Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter he's the creation of JK Rowling

Chapter Fifteen Encampment of Enemies

Harry glanced to Godric and could not stop himself laughing gleefully.
"He took the bait… the stupid bastard took the bait…"
Godric Gryffindor frown deepened as he rebuked the younger wizard sternly, "Mr Potter – such language…you're suppose to be a gentleman."

Harry wiped his happy tears out of his eyes chastened by the illustrious founder's reprimand. "Sorry," he mumbled, "tongue ran away with itself."
Godric only reply to this form of apology was too look down at Harry, his eyes empty of any amusement. "Hmmm…"

A knock at the chamber door happily intervened on Harry' s part saving him from a further lecture from Gryffindor .

"Come in…" Godric called with his back to the door. Harry watched as Earven and another young wizard entered the chamber.

The young stranger glanced in acknowledgement in Harry's direction and turned to Godric. But Harry could not help but stare. He had plenty of dark messy hair, which framed a noble oval face, his hazel eyes glinted and although he was rather slim and of medium height there was nothing weak about him. His red robes, with gold trimmings betrayed him as a Gryffindor.

"Earven, Rhodderyk glad you came boys…" Godric turned around and propelled Harry forward.
"Rhoddy this is Harry I want you to watch out for him when follow Slytherin to the army's camp."
Rhodderyk looked amused. "Really uncle, you never let me participate anything like this at his age."
Godric frowned and replied seriously. "Let's just leave it at I don't have a choice. It's against my better judgement."

"In other words he gave my father and your uncle no fighting chance," Harry heard Earven whisper to Rhodderyk, who grinned and turned to Harry.
"Should have to give me some pointers then." Amusement sparkling in Rhodderyk's hazel eyes.
"Glad to."

" I heard that," Godric said from his side of the room where he was strapping a ruby encrusted sword to his belt. He then took three other slim blades and handed them to Earven, Rhodderyk and Harry in turn.

"You know how to use one of these?" Earven asked leaning towards Harry. Harry knew Godric heard, because he stopped and stiffened waiting for his reply. He thought of the dirty great big 'snake' in the Chamber of Secrets and how he had been able to thrust a sword up into its mouth.

"Well these have been out of fashion for a few centuries," Harry replied thoughtfully running his finger lightly over the edge of the blade, "I think I can work it out."
Godric glanced back at Harry when he heard the unexpected reply.

"Pointy end goes into the opponent…right?"

Slytherin and Malfoy had led them to a seemingly deserted village and several of the wizards in favour of the Hogwarts School had rallied around the little village and were waiting impatiently.

Harry glanced at Rhodderyk impatiently. They had been crouched in their positions for the last half hour and nothing had happened. Harry had hated been singled out: he was the only one who had been give a partner. Or as he liked to put it 'guard'.

Furthermore, Rhodderyk had become gloomy as they had reached their positions and Harry assumed he didn't like the responsibility of looking after a younger wizard.

Finally Rhodderyk spoke. "Ever seen death, Harry?"
"Yesss," Harry answered slowly unsure where Rhodderyk was leading the conversation.
"Oh…"
"I didn't like it though."
Rhodderyk shrugged. "That makes you human, Harry, not like my father."
"Oh…"
"Good and gracious Sir Hearne Gryffindor, hero of all of England. But I hated him."
"Oh…"

Harry wished he could say something just a tad more intelligent than 'oh' but there was nothing in his mind. Harry didn't want to know anymore about Rhodderyk's story but the older wizard seemed determined to finish it.

"He was an awful drunk… he came home one night and murdered my mother in front of me. He went gallows and I was left alone in the world. After my father well… none of our relatives wanted us. They would have tossed my brother and I onto the street, but my uncle took pity on us and kept us from scheming relatives."

"That's an awful story," Harry said.
Rhodderyk's mouth became taut. "Don't enjoy the killing. Don't become a monster like my father."
"I won't," Harry reassured Rhodderyk, "I won't."

Slytherin had pulled his hood over his head as he apparated with Malfoy to the meeting place of the 'army' that was sent to destroy them. If by any chance there was a Malfred or a Standforde he hoped to remain anonymous. Malfoy seemed to accept this without voicing a complaint. Indeed Mr. Malfoy was over awed by Salazar Slytherin.

Slytherin had other reasons for having his hood concealing his features. Leading Gryffindor to the 'army' required constant mental contact. And he wished to keep this secret for as long as possible. Maintaining a connection was risky – but Godric and he had become accustomed to hiding their abilities in their youths (another long story).

To maintain the secrecy of their connection neither founder conversed. All that remained on the link was a soft hum waiting to be activated.

Slytherin followed on Malfoy's heels, breathing down his neck and enjoying Malfoy's twitches of discomfort. "Milord," Malfoy murmured gesturing wide as he crested a hill. Slytherin glanced over the hill at the encampment and felt a pang of anger…

As he assumed the blood traitor Malfred and his lap dog Standforde were mounted on a horse. Oscar de Malfred was mounted beside his father; Beacen Standforde looked glum and irritable. Slytherin's anger rose as he surveyed the two boys. Oscar had been one of his own students; a brilliant mind but was corrupted by the wiles of his wicked father.

They saw absolute power absolutely corrupts - Lord Tarrance de Malfreds was the magical advisor to the King and yet he thirsted for more influence. By rallying muggles and angry parents of Half-Blood and muggle born students of the school, the Hogwarts four faced a terrible dilemma. Without the four friends, Malfreds would have the balance of power in his favour as none other than the founders would stand in Malfreds way.

Lord Flinn Standforde was a muggle – a prestigious one at that. He was the Lord Chancellor and confident of the King. While his reasoning against Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was not in the pursuit of power, Slytherin found it appalling.

Helga Hufflepuff had spent many hours cajoling Lord Flinn Standforde to allow his son access to his abilities and to learn at the school. Standforde would not listen to Helga's protestations that it was in the best interest of his son – then suddenly accepted. Slytherin assumed Malfreds had interceded… it seemed his assumption would be correct.

Of young Beacen Standforde, he knew little of his persona. The boy had been sorted into Hufflepuff (much to the amusement of Oscar de Malfreds) almost immediately. After the sorting the boy was rarely seen not studying. In reflection Beacen had never been seen talking and laughing with his fellow apprentices. Slytherin could see clearly the boy was not happy being in the encampment.

"What's your number?" Slytherin asked crisply.
"Seven hundred men…" Malfoy replied almost instantly.
"Hmmm…" Slytherin nodded and rubbed his beard as if deep in thought…

'Godric seven hundred men…'
'We've surrounded the encampment …' Slytherin was not surprised by Godric's answer, his friend would have known some of his surface thoughts and would have deducted where he was heading. Much like how he had 'heard' what the sorting hat had told his young apprentice, Harry. 'I can even see you my old friend…'

Slytherin resisted the urge to look up… 'I will go down to Standforde and Malfreds and show them they are playing with fire…'
Godric did not respond but Slytherin felt his friend's grim approval.

"Come," Slytherin swished his cloak about himself and arrogantly started down the hill without Malfoy. (Malfoy however followed like a dog at his master's heels…)

Standforde and Malfred's had their backs to Slytherin as he approached. And to his astonishment he was instantly recognised by Beacen Standforde. For a brief moment, he saw Beacen's lips part as if to warn his father of the wizard behind him. Then his lips closed and he looked away, ashamedly.

Slytherin was amazed it was well documented in court circles that Lord Standforde it not get along with his youngest son; the only son to his third wife. It had caused a bit of a scandal amongst the older apprentices when they had heard about Standforde coming, he had been known as the 'bastard from court'. The older students never missed an opportunity to insult Beacen and the younger students refrained from speaking to him. By all rights Beacen should have hated Salazar Slytherin, who was a hard taskmaster and often perceived as cruel to the Hufflepuffs.

Beacen stepped aside his head bowed and Slytherin passed him without a glance. Knowing to do so would only further injure the boy's pride.

"Lord Malfreds what an engaging surprise…" Slytherin watched in amusement as Tarrance de Malfred turned together with his son and companion…

Harry followed Rhodderyk as he inched forward. "Soon," Rhodderyk promised, his grip on the hilt of his sword tightening.

Harry nodded; a queasy feeling of fear and apprehension settled into the lining of his stomach. He jolted as he felt Slytherin connect with his mind. 'Be safe…' was all his mentor conveyed.
'I will…' Harry knew instantly that Slytherin had felt his queasiness, but the older wizard conveyed nothing more. His presence however lingered in Harry's mind comfortingly.

Rhodderyk suddenly stood. Harry followed suit dumbly as without a word his companion started stalking for a better vantage point.

The next moment Harry saw the sword raised about Rhodderyk's head the next came as a confused blur of yells that reverberated around them.

Harry stepped forward his wand rather than his sword at the ready. He was in time to see the men in the encampment glance up even from his distance he could see the whites of their eyes as they widened in shock. In the middle of the field was Slytherin… Harry saw him raise his wand and….

'SLYTHERIN...!'