Protection from another Era
By Padfoot Rocks
Summary: Harry Potter needs protecting; the Ministry can only do so much. Dumbledore finds a way to bring back the four most powerful witches and wizards in order to help protect Harry. The identity of these four? The Hogwarts founders, who – as their 21 year-old-selves – may destroy Hogwarts through their own actions.
Disclaimer: Anything you recognise belongs to J.K Rowling.
Chapter one: Conversations with the sorting hat.
Albus Dumbledore was anxious. No, that's an understatement – Albus Dumbledore was worried sick!
The business with Voldemort had come to a head two months ago: Muggles were dying, Wizards were dying and Arthur Weasley had aged five years with his attempts to keep the Ministry together.
On top of all that, Harry Potter was no longer safe. Dumbledore didn't feel that the wards around both Hogwarts and the Dursley residence were strong enough to withstand an attack by Voldemort's steadily increasing army. Something would have to be done.
But what? Contrary to popular belief, Dumbledore couldn't snap his fingers and have an answer present itself, much as he'd like that to be the case.
A screech shook Dumbledore from his thoughts.
Fawkes the Phoenix was giving Dumbledore 'The Look' and, when he had gained Dumbledore's attention, gestured towards the cabinet on the wall.
Confused, Dumbledore went and peered into the cupboard. There wasn't anything there except for the hat…wait a minute – the hat! Maybe the hat could help him to get his thoughts straight.
Picking up the hat, Dumbledore went and re-seated himself behind his desk. He took off his wizard's hat and replaced it with the Sorting Hat.
// Long time, no see, Albus //
"Yes, well I've -"
// Been busy, I know. It's just that it gets lonely in the cupboard, that's all //
"I wanted to ask you something."
// Go ahead, but if you're wanting a 'literal' hand, I can't help you there!// The hat chuckled at it's own joke.
"I see you haven't lost your sense of humour."
// Not at all, my good friend. Now, what was the problem?//
"Well…it's concerning Harry Potter."
// Ah yes, a lot going on in the head of that one! What about him? //
"I wanted to know if there was any way to strengthen the wards around the castle to protect him and the students from Voldemort?"
The hat grimaced at the name. // There's nothing I can think of to help you, but I know a group of people who can. //
"Who?"
// The Founders of Hogwarts //
"That's impossible, how can I get in touch with them, they've been dead for a thousand years!"
The hat refused to say anything. After waiting a few minutes, Dumbledore pulled the hat from his head. However, as he set it on the desk in front of him, he heard a distinct 'thud'.
Lifting up the hat, Dumbledore saw a large leather-bound book lying on the desk. Picking it up cautiously, he saw a name emblazoned on the front.
'Helga Hufflepuff'