Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or his world - As Slytherin would say I'm 'burrowing'...

Chapter Ten. The Fourth Founder

Harry tried to scramble to his feet, but his wrists were wrenched forcibly and he was forced to his knees. "Insolence."

Harry's heart thumped loudly in his chest the voice that spoke above his head was deep and angry. His first reaction was to enter Slytherin's mind to call for help (or a little advise), but he was ashamed to call upon Slytherin.

Harry felt the collar of his robes being clutched and he came eye to eye with the furious stranger. Harry watched the man's hard brown gold eyes widen in shock. In that moment he was absolutely sure of who the man was.

"You're not one of mine! Who sent you, whelp, to spy on I Godric Gryffindor?" The stranger shook Harry once then dropped him on the floor.

Godric Gryffindor stared at Harry his dark brown eyes communicating the fury that was contained hidden deep within his calm exterior.

For a moment Harry was tempted to utter Slytherin's name. Hadn't Slytherin said they were still good friends – what if the feeling wasn't mutual? Salazar Slytherin did after all leave the Chamber of Secrets.

"Answer me!" The Gryffindor founder was livid.

Very slowly and deliberately Harry rose to his feet and self consciously smoothed his robes (although there were no creases). Harry lifted his chin so that he could look more closely at Godric's face as he felt Godric would appreciate being answered to directly. "I don't think it would be wise to answer, Sir," Harry replied trying to hide the quiver in his voice.

For the briefest of moments Harry was almost certain he saw a flicker of amusement in Godric's eyes, but the fury returned quickly.

"How did you get in?"
"…erm…the door…" Harry wasn't trying to be a wise –guy it was just the first thing that came into his head.

Godric swept past Harry to the door… He ran his hands along the entrance. "No magic…used…" Godric's eyes bore into Harry's, Harry had enough sense to blush and turn his head away in shame.

Caught stealing by Godric Gryffindor, a wizard in history he had admired and idolised!

"Gryffindor robes…hmmm…" Godric's gaze turned to Harry's robes… "Saxtyn's robes…Damn you Salazar…must you always play games with me?"

Godric stepped up to Harry, who wryly stepped back. However the Gryffindor founder grabbed Harry's chin and lifted it up so high, Harry thought his neck would snap off.

"You're Salazar's new apprentice eh?"
The gamed seemed to be up and Harry nodded glumly, wishing that the earth would split and swallow him whole!

"How bitterly disappointing, boy… I had hoped…" Harry couldn't bear to listen… his hero was angry at him and rightfully so!

And now the founder was staring at his scar with avid fascination. "A bolt of light…" Godric murmured tracing Harry's scar so lightly that Harry shivered under his touch… "Ah…interesting…"

Godric dropped Harry's chin and lean past him and pulled out a scroll. Completely ignoring Harry the Gryffindor founder approached his desk and opened the scroll. A few moments passed with Gryffindor bent over the scroll, shaking his head and murmuring all sorts of questions. Harry remained stock still where he was – unsure what he should do… the door was open…

"A bolt of light in the dark…" Gryffindor commented loudly just as Harry was eying the door. Harry jumped sure that Gryffidnor had seen him eying his escape. Gryffindor waved the scroll at Harry. "Here take it!"

At the edge of Harry's mind he felt Slytherin returning with a hint of glee. 'Take it boy…it's what we're after…I'm sure…'

Harry hesitated. Why would Gryffindor just hand him the spell Slytherin needed to protect him if he had made an oath never to use the spell?

Gryffindor wiggled the scroll again much like you would wave a meaty bone under a dog's nose. Harry reluctantly stepped forward and touched the scroll. A small smile was playing on Gryffindor's lips…

Very slowly and carefully as if the parchment was going to burst into flames at his touch, Harry opened the scroll. He instantly felt the pang of Slytherin's disappointment… It was a picture.

The picture was the night's sky, a lightening bolt and the Dark Mark. How Godric Gyffindor knew about the Dark Mark, Harry had no idea. But he could not help but gasp… under the night sky was a house so similar to 4 Privet Drive it was scary, the windows of the house were filled with blue, red, green and yellow lights. Something that triggered in Harry's memory, those lights were familiar.

"The Dark Mark…" Harry couldn't help but trace the revolting skull with his fingertips, "How do you know what that means?"
Godric's lips curled into a smile and replied rather genially, "The Dark Mark, is it? Suitable name…What is the Dark Mark?"

"It's a sign that Voldemort (a dark wizard) has killed or attacked in the name of..." Harry stopped it seemed so unfair to mention Salazar's name, now that he had met him. "...nevermind..."

Godric's eyebrows creased, as if suspecting a plot but he did not attempt to make a reply.

Harry frowned and looked to the picture once more, the memory of the phone call and the attack came flooding back. He had run instead of standing his ground…

"This is where you are from," Godric stated, wrapping his cloak around him.
Harry nodded blankly.
"I saw this when Rowena told me about you turning up in London," Godric explained.
Harry looked away. "How?"
"Protective Magics boy, have given me an extra sense of knowing…"
"Knowing…"
"Rowena had guessed you were from the future…but it was I who could tell her where you're from and how..."

Gryffindor allowed a few moments for his last words to sink in. Almost immediately the light of understand lit up in Harry's eyes. "You know how I ended up here?"

"That is what I said," Gryffindor replied as he went to the door and waited by the entrance, "Now come let's go and see our scaly friend."

In his mind, Harry heard Salazar's hiss of disgust and chuckled. Gryffindor glanced back at him quizzically and Harry was obliged shrug away his mirth.

Remembering that Salazar said that no one knew of the passage and the mirror on the fourth floor was unknown to everyone else, Harry allowed himself to be lead into the forest by Godric Gryffindor.

"Mistress Ravenclaw put a stop to apparating on the school grounds… we had awful trouble with apprentices disappearing left, right and centre," Gryffindor explained almost apologetically, "I suppose wizards in the future have figured out how to undo the spell…"
"No," Harry replied, "But it would be useful on occasions – say if you were being chased by a werewolf."
Gryffindor sniffed loudly, "What are the chances of that happening on Hogwarts Grounds?"

Harry could not help but smile at the thought of the terrifying chase between himself and Professor Lupin in his transformed state…and let out a snort of laughter.
"Sounds like I've got me a rule breaker…"
"…Bender…" Harry corrected, "Besides Sirius would have been very badly hurt if we didn't do something…"
"Sounds like you are I've must-save-everyone type of lad."
"Hmmm…"

Godric's words seemed to remind him awfully of Hermione.

Salazar Slytherin was waiting for them at the front entrance of his home. "Ho, Salazar I've got you a boy," Godric said genially letting his cloak slip from his shoulders.

Salazar scowled at Harry, who glanced about everywhere but at him.

Annoyed at being ignored Salazar glanced from Godric to Harry and was reassured. Harry although small with dark hair and green eyes was similar in face and manner to Godric.

"Teaching a half blood are we… Salazar…?" Godric's eyes suddenly became cold and angry.
Slytherin glanced back down to Harry. "His bloodlines would be…" his eyes travelled back to Gryffindor meaningfully, "reasonable enough."
Gryffindor snorted irritably. "And you send him to steal from me…"
"Burrow…" Slytherin replied tersely, "I would have gotten the scrolls to you after we had used them."
"The ones you want are dangerous."
"The risk," Slytherin glanced back at Harry, "would be minimal if you or I did the task."

"Are you doing this because you couldn't save Saxtyn and Newlin?" Gryffindor asked in a low voice. Harry glanced up…

"That has nothing to do with it," Slytherin hissed and pointed to Harry, "This boy could possibly save our world…but without our help it would be nigh impossible."
Gryffindor shifted uneasily. "I know," he admitted, "But he's one of mine - the decision is mine."

"Just like you decided to abandon hope of saving Saxtyn and Newlin, after you failed to protect them..." Slytherin replied bitterly.
"We had no choice... would you damn your own nephew to a cursed immortal life...?"
"I've seen my spells used in modern times..."
"It was best to let the lads die. It was unfortunate, Salazar, but there was nothing more you could have done."

Pain crossed Salazar's face, he looked to Harry who stood mute and embarrassed.
"If he..." Salazar made a jabbing gesture at Harry. "..is one of yours then you should protect him!" Slytherin roared, "It's your responsibility NOT MINE!"

Slytherin turned abruptly on his heel and stalked off in a temper. Harry heard a door slam. Gryffindor gazed at the empty space Slytherin had occupied, his hands limply hung at his side, his eyes pits of misery. 'I did what I could… I tried to protect my apprentices…'

Gryffindor collected his cloak and wrapped it around his body. "Tell Slytherin I will be back on the morrow. By then I will have made my decision…I bid thee…"

Gryffindor's farewell was interrupted by a cry of anguish from Harry. Clasping his hands against his burning scar, Harry fell to his knees. A wave of nauseating pain swept over him; with every heart beat it was renewed. He was faintly aware of his screams, and two male voices yelling in befuddlement. Then as someone shook his shoulders Harry lost consciousness…

Danger was coming. A new enemy approached…