Standard Disclaimers Apply
Pairing: HP/OC also HP/DM later
Summary: HP/OC, HP/DM The shock of a sudden change in appearance tears a hole in the fabric of time, sending Harry back to 998 A.D. Upon discovering only 3 of the 4 Founders, Harry accidentally takes on the role of the 4th Founder.
Warning: Creature Harry, Time travel, eventual Slash and Mpreg,
Note: Dual-author fic.
The Founder
Chapter 2 – Sealing his fate.
Since Dartagnan's departure Harry had been wandering around for days, through villages and towns, fields and forests. He had found rooms at various Inns and taverns at the end of everyday, though occasionally he did have to rough it under the stars. The time he'd spent in town was taken up with research and shopping. He'd discovered that once piece of gold could buy a house, one piece of silver could buy one outfit and one piece of bronze could buy bread. So, by his reasoning, his bag of roughly 5000gold could buy him part of the country, or a very large castle and decorate it.
Having spoken very little Harry had perfected his spying skills and had learned a lot through listening from the shadows. He was up to date with the happenings of the times, both Wizarding and muggle. He was well versed in the religion of the God fearing people and also the heavy discriminations written in the Latin Bible text. He had donated one piece of gold to some monks for further Latin tuition and to verse him in the teachings of their Lord.
After staying with the monks for about two weeks Harry had moved on this time heading towards London. He missed his home comforts and needed new, richer and lordlier attire. He didn't much like being pushed or walked over by the nobles because of his peasant garb and figured that even with rich attire he could blend in nicely and make acquaintances everywhere.
In London Harry found his way to Diagon alley and thanked any deity there was that the alley had been built.
He was eyed suspiciously as he walked down the newly pebbled road. Ollivander's was, surprisingly, in the same place though it was the only shop there. Around it was surrounded by houses which witches and wizards stood outside of talking with neighbours. Though besides friends talking on the street there was nothing else to suggest that many people came into the alley.
It wasn't until Harry was walking down a small alley way that lead into what would become Knockturn alley that he saw what resembled Diagon Alley in his time. Shops with customers buzzing about them were on each side of the road. People were bartering for goods on the street and on the other side of the windows. Magical animals and non-magical animals alike were in cages out side of the animal stores; beautifully carved ornaments and trinkets were on show out side of carpenters and jewellers. Harry supposed it was normal for once popular and safe areas to turn into wretched and dark places over time. Though Harry still made sure to be careful of thieves as he walked down the road.
Harry bought himself some robes and supplies, noticing how there was only one very small and worn down book shop that nobody seemed to enter, and when he found himself alone he unshrunk his trunk from his pocket and put his purchases inside. Once everything was put away Harry pulled out his new, and more importantly, warm cloak which he quickly slid on as the cold was really beginning to get to him. Still not happy with the temperature, Harry cast warming charms on it and grinned in delight at the warmth seeping into his body.
He stayed around the alley for a few more days before heading north once more. Travelling those great distances with his Firebolt and invisibility cloak made the long journey disappear. Harry reached his goal, Hogsmeade, just before dawn where he built a camp in the forest and got some much needed rest.
The sun was high in the sky by the time he rose and Harry groaned in irritation at the sun for being so bright. The air was still cold and crisp though despite the almost blinding sunlight. Getting up and dressed Harry put everything away and headed for Hogsmeade for something to eat not really wanting to have to hunt for anything.
On the way out of the forest Harry heard loud voiced and cheering. Quickly but silently (thanks to the silencing charm on his boots) Harry walked towards the direction hoping he wasn't about to see a stoning of a witch.
Harry came to the edge or a clearing and hid behind a tree. There in the clearing was a group of four young boys and one girl about 8 years of age levitating things and play fighting.
Angry, and with no little amount of fear gripping him, he stormed forwards with his magic crackling in the air.
"Just what tin God's name do you think you are doing?! You are lucky I am a wizard! Had I been a muggle I would have had you dragged centre stage and stoned! How could you be so FOOLISH to practise magic in the open?"
All the children cowered before Harry. The girl had tears of fear and shame burning tracks down her cheeks. The boys were looking at the floor subdued.
"Have you no sense? Do you hate life so much? Have you nothing to say for yourselves?" None spoke for a moment then one of the younger boys lifted his eyes.
"Please sir, we had no where else to practise. We only have congregation once every few weeks and we are lucky to have that as it is."
"Who are the meetings held by?"
"My Aunt Helga sir." Harry frowned.
"Helga who? Does she not have a last name?"
"Oh yes sir. Helga Hufflepuff, soon to be Hatchedore. She teaches at the congregation with her companions Godric Gryffindor and Rowena Ravenclaw." Harry frowned in confusion.
"What is the forth?" Harry asked. Where was Salazar Slytherin if he was not with the other three?
"There is no forth sir"
"Hm. Fine. Now I suggest you go. Find a safer place to practise next time. Life is short already; do not shorten it further by being seen by the muggles. Go!" The children hurried off.
As the children ran off, Harry drew his wand and cast a tracking spell on them. He followed them back to Hogsmeade to check where their normal location was. He dined in the hopes that before familiarising himself with the area.
A few nights later Harry followed the children to a church, placed there no doubt in order to make any muggles believe they were God fearing people. Slipping, completely unnoticed, into the church Harry found a seat. About 10 minutes later a man rose to the podium.
"My friends!" He called his brown eyes gazing around the hall from beneath whitening brown hair. "Ladies Rowena and Helga and Lord Godric are not here though I suggest you use your time appropriately and practise!"
Harry scowled in anger and in fear his bravery and dismay got the better of him though. Harry rose to his feet and tried to reign in his anger.
"Of all the places you choose a church to practise your gift? You gather on a non-holy day to practise, to dabble in the craft. This building isn't secure! A muggle could walk through those doors and run screaming back home whereupon hundreds will swarm Hogsmeade to condemn you all! Have you no sense of self preservation ? Have you o sense at all? Here is neither the time nor the place to draw wands!" Harry turned and let his eyes land on the children he's scolded before. "And neither is the forest."
"So it was you sir who stopped my children from an early grace?"
"Yes madam that was I. Though it should not be up to others to protect yours." He paused to let his rebuke have an affect before continuing and not allowing anyone else a chance to retort. "Have you no safe places inside which you can practise? This place is no safer than the forest."
"We haven't the skill or the time to find places to practise out magic." One of the men scowled stepping between Harry and the woman he's been talking to earlier.
"I find it hard to believe there are no schools to teach the children."
"There are no schools. No one has time between harvests and the like to even make one!" We none of us have the skills to teach either!
"You cannot use your magic either? What good is having a gift you can't use, can't control? It's no wonder muggles know of our kind." The crowd before him bristled at the harsh exclamation and glared with hatred in their eyes. It was, however, a rather angry woman with red hair that spoke up.
"And we are to live by your example then sir? For I see no difference in your behaviour than that of me and my kinsmen." Harry frowned at her, not understanding her words.
Still trying to work out what she was referring to Harry got distracted by a swirl of colour just past her shoulder. A haze of grey and emerald green mixed together in a confused swirl of colour becoming so mingled they faded out of existence leaving nothing to appear in its place.
Harry came to a rather abrupt realisation that this was his magic. He became aware that the air around him crackled and swirled with power. The air seemed charged with energy awaiting something, anything. The charged air seemed to provide energy to Harry too and those around him.
The freedom, sense of relief and unchained awe was not just because of the magic swirling around him, Harry mused. Those feelings were because of what came with the magic. Everything felt right, Harry realised, he felt right, whole and free. He felt beautiful.
As Harry fully realised his magic and himself he turned back to the woman who had spoken beck to him. He saw her cowering before a man obviously her husband. Harry smiled at her.
"Madam, you are right in regards to my behaviour. Had I realised my magic was delighting in the world perhaps I would have been more careful. As it is however I had not realised the true extent of my power. Now I am aware. Thanks to you pointing it out to me I can do something about it. The fact remains however that while I have both the knowledge and the power you severely lack the knowledge and control."
"I agree with you sir and that is precisely why my companions and I hold these meetings; to teach them."
Harry turned sharply to see who had spoken. The large oak doors inside the church were being pushed closed by two men servants and walking towards him were three nobles.
The male noble was a tall and imposing figure. If his height, a good six foot tall, didn't worry you then his posture and body certainly would. The broad shoulders lead down to a thick wall of muscular stomach, and most likely a muscular back too. The power that the body had was only added to by the air of magic literally radiating off him and bathing him in light.
The man's hair was blonde, that seemed to shine gold as a result of the red strands littered through the head of hair. The man had dark brown eyes set firmly below thick eyebrow. In the dark depths, the brown of mud after heavy rain, blazed an inner power equal, if not exceeding, the power of his body and magic. His eyes held his intelligence, fierceness and courage. His strong jaw was set and the muscles in his neck tightened occasionally adding to his fierce demeanour.
Dressed head to foot in deep reds the man attracted more attention to himself and his companions. He wore slightly muddy leather boots to his knees with his red trousers tucked in. The trousers were decorated with a leather belt with a gold buckle and the leather itself had rubies set periodically apart down the centre all the way around. His chemise was tucked neatly into his trousers and open slightly at the top displaying the mans collar bones and the top of his sternum. In the hot weather Harry really didn't blame the man. He was wearing a deep red shirt over his chemise though this was only done up half way up his torso giving lookers the impression he was wearing a waistcoat. Along the collar and down each edge of the front of his shirt were rubies and amber jewels set for decoration and to display wealth.
The mantle the man wore fell to his ankles and along the bottom it was decorated with grey squirrel fur to both weigh down the cloak and decorate it. The clasp that held the beautiful ruby red material about the man's shoulders was shaped like a griffin's foot. The gold clasp was engraved with scales and sharp claws and at the top of the clasp, along the top of the leg, were three rubies of equal size and shape.
Hanging by the man's side, tied to his leather belt, was a gold handled sword with more rubies but also other gems encrusting it. One of the man's hands rested on the hilt of his sword and light reflected off the three rings he wore on his strong fingers.
One of the ladies in the group, the one whom had not spoken, stood with a kind and welcoming smile on her face. The air around her was peaceful and calm, reflecting the emotions radiating off her. She was obviously the youngest of the small party and she was also the shortest, only reaching five foot in height. Her stature made her seem far more approachable than her male companion. She held herself like a young lady should however but despite her calm, submissive and obedient posture, from where she stood one step behind the man, even in her welcoming aura was strength and self-confidence. If she didn't agree with something you'd know but she knew how to 'appear in her place'.
As was the fashion of the time, available women wore their hair loose or styled two plats one on either side of their heads. This young woman had styled her obviously crinkly and wild orange hair into two very neat plats which were decorated throughout by pretty gems in light and dark blues that helped bring out the young woman's bright, twinkling blue eyes. Her face, and indeed her figure, showed she enjoyed her food and had a hearty appetite though she was not a large woman. Her softness, her plentiful bosom and wide hips, were in fact thought of as attractive and healthy. Men would no doubt see her as the perfect mother for their sons, though had this been the twentieth century she would have been thought of as podgy.
She wore a full length dress in an orange colour that looked more yellow than orange. Along the breast and stomach of the gown were beads and gems sown into the expensive material. The dress was tight around the woman's torso, most likely to show off the hour glass shape that the woman was helped to achieve by the bliaut's lacing at both front and sides.
The skirt, had the dress come in two parts, was much looser and added pounds onto what were probably normal sized hips and legs. The skirt billowed out slightly and created a wide circumference where it reached the floor in a circle. The yellow orange material had a black, hand-embroidered pattern sown into it. The pattern seemed to start abruptly and grow much as ivy climbs in sporadic movements never ending and yet having numerous dead ends. The pattern never reached the edge or top of the skirt. Where the pattern curled, swirled or created an incomplete circle jewels and uncut stones were placed adding more colour to the dress while simultaneously showing that this young woman had gold to spend on fine details.
The woman had a beautiful, though admittedly heavy, necklace on with the same coloured stones that decorated her hair in it. Bracelets rattled around her wrists occasionally clinking against other bracelets or the rings adjourning her fingers. Perhaps the nicest accessory the young woman was wearing however was the clip keeping the mantle around her. The clasp was black in colour but the maker had very delicately weaved gold around on the circular clasp. Again the pattern was sporadic in the quarter of the clasp but the pattern was the symmetrically, or mirrored, on every other quarter of the clasp. Around the edge of the clasp were light blue gems, each one separated by a white clear crystal. At the centre of the circle was an onyx stone edged with two thin stripes of gold that weaved inside and outside of the other.
The final member of the party was the woman who had spoken to Harry before and she was likely the oldest in the party. Standing a clean five foot six the woman seemed to stand taller in the way she held her back straight, shoulders erect and her nose pointed ever so slightly skyward. Her confident posture seemed to belittle everyone around her. Harry had no doubt this woman rebelled against her position in society and denied absolutely no-one of her opinion.
From the intelligence shining in those grey eyes, like a lighthouse shines it's light through the fog, her opinion was most likely supported by lots of evidence. In her eyes one could have no doubt that the woman liked everyone with good knowledge or those willing and committed to obtaining knowledge. She, her intelligence and posture, rebelled against the category others had placed her in. She was not a silent obedient and soft woman, someone to birth sons, raise families, keep house and keep her husband happy. She knew what she wanted, knew ways to get it and no man, husband or otherwise, was going to stop her from reaching her ambitions.
While you couldn't see what she had done with her long brown hair you knew she had done something to hold the dark strings from her face. Another rebellion against her category was that she didn't wear her veil, the one married women wore, over her hair. Her nearly clear white veil covered most of her hair though fell short of covering all of it by about a foot and her hair hung just below her lips loose now.
This woman also didn't seem too interested in decorating herself. Her dress was very plain, except for the beautiful but expensive fabric used to make it. She wore a white and purple dress with the white being seen through the deliberate breaks in the purple material. Again the dress was tighter around the torso though this woman only had a quarter of the breast size of her companion did. She did, however, have an hour glass shape and wide hips. The skirt of her dress hung straight down to the floor, almost completely flat against the fronts of her thighs. The dress created a narrow oval shape on the floor.
The only vanity on her person was a broach her only child, her son, had given her as a gift. She used the broach to hold her cloak around her bony shoulders. The broach was bronze, making a wonderful contrast against the purple of her cloak and on her dress. 5 even shaped amethyst crystals were inset into the broach, one at the point a star would have had on the circular broach. At the very centre of the broach was a large, dark and shimmering sapphire that, should people lay eyes upon it, would reveal that the woman was in fact well off.
"If what I've been told, by children scared to only speak the truth, your meetings are sparse and progress is obviously very slow for it seems that your pupils only practise at these meetings."
"We do the best we can under the circumstances" The woman retorted and Harry frowned at her cocking one eyebrow sarcastically.
"And what circumstances are those? Have you not tried to change them? This," Harry gestured around him at the church, "is hardly safe. There is noting protecting you here. By Merlin, you haven't even blocked the windows!"
"There is no where else large enough to hold good people built and neither are there any plans to build anywhere more suitable." The woman scowled angrily. The other two in her company also bristled and looked angry at what Harry was saying.
"Then why don't you all come together and build somewhere for you all that would be safe for your …meetings?"
"Because we have neither the money nor the resources and building a place would take years, many years, and that is time that not all of us can afford." Harry scowled hard and his magic crackled around him dangerously. His bright green eyes flashed and filled with power.
"It is quite simple really." He ground out through gritted teeth. "You all either find the time to work something out or you A: sentence our kind to hiding and praying muggles don't discover us or getting killed." Harry went to storm past the three and they stepped out of the way for him in awe, in fear and in shock at his reaction and his words. Harry was just reaching out for the door handle when a soft, yet clear, voice spoke. The voice, in comparison to the brunette's voice, was musical and not at all sharp.
"We had a mind to build a school, may haps you with your vehement words and ideals would be interested in aiding us with something that could possibly save our kind."
"Helga!" The man admonished the orange haired woman who kept her twinkling eyes trained on Harry who had slowly turned to face her as she'd spoken.
"A school?" Harry questioned before he could stop himself parroting the words. Helga nodded keeping her eyes locked onto Harry's/
"Aye, that is what I said. My companions and I have, through these meetings, been collecting donations in the hopes we can collect enough to higher help to build a school with security inside which our kind can be safe to learn, to practise and to grow. Your ideals, the ones you were spouting before anyone even knew of our arrival tell me you are the perfect candidate to help us."
Harry was beginning to get worried, if the fluttering in his stomach was anything to go by. His brain, however, was not responding or registering much besides the strange feeling in his stomach.
"You want me to help you?"
"Aye." Helga's companion nodded her head something similar shining in her eyes to that which shone in Helga's. "You have power, there's no doubt about that, and I can see it in your eyes that you have intelligence. You have determination too and bravery if you can stand before us and insult us all. It is clear to me what you should do."
Harry was viciously reminded of the sorting hat's words in his first and second years.
"Yes, Rowena has often claimed we needed a forth. The four elements, four with magic, four from different homes, lives and beliefs. She is rarely wrong. You can be our fourth." The man tapped his sword hilt at every new point in his list before bringing his eyes from the ceiling, where they had looked as he mused aloud, to meet Harry's eyes. "Be our forth. Teach with us, help us help others and fight with us to keep our people safe from the muggles. Be our forth."
"Will you help us?" Helga asked looking with imploring eyes at Harry.
"Will you be our forth? What is your name?"
Harry didn't hear the question. His mind was running a mile a minute trying to process what was being said.
"The forth?" He said softly a very confused frown on his face. If you were looking close enough you could see his eyes flickering from side to side as if he was skimming through texts. "…Salazar Slytherin…"
He hadn't realised he'd said it, hadn't even realised he was answering Rowena's question. He was busy trying to get his mind to catch up with events. By the time his mind had caught up however it was too late.
"Salazar Slytherin." The man echoed "Sounds foreign."
"So Salazar, will you help us?" Harry stared at her in shock before the seriousness caught up with him. They thought he was Salazar Slytherin, fourth founder of Hogwarts. Harry blinked as the realisation that perhaps there wasn't anyone called Salazar Slytherin perhaps without Harry Potter the fourth founder didn't exist.
He smiled at the opportunity to build the one place he ever thought of as a home. He squared his shoulders at the responsibility. He met Helga's eyes with determination blazing in his eyes.
"Yes I will help you."