Disclaimer: Not JK but KJ… will that do?

Chapter Fourteen: The Grace of Slytherin

Harry thought Godric Gryffindor was going to explode. His cheeks flushed red to pale and red again. His fists clenched tightly at his side and his eyes bore mercilessly at Salazar Slytherin who looked in comparison calm.

Helga rested her long nailed hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry shuddered lightly and glanced up at the hollowed walls of his home. His world came crashing down that night when Snape had ultimately betrayed him. The quarrelling of the founders seemed to have little impact on him at the moment. How long could he possibly hold out against Voldemort? What real chance did he have? What hope?

"He was my student," Gryffindor roared.

Slytherin sniffed lightly and picked at his fingernails. "Still is."

This quiet acknowledgement so carelessly spoken managed to irritate Gryffindor. "Look what you have done?"

Godric grasped the front of Harry's robes and shunted him forward. "LOOK!" Gryffindor poked Harry's forehead none too gently, "It's your blood that covers him."
"I'm not blind," Slytherin commented his eyes narrowing, "Nor am I stupid."

Salazar Slytherin flourished out a handkerchief, emerald green with silver snakes out to Harry. Godric watched in silence clearly still displeased by the turn of events. Harry took the handkerchief; he was embarrassed that he could not shift his eyes away from Salazar's face.

"Well," Salazar snapped tartly, "Are you not going to clean your face or shall you remain a frightful mess?"

In reply Harry used the handkerchief to remove Salazar's blood. It seemed to be wrong to use it as if was a dirty rag. But Harry did not have time to contemplate over this fact, for Salazar held out his hand.

Harry returned the soiled handkerchief and Salazar took it abruptly and wrapped it around his hand quickly. "Be glad the grace of Slytherin, boy," Slytherin said lightly his dark eyes seemed to penetrate Harry's mind like the blade of a knife. "You have powerful enemies."

Harry nodded dumbly and looked to Salazar's cut hand, still bewildered by the sudden change of events. Salazar followed Harry's gaze and an odd grin spread over his face before he looked to Godric Gryffindor as if challenging him. Then the Slytherin founder turned on heel and strode away down the path murmuring strange words under his breath.

Harry heard Godric Gryffindor growl deeply in his throat and then swear. "SALAZAR!" But Salazar's stride didn't even check; he kept to the same pace.

"SALAZAR!" Godric pushed past the women founders. "Take Harry back to the students!" he demanded more harshly than he meant. He then followed Slytherin.

Harry, Rowena and Helga watched Godric helplessly as both he and Salazar disappeared down the dark path. Harry bit his lip as he caught the movement of the female founders exchanging looks. Obviously, they knew what was going on.

"Come Harry," Rowena spoke softly for the first time that evening. Harry wearily nodded his head. Asking questions he knew would not get him anywhere. He guessed understanding would come sooner or later. Knowing him though, it would be later... much later.

Harry walked in between the two ladies, but he said nothing; he was wrapped up into his thoughts. It had indeed been an interesting evening. First he thought Salazar Slytherin meant to murder him, and then the founder surprised him by actually protecting him. But at what cost?

Harry wished he knew what happened between Salazar Slytherin and Voldemort. He knew that it was useless to hope.

Salazar Slytherin only protected him to keep Hogwarts safe… confusing. Didn't Salazar Slytherin give up on Hogwarts? Why put one's life in jeopardy to save a broken dream? How long did Slytherin think he had to live? How long could the wizarding world defy Lord Voldemort?

Harry let out a shuddering sigh as they entered the cool deserted halls of the school. Their footsteps rang on the cold stone heralding their passage.

Harry passed a mirror and chanced a glance into to smooth silvery surface…

Immediately he felt a pain behind his eyes and temples. A blinding light consumed him from the inside out. Shaking his head with a yelp Harry cleared his vision and saw in the mirror, a boy a few years older than him staring into his eyes. Where was his reflection?

The boys lips curled into a half smile; Harry saw sparkling hazel eyes beneath curls and curls of chestnut brown hair. His was stained with mud; his hands likewise where work worn. His pug like nose seemed to have been broken sometimes. His over his brown shirt was a red tattered cloak, pinned by two entwining serpents. A bow was slung over his shoulder; a quiver of arrows accompanied them. It was with jolted shock as he realised the boy was holding a battle standard. Red. As red as blood. With two entwining green snakes.

"Who are you?" Harry had not noticed that he had stopped or that he had spoken aloud.

"What m' dear?" Helga asked pleasantly as she turned to look.

Harry glanced at her and then at the mirror. There was nothing only his confused reflection. He was just hallucinating. "Nothing…"

Rowena smiled gently and Harry stepped away from the mirror. Hazel eyes watched as they made their way down the hall.

Harry did not sleep at all for the rest of the night. He sat huddled on his bed sheets, his knees drawn up to his chest waiting for Hermione or Ron to awaken. Or someone he knew he could speak to.

It seemed like an eternity before the golden crept from the horizon. Harry remained stock still and watched his classmates snoring. Absently he wondered how many more nights he had on his Earth and wondered what it was like to be dead.

With a frustrated sigh, Harry realised his Gryffindor classmates weren't going to get up soon. He stood and made his way to Albus Dumbledore's office.

He didn't mark much of his journey only that he had to see Dumbledore about what happened last night. Somehow he knew Dumbledore would be there to greet him.

"Chocolate truffles…."

The phoenix staircase began to move. Harry jumped on and waited until it reached the top before stepping off and rapping on the door.

"Come in, Harry," Dumbledore's voice called.

Harry opened the door sheepishly and poked his head through. Dumbledore was sitting slumped in his chair behind his desk, Fawkes was by his side. If at all possible he looked even older than when Harry last seen him.

Harry took a seat under the penetrating gaze of Dumbledore. "I'm worried," Harry said in a way of explanation.

Dumbledore nodded, his eyes stopping at Harry forehead.

Harry froze then inquired, "Did any of the founders tell you what happened last night."

Dumbledore shook his head. "No. But are you alright?"

Harry nodded in affirmation although he wasn't too sure of himself. He looked to Fawkes; the phoenix was looking at him balefully. Even still Harry felt a stirring of hope.

"Tell me…"

It was like a spell had been cast. Harry who was feeling rather reluctant found himself telling the headmaster everything that happened. Dumbledore nodded every now and then but otherwise did not interrupt Harry's story.

"….and Gryffindor was very angry…"

"Is that all, Harry?"

Harry nodded; he deliberately forgot to mention his hallucination in the mirror the night pervious. He didn't need Dumbledore thinking he was mad as well as jittery.

"I have this terrible feeling professor. Like I am standing on the edge of the abyss and I am about to fall…" Harry confessed looking at his fingers.

Dumbledore gazed at Harry for a long while before making his reply, "I don't think Slytherin will let you fall."

"What does Slytherin have to do with it?" Harry demanded a little too sharply.

"Everything," Dumbledore replied, "He has graced you with protection of his blood."

Harry looked blank. "What does this truly mean for me, professor?"

"You and he are like one being. Your weaknesses are his weakness his strength is your strength and visa versa."

Harry shook his head, none of this made any sense. "How will that affect the prophecy?"

"Never fear the prophecy remains unaffected by Slytherin's actions."

Harry snorted. He wished the damn prophecy had never existed at all. His parents would be alive, he would be happy and… what of Voldemort?

"Could it possibly have changed fate?" Harry asked to no one in particular.

"Fate, eh?" Dumbledore looked amused. "Concern yourself with following your heart it is a better road map than fate."

Harry grinned wryly. Typical Dumbledore to talk in confusing riddles!

"I wonder if Slytherin knew of the prophecy would he have acted," Dumbledore hummed to himself.

"Probably he would have done anything to annoy those Death Eaters," Harry muttered.

Dumbledore's lips twitched. "But to bind himself to you seems a little, drastic, dear Harry… and a Gryffindor too…something is happening that I cannot explain. Why was Gryffindor so angry? That, I cannot answer."

Harry stood and stretched. "The end is coming. I can feel it."