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Web of Lies: Revelations.

Alec had been sleeping for a while when suddenly he felt something tighten uncomfortably around his wrist. Half asleep, he tried to dislodge the ring that was painfully squeezing his arm until he finally registered the soft hissing coming from it. Opening his eyes slightly, he looked down and saw that Derek was the one hissing around his wrist. Sitting up slightly, the teen focused on the snake, and his sleepy brain finally registered what it was saying.

*It's ten minutes to twelve, Master; He will be here soon. *

His mind immediately cleared up, and he slowly eased out of bed, trying to not make a sound that might alert his companions. After putting a robe over his pyjamas, the teen quietly left the room and quickly walked down the stairs. Luckily, the common room was deserted, and he was able to settle in front of the fireplace without problem. His gaze drifted to the large portrait standing over it. He had the uncomfortable sensation that it was studying him, but the older students had assured him that Lady Ravenclaw hadn't moved in centuries; in fact, one of the oldest debates going around the Ravenclaw house was whether the painting was actually magical or just muggle. Harry didn't doubt that the painting was magical; the way those eyes could look through you without even moving were enough for him.

He had been sitting in the comfortable chair for nearly ten minutes when the fire suddenly light up and the same face from before started to appear between the flames. Standing up, Alec approached the fire and sat down just in front of the now fully formed face.

*

This time, when he saw the features that formed the face, he was sure that he had guessed correctly. This was Salazar Slytherin, or else someone that resembled him greatly. The man looked up at him and a slight smirk formed on his lips.

*A speaker in Ravenclaw, who would have thought. Of course, it could be worse, you could be a Gryffindor. *

Alec remained silent, although the temptation to tell the man that he had once belonged to the house of the Lion was nearly overwhelming. The founder studied him for a few minutes before speaking again. *Now that we're alone, you can answer my question, young speaker, what's your name? *

Alec looked at him intently, trying to decide whether he should tell him the truth or just what he told everybody. Narrowing his eyes, he spoke, chose his words carefully. *You may call me Alec or Alexander. *

The man in the fireplace raised an eyebrow. *So, playing games with me, are you? That's not very smart, although I can understand your reticence. Very well, I will call you Alec, for now. Do you, by chance, know who I am? *

Alec looked at him closely as he answered. *I don't think I'm mistaken if I say you're Salazar Slytherin, one of the four founders of Hogwarts. *

The boy could swear he saw the look of surprise pass through the face's eyes before he managed to control his emotions again. *I'm surprised that you would be able to guess so easily, young speaker; I don't think there are many pictures of me lying around the castle. *

Harry shrugged lightly. *You certainly made up for the lack of pictures by the statues down in the Chamber. *

Now he was sure that he saw shock in the other man's eyes, and it make him feel quite pleased with himself; he was sure not many people were able to claim that. *You've been down in the Chamber? I didn't think anyone knew where the entrance was; how did you find it? *

Sighing slightly, the teen told what had happened a few years ago in as few words as possible. He wasn't sure if it was safe to tell the man about Voldemort, but he somehow felt it was alright to do so. When he finished, they both stayed silent for a long moment. Finally, Salazar sighed. *It's a pity you had to kill Snazzyrya, but I understand you didn't have much of a choice left. About that Voldemort guy that claims to be my heir, I'm quite sure he isn't. *

Harry looked up surprised at that revelation. *He isn't? But everyone things so; he claims to be your heir, and he is a parselmouth. *

Salazar shrugged lightly. *That hardly means anything, there were several families that possessed that gift; I was merely the best known of them. As for how I'm sure he's not my heir, that would be because my only son died when he was only fifteen. I'm very sure that he didn't have children. *

Harry raised an eyebrow, having difficulties to believe the founder's words. *Maybe you had another kid that you didn't know about? *

Salazar scowled at him. *Contrary to popular believe, I was faithful to my wife and wouldn't have thought of having an affair with anyone else. *

Before Alec had the chance to apologize, a soft voice interrupted them. "I'm glad to hear that, Salazar; I must confess, I had my doubts."

The teen looked up startled at the painting that had uttered the words. For an instant, he wondered if he had fallen asleep, because he was now talking to not only one, but two founders. Salazar's voice assured him he was indeed witnessing the strange reunion. *I always loved you, Rowena; I would have hoped you had more faith in me. *

Harry watched as the woman pushed a stray hair behind her ear. "Things were difficult back then, Sal, you know I had quite a hard time in figuring out which one of you I had to believe. I chose Godric, my brother, and I chose wrong."

Salazar shook his head sadly. *It hardly matters anymore, it's been quite a while, and there's nothing that we can do about it anymore. *

Rowena nodded but frowned in thought. "Maybe not directly, but I'm sure we could help out dealing with that supposed heir of yours; he's damaging your name a great deal with what he is doing. While I've not talked to anyone in centuries, I've always listened to what happens around me, and I know that that man's existence has been slowly destroying Hogwarts from the inside."

Salazar sighed. *You're right. All the fights and rivalries was not what we had in mind when we created the houses. It had gotten out of hand; maybe it's time to intervene, but there's not much we can do. You can't move from your portrait due to that curse that was placed on you, and I can't speak to anyone who is not a parselmouth or you; a fine pair we make. *

Instead of answering, the woman's gaze settled on Harry, who looked nervously up at her. Salazar seemed to interpret her silence and immediately started to object. *You can't be serious, Rowena, he's just a child, even younger than Lucien was; you cannot expect me to teach the young one. *

The woman's soft voice didn't waver as she answered. "I realize that he's very young, Salazar, but can't you sense his power? He could easily learn whatever you want to teach him."

Salazar frowned. *That might be true, but people would notice if he kept disappearing, and I certainly can't train him in plain view. *

Harry watched in fascination as the two argued; he knew he should be annoyed that they were talking about him as if he wasn't there, but he just felt astounded that these two people were considering teaching him. Suddenly, he noticed that the two faces were trained towards him, and he had to fight down a blush, realizing he had been asked something.

*Sorry, I wasn't paying attention. *

Rowena chuckled. "We were just asking for your opinion on this, young one. Would you like to be trained so you could fight against Tom?"

To be continued...

A/N: Thanks for all reviews and thanks to my beta reader Vinnie.

I hate to have to say this, but this might be the last update in a while. Lately I have simply found I don't have the time nor the mood to write and I find myself forced to write something to post. Hope you don't get too upset and I promise the fics are going to be finished at some point, I just don't know when.