Disclaimer: Even though I'm sure you think that I came up with the Harry Potter characters, I didn't.
The Silver Horn
Chapter 3
Griffindor Manor; Founders' Era
Helga Hufflepuff smoothed the covers over Harry, her facial expression oscillating between relief and concern. Rowena, Godric, and Salazar watched her anxiously.
"Will he be alright, Helga?" Godric asked worriedly.
Helga smiled tiredly. "He will be in some pain for awhile, but he'll be fine, physically at least. But emotionally," she sighed, "he will need a lot of love and reassurance."
Salazar stared at the pale face of the boy they had rescued. He had thought Harry would be somewhat pampered, due to being the famous boy-who-lived. Nothing, however, could have prepared him for the sight that had met him nearly an hour ago. Perhaps there was more to this dark-haired boy than he originally thought.
A soft moan from the bed brought all focus back to the injured boy.
"Harry?" Rowena asked.
Harry opened his eyes wearily as he felt his whole body ache. He looked around him confusedly as a woman with auburn hair and gray eyes looked questioningly down at him. Where was he? This certainly wasn't the Dursleys'. A blond-haired and blue-eyed lady swooped over to stoop down to feel his forehead. He flinched slightly at the touch, remembering when Uncle Vernon used to grab his hair.
The lady frowned at his reaction, but smiled as she said, "Fever's gone down."
"Harry? You're awake!" A man with a cheerful voice called out. His hair was a sandy blonde while his eyes were a warm chocolate brown. He bounded over to Harry. Harry couldn't help a smile from splitting his cheeks. The man's wide grin was contagious.
Another man, dark-haired and hazel-eyed, said sourly, "No need to cluck over him like a mother hen, Godric."
Harry froze. Godric? "As in Godric Griffindor?" he wondered aloud.
"I see your mind is working, surprising though that may be," a voice said sarcastically. It was the dark-haired man whose cynical tone reminded Harry of Professor Snape.
"Now, now Salazar. No need to be nasty," scolded the blonde woman. "Hello Harry. I'm glad you're awake. I'm Helga Hufflepuff. This is Rowena," she pointed to the stern-faced redhead next to her, "and you already know Godric and Salazar."
"If you're wondering, Harry," said Godric, "we haven't founded Hogwarts yet. We're at Griffindor Manor at the moment."
Godric, Helga, and Rowena all smiled kindly at Harry. Salazar just sneered.
Harry's mind whirled. The Four Founders? Why was he here with them?
"For now, Harry, all you need to know is that you've been brought to train for one year to fight against Voldemort," Rowena said, noting his confused expression. When his expression turned to one of dismay, Leaving his friends for one year?, Rowena hastily added, "One year in our time, child, will be equivalent to one hour in your time. You will be returned one hour after you were taken." Harry looked much relieved.
"In addition," Salazar said, smirking in anticipation, "there is one thing you ought to know about your parentage."
"Salazar!" Helga exclaimed. "Shouldn't we wait until he is better? It's too soon to tell him!"
"Oh please," Salazar sneered, "There's no need to coddle the boy."
"Yeah," Harry interrupted, somewhat indignant. "Tell me. I feel all right."
"See?" Salazar sounded smug.
"Spare us Sal," Godric rolled his eyes. He turned to Harry. "If you're sure…"
"I am," Harry said solemnly.
"James Potter is not your true father," he continued quickly after glimpsing Harry's shocked expression. "Don't get me wrong; Lily was faithful to her husband, but James wasn't her husband. Potter was just part of a plan to protect you."
Harry leaned forward, his eyes wide, "Tell me. Who is my father?"
Back to Snape Manor
Snape sat, face impassive, as he watched Albus Dumbledore read Lily's letter. When the Headmaster finished and looked up at Snape, there was an amused twinkle in his eyes.
'There is nothing amusing about this situation!" Snape yelled, his mask dissolved. He sounded somewhat like a petulant child.
"I didn't say it was amusing," Dumbledore said calmly. "I merely thought it was interesting how you used to terrorize Harry on being exactly like his father, when you were actually saying he was like yourself."
Severus scowled. Albus could be really annoying sometimes. "Well, even if he isn't a Potter, the boy still is a spoiled, arrogant brat."
Albus sighed. "First, Harry is not arrogant. Second, after the Occulemency lessons, you of all people should know that he isn't spoiled."
Snape rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Whatever," he grumbled, knowing in his heart that Albus was right. "He's still an arrogant brat."
"You know that you will have to tell him, don't you? His appearance will start to change soon."
Severus froze. The black eyes that turned to meet the Headmaster's twinkling blue ones were hard and foreboding. "Albus, I forbid you to tell anyone about this."
"Severus, don't you think that he will start asking questions once he starts changing?" Albus asked.
"I. Don't. Care," Snape said, grinding his teeth together.
"Lily trusted you to tell him the truth. He has a right to know," Albus spoke again, trying to persuade the dark-haired man.
Snape's face turned blank. "Don't tell him, Albus. I'm serious."
"But, Severus—"
"Don't," Snape's voice was cold, but it included a hint of desperation.
Albus sighed again. "Alright, Severus," he threw up his hands in resignation.
Severus gave him a look of gratitude. Albus gave him a sharp look. "Only for now, Severus. For now."
Griffindor Manor; Founders' Era
"Snape is my father!" Harry yelled. "That slimy git? You're lying! I'm nothing like him!"
"Well, you certainly both have the same hot tempers, that's for sure," Salazar muttered.
"What?" Harry asked incredulously. "It can't be! I won't be his son! I'm not the son of a Death Eater!"
"Harry!" Godric said sternly. The usual laughter in his eyes was slightly dimmed. "Professor Snape is a spy for the Order. He has risked his life many times. Have some respect. Also, you need to learn to control that temper of yours. Masking your emotions is definitely going to be one of the things you will learn here."
Harry lowered his head, shamed.
Rowena sighed. "If you don't control your emotions, Voldemort can easily possess you. Also, any Death Eater could tell what you were feeling and turn it against you."
"Harry," Helga said in a soft tone, "believe it or not, but you and Severus are very alike. You both like peace and quiet, dislike attention, have had abusive homes…"
The boy looked up, startled.
"Yes, boy. Despite what you think, you don't know everything about everyone," Salazar sneered.
"Salazar, shut up!" Godric yelled, giving him a glare. "Harry, Severus needs you, and you need him. And though it may not seem like it, under that cold façade of his, there is a heart inside you dear Potions Master." He grinned.
Harry snorted, but nodded slowly, digesting the new information. Before he could help himself, a wide yawn broke open his mouth. He reddened slightly as the four founders looked at him.
Helga pushed through the other three to get to Harry. "No more talking," she scolded. "I have an injured patient on my hands, and I won't have you talking all night." She looked at Harry and gave a gentle smile. "Go to sleep, little one."
Harry felt his eyes begin to close. Helga gave him a tight hug, and he relished in the comfort. The others, remembering Helga mentioning that Harry needed love and reassurance, followed her example. When Salazar's turn came, he looked desperately at Helga. She glared at him. He resignedly held out stiff arms. Harry, by this time, was too sleepy to think right. He wrapped two arms around the Slytherin, at the same time whispering a quiet "Thank you" to the four founders. Before he knew, it he had fallen asleep on Salazar's shoulder. His hand held a piece of his robe, while Salazar looked on helplessly; but he couldn't help feel a bit of his hard heart crack as he held Harry in his arms.
