Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter etc
Slytherins Secret
AN: Moi, love your reviews but I can't respond to them, and I can't read all of the last one until a few days after it was posted, your questions are really helpful though, message me instead?
Chapter five: Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance
When Harry hissed the last door open and walked into the chamber, Slytherin greeted him immediately. "Good evening my Heir, a commendable job of avoiding detection, a most remarkable artefact that cloak."
"Good evening ancestor Salazar" Harry responded bowing. "The cloak was apparently, my father's and is definitely one of my more useful tools, I was successful in avoiding detection then?"
"Not a twitch from any of the portraits, and your current sensitivity prevents the application of any tracking charm to you, or your clothes, now how are you truly feeling child?" the statue looked concerned.
"Well enough, my wand arm is a bit stiff, so I may have problems there for a while, the scar tissue I guess, the twitching has subsided now, but the ache I mentioned is real. I'm starting to think that it's growing pains, my magic is very sensitive and my core feels …odd but it think that there's more to it than just a magical allergy." Harry looked hopefully at the statue unconsciously seeking approval for his answer.
"Very good Harry!" the statue responded with a warm smile "I believe that both instances may be growing pains of a sort, the venom affected nearly your entire body, so I believe the tears that you swallowed are healing that, with the side effect of healing all other damage done to you, you have been very hungry yes?" When Harry nodded in confirmation the statue continued "I would not be surprised if, over the summer, you grow several inches and your eyesight improves."
"Really?" Harry exclaimed happily, Merlin I hate being short, and my glasses are a pain.
The statue smiled at his happiness, "yes really, the evidence supports my conclusions, you are nearly an inch taller already, although I would expect the rate of growth to slow after that first painful evening. There is more good news however, the magical instability I mentioned? I believe it is being misdiagnosed because Madam Pomfrey lacks a few facts, so just to test my theory, can you hold your wand?"
"You sure?" receiving a calm nod Harry complied, noting the way his wand seemed to have a hummm that harmonised with his core.
"So do you feel any more unstable than when you wore the cloak, or passed through the wards? If your magic is still unstable you should, if you don't, try casting something with a long incantation, a low level spell, just in case."
"No I don't, I can sense the wand, but nothing feels bad, alright I'll try. 'Wingardium Leviosa' hummm that felt different to before, but it felt fine." Harry said perplexed.
"Well child, prior to your healing did you ever feel like the venom had encountered a block of any kind?" Slytherin asked kindly.
Harry considered for a moment, having avoided considering those painful moments, "Ummmmm, yes! Yes, I did, just before I pulled the fang out of my arm and stabbed the diary, it dissolved about the same moment Fawkes started to cry, what did it mean?"
"Well Harry when it dissolved, as you put it, you glowed, in several different colours of magic, most of which are definitely not your own, since your bond with Dobby shows that your magic is green interlaced with gold. I believe that these were permanent spell effects, placed on you by various people, for various reasons, care to guess?" he's making good progress, but I need to encourage him to think for himself.
Harry looked a little sick, there were spells on me? Multiple spells on me, what possible reason…? "Some might have been cast by my parents, family and child Healers, if I showed talents that need gradual release as you age, I think Ron mentioned that once, I doubt anyone would have thought to check. It's possible someone I know now has health monitoring, or tracking charms on me, for whatever purpose….ummm something to do with my mail? I've never got 'fan mail' like that ponce Lockhart, but I guess being 'the-boy-who-lived' I should have, if I do have a mail redirection, it should have been lifted, or my permission sought, when I turned eleven, that's all I can think of."
The statue beamed "very good Harry, very good indeed. From what I could see, probably all the spells you mentioned and unfortunately more." The statue looked grim "I believe from the way you talked about your Parseltoungue and the way your core is responding that you also had an ability sealed, and a power cap on your core. You ought to be able to consciously speak Parseltoungue, and I don't think that your core is currently so big because it's unstable, but because it was artificially reduced before. Furthermore, judging by the change in the way you are acting I believe someone placed an, even more illegal, mind altering effect on you. It's a little like a permanent befuddlement charm, or a magical learning impairment, I think you have had at least 20% of your brain capacity diverted. Tell me do you feel more analytical, rational, more able to concentrate, most obviously has your reading speed gone up?"
"Yes, yes it has. I got through the books today at the speed I used to go through muggle books, I hadn't really thought about it before, just assumed I was no good at magic. But it feels like the last two years have been fuzzy? In fact it altered during my shopping trip with Hagrid, I think, it think the spell was on my wand. Is my wand even my wand?" Harry looked a little lost and quite frightened.
"It's alright child, as far as the wand goes, yes I believe so, I think that you are to be Fawkes' next companion after Dumbledore, so a wand made with his tail feathers…"
"What?" Harry jumped startled.
"You didn't know? Yes Fawkes was coerced into donating the first, but gave yours freely and against his bond-mate's protests, so it seems likely that you are his next intended."
"Oh" Harry blinked, it was hard to absorb all of this information even if his mind was working properly again. "Are you sure? I mean Fawkes is wonderful, and I'm just Harry, nothing special, why would he want me?"
"Oh Harry child, if I could, I would happily leave this chamber and tear you wonderful 'relatives' limb from limb." Harry blinked, nobody but Ron and the twins had ever disliked the Dursleys before, especially not this much. "Child you are special, no listen to me, even without Riddle, without all of the feats performed here at school, you are wonderful person, you survived ten years of those 'people' and still care about others! You don't understand how rare that is, you should be a broken mess or a sociopath; that person, that caring strong person, who would jump on a troll for a girl they consider a bit of pain, is who Fawkes has been looking for. I know you want to be 'normal' because the Dursleys considered you a freak, but does that desire really come from you? In many ways your Slytherin ambition and cunning has been used to force yourself to be as average as possible, but is that what you want, or what they want? You will never be normal, not here and not with them, but that doesn't make you bad, it makes you special; an amazing unique individual, one several, different thousand year old, magical artefacts and an ancient guardian of good consider worthy. And that worth does not come from the events of Halloween 81, but from actions, such as a twelve year old facing a Basilisk, with only a sword, for a girl he dislikes, whilst the adults run around like headless chickens!" Suddenly the statue gave the impression of an embarrassed blush "uh sorry for the rant child, but NEVER let me hear you doubt your worth."
Harry was blushing furiously, but managed to stammer out a thank you and acknowledgment, his head spinning. I, I don't know what to think, I hate standing out, but WHY do I hate it, what's wrong with being recognised positively for the things I have done, oh Merlin I think my brain might explode. Harry's thoughts continued to run in circles, wanting to believe his ancestors words, but having difficulty accepting them at his core; slowly however, the part of him that was convinced that he would NEVER be worth anything began to erode.
He didn't even notice his thoughts starting to slow from their frantic pace until he was nearly calm and Fawkes settled on his shoulder, his continued singing explaining Harry's renewed internal equilibrium. When Harry reached up to stroke soft feathers the bird trilled happily, and Harry could have sworn he heard 'I agree with everything old stone bottom said'.
Did I just hear words? Nah. "Thanks Fawkes, I feel better now. Not that I'm not glad to see you, but what brings you down here in the middle of the night?" Harry knew the bird was intelligent enough to understand him, and besides, he talked to Hedwig as if she were human.
"You needed me chosen, you need a tear every day for a month, along with extra food, to heal the damage done to your body over the years." Harry heard, although the sound was superimposed over Fawkes' usual fluting trills and whistles.
"Did I just? You spoke to me yes? Why can I understand now?" Harry spluttered shocked, actually, I think Salazar said something last time we spoke, I can't remember…."Ancestor Salazar, explanation please?" he asked the statue, who had started sniggering at his confusion.
"You remembered that I called Parseltoungue beast speech?" at Harry's nod, the statue continued "Good, well done. Well Parseltoungue is actually a myth perpetrated by the ignorant; it is just the most common fully realised manifestation of Beast-speech. Scholars in my original home theorised that it was one of the earliest wizarding abilities, the magic gave our early ancestors the ability to speak to animals and that helped our survival. The earliest religious and magical writings, suggest that all wizards possessed the ability. It's actually quite fascinating, the study of the ways the speech can manifest…"
"Ancestor, not an academic lecture, time limited discussion, information now please." Harry ground out, before Salazar could do a complete Hermione, adding the please reflexively.
"Ooops!" The statue had the grace to look embarrassed, "sorry child, anyway the ability to speak to beasts is very common, but most wizards lack the power to do it since it is no longer the primary focus of their core. Any strong wizard however will feel more connected with animals and possess the ability to, say, talk to their post owl as if she were human? Now, in times of stress, whilst in proximity to an animal, this can manifest into an ability to communicate; it is the magic's attempt to save you from a bad situation."
"Ok so because I was communicating, in general terms, with that boa when Dudley pushed me and I vanished the glass, my magic assumed the threat came from the snake and unlocked the ability to talk to it?" Harry ventured, hoping he had grasped what his ancestor was saying and wouldn't disappoint him.
"Very good, that's it exactly!" Slytherin's constant approval continued the work of his earlier words, gradually improving Harry's sense of worth. "Now as far as Fawkes goes, he was present when you were endangered against the basilisk, and the magic couldn't understand the threat, since you could already speak to the basilisk, not that it would have done any good. It therefore started awakening the ability to talk to him, your magic is currently very sensitive and you were feeling stressed just now, yes? So, when he returned and you were again stressed, it opened the ability to speak to him. In addition to this, your ability to consciously use your power was under one of the blocks; I expect that you had begun to communicate with post owls as a child, so your parents placed a block, one that they intended to lift once you progressed beyond baby talk."
"So the reasons nobody knows about the other kinds of speech are that those with the ability don't unconsciously do it, but learn to control it, that only powerful wizards can, and that you have to be in danger from an animal before the ability becomes active? I suppose few powerful wizards are endangered by animals, because it would have to happen in the first few years of their schooling or before?" Harry concluded.
"Indeed, perhaps 5% of wizards, assuming the power levels haven't declined since my day, have the power, and the ability is no longer endemic to the population. Furthermore, most never encounter a dangerous animal in that venerable period, so can you guess why Parseltoungue is so well known, if uncommon?"
Hummmm, why would Parseltoungue be…"Because snakes are one of the most common dangerous animals that people encounter, and further are the most likely for a young child to escape an encounter with alive since by and large, they have no interest in humans?"
"Very good Harry." Slytherin responded.
"That's why they speakers are more common in India, Parvati said that they are more common where her parents come from and that many peoples don't think the ability dark; she said that her great uncle is a snake charmer and breeds Runespoors." Harry continued, delighted to have made the connection.
"Simply brilliant Harry, it's a delight to see your mind operate unfettered." Harry blushed heavily at Salazar's complement. "So Fawkes what do you need Harry to do?"
As he said this, Harry again heard the fluting whistling speech of a Phoenix, but this time from his ancestor, focusing on the sound he decided to try for himself. "Sorry to ignore you Fawkes, but I didn't understand what was happening, thank you for coming to see me and for wanting to help me." Again he stroked the soft feather of the Phoenix's breast, and was rewarded with trill of enjoyment.
"You are most welcome chosen, now that I know your magic will not be harmed I can flame you in and out for these meetings. Now please lie down and open your mouth, the tear must be absorbed internally to do the most good." Fawkes had a warm kindly voice, like the one he imagined a good older brother to have, and he he happily complied.
When the procedure was finished Harry immediately felt hungry and asked, "can I call my elf, I'm hungry suddenly but I don't know if it's safe…"
"Go ahead child, nobody notices elf magic, and since you are attuned, he is attuned, to the wards of the chamber, no other elf may enter. Besides I'd like the meet this overenthusiastic companion of yours."
"Dobby can you come to me please" Harry called feeling an echo of the feeling he'd had when bonding to the elf.
"Master Harry? Oh you is being hungry, Dobby can gets you something." The little elf had barely appeared before he disappeared again with a pop leaving Harry staring at the just vacated spot blankly, his mouth half open with a half formed request.
Pop. Dobby reappeared with a platter of food "Don't worry Harry sir, Dobby was not seen and the foods will not be missed. Dobby is finding foods that is good for growing wizards, you is being too small and Dobby will help." The elf said determinedly.
"Uh thank you Dobby." Harry said staring at the platter with exactly the foods he was craving upon it. It contained a huge chicken sandwich, a large glass of milk, cheese and wholemeal crackers, a sliced apple and a dessert of strawberries with cream. "You know what Fawkes is doing to help me then Dobby?" Harry questioned interested.
"Yes Master Harry, Dobby can be sensing it through the bond, Dobby will help, he leaves a note from 'Madam Pomfrey' for elves to be findings and they makes sure you is getting good foods to eats, not silly, fatty, stodgy dinner, like in great hall." Dobby looked very proud of himself and faintly disgusted at the normal student fare.
"Thanks Dobby this is brilliant, Harry declared and tucked in. For several minutes Harry ate steadily, until there was nothing left but the apple, which he sat nibbling on. Harry had been thinking over their entire conversation as he ate and ventured "so my magical allergy isn't? I can certainly feel the magic around me and I couldn't before?"
"Salazar looked pleased at this question and answered "Ah good, I had wondered. I think you may be in the early stages of developing mage sense. I am unsure if this is a side effect of the events of the last few days, or if it is an ability you possessed that had been blocked. Perhaps it is both; small children with mage sense in a magical home become overstimulated very quickly. It should develop naturally from here, all you need to do is work on analysing the different sensations you feel and eventually it will feel as natural as sight or smell. You might want to keep the ability quiet, again it's quite uncommon, perhaps 2% of magic users actually possess it, although the potential is closer to 10%. Those with the active sense are mostly older, people like wand makers and curse breakers, who develop it through their work. It's not actually a sign of a strong wizard, although many will assume so, it's a sign of being unusually in-tune with your magical core."
"Oh! Well that will be useful, I don't know what career appeals to me, but there's no way this is a bad thing. Although…." Harry developed an evil grin and sat for a minute staring into space until Salazar coughed to gain his attention. "Uh, sorry. I was just thinking, there's no reason to tell Madam Pomfrey that I don't have a magical allergy is there? Nothing she's doing will hurt me, but maybe I can use this, if I 'haven't got my ability to use my own magic back safely' then she would need to see me to assess if it's healing wouldn't she? I might be able to finagle summer visits to the castle and I would gain a chance to go through all of the subjects that I've been unable to learn. That would hide my remerging brain power, give me an excuse for being more studious, and mean that somebody will see if I'm locked in my room with no food again…" Harry muttered the last part to himself absently.
"What! Locked in your room with no food? This is worse than I thought, you can't go back there child!" Salazar exploded.
"Uh, I think I have to, the Headmaster is insistent, but maybe I can come up with something to make sure I'm safe and well, what do you think of my plan?"
"I don't like this, but your plan is good? I will think about it and see if we can come up with anything else to help…and Harry please remember, you don't deserve any of the way they treat you." Salazar responded calming down slightly.
"I know ancestor, but this year I have Dobby to bring me food, and if I can get Pomfrey to see me weekly they can't be to bad." Harry was actually starting to feel hopeful at this point.
"Humph, it is a good plan Harry, I'm proud of you. I think you should allow the spells to the bed next to you tomorrow, then to things near but not touching you, the day after, charmed bedding and clothes the day after that, and holding but not using your wand after that, we will work out a schedule for you own magic later on. This also gives you an excuse to be in the hospital wing until most of the students have left and to do a lot of reading which will explain the improved marks further." Slytherin was starting to think about the plan objectively, without the dark cloud that was the Dursleys in the way.
"Thanks, I guess I had better get back, I've been here an hour and I'm tired, this is all still covered by the Chamber's secret thing yeah?"
"Indeed it is, you can't betray yourself, be well child, sleep deep and undisturbed."
"Thank you, you too ancestor Salazar." With that Fawkes flamed Harry into the infirmary and he fell asleep almost immediately.