Disclaimer: No matter how many times I wave my wand, I do not hold any rights to any of the Harry Potter series but I am grateful to JK for writing them.
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Chapter 53: Patronus Magic and the Druid Tree
Severus watched as Gadolin lowered the fire, he suggested to Arjun to make a counter turn on the potion. The Indian man nodded and turned the stirrer the other way. The potion immediately turned from the dark blue to a light blue colour. Gadolin shouted for Hermione and Severus to cast their patronus once more. Hermione's otter patronus immediately appeared, the magical creature of light moved around them, the potion started shimmering. Gadolin looked at Severus who was looking at the potion.
"Severus your patronus" Gadolin shouted.
Severus pointed at the potion and cast the patronus. A large snake patronus appeared but went into the potion itself.
Severus had been shocked earlier when he cast his patronus and it came out in the form of a snake rather than a doe. Draco had screamed thinking of Nagini but Hermione called it Leuca which was the name of Harry's snake animagus form. Severus looked at the patronus and realised Hermione was right it was Harry's snake form. He considered it and felt it was both appropriate and right. Since most people had never seen his patronus before they did not comment. Neville too had recognised Harry's form but loudly said that a snake patronus should be expected from the Head of Slytherin House, the other potions masters nodded but a few looked concerned. When Arjun had said his patronus was a cobra like Kaa, no one dared say anything bad about having a snake patronus.
As the snake patronus went into the potion, Arjun stopped and pulled back. They all thought the potion was going to explode but it didn't... The swirling mass turned from the shimmering light blue to an iridescent pearl.
"Continue stirring" Mayer shouted and Arjun went back and continued stirring. He stirred ten times and then added the counter turn. They all smelt the strange sweet scent coming from the potion.
"I think it is complete" Gadolin said.
"So do we use it hot or let it cool?" Felipe said. All of the other potions maters and apprentices had been quietly watching the Masters work.
Gadolin reached over for a goblet and took some of the potion. He blew on it, as he blew the scent got stronger.
"Let it cool" Gadolin, Mayer, Arjun and Severus said together.
Neville looked on in excitement; it was the potion for his parents. They had all been working for hours on this potion. Severus had left and returned a few times, the last time for nearly an hour. But he had come back an hour and half an hour ago and made a new suggestion which had them starting a new. This potion seemed to look positive.
"I suggest we all get some sleep, this potion may need at least an hour to cool. Your spouses and dates have all been given guest rooms and you are all free to get some sleep" Severus said and the majority of potions masters while still excited followed the various house-elves that came. Hermione, Draco and Neville immediately started cleaning up.
"We got some really great work done tonight" Gadolin said with a smile.
"Yes we made improvements to ten potions by using the patronus filled environment" Mayer said with a laugh.
"And two using the Mandrake cauldron" Gadolin said and Neville looked over and smiled.
"And this new potion, I think it will really work" Arjun said and then looking at Severus "You do know how to throw a ball."
Severus laughed "You have to thank Minerva and of course Hermione there for coming up with the suggestion."
The Masters gave Hermione a bow and she blushed.
Gadolin asked her "How did you think of using a patronus?"
Hermione took a breath and then explained. "Harry mentioned casting a patronus for dispelling the gloom at the hospital where I worked and it came to me. A patronus is a magical manifestation of the happiness and love of the caster. It fills the area with that love and is powerful enough to dispel the most foul of creatures. Harry often says that love is the strongest form of magic. Therefore a patronus should be one of the most powerful forms of magic if used properly. Severus has taught us that different types of cauldrons or stirrers affect the potion we are brewing. Once Neville asked him if it would be okay to play some music while we brewed and he said the music or atmosphere could affect the potion..."
"I told you that because I like it quiet when I brew" Severus said and the others laughed.
"Regardless, I thought that the patronus filled environment should only have positive effects on a potion and strengthen the magical effects of certain potions" Hermione said.
"Those that are considered light magic in nature" Arjun said and Hermione nodded.
"You have some great apprentices" Mayer told Severus as he looked at the trio.
"They are fantastic but officially the only one who is my apprentice is Draco. Neville has yet to do his NEWT in Potions and Hermione has a commitment but as soon as they are free to, they will officially become my apprentices. Neville is actually doing an apprenticeship in Herbology but will be doing a double Mastery" Severus said.
Gadolin looked at Neville and said "If you wish I could arrange for you to do the exam privately. I am the coordinator for all Potions examinations in Europe."
Neville looked at him and then Severus who beamed. Neville said "I thank you but I have now really started NEWT Potions and my theory will be a bit off."
"He is an intuitive brewer" Severus said and the others nodded.
"Let me see what you can do" Gadolin said and pulled a clean cauldron. "Let's make a muscle repair potion." Gadolin waved his wand and the ingredients and steps appeared on a white board on the wall.
That potion was one of the most complicated potions a NEWT student would do. Severus passed Neville a pepper up potion which the boy took. Neville shook his head and took a deep breath. He looked at the ingredients and said "That requires leaves from an Assyria Salix..." Neville looked at his watch and nodded "If we time it right we can get fresh leaves with the dawn... come with me." Neville picked up a basket. Gadolin looked at the boy and then Severus.
"He got a Mandrake to willingly give a piece of his root" Severus said and Gadolin grinned and followed Neville.
Mayer laughed and said "I think I will be learning something new today." He followed the two out.
"I am tired; I think I will go to bed. I want to try the new healing potion on Gerard and the others this morning and I really think I will need a few hours rest" Hermione said. Severus nodded and the girl left, followed by Draco.
Severus looked up and said something in parseltongue and then nodded. He saw Arjun looking at him strangely. "I asked Hogwarts if she could put them all in her healing sleep magic, she said she would."
"Healing sleep magic?"
"Hogwarts is sentient and has her own magic. It is the magic of the founders mixed with magic absorbed through the millennium. She can cast a spell if she desires, it is usually protection in the form of the wards or normal house-hold spells but also healing spells. Everyone would sleep for an hour or two and wake as if they had eight to ten hours of sleep" Severus explained and Arjun nodded.
"Can she produce a patronus?" Arjun asked out of curiosity.
Severus laughed "I don't know I never asked." He asked the castle who told him she can produce magic which would make every one feel happy. However she used it rarely as the castle is often full of children who would produce their own happy magic. He told Arjun and the two laughed.
Severus and Arjun spent the next half an hour documenting and processing all of the potions and procedures that they had all done. Then Gadolin, Mayer and Neville returned. They all sat back and watched Neville make the muscle repair potion. Neville explained why he used various ingredients and why he crushed instead of diced. Gadolin smiled as did Severus who watched the boy work. Neville had really changed tremendously in the last few months.
Soon the yellow potion was complete. Neville looked around looking for a goblet but then shook his head. He called Ogden and asked him to ask the Assyria Salix tree if she could spare a branch. Gadolin, Mayer and Arjun looked on in amazement; it was almost as if they were excitingly waiting to see what would happen next. Ogden came back with a foot long piece of branch with leaves. Neville nodded and using his wand transformed the branch with leaves into a goblet. The branch formed the outer layer and the leaves coated the inside. Neville then carefully dipped the goblet in the potion and presented the goblet to Gadolin. The potion in the goblet was now a rich gold colour.
"The leaves are still alive and add their living magic to the potion" Neville explained.
Gadolin smiled and said "O plus Mr. Longbottom. O plus."
Severus smiled and clapped a hand on Neville's shoulder.
"Why don't we try this out? Your parents are in the hospital wing?" Mayer asked.
"They are in a special room in my apartment" Neville said "I would recommend we call Justine in before we give them anything."
Gadolin, Mayer and Arjun nodded. Severus shook his head and called Ogden and asked him to ask Healer Marchack to join them at Lord Hufflepuff's quarters. Arjun said the other healing potion may be cool enough that they could try as well. Severus nodded and levitated the entire cauldron in front of him. Neville walked with the muscle repair potion. The group went to the Hufflepuff family quarters.
The Longbottom head-elf Shef greeted them at the door. Neville told him to wake his grandmother and have her meet them in his parents' room. He also told him that he was expecting Justine as well. The elf nodded. The group of potions masters all went into the large medical room where Frank and Alice were.
Augusta came out in fine robes looking as if she had been awake for hours; however Neville knew Shef had just woken her. Justine came in with Brian Watson, Severus smiled knowingly. Justine immediately went into a professional healer mode but Brian scowled at Severus and whispered "this better be important." Severus chuckled.
Even though Neville had not called her, Luna came in and said "Magic called me and told me I needed to be here."
Neville smiled and then kissed her. He was glad the thirty something potions masters and apprentices were not there to look on as it was a private moment. However he turned to Severus and said "maybe we should call Harry, I would like him to be here."
Severus shook his head, Harry was not in a good mood, he had been really angry after the blue man had left and it took him and Dudley almost half an hour to calm him. He calmed enough for Hogwarts to convince him to get some rest to heal. Harry's injuries had been severe so Hogwarts would have still had him in a healing coma. "Hogwarts is taking care of Harry; I don't think he would wake for a few hours."
Neville nodded.
"Okay so we will administer the mind healing potion and then we will do the muscle repair formula" Gadolin said. Justine nodded.
Neville took the goblet of the iridescent pearl potion and went first to Frank. Augusta went behind her son and gently raised his head and helped Neville feed him. Justine directed them and using her wand cast a monitoring charm to monitor Frank's vitals. When Neville had administered half of the goblet, Justine called for him to stop. She had been monitoring a parchment which her wand was on. "I am picking up brain activity... yes your potion seems to be working... give him the rest."
With trembling hands Neville gave his father the rest of the potion. Justine smiled but said "He needs a little more."
Neville ran back to the cauldron and took another goblet full. He was quarter way giving his father when Justine told him to stop. "His brain is healed. Neville, he is now sleeping normally."
Neville almost dropped the goblet in his hand and Augusta held her son and shamelessly cried.
"What ever that potion is, successfully healed the damage done by the potion that your parents had been given by Albus and his group. His brain is healing, however, Neville I would expect he may have several gaps in his memories" Justine said and Neville nodded.
Neville then administered the potion to his mother. Alice however only needed one goblet. Unlike Frank, she opened her eyes and smiled at Neville and then went back to sleep. Neville cried in happiness and hugged Justine who laughed.
"What about the muscle repair potion?" Mayer asked.
Justine gave the two patients the potion and immediately smiled and told the potion masters "this is a much better potion that I ever had at St. Mungo's. I should ask you masters to make a case for me to take back."
"We did not make it, Neville did" Severus said.
"Well Neville, for my services, I want a case of this potion. It is much better that than I ever had before" Justine said.
"O plus plus Mr. Longbottom. Severus I approve for him to start apprenticing with you immediately" Gadolin said.
Luna hugged Neville and Augusta beamed. Neville smiled and thanked the man.
Neville and Severus both started hearing a humming and then saw Frank and Alice surrounded in a golden cocoon. Neville smiled and said "Hogwarts takes care of them now."
Severus said "Yes everything will be fine."
You too need sleep Severus; it is time for you to rest. Hogwarts told Severus who nodded.
It would be another hour before Severus made it to bed. The members of the council each spent time documenting the process. Gadolin and Mayer both left to start processing their findings. Arjun went to his guest bedroom and Severus went and closed up his lab.
Severus stood in front of the Griffin portrait and sighed he was a bit nervous. He knew Harry was still asleep but something in him was almost scared to go to his husband. He partially blamed himself for the fight. Harry had smelt his brief desire for the blue man and like any alpha had gone into a possessive mode. He knew when Harry woke, he would be in trouble. The Griffin looked at him as if asking if he wanted to go in or not. Severus took a deep breath and nodded and the portrait opened.
Severus was greeted by an angry Dante. "Master Sev did not call Dante to work with him. Dante thought Master Sev liked Dante as a potions elf."
Severus smiled but said "We started working very late last night, basically morning. It was past your bed-time."
"But Master Sev should have waked Dante. Dante could clean up or chop roots. Dante good at chopping roots" Dante said.
"Yes I know you are but to be a good potions master you have to learn patience and know when something is beyond your level. If you apprentice with me little one and I said if, your Ada has not yet given the okay for you to learn... If you apprentice with me you will have to learn when I need you to do something and when I don't. Last night we needed advanced Potions Masters, apprentices like Draco, Hermione and Neville did the cleaning and cutting. It was above your level. Do you understand?"
Dante nodded and sighed and said "Yes Master Sev."
Severus looked at the little house-elf and smiled. "Over the next three days before school starts, I will have to make a few potions. If your Ada says its okay, you can help me then."
Dante beamed.
"However right now I need some sleep" Severus said and Dante nodded. The house-elf was about to run off when Severus said "I need a catalogue of all of the potions ingredients I received as gifts last night. Do you think you could make that catalogue for me by dinner time tonight?"
Dante beamed "Yes Master Sev."
"Very good, I will see you this evening" Severus said seriously and watched as the little house-elf ran off to tell his Ada.
Severus smiled and moved to the bedroom. He opened the door and saw Harry in a red cocoon. He went to the bathroom and showered and then laid on the bed.
What seemed like ten minutes later, Severus felt a hand on him. His eyes immediately opened and before he could reach for the wand under the pillow he felt a hand stop him. He looked into emerald green eyes that were blazing with fire.
After Hagrid had announced Norberta's abduction by the blue man, Harry had grabbed Severus and had given him a mind blowing kiss that Severus knew was one to re-establish his claim on him. Severus had immediately submitted. Everyone, especially the muggles cheered, they did not know that Harry had actually gone into alpha mode. That kiss was nothing compared to the kiss Harry was now giving him.
The last time Harry had been this rough and possessive was on their wedding night. Even after Seth, Harry had been possessive but had been gentle in his love making. He was far from being gentle now. Severus knew he was going to be heavily bruised.
"You are MINE and only MINE" Harry said, his voice taking on a wolf growl.
"Yours I am only yours" Severus responded.
Harry ripped off Severus' pajamas. He rubbed himself against Severus. Harry growled and Severus groaned. Harry was rough and possessive and when he came he made sure and sprayed his seed all over Severus as if marking him. It was animalistic.
Harry turned Severus over on his stomach and positioned him. Severus knew what was coming next. He quickly whispered a lubing spell on his inside and did it just in time. Harry slammed into him breeching him in one, without any preparation. Even with the lubing spell, it was painful and Severus cried out.
"You are MINE" Harry growled and continued slamming into his husband and Severus screamed out again. Severus knew Harry was in his wolf alpha mode. This was not sex it was Harry reaffirmed his dominance over Severus. It was soon over and Harry actually howled. Severus prayed the silencing spell was up.
Harry pulled out and grabbed Severus by his hair and pulled him up. This time Harry spoke in parseltongue "[You were a very naughty mate]".
Severus closed his eyes; this was going to be a long morning.
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Harry sat drinking a cup of tea, it was now mid day and he had finally allowed Severus to get some sleep. Dante came into the kitchen with a piece of parchment; he was looking for Kreacher but stopped when he saw Harry. Harry saw the little elf looking at him in fear.
"Dante are you okay?" Harry said and the little house-elf nodded and walked backwards out of the kitchen and then fled. Harry looked at the door that the elf had run out of and then got up. He followed the direction the little elf had gone. He found Dante and Kreacher near his duelling room. Dante squeaked and went behind his Ada.
"Dante what is the matter, why are you running from me?" Harry said and Dante looked at him scared.
Kreacher supplied Harry with the answer "You did not put up your silencing wards and we heard Severus'... screams."
Harry turned deep red.
"I put up a ward around your room, so we only heard the initial set of screams. Both Mistress Andie and I explained to Master Ted and Dante that you were not hurting Master Severus. But I do not think he understood" Kreacher said.
Harry blushed more fiercely. Andromeda, Cassy and Ted had spent the night; Harry had been told they left before lunch, he now realised they must have left after they heard them. He looked at the scared look on Dante's face. "Dante... Severus is... he is fine, he is asleep right now but... we were just... umm, we were mating and sometimes it can be... Severus is fine. He will wake soon and you will see."
Dante nodded but Harry still saw the scared look on the house-elf's face. Harry looked at Kreacher who said "Do not worry about it Master Harry, he is still young, he will soon learn."
Harry nodded but ran his hand through his hair; he knew he had been rough and punishing on Severus. In his desire to make Severus submit, he had forgotten to put up the spells. He was going to permanently put silencing spells on his bedroom.
Fortunately the bell indicating someone was at the Griffin portrait went off and Harry hurriedly went to answer it. It was potions Master Arjun who came to indicate he and the other masters were leaving. Harry nodded and told him he would get Severus. Harry went into the bedroom and felt ashamed when he saw Severus in the green cocoon.
"Did I damage him so badly?" Harry asked.
He will be fine. I will wake him Hogwarts said and the green cocoon vanished.
Severus groaned and woke and looked at Harry but quickly bowed in submission. He went into position for Harry to take him once again. Harry shook his head and went over and said "Severus I am so sorry, I did not mean to hurt you."
Severus heard the crying plea in Harry's voice. He turned and lowered himself, he looked at Harry "Harry you are my husband, I love you."
"I hurt you..."
"I am not a delicate kitten. I can take the rough possessive sex. I love when you go all alpha wolf on me. It was not the first time and I certainly hope it would not be the last" Severus said with a smirk.
Harry touched the still black and blue mark on Severus' shoulder where he had bitten him. "I am no better than Voldemort for marking you in this manner. I went too far."
Severus sighed "I will admit I am very sore right now but Harry, the difference between you and the Dark Lord is you love me and I can stop you. Every time you claim me, I let you claim me. Yes you were rough but I allowed you to be. If at any time it became too rough for me, I would have told you and I know you would stop. As a matter of fact, I came in here knowing you would go all alpha on me. I knew what was going to happen. Now stop whining and tell me why you woke me?"
Harry chuckled and kissed him passionately. After he pulled out of the kiss Harry said "Arjun is here, the masters are all leaving."
Severus nodded and moved to stand but groaned; he was very sore and could barely walk. Harry summoned a pain potion and Severus took it. Severus used his wand and put a glamour over himself and threw on a set of robes.
They spent half an hour thanking everyone for coming to the ball and for helping with the potions. The younger potions masters were all excited because it had been a fantastic experience. When they had all left Minerva asked if Harry and Severus could come to her office for a meeting. Severus shook his head and said he needed sleep. Harry told Minerva he would come. Severus gave Harry a kiss and told him he loved him and went back up stairs.
Minerva, Filius, Neville, Brian Watson and Alex went to Minerva's office. Alex looked at Harry "Thanks for letting me spend the night with the guardian of the chamber. I had a lot of fun." Alex said.
Harry nodded. He had asked Alex to guard the inner chamber as a precautionary measure. Alex was happy to do the job. He and a few of his hand selected men were on stand by just in case someone came down. He told Harry he had more fun with the guardian than if he attended the ball, though he was curious about the Basilisk egg.
Harry laughed "If they have another, you will get part of the shell."
Alex beamed.
Minerva shook her head and recalled the almost stamped that had taken place by the various potions masters to get to that egg. They all laughed.
"Okay let's get on with why we are here" Filius said. "Harry I reviewed Minerva's memory of last night. I must say if I had not left the party when I did things would have gone differently."
Harry looked at the charms master curiously.
Filius said "The man who came last night was... Neptune?"
"Neptune, Roman God of water and the sea?" Alex asked.
"No Neptune, son of the immortal Atlantian Poseidon. Who we all call the Giant Squid" Filius said.
"WHAT!" Harry, Neville and Minerva all screamed.
"When you asked him who he was, he announced himself, however he spoke Squid. Do not worry Harry; he came with the intention of testing us to see if we were strong enough to stop Amun. He was impressed with you and called you a Guardian... he also called you Little Godric all the time. After I viewed Minerva's memories, I went to the lake. The Giant Squid is obviously not there. I went to the Chieftainess of the mermaid village. She is actually a descendent of Poseidon and Salicia. Neptune was the child of Poseidon's mistress that well... caused Salicia to run to the machine. He is not a true immortal like his father but has lived all of these years by remaining mostly in his animagus form. From what I gathered from what Rowena said, he appeared to her in his human form a few times" Filius said.
Harry stood up and started walking around pacing up and down.
Neville looked at Filius "Who is Rowena descendent from?"
Filius shook his head "I do not know but it is not Neptune, Rowena is a descendent from one of Salicia's daughters."
"It is why he said the wards were built around him" Harry said.
Filius nodded "I suspect they were here since they possibly left Atlantis."
"The Druid Tree... maybe the Druid Tree was built by one or more of the Atlantian immortals" Neville said.
"At the very least their descendents... Hogwarts said the wards against Seth were before her time" Harry said.
"The school has wards against Seth?" Minerva asked.
"Yes apparently he tried to get in last night but was repelled by the wards" Harry told her.
"Harry and I felt the pulse in the ward and asked Hogwarts, she told us" Neville said.
Minerva smiled and said "That is good news indeed."
"Why... why build such elaborate wards against him?" Alex said.
"If the children came here, they probably erected the wards in case Seth decided to attack them" Brian said.
"Also remember Amun killed one of them, he killed Shiva. Amun was a powerful warrior; if he wanted to he could have killed the innocent children. Get revenge on the older ones through the children" Filius said.
"Seth... Amun obviously did not know about the wards or he would not have tried" Brian said.
Harry nodded and then said "I think it is time we really look at the Druid Tree. Janus Malfoy is a historian. I did not get a chance to really talk to him last night. I think we should go and pay him a visit."
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Filius, Harry and Alex arrived at the new Malfoy Manor in time for tea. Janus happily met with them.
"We wanted to know if you knew any of the legends of Atlantis and of what happened to the Atlantians after the island sank" Filius asked.
"There are thousands of myths and legends, is there anything specific you want to know?" Janus asked.
Harry looked at Filius and then back at Janus and said "Anything connected to Hogwarts."
"The area that Hogwarts is built on is rumoured to be an ancient Druid sacred site..." Janus said and got up and went to the library behind them.
"The Druid Tree" Harry said.
"Yes, the Druid Tree. It was originally a literal tree; some legends said it was an Oak tree, others a Cedar and even others an Elder Tree. Each legend said it was a very large tree. I believe it could have been all or none."
"Several trees coming together to form one massive tree" Harry said thinking of the silver oak trees the elves planted at Prince Manor.
"Yes or it could have been another species altogether, one that is now extinct. It was supposed to be thousands of years old and was planted around the same time that Stonehenge was built. I have a scroll somewhere here..." Janus looked through and then found an old scroll. He unrolled it and showed them a drawing of a massive tree, looking like it was hundreds of feet high and was as broad as a large house. There were many different magical creatures around the tree, including a few humans. There was a door at the base.
"They lived in the tree?" Alex asked.
"Yes according to legend the tree was the centre of their culture. Now mind you according to wizard legend the priests, who lived in the tree, lived there centuries before the first settlers came to live in Scotland or the British Isles. The belief is that it was a magically protected place and only those who were magical could have entered. The tree supposedly called those of its own. There is one school of thought which said that it was inhabited by a group of powerful Atlantians, who settled in the area after the island of Atlantis sank. The humans who came to the tree had to be of Atlantian descent by blood and magic. The tree was not only a place of worship and the centre of the culture; it was considered by many the centre of magic itself. The tree itself was supposed to be immensely magical and all wands came from its branches."
"What happened to the tree?"
"According to Legend, the Romans destroyed it when they came to settle in Scotland. The Romans had wizards who were exceedingly powerful. There is evidence to believe that there was a group of wizards who were themselves descendents of Atlantis. There was a great battle and the Romans won. They burnt the tree and killed the priests. However, the priests performed some ritual that banished the Romans..." Janus looked at Harry and then said "Legend said your mother sacrificed her life and the spell she cast was activated when Voldemort attacked you. The concept is the same. The priests sacrificed their lives and when the Romans attacked the tree the spell activated. The tree was destroyed but the magic or life of the tree didn't. Possibly just the surface area of the tree was destroyed and the roots survived. The Romans were themselves destroyed and were according to legend forever banished from the area."
Harry and Filius looked at each other.
Janus did not see the look and continued "The forbidden forest grew around the area and the magical creatures; the centaurs, fae, goblins, gnomes, low elves what you call house-elves..."
"Mermaids?" Harry said.
Janus nodded "Yes mermaids... actually there is a legend that says the area was guarded by a giant sea monster... either a kelpie or a water dragon."
"The Giant Squid" Filius said.
"Possibly, not the current one of course but an ancestor... yes that is a strong possibility" Janus said nodding. He continued "The forbidden forest grew up and no one, not even wizards and witches could enter. It was truly forbidden. However a little over a thousand years ago the four founders were some how able to enter. According to Hogwarts A History they passed through the forest and found a small manor in the middle of the forest that belonged to an old druid priest. One document said that they bought the manor with a chest of gold. Other document said that each of the founders had to give something specific from each of them that the priest indicated. Hogwarts A History, at least the one that is sold in stores simply says they bought the manor" Janus said.
"You believe there is another version of Hogwarts A History?" Alex asked.
"Yes" Janus said as if it was obvious. "Master Alba, the Historian who I originally apprenticed under, had a version of the book that was six hundred years old, he hinted that the book he had was completely different from what was sold in stores. Like the Hogwarts Registry Book, Hogwarts A History was magically produced and one was made every hundred years. It was only about fifty years ago a version was produced to be sold to everyone. He never allowed me to look at his book. He had it under a glass case and had a password on it. He told me when I became a Master myself he would show me the book. He died six months before I graduated. His house was destroyed. It was one of Voldemort's first attacks." Janus was silent for a minute.
Filius looked at Harry and mouthed 'Albus' and Harry nodded.
Janus took a sip of tea and then sighed. "The school was built over the site of the old tree. From hints Master Alba gave me, I believe that they built the school partially to preserve the magical heritage and pass on to the next generations but as well to protect and guard a true treasure... There is rumour of a hidden chamber" Janus said.
"Salazar's chamber of secrets" Harry said.
"Yes and no. I have heard of the chamber of secrets guarded by the Basilisk you killed but I believe there was a hidden chamber below Salazar's chamber. A library of the ancient scrolls of Atlantis or some magical artefacts... of course as a historian I wish it was scrolls. However if I was realistic, it would be more than books or scrolls and was possibly something that needed the magic of all of the founders and not just one."
Harry, Filius and Alex became very pensive and all thought about it. Then Alex looked at Janus "You said that witches and wizards were not allowed to enter the forest but there was a priest living in the forest?"
"I never said the priest was human. In ancient times, centaurs, goblins even elves were priests" Janus said. "I believe the priest could have been a high elf... no one knows, he is never mentioned again in any scrolls or books. Even Master Alba used to say it was a great mystery. Everything aside; Hogwarts was built to bring magical knowledge to the world. The four founders were the best of the best really. I always wondered why they remained as teachers."
"Why do you remain a historian? Teaching is a vocation. I can't see myself doing anything else" Filius said with a smile.
"They were preserving their heritage" Harry said quietly.
"Yes they passed on their knowledge to future generations. There were no schools of magic in their day; magic was passed on from father to son or mother to daughter. With Hogwarts, the magic of the four families came together and was taught to anyone with magic. Not just those of the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin or Hufflepuff families" Janus said.
"That must have angered the families" Harry said.
"Not as much as you would think. Firstly you have to remember this was a thousand years ago, communication even among wizards was not that great, three of the founders were not from the British Isles, so their families possibly just did not know. Gryffindor was Scottish, he could have been the last of his line or the Lord of his line; he was definitely the most powerful. They all were very powerful. It is possible that they were too powerful for the families to overrule. Another possibility was that they were chosen to continue the magic" Janus said.
Alex looked at him curiously "Explain?"
"Think of the wizards today. Many of the lines are dying because of interbreeding or because of war. A thousand years ago actually from about fifteen hundred years ago to about five hundred years ago, Europe was plagued with wars. Many families muggle and wizarding died out. If the families knew their lines were dying, it was a way of preserving the knowledge of the families. The founders may have gotten permission. They may have gotten more trouble from the other families. The line of Charlemagne or the line of Myrddin for instance, these lines were considered as 'The Wizarding Families' of the British isles. The Myrddin line of which Merlin was a part was highly sought after as being the epitome of magical knowledge. Families literally fought each other for one of their sons to be taught by a Myrddin. Then Hogwarts came along and everyone was welcomed; rich, poor, powerful, barely above a squib. The only criterion to get the opportunity to learn was you had to be magical, it was no longer just the privileged few."
"The Prince family?" Harry asked.
"Were Royalty. They were educated, powerful and elitist and above everyone. They however supported Hogwarts, if they didn't, then the school may have never been built. They however did not send their sons to the school. It is believed that Rowena Ravenclaw got married to one of the Prince men... not the Lord but a younger son or a cousin" Janus said.
Harry smiled "That is believable; Rowena always said that Severus reminded her of her husband Selwyn."
Janus looked at him "You have access to the portraits why don't you ask them all your questions?"
"They are not telling me anything. They are hiding from me right now, the cowards" Harry said sounding frustrated. They saw Janus looking at him suspiciously. Harry then asked "What about the Black family? I know they vowed to protect the founders and their family."
"The Black family were originally from France... they were the de Noirs. They changed their name about two hundred years after the founding of Hogwarts. The de Noir family were a powerful family and were titled however they were not rich and could not afford tutors and it was rumoured they sold their manor to send the boys to Britain to go to Hogwarts. They were one of the first titled families to send the heir apparent to Hogwarts. They must have been exceedingly grateful to the founders for educating their children" Janus said.
Alex looked at Janus "Are there any other areas where the survivors of Atlantis may have settled other than Scotland."
"Many areas, Egypt, Rome, Greece even India. The myths of Roman and Greek Gods and Goddesses are believed to be in actuality the Atlantians" Janus said and the other three nodded.
"Amun Ra?" Harry asked.
"The Egyptian Sun God? There is nothing to indicate he was Atlantian. He was said to be a powerful warrior who fought the various chiefs of nomad tribes and brought them together. There is no indication he was even a wizard. He surrounded himself with wizards however... it would make sense, there are some scrolls that had him with a phoenix" Janus said and then stood up. "I have a book about him somewhere..." He looked for about five minutes and then shook his head "I still haven't unpacked everything as yet. It may be in one of my boxes."
"I will help you look for it" Filius said. Janus looked at him curiously. "And while I do, I have a very interesting story to tell you."
Harry looked at Filius, he trusted Filius. He nodded and told the charms professor "You may tell him everything..." Harry stood up to leave.
"I will be leaving as well, there are a few things at my office I need to check as well" Alex said and Harry and Filius nodded.
Janus looked at them and Harry smiled "welcome to the team."
Janus was obviously confused but smiled as he instinctively knew he was being included into something that was going to be historical.
xxxxxxxxx
Harry walked onto the Hogwarts grounds and looked at the castle from the gate. He closed his eyes and tried to picture the tree. He looked at the castle again and pictured the large tree over looking the lake. He looked at the land, the lake and the forest. He looked at the forest. He would talk to Neville about talking to Magorian to find out if the centaurs had any lores or stories about the Druid Tree or the lake and the Giant Squid.
He walked back to the castle and went to Neville's apartment. He found the boy in his parents' room.
"Looking at them will not make them wake any faster" Harry said.
Neville smiled "All my life they were considered incurable. I was told the Lestranges fried their brains and they would never be healed. I always prayed though... Then when I realised they were being kept in their state because of a potion and there was some hope, I knew... Now they are cured. I know that physically it would take them some time to be how I always imaged but Harry this..." Neville smiled.
Harry hugged his friend "I know... I know."
Neville smiled "I want to be here when they wake."
Harry smiled "I will sit with you for a bit." Harry told Neville all about his visit to Janus. They talked about some of the possibilities of what happened. Harry told Neville he needed to go to the Chamber Library and talk to the guardian and at the very least, finish reading Salazar's diary. Neville told him to ask Galen and the others if they know anything. Harry said he would the next morning. Neville said he would ask Magorian on his next walk in the forest. Harry left the Hufflepuff family quarters half an hour before dinner to get ready. Neville indicated he would be having dinner in his apartment and Harry nodded.
As he made his way to Gryffindor Tower, he saw Filius and Janus coming in. Janus had the two children and the house-elf nanny with him. Janus was exceeding excited and told Harry that Filius was going to show him his memories of Salacia and Atlantis. Harry waved his wand and took out a few memories, some with Seth, another of his fight with Neptune. He gave them to Filius and Janus. Janus thanked him. Harry told Filius he would see them later.
Harry went to his apartment and immediately felt something was different. He looked around, physically nothing had changed but something was different. He took a deep breath, it was the smell; there was a strange pleasant smell all around.
Kreacher came in with Dante who gave him a small smile. Harry nodded it was an improvement; Dante no longer seemed scared of him. Kreacher smiled "You need to get ready for dinner Master Harry."
Harry looked at him suspiciously but nodded. He went to his room and realised the smell was coming from his room. Severus came out from the bathroom.
"You are here good... come on" Severus took Harry's hand and pulled him to the bathroom.
Harry smiled "What is going on?"
"You will see" Severus said and Harry smiled when he went into the bathroom, the tub was filled and there were petals floating in the water. There were candles all around and light music was playing.
Harry looked at Severus. Severus looked at him and said "This is your reward for presenting me with the most amazing gifts of all time and for just being the most amazing husband." Harry reached up and kissed him deeply.
Harry moved to take off Severus' robes but Severus stopped him. Severus gently took off Harry's robes and then quickly stripped himself. They went to the tub. Severus took his time; he started with a back massage and then moved to soaping him. He then shampooed Harry's hair. Harry loved the pampering. Even though he and Severus had bathe together a few times, this was different and Harry loved it.
"I love the smell, what is it?" Harry asked as Severus poured water over him to rinse him off.
"My own mixture, I made it especially for you and it will be only for you" Severus said and Harry looked at him lovingly.
After the bath Severus and Harry dressed in beautiful robes Kreacher had put out for them. Severus then directed Harry to his duelling room. Harry looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
Severus opened the door and Harry laughed in excitement. The room was decorated similar to how the Great Hall had been decorated the night before, except on a much smaller scale.
"You don't ever use here for duelling and it is the closest to a ball room you have in the apartment" Severus said.
"I love it" Harry replied. They sat at the table and Kreacher and Dante came and served them dinner. Harry looked at Severus with absolute love.
"So how was your day?" Severus said and Harry laughed. Severus told Harry all about the potions and Neville's 'exam', Harry told him about Janus and all they had learnt. Severus said they could talk with Hadrian and all of the older Princes and see what they knew. They then talked about the future and about the possibilities that arose because of the ball. By dessert (double chocolate fudge cake) Harry and Severus were laughing about people's reactions to his gifts at the ball. Dante came in and served the cake and Kreacher served coffee. Dante looked at the two wizards and smiled.
When the elves had left the room Harry said "I am glad Dante is smiling at me again. It was disconcerting to see the fear in his eyes today."
"I had a talk with him" Severus said.
"What did you say? I was so embarrassed I kept stumbling and I don't think I ever blushed so deeply. I don't know what to say to Andromeda when next I see her" Harry said.
Severus laughed "Andromeda will understand she is a Black after all. I have had to have the sex talk with hundreds of wizards and witches over the years; one disadvantage of being a Head of House."
"I thank God we did not go through that with Minerva. Could you imagine Minerva talking to us about sex and positions... ughhh. It was hard enough for her to teach us how to dance" Harry said and Severus laughed.
"Come let's see how well you paid attention" Severus said and stood up. Harry stood up as well. Severus asked Hogwarts if she could supply some music and soon the room was filled with an orchestra of music. Harry and Severus held each other and danced.
"I am glad to see you paid attention in at least one class" Severus said and Harry laughed.
After a few songs Harry saw Dante peeping in and giggling. Kreacher pulled him out. "You obvious did a good job in talking with Dante."
"Well actually, I have to confess, Kreacher spoke to Dante about sex but I tried to explain about my screams and well..." Severus blushed slightly.
"Well what?" Harry asked.
"He thinks... Dante is not a teenager who is filled with raging hormones... I tried to put it in a perspective he would understand and he got the wrong impression...He accepted it so I let it be" Severus said blushing more.
"So what impression did he get?" Harry said in slight amusement.
"He thinks I was naughty and you spanked me" Severus said.
Harry laughed loudly. Severus blushed and shook his head. Harry laughed and said "Well it would explain the screaming."
After Harry stopped laughing Severus told him "Kreacher will possibly come and speak with you tomorrow to ask your permission for Dante to start apprenticing to be a potions elf."
"That is fantastic; he really loves working with potions. I totally give my permission; once Kreacher agrees, I agree" Harry said with a big smile.
"He does have a passion for it, it is a pity he wasn't human, then he could have been a real potions student" Severus said.
"Is there some law which says you can't teach him as you would your human students?" Harry asked.
"No but he could never sit exams or become an official master" Severus said.
"If only we knew someone on the Potions Guild Council who could lobby for changes" Harry said sarcastically.
Severus laughed and shook his head "maybe in time things could change. Don't worry; I will not limit Dante's knowledge. Once he wants to learn I will teach him."
Harry smiled and kissed Severus.
They danced for a little while longer and soon they were kissing more than dancing. Finally Harry said it was time for them to take it to the bedroom. They thanked Hogwarts for the music and then moved to the bedroom. The room was dark and filled with floating candles all around.
"Kreacher and Dante were busy during dinner" Harry said and Severus smiled.
Harry pulled Severus closer and then kissed him deeply. This time Severus did not stop Harry when he started undressing him. Harry stopped and made sure and warded the room and Severus grinned. To Severus' amazement Harry picked him up and took him to the bed and laid him down. While Severus was very slim he was muscular and he was very tall, he knew he had to be heavy. However Harry carried him with ease.
Harry felt his gypsy band pulse with love. Severus was giving out feelings of love. He smiled and laid on top of his husband. Severus looked up and saw Harry's emerald green eyes blazing once more. However unlike early, Harry was gentle. He was gentle but passionate and he started to glow as his magic came forward. Severus gasped as Harry's fingers glowed with a white magical power. Harry moved his hand over Severus' body and Severus felt like every one of his pores was going to explode in pleasure.
"[I am going to make you ssscream again]" Harry hissed and Severus groaned. Harry raised his hand and a white vial came to him. It was the present Misty had given him for his birthday. Harry opened the vial and took a little of the creamy potion in his fingers. His fingers then found Severus' opening and Severus screamed as he was engulfed in heightened arousal.
Harry chuckled and applied a little more. Severus was soon begging for Harry to enter him. Harry slowly prepared him and then entered him. Harry was slow but purposeful. He encouraged Severus and soon they were both moving together as one. Severus started glowing as his magic came forward. Harry grinned and pushed himself in deeper. Severus flung his head back and Harry's pushed himself even deeper. Severus was making noises that Harry loved. Their magic moved around them both and Harry could not tell which glowing magical surge was his or Severus.
When neither of them could control it any more, they both exploded, the room filled with a blinding white light and the room shook slightly. Eventually Harry collapsed on top of Severus and Severus held onto him. They did not move for a few minutes.
"That was amazing Severus" Harry said as he rolled over to his side of the bed. Severus did not respond and Harry looked at him. Severus however was not looking at Harry but at something over Harry's shoulder. Harry turned and he gasped.
Standing on one side of the room were a griffin and a snake patronus.
