Hi, okay, I lied a tiny bit. There will be a scene in this chapter that references the Multiple Trios Dilemma, but it isn't important and it's mostly for me. I'm sorry, Jessica, I know I said I wouldn't do this but…. I guess I lied.

Let's hope my sister doesn't hurt me!

Enjoy!

Edit: I lied a lot. I understand I promised not to abandon this, and I haven't. I just… took a bit of an extended break again. Given my history, I won't you anymore promises. All I'll say is that my goal is to finish this fic. I enjoy it and it seems you guys do, too.

If it helps, I took that break to finish writing Alexia! And I did! Holy shit! I'm so excited about that!

Anyway, thank you for your patience and I hope you enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-Four

Once he returned from the Ministry to Black Manor, Harry dropped himself down on the couch and rolled his head back in exhaustion. They'd been working on press conferences all day, which had been Amelia's idea. The public got their information from writers like Rita Skeeter most of the time, which meant that unless they addressed the public on their own, anything could be twisted. And it had been. After the third article about Harry turning into an evil Slytherin and a bout of accidental magic from the teenager, the two of them had scheduled the press conference.

"What's wrong with you?"

Harry glanced up at Blaise and Theo as they walked into the room together and made a face at Theo. "Your father is a piece of work. I'm going to hex him."

"Please, go ahead," Theo rolled his eyes. "What'd he do?"

"Well, we made the mistake of allowing him to ask a question," Harry shook his head. "I don't understand how he could fit so many vile things into one question. He started out by suggesting I had messed with Athair's mind and ended it by calling Hermione a mudblood and how could we let her be the heir to an Ancient and Noble House? Because I have control over that."

"Sounds like he was in a good mood," Blaise chuckled. "That man can go on for hours."

"Oh, he also accused us of kidnapping you," Harry told Theo. "I don't really know if he knows you're here, he just knows you've apparently abandoned your master."

Theo grimaced. "I do appreciate you letting me stay here. I'd very much rather not get the Dark Mark."

"I mean, it's not my choice, but sure," Harry shrugged, letting his head fall back against the couch. "Where is everybody?"

"The Founders aren't here," Blaise told him, flipping a small vial of liquid that had been sitting on the table in his hands. "Draco and his mother went to officially inform the French Malfoys that their English bastard Lord had died. Weasley left not long after you did, and Granger is at Hogwarts as well."

"I know Athair was heading back to Hogwarts," Harry nodded. "Wait, hold on. Why are they going to talk to the Malfoys? I thought they were, you know, not Malfoys anymore."

"French Malfoys deeply hated Lucius," Theo explained. "I went to one of their Christmas parties once and heard one of Draco's cousins saying the only hope for their family was Draco. That was when he wasn't an arse, before school started. Most Malfoys, believe it or not, aren't assholes."

"That's just as believable as Draco not being an asshole," Harry shrugged. "And that was pretty easy to believe after realizing that Salazar Slytherin doesn't want muggleborns killed."

"So what exactly are they doing at Hogwarts?" Blaise wondered curiously. "What do they have to do there?"

"Professor Hufflepuff wanted to make sure the classrooms were safe," Harry began, listing things off in his head as he tried to figure it out. He truthfully didn't know why they were all there or what they were doing. "Athair wants to entirely redo the dungeons. They're cold and damp and Ron joked that they might be moldy, so he's taking that seriously."

"They're not moldy," Theo rolled his eyes. "We've spent the past five years down there, I think we would've noticed."

Harry shrugged. "Professor Ravenclaw wanted to unlock her library, and Uncle Godric was horrified that we don't have an armory or anywhere to properly duel, so he wants to build that again. They also want to totally inspect the castle and the grounds to make sure they're safe. I saw Professor Ravenclaw fix the trick step in the staircases yesterday."

"So they really don't trust Dumbledore," Blaise snorted. "Cool."

"I mean, do you?" Harry asked curiously. "He's manipulative and cruel and didn't even try to keep us safe. The basilisk could've killed us and so could Quirrell, who he had to know was possessed."

"Yep, Dumbledore sucks."

"Aside from fixing up the castle, they probably want to work on the wards," Harry hummed. He thought about what else might be on the founders' to-do lists and froze. "Ah, shit."

"What?"

He shot to his feet. "I knew that look was bad," he told them, putting his shoes back on. "He looked pissed, but I just assumed it was your dad. Fuck."

"Potter, what is it?" Theo asked sharply, grabbing his arm. Harry caught his eye.

"I think he's going to kill Magorian."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Helga walked with Godric through the halls toward the library where they knew Hermione had camped out for the day. She'd been avoiding people again, this time because she'd been through something rather traumatic. Still, they worried for her. When the pair entered the library, they found her easily.

"Hermione," Godric greeted. She glanced up in surprise and panic, her hand reaching down for her dagger. It took her a second before she forced herself to relax.

"I'm sorry, did you need me?" she asked, eyeing them.

"Actually, we never got the chance to re-sort you," Helga told her with a smile. "We hoped to do that now since you're here."

"Oh, um…" she frowned and nodded. "Sure."

Godric smiled at her and waved his hand in the air. The Sorting Hat appeared, and he grabbed it and approached her carefully. When she seemed calm enough, he settled the Hat on her head.

"Miss Black…."

"I'm still Hermione Granger."

"Are you really? It doesn't seem to be true."

"Do you plan to Sort me or argue with me?"

"Well… you would only fit in one House, of course…"

"Gryffindor!"

Hermione blinked in surprise. "What?"

Godric grinned brightly at her. "Did I not tell you that you belonged in my House?"

"Well, you did, but…" she shook her head slowly. "After… I just didn't think I belonged there anymore."

"Hermione," Helga said gently, sitting down. "I know you don't want to talk about it, but I think it might do you some good."

"Whatever happened there, it does not define you," Godric added. "You're just as brave as you were before."

Hermione shook her head quietly. "I'm not like those girls. Most of them were very… different. They were harder, more prepared to fight. They understood the fight… not better, but in a very different way than I did. It's just unsettling, seeing what… what's happened to them. Seeing the way they looked at him, the way different versions of him looked at them…"

"What happened?" Helga asked softly. "In the end."

Hermione looked away and at her arm, which was still being healed after she'd been hit with a dark curse. "I just feel like maybe I don't fully understand him or the danger I'm in. Adelaide, Mia, Cassiopeia… it was bad. Much worse than it is with me."

"With any luck, it won't get worse," Godric reminded her. "We're doing our best to help. Rowena is in her library right now looking for something to help you. For now, just know that I very much agree with the Sorting Hat. You belong in my House, Hermione. You're one of the bravest people I've ever met."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

By the time Harry got to the castle, Salazar had already left again. When Hogwarts told him as much, he cursed in Parseltongue and threw his head back. Was he too late?

"It's a good thing Professor Slytherin isn't here," Théo chuckled. "I have no clue what you said, but you certainly look frustrated."

Harry jumped a bit and turned to look at his friend. It was a bit disconcerting seeing him as an adult and a ghost compared to the teenager he'd seen him as a week and a half ago. "I've heard him say worse in Parseltongue, don't worry. Have you seen him?"

"He left a few minutes ago," Théo nodded. "It was the strangest thing. He walked all the way to the dungeons to work on the potions room, stopped in the middle of emptying the supplies closet, cursed, and Apparated away."

Harry grimaced. "Thanks, Théo." With a wave, he hurried out of the castle again and toward the forest. It was dark and he only took in a deep breath before hurrying inside. The trees were thick and dark and he did his best to avoid other creatures. Using his wand, he lit up the path in front of him and walked slowly. There were some random noises around that had him on edge, but as far as he could tell, there weren't centaurs close by and neither was his father, which took him deeper into the forest.

After about twenty minutes of walking, he heard some noise nearby and knew it was a centaur. He grabbed his sword and put up a shield with his wand and approached. When he managed to sneak up on it, he paused upon realizing his father was nowhere around.

"Harry Potter-Slytherin."

Harry tensed at the voice and gripped his sword tighter in his hands. "Magorian. I guess you're still alive, then."

"Unfortunately, so are you," the centaur hummed, stomping his hooves in place. "Have you come to die?"

Harry couldn't help but snort his laughter. "You sound like a horrible villain. Very generic. I thought that was Voldemort's thing."

"You dare make fun of me?" Magorian snapped, moving closer. "I should kill you now. You have enslaved us to this miserable forest."

"Firenze could leave," Harry pointed out. "Not you or anyone else that wants to hurt us."

"So it was foolish if you to come here, hm?"

"You know, I came here because I thought my father had come to kill you," Harry told him. "You don't sound too grateful."

Magorian growled and grabbed his bow and an arrow. Before he could shoot at Harry, another centaur slammed into him, sending him to the ground. Harry could see Firenze waving at him and didn't hesitate to get the hell out of there - which he did by transforming into his phoenix form and flying away.

When he landed in a courtyard and shifted back to himself, he was left with one question: where had Salazar gone so suddenly?

OoOoOoOoOoOo

When Salazar made his decision on where to go from there, he wanted to figure out what was the most clearly magical place. His first option was Hogwarts, of course, but Grimmauld Place was another good option, what with the talking - or rather, screaming - portraits and the elf heads. There was also Black Manor, which held a number of elves always running around and using magic of some sort, plus the people that lived there.

In the end, he decided that a tour would be nice. So, he made a portkey and took the three to Hogwarts, landing them directly in the office.

"Ah, Sal, I was wondering-," Godric's words cut off. "Who are they?"

Salazar pointed at them in order. "This is Harry's Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and his cousin, Dudley."

"The Dursley's," Godric said, his eyes darkening. "I see. What are you doing with them?"

"They're afraid of magic," Salazar explained. "I thought a tour would be appropriate."

"And then?"

Salazar raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you wish to know?"

Godric sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Just keep in mind how Harry will react to whatever plans you have for them. Hurting them for hurting him would not go over well with him."

Salazar hesitated. He was right. Harry still didn't want him to kill the centaurs, even though time wasn't at risk anymore. His son wanted less violence in the world, not more. But… he was Salazar Slytherin. He didn't need to physically harm the muggles. He had magic and the ability to leave them in a state of agony without hurting them at all - physically, that is.

"Hermione is in my House still," Godric commented, eyeing the stunned and bound muggles.

Salazar grimaced. "How is she doing? Harry says he can't get anything out of her."

"Neither could we," Godric agreed. "I do not know exactly what he did to these other versions of her, but-,"

"We should ask Sirius," Salazar suggested. "Hermione did say that she already knew who Dolohov was because Sirius told her about him. He was an Auror and Hit Wizard - he may know."

"I will do that," Godric offered. "Have you told Harry anything?"

"Not yet," Salazar admitted. "But I believe I will ask him if he'd like to be here for this."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Godric was greeted by a pair of redheads with absolute shit eating grins on their faces. They parted and waved them in between them.

"We cannot believe-,"

"That Ronnikins brought Godric Gryffindor-,"

"To the future-,"

"Just when we leave school."

Ron ran in the room and shot his brothers a dirty look. "Leave him alone. It's not his fault you two decided to throw fireworks into the Great Hall and be chased out by Umbridge."

"Sure-,"

"But if that's going to be our last memory of Hogwarts-,"

"You have to admit it's a damn good one."

"Mione was about ready to destroy you," Ron rolled his eyes, waving Godric into the kitchen. "You know how long she's been stressing over our O.W.L.s? Since first year. First year."

"Well, that's a Hermione problem," George laughed.

"It's not like you didn't take them," Fred added.

"Anyway," Ron said, glaring at the twins before looking back to the chuckling man. "Is something wrong?"

"No, not at all," Godric promised. "But we didn't manage to re-sort you or your sister."

"Oh," Ron blinked. "Ginny!"

Ginny ran in from outside, sweat on her face. "What? I'm busy- oh, hello."

"If you have a minute to spare, I just need to re-sort you," Godric explained. Ginny nodded and moved over to them. Godric pulled out the Hat and set it on her head for barely a moment before it shouted out her House.

"Gryffindor!"

Ginny grinned brightly. "I'd probably have beat it up if it said anything else."

"Yeah, she's definitely a Gryffindor," Fred laughed.

"Ron?" Godric smiled. "Ready?"

When he nodded and sat down, Godric lifted the Hat over his head. The Hat was just as quick with Ron as it was with Ginny, calling out his House immediately.

"Ravenclaw!"

The four siblings paused and Ron looked up at Godric in a panic. "That's not right!"

"I disagree," Godric told him. "You very much belong in Rowena's House, Ron."

"But… I'm not-,"

"You are. We've discussed this. Were you not the only one who had a sound enough strategy that you did not have to fight anyone?"

Ron frowned. "Well, yeah, but-,"

"Ron, are you actually trying to argue with Godric Gryffindor?" Ginny asked with a snort of laughter. "Dude's smart. You're not too stupid, either."

"Did you just compliment me?"

"Yeah, so keep Mum away from me while I practice," she requested, turning and running back out the door. Ron sat there, confused but suddenly unwilling to question his new placement - he was only worried over being away from his friends.

"Where's Hermione? Harry's in Slytherin, right?"

"He is," Godric confirmed. "Hermione is still in my House. She also disagreed with her placement. I believe perhaps it would do you two well to get together and discuss it. You might gain a better understanding of why you are where you are."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Harry found Salazar three hours after he'd originally set out to do so. He was, if he was being honest, quite embarrassed. Salazar had used their bond to call him to Hogwarts, reminding him that he could've just used their bond. It certainly would've saved him the effort of sassing a centuries old centaur that had it in for him.

He got to Hogwarts quickly and breathed out a sigh of relief upon seeing his father, who was perfectly fine and reading through some papers at his desk. "What's up?"

Salazar glanced up at him, putting down the stack of papers and getting to his feet. "I'd like to talk with you about something, and I need you to listen to me."

"Uh," Harry blinked, nervous. "Okay…"

"I have taken your aunt, uncle, and cousin, and they are currently stunned and in the dungeons."

"What?" Harry exclaimed, eyes widening. He glanced toward the door in horror, wondering how quickly he could get to the dungeons and if he was talented enough to Obliviate the three of them so they could just go back to their lives and forget about him.

"We will not be Obliviating them," Salazar told him sharply. "Did you expect me to do nothing about them when we returned?"

"And here I was worrying you were going to kill Magorian," Harry muttered, throwing his head back. "Athair, I just want them out of my life. I'd be perfectly happy to let them live in peace and never see them again."

"It's on my list," Salazar assured him, not comforting him at all. "You do not have to be involved, but I intend to ensure they suffer as you have."

"Don't hurt them," Harry insisted immediately. "Please."

"I won't," he waved it off and didn't mention the fact that he'd been going to before he'd run into Godric.

"Athair!"

Salazar cursed under his breath. "I do see how unfortunate and intrusive that can be."

"Look, I appreciate you being angry," Harry told the man. "But I'm just tired. I just want them out of my life forever."

"And they can be. You don't have to see them at all if you do not wish to. But I will be tormenting them just a bit."

"You promise you won't hurt them physically?"

"I swear it."

Harry relaxed, breathing out a sigh of relief. "What are you gonna do to them?"

"I plan to take them on a tour of the wizarding world," he smirked. "Grimmauld Place ought to scare them, hm?"

Harry let out a surprised laugh. "Looking at my wand alone scares them. They might have a heart attack if they see Walburga's portrait."

"Would you like to come along?"

"...yeah."

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