Disclaimer: Harry Potter and Salazar are creations of JK Rowling… please don't sue…! I haven't got anything!

If you don't like Salazar Slytherin yet… well I'm hopefully gonna change your opinion in this chappie…so be warned if you are being stubborn and are determined to hate him… well… you were warned!

Chapter Twelve A Patronus' Blood

"Ohmygod…what was that!" Harry jumped out of bed and was instantly grabbed by Salazar Slytherin. "Ouch…" Slytherin's nails drove into Harry's shoulder.

'Be quiet…it's not deaf!' Harry felt a new essence in his mind that reminded him of Salazar and realised with a jolt it was Earven. But Earven's warning came to late… something growled in the depths of the room.

'Back out slowly, boys.' Salazar pushed Harry behind himself barricading him from whatever was in the room.

Pushing Harry back with his hand behind his back Salazar found the chamber door. Harry didn't need to be told he fumbled with the door but it would not open. In a blinding panic Harry tried the handle again looking for reassurance from Salazar…

A great shadow in the room moved. Harry gulped - the door forgotten… It moved again, a great bulking shadow slipped easily between Harry and the door. For a memorising moment Harry stared into the fathomless pits of darkness… strangely he could only see its eyes.

The creature unfurled great black wings. Harry's instant thought was that the creature was a vampire. This theory soon changed however as he realised the creature's wings were covered with large black glistening feathers that poked out in odd angles. If Harry sniffed the air he would have smelled the distinct odour of blood and decay. The creature was like nothing Harry had never known.

"HARRY!" Salazar grabbed Harry and threw him backwards with all his strength, and put himself in the creature's way. The creature snarled menacingly and turned to where Salazar stood in grim determination.

"…Father! NO!" Earven took a step towards his father to help, but tripped on Harry who was sprawled all over the ground.

Untangling himself from Earven, Harry saw a solitary wand on the table - his wand. Without thinking he jumped up and raced to the table banging his knees as he skidded in the dark. He ignored the pain in his knees and stretched his hand out to take the wand.

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

"NOOOOO...Harry..." Earven jumped up and scrambled to Harry his face twisted in an unreadable expression. He reached up and tried to twist Harry's wand from his fist but Harry lifted his arm and Earven meet thin air.

Prongs stepped forth, a great silver stag, with large deep eyes. The patronus turned his regal head and surveyed the dark creature.

Harry gasped in the light of his patronus the creature had become more visible. It looked so much like a man, that Harry had mistaken it to be a human. It stood over seven feet, it wore a large brown cloak, its skin was murky green – grey (a colour that reminded Harry instantly of death). The creature looked up and regarded the patronus, it leered and Harry could see rows of fangs, its face seemed to have a permanent scowl, it's searching for blood.

Prongs didn't allow the creature any more time the patronus reared and pranced forth, his lordly neck lowered to the ground… but the creature remained still and dispassionate…

Harry almost let out a whoop of joy as Salazar stepped back and his patronus connected with the creature.

But his joy soon turned to horror as the creature lifted up his hand or claw like talons and brought it down upon the patronus. The creatures nails seemed to grow before Harry's eyes… stabbing into Prong's flanks. For an unbelievable moment the Prongs collapsed, a twisted mess of thin graceful legs. The patronus however was determined to fight and tried to stand and Harry could see the thin line of silver liquid running down Prong's legs…a pratronus' blood…

Harry felt a searing pain in his chest, as if the creature's claws had dug into his own flesh. For a heartbeat the creature looked up and sneered happily at him. Harry knew then that is exactly what was happening. The creature was attack him through his patronus!

Salazar caught Harry as he collapsed. Harry felt Salazar's breath in his ear as the founder said something incomprehensible. He nodded dumbly… and surrendered himself to the founder's care.

Harry cried out as the creatures stuck again, but Salazar was pushing him towards another exit. In his ear he could hear Earven's mutter something in parseltongue and a door swung open. Salazar pushed Harry through the opening, and wrenching Harry up pulled him to his feet running down Hogwart's corridors.

For every step Harry felt a peculiar pain. Salazar never relented but pushed Harry to stay on his feet.

It seemed like an eternity before Salazar stopped and wrenched open a door. Harry fell into a puddle before his guardian's feet wishing that he was dead.

"Good grief, Salazar…." Godric Gryffindor was at a table with Rowena, Helga and a few unknown wizards.
"It's here…" Salazar grumbled, "It's attacked my apprentice…"

Harry felt a roomful of stares but he didn't care he leant against Salazar's legs. The room was silent for a moment. Godric got up from where he was sitting; he came round the table with purposeful strides and kneeled to where Harry was slumped on the floor.

Harry felt Godric's hand either side of his cheeks and meet concerned gold brown eyes. "He's still conscious…" Harry did not miss the surprised in Godric's voice.

"Godric, what is this Salazar speaks of…?" Rowena Ravenclaw was standing, Helga clutched her arm…

"It's the beast that attacked Saxtyn and Newlin…" Earven said. Everyone jumped except Salazar and Harry who was too weak to do so.

"He used the patronus, Godric," Salazar said twisting his hands. If only he had stopped Harry from casting that spell… Godric gasped and brought Harry's head around.
"Release your patronus boy…"

Harry regarded Godric dazedly and the Gryffindor shook his shoulders gently, "Boy release your patronus, while you still can…!"

"Godric for the love of merlin what's going on?" Rowena demanded; the rest of the wizards in the room nodded in agreement…

Godric however ignored them; he brushed Harry's hair back gently and felt the twinge of the familiar fever. He glanced apologetically up at Salazar and then turned back to Harry…

Godric knew that hoping for a miracle was probably too much to hope for. But did that dismiss him from trying to save Harry? He shook his head miserably. What could he do?

The answer came to him almost immediately: Fight! They could fight the Prince of Darkness (as Salazar and himself had dubbed the creature), together!

With a grim determination, he entered Harry's mind. He felt the weak resistance from but swatted it away with little effort. For a moment he stood on the edge and he knew that he was loosing the boy quickly.

'Boy…'
…he felt a quivering response but no words accompanied it…
'Boy this creature acts by attack our patronuses…our deep inner being… it holds them ransom until it can kill it's victim…'
Gryffindor heard a whimper of understanding.
'You need to release the patronus…'
'How?'

Such a simple word and it brought Gryffindor a sweet joy. There was yet hope!

Godric stepped further into Harry's mind only to find it already in disarray. He forced away a frown of concern, which he was certain Harry felt anyway and held out his hand… 'Come, I will show you…'

Harry reached forward tentatively and Godric gripped him tightly. 'I've got you boy, don't be afraid…'
'I am not afraid.' Something in Harry's secret voice, gave Godric a deep conviction he was doing the right thing…
'This way…' Godric lead Harry through his mind with a confidence of an adept teacher and Harry followed meekly like a lost child.

Godric only stopped to show Harry a dark stain that was defiling his mind. Harry watched in a fascinated horror. 'This is the creatures hold on you…fight back…'
'How?'

Gryffindor smiled genially, taking Harry's hand in his own and guided Harry helping him to literally push the darkness away.

When Harry thought he was on the verge of collapse he felt Salazar's presence feeding his strength. He leant upon him… feeling exhausted and drained from the attack and as the darkness started to recede from his mind he felt the two founders exchange looks of satisfaction.

He then promptly fainted.

Harry opened one eye tentatively and come face to face with Salazar and Godric, who were both leaning over him shaking their heads. He moaned as Salazar helped him to sit, he had a dreadful headache. Godric went to fetch a goblet, which Earven took and presented to Harry grimly.

Harry looked around the room at Rowena, Helga and all the unknown wizards in the room. Everyone looked so grim.

To avoid anyone glancing at him and Harry took a hesitant sip from the goblet. He almost yipped in surprise… Godric had poured him wine!

Harry was thankful for the warmth of the alcohol spreading through his body, reviving feeling and life in his blood flow in particular his torso.

Godric smiled thinly as Harry drained the goblet and handed it back to him. Harry could not help but notice the white thin line of the founder's lips. Godric took one look at Harry and then back at his friend Salazar…

"I promise you Salazar I will be personally making sure the boy is protected before he returns… he will have the protection of the ancients…"

Salazar seemed pleased and even Harry managed a small smile despite his sorry disposition…

But suddenly the door banged open and a young witch with long read hair entered the chamber.

"Father," she said addressing Godric, "The Hollow...it's been attacked...!"