The only justice is to follow the sincere intuition of the soul, angry or gentle. Anger is just, and pity is just, but judgement is never just.
- D. H. Lawrence
The Queen of Serpents
Chapter Eleven
Pyres and Gavels
"speech"
thoughts
"parseltongue"
/mind speech/
=visions=
Writing
Professor McGonagal motioned the boy inside. "Wait here Mr. Gaunt. The headmaster will be with you in a few moments." She turned, walking swiftly away.
Sa'zar swallowed as the door shut with a muffled thud. What was going to happen now? Would the headmaster believe him?
Trying not to think about it, he glanced around the office. Who knew when he would get another chance to explore it? Never, a traitorous voice reminded him, if they expel you. Sa'zar twisted his braid over his fingers, attempting to stifle his near panic.
A long the walls of the office were paintings of the former headmasters and headmistresses, just as Tom had described them. Unconsciously, he raised his head, searching for five specific portraits all in a row near the ceiling. Four of the occupants were absent, likely in the common rooms. The center frame featured a massive red-head lounging on a chair beneath the leaping boar banner of his younger brother, dressed in deep purple and white robes. A single lock of bright green hair fell over his face, slowly rising and falling as he breathed.
Sa'zar shook his head. If Godric wanted to keep pretending he was Galen, well, Sa'zar had no intention of interfering. He smirked slightly. Not unless he needed to blackmail the portrait anyway.
The smirk vanished as he remembered that it might no longer matter. If Professor Dumbledore decided he was guilty...
Silver eyes fell on the Sorting Hat. Quickly, before he could think better of it, Sa'zar dropped the old hat onto his head.
/Hello, Salazar. I did not expect to hear from you./
Sa'zar flushed slightly. /I am not bothering you, am I?/
/Not at all. It is rather dull sitting on a shelf all day./
/Oh./ Sa'zar thought about that. /Doesn't the headmaster talk to you?/
/Sometimes/ the Hat admitted. /But he usually wants to know about things I am forbidden to tell./
/Oh./ Sa'zar repeated, then asked nervously. /What's he like?/
/Worried, eh?/ The hat seemed amused. /Well, that is what I am forbidden to tell. But I can tell you that he is fair. If you did not do something he will not judge you for it./
/Oh/ More hopefully. /That's good, I suppose. Ummm.../ Sa'zar searched for something to say. /Do you have a name?/
Sa'zar knew the hat found his question amusing. He just was not sure why. /That I do./ The hat was almost gleeful. /Serpent-Tongue gave it to me./
Sa'zar waited. When no answer was forthcoming, /What is it?/
/Sult./ The brim turned up in a smile. /Or rather, that is what it is now./
/Why Sult?/ Sa'zar wondered. /Is it short for-/ He never completed the thought, breaking off at the sudden sense of heat, eyes widening at the sight that met him as he whipped off the hat.
On a perch near the headmaster's desk, a great red and gold bird was burning, brilliant flames consuming it even as Sa'zar watched. He gaped for a moment, then leaped into action, searching desperately for water, and trying to remember spells to conjure it. This was all he needed. If the headmaster blamed him for this on top of the rest!
Phoenix. It is fine, his mind whispered, but Sa'zar was too close to panicking to pay attention. His face paled almost to pure white at the sudden sight of the headmaster. "Sir! Your bird! It caught fire and-"
Albus smiled. "About time too." Sa'zar blinked, mouth shutting with an almost audible snap. "I've been telling him to get on with it; he's been looking dreadful for days now."
Sa'zar's eyes widened as realization dawned. "A phoenix!"
Albus nodded, looking pleased. "Exactly, Salazar. Fawkes is a phoenix, bursting into flames when it is time for him to die, soon to be reborn from the ashes of his pyre."
Sa'zar nodded, cooing as the tiny newborn lifted his from the ashes. "So cute!"
Albus smiled fondly as he settled down behind his desk. "Astonishing creatures, phoenixes, as I'm sure you know." Sa'zar nodded. "A pity you had to see him on a burning day; he is usually a very handsome creature."
Sa'zar nodded again. "I know; I've seen pictures. He's a fire phoenix, isn't he? I mean, his feathers seem to be red."
Albus nodded, looking pleased. "He is indeed. You do your house credit, Salazar. Ravenclaw is lucky to have you."
Sa'zar flushed slightly, ducking his head, allowing his long locks to fall over his face. "Thank you sir."
Albus chuckled. "Not many students could recognise a fire phoenix on sight, Salazar. Between you and me," brilliant blue eyes twinkled, "I think he is a close descendant of the HO-OH, but that could just be an old man's foolishness." He dug about in his desk. "Such insight deserves a reward. Ah, here we are! Lemon Drop?"
Sa'zar's mouth went dry, and he shook his head dully, his eyes wide, at the sudden recollection of why he was in the headmaster's office. "Sir! It wasn't me! I don't know what happened to Joseph or whatever his name was! I didn't do it! I don't know who it was but it wasn't me! please! You have to believe me! I di-"
Albus raised a hand and Sa'zar's desperate appeal faded into silence. "Calm down. I do not believe you attacked anyone."
"Oh." Sa'zar slumped, letting out a breath he had not realised he was holding. "Thank you sir. Err.. Could I go now?"
Albus chuckled. "Am I so boring, Salazar? But come, entertain an old man for a few moments more. Tell me, is there anything you wish to share, anything you wish to know?"
Sa'zar hesitated, hand twisted into the long locks of his hair. "I.. Am I?"
Albus gazed calmly at him. "Are you what?"
Sa'zar tugged his braid hard. "The heir. I mean, I didn't do- It's just I'm in.."
"You are not the heir of Slytherin, Salazar, that much I can assure you. As to who is, that is not for me to say."
Sa'zar nodded, a faint look of relief on his face. "I didn't think I was.. Tom says Sirius Black is but-"
"You wanted to be sure. Perfectly understandable." Albus smiled kindly at the boy. "Was there anything else?"
Sa'zar shook his head, then paused. "Could.. Could I come back sometime? To see Fawkes, I mean. And the hat- I think it gets bored there and-"
Albus nodded, eyes twinkling merrily. "Of course you may, my boy. Just be warned, you may have to listen to my ramblings while you are here."
Sa'zar nodded. "Fine with me sir. I'm sure you have some great stories."
Albus chuckled. "Indeed I do. Now, if that is all?"
Sa'zar got up, eyes falling on Fawkes. "Pity people can't be reborn from the ashes. Then Harry and Tom could have known their parents."
Albus' eyes sparkled mysteriously beneath his half moon spectacles. "Who is to say they cannot?"
Sa'zar shot the headmaster a strange look. Albus calmly returned it, blue eyes concealing great secrets in their depths. And as Sa'zar left, he could not help but wonder.
Maybe...
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Albus watched the door shut behind the small boy, then glanced up at the portrait near the top of the room. "Well Godric? Anything to say?"
The Gryffindor founder came awake rather quickly for one so deeply asleep. "He does not remember Albus, but you already knew that." He smirked and, for all he had seen it before, Albus could not help but note how odd it was to see anything that sly on those honest features. "I liked the way you got out of that heir situation. Not quite a lie, but not quite the truth. If Sal actually remembered he would be rather impressed. Of course, if he remembered you would not have had to answer the question, would you." The red-head was grinning openly now, clearly amused by the whole situation.
Albus frowned up at the portrait. "Indeed. But that was not what I meant."
Godric sighed. "If you want to know how much of that was genuine... I'll give it about ninety percent. Sal was always pretty innocent, at least he would have been if not for some things that I am not telling you about, so do not bother asking." Emerald eyes narrowed as he shot a deadly glare at the headmaster. Albus had to admit that even from a painting it was powerful.
"I did not intend to." The headmaster sighed. "Do you suppose he-"
"Will remember? Eventually. He cannot suppress it forever, just for an incredibly long time." At the Dumbledore's confused look the portrait clarified. "He does not want to remember Albus, and I cannot say I blame him. After everything he has been through, and after what I did to him..." The portrait gazed sadly at the frame to the far left. "His painting and I have made our peace, if for no other reason that our arguments caused to much trouble. The real us have never done so." Emerald eyes suddenly pinned the headmaster with a razor sharp look. "Albus, if the real me finds out that Salazar has returned to Hogwarts then he will return as well. If- no, when he does, be careful. Be very, very careful."
Albus nodded, frowning slightly. "Are you so certain he will find out?"
The portrait nodded. "I know myself Albus, and I know what I am capable of. He will know soon enough and when he does..." The portrait lapsed into silence, and Albus steepled his fingers, a pensive look on his face.
Neither blue nor emerald eyes twinkled at all.
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Sa'zar knew something was wrong from the moment he entered the hall. The glares sent his way was only the first symptom, however.
"So," Zacharias Smith drawled, "the heir of Slytherin finally shows his true colors."
Tom started to rise, eyes flashing dangerously, but Susan pulled him down. "Tom, ignore him. You don't want to get into trouble."
Tom frowned. "And I should just let him insult my brother," he demanded.
Susan shook her head. "No, just let Professor Sprout deal with it." The plump Hufflepuff head was hurrying down from the staff table, looking extremely unhappy.
"That is enough Zacharias. Ten points from Hufflepuff. Now go and apologise."
"But it's true!" The blond boy glowered at his head of house. "He is the heir! He's a Gaunt."
Professor Sprout's frown deepened. "You will apologise Mr. Smith, and you will be having detention with me tonight. This is not the way a Hufflepuff conducts himself. Now go."
Muttering, the lanky boy headed over to Sa'zar. "Fine. I'm sorry. But it doesn't change the truth. The Gaunts have the most dire-"
"Mr. Smith, I believe I said that was enough." Pomona was truly upset now. "A further ten points, and you will come with me." She snatched up Zacharias' arm, pausing only to smile at Sa'zar. "I am sorry dear." She walked out of the hall, Zacharias protesting the entire way.
"But," it was a ravenclaw seventh year who spoke up now. "But, the Gaunts are in Slytherin's direct line. That much at least is true."
Harry and Draco exchanged looks, but it was Daphne who spoke up first. "You really are an idiot, aren't you," she said snidely. "How you got into Ravenclaw is beyond me. Not all lines work by the laws of direct inheritance, you know. Lines like Lord Slytherin's follow Laws of Value, not Laws of Blood." She rolled her eyes. "Some of you Eagles are just so birdbrained it's absurd."
"Sa'zar doe have the traits," Padma blurted out, then covered her mouth as she realized what she had said.
"Yeah," Cho agreed obliviously, "he does. He's smart, individualistic, cunning, ambitious, and a pure blood to boot."
"Half blood," Sa'zar muttered, but no one heard him as the debate began to rage.
Tom was shouting at Ernie, Dudley was blasting half of Gryffindor, Hermione was telling the Hall how idiotic everyone was, Daphne was being sarcastic, Draco condescending, and Harry was telling off everyone the others were not. Even Rolf had gotten involved and Luna was telling anyone who would listen, (and anyone who would not), that it couldn't be Sa'zar because the attacks were caused by gremlins. Minerva rose to her feet and hurriedly sent a message to Dumbledore, while Percy attempted to calm the twins who were attempting to blow up half the hall. Someone had to stop this before it got out of hand.
Val drew Sa'zar through the crowd, settling him down in the seat next to hers. "Ignore them." She grinned cheekily at him. "I wanted to tell you, I want an Electro Potion for Christmas." She winked. "But you didn't hear it from me."
Sa'zar smiled slightly. "Thankx Val." the smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared. "They're going to hate me."
Val shook her head, her earrings (sparking test tubes) glittering in the light. "No they won't. At least, not the ones who know you. And the rest will figure it out eventually." She smirked slightly. "Then they'll feel just as silly as Daphne is saying they are."
"
Sa'zar sighed. "Yeah... Maybe... Val, they'll never stop. Even I said I was the most likely candidate."
"Never say never." Valerie patted her friend's shoulder. "It'll work out Sal. See, even Liz agrees!" The bright green chameleon was nodding vigorously.
Sa'zar smiled faintly, then froze as the hall abruptly fell silent. "Ah, the music of silence. Now, what occurrence was it that caused Minerva to drag me away from the extremely important, and just between us, extremely boring, report I had to take care of?" Albus' bright blue eyes twinkled brightly.
Percy got up, a pompous look on his face. "Some students are claiming that as he is a Gaunt Sa'zar must be Slytherin's heir. Complete nonsense of course, bu-"
Albus waved a hand, cutting him off, the twinkle gone from his eyes. Frowning, the headmaster faced the school. "Salazar Gaunt is not the heir of Slytherin."
"But his name is even Salazar!" someone from shouted out.
Albus nodded. "Yes, that is true, but we do not choose our names. Really, do you think I wanted a name like Albus Percival Wulfric Brian?" He shuddered slightly. "It makes signing official documents extremely time consuming." The school laughed, glad for the humor. "Which reminds me, Minerva, if you could take over, I have an important," he pulled a face, "document to return to. Much as I would love to stay and chat..." He shook a warning finger at the students. "Never become headmaster. Far too much paperwork." Percy looked scandalised and Minerva exasperated as their slightly eccentric headmaster left, humming to himself.
"See?" Val winked at Sa'zar. "As I always say, all's well that ends well!"
Sa'zar sighed, trying to ignore the glares shot at him when the students thought the teachers were not looking. "I hope your right, Val. I hope you're right."
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AUthor's Note: Poor sa'zar! At least he has Val to cheer him up. He is going to have a much harder time than Harry though. It is hard to deny that he carries Slytherin blood, which as we all know he does, just not in the way he thinks! We get to meet Godric, or at least his portrait, and some more info on how much Albus knows. Note: I want more reviews. If I stay up until one typing you can oblige me with some, right?
And now for the all important QUESTIONS!
Chapter 11:
1: Why is Godric in Galen's frame?
2: What are the official Hogwarts colors and what is the school animal?
3: Why was the Hat amused?
4: Why Sult? (Just telling me what it is short for is enough.)
5: What is the HO-OH really?
6: What did Albus mean by the last line in his conversation with Sa'zar?
7: Where is the real Godric? When do you think he will show up?
8: Who is Val? (To be answered in fifth year.)
9: Opinion: When will Sa'zar regain his memories? How?
Points:
Gryffindor:105
Hufflepuff:126
Ravenclaw:111
Slytherin:120
HURRAY! Ravenclaw is no longer in last place! Pumps fist in air and caws like an eagle!