A/N – These was an error in a previous chapter. I accidentally placed Charlie's name with Fleur as an Order member. It should have been Bill and Fleur. Charlie is dead. (Sorry!)

talk Parseltongue

Chapter 19 – The Room of Requirement

The remaining part of Harry's week passed in a blur. Although Professor Ioshi had not asked Harry to attend any additional DADA classes as his assistant, Harry had no free time. Workouts, both physical and magical, combined with regular class work kept Harry very busy.

Mike continued to hold his early morning workout sessions. Harry would spend half and hour running and stretching, followed by an hour of sparring or weight training. Ron, Ginny and Hermione were included in these session. Since they had not started with Harry over the summer, Mike had them at a lower level but he was pushing them hard to reach Harry.

After the workouts was breakfast. The normal school day followed. As seventh year students preparing for their N.E.W.T., the class load on Harry, Ron and Hermione was very heavy. Ginny had less of a load a sixth year but it was still significant. The four continued as normal students until after dinner.

Their evenings were spend on a variety of activities designed to stop Riddle and his Death Eaters. All of them spent a couple nights during the week training with their professors. Professor Ioshi worked them through magical combat, while Professors Flitwick and Goshawk pushed advanced charms and transfiguration work.

Monday and Thursday were spent in defense training with Professor Ioshi. Tuesday and Friday were reserved for Charms and Transfiguration work. Wednesday and the weekend was for the group's private projects and to get regular homework completed.

Hermione and Ginny were working on identifying the remaining unidentified Horcrux. They started with a search for any confirmed artifacts of the Hogwarts Founders. Then they started tracking rumors of objects held within private collections. Fred and George helped by physically going to many collectors as their agents.

Harry was researching possible ways of destroying the Locket without harming himself or others. Harry destroyed the first Horcrux by using the Basilisk's tooth and venom. However, when Professor Dumbledore destroyed the Ring, it almost killed him and ruined his arm. Harry was also continuing to work on investigating ancient magic and what his mother worked on with Snape during her seventh year.

Ron worked the least on their projects. He helped Harry with his research, but he was mostly working with helping the twins expand their business.

The first Saturday of the school term rolled in to Harry's relief. Adjusting to being back in school with the additional training was exhausting. Harry figured the weeks would get easier as time progressed, but right now, he was wiped out.

Harry and his friends wandered into the Great Hall for breakfast. A smattering of students sat around the hall. Most students wandered in and out at breakfast depending on when they woke up. The four grabbed a space near the middle of the Gryffindor table. Most of their Housemates gathered on either end of the table.

The first five minutes of their breakfast passed in relative quiet. Then Ron cleared his throat. "Harry, I want to apologize to you," he said softly.

Harry paused with a spoon half way into his mouth. Ron was apologizing? Ron never apologized!

Harry quickly glanced at Hermione. She was keeping her head down and her eyes glued to the table. Slightly nervous, Harry asked, "Eh, what are you apologizing for?"

The tips of Ron's ears pinked. "For being a jealous git all these years."

Harry felt confused. Not over what Ron was apologizing for, but that he was apologizing at all! "Um, ah, what do you mean Ron?"

The red haired wizard turned even redder. "Hermione and I were talking about the last six years. We started talking about all of the trouble we encountered since our first year." Ron paused for a moment as Harry watched the battle on his first friend's face. Ron looked down at the table and continued, saying, "I realized that many times I let my jealousy over your fame and money get in the way. I wanted to say I am sorry."

Harry's jaw dropped in amazement at what Ron had just done. In six years of friendship, Harry would never have thought he would see Ron admit an error like that. In the past Ron would simply flounder until you took pity on him and let him know you forgave him. Now Ron was apologizing for all of those pas incidents when he wasn't even in trouble!

Harry felt Ginny's hand give his arm a slight squeeze. Harry shut his mouth with a snap when he realized the silence had gone too long. "Wow, Ron. I appreciate you saying this too me. I know it wasn't easy. What brought this on, mate?"

Ron sighed and met his friend's eyes. "Hermione partially, but mostly the twins. Working this summer I realized how much they appreciated everything you had done for them and trusted them with. You've trusted me with a lot more. I don't think I will ever be able to properly pay you back enough." Ron held his hand out across the table.

Harry felt moved by his friend's comments. Harry reached his right hand across the table to grasp his friend's hand.

"Ron, you have nothing to thank me for. We've had our rough spots, but you offered me your friendship that first day on the Hogwart's Express. Your family has taken me in as one of their own. I am just trying to pay you back."

As they let go of each other's hand, Harry added with a sly smile, "Besides, I got this girl to snog out of it!"

Hermione squawked a protest, "Harry!" as Ron looked like he had just bitten a lemon. Ginny merely smiled and leaned into Harry and whispered into his ear. Harry turned white followed by a sudden blush.

Ron and Hermione joined Ginny in laughing at the embarrassment evident on Harry's face. Harry stammered for a minute. Then he took a deep breath and brought himself under control.

"Ron, I should apologize to you and Hermione also," Harry said. At their inquiring looks Harry added, "You put up with me acting like a prat for years during my moods."

Hermione looked touched as Ron snorted, "No problem, mate"

Harry took a couple bites of his breakfast and then said, "I wanted to talk to you three about the D.A. I was talking to Mike. I would like to organize it like a military unit. We can train the members to work as teams. Then we can work out strategies and tactics for facing the Death Eaters."

Ron nodded absently as he thought about what Harry had proposed. Hermione opened a notebook and took out a piece of parchment.

"What were you thinking Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Mike suggested we use groups of 10 people per unit and pair partners up within the units as a team. Depending on how many we get in the D.A. will determine how many units we will have."

Hermione wrote down what Harry had proposed and asked,"What about organization?"

"I guess I will be in charge, but I am really looking at you Ron to be their commander."

Ron looked startled, "Me?" he asked in a shocked voice.

"Who is the best chess player in Hogwarts?" Harry asked. "You see the strategies and patterns for the Quidditch better then I ever have. I am a solo player. Mike had a term for it, 'Operations Officer'." "Besides," Harry added, "I need to concentrate on fighting Riddle. I won't be able to oversee the teams during any fights."

Ron's face was a little white, but he nodded at Harry's points. "Okay, I can understand that, mate. But the D.A. follows you, not me."

"They will be following me, but you will be giving them their orders." Harry replied quietly.

Hermione asked, "What should Ginny and I do?"

Harry smiled, "I want you to be in charge of training and research. Help Ron make sure the teams are ready. Ginny, I want to put you in charge of a special team."

Ginny's eyes went a little hard. "You are not keeping me safe somewhere while you three go fight."

Harry sighed with a sad smile on his face. "If I could get away with putting you in charge of a Healer team I would, but I know you too well. I think I will ask Neville and Luna to do that. Unfortunately, I will need you in the fighting. Ginny, I want you to train a team to use their brooms in the fighting. Moving fast enough it should be a big surprise for Riddle and company."

Ginny took Harry's hand and asked, "Where did that idea come from?"

"I was playing on my broom and pulled out my sword. It reminded me of the knights I used to see on Dudley's programs sometimes." Harry paused for a moment and said, "I wonder if Fred and George have anything that would be suitable for throwing or dropping from a broom."

Ron grinned, "Cool! Quaffle bombs!"

Harry nodded. "The twins should be able to create some interesting pranks for us to drop on the Death Eaters."

Ginny laughed. "As long as they think it is for a prank, those two can do anything!"

The rest of the group joined Ginny in laughing at the image of the twins making wizard bombs. Then Ginny leaned into Harry's shoulder and nuzzled his neck. In a sultry voice she asked, "Does this mean I will be working under you, sir?"

Harry turned red at the double entendre, looked at his girlfriend, and tried to stammer out a response. Ginny just smiled and stood up. "That is okay dear. I'll see you later." Then she kissed the top of his head and walked out of the Great Hall.

Harry watched in stunned disbelief as she walked out. When he finally turned back to his two best friends, he found them suppressing their laughter with tears running out of their eyes.

Hermione started trying to talk but could not seem to hold her self together enough. She settled for making a shooing motion towards Harry in the direction Ginny had gone. Harry tried for a bit of dignity as he rose from his seat and started to follow her.

Before Harry could get out of the Hall, Professor McGonagall stopped Harry at the door. "Mr. Potter, I will need you to go to the Room of Requirement at 9:30 this morning. Please do not be late."

Harry felt his curiosity level rise, but did not want to ask in front of other students. "Yes, professor."

An hour later, Harry approached the seventh floor door to the Room of Requirement. Harry had spent the last forty-five minutes discussing their "positions" with Ginny. Both of them enjoyed their discussion. Ginny enjoyed her little teasing games. Harry was happy to play along with her. Snogging with Ginny was quickly becoming Harry's favorite hobby.

Harry opened the door to the Room and stepped inside. The Room appeared to be a comfortable sitting room. Two comfortable chairs and a couch sat around a fireplace complete with a small fire. The room was decorated in a very classy fashion that reminded Harry of some things he had seen in muggle decorating magazines.

Harry stepped up to one of the chairs and wondered why Professor McGonagall asked him to meet her here.

"Good morning, Harry" a soft, familiar voice said.

Harry turned to see Professor Dumbledore standing behind him. The professor looked exactly like he had the night of his murder, except his arm was back to normal. Harry could only stand in shock.

The twinkle in the deceased Headmaster's eyes grew as he took in Harry's shock. "It is good to see you again, my boy.

Finally, Harry found some words. "Professor! It is so good to see you again!"

"I am so glad we are getting this chance Harry. Please sit down we have much to discuss."

Harry stumbled over to one of the chairs and sat down. The last person Harry expected to see in the Room was Professor Dumbledore.

"I thought I would be training today when Professor McGonagall told me to meet her here. This may be the last thing I was expecting."

Dumbledore sat in the chair opposite Harry. "Harry, I need to tell you some things that may be hard for you to hear. I can only hope that you can forgive me after I am through telling you everything."

A sense of dread seized Harry's heart at that opening comment. "What kinds of things, professor?"

The most of the twinkle faded from Dumbledore's eyes. "I want to apologize to you Harry. Your entire life you have been pointed like a weapon towards a single task. To my great shame, I have been the one doing the pointing."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked in a soft voice. This seemed to be the day of apologizing.

Dumbledore sighed. "I could start with the Dursleys. I knew what kind of people they were before I left you there. Lily spoke many times of her sister and her sister's view on magic. I knew your parents wanted you to be left with Sirius, Remus or the Longbottoms. I instead placed you with your aunt's family. The blood bond was important; however that was not my main reason."

"You needed to grow up away from the magical world. Living with the Dursleys was supposed to keep you from having to live with your celebrity status. I wanted you to have a normal childhood. I did not realize they would be so harsh with a member of their own family. Order members were always watching to prevent you from serious harm. I had hoped your relatives would accept you as their own, but I still needed to keep you there. So I am responsible for the conditions you have lived your life in for your first ten years and every summer since."

Harry felt his temper rising. "Why didn't you check on me?"

Dumbledore sighed, "I was afraid I would not be able to risk the urge to interfere with you life; to bring you back to the wizarding world. It was not until you were ten that I learned the conditions you were raised in. By then it was less then a year until you would be invited to Hogwarts."

"I was so proud when you first arrived at Hogwarts! Then I learned the truth about what you endured. I hope that one day you will be able to forgive me."

Harry was stunned. He had been left at Privet Drive to have a normal childhood! The anger boiled behind Harry's eyes as he sought to keep control over his magic. Harry closed his eyes and started using some of his Occlumency exercises to calm himself down. Harry spent five minutes calming himself and thinking furiously.

"What else?" he asked in a harsh voice.

Dumbledore sighed. "I think that is the worst. Many have accused me of being meddlesome. During the war with Grindelwald, I was very meddlesome. My impatience cost me. I also sought to manipulate Tom Riddle as a student, to force him into the Light. Again, it cost me."

"I tried to leave events to play out as they willed, to allow people to make their own choices. I allowed many things I could have prevented to so you to choose your own path. During your first year, I became suspicious of Quirrell. When you and your friends started to investigate, I stepped back. I could have confronted him myself. You molded yourself and your friends to fight the Dark. Even when you were told not to become involved you forced yourself into events."

"Because of my non-involvement you and your friends have been placed in danger every year. I should have stopped Tom's diary your second year. I should have removed you from the Tri-Wizard Tournament when I knew someone was setting you up."

"I left you with your relatives even though Tom's use of your blood in his resurrection made the blood wardings dangerously weak. I felt we needed that time to reorganize the Order to protect you. I am afraid I failed you, Harry." Dumbledore looked as old and frail as Harry had ever seen him. "I wanted to rectify my mistakes last year but our time was cut short."

The two wizards, one old, one still a teenager, sat quietly for several minutes while they each wrestled with the complex tides of emotions in their hearts. Harry looked up and looked his former professor and mentor in the eye. Dumbledore's customary twinkle was missing as he looked sadly at his former student. Harry tried to read into Dumbledore's expression.

Finally, Harry shook his head and leaned back into the chair. Wiping his face with his hands, Harry looked at Dumbledore. "It is not your fault. You made mistakes, but you meant well. Tom Riddle is to blame. He killed my parents. He is the one who made my life hell, not you."

"Thank you Harry, but I still feel it is my fault."

Harry surprised himself with a grim chuckle. "We are alike in that way. Hermione is always yelling at me that I take too much blame on myself, like Sirius."

Dumbledore smiled slightly and said, "Yes, Harry. I guess we are. One of the problems with being a wizard is you feel you magic should be able to fix anything. The stronger you are, the worse you feel when it is not true."

"I am not as powerful as you are, er… were sir, but I understand."

Dumbledore twinkle reemerged slightly, "I believe you have the potential to be a truly great wizard. I expect one day I shall be most known for being one of your teachers, and I hope, your friend."

Dumbledore gestured and an old tea service appeared on a cart between Harry and Dumbledore. "Would you care for some tea, Harry?"

The two wizards sat quietly drinking their tea allowing their emotions to settle. A comfortable silence came settled down between the two wizards.

After half an hour of silence, Dumbledore set his teacup down on the cart. "Harry, I have to thank you for your understanding and forgiveness. It means a lot to me." Harry smiled at the professor.

"I have someone I want you to meet Harry, but first I want to tell you about the Room of Requirement."

Harry was surprised. "What do you mean professor? I already know about the Room."

"Yes Harry, but do you know its history?

At Harry's negative headshake, Professor Dumbledore leaned forward in his chair and explained. Harry learned that the Hogwarts Founders created the Room before they started building Hogwarts itself. They built a small cottage on their chosen site and created the Room within it. The Room became their planning and design area. They "built" Hogwarts by imagining how they wanted it to be and walking the halls of their new school. Once they had the design precisely how they wanted it, the magic of the room transfigured the stone and wood of the area into the castle overnight.

Harry became very excited by this tale. "Is that how Slytherin was able to build the Chamber of Secrets into Hogwarts without the others knowing?"

"Yes, Harry. That is how he did it. However, the other three built their own private areas into the school as well."

Harry was stunned by this news. "Have they ever been opened, professor?"

"Yes, and you have been in at least one of them." Dumbledore's twinkle was back in force. "My office was Gryffinddor's study and living quarters. He passed it on to the Headmasters when he retired from running the school. When you sit at the desk, you can observe all of the school except for the dorms. Within the dorms you can still tell where everyone is."

Dumbledore chuckled and added, "I believe that is where the idea of the Marauder's Map came from. Professor McGonagall sent James and Sirius to my office for a prank on Severus. I was not in my office. I think James sat in my chair and the magic operated for him. I came into my office and found a very wide-eyed James talking excitedly with Sirius. They started researching the Map the next day."

Harry smiled at the thought of his father and Sirius sneaking into Dumbledore's chair while waiting for the Headmaster. It sounded like the kind of thing they would have done.

"No wonder you always knew who was outside your office and what was going on in the school," Harry said.

"Yes, that is how, "Dumbledore agreed.

"Harry, the reason I am telling you this is to understand something about this room. The Founders created this room out of their magic. They put themselves into this room and worked with it and in it for many months or years."

Harry considered the former headmaster's comments. "What does this have to do with the war with Voldemort?"

"I could have a great deal to do with the war. I know you have been training hard since my death, but I wanted to introduce you to some additional resources." Dumbledore's twinkle was back in full force.

Before Harry could reply, two men appeared out of a corner of the Room. Startled, Harry quickly assessed the two men. One was about 5'8 with blond hair and broad, muscular shoulders. He wore a golden tunic with medieval style trousers. His companion was over 6'2 with long, black hair pulled back in a ponytail. The tall man wore black wizard robes with silver snakes chasing each other's tails along the bottom hem.

The blond haired man gave Harry a brilliant smile and said, "So, you are the one who gave Albus a run for his money! Tell me, do you ever stop to think before you charge in?"

Harry felt his face flush with sudden anger. Before he could reply, the dark haired man smacked his companion in the back of his head. "Oaf! Who are you to talk? You went through your life with your sword half-drawn and your wand shoved down the front of your pants!"

"Ouch, that hurt, snake-boy! It was just a question!" the blond man answered while rubbing the back of his head.

"Gentlemen," Dumbledore said gently, "maybe you could introduce yourselves?"

The blond haired man turned and faced Harry with an expression of mock surprise on his face. He performed an elegant bow and said, "Godric Gryffindor at your service."

Harry felt his jaw dropping. Godric Gryffindor?

The dark haired man snorted. "He is definitely one of your students, Godric." Harry closed his jaw as he realized who the dark haired man must be. "Yes, I am Salazar Slytherin, and we have heard much about you Harry Potter."

Godric elbowed his friend and said, "Oh, he has heard of you! I thought he was going to fly over his chair! Say 'Boo!' I want to see if he hexes you!"

"Must you always act the buffoon?" Salazar Slytherin asked while rolling his eyes.

To Harry's surprise, the exchange made him chuckle. The two men sounded like old friends playing a long running game. They reminded him somewhat of Moony and Padfoot.

Harry stood out and stuck out his hand to the men. "I am Harry Potter. It is nice to meet you."

Gryffindor shook his hand first. "It is nice to finally meet you Harry. We have heard a great deal about you."

Slytherin added, "We have never talked to a student before, only the Headmasters and mistresses of the school. This is a nice change."

The two Founders sat on the couch. "We have watched you using the Room sometimes Harry. Your D.A. sessions were excellent."

"You can watch us? Why didn't you ever appear?"

"We are not allowed," Slytherin answered. "When we created the Room we placed ourselves, our knowledge, intelligence and personalities, into our creation. To prevent our own meddling after our time we placed a barrier. We can only talk to the leaders of the school and only if they call."

"Then, how are you here now?" Harry asked.

Slytherin smiled easily. "You are a leader of the school, Harry. And Dumbledore called us."

Harry looked at the founder of Slytherin House. "You are not what I expected."

The black haired wizard nodded, "I am aware of my reputation in this time. Unfortunately, it is not wholly undeserved. I made some poor choices later in my life. It cost me everything I had ever valued and worked for."

"I read the journal of Harolde Potter over the summer."

Slytherin's face lightened slightly. "Ah, Harolde! One of the terrors of our classes. You have his hair. Couldn't the Potters have created some magic in a thousand years to make their hair lay flat?"

Gryffindor snorted, "They were too busy using it to attract young ladies! Your ancestor cut a huge path through the witches of this school. Even Helga loved to flirt with him. When he got married the halls were hip deep in tears."

"Brillant mind," Slytherin added, "I am sorry my madness cost me his loyalty and friendship." Slytherin looked at Harry with haunted eyes. "You know what happened, the madness that gripped me?"

Harry nodded, "It was in Harolde's journal. It bothered me because I could understand why you snapped like that."

"I corrupted everything I believed in. My search for vengeance destroyed my dream. My house became a dark place. Even today, innocent young people start school and are twisted by my legacy. It is like a cancer within the house."

Godric placed his hand on Salazar's arm. "I understood Sal. I am sorry it came to a fight between us."

"As am I, old friend. My love turned to hate in an instant. That hate still lives within my descendents."

Dumbledore looked at Harry. "Harry, I would like you to spend some time talking to the Founders. Like our looks into Tom Riddle's history last year, I believe this will provide you with valuable insight that will help you in your fight.

"Can I bring Ron and Hermione also?" Harry asked. "Hermione would go spare if she found out I could ask them questions and she couldn't."

Gryffindor laughed, "Rowena would have loved that one! Rowena could never let a little thing like a rule get in the way of finding out the answer to a question."

Slytherin nodded, "Rowena would have been upset she was sorted into your House instead of hers. Edger said she needed to be in your House or else she would have spent her whole school career in the library."

"Who is Edger?" Harry asked.

Gryffindor answered, "My old hat. He is linked to the Room so we can talk with him. He has grown quite wise over the last millennium."

Slytherin said to Harry, "I understand he almost placed you in my House."

Harry colored slightly, "I asked him not to."

Slytherin asked in Parseltongue, My I ask why?

Harry answered, The only person I met who wanted into Slytherin was Draco Malfoy. Ron wanted Gryffindor. Ron was became my first friend. Malfoy was an ass.

Slytherin nodded, That is what I was afraid of. My foolishness and madness live on. You remind me of your ancestor Harolde. I would have been proud to have you in my House. Your father was another student Godric and I would have fought over.

"Would you two stop hissing at each other?" Godric asked with a grin on his face. "I keep looking for a snake to come slipping up behind me."

Salazar's eyes flashed with a mischievousness that surprised Harry. Leaning towards Harry, he said, "Godric is afraid of snakes. It seems he woke up one morning when we were teenagers and a cobra was sitting on his chest and flicking his nose. I have no idea how that could have happened." The last was said with an air of exaggerated innocence.

"I was twelve years old and this git places a venomous snake in my bed! I was traumatized for life!"

"He was speechless for five minutes. It was heavenly," Salazar added.

Harry and Dumbledore laughed at the antics of the two friends. Harry felt a stab of regret that a friendship like this could be destroyed by anger and madness.

"My friend Ron has a similar fear of spiders. Fred and George placed a fake spider in his bed and he still has not gotten over it."

Godric laughed, "Now those two were great for the school! The first ones since the Marauders to wake things up. I heard about their portable swamp. Albus kept us entertained for hours with the stories of their antics."

Dumbledore rose from his seat. "I believe, Harry, that it would be permissible for you to include Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley and Ms. Weasley in your discussions with the Founders. It must be kept quiet and not shared with any other students or staff members. Also, there are some things they cannot reveal because the real Founders did not provide their Room of Requirement selves."

"Now, I think it is time for you to rejoin your friends. I am sure they are wondering what happened to you."

Harry nodded. "I understand, professor."

Harry stood also. Turning to the two Founders, he said, "It was nice meeting both of you. I look forward to talking with you again."

Slytherin and Gryffindor rose from the couch to shake Harry's hand again. "We enjoyed it as well, Harry," Godric said.

"Think about what you would like to talk about for a couple days and then come back," Salazar added. "We will be waiting for you."

Harry smiled and thanked them again. Harry said good-bye to Dumbledore and started walking to the door.

Opening the door, Harry was surprised to find Ginny running down the hall toward him.

"Harry! Come quickly!"

"Ginny, what is wrong?" Harry asked, concern filling him as he saw the devastated look on Ginny's face.

"It is Ron! He is in your dorm room! He was attacked by a snake!"

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