Fore note: Lots of thank you-s and a lot of hugs to Seldes Katne for beta-reading Hearts and Hourglasses before it's posted on Sugar Quill! She's a wonderful person and a fantastic beta-reader!
Chapter Seventeen: Avada Kedavra
Much to Godric's and Helga's displeasure, Salazar visited Ravenclaw manor often. Rowena was flattered by this attention and his persistence despite all attempts on Godric's and Helga's part to drive him away. Intrigues between Light and Dark wizards were uncommon though not unheard of. As always between opposites, there was a fundamental attraction.
However, Rowena was noble-born. The Ravenclaws was considered as royalty by the Light Wizarding community. Salazar, on the other hand, came from a family belonging to the upper echelons of the Dark Wizarding society. Godric and Helga were not alone in their dislike of this particular match. Salazar, himself, was being pressured by his peers to stop this foolishness.
***
"Harry, I created Avada Kedavra."
For the next moments, Harry stared silently at Godric while his mind slowly digested the short and simple statement.
... He made the Killing Curse, thought Harry, closing his eyes and taking one step away and back from Godric. He frowned, brows twitching in an attempt to concentrate. The idea that Godric Gryffindor created the most powerful killing curse was taking a long time sinking into his brain and with good reason.
... He created the spell that killed my parents, Harry suddenly realized numbly. His eyes opened, but he couldn't seem to see anything clearly.
"... How could you make such a thing?" Asked Harry softly, pain and disbelief tinged his voice.
Blinded by confusion, Harry didn't see the agony that flashed in Godric's eyes.
"I'm sorry, Harry," said Godric suddenly. Harry's vision cleared to see that the other man had turned away. To Harry, it was a guilty action.
"I would like to be alone now," Godric said, dismissing Harry.
Shocked and disillusioned, Harry walked slowly passed Godric, who lifted his hand as if to stop him, but he let his hand down even as its fingers brushed the boy's robes.
The door was mercifully unlocked, and Harry opened it with trembling fingers. As soon as the door shut behind him, he ran out into the center of the bright hall. His eyes were suddenly blinded by tears, and his knees weakened. He stumbled and fell to floor, adamantly refusing to start crying.
He stared at the shiny marble floor for what seemed like forever then tensed when he heard footsteps behind him. He whirled, expecting that Godric had come after him. Instead, he saw green not red, and realized that Salazar was bending to one knee in front of him.
"I take it that he told you," Salazar said in a dry exasperated tone of voice, "well... judging by your expression, he didn't tell you everything. Avada Kedavra is not something he's proud of... when he should be." Harry glared at him. He didn't want to see him right now.
Green eyes stared back at him unflinchingly, and Harry started in surprise when Salazar poked a forefinger on the scar on Harry's forehead.
"Made by Avada Kedavra, I presume," Salazar asked rather breezily. Harry knocked away Salazar's hand and yelled at him, "Leave me alone!"
Harry's eyes widened in disbelief when Salazar suddenly grabbed him by the shoulders and lifted him up to stand. Harry was stunned for three seconds then he began struggling to get away from Salazar.
"Let me go!" He punched and kicked, then yelped in alarm when Salazar grabbed the back of his robes and lifted him clean off the floor. The neckline of Harry's robes dug uncomfortably into his throat. His own sleeves pulled back his arms and hands as Salazar held Harry up a good meter from the floor.
Embarrassment at his current suspended position inflamed Harry's anger, and he tried his best to kick Salazar.
"I would not do that," Salazar said softly. His eyes narrowed and gleamed with a dangerous light. Then, they flicked downwards. Harry's eyes automatically followed and widened in alarm. There was a hole in the floor below him. Deep blue and wisps of white flowed past.
"We're miles above the castle," said Salazar lazily, "This is one way to get back down there."
Harry grabbed at Salazar's arm instinctively. "You wouldn't dare!" Harry bravely foolishly said to the older man.
Salazar's eyes were amused. "Definitely a Gryffindor," he said, shaking his head, "Courage and idiocy are the traits of your House."
Harry's fingers dug into the arm holding him. "You won't drop me," Harry insisted stubbornly.
He felt Salazar's fingers tightened on his robes. "How sure are you, young Gryffindor?" asked Salazar silkily.
Harry swallowed reflexively. How had he ever gotten into this mess? He tightened his hold on Salazar's arm and looked into smiling emerald eyes.
"You won't gain anything by killing me, Lord Slytherin," reasoned Harry softly.
Salazar tilted his head thoughtfully and smiled. "Good point." Harry saw his other hand moved, and when he looked down, the hole was gone. Harry relaxed a bit.
"I'll make a bargain with you, Harry." He looked back at Salazar who was regarding him shrewdly.
"What?" Harry said a touch out of breath. His head was getting a little dizzy from being held off the floor.
Again, Salazar's finger touched Harry's scar. "I was only guessing," he said, "but from your reaction, my guess must be correct. This was made by Godric's Killing Curse, wasn't it?"
Harry's jaw tightened, and he jerked his head away from Salazar's touch. "Yes, it is," he ground out.
Salazar's hand fell away, and interest lit his eyes. "Remarkable," he murmured in a tone that made Harry seem like a guinea pig in an experiment. Harry stared at him with disbelief. Salazar's moods were even more unpredictable than Godric's.
"What's the bargain?" Harry finally said loudly. He didn't like the way Salazar was looking at him. He looked like he wanted to dissect Harry.
Salazar blinked, and he let go of Harry, who dropped like a stone to the floor. Harry landed awkwardly on his knees and hands and barely heard Salazar's next words.
"Tell me how you blocked Avada Kedavra, and I'll tell you why Godric created it. He hasn't told you why he created it, I'm certain."
Harry paused and looked up at him with irritation. "Why would I want to know that?! I already know! It's to kill people!"
Salazar waggled a forefinger in front of Harry's face. "Never assume anything," he said wisely, "that's one of Godric's bad habits, and one of yours too, I see."
A furious Harry stood up and shouted at him, "You should talked! You broke your promise and spread Avada Kedavra!"
Salazar's eyes glinted with anger. "That's your and Godric's assumption," he said in a light dangerous tone, "whatever my true self did, he did because he had good reason to, but I haven't done it."
Harry shook with anger. "You are him," he said in a tone to match Salazar's.
The Dark wizard shrugged. "True, that I do not deny, but I would prefer not to be blamed for things I haven't done even if it was by me."
Deep inside, Harry knew that what Salazar was saying was true and honest. He was and wasn't the real Salazar who betrayed Godric. ... And... Harry suspected he was transferring his anger at Godric for creating the Killing Curse to Salazar. Better to hate the Dark wizard then his own House's Founder...
Suddenly, Harry felt so confused. He wanted to get away and just not think and not feel. He wanted to forget what he had just learned. His helpless confusion must have shown on his face, for Salazar remarked, "That Godric is an idiot."
Anger flared, and Harry snapped at him, "Shut up!"
Salazar folded his arms. "I will not. He is so too an idiot."
"He is not!"
"Is too. He didn't tell you why and how he created Avada Kedavra, correct?"
Harry faltered. "... No," he admitted unwillingly.
Salazar sighed loudly. "He should had explained, but he didn't. He would rather have you agonize over it. Same as what he is doing to himself, blaming for something he couldn't possibly do anything about. See? He's an idiot."
Harry barely kept himself from kicking Salazar in the shins. "Stop calling Lord Gryffindor an idiot!"
"All right... he's stupid then."
Harry now knew why Godric lost his temper so easily with Salazar. The Slytherin Lord could be so annoying.
Salazar was counting off his fingers. "He's a moron, imbecile, half-wit, fool- Ow!"
Harry had kicked him in the shin. Salazar winced in pain, reaching down a hand and lifting his injured leg. As he did so, Harry pushed him hard, knocking him off balanced. The older man landed on his back with a loud thud, and Harry quickly straddled his chest to keep Salazar from recovering quickly. He raised his fist, poised to pound at the other's face if he said another word against Godric.
What Harry didn't expect however was for Salazar to start laughing. The Dark wizard's laughter was unlike Godric's silent laughter. It was hearty, irrepressible, and infectious. Hearing it, Harry froze. He's weird, thought Harry immediately. Why'd he start laughing all of a sudden?
Then Harry felt very foolish, realizing what he had done. He had just attacked one of the Hogwarts Four, even though he had been goaded severely.
He quickly got off Salazar, who lifted himself to a sitting position, still chuckling.
"Do me a favor, boy," Salazar wheezed between chortles, "don't tell Godric to kick me in the shin. I'll never win in another fight with him."
"... Okay," said Harry softly slowly. He felt very embarrassed, but the emotion was easing away, driven off by Salazar's mirth. How strange that he felt more at ease with Salazar while he usually was nervous in Godric's presence. But then again, Harry did just got away with kicking Salazar in the shins.
Salazar coughed, clearing his throat of laughter as he stood up and rearranged his robes. Green eyes twinkled at him, and Salazar said, "Do you feel better now, Harry?
Harry stared at him and nodded. He did feel much better now and a little tired, as if something heavy had been drained from him.
"Splendid," said Salazar approvingly, and Harry blinked when for the third time, Salazar touched his scar. "Do we have an agreement? Tell me how you survived Avada Kedavra, and I will tell you how it came that your beloved Founder created the most powerful and effective Killing Curse ever known."
"... Agreed."
***
"Godric had to kill his own father, Harry."
"... What?"
"He killed his father."
"... That's not possible!"
"It is possible, and he did it with good reason as well."
"... How can you say that?! What good reason can there be for killing your own father?!"
"You would if your father was going to kill you and your mother."
"... You're enjoying this, aren't you?! It's not funny! Tell me everything that happened!"
"Are you sure you want to know every- All right! Keep your foot to yourself!"
"YOU ARE SO ANNOYING!"
"Thank you. It's a gift."
"ARGH!!!"
"... Stay away from that bottle!"
"I'm going to break it if you don't start being serious!"
"Fine. Fine. I'll give you the unabridged version. Godric's father had beaten a high-ranking Dark wizard in a duel. It was in public, and a very embarrassing situation. In any case, Lord Gryffindor had earned the ire of many of my colleagues."
"... This was over a duel?
"Yes. Keep away from that bottle or I swear there will be one less Gryffindor in this generation if anything happens to it."
"What happened next?"
"He was kidnapped and tortured. The wizards drank Polyjuice and took on the forms of his wife and son before using Crucio on him. When his mind finally broke, he was returned unconscious. When he awakened, he immediately attacked his own wife and son, thinking they were his tormentors."
"No matter what they did or say, he wouldn't believe them. Godric was only fourteen years old at that time. He tried to stop his father, but he was no match for a full-grown wizard, even an insane one at that. His mother was killed when she intercepted a spell her mad husband aimed at their son. In the end, Godric had to kill his own father using a spell he had made to painlessly kill animals downed during hunting. It was the strongest spell he knew."
"... Did you have any part in it?"
"None. I merely heard about it."
"You could have done something about it!"
"Why should I?"
"... Because he's your friend!"
"I didn't even know him when he was fourteen."
"You could have done something!"
"There was nothing I could have done. Stop insisting I could have done something."
"... How did you learn about the Killing Curse?"
"The Ravenclaw School was a target by my kind. Various teams were sent to destroy it. During one of these missions, a student was killed. Godric took personal responsibility for the death of that boy. It was then he had the notion that I could prevent these attacks."
"Could you?!"
"Somewhat. I made it clear to my kind that I considered it cowardly to view mere children as threats. They were dissuaded when I was present at the school. They were bolder when I was elsewhere. Godric began to insist that I be present at the school always."
"Did you agree?"
"Of course not. I wasn't about to allow myself to be a prisoner. I told Godric that, but he insisted, and he threatened to kill the next team sent to destroy the school. I confess I was amused by his threat. Light wizards have the reputation of being softhearted. He took offense that I doubted him and demonstrated just how serious he was."
"He killed a spider. When he looked back at me, I didn't hide my amazement. I immediately saw the curse for what it truly was. I agreed to stay at the school provided he taught me his killing curse. He was suspicious that I was so eager to learn it since there were so many other more flamboyant killing curses."
"He didn't even realized what he had created! I was so surprised by his ignorance that I told him he had made an unblockable killing curse. When he finally fully understood what he had created, he immediately demanded that I never ever tell anyone about it. He insisted. He made me promise that I would never reveal Avada Kedavra.
"... But you didn't keep your promise."
"Promises aren't a common custom among my kind, and besides, I haven't broken it."
"... What are you going to do now?"
"Make Godric angry at me, of course."
"... Huh?"
"It's the only recourse. Get him to blame me instead of himself. Believe me. You wouldn't want to deal with him when he's depressed and feeling all sorry for himself. You've seen him that way, haven't you?"
"... Yes, but-"
"Another thing, Harry. Make sure you don't tell anyone about this. Godric wouldn't appreciate it. He'd been trying so hard to keep it a secret and has been doing admirably, I must say. Even Rowena doesn't know about this."
"... Then, how did you know?"
"Godric tends to babble when he is drunk, and there are spells to make a person reveal their innermost secrets."
"... You what?!"
"I was curious, Harry, and I admit, a bit jealous."
To be continued.
Chapter 17 has ended. Please go on to the next chapter.
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