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 16: Aftermath
Harry spent a couple of days at the Hospital Wing suffering from the exhaustion of having to possess two individuals. Madam Pomfrey had dismissed Hermione after making sure that she was perfectly healthy but decided to keep Harry for a few days longer in order to keep an eye on any after-effects of his condition.
Salazar and Rowena had never left Harry's side from the moment he appeared unconscious in the Great hall. Naturally, Rowena scolded him for returning unconscious and exhausted but her lecture was overshadowed by Hermione's screaming tirade about risking his life to save hers. Salazar had barely escaped unscathed from Rowena's wrath concerning his apparent 'reluctance' to accompany his own blood brother. He escaped to his Chamber of Secrets after Rowena and Hermione threatened to neuter him for not insisting on accompanying Harry on such a dangerous mission.
The news of Fudge's death caused outrage amongst some people while others shared the same thought: 'good riddance' before laboring on with their day normally as if nothing out of order had happened. The only people who were actively concerned about the situation where Dumbledore and Harry as the minister's death had not created much to smile about. Sure, Fudge was a stupid pompous imbecile of a minister who made his life's goal to slander Harry and Dumbledore, but he was at least neither a Death Eater nor an intelligent individual.
It weighed heavily on Harry's mind as he sat in the Weasley household, drinking some tea and playing with his daughter. Heather stood on Harry's knee and played with his hair, giggling as the long strands of jet-black hair curled her little hand. Whenever Harry thought of the burden on his shoulders, a giggle from his daughter would wash away his fears, leaving him peaceful and content.
His mind hurled back to the day of Hermione's rescue and his trip to Voldemort's hideout. Even though he practiced some of the Darkest arts as he traveled with Salazar in the past, the possession of Flint and the other Death Eater filled him with disgust and revulsion. He felt a tingling sensation but ignored it, seeing as he was in an unplottable house with a Fidelius Charm and no harmful people.
Someone cleared his throat behind Harry, making him jump with his wand outstretched and Heather held closely in his arm. There stood Remus Lupin chuckling softly at Harry, which resulted in a confused expression etched on Harry's face.
"I must say that you look fetching with Pink hair and yellow spots, Harry," said Remus laughing as Harry's confusion increased. Remus took pity on him and conjured a mirror for Harry to see his misfortune. He groaned and Remus laughed again as he tried to fix his hair. He looked around for the twins but they were in their shop at this time.
"Fix it, Remus. That prank was uncalled for," said Harry, fixing Remus with a glare. Remus raised his hand in surrender and looked openly at Harry, giving him the 'I'm innocent' look.
"I regret to say that this masterpiece is not of my creation. I just came here to say hi, and not this kind of hi," said Remus in mock regret. Harry was about to retort when another tingle vibrated in the room but not aimed at Harry this time. A spark of light appeared above Remus, turning his hair yellow and his robes vibrant orange. Harry chuckled at Moony's misfortune and traced the magic back to its caster, who turned to be none other than his little girl.
"Heather! You performed magic," said Harry excitedly, spinning his daughter around, making her giggle and squeal happily.
"Ah, a little Marauder is discovered," said Remus cheerfully, raising Heather in his arms as if she was made of gold. Harry groaned and massaged his neck before taking his daughter from Remus and tickling her.
"A little prankster, I would have loved to see Snape's face when he found out," said Remus chuckling. Harry glared at him and snapped angrily, "Yet she won't have the luxury, as he's dead."
"I'm sorry, Harry, I didn't mean it that way. I know that Severus would have been a good father to Heather and I'm sure he appreciates you taking care of his daughter. The situation with you and Heather may be similar but that's why Dumbledore trusted you with raising her and being her new father. You may not have had the luxury to know James, Lily, or even Sirius well but that is why you mustn't repeat what happened, Harry. You are given a chance, a privilege to be a father to her, something which was not available to you," said Remus apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Remus. I didn't mean to snap at you but everyday I feel terrified that Heather could go through what I had at the Dursleys. Although she's not my biological daughter, I love her as if she is and nothing will ever change that. I never want her to be robbed of her happiness, her childhood innocence like it happened with me."
Remus patted Harry on the shoulder sympathetically, glancing apologetically at him. Harry turned to his daughter and couldn't help but smile as he watched her yawn cutely and raise her little arms up demanding to be carried. Harry took her lovingly and she fell asleep on his shoulder as soon as she settled herself.
A pop echoed through the living room and two arms wrapped themselves around Harry, hugging him from behind. Harry smiled and turned to kiss his girlfriend when he encountered a pair of violet eyes.
"Hey Harry," said Bellatrix cheerfully.
"Hello Bella, it's good to see you," he replied softly. Bellatrix smiled and kissed his cheek before kissing little Heather on the forehead. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see little Heather and make sure that you're okay. Madam Pomfrey is calling for your blood after she discovered you escaped the hospital wing," said Bellatrix amused. Harry rolled his eyes as he tucked Heather in her bed and kissed her forehead lovingly.
"I wanted to apologize for the other night, Harry. I had no right to insult you or Rowena," said Bellatrix apologetically. Harry waved his hand in dismissal. "I know you did not mean it, Bella, and I understand what you are going through."
'Yeah right,' thought Bellatrix bitterly before smiling as Harry hugged her.
"Thank you for being here for me, Bella, you really are a wonderful person," said Harry kissing her cheek before he wrapped his cloak around him and vanished.
"You're welcome," said Bella sadly, to where Harry had been standing moments before.
Harry walked through the Entrance Hall at Hogwarts, heading to the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore had asked Harry when he was laying in the Hospital wing to pay him a visit after Madam Pomfrey released him. He walked whistling for a few seconds before a shriek caught his attention.
"POTTER!"
Harry turned quickly and witnessed an intimidating sight. Madam Pomfrey had a look of fury on her face and was running towards him with her wand in her hand. Harry gulped, knowing that he had two more days to spend at the hospital wing before running as fast as he could with Poppy Pomfrey on his tail. He reached the headmaster's office and ran up the stairs. He entered and ran to hide behind a startled Dumbledore, who understood what was happening when the nurse showed up.
"Potter! Get your butt in the hospital wing or I'm going to hex you so bad, that the only one who would be able to help you is me," growled Madam Pomfrey and Dumbledore laughed hard. Harry, although a powerful wizard, was still intimidated by three people, Rowena Ravenclaw, Molly Weasley and Poppy Pomfrey.
"Do you promise you will release me, tonight?" asked Harry from behind Dumbledore's chair, his head appearing for a few moments.
"You will not negotiate with me Harry Potter," said Poppy menacingly.
Dumbledore had to fight to stop laughing at Harry's expense, but finally managed to control himself for a few moments. "Although this is most enjoyable, I had summoned Harry here to speak with him about an important matter, Poppy. You have my word that Harry will return to the hospital wing as soon as possible."
"You're taking her side?" Harry whispered.
"I heard that, Potter," shouted Madam Pomfrey, making Harry hide back behind Dumbledore. "Alright, Albus, I will hold you responsible if my patient is not in the hospital wing in 2 hours." After that, Madam Pomfrey took her leave to her sanctuary, the hospital wing, waiting for Harry.
"She is one scary woman," said Harry as he took a seat in front of the Headmaster. Dumbledore chuckled merrily and nodded his head with a smile.
"Quite right, my boy, quite right. You have faced many dangers and horrors and never shy way from them, yet you're intimidated by Poppy, Molly, and Rowena."
"You've never seen Rowena when she's angry. She…"
"I'm what Potter," said Rowena mischievously as she entered the office with Salazar smirking after her.
'Traitor' sent Harry to Salazar, who grinned and replied. 'I live to serve, brother."
"You look beautiful, Rowena, more so when you're angry," said Harry timidly, earning himself a nod of approval.
"You're learning, Potter."
Finally Dumbledore couldn't keep it any longer and threw his head back, chuckled serenely as Harry glared at him and smiled sweetly at Rowena, who had a Salazar Slytherin smirk on her face.
"cough Whipped cough," said Salazar with a grin.
"Get a life, Slytherin," muttered Harry.
"Be nice, Potter," chided Rowena with a smirk.
"Sorry." Salazar taught her the smirk.
Dumbledore watched as one of the most powerful wizards in the history of Hogwarts was chided like a six year old, and his amusement was threatening to make him laugh again.
"Although this is extremely amusing," began Dumbledore as Harry glared at him. "I have gathered you here to discuss a matter of grave importance. When Hermione had returned after Harry had rescued her, she had a locket on her, which she says to have been given to her by a Death Eater. Normally, I would be extremely wary of such an occurrence, but checking the locket, I found an important artifact which would help us in our quest to destroy Lord Voldemort."
"What is it, Albus?" asked Rowena after the headmaster's dramatic pause.
"A Horcrux," was Dumbledore's reply.
"You couldn't have just said I found a Horcrux and be done with it," asked Harry annoyed at the speech. Dumbledore chuckled but didn't reply as Salazar asked another question.
"What was it?" Dumbledore waved his wand at a drawer several times, before a golden locket flew from the drawer and landed in front of them. Salazar glared at the locket, as if waiting for it to explode and disappear. Harry and Rowena noticed Salazar's reaction and squeezed his hand in comfort and reassurance. It didn't go unnoticed by Dumbledore, who raised an eyebrow at the Slytherin founder's reaction towards a locket of his own family.
"It belonged to Salazar's mother and was passed down to the eldest girl of every generation. It is a Slytherin family heirloom and Salazar never got along with his family," said explained Harry, making Salazar snort at the understatement.
"Who did you say have given the locket to Hermione?" asked Rowena suspiciously, sinking deep in thought about the locket.
"A Death Eater."
"A spy you mean," said Salazar wistfully.
"That's the problem. After Severus was killed, I had no spy in Voldemort's ranks and I haven't had one ever since," replied Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling. Harry's eyes had gone wide for a few seconds before his thoughts turned to the mysterious person who had given Hermione the locket.
"So there is someone inside Voldemort's ranks helping us, but who is stupid or brave enough to betray Voldemort and who would Voldemort trust with the information about his Horcrux," said Rowena thoughtfully.
"I have no idea, but I am thankful for such a blessing," said Dumbledore joyfully, eating a sherbet lemon, but not before extending his sweet filled bowl.
"Sherbet lemon?"
"Albus, no one had ever tried to take one of these so aren't you supposed to have given up by now?"
"I will certainly try, my boy, until such time when someone would appreciate these beautiful sweets, ah the joy," said Dumbledore popping another lemon drop into his mouth. Salazar rolled his eyes and Rowena sat amused at the ancient Headmaster's antics.
"When are you planning to destroy it, Dumbledore?" asked Harry with an annoyed sigh. It got on his nerves that sometimes Dumbledore had an important matter at hand and all he would do is be distracted or lose himself in the world of Muggle sweets.
'The man is really eccentric and a lunatic' thought Harry with a fond smile. He wondered if he had the chance to live that long, would he be offering Muggle sweets or is it just a Dumbledore thing.
"Salazar, Rowena, and I are going to head to the Chamber and destroy the Horcrux tonight. You are in no condition to participate, Harry. You are pale, exhausted and Poppy would certainly have my head if you returned to the hospital wing unconscious a second time in two days," said Dumbledore cutting Harry off as he tried to protest.
"You will need your rest if you are going to update and power up the castle's wards, Harry," said Salazar grinning, "and for other things as well." He managed to duck from Harry's hex and Rowena's fist but the hex caught him in the side of his face, turning his ears into donkey ones.
"You look charming that way, Sal, and I hear that donkeys know their way home," said Harry grinning before he ran out of the office with Salazar on his tail.
"Boys."
The next couple of days found Harry resting in his office when not teaching his classes. Madam Pomfrey had reluctantly released him when he threatened several times to charm her office to talk back every time she tried to open it. He had charmed it once but had it removed when Rowena threatened to turn Salazar and him to worms and lock them with Hedwig.
The strangest thing that happened was that Bella and Salazar started to spend a lot of time together. Harry was happy for both of them, since it managed to get Bella off his back about Rowena, and Salazar had found someone to relate to, instead of spending time reading with Harry and Rowena kissing in the next room.
Harry had totally recovered his physical and mental health by the end of the week, with some private incentive from Rowena. The Headmaster, with the help of Salazar and Rowena, managed to destroy the locket and avoid its magical backlash this time around.
Dumbledore had also sent some order members led by Bill Weasley to seal the Cave entrance where he would have gone if the Death Eater spy hadn't given her the Horcrux. They still pondered over whom the Death Eater was but they hadn't come up with something valid.
Harry sat with Salazar, Rowena, Bella, Blaise, and Dumbledore in the Headmaster's office talking about the upgrading of the wards. Harry had wanted to have his best friends with him while he upgraded the wards with the founders, knowing that Hermione would kill for an opportunity to witness the founders of Hogwarts at work and that it would interest Ron. However he knew that he would be putting Rowena, Salazar, and even his best friend themselves in danger if any secret got out.
"So the foundation stone is in your secret chamber, Harry? Isn't it too dangerous to be located that easy?" asked Blaise curiously. Harry smiled and the other founders grinned at the question but left Harry to respond.
"The thing is, Blaise, no one alive or a ghost or even a magical creature could ever find my secret chamber even if they spent their whole lives looking through Hogwarts," replied Harry mysteriously.
"What do you mean, Harry? If Voldemort managed to find the Chamber of secret, he could easily find your chamber," said Bella. Harry shook his head and just said 'You'll see' as they headed out of the Headmaster's office and down the stairs to the Gargoyle outside the office. The Gargoyle closed behind them and the stopped as Harry turned to face the gargoyle.
"Hogwarts, sweetheart, the stairs please," said Harry sweetly to the castle. Rowena rolled her eyes while Salazar patted her on the shoulder sympathetically, trying hard to suppress his laugh, and failing miserably. The gargoyle's eyes glowed green before opening again. This time, the stairs were not going up to the headmaster's office but down to somewhere dark. They stepped inside and the gargoyle shimmered back in place, as if it never moved and leaving them in total darkness.
Harry let go of a little magic and several torches ignited in green flames, illuminating the pathway. The walked for a minute or two before reaching an expensively decorated door, with an emblem of a snake wrapping itself around an eagle's body in what it seemed like a protective manner, something that seemed strange when both were never equal in the food chain. Along side them was a powerful looking strange cat-like creature that had a black coat and brilliant emerald green eyes. It looked like a cross between a panther and a fox, looking extremely menacing and overprotective of what was behind the door.
"Nice emblems," said Blaise reaching to touch the door but three hands and a series of 'No' saved her from having her hand cut off, as the cat like creature growled and strangely stepped out of the picture emblem, appearing quite corporal.
"Who dares wander the sect of the Black Prince? Who dares disturb my sleep?" hissed the cat like creature at them. Harry stepped from behind and walked towards the creature guarding the door, despite the protest of Dumbledore and the two girls.
"Master, it has been eons," hissed the creature, bowing to Harry and purring when Harry scratched behind the ear. He turned to the rest of the group who, excluding the other two founders, were watching in awe.
"Guys, this is Shenda, my room's guardian and the symbol of my Hogwarts house had it been made," said Harry cheerfully to the others who were looking in wonder but Dumbledore's expression was the most comical one. His jaw almost hit the floor as he looked from Harry to the creature and back.
"Sentient Guardian?"
"Bravo, Headmaster, ten points to you," said Harry grinning.
"But they are supposed to be impossible to summon and to accept such a role is unheard off," said Dumbledore. "How would you possibly have one as a guardian?"
"Let's say I can relate to her," said Harry pointing at the cat at his feet. The statement confused everyone except Rowena and Salazar, as they knew what Harry meant and have been down here before when they first cast the wards around the school.
"I will tell you what I mean later. We have an important task here that must be done and a long way to the room," said Harry to the others before turning to the cat like guardian.
"What's a sentient guardian?" asked Blaise to Rowena as they entered another long corridor. The founder of Ravenclaw smiled as she explained the concept of a sentient guardian to her boyfriend's apprentice.
"There are two types of sentient guardians, a transfigured one, and a real one. The transfigured guardians are usually made of rock or some other similar material, like the gargoyle in front of the office, though it's not sentient. The wizard transfigures the rock to figure of his choice, usually an animal and pours a bit of his magic into it. The real sentient guardians, however, are made through a ritual of Summoning, where he summons a real animal to guard something of importance.
Most People use transfigured sentient guardians since they are easier to make and control. The real sentient guardians are more difficult to obtain and nearly impossible to have them guard anything. The wizard summons an animal of his choice and request the help of said animal to help guard something. Sentient guardians are always fussy and rarely do they agree on helping wizards. Harry, however, managed to acquire the help of a real sentient guardian to help guard his room, as it is there where the wards of Hogwarts lie."
"What did Harry mean by 'I can relate to her'? And what was that cat creature?" asked Blaise loudly. Harry blushed and Salazar snickered softly, confusing the rest of them.
"The cat creature is a hybrid between a Chinese magical fox and a shadow Cat. They are intelligent and powerful creatures and are very loyal to a person once the person earns their respect. About your second question, The Cat has a crush on Harry's animagus form, which is the male form of the hybrid creature," said Rowena cheerfully as Harry glared at her and blushed in embarrassment when all the others laughed.
They stopped at another door as Rowena finished her explanation to the others who were looking at Harry with new respect to his abilities and amusement of the situation. Harry paid no heed to the conversation happening behind him as he approached another door that was adorned with several complicated looking runes and figures. Motioning to Salazar and Rowena, the three made a small cut on their hands and put their bloodied hands on three different runes.
"Open to the serpent master, Salazar Slytherin, Lord of Hogwarts," hissed Salazar in Parseltongue at the door, activating one of the runes, which he had his hand on.
"Open to your master, the Black Prince, Harry James Potter, Lord of Hogwarts," spoke Harry in an ancient druidic language, lost to the modern world. His own rune glowed as his blood fell on it, activating the rune.
"By their commands and my own, open to the Raven of revival, Lady Rowena Ravenclaw, Lady of Hogwarts," spoke Rowena in an ancient language, as their runes connected themselves with bright golden color.
The door in front of them glowed brightly then shimmered of out of existence, allowing them entry. They entered to find themselves in a circular corridor with a door in front of them and most of them groaned, thinking it was another door but Harry's chuckle brought their attention to him.
"Don't worry, this is my personal room," said Harry grinning.
"You have to go through all of this to enter your personal rooms?" asked Bella horrified. The collected laughs of the founders made her blush deepen and duck her head in embarrassment.
"Of course not, Bella, I can always Apparate there or just ask Hogwarts to transport me there if I'm not able to Apparate," said Harry. Angry looks met him on the faces of the group but Harry explained in favor of not being harmed.
"I have to go through these doors to activate the pathway to the wards," he added quickly.
"Could Hogwarts transport anyone to your room or the ward room?" asked Dumbledore thoughtfully. Rowena shook her head and replied in the teacher mode. "Of course not. Only the founders of Hogwarts and its headmaster are able to even feel Hogwarts' presence but only the founders can command Hogwarts to transport them to the rooms directly."
"Okay, what are we supposed to do now?" asked Blaise.
Harry closed his eyes for two seconds before the room around them faded out of existence and they appeared in a bare room. Harry went to a corner and touched a stone with his wand. Likewise, the other two founders made the same action and something began to emerge from the ground. In front of them sat a large stone on a pedestal, covered with numerous spells, runes and other enchantments.
Salazar began by dropping blood on the stone as he did with the door earlier and chanted in Parseltongue. Rowena followed his actions and spoke in the same ancient language she spoke at the door, letting her blood flow on the foundation stone. Harry began his chant in ancient druidic as his blood followed the two founders' down the stone and onto the runes carved on it. The blood mixed with each other and the stone glowed bright orange and began to vibrate as the
Dumbledore and the others watched in awe one of the most memorable experiences in the history of the school. They grew up fascinated with Hogwarts and its founders, its magic and its history. To witness the founders of their prestigious school charging its wards were dreams come true to them. Dumbledore could not hold a grin of pride from appearing on his face as he watched Harry and suppressed the tingle of envy as Harry performed what no one ever did in history.
First, he time travels to the past, which was thought to be impossible. Then, he falls in love with one of the most famous and brilliant witches in history and have the most feared Dark lord beside Voldemort as a blood brother. Finally, founding the world's finest magical schools and acquiring knowledge forgotten to the modern world.
His attention was brought back to the founders as they screamed in unison something in Latin, which Dumbledore managed to translate as 'renew' or 'charge'. The three founders were a little pale from losing much blood gasped when he felt the wards around Hogwarts. He couldn't even begin to comprehend the power of such wards and the well of Magic that was opened on the whole school.
Outside of the room and throughout Hogwarts, broken things began to repair themselves and everything from chairs and desks to windows and the ceiling began to look more solid and more alive. The students gasped as they felt the magic of Hogwarts as it spread throughout the castle and its grounds, enforcing and renewing every little charm and ward on the school.
At another place, the Dark lord sat up quickly as he felt a surge of magic passing through him. He meditated for a few minutes, searching for the reason of such powerful magic when his astral conscious hit a barrier of which he faintly recognized. He opened his eyes, blood red color pumping in anger as he screamed in rage.
"Dumbledore!"
He didn't know how it was possible that Dumbledore managed to raise such powerful wards around the school and angrily summoned his Inner Circle. Death Eaters around the globe felt an unimaginable pain flared around the part where their marks were placed, causing one of them to fall on the ground as he was meeting with ministry officials and thus cause his arrest. The other Death Eaters apparated to their master's side and were met with angry glares and a Cruciatus sent their way.
"Find how Dumbledore upgraded the wards around Hogwarts," hissed Voldemort. The Death eaters bowed and disappeared one by one, leaving only Andreas Nott present and bowing to his master.
"Summon me our spy."
Nott nodded and quickly pushed his wand to the necklace around his neck. A few seconds after, a pop marked the arrival of the spy who bowed in front of Voldemort, kissing the hem of his robe.
"Yes, my lord," said the Death Eater bowing.
"Dumbledore upgraded Hogwarts' wards today. I want you find out how he accomplished such a feat. Succeed and you enter my Inner Circle and fail and you will endure my wrath."
"Yes my lord, we felt the surge of power course through Hogwarts a few minutes before and we wondered what caused it," answered the Death Eater.
"You are dismissed."
Harry and Dumbledore sat in the headmaster's office having lunch together as they talked causally about what happened earlier and about who would be the new minister after Fudge's death.
"Who are the candidates for minister?" asked Harry curiously.
"Amos Diggory, Rufus Scrimgeour, and Andreas Nott," answered Dumbledore gravely.
"The Death Eater? Why the hell isn't he in Azkaban or wanted for being a Death Eater?"
"Because they never proved that he is a Death Eater. Voldemort has another way of summoning him other than the Dark Mark and Nott is cunning enough not to be caught," replied Dumbledore.
"What about the Scrimgo guy?"
"Rufus Scrimgeour, Head of the Auror Department and a fierce warrior for the light. He is a talented wizard who graduated from Hogwarts few years before your parents entered and was sorted in Gryffindor."
"So he is not a Death Eater?"
"No," said Dumbledore, "he spent his whole life chasing Dark wizards and capturing them and he is dedicated to the light side."
"Which one would you choose to become the next minister?"
"Amos Diggory is a good politician but he lacks the flexibility to guide the wizarding world in the war with Voldemort. Rufus is renowned for his strength of character and his hate for dark wizards, but he lacks the ability to ask for advice before jumping into situations. Between the two of them, I would nominate Rufus as the next minister," said Dumbledore conversationally.
Hagrid's words suddenly came to Harry's mind and he couldn't help but agree.
'What will come will come.'
