Gryffindor and Slytherin

Harry spent the night at the Infirmary but barely slept. He didn't want to go back to his dormitory and refused to go at Grimmauld Place. Tomorrow would be the first day of Christmas Holidays and the castle would be nearly empty. But the most important part that Umbridge would leave Hogwarts. There would be only a few students and professors.

Before dawn, Harry was back in the Chamber of Secrets.

'You're not the most punctual person I know, Mr Potter,' said Salazar as he saw his apprentice cross the path between the snake statues. 'But I have never seen you arrive that early. I reckon there is an important issue you wish to discuss that cannot wait until this evening?'

'What is there to know about Prophecies?' Asked Harry as he reached the fountain where the founder was standing.

'Ah Seer magic,' replied Salazar narrowing his eyes. 'They are rare but always impressive when one witness it. But in the end, there are just promises binding those too gullible to believe them.'

'That's because the Fates involved in those are never completely bound until one decides to act, right?' Asked Harry decided to go to the heart of the matter.

'I see you have expanded your sources of knowledge, young man,' smiled Salazar with a cunning look. Harry tried to defend himself, but the founder raised his hand. 'There is no need to apologize Mr. Potter. On the contrary, I congratulate you. I see that my lessons did not fall on deaf ears. But I am curious. If you already discussed the matter of Prophecies with that new source of yours, what didn't you ask them those questions?'

Harry remained quiet. No one could fool Salazar Slytherin.

'There is something rather interesting about silence,' continued the founder stoically. 'It cannot lie. You don't entirely trust this person. Or at least you do not wish to share everything that you know with them.' There was almost pride piercing through Salazar's voice. 'The young Gryffindor is growing. I can only encourage you to pursue this strategy. Share what needs to be shared and keep your secrets safe.'

'Dumbledore kept his secrets,' blurted Harry. 'And look where it got me.'

'It got you in the Chamber of Secrets,' smiled Salazar. 'Not too bad I believe. But you are mistaken. Dumbledore didn't keep his secrets safe. In your case in didn't share them when he needed to. He shared them because he didn't have the choice anymore. He knows you are growing and gaining knowledge. And he knows he lost your trust. That is why he is allowing you in.'

'Should I trust him again then?'

'That will up to you to decide, young man,' he paused a few seconds considering his apprentice. 'Now, would you be so kind to enlighten me about the Prophecy you heard?'

When Harry was done repeating it, Salazar stood quiet. The boy could see something was bothering him.

'With what you just told me,' said Harry with a mischievous look, 'does this mean that Tom Riddle was too gullible to believe it?'

From the lost boy Salazar couldn't bring himself to despise, Harry was now a young man discovering his independence, bold enough to tease him. Gryffindor's recklessness or Slytherin's silver tongue. He understood now how hard the Sorting Hat's choice must had been.

'Easy now Gryffindor,' hissed the founder in Parseltongue. However, the boy was right. If his Heir had indeed chosen to enclose his Fate in a Prophecy, that meant he had truly lost himself in his quest for power. A Slytherin do not follow the rules and serves his interest only without being disturbed by external factors.

Harry saw the sadness that briefly passed in the founder's eyes and regretted his teasing.

'I'm sorry, Sir,' he started. But Salazar immediately cut him off.

'Strike once and strike right. Never apologize unless you are wrong,' he said in stern voice. 'And wrong you are not.'

'How am I supposed to save Tom Riddle if he triggered the Prophecy?' Asked Harry after a few moments. 'From what I gather, one of us will end the other through a duel. Does that mean… I have to die?'

'It's not because part of the Prophecy has been fulfilled so far, that the other part has to,' replied Salazar. 'Prophecies are merely rules dictated by Fate. But I don't see why it should stop you from disregarding them.'

Harry nodded, understanding where the old wizard was getting at. It wasn't because Lord Voldemort had chosen to leap into action that he was bound to follow his example. And with the help of Dumbledore, he thought he had a great chance they would come up with a plan where he would survive.

'Repair the statue.' The voice of Slytherin echoed off the walls of the Chamber and Harry froze a few seconds.

'Wait… what?'

'You heard me right,' said Salazar peacefully. 'Repair the statue.'

Harry turned towards the shards scattered around the snake statue he had destroyed a few months ago. He wasn't ready... It was too early! He still needed Salazar! He sighed and prepared himself. If Salazar Slytherin had decided it was time, there was no discussion to be had.

He considered the fragments spread out on the ground and the statue alongside the one he needed to repair. There were all identical, made with the same stone. The fragments were all the same. Therefore, it didn't matter he put them at their original place. What mattered was the result. He raised his hand and focused on the shards. First, he had to gather them. A rumble resonated in the Chamber as the dust and fragments from the statue united in a formless mass above the ground.

'Now I need to shape the statue,' thought Harry.

He sent the mental picture he had of the snake statue to the giant stone he had form and felt his fingers vibrate a bit has he was channeling his magic through them. Slowly the stone joined its pedestal and a snake head emerged from it, followed by the body. Finally, the fangs appeared, and the narrowed pupil drew themselves. When Harry was done, there was no difference between his statue and the other ones. He had succeeded.

'Well done, Mr Potter,' said Salazar with a satisfied smile. 'Promise me you will take good care of this place. You're not a host anymore.'

Harry turned his gaze toward the old master. What was the meaning of this?

'Are you going somewhere?' He asked a bit puzzled. He wasn't sure he wanted to hear the answer.

'In a way,' replied Salazar still smiling. 'I think that Godric, Helga and Rowena have waited long enough. Especially Godric,' Salazar chuckled. 'After all I owe him an answer…'

'Are you saying you're going to die?' Asked Harry bewildered.

'Die? Young man, I am already dead and have been for a long time now.'