A/N: Woo-hoo! Chapter 8 is here! I'm warning you: this chapter is not the best (in fact, is one of the worse) but it'll have to do, for it's just a transition (or something like it) to the next chapter in which Harry goes back to *his* time to talk to Dumbledore, and... I've said too much. The point is this chapter is not that good. But read it though, 'cause it holds some information. I guess.

*******************************************

TIME-TRAVEL
Chapter 8: Salazar.

"While we're in Hogsmeade" Harry said to his companion on the way to the train "could you introduce me to Salazar? I want to meet him"

Tom chuckled "you want to meet... Salazar?" Harry nodded "Ok, then. He'll be delighted to have another friend"

"I thought you said you weren't friends with anyone"

"Well," Tom shrugged "I wasn't going to tell you my only friend is a ghost, right?"

"There's a point" Harry smiled sheepishly and grabbed Tom's arm, pulling him closer as they entered a vacant compartment.

* * *

Salazar eyed Harry from head to toes. His stern look softened slightly when Tom introduced the boy as a "pureblood Slytherin," even though he knew Harry was a half-blood, Gryffindor to the core. Fortunately, Salazar didn't notice the lie and proceeded to 'shake' hands with a terrified Harold Smith. That didn't pass unnoticed, for the spectre inquired,

"What is troubling you, young man?"

"I- nothing..." Harry stuttered. Truth is, this grey spectre reminded him of the shadows that left Voldemort's wand in their duel at the graveyard, after the Triwizard Tournament. Each time he remembered that fateful night, he kept trying to convince himself that Cedric's death was not his fault. And he was still doubtful.

Tom waved a hand in front of his eyes "Harry!"

"What?" Harry responded numbly.

"I'm seriously starting to worry you know..." concern showing in Tom's eyes.

"Don't be daft!" Harry smiled and Tom raised an eyebrow at him.

"Right, where were we?" he asked.

"I believe..." Salazar said "...you were about to tell me what is your, let's say, connection with Mr. Smith"

"I... um... we-" Tom stuttered and fell silent. He was at a loss of words and blushing. He shot a pleading look at Harry.

"We're... um... we..." Harry tried and help, but failed miserably.

Luckily for them, Salazar interrupted their babbling "you are, let's say, a couple?"

The boys looked at each other, shy smiles planted on their lips. Tom nodded.

Salazar smiled in a very intimidating way. Tom seemed to be oblivious to the fact that this gesture of approval was completely fake, but Harry, noticing this, played blind and remained quiet.

After a short chat about the last two weeks events (including Harry's arrival), the spectre of Salazar Slytherin was left alone.

* * *

Harry was completely aware of the delicacy of the matter at hand, so he tried his best to be discreet.

"Tom? Do you, by any chance, know Salazar's last name?"

"Haven't we talked about it?" the boy asked, raising an eyebrow. He shrugged "I can't believe I haven't told you..."

Harry just stared at him -hold on... He actually knows?-

"That ghost" he paused for dramatic effect "is none other than Salazar Slytherin. One of Hogwarts founders."

"I knew it!" Harry said those words before he could stop himself.

"You knew what?" Tom was genuinely confused.

Harry had to say something and he had to do it quickly, before Tom suspected anything. "When you said the ghost's name, I... somehow knew it was Slytherin. I just... felt it..." -good going. You're so stupid sometimes... Why can't you keep your fucking mouth shut?!!-.

Tom had both of his eyebrows lifted, but he dismissed any thought within a few blinks. Harry was very much relieved when the other boy simply said "Oh."

* * *

-So, basically, Tom has been telling his deepest secrets to none other than the devil himself, Salazar Slytherin. Think, Harry, think! In the future, Tom will be known as the 'Heir of Slytherin,' even though Slytherin himself was a pureblood and Tom is a half-blood. That's something to think about... I think I'm finally getting somewhere. If my theory is right, then... I must talk to Dumbledore. And I'll do it tonight.-

* * *

"Tom?"

Said boy turned to face Harry, who took a seat next to him. He caught the boy in a loving embrace, just as he asked, "Is there anything wrong?"

"No" Harry lied "It's just... I have to go" Harry replied, gazing at the floor.

Tom dropped the book he'd been reading and lifted Harry's chin up with a shaking hand, so he could stare into the boy's eyes. Tears were welling up in the back of his eyes and he did nothing to stop them from running down his cheeks.

"Why?"

Silence.

"You've been here for only two weeks!! You said you would stay for a month!"

Harry tried to form a smile, but his lips refused. He didn't want to leave so soon, but he was on a mission and that was more important. He brushed Tom's tears away "It's only for a day. I have to see the Headmaster" he assured the other boy.

"Oh..." Tom felt a little relieved at those last words "when are you... leaving?"

"Tonight."

"Could we... nevermind."

"What?" Harry asked gently. Tom was about to request something, he knew it. But, whatever that was, he'd gladly do it. He'd do anything for Tom. Specially now that he was sure the other boy wasn't who he thought.

"Just, I'd like to go for a walk. I want to seize every minute before you leave." Tom admitted coyly. His eyes glowing with melancholy. "I'll miss you."

Harry grinned at the other boy's words and assured him "I'll do whatever you please. And I promise I won't take long."

The corners of his lips curled upwards as Tom asked "promise?"

Harry was thoughtful for a moment, which startled Tom a bit "I can't promise I'll be back in two hours, but I can promise I won't take longer than day."

Tom simply nodded as he got his feet. He tasted Harry's lips as he entwined his fingers with Harry's. "Let's go" he suggested, and soon the boys were wandering the school grounds.

* * *

Night closed in and Harry watched Tom fall asleep. He placed a quick kiss on the boy's forehead and took a vial out of his robes' pocket. The liquid was a dark green with yellow spots here and there. He swallowed every drop and, soon after, felt his body floating as everything around him faded to black. He closed his eyes.

After a few minutes of nothingness, Harry's eyes snapped open. He saw, with a mixture of sadness and joy, he was in the Headmaster's office. Much to his relief, he found no sign of professor Dippet, but a fifty years older Albus Dumbledore.


*******************************************

A/N: I don't like this chapter, but, as I said before, Harry's on a mission so there's more to come. Including the truth about Lord Voldemort and many other things I shall not say... not that they're not obvious enough, but still...

Please leave a pretty review or else I will get sad. Really sad. Is anyone reading this anyway? I mean, after Order of the Phoenix was released I lost almost all of my readers... I want to cry, now. Bye... *sniff*