes Father." She said, causing Salazar to grin stupidly and Godric to roar even louder with his laughter.
"Good." Salazar said with a firm nod. "But you must promise me that you won't deny someone who may ask simply because you are worried about me."
"I promise Harry." She said with a giggle.
Salazar chuckled, but Fred grinned. "So Harry, who are you taking to the ball?"
Salazar groaned and shook his head. "I have no idea."
Everyone grinned and snorted. Clearly this was not as cut and dry as it seemed.
It had been four days since the announcement of the Yule Ball, and two weeks until said ball. The last four days had been a nightmare for Salazar though, because not only did he NOT have a date yet, he kept getting asked to the ball by girls he had never even spoken too, and needless to say, it made him uncomfortable. Godric's constant teasing was the only thing that made him grin, though it was starting to get old now.
Salazar had actually taken to walking around the castle under a disillusionment charm because of the unrelenting female student population. Moody looked at him curiously at first, until Salazar sighed heavily, canceled his charm, and motioned for Moody to follow him. Salazar got all the way into the courtyard before a second year Ravenclaw came up and asked him to take her to the ball. He politely said no, before reapplying the charm. Then he pointedly looked at Moody, who burst out laughing and shook his head as he walked away.
Salazar honestly didn't know why the ladies kept asking him to the ball, when before, they basically ignored him. Neville said he overheard a few Ravenclaws saying it was because of the way he defeated the dragon, but Blaise said he had heard a few whispering it was because they wanted to 'mother' him, meaning they thought he needed someone to love and take care of him.
Salazar had to laugh at that because not only was it weird, but he hadn't needed a mother in a very long time.
There were a few ideas about his predicament that had been voiced, each more ridiculous than the next. Fred suggested he turn Nora in a human and take her, but that was impossible to do. Remus said he should ask Poppy or Minerva, which was shot down seeing as showing up with either of them would raise more than a few eyebrows. Godric said he should just transfigure a rock and take it, but Salazar glared at him for suggesting it.
Blaise had ended up asking Daphne Greengrass to the ball, and Salazar was happy for the young lad. Neville was going with Hannah Abbot, whom he had asked after their last Herbology class, though the poor lad stuttered through the whole thing. Hannah was just as red faced as he was when he asked her, but she said yes which brought a smile to everyone's face.
Hermione hadn't been asked yet, but there was still time, and as far as Salazar getting a date, he just hoped it all worked out so that he wouldn't have to take a transfigured rock to the Yule Ball.
Because that would be embarrassing!
To compound the problems he was currently having, everyone had been alerted to the dismaying news of Voldemort's soon return. Lily and James became frightened, but promised that they would start keeping a lower profile. Sirius, Remus, and Minerva said that they would keep their eyes and ears open, while Merlin, Nicholas, and Perenelle began brushing up on older magic that had been long forgotten, in the hopes that it would give them another advantage over the madman.
The news also made the children sit up and pay a bit more attention in class. Fred and George's grades actually began to improve somewhat, and Neville seemed to sit up a bit straighter and he began to study everything he could get his hands on.
Severus had gone to Albus with the news, and he reported back and said that the Headmaster had paled drastically, but had nodded his head. Albus immediately told Severus that he needed to prepare himself to resume his spy duties.
This had made Severus and Salazar bristle with anger, seeing as Albus told Severus to do it, instead of asking him.
It was Saturday, the first Hogsmeade weekend of the year and they were all sitting at the Slytherin table, completely ignoring the evil stares Montague, Draco, and the others were giving them. However, everyone's attention was diverted when a scowling Albus walked in. Everyone stared in shock because his long white hair and beard was standing straight up and was dyed red and gold. He actually had to physically part it with his hands in order to see where we was walking.
Salazar, Godric, and everyone else burst out laughing because it was the funniest thing they had seen in a while, but Remus looked downright murderous as Albus came to a stop next to Flitwick. Albus bent down to whisper something to the Charms Master, who nodded and stood up.
"You can't Filius." Remus said through gritted teeth. "It has no counter charm, and will only wear off in three days."
Professor Flitwick looked at him in surprise, but Remus kept right on going as he glared at Albus.
"Albus, I demand to know why you have put a mail redirection charm on Harry!" He snarled loudly, causing everyone to stop laughing and look at him curiously.
"I have done no such thing Remus." Albus said with as much dignity as he could muster, given his present predicament.
"LIAR!" Remus shouted.
"What are you talking about Lupin!?" Severus snapped, but he looked just as curious as Salazar did.
"That prank was meant for Harry!" He shouted, still glaring at Albus. "It came from Sirius, who thought it would be funny. Sirius and I spent all last weekend creating it, and it was supposed to get him as soon as he opened the box! Harry was supposed to get it, not you Albus! Now tell me why you have placed a mail charm on Harry!? What business do have to do so?"
Albus glared at him. "As Headmaster of this school it is well within my rights to make sure my students stay safe. If I suspect someone of smuggling in dark objects or other suspicious dark magic related things into Hogwarts, I am allowed to place a mail redirection ward on that individual."
Remus glared at him and gritted his teeth. "Harry, you and Gordy can cast a corporeal patronus right?" Remus said, glancing at them.
"Yes." Salazar said as he stood up and looked at him curiously.
"Later today after you get back from Hogsmeade, I'm going to teach you something that you can do with them that is very useful." He said clearly.
"Remus you can't!" Albus cried. "That is only for…"
"To hell with that Albus!" Remus shouted. "You have forced my hand!"
Albus tried in vain to get his long beard and hair to lay flat as he attempted to glare at Remus, but it just kept springing back up as soon as he let it go. Finally the Headmaster stopped struggling with it, and once more parted it in the middle like a curtain, using both of his hands to hold it in place.
"Remus, I forbid you teach that…spell…to Harry. It is not a good idea."
"Oh I think otherwise." Remus said, still snarling. "Harry, you and Gordy come see me after dinner tonight, and Albus, I will be telling Sirius about this."
Albus glared at him, before stalking out of the great hall. Moody sighed loudly, but followed him.
"I told you that putting up a mail ward was a bad idea Albus." Moody said as soon as the door to the Headmaster's office closed.
"Alastor, what am I going to do for the next three days?" Albus said with a sigh as he plopped down in his desk chair, once again trying his best to fight with his beard and hair.
"Cut your hair?" Moody asked with a chuckle, causing Albus to glare at him.
"I want you to go into Hogsmeade today to keep an eye on Harry. I want to see who he is talking to, and what he does. Try to be discreet. I was going to do it myself, but…" His voice trailed off, as he motioned to his hair.
Moody snorted, but nodded and headed out the door.
The children had already left for Hogsmeade by the time Moody got back down to the first floor. He had already silenced himself so that no one would hear his leg, and the tell-tale thump, thump it always gave off. He also stopped by his room to grab his invisibility cloak so that he could sneak around, though he knew he needed to try and blend in with the crowd so that Potter's blasted snake wouldn't see him.
Salazar and Godric were coming up from the Snake Pit, just as Moody was making his way into the entrance hall. The place was deserted, but he stopped to listen to their whispered conversation. He kept his magical eye on Salazar's right robe sleeve, knowing that is where Nora always lurked, but he was surprised to see that she wasn't there.
"Albus needs to see me leave the grounds, so that that he doesn't think I'm up to something dastardly. Give me ten minutes to get home and get changed, then I'll meet you in the Hogs Head Pub. Are you sure Aberforth can be trusted in knowing half of the truth?"
"Yes Salazar, I told you a hundred times. Aberforth and Albus don't get along. It goes all the way back to what happened to their sister. Aberforth would kill Albus himself if he had the heart to do it. Besides, Albus looks down on Aberforth and belittles him at every chance." Godric said, shaking his head. "Look he knows about me. I've already told you that. Seeing you in the flesh is not going to rattle him a bit. I told him of my past and all that I had done. He told me that if I ever found you, to bring you. Every time I go in there for a drink he always asks me, 'have you found old Slytherin yet?'"
Salazar chuckled, but then sighed. "I'm still not going to tell him the big secret Godric. He's too close to Albus, and I can't risk it."
"I understand Salazar, trust me I do."
"I know Godric. I'm sorry, but this is not the place to hold this discussion. We need to go…"
"Uncle? Godric? May I have a word?"
They both looked up a bit startled as Helena floated towards them with a determined look on her face.
"Of course Helena. What is the trouble?" Godric asked, furrowing his brow.
"There is a young third year in Mother's House by the name of Luna Lovegood. I know she is a friend of yours, but she is having problems and is trying to hide it. She is being terribly bullied and other Ravenclaws keep stealing her things. For the last three days the child has been forced to go barefoot all about the castle. She can't even go to Hogsmeade today because they have stolen all her shoes and socks." She answered.
"Dobby!" Salazar called.
"Mr. Harry Salazar Potter…."
"Dobby!" Salazar nearly hissed.
"Dobby is sorry Mr. Harry Sal…Potter sir, but Dobby is just excited you called for him! How can Dobby be of service sir?" The elf asked as he bounced from one foot to the next.
"Will you personally see that all of Luna Lovegood's things are found? They have been stolen and hidden all over the castle. Once you find everything, I want you to bring it all to the Snake Pit so that I can charm it accordingly." Salazar said.
"Of course sir!" Dobby exclaimed, popping away with an excited grin.
"Do you want to catch the bullies?" Godric asked. "We could use the charms we used to use to put a stop to that sort of rubbish."
"Exactly what I was thinking, but I also want to put the anti-theft charm on her things too, so that if they continue to steal them, Luna's things will automatically be returned to her."
Godric nodded and turned to Helena. "I want you to alert Professor Flitwick to this problem, and ask him to address the issue. Don't give names, just bring the problem to his attention. If/when he calls for a meeting in Ravenclaw Tower, I want you to attend, then report back to us please."
"Of course Godric." She said with a smile and a nod. "I shall do so as soon as I see Professor Flitwick."
She turned away, and floated through the opposite wall, leaving Godric and Salazar to shake their heads. It seemed no matter how much time had passed, things like this would always happen.
"Hogs Head, ten minutes. We've lingered long enough." Salazar said, taking a nervous look around the entrance hall.
"Meet you there." Godric replied.
Godric disillusioned himself and headed towards his house, but Salazar stayed in full view as he headed for the front gates so that he could apparate to his flat. They both needed to change their clothes so they could return to their adult forms.
Moody however, stood there gob smacked as he watched Salazar run towards the front gates. His mind was whirling with everything that he heard, but there was one thing that he did know.
He was going to be at the Hogs Head Pub in ten minutes.
When Salazar got to the Hogs Head, he entered the dingy pub cautiously. He had on a dark green robe with the hood pulled over his head, so that no one could see his face. The pub was empty, except for Godric, who was already at the bar joking with a man that looked a lot like Albus, though just a bit younger.
When the door opened, Moody, who was disillusioned and under his invisibility cloak, looked up in shock as Godric laughed loudly. He had snuck in when the last customer left the bar, and he was certain that no one knew he was there.
"And the baldheaded fool graces us with his presence!" He laughed. "Salazar, we were just discussing ways of permanently turning Albus into a goat. What say you?"
Salazar pulled back his hood, and took a look around before chuckling. "I think you have already had too many shots of firewhiskey." Then he looked at Aberforth. "Don't you know that, that bloody Gryffindor can't hold his liquor? He'll be drunk before you can say Quidditch."
Aberforth laughed loudly. "He told me he finally found you." He said, holding out his hand. "Aberforth Dumbledore sir, but you can call me Abe, and I'm very pleased to meet you Mr. Slytherin."
"Salazar please. Mr. Slytherin seems too obvious." Salazar chuckled. "And it's nice to meet you as well."
"Or you can call him baldheaded fool." Godric teased. "He had hair last time I saw him. I think he burnt it all off in an accident to be honest."
"And I think you are delusional." Salazar laughed. "Being bald is a personal choice."
"So he says." Godric grinned. "Give him a firewhiskey Abe. He needs to loosen up."
Aberforth chuckled and plucked a glass from behind the counter before poring the whiskey, but then he looked at Godric and grinned.
"After that article in the paper, I felt certain you were going to go charging into the school to give Albus the what for, but I see my brother still has his head attached to his shoulders."
"Well I've got a secret for you Abe." Godric said with a crooked grin. "I'm actually posing as a student up at the school so I can keep a better eye on my grandson."
Aberforth mouth fell open in shock, while Salazar felt like slapping the idiot upside the head, but he managed to refrain from doing it.
"Is that why I hardly see you anymore? I was afraid you'd moved off." Aberforth said. "But I take it my brother doesn't know this."
"No he doesn't. I've befriended Harry. I told the hat to put me in Slytherin so I could better keep an eye on him. If you remember that article, Harry mentioned his best friend Gordy, well that's me." Godric laughed. "Gordy Cigrd Roffin. It's an anagram for Godric Gryffindor. Albus hasn't caught on yet."
Aberforth burst out laughing. "I'm surprised, but my brother tends to overlook the simple things. Everything has to be complicated for him to understand something. His brain is always working, but it's like he never comprehends what's right in front of him. It's a shame really."
Salazar laughed. "Well your brother is something else. I can say that for sure. I don't believe anything that he's spouting about Potter though."
"I don't believe it either." Aberforth said with a sigh. "Albus came down here the day I sent him that howler, which I'm sure Godric's told you about. He said that I didn't know what I was talking about, and he said that he was personally going to destroy the boy. Crucify him in the papers!" Aberforth shouted, as he shook his head and furiously wiped down some glasses. "Albus said he is going to tell everyone that Potter is just like Voldemort. Outline very similarity they share, right down to being descended from the Peverells. I told him it wasn't a good idea."
"Did you say the Peverells?" Godric and Salazar asked in unison, as they looked at Aberforth in shock.
"Yeah why?"
"The makers of the Deathly Hallows." Salazar said, as his mind began churning. "The elder wand, the resurrection stone, and the cloak of…oh my Merlin! How could I have been so stupid!?" Salazar shouted, suddenly jumping up from his seat.
He started muttering to himself as he began pacing back and forth in the pub. Godric chuckled, as Aberforth looked at him curiously, but Moody's head was reeling. At this point he didn't know what to think.
"Salazar, do you want to share what's on your mind?" Godric asked.
Salazar waved him off, but then he pinched the bridge of his nose and looked at Aberforth, then back to Godric, before pinching the bridge of his nose again.
Then he sighed.
"Damn it Godric I could kill you!"
Godric looked at him oddly, but Salazar sighed again. "During first year, I got a 'present' from Albus. The note accompanying it said that 'my father' let him borrow it before he died. It was an old invisibility cloak that James said had been in his family for many generations. I didn't think anything of it, nor did I realize just what James had said when I returned it to him."
Godric furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "But invisibility cloaks don't last that long. Most began to fade in a few months, depending on the charms placed on them."
"I know that, but that didn't occur to me. The Potter's cloak of invisibility is one of the Deathly Hallows. Only the cloak of invisibility can withstand time." Salazar said, looking at his friend and shaking his head. "Do you know what that means?"
"If the Potters are related to old Ignotus Peverell, who made the cloak, then that would make Voldemort related to Cadmus. Everyone alive during that time knew the story of the Peverell brothers." Godric said, then he sighed heavily. "I sought the elder wand for years hoping to find it. I thought that if I held the elder wand that it would be strong enough to break the immortality spells, and that I could finally kill you for leaving us, after torturing you properly first." He admitted with a sigh. "But I never found it, and I'm glad I didn't."
Salazar gave his best friend a weak smile, but he patted him on the shoulder. "I'm glad you didn't find it, for both our sakes."
"Indeed." Godric said with a nod as he smiled at Salazar. "Antioch Peverell, who made the elder wand, never had children, so that means Voldemort is descended from Cadmus Peverell, maker of the resurrection stone."
"That means someone in Voldemort's family has the resurrection stone." Salazar said. "Ten galleons says Voldemort has it, seeing as he is the last of my line. At some point, the Slytherins must have married into the Peverell Family."
"But why would Voldemort want it?" Godric asked in confusion. "He's scared of death, hence all the horcruxes. I mean, all the stone does is bring love ones back from the dead, and it barely does that. Besides, something tells me he wouldn't want to have a mother-son chat."
"True." Salazar said.
"Albus has, or had, the elder wand." Aberforth said suddenly, causing both Founders to stare at him.
"What do you mean…had?" Godric asked.
"Harry Potter snapped it when Albus tried to obliviate him at the end of second year." Aberforth said. "He came down here wanting a drink, and began raging about how the boy was stupid for doing it. The old wandmaker, Gregorovitch, had it before Grindelwald stole it from his shop. Albus won the elder wand from Grindelwald after their duel."
Godric stared at Aberforth for a long minute, but Salazar burst out laughing and after a moment, so did Godric.
He hiccuped slightly, and looked at his best friend with a lopsided grin. "You snapped the elder wand. You baldheaded, stupid fool. You…snapped…the…elder…wand!" He cried as he laughed loudly. "And you call me a bloody Gryffindor!"
"Is that why Albus hates me so much?" Salazar said with a snort.
"What?" Aberforth said, looking at the two laughing Founders in confusion.
Salazar suddenly sobered up a moment, but then he sighed loudly, and in an ungraceful manner, began banging his head on the bar.
"Godric, you tell him."
Godric snorted loudly, and told Aberforth everything. When he was finished, Aberforth sat sideways on a barstool, threw back his head, and laughed for several long minutes.
"The Potters are alive, and for the last thirteen years, you have been masquerading as Harry Potter!" He cried gleefully. "And Albus doesn't know!"
"I don't trust him. I just don't. I can't. I know too much about him and he just…I can't trust him." Salazar said as he shook his head and downed another shot of firewhiskey.
"Well, you are right not to trust my brother." Aberforth said as he leaned on the bar. "Albus says he doesn't like power, and it's true. He's never wanted to be Minister, and he is fine being Headmaster, but he likes to know it all, and be it all. He really does believe that he is the second coming of Merlin."
"Well he's not. We knew Merlin, and Albus is no Merlin." Salazar said.
"Oh yeah, that's right. Merlin was a Slytherin." Aberforth said with a chuckle, as Salazar nodded. "Well Salazar, my hats off to you. It really is. You did more for the Potters the night you sent them away, than my brother did their whole lives. I told him point blank, I said 'Albus, they are a young couple. Get them out of the country.' And he told me no, said that they needed to stay here because of some prophecy. Load of bullocks if you ask me." He grumbled.
"Well that prophecy is a whole other ball of wax." Godric snorted.
"It was told to Albus right here in this pub, but I didn't get to hear all of it myself. Had to throw Severus Snape out on his bum." Aberforth said with a snarl.
"Yeah, we know all about that." Salazar said with a nod. "There are a few Professors up at the school who know the truth. Remus Lupin, Minerva, Poppy, and Severus."
"Snape knows?" Aberforth asked in shock.
"Yeah." Salazar said as he downed another shot of firewhiskey. "He was the first who knew. Lily just knew Severus was the reason Voldemort asked who he thought was her, to stand aside that night. When I questioned him under veritaserum, he told me his loyalty resided with Albus, and not Voldemort. I trust him. I really do. He made a mistake when he was young, and he regrets it."
"I imagine that being the Founder of Slytherin has a lot to do with it also." Aberforth said, and Salazar nodded. "Well my friends, I can say all of this makes me feel a lot better. Knowing that it is you up there in that school, and not a real child sets my mind at ease, but it's still horrible what Albus is willing to do to a, seemingly, fourteen year boy. It makes me sick, but knowing in the end that my brother will get knocked off his high horse…well let's just say…it makes me laugh." Aberforth said with a wicked grin.
"We aim to throw him out of our school on his bum." Godric said with a serious tone. "We don't really care what he does to us, well Salazar really, but the way he puts real children in danger just rubs us wrong."
"Case in point, Ron Weasley." Salazar added as he took another shot of whiskey, and Godric nodded.
"The Weasley's are a good family." Aberforth said with a nod. "But is there any news on who put Harry Potter's name in the Goblet?"
Salazar shook his head. "None. It could be anyone really, but with Voldemort returning to full form, I'd say he has a hand in it somehow."
"I thought it was Moody at first, to be honest. He's the one who suggested Salazar go through with it." Godric said, causing Moody's head to snap up.
"I don't think it was though." Salazar said, shaking his head. "It's like I told everyone before, I don't think he's the type to put a, seemingly, fourteen year old in this much danger. I actually like him."
"So do I." Aberforth said, nodding in agreement. "Mad-Eye is a good man. He's a paranoid old codger, but a good man none the less. He and Albus have been friends for years, but Mad-Eye doesn't go along to get along. If he doesn't agree with something he'll let you know. During the first war, Mad-Eye and Albus disagreed a lot with how the direction of it was going. Mad-Eye said we needed to actually fight, but all Albus wanted to do was save the Death Eaters." He said, rolling his eyes. "He said it could be done, especially since Snape had switched sides. Albus said if it was possible for one, it was possible for them all."
Salazar sighed and shook his head. "Albus is either delusional or lying to everyone. Severus switched sides because he realized that he messed up. He loved Lily. They were childhood friends, but one day he slipped up and called her a mudblood and Lily broke off their friendship. The fact that she married his arch rival, James Potter, sent him over the edge and he took the mark. When he learned that Voldemort was targeting the Potters because of the prophecy he overheard that night, he ran to Albus and told him. If it wasn't for Severus tipping Albus off, the Potters would have been dead a lot sooner. Severus knows that he messed up by telling Voldemort the prophecy in the first place, but he knew that Albus would protect them. Severus has changed his ways though, that I am certain. He's been bitter all these years because he knew he was responsible for their deaths, but that is all behind him now. Lily and James have forgiven him, and he has finally been able to forgive himself. The real Harry calls him Uncle Sev, so needless to say, he's doing a lot better now." He said with a chuckle.
"Blimey, I never knew all that, but what about when Voldemort returns? What will he do then?" Aberforth asked.
"He's going to spy." Salazar said with a deep sigh. "I don't want him to because I'm afraid for him. I'm terrified that Voldemort will suspect something and kill him. He's like a son to me, and I don't want to lose him. However, it is his decision so all I can do is support him in it."
"Well, my opinion of Severus Snape may have just changed." Aberforth said. "I never knew all that. He's a lot braver than I ever gave him credit for."
Their conversation was suddenly interrupted as the door to the pub flew open, bringing in a freezing cold wind as it did. However, no one appeared to be standing there. Salazar, Godric, Aberforth, and even Moody went for their wands, but a familiar voice shouted, "It's just us!"
"Blaise?" Salazar asked curiously, lowering his wand slightly.
Neville, Blaise, and what looked like Hermione, suddenly shimmered into view. She was passed out between them, with her arms were slung over their shoulders, as her head rolled from side to side. She didn't look like herself because it looked like she had been cursed with several nasty hexes all at once.
"We were closer to here than the castle!" Neville cried, as he passed Hermione off to Godric, who scooped her up and laid her on the bar.
"She was attacked outside of Honeydukes by Pansy, Millicent, and one of the Carrow sisters. She had forgotten to get Tooth-Flossing String mints because she said her parents would be intrigued by them. Said something about them being dentists, whatever that means, but we were waiting for her across the street at Zonkos. We were standing outside looking at the stuff in the window. She came out looking really happy about something, but those trolls came running out after her. They shouted, 'you're not good enough for him you filthy mudblood' and then they cursed her with who knows what!?" Blaise said in a high pitched voice.
"We tried to cancel the spells, but it didn't work." Neville said with wide panicked eyes. "We just disillusioned her and ourselves so that they couldn't follow us, and we came straight here."
"All right, all right." Salazar said. " You both did the right thing. Now, I want you to calm down, so take a deep breath, and sit. She will be all right."
"Salazar, she needs to be sent to Poppy." Godric said, waving his wand over her. "It's been way to long since I've dealt something like this. She's been cursed with so many hexes and jinxes I can't begin to wrap my head around it all. Nehum!"
Nehum appeared, and circled the small pub before settling down on the bar. He looked over the scene, and thrilled lightly which sent a calming effect throughout the pub. Everyone took a deep claiming breath, and smiled as the phoenix settled down on the bar.
"Nehum, will you be willing to take Hermione to Poppy?" Godric asked, and Nehum nodded. "Please take Neville as well so he can explain what happened to her."
Nehum nodded again, and gently settled on Hermione's chest and grabbed her winter cloak with his talons. Then he waved his tail feathers at Neville, who grabbed hold of them. However they stopped moving when Hermione moaned and reached for Salazar's hand.
She opened her eyes a little bit and smiled at him. "Viktor Krum asked me to the Yule Ball, and I said yes." She managed to say, before she passed out again.
Salazar squeezed her hand and patted it softly. "I approve." He whispered with a smile. Then he nodded at Nehum, who disappeared in a ball of flames with Hermione and Neville in tow.
Blaise choked back a sob as he sat down heavily on one of the nearby barstools. "That must have been what she was so happy about." He said sadly. "Harry, it happened so fast that we didn't have time to react. They just came charging out after her, started screaming, and began cursing her, then they ran away laughing. Draco was there too, but he, Crabbe, Goyle, Nott, and Montague just stood there and encouraged it."
"Cowards. The lot of them." Godric said, trying to hold back his anger.
The rage building up in Salazar was near its boiling point and was about to spill over, but for the sake of not blowing up the pub, he managed to hold himself in together.
"This is all Albus's fault. It's one thing if those Death Eaters-in-training want to try and curse us, but's another thing when they go after the others."
"I fought back when they were doing what they did at the beginning of the year." Blaise said. "And you guys hid behind shield charms."
"That's because we know we could seriously hurt them. They are children, we are not." Godric said.
"And Albus isn't exactly going stand up for you Blaise. You're a Slytherin, and our friend." Salazar said through gritted teeth.
"Do you think Professor Dumbledore will take action now? Since Hermione is a Gryffindor and a muggle born?" he asked.
"I hope so." Godric said as he patted Blaise on the back. "I really do hope so."
"We will see, but even if he does or doesn't, Godric, it's time to take matters into our own hands. They may be children, but we can't let this continue. They are getting bolder because Albus has let them get away with everything they have done, and on some level, so have we. I've just been reluctant to do anything after I messed up so horribly with Draco in first year." Salazar said with a sigh. "But as I said, we need to do something."
"I agree." Godric said with a nod.
"My brother has really messed things up for a lot of people." Aberforth said sadly, as he handed Blaise a lukewarm butterbeer. "Drink up lad. It's on me."
"Yes he has." Godric said. "Blaise, you finish your butterbeer. Then we need to go so we can get changed back into your other forms. I want to see how Hermione is doing."
"I do too, but we need to sober up a bit first." Salazar said as he rubbed his eyes. "If we walked into the hospital wing tipsy, Poppy would turn us both into tea cups and take great pleasure in gifting one of us to Minerva for Christmas."
"And you still have to get Nora from 'the Minions' sometime today." Godric chuckled.
Salazar laughed. "Yeah she said she would have more fun with them because she wanted to see all the jokes in Zonkos. She is planning to get revenge on Albus for snooping through our mail."
Godric, Aberforth, and Blaise laughed, while Moody silently chuckled.
They mostly sat quiet for the next few minutes and waited for Blaise to finish his butterbeer. During this time, Salazar asked Aberforth for an oath, promising to keep the secret, and Aberforth gladly did so. Then he offered his help and said if there was anything he could do for them, to let him know.
After they had left the bar, Aberforth went into the back room to bring out more bottles of firewhiskey to get ready for the evening crowd. Moody took another look around the pub to make sure he was alone before he stood up.
"Albus, you really have no idea who you are dealing with." He muttered with a sigh, as he quietly slipped out the pub.
He made his way slowly through the village and thought about what he learned. He needed some time to think about everything. He wasn't going to blindly follow behind the Founders simply because of who they were, even if Salazar had saved the Potters. However, he liked what they had to say, and he liked the fact that they were willing to actually fight in the coming war, verses trying to save everyone, but they needed to prove themselves to him first. He knew they weren't evil though, there was just too much evidence to contradict that.
It also made everything they said and did make much more sense. They were Founders, so of course Hogwarts wasn't going to stop the work they did for the Snake Pit. Of course 'Potter' could control Slytherin's basilisk, and it made sense why Peeves called them Lord Gryffy and Lord Slytheryness, which is something that had greatly confused him. It also made sense why they were able to do things they shouldn't, and why it seemed that they showed off. Potter and Roffin weren't showing off, they were teaching.
Moody sighed as he reached the gates of the castle. He wasn't going tell Albus about any of this. It was too risky, and he wouldn't want to be the downfall of thirteen years of hard work. He knew if someone did that to him, he wouldn't think highly of them.
He hid what he had learned behind his occlumency shields, and with a sigh, he began to make up a story to tell Albus as he made his way up to the castle.
*A/N* It really wasn't my intention to tell Aberforth everything, but this chapter kind of took off on it's own and i just sort of followed. I blame Godric, he was kind of tipsy. Moody knows, but they dont know he knows, so we will have to wait and see how that plays out in the future. Also, they are getting closer to figuring out the ring horcrux.
The next chapter will have who Salazar is taking to the Yule Ball, and the Ball itself, and Albus's article in the paper. Here's a hint he's going to write it himself. That should be interesting!
Anyway, i hope you all enjoyed the chapter!
