Easy Way Out
Last Chapter: All were left in silence once again as they struggled to understand what was happening. As the other two contemplated, Hermione suddenly asked a startled Salazar,
"Who are you?"
Chapter 13
Harry's Friends Part Two
"Well I…" Salazar shot a desperate look at Professor Snape, but this time the man simply seemed amused with the situation. Obviously he felt that Salazar could handle this on his own, or he wants me to suffer. Either way Salazar knew that he would have to answer on his own. Taking a deep breath, he turned his full attention to the witch currently staring at him with no small amount of suspicion.
Sighing, he finally said, "My name is…Salazar Slytherin."
Harry's friend Ron jumped up from the couch spewing things like, "Slytherin!" "What kind of a bloody joke is this?" and "Get the hell out of my best friend's body you evil blood sucking demon," before Hermione and Ginny could pull him back down to the couch.
"First of all," Salazar said coldly, not wanting them to see how hurt he was, "I'm a spirit, not a vampire. Secondly, this is no joke. So if you would kindly take this seriously."
"But your Slytherin," Ron said in weak protest, only to have his younger sister slap him upside the head.
"Ronald Weasley, you had better start being respectful this minute. Salazar said that by doing this he saved Harry's life. I know that I for one am grateful of that fact, if you aren't. And so far he has done nothing harmful to Harry or us, so you had better shape up and give him a chance or so help me I'll hex you six ways from Sunday," Ginny said imperiously.
For a moment all anyone could do was stare at the youngest Weasley in amazement. Those who knew of Molly Weasley when she gets angry were strongly reminded of her.
Then Ginny turned back towards Salazar and said, "It is a pleasure to meet you Salazar, though I do wish the circumstances were a bit different. But now tell us, what is it that we can do to help? I assume that is the reason why we were sent for."
And so the three friends listened, with Ron being strangely silent, as Salazar outlined plan to get him out of the house. He would need to learn how to act like Harry, and who his other friends are, and what school has been like for Harry. Pretty much anything about Harry that might prevent anyone from finding out his true identity.
As the conversation finally came to a close, a voice suddenly spoke up from the doorway, "It is also imperative that Salazar learn to act like Harry because school starts up soon." It was Remus.
"School?" Salazar said faintly.
"Yes school. You are to take Harry's place at Hogwarts as a student."
"Me, go to Hogwarts… as a student? Are you sure about this? Teaching I get. But taking orders…learning." He shuddered. "Can't we say that Harry has some sort of rare disease that prevents him from going to Hogwarts? Something that doesn't require homework?"
"Would you rather stay cooped up here all year long. Because believe me, as soon as you walk outside that door, people are going to wonder why you aren't at Hogwarts, and also why you look perfectly healthy," Snape said.
"But…"
"No. Now listen. You must learn everything you can about Potter, and do your very best at being him when we are in Diagon Alley. You do not want to raise suspicion before school even starts now do you?" Snape continued.
"No sir. I'll try my best sir," Salazar replied dutifully.
And so for the next two days Salazar was bombarded with a crash course lesson on how to be Harry Potter. Even Ron helped. It seemed as if Ginny's outburst had gotten through to him. And now they were off to Diagon Alley, where they were to experience a nice, safe visit.
Yeah right.
AN: Well how was it? Please review!
Next chapter is about the visit to Diagon Alley where they meet up someone they rather wish they didn't. Will Salazar be able to keep up the Harry Potter act? Wait and see.
