I do not own Harry Potter.
This story was just an idea I was playing around with and thought I would start writing. Let me know what you think and if I should continue it
This story starts in the summer of Harry's fifth year. Harry defeated Voldemort during the battle at the ministry. I'm not really going to go into how he was defeated as that's not the aim of the story, just use your own imagination for that part
Also, this story will probably be slash at some point, just wanted to put that out there so that everyone is aware, though I haven't decided on an exact pairing as yet.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy!
Chapter One
Harry awoke suddenly to the sounds of loud tapping on his bedroom window. He had always been a light sleeper when back at Number 4 Privet Drive. Probably because he spent the whole summer on edge around his relatives. He quickly jumped up and let the owl in the window before the noise could rouse his sleeping relatives. He untied the letter from the beautiful barn owl and went to offer her some water but before he could move the owl had flown back out the window and was flying off through the sky. With a shrug Harry sat down and began to read.
Dear Mr Potter
We write to inform you of your inheritance of the Slytherin vaults through right of conquest after your defeat of the wizard Voldemort who was the last heir of Slytherin. You have thus inherited three vaults that will be added to the potter portfolio.
Please find enclosed a portkey that you can activate at any time to bring you to Gringotts if you wish to inspect your new vaults.
Sincerely,
Zrix
Gringotts Wizarding Bank
Harry stared at the parchment blankly for a moment thinking about the events at the end of his last school year. He couldn't believe how incredibly foolish he had been to rush off to the Ministry with a group of 15-year olds. However, against all odds he had actually managed to defeat Voldemort, and everyone had managed to come out of the fight mostly unscathed. Sure, Harry himself had had to spend a few weeks in the hospital wing under Madame Pomfreys sharp gaze but that was nothing he wasn't used to. A few Aurors and members of The Order of the Phoenix had also been injured in the battle, but all had managed to make a full recovery. Harry was still in shock about how well everything had actually gone. Unfortunately, quite a few death eaters had managed to escape, thus the reason that Dumbledore had decided that Privet Drive was the safest place for him, at least for part of the summer anyway.
At least his friends were able to write regularly this summer, and he had been inundated with letters getting a running commentary on his friends lives. He smiled happily remembering Sirius's letter from two weeks ago telling him that Wormtail had finally been apprehended and Sirius had been declared innocent of all charges. The letter had been written in an untidy scrawl with random drops of ink splattering the page, as though Sirius was so excited he could barely put quill to paper. Sirius had then gone on to declare that he and Remus were entering into a triad relationship with Tonks! Harry had blushed heavily at this, not having realised that such a thing was even possible or how the logistics of the relationship would work but happy for his Godfather nonetheless. Sirius and Remus both deserved happiness and Harry was just glad that they were finally able to find some.
He looked back down at the letter in his hands from Gringotts and decided that a visit to inspect his new vaults would be a great way to help relieve some of the boredom of this summer. He wasn't worried about his relatives noticing him missing, they had barely deigned to acknowledge his existence since he had returned for the summer. Sure, it was better then getting hit or cursed at, but it did make him feel lonely sometimes.
It was still quite early, but the letter did say that he could come at any time, so Harry got ready, grabbed hold of the portkey and then said the activation word.
Like the other two times that he had travelled by portkey Harry stumbled to the ground as he landed. He righted himself quickly looking at the beautiful, white marble room that he had arrived in. This was not the main Gringotts foyer but another room that must be used for portkey arrivals.
A voice behind him cleared its throat and Harry turned quickly to see Griphook waiting to greet him.
"Good morning Griphook"
Harry saw the Goblins eyes widen slightly in surprise before he bowed slightly and responded.
"Good morning Mr Potter, I trust that you got our letter and the reason that you are here is to inspect your new vaults?" Griphook enquired his gravelly voice sounding slightly strange to Harrys ears.
"Yes, thank you."
"Very well Mr Potter, follow me." With that Griphook turned and walked out of the room, Harry rushing to keep up.
Griphook led Harry to three large silver doors in a row. He pulled a key out of his coat and opened the first door and stepped back so that Harry may enter. Harry stuck his head in the door and saw piles and piles of gold, the sheer amount of wealth was mind boggling he couldn't even begin to estimate its worth. He didn't bother walking in and instead approached the next door with Griphook. Harry stuck his head in the next door and this time he was greeted with the sight of a mountain of gems. Reds, greens, blues and purples sparkled up at Harry. He leant down and picked up a Ruby the size of a chicken egg, he placed it gently back in the pile and exited the vault. Griphook opened the last door and Harry's eyes lit up with what lay before him. Shelves of books lined the walls, while dozens of artefacts were displayed neatly all over the room.
"Ah Griphook, would it be OK if I looked around for a little while?" Harry enquired politely.
"Of course, Mr Potter. Just place your wand against this ruin by the door and a goblin will come and collect you" he explained pointing to a symbol carved into the stone near the doorway.
Harry nodded in understanding as Griphook left, before turning around an excited gleam in his eyes as he made his was over to the first row of book shelves and started examining the titles.
Some of the books looked so old that Harry thought the only thing holding them together was magic, there was even a few books in parseltongue, he hadn't even known such a thing existed!
After looking over the books Harry turned to take in the various items scattered around the room, he was amazed at what he saw. In one corner there looked to be a glowing white orb on an ornate golden stand, there was a large beautiful vase with a silver snake winding its way around the base of the vase, while a tall wooden staff that looked to be carved from a white ash tree leaned on the wall behind the glowing orb. Everywhere he looked there was something new to behold.
His eyes caught on a large silver mirror leaning against the far wall, it was truly beautiful with an ornate silver frame and snakes lining the edges. Harry walked up and ran his hands along the edges, the silver warming under his touch. He ran his hand over the glass, surprised to find it warm as well. He raised his eyes to find words etched along the top of the frame, "praemium sacrificium" Harry whispered just as he felt the glass glow warmer under his touch and with a jolt he fell forward. The feeling was akin to travelling by portkey, a swirling, compressing motion before he flew out of the mirror with a loud yelp, crashing into the hard floor below him. He laid there for a moment letting the jarring feeling leave his body before he slowly raised his head and looked around him to find a room full of people staring at him, wands pointed at his face.
Harry gasped and scrambled back trying to get away from the wands aimed at him, only to back into a pair of legs that gave him a hard shove returning him to his previous position.
Harry raised his hands, gulping slightly, to show he was unarmed. Sure, he could've drawn his wand, but he knew he wouldn't have stood a chance against so many people.
Harry looked around and noticed that he was in a large room in what looked like Hogwarts unless he was very much mistaken. How had the mirror managed to transport him from Gringotts to Hogwarts Harry wondered to himself as he began taking in the people in the room. He didn't have time to take in anymore then the fact that everyone was an adult though their ages seemed to vary greatly. He also noted that there was a mixture of males and females in the room. Maybe some kind of teaching conference that Dumbledore is holding here over the summer, Harry thought, though at the same time noting that none of the faces were his regular teachers. He tried to stand but a wand was shoved harshly into his neck and he growled in pain, his eyes swivelling around to find a young man standing over him scowling. An older gentleman who looked remarkably like the younger man stepped forward, placing his hand on the younger man's arm and lowering it to his side.
"Ah, I'm not really sure what's happening here. My name is Harry potter, I was just at Gringotts and was somehow transported here" Harry said slowly and clearly to the gathered people. Several frowned at his words and began muttering.
The older gentleman who had interceded on his behalf earlier stepped closer to Harry and said something, though Harry couldn't make out any of the words.
Harry looked at him confused, "I'm sorry but I can't understand you" he explained.
The man stepped closer again, slowly raising his wand. Harry thought he was trying to be non-threatening, but the sight still put him on edge. The man pushed his wand into the back of Harry's skull and muttered an incantation.
Harry felt like his brain was going to explode, he threw himself to the side hand clutching his skull in pain his eyes going black. However, the pain only lasted a minute or two before it began to subside and Harry was able to sit up again, slowly rubbing his tender head.
He looked around again to see everyone still watching him, some in concern some in suspicion.
"Do you understand me now?" the man asked.
Harry just nodded slowly, whatever that spell had been he could now understand the man perfectly.
"Who are you?" the dark eyed man asked again, this time more firmly.
"Ah, I'm Harry Potter" Harry said slowly standing and brushing down his clothes. He waited for the spark of recognition when they heard his name, but none came, he looked around again even more confused.
"What are you doing here Mr Potter?"
"Oh, you can just call me Harry, I don't mind" Harry said and watched as the mans eyes widened in surprise.
"As for your question, I'm not really sure what I'm doing here. Where is here by the way?" Harry asked looking around at some of the other people in the room, most of whom still had their wands aimed at him.
"You're at Hogwarts of course" a tall woman with flowing dark brown hair to his right said, a note of incredulity in her tone.
Harrys eyes widened, so he was at Hogwarts.
"Right, of course, Hogwarts… Ah, is Dumbledore around? I really need to speak to him."
"I don't know anyone by that name I'm sorry," the man who had cast the spell explained. "My name is Salazar Slytherin, perhaps I can be of help?"
Harry gasped, his mouth dropping open and his eyes widening in shock.
"What…?" he squeaked his voice barely above a whisper.
"Salazar Slytherin… this has got to be some kind of joke," Harry muttered to himself, unaware of the room watching him in amusement.
He raised his eyes and looked around the room again, this time really paying attention to the people around him. His eyes caught on the tall dark-haired woman who had spoken earlier, "Rowena Ravenclaw" he muttered, "Helga Hufflepuff" he said eyeing a shorter plump woman with caramel colored hair, "and Godric Gryffindor" he finished eyes falling on a large muscular man with a thick mane of red hair.
Everyone in the room had noticeably stiffened at Harry's words, how did this boy know who they were?
"Oh, bloody hell!" Harry said grasping his hair in agitation, "how is this even possible."
He ran back to the mirror, ignoring the looks he was getting, touching the sides and running his hands over the glass. He leant back and read the inscription again while gently pushing on the glass, but nothing happened. He sighed in defeat stumbling over to a chair and collapsing, letting his head wearily fall into his hands.
A soft voice spoke up, making Harry raise his head. Helga noticed the tear-filled eyes and her heart clenched.
"Why don't you explain how you found yourself here? You seem to be awfully agitated by whatever has happened." Helga Hufflepuff said kindly.
Harry stared at her for a moment, completely blown away by the fact that he was meeting the founders of Hogwarts. She shared a troubled look with Godric, obviously concerned about his mental health. Harry took a deep breath and started.
"Well… I'm not really sure how much I can say truth be told" he began.
"And why is that?" A young man with short red hair and dark eyes asked him snidely.
"Well if you stop interrupting, I will explain" Harry said with a roll of his eyes.
"I think that I have somehow travelled back in time. You see, I am from the future, around 1000 years in the future actually."
Praemium Sacrificium – Reward for Sacrifice
Thank you for reading!