Chapter Eight

Harry's hands were shaking slightly with nerves while he sat in the throne room, as he liked to call it, waiting for the arrival of Godric Gryffindor. This time, however, he wasn't cleaning cauldrons. He was seated in a chair by Slytherin's side.

"Stop fidgeting," Slytherin said impatiently. "Where is Godric?"

"He'll be here soon I expect," Ravenclaw said coolly. "Then Harry can stay with him, and you needn't bother yourself anymore."

"Oh, I don't mind him so much," Slytherin said, "he's just a bit incompetent sometimes."

"And right here," Harry said annoyed.

"Yes we noticed," Slytherin said, shifting in the green robes he was wearing.

After another agonizing half hour, Harry was resting his head on the table, bored. Who knew the Lion founder was horrible with punctuality? Slytherin cast him an annoyed glance but didn't seem to work up the bother to reprimand him.

The past few days had all been a blur leading up to the arrival of Harry's hero. Well, at least he considered his founder to be his hero. There were others, Sirius, Dumbledore, the Weasleys who were heroes to him. Too bad Sirius is dead, he thought bitterly. Though it had been more than months since his godfather tumbled to his death, it still hurt.

"Well at least he's not dead yet," Harry thought aloud. He froze when he saw three heads whirl around to look at him.

"What was that love?" Hufflepuff asked.

"I'd be interested to hear that answer as well," Slytherin said.

"Um, nothing. Just thinking aloud," Harry said uncomfortably.

"About death?" Ravenclaw said with a masklike expression.

Harry racked his brains for a suitable lie. After his time trip with Hermione in their third year, he knew little changes could make big differences.

"Don't bother lying either Harry," Ravenclaw said to him. Harry realized that while he had been thinking, he had been staring into her eyes.

"You didn't," he hissed furiously.

Ravenclaw clasped her hands, unperturbed. "No, I didn't. But if you don't take this chance to explain, perhaps in future I will." At Harry's uncertain look she added, "I think we more than deserve answers."

Harry sighed. "I was thinking about my godfather. He-he died recently," Harry swallowed. "Killed in battle at the Ministry actually," he gave a cold laugh. "Bastards."

"Oh dear," Hufflepuff said, her beautiful face wrought with sympathy. "How terrible." She couldn't seem to find the right words to say, but her expression was more than enough for Harry. He smiled slightly at her in thanks.

Ravenclaw's expression softened slightly and Slytherin remained impassive altogether.

"Well, I'm sorry about your godfather. What about your parents though child?" Ravenclaw asked. Harry winced, a gesture that didn't go unnoticed by Slytherin.

Harry opened his mouths to tell them, rather dejectedly. He couldn't bear pity, he hadn't known his parents, and he wished with all his heart he could have, but he didn't, so it didn't hurt him like Sirius' death.

The heavy doors slammed opened at that moment, and everyone's attention was diverted to the entrance of a tall, well built man with brown hair and warm brown eyes. Behind him was a boy that was equally tall with brown hair and dark green eyes. Their resemblance was striking and Harry knew, not only from their red and gold attire, that they were Godric and Leofrick Gryffindor.

He let out a squeak. Blushing furiously he clapped both hands to his mouth as everyone once again looked at him. Slytherin rolled his eyes and strolled up to the other man, shaking his hand. "Long journey Godric? You're late."

"Well you know how it is Salazar. We couldn't help but stop for a bit of hunting, we heard that there –"

"Yes, yes, we get it," Ravenclaw interrupted. "We have been waiting to discuss more important matters."

"Come now Rowena," Gryffindor boomed cheerfully, "Don't be so sour all the time, you're starting to remind me of Salazar here." He thumped Slytherin on the back, making him stumble. Harry started laughing. It was remarkable what a difference Gryffindor made.

"And who is this?" he asked turning his eyes towards Harry. "You're the one who squeaked, were you not?" That just made Harry laugh even harder. Gryffindor grinned at him. "My, he has a sense of humour."

"This," Slytherin said stiffly, "is Harry Potter. He's a Gryffindor student from – well from the future."

Gryffindor raised his eyebrows.

"Really?" the other boy, Leofrick spoke for the first time. He had been standing by Gryffindor following the conversation with some amusement. His dark green eyes studied Harry curiously.

"Yeah," Harry said. There was a silence.

"And you're in my House?" Gryffindor questioned. Harry nodded. "Ha! A student from the future, and he's in my House." Gryffindor looked extremely smug. "So what can you tell us about the future?"

"Nothing much, sorry," Harry said apologetically. "I might change it by accident or something, it's complicated. I don't get it myself."

Gryffindor looked a little disappointed but pushed it aside. "You're vague aren't you?"

"He certainly is, we had to wrestle answers from him," Ravenclaw remarked.

"And what were the answers?" Leofrick asked.

No one spoke, a little awkward about bringing up their earlier conversation.

"They only know my name, and that my godfather was murdered by evil prats who do everything they're told," Harry said shortly.

The Gryffindors stared at him.

"Really Leo, did you have to ask?" Hufflepuff scolded gently.

Leofrick looked a little ashamed. "Sorry Harry," he said sheepishly.

"Nah, it's fine," Harry replied with a mumble. "Shouldn't have lost my temper."

"Well lad, you're in my house, we shall train you to get your revenge," Gryffindor said conspiratorially. Ravenclaw gave him a withering look.

"You will not," she said, "that is the reason why things always go in circles. This should stop with Harry."

"I would stop if I had a choice," Harry replied grimly.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Slytherin asked. He had been quiet the entire time, mulling whatever in his mind. Harry frankly could not read him. Where was this supposed evil?

"Nothing, at all," Harry said, rubbing his forehead, absentmindedly tracing his scar. "Didn't you have to talk about Valkyries with – Lord? – Gryffindor?"

"Yes, we do," Hufflepuff said diplomatically. She gestured for the Gryffindors to sit down. They did so obediently. Leofrick sat on the right hand side of Gryffindor, and Gryffindor sat next to Slytherin. The magnificent red and gold throne was finally filled.

"So, Helga, what is this about the Valkyries?" Gryffindor asked. Slytherin let out a snort.

"Your students pilfered the nest of the Queen, that's what this is about," he sneered. His dislike of Gryffindors had resurfaced.

"They're just children Salazar. Have some leniency," Gryffindor said benignly. "They probably thought it was a sport."

"They've put the school in danger," Ravenclaw said through gritted teeth.

"Even so..." Gryffindor was still defending his students' actions. Harry felt it was in vain, if the expressions on the other Founders' faces were anything to go by.

"Even so nothing Godric," Helga cut in, even her tone slightly chilly.

Gryffindor looked taken aback. "Fine," he consented, "Perhaps they were out of line."

"They must be punished," Slytherin said drily.

"Who were they?" Gryffindor asked resignedly.

"George Redwood has been identified as the leader, so you'll want to investigate his little 'gang.'" Ravenclaw said. "Now onto actual business."

Harry smirked slightly at the thought of that prat getting in trouble. Just because George was nice to him now, mainly because of Harry's excellent performance in the race, didn't mean he was nice to anyone else. Harry had caught him bullying Alistor the other day and he suspected it wasn't the first time.

The Founders started to discuss a plan of attack for their imminent confrontation with the Valkyries. They were apparently gathering forces, wary of the powerful magic protecting Hogwarts.

"They'll only use their own race," Gryffindor explained. "They don't trust anyone else not to double cross them. So we should only be expecting Valkyries."

"What does a Valkyrie look like?" Harry asked curiously.

Gryffindor looked at him startled. "You don't know? Don't you have them in the future?"

Harry shook his head.

"Think of them as large, ugly vultures with the head of a cat," Gryffindor said.

Slytherin swelled indignantly. "Don't poison his mind with your rubbish. They have the head of a tiger," he told Harry, his icy eyes annoyed.

Gryffindor laughed warmly. "Whatever you say Salazar."

"Can we continue?" Hufflepuff asked exasperatedly.

Harry listened once more as they began planning. None of them could seem to agree on anything. Gryffindor wanted to attack head on, Slytherin and Ravenclaw were all for blackmail, perhaps the kidnap one of Queen Isthol's daughters. Hufflepuff argued that they should talk peacefully. The other Founders immediately scoffed at her idea, the loudest being Slytherin.

By the end of the meeting, Harry had zoned out half an hour back, the Founders had reached a moot point. Slytherin stood and swept gracefully out of the room, robes billowing. Harry stood to follow, but Gryffindor stopped him.

"You're of my house, remember?" he said. Harry nodded uncertainly. Did this mean Slytherin wasn't his temporary guardian? Shame, he'd miss the git.

"Leo," Gryffindor said, "show Harry to the Gryffindor Tower. I want to talk to a bit more," he added to Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, both of whom had remained in their seats. The tall boy stood, and gestured for Harry to follow him. Harry did so, with one curious glance back at the remaining Founders.

"So, Helga? Rowena? I did not want to ask in front of the boy. What's so special about him? Other than that he's from the future?" Gryffindor surveyed them, his brown eyes sharp. "You want him trained by me."

The two women looked at each other.

"I don't know," Hufflepuff finally said. "But we do know that he's had a hard lot in life, and he has enemies. He's a good boy and I feel, I feel as though we should help him."

"Indeed," Ravenclaw nodded. "I feel the same too."

"So you're doing this based on a feeling?" Gryffindor asked incredulously.

"Salazar feels it as well," Hufflepuff said, "even though he'll deny it, he does."

"You'll see Godric, you haven't spent enough time with him yet," Ravenclaw said ominously.