Disclaimer: Believe it or not, no money is being made through this as all characters etc that you recognize belong to Madame Rowling. Anything else is, most obviously, property of Egyptian Flame unless stated otherwise. Egyptian Flame does not have an army of lawyers like the aforementioned literary genius but that doesn't mean to say he hasn't got an army…

Chapter 12: The-Boy-Who-Returned

By Egyptian Flame

Edited by Master Slytherin

"You have some explaining to do, Harry."

Harry and Rowena turned to the tired looking headmaster, who was peering at the two guests suspiciously, while Salazar stood with a sly smirk on his face. Harry looked from Bellatrix's face to Dumbledore's, before sighing and nodding his head.

"Let's go to your office and I'll explain everything Albus," said Harry. "It would also be wise to summon Ron and Hermione as they have a right to know from me before it's announced in the Daily Prophet tomorrow." Dumbledore nodded his head and waved his wand, announcing a summoned house-elf with a pop.

"Please let Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley know that their presence is required immediately Dobby," said Dumbledore kindly, making the elf disappear with happiness on his face and a look of disgust on Salazar's face, which was remedied with a smack on the head from Rowena. As the group proceeded to the Headmaster's office, the three united friends walked at the back talking quietly among them, protected by a privacy charm and a strange dog like creature trotting happily beside them.

"Not that I'm not happy to see you guys again, but how the hell did you get here?" asked Harry with a frown. Rowena smiled and Salazar smirked, before it was wiped from his face by Harry's glare.

"I told you why you couldn't come in the first place Salazar; you could have wiped out my future and endangered yourself. Moreover, by what William told me, both of you left a year after I did, so you couldn't have had time to have an heir, Salazar. So if you would please explain to me how the hell you are here and how my future is still in existence, I would be grateful," said Harry, his emotions apparent on his face. Salazar gulped and Rowena had an expressionless mask on, as though deciding not to take a part in this conversation.

"After you left, I thought about how to come after you without changing any part of your future and it was then that I received an owl from my so called family," said Salazar bitterly, a sour look on his face.

"What happened?" asked Harry eagerly as Salazar paused for a while.

"The letter was to inform me of having a nephew, and taunting me that their perfect son had given them a grandchild. I thought of only one way which would help me come to the future and continue the bloodline," continued Salazar softly. Harry's mind raced, but came up with no possible way so he waited until Salazar finished.

"Your dark lord is the heir of Thanatos Slytherin, my dear brother." Harry frown deepened but Salazar had no hint of a smile.

"It's not possible Salazar. His family tree says that you're his ancestor and they cannot be fooled," said Harry.

"When I heard that Thanatos would have a son, I went to the Slytherin family mansion where they were celebrating the news. With some help, I managed to trick my dear family into naming the child another name than what they had in mind," explained Salazar softly, wincing as Harry glared at him, finally understanding the situation.

"You had them name the child Salazar, didn't you?" he asked astutely.

Seeing Salazar's nod, Harry held an expressionless mask for a second before collapsing in peels of laughter. Salazar had expected Harry to be mad at him for doing what he did and expected shouting when Harry started to laugh hysterically.

Rowena raised an eyebrow but kept walking hand in hand with Harry, who was holding his stomach with his other arm as he laughed hard. A smack on the head brought Harry back to his senses, making him notice that they had arrived in front of the gargoyle and the others were staring at him strangely.

"That explains why William thought you were a Dark lord," said Harry thoughtfully.

If looks could kill, Rowena would have been buried six feet under from Bella's glare, as she saw both couples walking hand in hand.

'How dare she steal Harry from me?' thought Bella angrily, watching them linked hands jealously.

'He told you that he had a girlfriend, and that she would be coming soon. You can't say she stole him when he was hers in the first place,' another voice of reason echoed in her mind.

'Shut up!' screamed Bella mentally as they ascended the stairs to the Headmaster's office.

Blaise, on the other hand, was watching the pair with a calculating look. She was shocked at first when she saw the woman kiss Harry passionately and him returning the kiss with the same passion. Harry had become the most important person in her life since he had rescued her. Having no other family and seeing another person taking him away made her feel jealous. Although she let go of the hope of pursuing a relationship other than a platonic one, having someone take Harry's attention away made her feel afraid of being in a dream and waking up in Voldemort's cell.

The group entered the office and sat down, making themselves comfortable for a long talk which would leave them exhausted. Dumbledore summoned biscuits and tea from the kitchens, passing around to his guests, who were looking around the changed office.

Anyone inside the castle could feel the walls humming and vibrating much like when Harry had arrived. Dumbledore waved his wand, activating strong privacy wards around the office, along with security, and scanning spells to ensure no one would eavesdrop on the conversation. Harry broke the silence, sitting comfortably in his chair, sipping on his tea calmly.

"I will not say anything of my time travel trip to Ron and Hermione, Albus. It is not that I do not trust them with the secret, but it is crucial that Voldemort must never know of it. Their minds are not occluded and I would rather not take the chance," Harry said calmly, earning a nod from his headmaster and a confused expression from the others. They did not have to wait for long when Minerva McGonagall entered the office, followed by Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger.

Ron was confused as to why he was summoned to the headmaster's office, where strange people sat talking to each other and to the headmaster. One of the strangers was extremely familiar to him but he couldn't place exactly who he was. On the other hand, Hermione's eyes widened when two familiar green eyes met her own along with shoulder length black hair and the familiar scar of her best friend.

"Harry?" whispered Hermione quietly, her heart beating hard in her chest. Harry nodded his head and gave her his familiar, heart-warming grin he always had on his face. She flew as a blur into Harry's stretched arms, hugging him tightly as tears poured down her face. Ron's confusion lasted for a second before a huge grin painted itself on his face and he hugged his best friend. The others watched with a smile as the golden trio were reunited, though one of them being much older than he was.

"Where were you, Harry? Where have you been? Why didn't you owl us? Why do you look older?" asked Hermione rapidly, earning a smile from Harry and loud laugh from Salazar, leaving the others confused.

"That sounds familiar," said Harry to his blood brother, earning another laugh from Salazar and a blush from Rowena.

"That's mean," muttered Rowena, her blush lighting up her beautiful face. Harry put his arms around Rowena and kissed her lightly on the lips, almost sensing Bella's magic flaring inside her body as he pulled back.

"If you please, Harry, I think everyone would like to know what had happened to you and why you look older," said Dumbledore, clearing his throat. Harry nodded his head and started on the tale that he made up with Dumbledore's help for his young best friends' sake.

"A scientist named Robert had moved into my neighborhood when I got home from the train station. I met him in the park near the Dursley's residence and we talked for a while, and he invited me to his home to show me some experiments that he was working on.

He was showing me some stuff when Voldemort was gracious enough to send me pain through our connection. The result was my magic going unstable and a little bit of accidental magic caused an explosion, resulting in the death of Robert and me having an injury," said Harry, a pained expression on his face. Although his tale was not completely true, he still felt guilty since his aura was what had caused the explosion of the time machine.

Rowena hugged him soothingly as Salazar patted his back softly. The jealous glares this time were not from Bella or Blaise, but from Ron and Hermione, thinking that Rowena and Salazar were taking their places.

"A secret group rescued me and nursed me back to health. They asked me if I wanted to join them and be trained to fight, and I accepted, knowing that it would help me with my fight with Voldemort," continued Harry, before being interrupted by Hermione.

"Professor Dumbledore told us the same thing, Harry. Why would you involve yourself in the fight against Voldemort? The headmaster is more than capable to defeat him," asked Hermione curiously. Harry bowed his head for a second before making up his mind and replying.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches… born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies…" recited Harry softly. "This is part of the prophecy that was smashed in the Department of Mysteries, which dictates that I am the only one who has the power to Defeat Voldemort. I cannot tell you the rest of it since you are not trained in Occlumency." Twin scowls appeared on Ron and Hermione's faces but they didn't say anything, knowing that their best friend was right.

"You were training to defeat Voldemort?" asked Ron dumbly, not believing what he heard.

"I will fight with you to the end, Harry," replied Ron firmly. Salazar snorted in reply, earning a glare from Ron.

"You think I'm weak?" growled Ron threateningly, taking out his wand. Dumbledore was about to interfere when Harry stopped him with a hand, watching the interaction with interest.

"You are still a boy, not even a match for your peers, let alone a mage with powers you could only dream about. You wouldn't last a second against one of his servants," replied Salazar, sneering at the red head in front of him. Ron growled in anger as he was starting a curse before he was disarmed with a wave of Salazar's hand, his wand still in its holster.

All the others except Dumbledore, Harry, and Rowena who were capable of little wandless magic were stunned at the display of power in front of them. Ron got angrier, and was about to attack with his fist when powerful voice echoed through the room.

"Enough! Both of you! Control yourselves. Ron, he's right about one thing, you're not trained to fight Death Eaters but you're not weak. Your magic is still maturing and you have a lot of time before reaching your full potential," said Harry, making both of them stop their actions.

"But Hermione and I trained with some Order members this summer after you disappeared. We were with you in the ministry battle," protested Ron angrily.

"Ron, the ministry battle was a fluke and we were injured. Although Luna and I took down one Death Eater or two by sheer luck, that doesn't mean we were capable of defeating them. I would've died that night had Professor Dumbledore not shown up and protected me from the killing curse.

I've trained to fight Voldemort because it's my destiny and I was forced to grow up and be a force against him. You have the luxury of staying at home with your family instead of seeing every one of them die beside you," yelled Harry. Ron had a defeated expression on his face while Salazar sat smirking. The smirk vanished when Harry turned his glare on him.

"And you! You're supposed to be an adult and just because you are my friend and that you are powerful does not give you the right to act or behave that way," finished Harry coolly. Salazar had the decency to look ashamed and apologized, though through gritted teeth, to Ron. Dumbledore and Rowena sat with a small smile playing at their lips at the way both men were being scolded like children.

'God bless you Lily, he inherited your temper,' thought Dumbledore fondly.

Rowena was grinning since Harry was the only one who was capable of winning any argument with Salazar and keeping him in place. He had pranked and annoyed her in the past when Harry would be doing something else but always managed to keep Salazar Slytherin from being more annoying. Both of them were alike in many things, one of them that both were a free soul.

"Now I will continue the rest of my story and I want no interruption," said Harry, looking pointedly at Salazar and Ron. "I trained with the group, learning everything I can from them with a help of a device, similar to a time turner. The difference is that I aged when used this device. I had owled the Headmaster and told him of the situation and he advised me to keep hiding and keep Voldemort thinking I am dead.

I trained until I learned everything I can and I came here in a disguise, waiting for the right moment to reveal myself and it came today a few hours ago," completed Harry.

Although he felt bad about lying to his best friends, it was for their sake. McGonagall knew that Harry was lying about his tale but sat in silence, knowing that Dumbledore will tell her the real story when he is capable of doing so.

Ron and Hermione sat in silence, thinking about what Harry told them. Hermione was deep in thought when something clicked in her mind, completing up her puzzle about her professor.

"You were Simon Dumbledore," stated Hermione in realization. Harry clapped his hands together with a smile and replied, "You really are the smartest witch in the school Hermione."

Salazar turned to Rowena and muttered softly, "If I didn't know better, I would have thought she was your child." Rowena blushed and smacked Salazar's arm, sending him a death glare. Harry raised an eyebrow but said nothing, though anyone could see a grin threatening to escape.

"I believe Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger have a Herbology lesson. Don't worry, Harry will not go anywhere since he has a job now," said Dumbledore, smiling at the groaning young man in front of him. Ron and Hermione knew a dismissal when they hear one.

They hugged Harry and left after he promised to meet them after their lessons, not realizing that they did not know the names of the two people with Harry. McGonagall was about to leave when Harry called her to come inside.

"You do not have to leave, Professor. I trust you," said Harry softly, earning a rare smile from the old witch as she sat down.

"It is good to see you again, Harry. How you managed to deceive me, I may never understand," McGonagall said with a smile.

Harry erected another ward to keep out listening devices like the extendable ears and turned to the group of people around him. He told him the same story that he told the Headmaster before, stopping when he was asked about the time he had landed in.

"I had told you that it was not the time to know where I landed, Headmaster, but I feel that now is the perfect time to tell you what had happened and who my friends are. Sal, Row, these people are Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Transfigurations Professor Minerva McGonagall, my apprentice Blaise and my friend Bella. Professor, Headmaster, the beautiful woman beside me is my girlfriend, Rowena Ravenclaw and the other person is my blood brother Salazar Slytherin."

Dumbledore had his hand on his wand while McGonagall stood in shock. Bellatrix was hissing angrily and Blaise kept opening and closing her mouth in an excellent fish impersonation.

"But that would make you…"

"You landed one thousand…"

"Your girlfriend is the most intelligent and powerful witch in…"

A bang echoed from Harry's wand, bringing everyone out of his or her shock. Dumbledore looked from Harry to Salazar and back with suspicious glances. Bellatrix was caught between being jealous of Rowena and in awe of two of the founder's presence. The silence was broken by a voice that they only heard once and rarely twice a year.

"Master Salazar, Mistress Rowena, welcome to the present and to your home," said William, the sorting hat, politely. It confirmed what Harry was saying though Dumbledore had yet to pocket his wand.

"Albus, you can rest assured that he is not and will never be a Dark wizard," said Harry calmly. Fawkes decided to make an appearance and settled on Harry's shoulder, making the young mage pet him on the head. It was then that Dumbledore relaxed his hand, which Harry unfortunately noticed.

"You thought I was also a dark wizard?" said Harry angrily.

Dumbledore sighed and replied softly, "I'm sorry, Harry. When you said you were blood brothers, a nagging suspicion entered my mind. Salazar Slytherin's blood brother was mentioned in history as the Black Prince, the darkest magic user apart from Slytherin himself.

It was said that he created a dark and powerful branch of magic that only he and Salazar Slytherin could wield. I know that history is some times not accurate but sometimes it is. Again, I apologize profusely for having doubted you, my boy. I also apologize for my behavior Lord Slytherin, Lady Ravenclaw; it is a pleasure to meet you." Dumbledore bowed his head respectfully and kissed Rowena's offered his hand.

"The pleasure is ours Headmaster Dumbledore. We are sorry to have frightened you or your staff," said Salazar politely as he shook hands with Dumbledore.

"I was called the Black Prince by the people I defeated when traveling with Salazar or competing in dueling tournaments. Black for being able to use my Animagus type of magic to an extent and it was Hogwarts who called me her prince and thus everybody else. I helped build Hogwarts and denied being called her founder since I did not want to change the history so Hogwarts herself called me her Black Prince," explained Harry.

'Nice lie Harry, really smooth. Why would I think that it was because you slept with an Elvin princess before you met Rowena and that she declared you her prince?' teased Salazar through their mind link.

'If you even mutter one word about that incident, Salazar, you will really wish you were eaten by that pet basilisk of yours. I will also tell Rowena that you were the one who spelled her clothes to speak insults or her books to run away,' Harry replied.

He shuddered when he remembered the night that he and Salazar got drunk celebrating a tournament they had won. Harry had slept with an elf woman and thankfully had a half mind to cast a spell to prevent her from getting pregnant. The woman had proclaimed him the prince of her city, before Harry and Salazar fled before they were killed or forced into marriage.

"You helped in building Hogwarts?" asked McGonagall, her jaw slack for the second time in minutes.

"So that is how you knew about the wards," stated Dumbledore thoughtfully.

"Yes it was my favourite branch of magic," said Harry fondly.

"You wrote a book on wards that I'm proud to say is one of the best books I have ever read, Harry," said Dumbledore, looking proudly at his favourite student. Harry looked confused, as he hid his books in his own secret chamber. Dumbledore stood up from his place behind the desk and grabbed an old book from the shelf. Harry recognized the book that was missing from his room before he left, and never had the chance to find it.

Wards of the Ancients

By

The Black Prince

"Where did you find that book? I've looked around for it but I have never found it," exclaimed Harry. Dumbledore chuckled and replied with an enormous grin, eyes twinkling brightly.

"I found it in my first year as a teacher here at Hogwarts, underneath one of the stands of the Quidditch pitch, Harry, in the sand. I am amazed that the preservation charms on the book lasted for one thousand years and that no one had ever seen it there," said Dumbledore as Harry blushed, remembering that he used to fly there a lot.

"That is because the five of us had cast the spell on the books, knowing that I would be having them back when I return to the future," replied Harry.

"Books? You mean you wrote more than just this book?" said Dumbledore in awe and excitement. It was still strange that his student was the one who wrote and created the ancient charms in the book but it was like a treasure to Dumbledore as they were extremely valuable and 'Wards' were his favourite branch.

"Harry wrote 32 books on different subjects, twenty of them on wards," said Rowena proudly, smiling as Harry groaned. Dumbledore's eyes lit up as he heard what the Ravenclaw founder had said and vowed to borrow them from Harry as soon as possible.

Rowena was the one who nagged him until he wrote everything he could write into books, though Harry left out some dangerous magic branches, preferring to keep them for himself or pass them to an apprentice who would not use them in bad ways.

"What else did you write about, Harry?" asked Blaise excitedly. Harry smiled at her warmly.

"Five on Defense against the Dark Arts, three on Runes, three on Charms and one on Animagus transformation," said Harry shrugging innocently. McGonagall's eyes lit up like Dumbledore's and Harry groaned, earning a snicker from Salazar and a smile from Rowena.

"I did not know that you are interested in the Transfiguration branch to write a book, Harry," said McGonagall. "You certainly had the talent to ignore what I was saying in class." Harry blushed under his ex-professor's gaze and it deepened when Salazar added smirking, "He mastered Transfiguration."

'You are evil,' sent Harry through their mental link.

'You flatter me, dear brother,' sent Salazar back.

"You mastered Transfiguration? That is wonderful Harry, we should talk sometimes, I would like to see that for myself," said McGonagall with a smile. It gave her a sense of satisfaction and pride that it was one of her students, who achieved a degree of a Master in Transfiguration.

"I think that they are tired after a long journey and rest. Minerva please escort young Bella to her dorm," said Dumbledore kindly. Bellatrix sent him a look that was translated 'We need to talk' and Harry nodded.

"Harry, before you go, I have some bad news for you," said Dumbledore. Harry frowned, waiting for the headmaster to clarify.

"Princess Natasha was found dead in the battle at Hogwarts. She was in the forbidden forest, gathering some ingredients when they killed her," continued Dumbledore. Harry got a pained expression as he heard the news and fury began to build up.

'I am going to rip you apart Voldemort, if it is the last thing I do."

"Also the Weasleys are going into hiding with the Fidelius charm, which I'm going to perform tomorrow. In the light of this news I am advising you to send your daughter with them for a while, until you destroy Voldemort once and for all." Apparently, Dumbledore realized that it was the wrong thing to say, as Rowena's expression turned murderous.

"WHAT DAUGHTER?"

Even Salazar was angry before Harry sent him memories of what happened through their link. Rowena started throwing hexes as tears poured down her face, her eyes gleaming with fury, hurt, and pain.

"Rowena, please let me explain," yelled Harry as he dodged a painful curse. After five minutes of straight cursing and dodging, Dumbledore managed to disarm Rowena, who fell to the floor crying and shaking.

"Why, Harry, why? Why do this to me?"

"She is not my daughter, Rowena," said Harry softly, hugging his girlfriend. Rowena was about to reply nastily when she understood what Harry said to her.

"What…What?" asked Rowena confused.

"A friend of mine died, leaving his only daughter in my hands. Alas, I am very old to care for a child, so Harry agreed to be her guardian, since I trust him with my life. Although I could have had anyone of my close friends take care of young Heather, Harry had been a great father until now," explained Dumbledore softly, giving the blushing Harry a look of pride. Rowena's murderous look transfigured swiftly into one of grave embarrassment.

"I'm sorry, love," said Rowena softly, looking at the ground. Harry lifted her chin until they were staring deep into each other's eyes. He pulled back her hair and kissed her deeply.

"It's alright baby," replied Harry softly after they broke contact.

"It would be a wise idea to send Heather with the Weasley's into hiding, it would be easier for me to visit her without endangering her or the Weasleys," replied Harry softly, hating the idea of sending his little girl away. He knew the Weasleys could take care of her much better than she could though.

"Sleep, Harry. You did very well and I'm proud of you."