The Seers' Truth: Beyond the Darkness
By Lady Lestrange
Chapter 19The Chamber of Truth
Disclaimer: All Potterverse belongs to JK Rowlings. No infringement is meant or implied. Thanks JK
Thanks to my faithful and hardworking beta, ennui de morte. Go read her fic next.
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(A/N: I've been reading a number of fanfics in installments like this one myself, and find it is sometimes hard to remember exactly what has happened before-In a fic as complex as this one is, I thought having a reminder may be helpful for you. If you want to skip it, just page down twice.)
Up to this Point: Alternate 5th year book. Voldemort was uncertain which was the prophecy child, Samara or Ginny so he kidnapped them both. Beatrice made a mad dash after them in her animagus form. She has been since crucioed and rescued and returned to Hogwarts still in her bunny animagus form.
Harry, Ron and Hermione struggle to figure out how the prophecy might aid them. The trio travels to Hermione's house, Samara's house, the Riddle house and eventually the Snow Castle in search of the girls.
Ginny, who has a Dark Mark, is torn between the visions of Tom in her head and what to do to stay safe from Voldemort at the Snow Castle. Snape is an unexpected help to her.
Voldemort meanwhile has some unpleasant Christmas surprises in store for Harry and Neville. Neville's grandmother ends up in the hospital and the Dursley's are dead, leaving Snape as Harry's guardian.
Back at Howwarts, the trio try to ascertain how they will save the girls. They enlist Draco and Lauren's help.
At last, the heads of house and Harry Potter attempt to fix the Sorting Hat.
The Chamber of Truth==
Hermione came back from a prefect meeting troubled. "Harry," she said, "Professor Dumbledore wants to meet you in Professor Flitwick's office."
"Flitwick's? Why?"
"I don't know, Harry," said Hermione. "I'm just the messenger. Maybe it's something to do with Advanced Charms."
"Or that little portkey you made," said Ron, uncomfortably but when Harry arrived, it was none of those things.
Harry was surprised to find Headmaster Dumbledore, Professors Flitwick, McGonagall, Sprout and Snape. The other occupant of the room was even a larger surprise. It was the Ravenclaw ghost, the gray lady. Although he had heard of her, and seen her in the Great Hall on occasion, he had never spoken to her.
"Ah, here is the student I was talking about," Dumbledore said to the ghost. "Harry, I'd like you to meet Rowenna Ravenclaw."
"P-pleased to meet you," stuttered Harry surprised. "You're one of the Founders?"
"I am she," she said simply, and then addressed Dumbledore. "Well met. Thou dost see that this musts be accomplished in the chapel, Headmaster?"
"Yes," agreed Dumbledore, "but, alas, I do wish that children need not be involved at all."
Harry watched Rowenna as she turned and glided soundlessly through the wall.
"I see we are all hanging on Rowenna's every word," sneered Snape as he unfolded himself from his chair and stood. "Let's just get this over with, shall we?"
"Severus, I hardly think—" began Flitwick, but Snape raised his wand and apparated.
In a moment, Professor Flitwick had followed him.
"Albus, apparating within the wards is a hardly good example for the students," said McGonagall frowning at Harry.
"Student," said Harry. "I'm the only one here, professor."
McGonagall pursed her lips.
"We'll walk, Minerva," said Dumbledore. "After all, Harry doesn't know where he's apparating to anyway, so someone has to take him there." Dumbledore paused at the Ravenclaw bookcase and spoke the password. "yAvadantya."
"What's that?" asked Harry, thinking that the Avada part of it seemed a little sinister.
"Ancient Sanskrit," said Dumbledore. "It's one of the translations of the word 'life'."
"Oh. Where are we going?" asked Harry, as they began to climb the stair case to Ravenclaw tower. "To the Ravenclaw chapel," said Dumbledore. "There are within Hogwarts, several rooms of power, rooms which allow the magic of the Elementals to flow in great abundance through the caster of a spell. To use such a room is a great gift and a great responsibility. I'm sure Rowenna would agree with me. Dumbledore paused to allow Professor Sprout who was dragging behind them to catch up.
"You don't mind if I Apparate, do you?" she puffed. "I'm not used to all these stairs."
"We could have taken the lift," said Dumbledore, "but I thought the walk would be a nice time for us to talk.
"Talk," panted Sprout. "I don't have any air left for talking."
"Go on then," Dumbledore laughed. "Apparate. Have everything set up for us when we arrive."
"Of course Headmaster."
"Set up?" asked Harry. "What are they getting set up? What is going on?"
"Harry," said Dumbledore, "After months of long and arduous study, we believe we have at last determined what is wrong with the Sorting Hat."
"That's wonderful."
Yes, said Dumbledore. "Alas, it can only be corrected by the blood or magic of a Founder."
"Well, that's impossible. They're all dead." Said Harry.
"Not entirely impossible, said McGonagall
"Wait," Harry frowned. "Do you mean an heir?"
"No, Harry," said Dumbledore. "Godric's power is in his sword which you pulled from the Hat, indicating your similarity to Godric whether or not you are is heir. You are also one of the few people who could speak aloud the original spells of Salazar Slytherin."
"You mean in parseltongue," said Harry. "I won't. I won't do that. Shesha stirred in agitation on his wrist, as they arrived at the chapel. She stuck her head out of his robe sleeve and tasted the air. "Nice magic," she hissed before Harry pushed her head back under the sleeve of his robe.
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, but said nothing bout Shesha.
"The Sorting Hat needs fixing," said Dumbledore as they entered the room with the other teachers and Rowenna Ravenclaw. "We can't continue to use this big brother, big sister plan. The Hat is so much simpler: so much more reliable. We are not even sure if everyone is Sorted properly."
"Does it really matter?" asked Harry.
"Of course it matters," snapped the entire contingent of teachers at once.
"Everyone is more comfortable in their own house," said McGonagall.
"Or do they become more comfortable because they are in that house," wondered Harry.
"It doesn't matter," said Sprout. "It's the same thing."
"Anon, the Hat must needs be unequivocally repaired," insisted Rowenna Ravenclaw. "Without it, chaos would ensue."
"No," said Harry. "With it, chaos has ensued. Salazar tricked you all. I can't understand how you let him fool you like that. Surely you knew something was not right when he said he wanted to do the spell in parsel—"
Rowenna held up a hand for silence and Harry's voice ground to a halt.. "Salazar performed all of his spells in parseltongue," said Rowenna. 'Twas the language of his heart. The majority of wizards used Latin or Greek in the time. Salazar employed parseltongue almost exclusively. With only an occasional spell, usually for Helga, which said in Cymry, but your knowledge of parseltongue isn't the primary reason why we are entreating your aid, Harry Potter. Albus has recently informed me, that thou hast retrieved Godric's sword from the Hat. I was under the impression that it was more than a sword," concluded Rowenna.
"It's a wand," said Harry. "Formed from my magic."
"So you knew," said Dumbledore frowning.
"Not when I used the sword to kill the basilisk," said Harry. "I learned the truth only this year." No thanks to you, thought Harry, and he nearly voiced the bitter thought, closing his lips tightly over the words before they escaped.
"(Free thought magic. Relaxant,)" said Shesha.
"(It's a spell?)" Harry asked Shesha in a whisper. "(Who cast it?)"
"(It's the room,)" she replied. "(Nice magic.)"
No it isn't nice, thought Harry, horrified. It most certainly was not nice. Something in the room lowering his inhibitions and causing him to speak so spontaneously to a group of teachers was certainly not nice!
"(It is if you want to relax,)" said Shesha.
"(Well, I don't! Is there a counterspell?)"
"(No,)" replied Shesha. "(It's inside of the room. You could leave the room—)"
Harry sighed. "(Nevermind, Shesha.)" He cautiously turned his attention back to Dumbldedore.
"Alas," continued Dumbledore, "It's Godric's wand that must be used to do the spell. Otherwise, we'll have to start over completely.
"I'm not sure that wouldn't be the best idea," said Harry. "To start over completely. I don't trust the Sorting Hat. Were you aware that the Sorting Hat possessed Tom Riddle with the spirit of Salazar Slytherin?"
"The Sorting Hat?" said Dumbledore incredulous. "Preposterous."
"No. That's the truth," said Harry.
"The truth," sneered Snape. "That Sorting Hat has been on countless generations of children's heads—Potter, you are so steeped in your little fairy tale you wouldn't know the truth if it--"
"I don't know why I thought any of you would believe me," snorted Harry.
'After all," continued Harry. "I'm only the child that you pull out when you need someone to beat down Voldemort for you! Tell you what," said Harry heading for the door. "Call me when He's knocking on the door of the castle, or on second thought. Don't call me. Do it yourself."
"Potter, you're out of line," said Snape, and then he clapped his lips firmly closed in a thin unyielding line.
"It's the influence of the room, Severus," said Rowenna. "He is merely imparting the ruminations of his apprehensiveness. This should have been resolved long ago."
"Severus, leave it be," said Dumbledore. "The prophecy—"
Fuck the Prophecy, thought Harry, but he managed to stifle that thought, now that he realized how much the room was lowering his inhibitions. Aloud he simply said, "I don't care."
"Harry, you don't mean that," said McGonagall. "Beatrice returning to us is proof enough that you care."
"Harry, only you—" interrupted Dumbledore.
"Only me! That's a bloody lie!" shouted Harry. "This should have never been about me! Why should it fall to me to fix your mistakes? You should have fixed this when it first started. When Tom Riddle was eleven. Maybe even before that," he said glaring at Rowenna. "Maybe you should have been more vigilant when the Sorting Hat was made."
"It wast wrought by Godric, not I," said Rowenna regally. "His the idea, and his the initial magic."
"But you were supposed to look out for one another—help one another. That's what friends do."
"What gavist thou the impression that we were friends, Harry Potter? We were colleagues: nothing more." Said Rowenna.
"Tell me Helga and Salazar were colleagues. Ha!" spat Harry.
"How do you know this?" asked Rowenna with a frown. "Mention of their relationship was removed from Hogwarts: A History."
Rowenna raised an eyebrow. "Hast thou befriended a Hufflepuff, young Gryffindor, or hast thou searched the Master Chronicles?" asked Rowena. "Mention of their relationship was deemed inappropriate in a mere child's tome."
"Parvati lived through the hours before Helga's suicide and I was with her," said Harry, thinking Hermione would be outraged to hear her precious Hogwarts: a History, called a child's tome. "And Hogwarts: A History isn't the only book in the library." he continued. "Helga needed you—all of you. She was trying to decide who to betray: her lover or her friends. How could you have allowed her to get to that point?"
Professor Sprout had started to weep. "She killed herself?" said Sprout softly, and Minerva patted her distractedly on her back.
"I told you, we weren't friends," stated Rowena, but her voice held less authority as if she was considering that fact.
"You should have been," said Harry. "You had a common goal to work toward."
"And we've achieved that goal," said Rowenna. "Look at the prosperity of this school."
"Look at what this school did to Tom Riddle," said Harry softly. "And look what Tom Riddle has done to the wizarding world."
"That was Salazar's doing," said Rowenna hotly. "I will not take responsibility—"
"It's always easiest to blame the Slytherin, isn't it," added Severus Snape coldly.
"It was Salazar's spell," retorted Rowenna hotly.
"And the greatest witches and wizards of the age couldn't see what he had done," said Harry. "You didn't see it a thousand years ago, and you," said Harry turning to Dumbledore, "You didn't see if fifty years ago when Tom Riddle put the Sorting Hat on his head. All you have to do is study Voldemort, and you can see that he's Salazar. He's--"
"I know," said Dumbledore.
"You know?" said Harry totally deflated by Dumbledore's admission.
"Yes," said Dumbledore. "I don't think it was the Sorting Hat. More likely, it was a book, just like with Virginia Weasley."
"What? Diary?"
"A book, particularly Salazar's, not the Sorting Hat which was spelled by three other Founders. Salazar couldn't have used the Sorting Hat. There were safeguards."
Harry stared, open-mouthed.
"Oh, I didn't know when Tom was eleven, but by the time he was 15 there were definite signs that he wasn't--a child. Just like Virginia Weasley," said Dumbledore calmly.
Harry felt as if he couldn't breathe. "You knew?
"I wasn't certain, but yes, there were signs—prophecies."
"And you sat by and did nothing?" growled Harry.
"What would you have me do?" said Dumbledore with an edge in his voice that Harry had not heard before..
Harry stared.
"Prithee peace, Albus," said Rowenna. "We will proceed no further in this business. This is ineffective. The boy has entirely too much animosity, to wield Godric's wand or his sword. It is a defensive weapon, not an offensive one, and his anger will interfere with his connection to the Elementals.
"Elementals?' said Harry intrigued. "I thought you didn't need a wand for the Elementals."
"That depends upon what spell thou art planning to do," said Rowenna. "One of this magnitude will require a wand, because it requires a Founder's magic. Anon, we shalt allow perchance thy usage of Elemental Magic? Thine notorious ancestor wrought enough chaos from that act. Thou shalt not follow in Meridius' footsteps. Nay. Nay. Harry Potter." Rowenna said lightly. "Thou shalt use a wand."
"Meridius?" said Harry. "I've heard of him. Wasn't he supposed to have been from the lost fifth house?"
"Yes, Harry," said McGonagall. "He is in Professor Binns' syllabus, although I know Professor Binns hates teaching about the Rift. It was such a sad time in history. Binns' prefers those barbaric Goblin Rebellions."
"So thou wilt wield Godric's wand," said Rowenna, bringing the conversation back to the matter at hand.
He wondered what they would do if he just refused. Would they find someone else or would they just leave the Sorting Hat alone? Actually, he wondered about one of the students sorting. Edward's. "I didn't say I would do the spell," said Harry petulantly.
"Harry," said Dumbledore in that patronizing manner of his. "I know you are upset."
"Did you figure that out with your legilimency?" snapped Harry.
Snape snorted and turned away.
"Harry," said Dumbledore again. "I wish I could have saved Tom Riddle, but it was beyond my power to do so."
"Did you even try?" asked Harry.
"Alas and Alack!" said Rowenna. "Albus, let this room, do the task it was designed to do," she said harshly. "You child, shall stop living in the past and embrace the present. Your aura is like a book where I may read strange matters."
But what if Voldemort—" began Harry, and then he paused. She said, auras. Auras?
"That," said Rowenna "is in the future, and doesn't yet concern you. Live with integrity and justice in the present and the future will take care of itself. Albus, thou art making him increasingly more agitated. Thou shalt cease the pretense and mendacities, and thou shalt cease putting thine legilimency at odds with this room. If I see orange in thy aura again, I shalt be compelled to require thine presence be absented from these proceedings."
"Auras? You see auras?" said Harry, trying to remember what Samara had said about the color orange.
"Yes, dear," said Rowenna. Anon Albus, reveal to this child exactly what thou hast perceived to be the truth about Salazar thirteen years ago. This child needs to understand to do the spell properly. He cannot rid himself of doubt and fear without substantial understanding."
Dumbledore rubbed his hand over his long beard. "Are you sure that is wise?" he asked.
"The truth is always wise," said Rowenna. "Wisdom is not measured by comfort. Thy heart is in the right place Albus. You seek to save him from pain, and the truth is infinitely more painful than the lies thou hast given him, but he needs the power of truth nonetheless."
Dumbledore nodded and seemed to relax. "It was preordained that Salazar would rise again, just like it was preordained that you would be the one to defeat him thirteen years ago, Harry. "A babe will lay him low," Dumbledore quoted. "Firenze would tell you, Harry. These things are written in the stars. Alas, we have no control over them. We only have control over our everyday actions. We have control over how we react to the circumstances given to us. Some things we just have to accept."
"So you just let him be possessed," said Harry softly. No wonder he hates you.
Unintentionally, Harry's mind began processing the similarities between himself and Tom Riddle—and Dumbledore.
"Mr. Potter!" said McGonagall. "Headmaster Dumbledore did not just let Tom Riddle be possessed. You did not know this child. He embraced Salazar—"
"Minerva," said Snape softly.
"I was there, Severus; you weren't," she snapped. "He was evil. Always lording his power over the younger students even in his prefect days. He put on a good act for the teachers, but possession is almost never instantaneous, and it is always consensual. Always. Quite simply he could have said no. He could have fought the possession more completely than any one outside of himself. He wanted the power."
"Professor McGonagall is right, Harry," said Flitwick. "One cannot be possessed without consenting to the joining. It's an enchantment: an enchantment that both Tom Riddle and Ginny Weasley had to consent to."
Harry jumped to his feet. "Ginny did not consent to that. She didn't mean to write in the diary. She didn't mean to—"
"There are no accidents," stated Rowenna. "What thou receivest from life, thou dost draw to oneself by will and by actions."
"No," said Harry, anger completely consuming him. "Ginny didn't—"
And Rowenna Ravenclaw flew through him. Harry sucked in his breath as if he had been smacked with the cold.
"Oh," said Rowenna. "I had forgotten what a loathsome feeling that is, touching a corporeal being, especially an angry corporeal being." She looked down her long nose at Harry. "Just sit there child until thine aura is back to its natural green. We canst not act until thou art calm and these boisterous conversations seem to be exacerbating the problem."
"Fillius, thou mayst speak to him, prithee calmly."
"Yes, Lady Ravenclaw," said Fillius Flitwick, and turning to Harry, he said, "Do you remember what we said about enchantments in advanced charms?"
Harry nodded, reciting what he had learned. "They can be painted, or danced or sung, but most importantly the intent must be repeated a specific number of times without alteration of that intent."
"But someone could have broken the possession couldn't they?" asked Harry. He turned to Dumbledore. "I mean you're supposed to be the most powerful wizard of the age, Sir. Couldn't you have broken the possession?"
"Thou mayst not speak to Albus," said Lady Ravenclaw. "Especially not about the past. It is counterproductive."
Harry's mouth fell open and he stared at the Headmaster. He was taking orders from Rowenna. He smiled inanely at Harry, and winked one of his twinkling blue eyes. Harry felt his anger escalate.
"Dost not look at him," suggested Lady Ravenclaw.
"There is one thing and one thing only that can break a possession," continued Flitwick
"Love," said Harry.
Flitwick shook his head. "Another soul."
"What?"
"I don't think we should be talking to you about this," Dumbledore said hesitantly and Harry snorted. "Well, for Merlin's sake don't tell Harry anything. The bloody world will end if you do."
Albus took a step toward Harry. His face was nearly as white as his flowing beard.
"Albus," warned Lady Ravenclaw. "Let the room do its job."
Dumbledore said nothing, but only closed his eyes in resignation, and Harry realized if he wanted to know what Dumbledore was keeping from him, now was the time to pry it out of somebody.
"But my mother's love saved me," said Harry thoughtfully. "I thought you said Love was the most powerful magic—" He glanced at Dumbledore, who was still sitting quietly with his eyes closed as if meditating. Some of the color had come back to his face.
"It is," replied Flitwick, "but not just any love, agape love: unselfish and complete. I doubt that Professor Dumbledore loves either Tom Riddle or Ginny Weasley enough to save them."
"But I don't understand. My mother saved me."
Snape snorted and turned abruptly, standing on the threshold as if he couldn't wait to escape.
Still, said Harry. "She saved me but over the centuries how many other mothers have wished they could die to save their child. I've never understood."
"Countless numbers," agreed Flitwick
"So why? Why me?" Harry's eyes traveled to Snape who was standing, arms folded protectively across his chest. "Why? Professor Snape? Do you know something about this that the others don't know?"
Snape hissed through his teeth, and Harry realized he was trying to stay out of this conversation so that he would not be influenced by the room. Harry's asking a direct question of him, forced him to answer.
"Because she wasn't trying to save your life, Potter. She was trying to keep Voldemort from Marking you. She knew that he could Mark you as a child when you would be easily swayed to accept him. Voldemort hadn't heard the actual words of the prophecy and he didn't understand how it would unfold. He didn't know you would be so formidable as a baby. He never wanted to kill you Harry. He wanted you to consent to join him."
"But he did try to kill me."
"Only after he couldn't Mark you," said Snape. "If he couldn't have the Prophecy Child, no one could."
"Me?" said Harry, "The Prophecy Child?"
"Of course," said Snape. "One of the three brave children—" He looked as if he might choke on the words.
"And he thought killing my parents would help his cause?" asked Harry. "One thing I've never taken Voldemort for, is a fool."
"No," said Snape. "He is no fool, but neither was Lily. Once we realized that he had perfected the Mark, we knew that he would try to find you and your mother."
"Why me and my mother?" said Harry.
"We already knew you were powerful enough to attract his attention, and then there was the additional line of the prophecy, 'But he will arise through his flower'—" quoted Dumbledore.
"My mother wouldn't help him," said Harry appalled.
"No, she didn't," said Dumbledore, "At the time, we thought perhaps it was just some herb. Or perhaps it was Tom Riddle's mother. Her name was Melantha, which meant dark flower, but she was already dead, and her magic gone, disbursed to the Elementals."
Snape shifted uncomfortably, as if he wanted to speak, but he did not.
"How could she help him to arise?" Dumbledore continued. "A watch was put on all the women who could possibly help him arise, and there were a number with flower names, Narcissa, Valeriana, Laurel were of course the prime suspects, but there was also Poppy and Lily. What made us most worried about Lily was that the magic had to be given from the heart, from love, and Hufflepuff's tend to be more generous with their love than any of the other houses. Also, We mistakenly thought that the two lines, 'A babe will lay him low and he will arise through his flower,' were interrelated. We discounted Poppy and Valeriana because they did not have children yet."
"Valeriana," whispered Harry, thinking of the dream he had had about Voldemort and Valeriana. She certainly seemed to think she was in love with him. "So it was Valeriana?"
"No," said Snape immediately, then he continued more carefully.. "She went to Azkaban too soon after his downfall and was still in prison when he arose, but it's immaterial now," said Snape, "Since he has already arisen."
"Thou speakest of Salazar as if he were mortal and bound by the constrictors of time." Said Rowenna. "Thou must remember that he was working on immortality as early as the 900's, before we even started the school. It colored everything he did—the work with Magical creatures, his relationship with Helga. It even interfered with his teaching and his relationships with the students."
"Darla," said Professor Sprout.
"It was never proven," said Rowenna carefully, "that he had anything to do with her vampirism."
"I have Darla's word," protested Sprout. "That's good enough for me."
"Darla?" said Harry. "Who owns the bookstore in—er--" Too late, Harry realized that he should not have had occasion to meet Darla if he had been following the rules.
"Knockturn," said Snape coolly. "You should not be in Knockturn Potter, for any reason. and since I am now your guardian, I give you fair warning, Potter. If you attempt to go to Knockturn again, believe me, you will live to regret it."
"Severus," said Rowenna. "His aura is just beginning to return to green. Let's not upset him, or he will never be able to wield the wand."
"I wasn't calm in the Chamber when I killed the basilisk," said Harry. He felt Shesha stir on his wrist. "(Master killed a basilisk?)" She asked concerned..
"(Don't worry,)" Harry hissed back. "(I would never hurt you.)"
"(You said the words of death to me,)" Shesha said, reminding him of their first meeting.
"(I didn't know you,)" Harry protested.
"(Is it the nature of humans to kill what they do not know?)" Shesha persisted.
"(Later,)" Hissed Harry. "(We will talk about this later.)"
Rowenna Ravenclaws eyes were on him and although he had spoken the parseltongue as quietly as he could, he was afraid that she had heard him and would throw him out or try to hurt Shesha. He shoved her protectively under his robe sleeve, ordering her to be quiet.
Harry threw a glance at Dumbledore who was still sitting quietly, eyes closed, meditating. Rowenna said nothing, but then he remembered Samara telling him that animals had auras too. Apparently Rowenna Ravenclaw saw Shesha, when he first entered the room, but decided not to make a fuss. He looked into her silvery eyes as she spoke.
"No, thou wast not calm in the Chamber of Secrets," said Rowenna, but there thou wast defending a fellow student. Thy Gryffindor core was in full power. Here, thou art uncertain that using the Sorting Hat is in the best interests of all concerned. Thy intent is weak. Thou must seekest thy courage. 'Twill not come to thine hands unfettered. Moreover, 'tis a creation spell. Killing, even killing a basilisk, requires only a destruction spell. Destruction is much easier to wield than creation."
"I didn't use the wand."
I beg to differ, young man. Thou wouldst not have killed the basilisk without accessing the magic. That was no ordinary sword thou wielded. Art thou ready to take up that sword in creation instead of killing?"
"I'll do my best," said Harry.
"And thy best will be enough," said Rowenna. Thy spell willst require thy whole Spirit. Do thou, thy best and then thou shalt have no regrets."
"I always seem to have regrets," said Harry.
"Always doing thy best brings peace to thy soul. Dost thou always do thy best?"
"No," said Harry. "Who does?"
"Only those striving towards perfection," answered Rowenna. "When thou findst that commitment inside of thyself. Thou wilt cease having regrets about things that cannot be changed. When thou asks if thou couldst have done some task better, and know thine answer is lacking, how couldst thou not have regrets?"
"I guess so," said Harry reluctantly.
"Thou still hast unanswered questions," stated Rowenna. "Speakest anon?"
"It isn't important," said Harry. "Let's just go on with the spell."
"Bah!" said Rowenna, slapping her hand through the table and causing the lights to flare brightly. "Didst thou hear me not, young Gryffindor? Questions are always important," said Rowenna. "They are the springboards to learning. Thy question. Thou will speak it."
"Well, about my mother and father," said Harry. "Were they trying to—to kill Salazar when they died?"
"The thought is abhorrent to thee," said Rowenna.
"Yes. I--I can't imagine killing anyone—" Harry shivered.
"Ah—a core value is discovered," said Rowenna. "Stay true to that value, young man."
"But Lady Ravenclaw," interrupted Dumbledore eyes flashing fire, "The prophecy says either Harry or the Dark Lord will die—"
"Either the prophecy is pre-ordained and there is nothing thou canst do to alter or change it, Albus, or the prophecy is false, and it doesn't matter. Either way, Mortal tinkering will not alter it."
"Alas," began Albus, but Lady Ravenclaw held up her hand for silence.
"Prithee peace, Albus. Thou hast another question?" Lady Ravenclaw asked Harry.
"Yes," said Harry. "Were they trying to bind Salazar in some sort of magic? Because if they were, then it's my fault that they failed."
"No," said Lady Ravenclaw. "Thou is not responsible simply because thou was present at an unfortunate situation. Thy choice is what binds the magic to participate or not. Don't you teach Intentional Magic anymore?" she asked the teachers frowning.
"It's beyond most of the students," said Snape.
"So thou wouldst neglect the ones that can wield it?" snapped Rowenna. "Is that any way to run a school? Neglecting thy best students?"
"Some of the Advanced classes are Intentional Magics," said Flitwick and Professor Sinistra still says that Apparition is ninety-nine percent Intention."
"All magic is ninety-nine percent intention," said Lady Ravenclaw, eyes narrowing. "Oh well, I see have been remiss. I have work to do when we have finished here."
"One more question, please?" asked Harry.
"Come, let thine lips speak it," said Lady Ravenclaw.
"Can I still help Ginny if she is possessed in some way by the Dark Lord?"
"If thou hast the proper intent," said Lady Ravenclaw. "Thou canst.."
"I intend to save her," said Harry.
"If thy intention dost not fail, thou canst accomplish anything," said Lady Ravenclaw. "Remember anon, there is always a cost for magic." Lady Ravenclaw glanced across the room to Severus Snape who had still not moved from the doorway. "Pritthee speak. Thou dost wish to add to this conversation?" she asked.
"No," he said.
She raised an eyebrow.
"The boy should know—" he began, "but I am not the one to tell him."
"If thou hast something to teach, thou shouldst teach it. What sort of teacher withholds knowledge like an ivory tower savant? Art thou not truly a teacher, Severus? Or art thou afeared to be the same in thine own act as thou art in desire?"
Snape growled at her before he began in a clipped sharp voice. "Saving from death, differs from possession," said Snape. "Possession requires in both its binding and its releasing, consent, monumental amounts of Elemental magic, and some physical token, usually blood. Very few wizards or witches can even accomplish it. Possession moves into the realm of the supernatural—demons and such, not wizards. Generally, the part the wizard plays is to invite the demon to Earth and to offer the use of his or her body for a specific period of time, in exchange for some favor. The problem is, during this time, the wizard's body is subjected to enormous amounts of Elemental magic and when the prescribed time of the possession is over, the wizard is addicted to the power of the Elementals, usually it is more power than he can contain without the demon's actual presence within the body so the demon is then invited to stay permanently. The wizard becomes something other than human, and can only be released by death. We have no idea where in this process, the man who is Salazar Slytherin is—or if Salazar had indeed sacrificed his humanity by that time."
"What does this have to do with Ginny?" asked Harry.
"What indeed," said Snape. "To know that, we would need to know exactly who or what was in that diary."
"Are you telling me that, you think, the only way to release Ginny from the possession may be to kill her?" gasped Harry, Looking at Snape's ashen face and dark eyes he knew that was exactly what Snape was telling him. "Possession suggests something more than a wizard's magic, Potter. There is no way to be sure."
"The cost of the magic may indeed be a life," added Rowenna Ravenclaw, "But some demons cannot die. Which is why they must be bound at the exact moment of the death of the host body. Anon, the casting wizard mayst die and the demon livest still."
"That's what my parents were trying to do," said Harry suddenly, and his thoughts traveled forward inferring the next logical step. Together they could kill Tom Riddle and bind Salazar Slytherin, but not with a baby in arms. It all suddenly fell into place. He was not the savior of the Wizarding world as everyone supposed. He was the reason Voldemort was still alive. He suddenly couldn't breathe. All of the people who died—every one of them—all of the people—all because he was there with his parents instead of—with Snape. He felt as if his heart had turned to molten lead inside of him. Why? What had happened?
"Why didn't it work?" Harry asked. "Because I was there—" He answered his own question.
"He dost need you Sprout," said Lady Ravenclaw. "The boy is falling into that self-pity mode that thine Gryffindors have such difficulty over coming. Whereto thou dost make him understand that 'twas not his fault. 'Twas meant to be: his destiny as written."
Professor Sprout immediately stepped forward and pulled Harry into a motherly hug. "It wasn't your fault, Harry, Dear," she said.
Dumbledore shook his head. "No, it wasn't, Harry. It was because Peter Pettigrew betrayed your parents and Voldemort came too soon. They weren't ready yet, and more than that, it was as the prophecy predicted."
"And I was there," said Harry sadly. "And Salazar? He's not human, is he? Is he a demon?"
Dumbledore looked at Rowenna, but she shook her head. "Salazar is—Salazar," she said. "Not quite human now, but still we believe, less than a demon."
Harry shuddered, saying nothing.
Dumbledore put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "You can't blame yourself for this, Harry. You were a baby. It wasn't your fault. You have done so many great things for the wizarding world. We have no right to ask for any more, and yet--"
"He hath found it," interrupted Rowenna smiling. "The combination of healing and resolve that always gave Godric the most control over his spells. Give the boy the wand. Dost thou understand what thou must do, Child?"
"I think so," said Harry.
"No, no, no. Thou must be certain. Thou must already see it so."
Harry nodded. "Like Apparition," he said. "What about the gifts? How will this affect the gifts that the Founders put in the Hat? Will they still be there?"
"Yes," said Rowenna. "We know that thou hast appropriated Godric's sword at the required time and thou canst assume that Salazar's gift of the emerald is also gone."
"No," said Harry. "He put two emeralds. I remember his spell."
Rowenna shook her head. "One sword, one book, one potion, one emerald. Salazar sought to give to his heir two emeralds, but his purpose was found and failed."
"What happened to the other emerald then?" asked Harry. The Stone Basilisk in the Chamber is missing both of its eyes. He wanted to put two emeralds for two eyes."
"He only put one," said Rowenna again. "Helga had the other one and then--anon—she--died."
"Committed suicide," said Harry, "So Salazar would never know the identity of the Prophecy Child. Helga died to save her and we let Voldemort take her." Harry stood for a moment thinking of Parvati living the last moments of Helga's life. He remembered that Helga said she talked to the stone snakes.
"Thy aura is perfect," whispered Rowenna. "I see thee in form so perfect, thou canst not fail."
"Was Helga a parselmouth?" he asked.
"No," said Rowenna, "But she had an affinity with animals of all sorts."
So she did know, thought Harry. She knew the serpents wanted their eyes. 'So blind Slytherin, I've taken emerald from the stone,' she said. How was he blind? Salazar put one emerald in the Hat and Helga hid the other one somewhere. Blind because Slytherin and Hufflepuff were separated? Or was the blindness symbolic in some way? More likely, Harry thought, it was just because Slytherin could never understand what Helga's love meant and it was, after all, Helga who called him blind.
"Which emerald was in the Hat?" Harry asked suddenly. "The right or the left?"
"I know not," said Rowenna, "But it doesn't affect this spell. The emerald was already removed by Tom Riddle."
"And what do the emeralds do?" asked Harry.
"I know not," said Rowenna. "As thou hast said, the emeralds work in the Chamber of Secrets, and I myself, have never entered there, but I might surmise that the emeralds were the physical manifestation of what Helga perceived as truth and Helga had an uncanny ability to perceive the truth."
Harry took a deep breath. "I'm ready," he said.
"Indeed you are," agreed Rowenna. "Thy aura is filled with power. Prithee, What is thy intention, Child?"
"I intend to correct the mistakes made in the Sorting Hat's creation," said Harry, a touch of steel in his voice.
Rowenna raised an eyebrow. "Excellent," she said. "Thou dost choose a lofty intention." She nodded at Dumbledore who handed Harry the sword, which was a wand, and Flitwick who laid the Sorting Hat at Harry's feet. "Now, draw the magic unto thyself and be thankful for the Elementals that surrounds thee and the Magic within thee. Touch the flat of the sword against the Hat and be thankful that the Sorting Hat is already fixed in this moment, in this reality, Child, wish it real."
Harry staggered with the impact of the spell and his hand went automatically to his scar as the searing pain suddenly burned there. He struggled to hold the spell together and the Hat began smoking with the power of re-setting the original spells. "The choice of the student should always over-ride any previous spell," said Harry.
"Of course," said Dumbledore. "That has always been so."
"Not if the student was a Founder's heir," said Harry, vehemently and Dumbledore frowned as he picked up the still warm Hat.
"It seems to be fine," said Dumbledore, but "I think we should do some tests on it to be sure."
"Yes, Albus," agreed Rowenna. "'Thou wilt find that revealing the truth is infinitely more powerful than concealing it. Unfortunately, 'twill also be more painful, my friend. I bid thee farewell, Headmaster."
"Good bye, Lady Ravenclaw," said Harry, and Rowenna paused. "Oh anon, I shalt see thou again, Harry Potter, but not until thou takest up Meridius' task," she predicted as she floated through the wall.
"Should we set up a team to be sure the Hat is corrected, or should we do it separately." Asked McGonagall.
"Separately, I think," said Dumbledore. "Some of us work better alone." His eyes were on Severus.
"Well, if that's all," said Harry. "I'd like to get back to my room. I have homework."
"No," said Dumbledore. "Alas, that is not quite all."
"What else can you expect?" muttered Harry wearily.
"I don't think this is a task you will dislike, Mr. Potter," said Snape. "Come I will tell you as we walk."
Harry hesitated. Walking with Snape didn't sound like something he wanted to do.
"It's alright, Harry," said Dumbledore softly. "There was a snake left behind in the rubble at a recent Death Eater altercation. We were hoping you might be able to discern what their next plan is—"
"I see," said Harry coolly. "Well, let's go get this snake."
"It's in the dungeon," said Snape. "Come." He turned in swirl of robes and glided out of the room without looking at Harry.
Harry heard McGonagall speaking as he hurried to catch up to Snape.
McGonagall's voice was tight with emotion. "Headmaster, I really don't think Harry—
The sound was lost as Harry hurried down the steps. He caught up with Snape because Snape had stopped at one of the landings. "What?" began Harry, but Snape put out a hand to stop him.
"Moving," he said succinctly, and immediately the staircase pulled away from the wall and dropped down several flights making them closer to the dungeon.
"How did you know that?" asked Harry. "I would have had to walk down at least three more flights."
"Potter, if you ever actually attune yourself to the magic of Hogwarts and the magic of your fellow students you might be a passable wizard. That was your father's problem too. Excessive arrogance."
Harry clenched his fists.
"Temper, Temper," intoned Snape glaring at him.
"You didn't like my father much, did you?" asked Harry.
"You have a gift for understatement," said Snape "You are not the be all and end all of the universe. Contrary to what the wizarding papers have written, you did not defeat Voldemort. At least not the first time." Snape smiled grimly. "However, it looks as if you might have yet another chance. Try not to screw it up this time."
"I didn't ask for this job!"
"One rarely does," said Snape.
"Does what?" said Harry.
"Ask for a job that in all probably get you killed. Here's the snake." Snape pulled a wooden crate out from under his desk. While he was opening the crate, the large black dog that Snape had acquired sauntered over and licked Harry's hand.
"Sit," Snape ordered, and Harry was half way to a chair, before he realized that Snape was speaking to the dog and not him. Snape brushed a hand through his greasy black hair in annoyance and Harry realized that his glamour had worn off. Snape looked suddenly old and tired.
To distract himself from that ominous thought, Harry asked, "Does this poor dog ever get out to run?" Harry patted the dog's head, feeling suddenly lonesome for Sirius.
"Yes," said Snape. "I take him with me herb hunting in the Forbidden Forest nearly every evening. He enjoys rousting the hedgehogs," said Snape with a frown, he continued coldly. "I do not abuse my dog, Potter."
(A/N: I put hedgehogs in here as a place filler until I thought of a suitable creature, but I never thought of one, and so I decided to leave it "hedgehogs" as a tribute to Silverfox story, My Name is Severus. It's a good read, and to Silverfox, Snape's dog does not abuse the hedgehogs either.)
"I didn't say you did," said Harry. "and you shouldn't be reading my mind."
"I shouldn't be able to," replied Snape coldly. "Her name is Koschei," said Snape as he put the snake into Harry's arms and shoved him out of the door. " See what you can learn from her."
"But," said Harry. "What happened to her Master?"
"Mistress," corrected Snape. "Koschei belonged to a twelve year old female Death Eater named Maura. She didn't ask for that job either, Potter. She acquired it when Durmstrang burned."
The door slammed in his face.
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Answers to Reviewers:
Voldy's pink teddie: Thanks for the kudos. And it's a blue bunny, not a teddy.
Akiel: Thanks for the review. And I'm not telling who the green eyed squib was. 15 reviews gets the next chapter, so if you want them sooner, you have to recruit some friends to read the story.
Christina: Yes, I was concerned about the way this chapter would be perceived. Of course, I'm not Volde. I have my moments, and I enjoy writing him, but I am not Voldemort. I'm not…I'm not…heheheh
Ammarine: Yes, well it was meant to be ironic. Lucius talking about greedy people. And I can't believe no one realized who the green eyed squib was.
Trillium: Glad this chappie was a fav. More good ones on the way. You will have a new favorite soon.
Ennui: None of the countries attacked anyone yet, US included, so no they weren't waiting for the US or UK or anyone particularly. Volde was just sowing chaos. And the portkeys were a back up plan in case they forgot how to apparate. I was just reminding the reader that they had them, in case they need them later. Yes, the Rosiers were killed by aurors in the time when they were allowed to use the killing curse. Remember in JK's book—I think it was GoF when Dumbledore said that the Aurors were almost as bad as the DE.
Jager: Yes, well my Volde is more evil than most Voldemorts…muwhawhawha!
Silverfox: So glad you are still with me. It's been ages since you've done a new fic. I think it's about time, don't you? And well, no one was conscious who cared about Koschei, but don't worry. We will see Koschei again.
Harpy: Yes, it did jump around a bit. It was all the different countries that Volde is trying to manipulate. Sorry you were confused. If you tell me where exactly where I lost you, maybe I can fix it. Volde grumbles. Stupid muggles.
Kemenran: Typical
Cara the Mord Sith: No this chapter was not shorter. Most are between 5-8 thousand words. This one was over 6 thousand, so just in the middle. I guess you are reading faster.
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To all of those who haven't yet reviewed this chapter, now is the time. Review. Click the little button on the left corner and tell me what you think. Remember 15 reviews equals a new chapter.
Sure beats paying for it, doesn't it?
Lady Lestrange
Good stuff coming. You don't want to miss it.
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