A/N: Thank you for all the love you've been giving Timekeeper. In return, here's a new chapter.

Anything you recognize (setting, characters, etc.) belongs to J.K. Rowling. Everything else is mine.

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Chapter Five

It had been three days since Slytherin had attempted to invade her mind, and Althea could not get him out of her head. Every time she tried to focus on working with the wards he was there. Every moment spent avoiding Godric fucking Gryffindor and he was there. Even when they were in the same room and not speaking to each other he was there. She couldn't escape him.

It had to be some kind of advanced Legilimency, one that had been banned in the future and lost as a magic form, because she didn't have a clue how to stop it. He was even infiltrating her dreams! What few hours of good sleep she got were shared with the same person she was trying to avoid while awake. It was torture.

And it didn't help that she could tell he knew he was getting to her, and so did Rowena in some way. The dark-haired woman had more than once asked her about her 'relationship' with the man, and she'd been forced to constantly say there was nothing there. But…there was? Althea couldn't deny that despite his blatant disregard for her mental boundaries and his perpetual presence there was a part of her that wanted it. She wanted the attention of this mysterious and legendary person because it meant she was worthy of it in some way.

It was sick and twisted to think like that, but she'd had a lot of practice analyzing her feelings and thoughts in the therapy the Ministry paid for. Dr. Laurie was a great witch, renowned in the field of magical psychiatry, but she wasn't paid enough to hear all everything that Althea had to say. So they'd spent most of her sessions talking about her childhood, the effect her parents had had on her choices, and ignoring the elephant in the room of her adventures through time. It was easier that way.

What was not easier was being forced to abandon her research because she'd been discovered. Althea liked finishing projects, and leaving this one undone for the rest of eternity was not sitting well. She'd spent a good part of her sleepless nights thinking of ways to convince Croaker she could come back on assignment, but it would probably never happen. There were too many risks associated with sending a Timekeeper back into a time when they either existed or were known. It would just have to be a loose end.

Sighing, Althea stared at the hill where the Whomping Willow would later be planted and was surprised to see Rowena sitting on a bench in that exact spot. Unsure of what to do, she was about to go back into the castle and hide in her room for the rest of the day when the founder made a come-hither movement of her fingers. Rowena was the most observant of the four, and she was the one that Althea worked the hardest to maintain her mask around.

"Good afternoon, Lady Althea. Done for the day are we?" She dipped her head, diadem glinting in the sunshine, and smiled.

"I think there isn't much more I can do. The work on the wards was not as incomplete as I had assumed." It had taken two days to fix what Gryffindor had done, and only a day and a half to moderately muggle-proof the grounds without using too much modern magic.

"So you will be leaving us then?"

"It would be best. I believe I've disrupted enough as it is."

"Nonsense. We enjoy your company," she said. "Besides, I haven't seen Godric pitch this much woo since Helga and I find it amusing."

"I'm just shiny and new is all."

"That you are." Her gaze passed over Althea before resting on the book in her lap. It was bound with some kind of skin, and she could feel the magic wards surrounding it. An odd runic design was etched on the cover, but it wasn't one Althea was familiar with. Curiosity roared to life within, but she kept her mouth shut. "Will you be joining us for supper this evening?"

"Oh, I couldn't—"

"I insist. You spend far too much time holed up in that closet. It must be awfully unstimulating for someone with a mind like yours."

"A mind like mine?" Was Rowena a Legilimens too? Had she been looking all this time without Althea realizing it? Had the future been seriously compromised?

"I see myself in you from time to time," the woman said, "and I know that I would be bored if I was you."

"Well," Althea said, "if you insist."

"I do. You can sit between Helga and me instead of the men this time. That should give you some form of peace…at least during the meal."

"Thank you."

Rowena nodded and stood, holding the book in her hand tightly, before making her way toward the castle. Althea stayed on the bench and looked at the grand building, noting the structural differences. A large quarter of the castle had been rebuilt after the Battle of Hogwarts in 1998 and modern amenities had been added here and there, but it wasn't much different. Tradition was important to the school, and no one wanted to be the one to break that.

Rule #5 of the Timekeeper's Code: If the assignment is compromised do not attempt to interfere.

Go with the flow of time.

Dinner was more or less the same as it had been the first time, but it was easier to sit with the women than in between the two men. Gryffindor and Slytherin were having a somewhat heated debate on what to do with the nearby muggles, but it wasn't to the point where the other founders needed to join in. Althea was stuck in a conversation about the benefits of goblin-made weaponry in tandem with the use of magic, otherwise known as Helga's favored fighting style. Rowena, according to Helga, was being stubborn in her strict only-magic policy and Althea, according to Helga, was weak as a newborn babe without any real fighting experience.

"I could train you," she said, "in three days. You wouldn't be up to my standards, of course, but most of my students have the same potential I see in you."

"I thank you, but I really must be leaving soon."

"Three days more won't be that much of a trouble," Rowena said. "You are still our guest and are welcome to stay as long as you like."

"I couldn't possibly—"

"What if you get attacked by a hoard of muggles on your way home, eh? You might have magic, but what good is it if they carve an arrow through your breast before you speak?"

"Even I have rudimentary battle skills," Rowena said. "Training the body as well as the brain is a must for any true witch."

"Are you a true witch, Lady Althea?" Helga said as she lifted up her goblet. She drank heavily before slamming it down on the table. "Or are you a coward?"

The use of the C-word, as predicted, caused Gryffindor to stop talking with Slytherin and start paying attention to their conversation. If there was anything that was guaranteed to make Gryffindor's blood boil it was being called a coward. If he heard the word he wanted to fight. It was that simple.

"Who's a coward?" he said, grasping the hilt of hilt of his sword.

"We were just asking Lady Althea if she knew how to fight non-magically," Rowena said. "Helga finds her lacking."

There was a quiet chuckle from the end of the table and Althea threw a glare in Slytherin's direction. What did he find so funny? He was the thinnest of the group and probably couldn't pick up a bowtruckle with those arms he kept hidden under robes. What did he know about fighting?

"I could train you, fair lady! My sword skills are renowned throughout the land." Gryffindor wasn't just talking about his weapon, and the urge to puke passed over her.

"How kind of you," she said, "but Mistress Hufflepuff has already made the offer. I believe that it's first come, first served."

Helga laughed at that, spilling some wine as she did, and Gryffindor's face changed for a moment. It was like one moment he was the man she knew, and the next a complete stranger. Still, she recognized the look from one of her other assignments. It was the kind of look that Waldo Pratt would later give Helena Ravenclaw—a promise of lust and murder.

Then the look was gone and she had to wonder if she'd imagined it. Gryffindor battled evil wizards and dangerous muggles, not his friends, and she'd be stupid to think otherwise. No, it was the person at the end of the table who was the real threat. Any day now he would have his duel with Gryffindor and storm out of the castle, never to be seen again. It was just a waiting game to see if it would still happen while she was in the past.

#

Althea was forced into joining the founders in the Head office for mead and cakes. By forced, she meant that both Helga and Gryffindor had gripped an arm and practically dragged her up the stairs while Rowena and Slytherin smirked behind them. Then Helga had conjured up another chair, squeezed it at the table, and put her next to Slytherin for laughs. The badger was definitely not kind-hearted like everyone thought.

The map she'd seen on her first visit was rolled up to the side to make room for drinks and food, but she could see a newer roll of parchment nearby with a familiar title. If she wanted to learn anything about the dynamics between the four and what would be their breaking point it was going to take some help. "What's this?"

Slytherin visibly paled for a moment before yanking it out of her hand. "It's nothing."

"Doesn't look like nothing to me," Helga said.

"Is that the proposal you were speaking about?" The parchment appeared in Rowena's hand a moment later. "Oh Salazar, you bleeding heart."

"What? What is it?" Gryffindor said as he struggled to see it from his seat.

"The Benefits of Squib Education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Rowena read.

For a moment, Althea felt ashamed of what she'd done because Slytherin looked like he wanted to choke her. But since the parchment had been in the office in the first place she didn't see what was wrong with bringing it up. If he wanted it kept secret then he should've left it in his Chamber. Gryffindor laughed like the title was the funniest thing he'd ever heard, and even Hufflepuff chuckled.

"What is it about?" Althea said. Since she hadn't been able to read much more of his rough draft than the title she still wasn't certain why squibs were so important in this era. Even in modern times few people cared, despite the recent Squib Rights Act making it to the Minister for future approval.

"Salazar," Gryffindor said in between laughter, "thinks that squibs should be allowed to attend Hogwarts and learn magic."

"Squibs can't perform magic!" Helga said it like the punchline of a joke. It seemed that in this matter, for once, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff were on the same page.

"It doesn't say anything about teaching them magic," Rowena said. Her eyes trailed down the parchment. "It merely argues that because of their status as non-magical beings who know of magic they should be allowed to be a part of our world instead of ostracized."

"Squibs are just basically muggles," Gryffindor said. "Not useful at all."

"Besides," Helga added, "they aren't strong enough to keep up with the other students."

"They can just live with the muggles."

"But aren't squibs the ones who are killed by the muggles for witchcraft?" Althea said. It probably wasn't the smartest thing to say in this era, considering that muggles killing wizards was a real threat, but it had to be said. She'd studied the time period day in and out for almost a year before being allowed to come here, and hindsight (or research) was 20/20.

"You're correct," Slytherin said. "My friends don't see that as a problem."

"It's essentially muggles killing other muggles," Gryffindor said. "Not any of our concern."

"When the heir of an ancient family is cast out because she can't do magic and later hanged because of it, the blood is on our hands—not the muggles."

"What happened to the Arthur girl is tragic, yes, but it's simply nature's way of culling. Only the strongest families survive, and our pureblood will protect those too weak."

"Are muggles not weak, Godric?" Slytherin said. His hand was clenched into a fist and Althea could feel his body shaking. Dark magic radiated off of his skin and she felt sick. It had been a terrible idea to bring this topic up.

How could these wizards know that future muggle-borns were descended from squibs? It hadn't been discovered until 2005 when bio-magical advancements and genetic testing became available to witches and wizards. They thought people without magic would never have it, but that wasn't true.

"Muggles kill wizards, Salazar! Or have you forgotten what happened to my family?" The scarlet wizard stood, holding out his wand, and shook with rage.

"No one has forgotten what happened," Rowena said with perfect calm. "We will never forget. Salazar has simply idealized the situation again."

"Things will never change unless we do something," he said.

"It's too dangerous to do anything right now," Helga said. "But future generations will thank us for being cautious when they thrive because we survived."

"I can't believe this." Slytherin stood, grabbed the parchment out of Rowena's hands, and left. In less than ten minutes, Althea had ruined everything. It was almost a new record.

"I apologize for his behavior," Gryffindor said. "Sometimes he doesn't think things through."

"No it's… I shouldn't have said anything."

"Curiosity is nothing to be ashamed of," Rowena said. "We would've had this discussion sooner or later."

"He picks the wrong kind of fights." Helga stood up and pointed at Althea. "But that doesn't mean you can't. Meet me at sunrise tomorrow in front of the forest. Don't be late."

"But I—"

"Don't disappoint me."

Helga left the room and went toward the basement to be with her students. At the same time, Rowena stood and said goodnight. That left Althea alone with Godric Gryffindor, man of gargantuan pride.

"I'm sorry you had to see his bad side," he said as he moved closer. "The man doesn't know when to hold his tongue."

"I can understand that."

"Do you feel for these muggles and squibs as he does?"

There wasn't really a way to be politically correct in this situation. So she smiled, tilted her head to the side, and lied her ass off. "I am sorry that they are so weak compared to people like us, and it isn't right that they should be allowed to kill their betters."

Years of bureaucracy and being around a few traditional purebloods had paid off. Gryffindor smiled and reached out to grab her hand. It was abnormally warm, mildly sweaty, and just an overall terrible experience. "Truer words have never been said, my Lady. If it pleases you would you care to join me in my chambers?"

"I'm afraid that the argument has exhausted me. I should retire."

"You could retire with me. I promise nothing untoward."

"What would the others think?" she said. There had to be a way to get out of this.

"I am a man free to do what I wish. You are free to do the same."

"Thank you, but I must decline."

"How about something else instead? Go hunting with me tomorrow."

"I can't hunt and I have training with Mistress Hufflepuff."

"After your training I can teach you," he said.

Part of her wanted to give into that smile and go along with it. It would be easier to play with rather than against him, but it wouldn't be fun. "That sounds wonderful. I look forward to it."

"As do I."

He gave her yet another unpleasant kiss on the hand before going letting her leave. Running through the corridors to the dungeons wasn't fast enough. It was enough for her not to pay attention to the surroundings and be completely caught off guard by a hand jerking her into a room. A soft hand covered her mouth as glacier-blue eyes stared. When it seemed he was sure she wasn't going to scream he let go.

"Why?" he said.

"Why what?"

"Why did you do that?"

"I'm sorry! I didn't know it would cause so much trouble."

He pushed her against the wall, pinning her down with more than his gaze. "You are trouble."

"I never said I wasn't."

He sighed and backed off, running a hand through his hair and messing it up. "What you said…did you mean it?"

"I've said a lot of things—you'll have to be more specific."

"I can tell that you share my feelings about squibs and muggles, but do you mean it or are you just acting? Godric seems to think you're on his side."

"Why do there have to be sides?"

"There will always be sides. Which do you choose?"

She shrugged. "It depends on the hour."

"At least you're honest," he said. He paused a moment before looking out the window and shifting his weight. She knew this posturing. He'd used it with Rowena a few times during her observation. "I'm sorry…about before. It was rude."

"It was."

"I had no right."

"You didn't."

"But I had to know if you were a spy."

"A spy? I'd be stupid to come here if I were."

"Generally speaking, anyone in possession of an invisibility cloak could be a spy."

"I'm not a spy."

He crossed his arms and shrugged. "My apology still stands, even if my reasoning was sound."

"Apology accepted."

Getting an apology from Slytherin for invading her mind was not one of her life goals, but maybe it should have been. There was something satisfying about it, about being right.

"You should rest," he said. "Training with Helga will not be an easy task."

"I never thought it would be."

"Somehow I'm not surprised. You seem prepared for almost everything…as if you already know."

She could probably pretend to be a seer and have people buy it, but the consequences on the past could be catastrophic. It was better to play it off, go with the flow of time. Playing with her sleeve, she smiled a little.

"I'm just on guard."

"Even around Godric?"

"Why do you care?"

His face fell for a moment, that careful calm breaking, but he covered it up with a smile. "I don't."

And then he walked away.