Disclaimer: Not mine. Burrowed only from the great JK Rowling – not that you didn't already know.

Through the Furnace

Chapter Ten. A New Name

Harry eyed the back hem of Godric's robe which swirled about the older wizard's feet as he walked. The medieval world was becoming very quickly confusing. He however didn't find the camp merely as interesting has he had earlier.

An uncomfortable feeling had settled in Harry's stomach, now and then his heart would stop as people stopped to talk to Godric or eye him suspiciously. His insides squirmed, uncoiling and contracting like a restless serpent as he was led by Godric to meet the other founders.

Salazar, Harry had already met, and did not entirely trust. Godric had been at pains to

Explain how much Harry owed his friends and how to show the older, rather ancient, man the due respect that would be expected from him. And this extensive lecture only caused Harry more agitation and worry on top.

"Ho there, Godric another one of your younglings?"

Harry suppressed a frustrated sigh and willed his expression as politely neutral. He glanced quickly to his feet submissively; not before he had a good glance at the new comer.

The new comer was not a courtier wizard in long velvet robes as Harry had first expect. The man that was quickly descending on Godric was far from a refined gentleman. He wore a coarse shirt that could have either been faded blue or murky grey, (Harry couldn't decide), over which was a stiff leather apron, his beard was unkempt, and his jovial face was covered in dirt. When the man came closer all that Harry could breath in was the sweat covered state of the stranger.

"Good evening, Shelby," Godric replied politely inclining his head slightly, indicating he did have some form of respect for this man. "My great-grandson Alecander Burleigh."

Godric pushed Harry gently forward. "Please to make your acquaintance, Lord Burleigh," Shelby said grinning toothily at Harry.

Harry blinked quickly appalled by the blackened state of the man's teeth. "Pleasure," Harry managed to mumble.

Shelby didn't seem too interested in Harry for his head quickly snapped back to Godric. "I thought all the Burleighs were killed." Shelby's eyes went straight to Harry's face. "Where have ye been hiding all these years, lad?"

"Alecander survived," Godric said shortly as Harry opened his mouth to answer. "He's been living with the Crowcrofts since he was very young."

"Surprised the Crowcrofts would let ye near him," Shelby retorted all too quickly his dark eyes flashing.

"Yes well…" Godric started feeling slightly frazzled.

"It matters very little where one's education comes from; only that it is the best," Harry said quickly flashing a smile in Shelby's direction. "The Crowcrofts need for the finest convinced them to allow me to train under my great – grandfather's care."

"Of course, Lord," Shelby agreed readily; he was a man who would side with a party who he sensed was stronger. Harry glanced quickly to Godric whom only looked thankful and relieved.

HaRrY

pOtTeR

A loud crash range throughout Grimmauld Place, followed by a frustrated scream of rage and despair.

Ron Weasley was in no doubt of who was in the room. He leaned casually against the locked door and rapt his knuckles against the unforgiving cedar wood.

"Hermione," Ron called. "Are you okay?"

If Ron strained his ears he could hear a muffled sob and a wet sniffle. He waited with baited breath and then slowly the door began to open.

Hermione's tear stained face appeared in the empty spot. She sniffled once more and looked down at the sodden handkerchief in her hand. Then with a half hearted roll of her eyes she stepped backwards to allow Ron entry into the room.

Ron stepped through the threshold and took a cursory glance around the darkened room. A crystal vase lay smashed on the plush floor, water soaking the ground like fresh tears, the flowers lay strew across the floor in a forlorn looking pattern.

"Hermione are you okay?" Ron asked repeating his first question.

Hermione nodded and wiped her eyes with her hanky. "Remus got rid of the basin of muck."

"It was probably just dirt," Ron said with a shrug. "Don't worry, Harry will pull through, he always does."

Hermione looked torn between snapping at Ron, bursting into tears once more and looking grateful. "It might have been a clue to what happened. I have this terrible feeling that whatever it is, is somehow connected to Harry's disappearance."

Ron stepped forward and gingerly reached out to Hermione and rubbed her arm in what he thought might be in a comforting manner. "It'll be okay."

"We need to find out what happened at Godric's Hollow…" Hermione said. "Someone who was there or knows who was there…"

"A Death Eater?" Ron questioned slowly.

"Ron you're a genius?"

"I am?

"Snape!"

"Snape?" Ron spluttered. "Hermione are you mad."

"I'll bet anything he knows what happened he might even be able to lead us to Harry."

"He's a death eater Hermione and a traitor to boot."

"Yes well, we'll have to capture him and coerce him into telling us something…"

"And if he doesn't know anything."

"We go onto plan B…"

"And what exactly is plan B…"

Hermione shook her bushy head in frustration. "I dunno I'm still working on it…"

hArRy

PoTtEr

Godric ushered Harry inside the central tent which the younger wizard now realised was the four colours of the houses, crimson, green, yellow and blue.

Godric stepped up behind Harry, resting his large hands on his shoulders in reassurance.

The pair was immediately greeted by a sour looking Salazar Slytherin whose frowned only deepened to see Harry.

"Salazar, meet my great-grandson, Alecander Burleigh," Godric said. Harry glanced backwards to see the lion founder's thin smile.

"Alecander?" Salazar repeated his eyebrows rising and in danger from disappearing through this short fringe. Somehow this man made Harry's new name sound absolutely awful. "I suppose you chose that name because it sounded noble."

"It is a good strong name," Godric snapped defending his choice. "There's absolutely nothing wrong with it."

Salazar sniffed as gracefully as the disdainful gesture would allow him.

"And this is the man who named his eldest son, Patrobas," Godric whispered harshly into Harry's ear. Harry choked, tried to cover up his mouth with his hand hide the fact he was trying not to laugh at the ridiculous nature of the founder's new squabble.

"Well Patrobas is a… well interesting name," Harry replied blinking furiously in order to seem at least half serious. This failed when his smiled broadened at Slytherin's aloof face and he beamed.

"Come," Slytherin demanded and Harry followed him further into the tent, Godric was close to his heels.

"Harry, dear! It is so nice to finally meet you conscious and clothed!" A cheery witched said grabbing both his hands and pumping them up and down in a most un-lady like fashion. At the mention of being somewhat naked Harry flushed and glanced up at Godric as if to ask how the lady had seemed in his bare state. Godric however refused to look at Harry and seemed preoccupied with staring at Salazar who was in turn ignoring him.

"Pleased to meet you to… erm…" Harry started now starting at Godric in earnest for some moral support.

"He blushes prettily, Godric," the witch continued unperturbed by Harry's tomato red cheeks.

"I – erm… I…" Harry stuttered wondering how he was suppose to reply to this woman.

"He has rather eloquent speech too," Salazar muttered dryly from his dark corner. Harry supposed Salazar still hadn't forgiven him for their first meetings.

Without thinking Harry turned to glare at the snake founder and then snapped his head back to stare at the strange witch before him.

"I'm Helga Puffhuffle and I'm absolutely tittled to meet you young sir."

Harry blinked slowly. Helga Puffhuffle?

"I'm charmed I'm sure," Harry said slowly finally thinking of something to say that wouldn't get him more embarrassed or flustered.

"Nevermind, Mistress Hufflepuff, my dear." Harry turned towards another witch who was reclining on a bed sipping from a goblet with full red lips. "She knows exactly what she is saying."

"If people are going to accuse me of being a bubbly foolish idiot, Puffhuffle," Helga started pouting. "I might as well act like one, dear Rowena. You know exactly what they say about my half-wit house Hufflepuss."

Harry tried not to choke and blinked slowly. "Not all believe such things, Ma'am. I've known some strange students from every house. Not all Gryffindors are noble, not all Ravenclaws do what they say, and not all Huffle – pusses… I mean Hufflepuffs are useless… Hogwarts champion was a Hufflepuff and he… he did win…" Harry thought it wise to conveniently forget his part of the triwizard tournament and the fact Cedric had ended up dead. And then decided that he had said too much in lecturing the Hogwarts founders so he firmly shut his mouth.

It was Godric Gryffindor that broke the uncomfortable silence in which he explained Harry's new identity. Harry dozed throughout most of this but his head snapped back up when Godric started on his plan on how to help him find the missing horcruxes to destroy Voldemort.

I'm sorry it is short, but I'm having a slight mental break down with work hours and writers block. If anyone sees my plot bunnies could you pleeeeassssee send them back. Thanks.