Chapter Eight

The Founders stared down at the friends lying in the beds in front of them. They had already healed the injuries both Harry and Hermione had received, and they'd given them all Dreamless Sleep potions. They'd all done well for the task, and the Founders were impressed, especially with how awful their education seemed to have been so far.

"They will be angry," Salazar commented softly. He was sitting between Harry and Hermione's beds.

"It was necessary," Rowena sighed. "I do not like it any better than you, love."

"Ro is right," Helga spoke up. "We cannot know how they would react unless they were in true danger. This was the only way if we want to get them ready for… whatever is to come."

"I know," Salazar sighed before switching to Parseltongue. "But you did not have to put them in danger."

"We've been in worse before," someone muttered back. Salazar's head shot up and he saw Harry glaring at him heavily. "What the hell was that?"

"Not my idea," the Founder answered honestly. "I am sorry."

"What was it?"

"It was a… test of sorts," the man grimaced at his own words. "We had to know how you three would react in an emergency."

"Then why was I fighting Voldemort?"

"Ask Godric," Salazar suggested. "He is the one to choose."

Harry turned to his Head of House and raised an eyebrow, but the man was just confused, which made Harry confused as well.

"Harry," Salazar said, looking almost amused. "we were speaking in Parseltongue."

"Oh." The boy shook himself and spoke. "Why did I fight Voldemort?"

"Because he is the person most obsessed with you, for lack of a better explanation," Gryffindor shrugged helplessly.

"What do you mean?"

"I looked into your future and searched for whoever was most obsessed with hurting you, the biggest threat to your safety. Voldemort is that person, though a woman with very large, black and white hair was next in line."

Harry grimaced. "Bellatrix. Sirius's evil cousin."

Godric shrugged. "He could not have hurt you too badly, though you beat him much quicker than we expected. You are a wonderful fighter."

"Thank you," Harry nodded before glancing at his friends. "When will they wake up?"

"You will wake in order of when you won or were taken," Rowena shrugged. "So you, then Hermione, and then Ron. He had to be taken since his strategy was very sound."

"He… didn't have to fight?" Harry asked, a smile growing on his face.

"No," Helga confirmed. "He closed the doors and locked them, turned down the lights, and placed himself in a position where he would see his attacker before they attacked. If we had sent someone after him, we have no doubt he'd have stunned them before they could duel."

"He's brilliant," Harry said with a grin. The grin faltered when he heard Hermione groaning beside him, and stood, moving past Salazar and sitting next to the girl he thought of as a sister.

"Harry?" she muttered, blinking. "Harry, what happened?"

"Mione, it's fine," he promised, putting a hand on her arm to calm her as she began to remember recent events. "Everyone is safe."

"Professor Slytherin?" Her eyes widened as she asked the question, but the man just moved closer so she could see him.

"I am perfectly fine, Hermione. I apologize for giving you such a fright."

His words were so honest that both teenagers paused.

"I'm glad," Hermione said gently. "And Helena and Théo?"

"They are fine," Rowena jumped in. "We sent them to Hogsmeade for a few hours so we could complete the test."

"Oh."

"I believe Ronald is waking," Helga told them softly. The two turned to their friend and positioned themselves on either side of his bed as he woke.

"Mmm," he mumbled. Harry shook his head fondly but stopped when he understood what his friend was saying. "-ione."

Hermione froze on the spot in confusion, and Harry couldn't help but be somewhat amused. He knew Hermione saw both of them as brothers, but Ron apparently hadn't caught that.

"R-Ron? Ronald, wake up," she demanded. The boy stirred a little more before blinking awake and looking around, gaping at the Founders.

"You- you're-,"

"They're fine," Hermione assured him quickly. "But I do think we should have a talk."

"Yes," Godric sighed. "That would probably be good."

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"It was cruel," Hermione insisted. The trio were talking alone after having the situation explained to them, and no one was happy, but Hermione was angry.

"Maybe, but they have a point, Mione," Harry sighed. "Fighting to fight is one thing, but fighting for something is another. It's a very important difference."

"They had to know how we would react under pressure," Ron added. "How could they know that we wouldn't just hide in the cupboard?"

Hermione stayed silent as she tried to argue their points.

"I don't like it," she whispered.

"Neither do we," Harry assured her, resisting the urge to rub his head. "But it's already over."

"I've never seen a… a dead body before, not like that," she closed her eyes, and Ron frowned at her.

"Neither have I," the boy said softly. "But we will have eventually. There's… there's a war coming, and we will eventually. I don't think it matters anymore."

"It should!"

The boys sighed, but they continued to try and convince her to forgive the Founders. It was an hour later when they gave up and went to bed. She wasn't the only one affected by the events of the day – she was just the angriest.

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"Please don't make it dance again," Hermione said tiredly as she watched her friends transfiguring their plates to have legs. "I don't want to repair them again." They'd been there for a month already, and they'd finally moved onto brushing up on their general magical knowledge. School was to start in a week, and they had to be ready.

"It's funny!" Harry said with a lopsided grin. "Plus, it's a hard spell. You have to admit that it's impressive I got it so easily."

"Yes, fine," she rolled her eyes. "You have your father's talent for Transfiguration."

"Why do you say he had a talent for Transfiguration?" He asked curiously, letting his wand fall a little. The plate dove off the table at the small motion and smashed onto the floor. He had the grace to look embarrassed.

Hermione repaired the thing quickly and handed it back to her friend before answering him. "He became an animagus before he was fourteen. That alone says he had a talent for it. Plus, Sirius used to talk to me when he hid from Mrs. Weasley in the library, and he mentioned it."

"You and Sirius talked?" Harry's eyes widened. The girl shrugged.

"He is actually very smart, Harry, and interesting to talk to. He was an auror, remember?" Harry nodded a little before she continued. "He tells me stories of his time working with Moody sometimes."

"Really?" The boy sighed and shook his head. "I'll have to ask him when we get back."

"I got it!" Ron yelled. His friends turned and Hermione grinned at the sight of his plate sitting calmly on the table, legs pushed out in front of it.

"Good job, Ronald!" She gave him a one-armed hug before looking up for Professor Ravenclaw, who was making her way over. "I think we've all got it."

"I believe you have, yes," the woman commented, looking over their plates. When she found them all satisfactory, she nodded firmly. "Good. That'll be all the Transfiguration for the day. I believe you, Harry, have Occlumency now. Ron, Hermione, you two have more Healing."

Harry had already passed his Healing and had focused more on his Occlumency. He still had lessons, but they were twice a week now instead of once a day. He and Salazar had also hurried along with the Occlumency, and he'd managed a few basic shields on the more painful memories. They were now working on the Dursley's, something he was never excited about.

He left his friends and headed to the dungeons, where he met up with his mentor. The man offered him a tight smile. He knew Salazar didn't like these lessons much either. They had a sort of connection, the same sort he had with Sirius. It couldn't be fun for him to see Harry in pain.

"Before we begin, there's something we must discuss," the Founder said. Harry sat across from him and nodded him on. "When you got here, we agreed you would be adopted by me as an excuse for your presence. It is time to do just that."

"Okay," Harry said slowly. He was surprisingly very okay with that. Salazar had been a wonderful help to him in adjusting. "How do we do that exactly?"

"It is a magical adoption," Salazar informed him. "We will connect our magic and your magical signature will change until it somewhat resembles mine. It is painless. It feels like a warmth wrapping around you. It is a bit like drinking a warm drink."

Harry noted that the man seemed to have personal experience with it, but he didn't comment on it. "And then I'll be… adopted?"

"Almost," Salazar shrugged. "You have to have a second… a godfather."

Harry stiffened. "I have one. Sirius."

"And he is not here," the man shook his head. "I am sorry, Harry. You must pick someone else."

"Does that mean… will he not…?"

"In the future, he will be as much your godfather as whomever you pick in this time."

"Oh. Then… Professor Gryffindor, of course," Harry gave a slight grin. "I am in his House, after all."

Salazar matched his grin, shaking his head. "How that came to be, I have no clue."

"So… when will the adoption happen?"

"Tonight," Salazar said firmly. "There must be at least seven witches there to conduct the adoption. We will have to request Hermione and Helena's help and a few from Hogsmeade that are former students, but I do not believe it will be a problem."

"Why seven witches?" Harry frowned.

"Because it is an adoption," Salazar answered. "Witches must oversee it, and it is best if it is done by a coven."

"I don't… are you… they're not a coven, though," Harry blinked at him.

"No, but they have the power of one. Seven is a very powerful number, and seven witches are the most powerful group of magicals to exist."

"What about the Wizengamot?" Harry wondered.

"Hmm. More powerful than them, most definitely. Witches are typically more magically powerful than wizards, and seven is the most powerful magical number. Combine them and you get a coven or an unsealed coven."

"What's that?" Harry blinked. He'd never even heard about covens before.

"It is when seven or more witches work together on a ritual or something of the sort but have not sealed themselves and declared a coven. It is only a little less powerful, but there are some things that only sealed covens can do."

"Like?"

"Most Dark rituals, for one," Salazar hummed. It had been a while since he studied covens. "Warding a place can be more difficult because the strongest wards are tied to a person or group's magical core or their combined magic. So, if a sealed coven puts up your wards, then you are most definitely safe. It is, actually, the safest warding we know of today."

"That's amazing," the boy breathed. "So, Hermione and everyone else, they'll be like that but unsealed? And we have to have a coven to do the adoption?"

"Exactly," Salazar smiled. "Do you understand?"

"I think so," Harry hummed. "Is there anything else I need to know for it?"

"Hmm," Salazar thought for a second. "It will include a trade of blood, so your palm will be cut just a bit. Aside from that, just wear your best robes and you will be fine."

Harry resisted the urge to groan and nodded instead. They quickly got on with the lesson, which was easier than the past few and didn't leave Harry wanting to jump into a volcano for once. He knew why. He had a life changing moment in a few hours. They both did.

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"Did you need something, Professor?" Hermione asked coolly, raising an eyebrow at Rowena. The woman sighed internally but just smiled.

"We need your help with something," she explained. "It is for Harry's adoption tonight."

"What do you need?" The girl asked, her cold mask slipping a little at the mention of her best friend.

"We need to form an unsealed coven. It will consist of myself and Helga, you and Helena, and a few trusted past students from the village."

And so, Hermione, as curious as ever, began questioning the woman, and Rowena couldn't help but feel a little better. She was very slowly chipping at Hermione's anger. She could only hope it would fall away soon.

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Harry looked at his reflection in the calm surface of the lake. He looked like he had last year, at the Ball, but much less… confused. Actually, he realized, he looked more like Ron. He shook himself and looked up as Godric approached. He'd come to care for the man quite a bit in their short time in the past.

"You look much calmer than you typically do after your sessions," the man commented. His voice was soft, and Harry just nodded silently. "Sal told me that you requested I act as your second – or your godfather, as you call it."

"Yeah."

"I am honored," the man told him. Harry blinked in surprise.

"You are?"

"Yes," Godric nodded honestly. "You are a very odd child, and we have all come to care for all of you. I am glad to have this opportunity."

"So, you don't mind, then?"

"Why would I ever mind?" Godric wondered, bewildered. "Even if I did not know you, Salazar is a brother. I would do it for that fact alone."

Harry was quiet for a few minutes before he glanced over. "My dad never got the chance to be my dad. I feel like I'm… I don't know. I feel like I'm ignoring the year he had with me. Like I'm ignoring what they did for me. Sacrificing themselves."

"You are not," Godric said, his voice firm. "You are finding a way to live your life happier, the way they would have wanted. Parents wish only for their children to be happy and safe, and if they cannot do it for them, then they wish for their children to find someone else to keep them happy and safe. I am sure that, were your parents here, they would appreciate us keeping you safe. They would not be upset with you."

"Do you have kids?" Harry asked softly. Godric nodded proudly.

"I have one son. He is grown and traveling, living his life. He visits every once in a while."

"Is he happy?"

"I believe he is," Godric smiled. "But it was not I, alone, who raised him. Salazar, Helga, Rowena, they all assisted me."

"What do I call him?" Harry questioned. "Salazar, I mean."

"I believe that is a question for him," Godric nodded. "But as for me, you and your friends may call me Uncle Godric, if you like. It is what Helena calls me."

Harry paused before shaking his head slowly in amusement. "Four years ago, when I was sorted, I never thought I would someday be sent back in time and asked to call my Head of House Uncle Godric."

Godric raised an eyebrow. "A month ago, I never imagined you and your friends would fall into our lives and I would gain another child to care for, or Sal would find another son, but Fate seems to have fallen bored."

Harry snorted. "She always seems bored with me."

"And I," Godric assured him. "But I believe we are late. We should head to the Great Hall. Everything was already set up when I left."

"Alright," Harry sighed, turning toward the castle. "Let's go."

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The entire hall was bathed in gold and silver, a hint to Harry's past and future Houses. He grinned at the sight. There were no banners like in his time, but Hermione had apparently put up some wonderful illusions on the wall. It had the Hogwarts crest with the Slytherin one on the left and Gryffindor on the right. Above it was Ravenclaw and below was Hufflepuff. He glanced at the podium where a metal basin sat, next to a very old looking knife. He glanced at Hermione and she nodded, indicating that it had been sterilized. Upon closer inspection, he noticed it had a snake on it, slipping around the knife in boredom. He took an involuntary step back, thinking about the Chamber doors in his second year. He'd been remembering that awful night more often and it was beginning to really bother him.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and glanced up in surprise, shocked out of his thoughts. Salazar gave him a nod and he took a deep breath. It was really happening. He'd known for the past month that it would, but it was always a future thing. But then… it was finally happening.

He glanced over to where the Head table usually was and spotted the unsealed coven. He had to admit, they did look pretty intimidating. Hermione looked like a literal goddess, sitting with her hair pulled back in a bun and a few curls hanging around her face, framing it prettily. She had on a long purple dress with a train behind it. He could see a little makeup on her and wondered why she, of all people, would pack makeup in her bag.

Beside her sat Helena, looking almost as beautiful as his friend. She had on a blue dress and her hair was down, framing her face nicely. He didn't pay much attention to her and instead moved on.

Rowena was next, and she didn't look much different than usual. She had always been gorgeous, but he'd never paid much attention. She was wearing blue as well, true to her House colors. Her hair was down as well, falling sweetly to the front of her dress and down to her waist.

After Rowena was Helga, who was wearing a dress that was a beautiful mustard color. Her blonde hair was pulled into a braid that ended on her left side, like a waterfall. He had to admire that – he had no idea how they could twist hair in such a confusing way.

Next were three women that he didn't know. They were gorgeous in their dresses of white, warm orange, and gentle pink, but he'd never seen them before.

"Judith is in the pink," Salazar said, startling Harry. He chuckled at the slight jump the teenager gave but moved on. "Katarina is in orange, and Rosemary is in the white. They were all in my House in school, and they were good friends. They started the Apothecary in Hogsmeade when they left school."

Harry nodded his understanding and continued to look around. "There are more people here."

It was true. There were about twenty-five people hanging around the Hall, including Ron and Théo, who were talking quietly near the doors.

"The town. We had to invite them when we requested help," the man explained. "It would have been rude not to, and we have a good relationship with them. It is important to keep it that way."

"I see." He avoided any more talking by approaching Hermione, who turned and grinned at him happily.

"Oh, Harry!" She squealed, reaching to pull him into a hug, which he returned hesitantly. "I'm so happy for you. Did you know that I have to be the head of the group since I've known you longest? And I'm your best friend? Oh, I'm so excited for you!"

"Hermione!" He said firmly, finally gaining her attention. "Take a breath."

"It's just so interesting," she said sheepishly. "Hogwarts – in the future, I mean – doesn't have much information on covens, and I didn't even know there had to be seven women in one until today!"

"It is very interesting," Harry admitted with a grin. "Did you ask Ron about them?"

"Ron!" She exclaimed with wide eyes. The teenager in question's head shot up and he glanced over nervously.

"Yeah?"

"What do you know about Covens?"

"Er…"

"Later, Mione," Harry grinned. "We're busy."

"Oh," she blinked, deflating.

"Yes, why don't we get started?" Godric called, silencing the Hall easily. Hermione gave Harry an apologetic smile and shooed him away. The boy sighed inwardly and moved awkwardly closer to the podium where Salazar was standing.

"We are all here to perform the magical adoption of Harry James Potter by Salazar Slytherin," Godric announced. There were a few gasps, and Harry realized that some of the people from Hogsmeade didn't even know why they were there. "Is the coven ready?"

"We are," Hermione replied. Her voice was steady and she was smiling, but Harry saw her fists clenched tightly.

Godric nodded and raised his wand. Before Harry could wonder what he was doing, the podium raised from in front of them and moved across the Hall and into the empty area. Salazar nodded at him, and the two followed it as Harry began to wish he'd asked more questions. Godric joined them on the other side of the podium for his part of the rituals.

When they were once again on either side of the bowl, the unsealed coven made their way over as well. When they reached them, Hermione was standing directly in front of Harry. In front of Salazar was Helga. Rowena was on her other side. On Hermione's other side was Helena, and then the three strangers followed.

The coven joined hands, and Harry watched curiously as they chanted words he didn't quite understand. A gentle white and gold light surrounded him, flaring out and gently touching the founders, as well as his friends – including Helena and Théo. He blinked in confusion, but he knew it wasn't the time.

He saw Salazar covered in green and silver and black and noticed his light was reaching out to almost the same people, with only the three girls Harry didn't know in the circle also included.

The chanting continued until the lights dimmed and only the one remained – the one between Harry and Salazar. He watched in amazement as Hermione's eyes, which were glowing with magic, along with everyone else's, turned to Salazar.

"Do you, Salazar Slytherin, accept responsibility over Harry James Potter's life? His happiness and his safety? His comfort and his peace?"

"I do," Salazar promised. Harry wasn't sure he'd ever heard the man so serious before.

The magic from Hermione's eyes encompassed the man and settled into his skin. Salazar shivered slightly as it prodded and entered his magical core, one half of the binding finished.

"Do you, Harry James Potter, accept Salazar Slytherin to be your father? To be your caregiver and your family?"

"I- I do," Harry nodded firmly. He gasped as the last of the magic resting in his friend's eyes settled into his magical core, content and happy and urging Harry to feel the same. Who was he to argue?

"And I, Godric Gryffindor, do solemnly swear to protect and care for Harry James Potter if anything were to happen to Salazar Slytherin."

There was a silence as the magic slid out to him for a second and settled into him. Harry grinned at his new godfather as the man smiled contentedly as well.

"And now," Godric said as the Coven relaxed, most of their job finished. "for the blood adoption. With these two adoptions, it cannot be protested in any time. It is official and forever."

Harry glanced at the light that was still hanging between him and his almost-father. It was now gold and green, and Harry realized it was the bond between him and Salazar. Curiously, he focused on it and tugged. To his surprise, he saw Salazar's gaze snap to him. Before the man said anything, he shrugged.

"Salazar, take the knife. Repeat after me," Godric instructed. Salazar tore his gaze from Harry with a slight frown and did as he was told. They repeated the same words as before, but that time, Salazar cut his hand carefully and dropped some blood into the bowl. Harry cringed. That did not look fun.

When it was his turn, he repeated what he was told, albeit nervously this time. Godric waved to the knife and gave him an encouraging smile, which he tried to return, but he suspected it was more of a grimace. He pulled the knife down and across his palm, ignoring the feel of blood and memories of a graveyard pulling at him. When the cut was big enough, he turned his hand over and squeezed until enough blood had poured into the bowl.

Setting the knife down, he barely heard Godric's final words. He glanced up at Salazar as he squeezed on the slightly painful cut to, hopefully, slow the already slow bleeding. Most would've missed the wince Salazar gave, but he'd spent enough time with him recently to recognize it. He raised an eyebrow, and the man gave a very slight nod to Harry's hand, which only confused him more.

"-adoption is complete!" He heard Godric announce. "Congratulations!"

Harry couldn't help but grin, and he was relieved to notice Salazar doing the same. There was clapping and grinning, and the coven broke their linked hands. Harry was confused to see the green and gold magical link still there, still visible, and gently shoved Salazar's shoulder with his own. "Why can I still see it?"

Salazar's lips twitched at the question. "You accidentally opened a mental link in connection to our magical link. Since it happened during the adoption, it is permanent. If you ever see this light fade… assume there is something wrong. It should always be visible."

"That's what happened when I pulled at it?" Harry wondered. Salazar nodded.

"I have not felt that in a long time, and it took me by surprise," he explained.

"So… can we communicate through it?"

Salazar nodded again. "With practice. I imagine it will be easier for us."

"Why?"

"Because you have never had a father and I have not had a son in a long time, and because of our Occlumency," the man said softly. Harry nodded and changed the subject.

"I'm not really sure what to call you," he admitted with a shrug.

Salazar hummed as he thought about it, and the two took seats at the teachers' table, which was very odd for Harry, who had never really even walked near it before.

"Athair," the man said after a few silent minutes. "It means Father."

Harry thought about it for a moment before he nodded slowly. "Athair. Okay. I'll call you Athair."

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