Seeing with the Heart
By Fancyspinner
Disclaimers: I do not own these characters. For full disclaimers see Prologue.
After this post the focus will be mainly on the students. While I find the adults more than fascinating I'll tell their stories in shorter fics. I just need to play this subplot out a bit more.
Note 2: I'm using information found in Deathly hallows in this story.
Note 3: For an Awesome read in the fanfic community: "30 Minutes that changed everything."
Chapter 4-C
Morning crept into being causing students and teachers to rouse themselves. Extreme reactions to the dawn ruled...
The first to greet the dawn was Alastor moody. He hadn't slept much. He had finally met up with Tonks after talking with the two Slytherins.
She had solidified his own plans. He found it difficult not to care, not to feel for children still in school; not to feel for a man that was more than likely marked for death.
He, more than most, understood Emaline's disgruntlement with the way Muggle born were integrated into Wizard society, or a more accurate thought would be how they were not integrated into Wizarding society.
Hermione Granger and her House-Elf crusade was a prime example. As a magical race, their abilities were dependent upon the bond between Elf and their family line -- or on sometimes institutions. Better treatment was certainly a goal to be worked towards, but giving them clothing? That would kill them in short order. The majority of MUGGLEBORN were tossed in at the deep end and expected to sink or swim. Alastor shook his head and focused on the present.
Dora had been waiting in his rooms for his return. She had got straight to the point.
"We need everyone on our side, Alastor, that includes Slytherins. Look, I know Snape can be trusted I was in the Hospital Wing when he promised his protection to any Slytherin child that would not serve Voldemort."
He took full responsibility for that bit of bravado on Snape's part. He had questioned Dora for a time as to why the sudden change of heart on Slytherin and all she'd say is "I have my reasons."
Alastor couldn't deny that he had spent the time since the explosion in the Potion's room watching Snape; the concern he took; the regret he couldn't quite hide; the guilt and distress that were weighing him down; all the while Frank and Alice reminded him that he should be working with Severus, not against him; reminding him that it was his attitude that pushed people into evil. He had finally told the two to be quiet that he'd try and befriend the Slytherin. He'd felt peace at that decision. It would be fine. He hoped the couple was resting finally. Knowing them though, they were probably watching Neville.
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Waking did not come easy for Ronald Weasley, who pulled a pillow over his head, groaning in displeasure. Remembering that he had a letter to deliver he stumbled through his morning routine and mumbled to Harry and Hermione that he'd see them in The Great Hall.
They had gone to bed almost as soon as they had returned to the Tower to find most everyone asleep. Hermione had given him the two journals to take to the Slytherins. They had decided that it would be best if they started to research the founders as soon as possible.
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by contrast Justin Finch-fletchly bounced out of bed. He tossed on clothing and sprinted to the hospital wing. He was spending most of his free time there.
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In another part of the Castle, Albus Dumbledore stared at his tired face in the mirror, who proceeded to let him no that he looked "bloody offal!"
"Thank you so very much!"
With a flick of his wand a glamor snapped into place. He was needing to use it more often these days. The leader of the Light couldn't go about looking as tired as any other person. He snorted to himself. His inner voice was sounding more like Severus every day.
He vowed not to drink with Minerva again. At least, not until the next time it became necessary. He wasn't looking forward to a situation where he would feel the need to drink that heavily, neither of them were young, after all.
Telling Alastor and Severus had been difficult. Then Severus had been summoned and Alastor -- well, he had been indignant on his behalf. That was different and more like the student Alastor had been than the adult he had become. Albus was glad. He couldn't deny his own culpability in the militant rivalry between the HOUSES but he couldn't turn back the clock only work to undo what had been done.
He found it a bit difficult to get the desperation in those dark eyes out of his head -- begging him to give him any excuse not to go -- and he'd been unable too; not this time. Severus had simply gazed at him understanding in his eyes and it had saddened him to make him go. One more untenable choice. Of course, that seemed to sum up the majority of his adult life, making choices and taking actions for a greater good that often ended up harming those dear to his heart.
There was so much to do, to think about. There simply wasn't enough hours in the day! One particular troubling problem was that he couldn't hide Draco Malfoy forever. He had talked about it with Minerva and they had decided how to deal with that. There were mind healers out there; psychologists, the muggles called them. One in particular, a friend of Minerva's, worked with a mix of magic and muggle means to heal people. If anything could be done about the child, Josiah would be able to do it.
He felt a person approaching his office door. He asked the gargoyle to move aside and fixed a smile on his face as Ronald Weasley all but stumbled into his office.
"How can I help you?" He let his eyes take in the boy's features. He looked over-tired.
"Headmaster, I'm sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you could get this letter to my mum?"
The young man held out a folded paper with a muggle pen clipped to it. He twinkled at the young man. For a rarity, it was not forced. They were growing up so fast.
"I would be happy to do so."
"Thank you! She wrote me and I didn't want her to wait too long for an answer. she worries, you know?"
"I do. Run along to breakfast, Mr. Weasley."
"Thanks again, sir." and the young man quickly left his office.
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--------------------Severus Snape rose silently and dressed. He held in his inpatients and desperation. Emotionality would cost him a great deal. The knock on his door made him start his day earlier than he might have.
He blinked at Moody. He was unable to completely hide the surprise he felt. It had been a long night.
"Came to walk down with you."
Alastor spoke without preamble.
"Why?" Suspicion darkened Snape's eyes.
"Been thinking, Snape. I figure we can't encourage the kids to put this House nonsense aside if we can't."
"When have you ever?" His voice was not quite as sarcastic as he would have it.
Alastor sighed. It had been ages were he to be honest.
"I know that I've been unreasonable. I know that I've caused you a great deal of problems over the years but you've convinced me over the past Several days. Can you accept that?"
"Walking down with me to breakfast is going to miraculously open the eyes of our House proud students?" He arched a brow questioningly.
Alastor noticed he didn't answer his question. He wondered how the man could get so much sarcasm into a simple statement and more importantly, how the hell was he so awake and alert. Even with hang over potion, Alastor felt rather unwell and on edge.
"of course it won't." He tried to snap and noticed it didn't come out as aggressively as he wanted.
Alastor reached for strength and calm. he didn't want to admit out loud the reason for coming here The fact that he wanted to lay some demons to rest and that only Severus Snape would be able to help him.
Snape's eyes met and held the other man's gaze. He stared into that ravaged face locked gazes with the one human and one magical eye. He was impressed how moody met his eyes without flinching or hiding. There were barriers in place so the older man was an acluder # very good. #
"fine, I'll walk down with you."
Alastor flashed a, dare he admit it, boyish grin -- and he found himself returning it.
mouth quirked into a grin and Severus was amazed that it softened the harsh features.
"Shall we?" Mischief gleaming in his one eye he held out an arm to the flabbergasted Potions master.
# Gryffindor #, Severus thought to himself but slid a hand into the crook of the offered arm. For the first time in a very long time Severus Snape felt like causing a bit of mischief and for the only time he could remember, it was for the sheer joy of it.
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The Great Hall was full of students laughing, chattering and studying. At the Gryffindor table Hermione sat a book propped up by a willing Seamus; a Seamus who paid more attention to making certain her book was available for her eyes than to his own breakfast. He would shoot soft smiles her way.
The previous summer had changed all the students, some more than others. Seamus had taken a long look at himself, at his beliefs and had wondered what would be the point of listening to others when he had a perfectly good mind.
It hadn't hurt that a certain young woman had encouraged him. They had written long rambling letters and while he was by no means as intelligent as Hermione, he was certainly capable of holding an in depth conversation. If he got lost in her convoluted logic they were rather even as she tended to get lost with his music talk.
RON flopped into a chair. He'd gone to the owlry to send Hestia home after he'd decided that the Headmaster could get the letter to his mum faster than an owl. He looked at the breakfast choices and served himself the usual heaping plate but unlike the previous morning he ate with his fork and knife, mind obviously on his food and not whatever else was bothering him.
Jinny and her year mates wandered in as a red and gold mass. They took up their section of the table and chattered away.
Colin smiled at her as she asked him for copies of some pictures.
"Not a problem, Jin!
His parents had given him what amounted to a portable darkroom for Christmas. It must have cost his dad a great deal of money He watched his younger brother sitting quietly a comic book propped up next to his plate.
Harry stumbled into the hall obviously tired. The younger Gryffindor watched him. The famous Harry Potter. He didn't really look like someone who would be famous with his messy hair and glasses but that didn't change the facts.
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Harry walked over to sit by Ron. He watched his friend and was pleased by what he saw. For the first time in a while, Ron looked focused if not particularly rested. He guessed writing to his mom had helped and the fact that they were going to be actively doing something useful. too. His friend was eating with gusto and Harry smiled. All was right with the world for this particular moment in time.
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"Bloody hell!" The exclamation came from the lightly populated Slytherin table.
It snapped heads up around the Great Hall. Everyone just gaped in horror as Severus Snape walked in, arm in arm, with Alastor Moody. The chatter was instantaneous and loud. All eyes were on the two men who were speaking softly. Snape blushed at something which sent the entire room off into wild speculation.
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Moody wanted to strangle each and every little brat in the room. He watched as the slightly relaxed Severus Snape vanished. It hadn't been the Snape who had drunk Veritaserum but he'd taken a long way to breakfast, gently coaxing Snape into conversation. He'd felt the other man relaxing infinitesimally.
"It's ok. Just ignore them. Think of all the points you'll be able to take from the little buggers, especially if like we think your days of spying are numbered or over.
The snort that served as Snape's reply made things relaxed again.
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IT took every ounce of will power Snape had not to run from this crazy scene. Severus had found himself enjoying talking with the Auror. It hadn't been a particularly long conversation as such things went but Moody had taken a round-about Route through the castle and they'd touched upon subjects ranging from teaching, to Law Enforcement. The conversation had been pleasant, held with another adult and Voldemort had not been mentioned a single time.
When they reached the staff table the two sat and Moody kept on talking quietly.
"Albus might be speechless when he sees this."
Severus found himself thinking about it for a moment.
"Hmm, probably. It would be worth taking a picture."
Moody laughed needing to set down the glass he'd been lifting to his lips before he spilled it.
"That might be arranged, Severus. All right if I call you that?"
"I suppose, Alastor."
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Albus thought he was too old to be surprised until he entered the Great Hall and saw Severus Snape and Alastor Moody looking like the best of friends or lovers; he revised the thought as Alastor stroked Severus' cheek in a surprisingly more than friends way.
"Look at Albus, Severus. It's priceless."
Severus watched from the corner of his eye and almost burst into laughter.
"I think I need to get out more if this continues to be so amusing."
"Oh?"
"It really cannot be that funny."
"It can't? How many people would give anything to catch Albus by surprise?
"Oh, well, if one considers it that way. Very true.
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It was at that moment that the doors to The Great Hall opened again and Remus Lupin stood framed in its opening. He looked worn out and tired, as exhausted as Snape and Moody felt. Alastor immediately noticed the tension that Snape couldn't quite hide. The man was as prickly as anything.
"What's the story there?"
"He betrayed me," and with those three words Alastor understood so much about this man before him.
"I won't let him hurt you again."
Severus found himself having an internal argument. A part of him didn't want to trust Alastor because he was a Gryffindor and had always done his best to undermine Severus' work for the Order. - On the other hand, a part of him wanted to trust this gentle, easily amused and smiling MOODY - the one that drug him through rarely used halls to have conversation with him; the one that, if he were to be believed, wanted to get to know Severus Snape. He peaked up at Albus and smothered another grin. Alastor was right, the flabbergasted expression was priceless. He leaned over sliding with surprising ease into Moody's space to give his own assessment of the look on Albus' face and found himself at wand tip. The move was so fast that Severus didn't even have time to track it.
"Hey, its Severus put that away before you frighten the students."
Severus understood Moody's reaction. It was born of too many years fighting and recently exacerbated by his kidnapping by Crouch JR.
Alastor looked at him for a long moment and as quickly as the wand appeared it disappeared.
"Something's wrong with Lupin." Alastor whispered to Severus, lips barely moving.
While Severus did not verbally acknowledge alastor's words he signaled Albus. Once the older man's attention was on him, he motioned towards Lupin, then Alastor and finally himself.
"Come to my office." Albus' lips barely moved, but he and Severus had been having these types of exchanges for years.
Severus inclined his head and took his time eating.
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In the mean time, Remus Lupin moved towards the teacher's table and spoke softly to Albus who listened intently. He patted Lupin gently and spoke quietly. Lupin nodded in reply to whatever the Headmaster said and then went towards the Gryffindor table.
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"Albus wants us to go to his office. Come with me."
Alastor rose without a word and followed.
Once they were outside the Great Hall Moody spoke.
"I over reacted in there."
"If it hadn't been for the students I might have let you get off a spell or two."
Moody laughed and the tension dissipated like smoke.
There was no ambling walk this time only the shortest possible route.
When they arrived at the gargoyle & it simply let them in neither man was surprised to find the office expanded and set up for a meeting.
At first, their entrance went unnoticed but as they took seats and Alastor waved a mug and coffee pot over to himself the room went utterly silent. If one listened Fox's faint breathing could even be heard.
"Morgana's tits what are all of you idiots gaping at?" Alastor barked and was highly amused when Dora knocked over an entire tea-set.
Elphias Doge, an older gentleman skilled in wards and roons gave him a vicious glare as the scolding hot tea had spilled over his ruby red robes.
Molly Weasley gave Alastor an evil look.
"You insufferable old goat," she snapped, "You waltz in here with Severus Snape as cozy as you please and you just expect everyone to act as though it were the most normal thing in the world?"
Beside him, Severus made a choking sound and waved a mug over to himself and busied himself by filling it with coffee of his own.
"We're at war you daft woman! What do you want from me?"
"Constant vigilance!" Barked Tonks.
Alastor's wand had snapped up and sent a stunner towards the voice without a thought. It was to Tonk's credit that she was able to dodge the spell. Unfortunately, Fox's perch did not have the ability to dodge and took the brunt of the spell. Fox flashed out with an angry squawk.
"He's going to be very displeased when he sees that." Minerva glared evilly at the entire room and because most of them had been in her classes they coward.
Those that had not been in classes with her as professor smirked. She snapped Alastor's chin back with a right cross that almost tipped his chair.
"Dam it minny. Repairo."
He flicked his wand at the perch and it reluctantly returned to its former glory.
Albus entered the room just then, took in the scene before him and sighed.
"Welcome to the next Order of the phoenix meeting!"
He waved his wand around the room and all the spills were cleaned up.
"Oh Elphias, I'm sorry about your robes, old friend."
"No, Albus please don't worry!"
Albus did worry though and with a warm smile and another wave of his wand The Red robes were augmented with tiny lions that raced about.
"Ah, art is so wonderful." With that happy pronouncement the Supreme Mugwump sat down between Hestia and Tonks.
"I call this meeting to order," said Minerva McGonigal, at some silent signal that past between her and Albus.
"All levity aside, my friends. This meeting has been called because we have several alarming events to discuss. Before we start with things we can do something about, I need to report that Frank and Alice died this past Friday. Their bodies are being held at the hospital. I have sent word out to Algae Longbottom but he's mourning Augusta's passing right now and he asked that we make arrangements."
Albus allowed the ripples of shock to take their course. THE couple had been lost to them for years but now it was final and there would be no second chances for the brave couple.
"Next up. Remus, will you make your report?"
"I'll start with the fact that I had no luck with recruitment. The hard line attitude of the ministry has won us no friends in the non-human communities. Also, I need to report that Fletcher has gone missing. Before everyone starts in on how that's not a loss for the Order, keep in mind that it is he that got us some of our more questionable needs met.
Albus shushed the whispers.
"We are in wartime mode. Hold your questions!"
Remus sank into his chair and Severus rose.
"I bring grave news. The Dark Lord called a meeting yesterday. Albus and I have been working on plans which he will elaborate on. My report was excepted without question. As I was finishing up a late arrival entered the chambers, The voice was that of Emaline Vance." The wave of sound was expected shock, denial and horror.
"Settle down." Minerva said firmly and slowly everyone quieted.
"After Neville Longbottom's outstanding performance last year I asked him if he would be willing to help us set up Draco Malfoy. We hoped that he could draw the child into making an error of judgment. I spent the first term of the school year working with him. Draco Malfoy used Crucio on him and now he's in the hospital and will not wake."
"Like his parents," It was Molly Weasley who gasped in shock and horror.
"No," Severus jumped in, "He was fine, more than fine when I left him. We're not certain what is wrong but he appears to be in a coma. He has barely been left alone. Students are there every spare moment and you all know how Poppy is."
"It is possible," Alastor broke in, "that the attack in your class was somehow a part of Malfoy's plan."
That quiet statement got everyone in an uproar and it took 15 minutes to calm everyone down. Once the attack was discussed to everyone's satisfaction, Albus took over again.
"I know we have had many shocks today, but we can't meet all day. The professors amongst us have responsibilities and others of us have jobs to do. Let's focus on trying to figure out how we can mitigate Emaline's knowledge."
"Albus, she has numbers, supplies, and the locations of safe houses."
For a wonder his brother had attended today but had been quiet throughout the meeting.
"I know, Abe. Do you have suggestions:"
"I do. The Hogshead has rooms beneath. I say, at the least, we move supplies there start with food magic supplies rare books. People can always come to Hogwarts."
"What do you need from me, Abe?" Albus posed the question with great humility.
If Tom's return was going to cause strife then he would take his little victories where he could get them.
"I want students that you can trust to help with moving items. If teachers go missing too often word will get around; however there is a frame that Arianna visits in the castle if students meet there at a certain time, she will guide them to me and we can get things going."
"Can you stay after the meeting so we can discuss this in more detail?"
"Fine."
"I think we have another matter to discuss."
Everyone groaned at Alastor Moody's pronouncement.
"What's that," Andromeda Tonks asked smoothly.
"We need to take an oath on our lives and magic that we are loyal to the task of bringing about the end of the Dark Lord Voldemort. We cannot have any more traitors in our ranks."
Alastor is correct, my friends. I will give my oath first. I, Albus Percival Wolfric Bryon Dumbledore swear on my life and magic that I will do all in my power to prevent Tom Marvolo Riddle the self-styled Lord Voldemort from coming to power. I will work with those opposed to his beliefs to the best of my ability and will not betray the secrets of The Order of the Phoenix to anyone who does not first give a similar oath." The flash of Gold and White shimmered around Albus' head.
The meeting continued for over an hour with oaths being given by all of the people present. For those that had been unable to attend, Tonks would go and insure their loyalty. As people were leaving, Albus waved Molly over and handed her the note.
"This is from your youngest boy."
"Thank you, Albus."
When the two brothers were finally alone they spoke quietly making arrangements for certain students to be assigned a multi-class project excusing them from regular class attendance.
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In the Hospital Wing, Ron sat with Neville talking to him softly about the Slytherins and the DA's plan to "introduce the idea of allowing 'them into the meetings.
"I have moments when I think I've gone nuts but -- there's this" he leaned forward until his lips were brushing the other boy's ear "new ability I seem to have kind of like foretelling only not. I just keep Seeing that Slytherins are important and well, I can't escape the fact that Goyle saved my life!" He moved away back to regular conversation distance before he continued. "I could have died last week. Anyway, we could certainly use your help, mate you know people are going to just be mental and you have a way with making people see reason." Ron sighed and patted Neville's shoulder, and felt the young man twitch under his hand.
"Nev, you waking up, huh?" Ron shook Neville's shoulder gently.
Just then, Justin, Hermione, Harry and Ginny came stumbling over to where they were and madam Pomfrey bustled out.
"Quiet, all of you keep it down this is a Hospital wing, not a quiditch party, honestly!"
"Ron, what's that bout Slytherins?" The voice was barely a whisper but everyone heard it and they all started babbling and shrieking and making an inordinate amount of happy sound.
"Out!" Barked Madam Pomfrey.
"I need to check Mr. Longbottom and I can't do that with all of you yelling and jumping about. Come back after dinner."
As the room emptied in a hurry, Ron took a second to visit Goyle. Vincent Crabbe sat on the bed right next to him. Ron noticed that there were no cards or sweets or anything. The partitioned area looked drab and lonely. He felt a pang of guilt and resolved to do something about it.
"Hey."
"Hey!" The brown eyes were open and focused on him.
"I'd like to talk with you about some stuff. I got to go now though or she'll throw me out or dose me with something, who knows?" I'll come back tonight, ok?"
"Sounds fine, Weasley."
Ron reached into one of his Robe's pockets and tossed them a deck of Wizarding Cards.
"Thanks Weasley." Crabbe spoke up quietly.
"No problem." He walked out before he could get into trouble.
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Ron bided his time. He went with everyone to see Neville. Then went back to the tower. Once everyone but Hermione and Harry had gone to bed he rose.
"I'm going to take the journals to Crabbe and Goyle. Can I use your cloak for that?"
Harry reached over to his bag and handed it over.
"We'll wait here for you to get back." Harry said firmly.
"Ok."
Ron quietly left Gryffindor Tower. He moved stealthily and made it without fuss to the Hospital Wing. Once he reached the area where the two Slytherins lay he placed a silencing charm around their area so that their conversation wouldn't bring Madam Pomfrey. He also figured it couldn't hurt to take extra care. After all, it was possible that others were skulking about. Gryffindor were brave but not the only ones with the ability to get around rules.
"Goyle, Crabbe. You guys awake?"
"Weasley?"
It was Goyle of course. Eyes mostly closed voice muzzy with sleep.
"I'm back. Sorry I didn't stop in when we all came after dinner but this conversation needs to be held in private."
"Ok."
"Ron watched as Goyle struggled into a sitting position.
"You can come sit if you want and call me Greg. Goyle is my father and I don't want to be associated with him."
"Ur, ok! You can call me Ron."
"It's been a strange weekend hasn't it?"
"You don't know the half of it." Ron chuckled a bit.
Friday night after we left you guys, something very strange happened to Harry and I."
Ron took a deep breath. He'd lived it, told the story and still had a hard time believing it.
"We were just minding our own business and trying to be extra quiet when we found ourselves ... somewhere else."
Ron noticed that Crabbe's eyes widened a bit but Greg's expression didn't even twitch.
Very interesting. It would be a very useful ability to have on their side.
Ron made sure to keep talking in hopes that neither young man would notice his slight distraction.
"I wish it was some kind of hallucination, but I don't think so."
Ron got up and started pacing around their small area.
"Weasley, sit down! You're going to get us in trouble." Vincent wanted to strangle the Redheaded idiot. What Greg saw in him remained totally out of his understanding.
"Will not, put up a charm. Now pay attention. This is the important part. When We that is Harry and I realized what was going on."
"Oh glory be. You've got a brain between you!"
"Shut it!"
"Ron. Vince. Please don't argue right now. I'm tired and I have a headache and..." Greg trailed off running a tired hand across his eyes. He sighed a little letting his eyes flicker half closed.
The other boys looked terribly ashamed of themselves. While they tripped over themselves apologizing to Greg and each other they didn't notice the faint satisfied smile Greg allowed himself. He consoled himself with the fact that he was genuinely tired and so he wasn't actually manipulating the other two.
Greg leaned back in to the pillows making sure there was room for Ron to sit. Ron, still feeling very guilty that the other boy was in the Hospital Wing because of him, made sure the pillows fluffed themselves".
"Please go on." Greg kept his tone soft and was surprised at just how tired stringing words together was making him feel.
"I'm not sure where we were even now. It had to be a part of the castle that isn't really used. We found ourselves talking with, Godric Gryffindor. He said we were part of some spell Rowena and Helga had created. Actually, he wasn't sure."
"He showed you a scene from the past, didn't he?" Greg kept his tone mild.
Vincent found it difficult to breathe. This just could not be real. It would change everything!
"Y-yeah." Ron said faintly.
"What did he show you?" Vincent made himself speak. He could tell Greg was fading and he wanted to keep the conversation as short as possible.
"The first time he and Salazar Slytherin met."
"Oh Merlin. Oh Merlin. It's real then."
Greg figured Vince should be allowed to freak out for a little bit so he took up the conversation.
"Apparently, the first night we came back Vince had a similar experience. He was out doing some recon work. The difference was that the one he spoke to with was Salazar Slytherin and the scene he witnessed was a bit more um, adult than what you saw. The next morning on my way to class, I had my own run in with Salazar Slytherin. I thought it was a joke. I mean I'm not anyone special but apparently he wanted to meet me."
"Oh Merlin." Ron moaned.
"Oh, will the two of you get a grip?"What happened next?"
"Basically, He told us that he wasn't sure what needed to happen but that he and Salazar were prisoners until some prophecy happened. He thought people might need to have sex but he wasn't sure."
"Have sex?!" Crabbe yelped indignantly; Ron just grinned.
"Harry decided to go research so he asked Madam Pinse about any special books on the founders. She gave him a good 10 books. We figure we could divide them up. I think we might need to pull in all of the Houses. Basically we have a journal written by Slytherin himself and one called The Early Years for the two of you to start researching, if you're willing. There are other ones. I know the spell books are going to Hermione and the Ravenclaws."
"Bulstrode is really smart. You all may want to ask her for help." Vincent interjected.
"We'll do that. There's one journal for each founder."
"It all sounds very complicated." Greg commented.
"It is and I have to do school work. I'm not good at school work at the best of times and I'm just rubbish at it now."
"You can come study with us. There are special techniques that help me learn things. I'm not sure what good they'll do me now but, I'll share them with you."
Ron watched as the animation on Greg's, not Goyle's face he reminded himself disappeared.
"Look, if I have to beg Hermione to come help you I promise you will not get kicked out."
"Ok."
Ron felt kind of disappointed as the self-assured young man that had made he and Crabbe behave all but vanished.
"Here" He held out the two small books. Crabbe's coming to classes, right?"
"Yeah, he is. Moody said we had to change the way we acted to keep us safe. I think what happened in class was caused by one of my House Mates. I think they wanted me dead."
Ron kind of stared.
"Well, I won't let that happen. It's not right. Will you take tomorrow to start looking at those books while we're all in class?
"I will."
"Great. Look, this is a journal for you to make your notes. They can be whatever you want; things you find interesting; things we should look into a bit more. Whatever. Here's a never out quill and this," He took out a small little jar, "If you make a mistake, you just rub a tiny bit of this on the area you want to fix and it'll vanish. The twins made it."
"Wicked." Greg breathed.
"Yeah." With that soft reply, Ron stood.
"We'll talk more tomorrow after class. Please rest."
Ron held out a hand and Greg shook it and managed not to hold on any longer than necessary.
Ron held out a hand to Crabbe while he was at it.
"I suppose," the other boy said, returning the hand clasp "You should call me Vince, ok?"
"Ok, you should call me Ron then."
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Once Ron was gone the two Slytherins were left staring at each other.
"I'm ready to sleep after that." Vince said.
"I hate the thought of you going back tomorrow." Greg mentioned worriedly.
"There's no help for it so just deal with it."
"I know," were the last words Greg spoke that night as sleep claimed him.
kkkkk
On his way out, Ron lifted the charm. He stood outside of the Hospital Wing, Harry's cloak around him and a wave of exhaustion making him sway where he stood.
kkkkk
Godric fretted over the child. So much knowledge had been lost to fear, and now this boy was gifted with the ability of a general and couldn't use it. Absently, as he did so often he reached with his magic and found, to his shock, that it responded to his call. He gently used it to shift the child into the tower and ruffle the cloak so that his friends could see him.
kkkkk
"Ron, how did it go?"
Ron stared. How had he got here?"
"It went well. It turns out that both Greg and Vince; they said I should call them that have experienced something similar."
Hermione felt an energy spurt run through her.
"Hermione!" Both boys chorused, "We all need to sleep!"
She laughed.
"Right, then let's get to it, tomorrow will come soon!"
They stumbled to their respective beds. Tomorrow would begin their first official week of the New term and they had to be ready for it.
TBC: next up, neville joins the planning, special projects are handed out and the journals and books are explored.