Disclaimer: I still don't own Harry Potter! *pouts*
A/N: Normally I only put these at the end of the chapter, but I just wanted to say that I've not jumped the shark. Just bare with me. =)
Chapter 78
"Nick! You nearly scared me to death." Heart still racing, Harry fully turned around in his chair. "So you do know about this place."
Nick nodded. "I thought you might have meant this library. We've been watching you since you asked me for permission to remove the books."
Harry frowned. "You know, I'm already paranoid because of Myrtle. You admitting that you've been following me around is not helping."
Nick laughed, which made his head wobble on his neck. "We've not been following you. We've just been ... watching you while you were in this room, mostly."
"We?"
"Er ... yeah. What do you know about the enchantments placed on this room?"
"I know that I can't talk about this place outside of here nor write it down. I can get around it to some extent but even then I get a headache."
"Have you told anyone?"
"No. I wanted to tell the Headmaster but the two times I've thought about it, I've been nearly knocked unconscious. I got the hint. I can't tell anyone that this places exists."
"Well, when myself and the other's became the house ghosts, we were told about this room. We also have spells on us that prevents us from talking about it. This room is to stay a secret except for those that find it, like yourself, or for those that meet the other's."
"Other's?"
"Do you remember that other question you asked me?"
"About the Founder's Ghosts? Yeah. Why?"
"Well, one of the things that us ghosts can do is follow people unobserved ... to an extent. It's been brought to my attention that you've been trying to create a spell that will let you send a letter to a ghost. In fact, you've been devoting a lot of time to this project, have you not?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah. Nick, I'm starting to feel paranoid again."
Nick smiled. "Well, first of all, you're on the right path on your task. You just don't have access to the spell creation books that are in the restricted section. With your ... rather curious issues with Latin, and because of who you are, it was decided that I get to answer your question."
Harry's eyes were wide. "Are you telling me that their ghosts really did linger here?"
Nick smiled and floated to the side. To his astonishment, 4 ghosts appeared in front of him.
Harry recognized them immediately from their portraits. A light bulb suddenly went off in his head. "You were all at Nick's Death Day party two years ago!"
"Kid's got a good memory," the ghost next to Nick said.
"You are the original Founders ...?" he trailed off. He just wanted to make sure. He didn't figure Nick as one to pull the wool over his eyes.
"We are, indeed, the ghost of the Founders Harry Potter. I am Rowena Ravenclaw."
"You know my name?" he asked rather stupidly.
"Someone explain to me how an idiot found this room?" the ghost on the end said. That had to be Slytherin.
Harry frowned. "I'm not an idiot."
"He knows that Harry. We've been watching you grow and learn ever since you've entered the castle," the ghost next to Ravenclaw said.
Harry's eyes widened.
"Way to make him feel even more paranoid than he already is, Helga," the ghost closest to Nick said. "I'm Godric Gryffindor."
He looked from Nick to them and back again.
"But ... the Headmaster ... he must ... he's gotta know about you."
"He has mused out loud about us possibly existing, especially when he renews the wards surrounding the castle."
"A Gryffindor, of all things," muttered the ghost on the far right.
"There's nothing wrong with being a Gryffindor," pointed out Harry boldly.
"So Godric tells me."
Harry suddenly had about a thousand questions flow through his head.
Evidently it showed on his face because the ghost of Ravenclaw asked, "What were you going to ask us in the letter you were planning on writing?"
"Huh? Oh. Yeah. I was hoping to get someone's permission to be able to remove a couple of books from here. Nick wouldn't give it to me and I've almost gotten caught sneaking out a few times to come down here and plunder."
"Sorry Harry. I don't have the authority to give you permission to remove anything from here," admitted Nick.
Harry simply nodded.
"Harry, we cannot allow anyone to see these books. Some of these subjects have become forbidden magic in your time," Helga Hufflepuff said.
"And some of the ones that we have written can be dangerous - especially in the hands of others," Godric Gryffindor said while glaring at Slytherin.
"I removed them after he left," Salazar said some what haughtily.
"You mean Riddle had access to these books?" asked Harry alarmed.
"Not all of them - just some of mine. You found the other door off of my chamber right?"
Harry nodded.
"After he left the school, we pooled our magic and had those books brought into here."
"They would have been put into here sooner if we would have known about your Chamber of Secrets."
"That's why it's called a secret. No one is supposed to know about it."
"Can we not argue," Nick interjected. It looked like he was used to playing a mediator. "Are you going to be alright Harry if I go, or did you want me to stay?"
"Er ... I should be fine. Thanks Nick. I mean it."
Nick nodded and faded from view.
Harry then thought of something and frowned. "It shouldn't matter though about other's seeing the books. Only a parselmouth can touch them."
"What?" three of the four ghosts demanded.
"I figured it out my third time in here. The books are spelled to where only a parselmouth can touch them. I thought only Slytherin - er Mr. Slytherin - could speak to snakes."
"He was the only one of us that could."
Harry watched 3 of the ghosts turn toward the now fading out Slytherin.
"What did you do?" they demanded.
"It was just an extra precaution," he said glaring at them.
"That's what the wards around the room and on the door is for," scathed Rowena.
"There aren't any wards on the door," said Harry confused.
He watched as Helga went over and put her ghostly hand on the door and mutter something. The doorway flared with a multitude of colors.
Harry turned red. He had never even noticed.
"Have you came across our diaries yet?"
Harry shook his head. "I saw them on the list when I cast a cataloguing spell but I couldn't find them."
"Hmm ... Well, when we created the school, we essentially put ourselves and our magic into it. When we died, we knew that we would become ghosts to continue to watch over it," explained Rowena.
"What I was thinking, I'll never understand," muttered Salazar.
"When we became ghosts we hid ourselves, choosing not to interfere with the running of the school. None of us had been a Headmaster or Headmistress for many years when that time came so no one was expecting us to suddenly turn up as ghosts back then. For the first 100 years or so, we left the Library to where only the current Headmaster of the school had access to the books."
"Then one took over that didn't have the students best intentions at heart," added Godric. "So we sealed the doorway. The couple of Headmasters after him also were not up to par, so we let it stay hidden."
"And you've never unsealed it since then?"
"We have for a few other Headmasters that have managed to contact us in various ways but we've always sealed it back. There have also been a handful of intelligent students that has managed to find the room over the years."
"I'm really surprised that Dumbledore doesn't have access to this place," mused Harry out loud, completely oblivious to the fact that they had just insinuated he was intelligent.
"If he were to ask for it, we would grant it," said Helga. "But he needs to ask to see it."
"Not that it would matter," huffed Godric.
"Oh get your knickers out of a twist. It's probably reversible," Salazar sneered - very reminiscent of Snape.
"You better hope it is," said Godric.
"Or what? You'll haunt me forever? You already do that."
Harry just shook his head and then focused on Salazar. "A Basilisk for a pet?"
"In my defense I really didn't expect her to live for as long as she did."
"You do know that she killed someone then almost killed me."
"Yes. She was meant to be a guardian to my chambers only. She was never meant to be a weapon, despite the rumor going around that it was her sole purpose. The girl looked into her eyes which was instant death. We couldn't have prevented it. As for almost killing you, we are aware of that. When the phoenix cried on you, we exerted ourselves using what magic us ghosts have to keep you alive, giving the tears time to work."
Harry's eyes bugged out. He thought back to that day. "The air ... the air around me changed. I could feel the magic in it. I just assumed that it had something to do with whatever Fawkes was doing to me." He was so engrossed in his memory that he missed the exchanges of looks that the 4 ghosts shared.
"And I have to know," said Harry after a moment. "A girls' bathroom for the entrance?"
"I'm a guy. No one would have looked for the entrance there."
Harry just shook his head. "I have a personal question for you," he said hesitantly. "Why do you hate muggleborns so much?"
"When you read my diary, you'll see the reason. I assure you it's a valid one at that."
He had more questions for Slytherin but didn't want to bombard the man with them. "So where are your diaries at? Do I have permission to read them? There's so little written about your time."
"In the bottom of the bookshelves, you'll find a false panel. They are there and you have permission to read them."
"Thank you." Harry then turned to Salazar. "I didn't know that parseltongue could be written." Evidently he couldn't help himself.
"It's called parselscript in the written form. That reminds me. You are not of my bloodline. How did you get the ability?"
"According to Dumbledore, when Voldemort tried to kill me and the curse rebounded, he inadvertently gave me some of his abilities." Harry shrugged. "I don't mind talking to snakes. The visions of him I can do without though."
Harry then got up and started searching for the diaries. After about 10 minutes he had them all placed on the table but before he could do anything else with them, his wand warmed against his arm.
"Bah. I gotta go. It's 5am. Before I do though, I'm curious as to why your portraits wouldn't talk to me."
Rowena chuckled. "They are charmed to only talk to the teachers of the school. I'm sure you're not the only one that's wondered that."
"Oh. Can I uh ... contact you all again if I have questions?" asked Harry hopefully. "I'll try not to bother you all too much. I'm sure you have lots of stuff to be doing ..."
"We'll be around but you'll only be able to call us if you're in this room," said Helga kindly.
"It was nice to actually meet you Harry. We'll see you later," chimed in Rowena.
The 4 ghosts faded away with Godric laughing at Slytherin over something.
Once Harry was safely behind the curtains of his bed, he laid back and stared at the canopy.
He had met the ghosts of the founders of the school.
He couldn't believe it.
His last thought before he had drifted off to sleep was that they seemed surprisingly normal.
"Mister Potter, you need to go out towards the Quidditch Pitch. You'll see Mr. Bagman there along with the other champions," McGonagall said as she approached him at dinner.
Harry had been waiting all day to be told what the final task was going to be so he jumped up and headed out towards the pitch.
When he got there, he stared at the field in horror. The bleachers were moved off to one side and there was some type of hedge growing where the field should be. Except it kind of looked longer. He couldn't tell from where he was standing.
"Don't worry Mr. Potter. After the 3rd task, your Quidditch Pitch will be returned to normal," Bagman said as he undoubtedly saw the shock on Harry's face.
"Now that we're all here, I can tell you that the final task will take place here in one month. Anyone venture a guess as to what this is behind me?"
"Maze," grunted out Krum.
"That's right. There will be dark creatures and other things in the maze between you and the Tri-Wizard cup. The champion that gets to the cup first will be declared the winner. Now since Mr. Diggory and Mr. Potter are tied for first place, they will enter the maze first. Mr. Krum in second place will enter the maze 5 minutes after them and Ms. Delacour will enter 5 minutes after Mr. Krum. Any questions?"
When no one spoke up, Mr. Bagman dismissed everyone.
"Harry, could I haff a word with you?"
Surprised, Harry turned around towards Krum. "Er, sure."
Once they were out of ear shot of the others Victor looked down at Harry (he really hated being short) and said, "You are a very good flyer."
"Uh, thanks. I saw you at the World Cup. That was an incredible Wronski Feint you did."
"Thanks. I haff a question for you. Does blood purity not mean anything to you?"
Harry was surprised. "No. Why?"
"Because that seems to be the most important thing to a Slytherin. At my school, they don't take anyone that isn't a pure blood."
Harry's eyes widened. "That's not fair to those that are muggleborn or even half blood."
"I haff never given it a thought until I came here. It's just the way things are. But I see how smart your Herm-oh-ninny is and how powerful you are and it makes me wonder all kinds of things."
Harry couldn't help but chuckle at the way Krum had said Hermione's name.
"Aren't there -"
Whatever Krum had been about to say, he stopped because they both heard a noise in the Forbidden Forest. Harry automatically shoved Krum behind him.
"Lumos," he muttered.
"What is it?" asked Krum.
"I don't know."
The noise happened again. Suddenly Mr. Crouch came stumbling out of the forest.
"Make sure you send off that memo today, Weatherby."
"Mr. Crouch?"
"Isn't that one of your ministry people?"
"It is. Mr. Crouch?" Harry said as he slowly approached the man as he was talking to a tree. "Mr. Crouch?" he said louder.
When Harry touched his shoulders and the man turned around, he saw it in his eyes. Mr. Crouch had the imperious curse on him.
Surprised, Harry took a step back. He then saw clarity break through in the man's eyes. He was fighting it.
"Potter. Must get to Dumbledore. Done a horrible thing. My son. Need to explain."
Harry watched him go back to talking to the tree.
"You need to help me. We need to get him to Dumbledore."
"He's crazy."
"He's cursed. Dumbledore can fix it. Come on Mr. Crouch. Let's get you to the Headmaster."
Together, he and Krum had got him walking in the right direction. It wasn't an easy task. The man kept trying to stop every two seconds to explain something to Percy.
As they were nearing the castle door, Harry suddenly felt nauseous. He saw Crouch fall over, then Krum, and before he could pull his wand out, his world went black.
When Harry opened his eyes next, he was in the hospital wing.
Sitting up quickly made him dizzy so he laid back down. Madam Pomphrey and the Headmaster came into his field of view then.
"What happened? Why am I here?"
The Headmaster spoke first. "We were hoping you could tell us. The Head Boy found you and Mr. Krum unconscious on the front steps of the castle last night."
Harry strained his memory. "Victor wanted to talk to me after we found out what the 3rd task was. We were walking near the Forest when ... when Mr. Crouch came bursting through."
"Crouch?"
"Yes sir. He kept saying that he had to get to you to explain what happened then he would act like he was talking to Percy."
"Did he say anything more?"
"Something about his son and that he shouldn't have done it. Victor and I were helping him to the castle when ... when I saw him and Victor fall. I don't remember anything after that."
"Well Crouch wasn't with you two when you were found."
"Were we stunned?"
Albus sighed. "No, Mr. Potter. You and Mr. Krum were caught in the after wash of the Killing Curse."
Harry's eyes widened. "So someone tried to kill us?"
"No. Now that we know there was a 3rd person with you, and he is missing, we can only assume he was the target."
"There's one other thing sir. Mr. Crouch - he had the imperious curse on him."
The Headmaster's eyes widened. "Are you sure?"
"I am. I could see it in his eyes."
"I'll have Hagrid search the grounds to see if he can find Crouch, though I doubt he will. And you're certain you didn't see anyone else?"
"No sir. I didn't see anyone else. Is Krum alright?"
"He woke up this morning."
"Didn't he tell you about Mr. Crouch?"
"I'm afraid Headmaster Karkaroff didn't give him much of a chance. As soon as Mr. Krum had awoken, he was whisked off back to his ship."
"Are you in any pain Mr. Potter?" asked Madam Pomphrey.
"Just nauseous."
"I'll give you something for that. Are you up for visitors?"
Harry nodded.
"Harry, I want you to keep this between us until I can figure it out. Just tell everyone you don't remember what happened."
"Yes sir," said Harry confused.
And so he did. Everyone he encountered, he told them he didn't remember what happened. Whether they believed him or not was a different story. He was a horrible liar.
Severus was currently brewing some potions that he knew Potter would need when there was a knock at the door. Knowing it was the Headmaster he called for him to enter.
"How is he?"
"He woke up about 20 minutes ago. He's fine."
"What does he remember?"
"Everything up until he passed out. There was a third person with him."
"Who?" asked Severus as he stirred the potion.
"Evidently Mr. Crouch had come stumbling out of the Forbidden Forest."
"Crouch?" asked Severus as he turned around - shocked. "Did Harry say what he wanted?"
"To get to me evidently. He had the imperious curse on him but was fighting it. He told Harry that he shouldn't have done something with his son. Harry said that he was confusing. I have Hagrid searching for him in the Forbidden Forest right now, but I doubt he'll find anything. The curse passed straight between Harry and Victor."
"Albus, could Alastor be doing this? I caught him in my stores again and I noticed that some of the Polyjuice ingredients were missing."
"Do you know if they were missing before you caught him in your cupboard again?"
Severus shook his head. "As far as I know they weren't, but I don't see how anyone could have gotten in there without my wards going off."
"I just don't understand how anyone could get close enough to Alastor to curse him. I think it's time I confronted him about the discrepancies. I don't want you anywhere near me when I do that."
"You will not be confronting him alone."
"I won't be alone, Severus."
Before Severus could respond, the Headmaster had walked back out through the door. He scowled. He couldn't leave his potions else they would ruin, and Albus knew that.
Harry,
What were you thinking going off some where alone with the Durmstrang champion? I want you to promise by return owl that you won't go anywhere alone again. We still don't know how your name got in that goblet. If someone really is out to kill you, they only have one more chance.
As for the maze, practice stunning and disarming. A few hexes, jinxes, and curses wouldn't go awry either.
I'm waiting for your return owl promising that you won't go anywhere alone.
Love,
Padfoot
"Who is he to tell me not to go anywhere alone?" muttered Harry.
"Harry, he's just concerned for you. While you write him back I'll draw up a list of things for you to learn," said Hermione.
Harry groaned as they both reached for a piece of parchment.
A week later found Harry stumbling about half blind as he headed towards the shower. He was tired and half asleep, having not slept well. As he got to the doorway, he realized that he didn't have his glasses on.
"Accio glasses," muttered Harry. After they zoomed into his hands, he headed down the stairs toward the shower.
It wasn't until he had the cold water on him to wake himself up that he realized he had done that without his wand.
He had summoned his glasses without a wand.
His eyes widened in surprise.
All day long he tried summoning things without his wand but it didn't work. He had told Ron and Hermione about what he had done when they had questioned his odd behavior. He had a suspicion that they thought he was crazy.
Albus stroked his beard thoughtfully. He had been unable to catch Alastor alone to interrogate him. The Headmaster had even entered Moody's private quarter's at 3 in the morning, but discovered an empty bed.
As far as could tell, Alastor was still teaching his classes so he had waited until the end of one of the man's lectures to confront him, but when he entered the classroom, the students had told him that Moody had left through another door about 5 minutes prior.
So the man was purposefully avoiding him.
Those times that he did catch up with him, he had been surrounded by students or other professor's. It wouldn't do to confront him in such a public place, so for now, he would continue to try to get him alone. The man did have to sleep after all.
"Mr. Potter, the Headmaster wants to see you after dinner."
"Alright Professor McGonagall."
After he ate, he headed towards the Slytherin table to tell Gabriella he couldn't study with her tonight.
"If I get done early, I'll send you a note."
She nodded and went back to her food.
He then made his way up to the Headmaster's office. When he reached the stone gargoyle he had a dilemma. He didn't know the password. So, he started naming off all the candies that he knew. About 10 minutes later he glared at the gargoyle. "Will you just open already? He asked to see me. Please?"
To his surprise, the gargoyle moved aside and the rotating stairwell appeared. He groaned. He should have just asked to begin with. He hopped up on stairs and rode to the top. There he knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Harry entered. "You needed to see me sir?"
"I did. Have a seat."
As Harry sat down, he saw the magical signature of Professor Snape in the corner. He let his gaze linger there for a second then refocused on the Headmaster. At least an invisible Snape didn't give him the creeps like an invisible Moody did.
"Harry, on the day of the third task, the other Champions will be spending time with their families. I've tried contacting the Dursley's about coming to watch you in the 3rd task but have been unable to get a response back from them."
Harry couldn't help but give a humorless laugh. "The only way they would even consider showing up is if you paid them and told them that I might die."
"That's not something to joke about."
"It's the truth."
Albus frowned. "Is there anyone you want to come cheer you on?"
"Sirius," he answered automatically. "But I suppose him showing up would be bad, so maybe Remus?"
Albus smiled. "I will certainly ask him. Now. I need to ask you a question and I want the truth."
Harry nodded warily.
"Have the Dursley's ever kicked you out of the house?"
Harry snorted. "My aunt has thrown me out every year since I was 5 and accidently blew up Dudley's toy fire truck. It's a ritual between us. Why?"
"How long did you stay out of the house?"
"The most was 3 nights. Normally I would hide at the local park until a police man would find me and take me home. Why?" he asked again.
"And ever since you've been coming to Hogwarts, you've considered it your home?"
Harry nodded and smiled. "I feel more welcome here than I ever have there."
Albus sighed. "Harry, this summer, I checked on the wards surrounding Privet Drive while you were at the Weasley's and discovered that there were none up."
"I thought you said those were blood wards."
"They were. Between your aunt forcing you out of the house and you considering this your home, they failed. As such, you cannot return to the Dursley's - especially with what you just told me."
"Does this mean that I can stay here over the summer?" he asked hopefully.
"No, but it does mean that you can stay with Sirius."
"Really?"
The Headmaster nodded. Harry suddenly felt a strange wave of magic coming from an invisible Snape. It almost felt as if he were hurting. Odd didn't describe it properly though. Dumbledore started speaking again so he re-focused on him. "I need to know what all the Dursley's done to you so we can prosecute them."
Harry frowned. Why would Dumbledore want to prosecute them? It wasn't like he was worth the trouble. "If I never have to see them again, then don't worry about it. No harm was really done."
Harry could feel a glare coming at him from where Professor Snape was standing. Now that was a little unnerving.
"If I'm not going back there, why did you try to get a hold of them to ask if they wanted to come watch the tournament?"
"I ... was trying to keep an optimistic look about the whole thing, to be honest. They are your family after all."
Harry made a face. "Sir, can I as you something?"
"Certainly, my boy."
"Did you ever figure out how my name got in the goblet?"
"Not exactly," said the Headmaster as he sat back in his chair. Harry never noticed that he didn't meet his eyes.
He frowned slightly. "Have you checked Karkaroff? Sirius said that he used to be a Death Eater."
"He didn't put your name into the Goblet of Fire."
"Just wondered. I get a mixed feeling from him."
"Do you get a bad feeling from anyone else here?" asked the Headmaster, instantly curious.
"Professor Moody," he replied automatically. "He likes to follow me around invisibly and it's a tad bit ... disconcerting. Plus he keeps trying to help me."
"I told him to keep an eye on you when your name came out of the Goblet but not to make you feel paranoid and he should not be trying to help you. How has he assisted you?"
"He was the one that suggested flying to me for the first task and handed me some gillyweed for the second ... even though I had already managed to get some. He had also leant Neville a book at the beginning of the year that explained about gillyweed. Had Neville not known about it, I wouldn't have known how to survive underwater for an hour.
"I told Sirius but he told me Moody was a good guy." Harry shrugged then changed the subject when Dumbledore didn't say anything immediately.
"Has Madam Pomphrey talked to you about me yet?" he asked curiously. The weekly visits after he had stormed out of the hospital wing consisted of him popping his head around the corner of her office saying he was fine and basically running away. He wouldn't have put it past her to tell Dumbledore since he wasn't actually staying for more than 3 seconds.
"Should she have?"
"She's been wanting to now for months. I'll let her tell you and only you. I don't want my other professor's to know. I'll be able to stop my weekly visits with her finally. Gabriella thinks I have some deadly disease with as much as I go to the hospital wing."
'She's not the only one,' thought Albus. He chuckled slightly. "I'll certainly ask her. Have you had any more dreams?"
Harry let his eyes flicker to Snape again then refocused on the Headmaster. "Not that I've not written to you about. He has the strength he needs for something, now all he needs is me," said Harry grimly.
"We'll just have to make sure that he doesn't get you then."
Harry nodded.
"Harry ... did Sirius mention any one else to look out for?"
"He, uh ... said Professor Snape is a Death Eater and to stay away from him." He shrugged. "I figured you wouldn't have hired him if he was a Death Eater and my mom wouldn't have dated him if he was as evil as Sirius described. I love Sirius but he's prejudice against all Slytherin's."
"How did you find out Professor Snape and your mother dated?"
"Remus told me," Harry said smiling. Then he said wryly. "I hope no one get's upset that he did." Again, his eyes drifted to where Snape was standing. "It took some getting used to but I believe him because of a photo album I got for my birthday. Besides, despite the fact that he hates me and makes me feel 2 inches tall sometimes, I feel ... safe around Professor Snape. I trust him."
Albus smiled and stroked his beard. "I do not think Professor Snape hates you Harry."
"He sure likes to put me in detention," he scoffed. "Did you ever find Crouch?"
"No. Why?"
"Are you sure he was hit by the killing curse?"
"Not entirely. We just know that one passed between you and Mr. Krum. Why?"
"Because I have a ... er ... object that lets me see where everyone is in the school and I've seen him in Moody's Quarters a few times, especially at night. The last time I saw him was two nights ago. I'd have went to check it out but with my luck, I'd have been caught out after curfew." He had been caught by Professor Sprout a couple of days prior to that while sneaking to the Room of Requirement again.
Albus sat up in his chair. "You were right to stay in your dorm. Was Alastor with him?"
"No sir. He was no where in the vicinity."
"What kind of object is this?"
Harry sighed. "It's a map. My dad, Sirius, Remus, and Pettigrew made it during their school years here."
The Headmaster was clearly intrigued. "The task is in a week and a half. If you happen to see Mr. Crouch on that map again before then, let me know."
Harry stood up to leave. "All right sir. And Professor, when you ask Remus if he'll come, tell him I understand if he has plans already. I'm really not worth the trouble of coming all the way to Hogwarts just to stare at a maze while I no doubt get lost in it."
"I can do that but I seriously doubt that he'll think it a hassle. And Harry, don't tell anyone you aren't going to the Dursley's this year."
"Not even Ron, Hermione, or Gabby?"
"Not yet. I'll call you back up here after the 3rd task to discuss more details with you then."
"Yes sir. Good night Headmaster." Harry hesitated briefly then figured why not. "Good night Professor Snape."
He then shut the door behind him.
As soon as Harry left, Severus reversed the charm on himself. Albus was chuckling.
"He knew I was here from the moment he set foot in this office."
"He did indeed."
"Go see Poppy. I'll wait right here then we can discuss things."
"Tonight?"
"Yes tonight."
Albus looked him over. "And while I'm gone you won't floo yourself to Remus' cottage or to somewhere that you could apparate to the Dursley's?"
"I'm not promising that."
Albus shook his head then sealed his fireplace up before leaving to go see Poppy. As he closed the door, he heard what sounded like "interfering old codger" come from Severus.
A/N: Put down the pitchforks, torches, and other sharp object's and let me explain. I promise I've not gone off the deep end nor have I veered off from the main point of the story with one of my side stories.
The Founder's: Are they going to suddenly become the focus of this story? No.
Are they important in the story? For a minor sub-plot or two *shifty*, I use them, but otherwise, they are there for historical purposes.
If it's only minor, why bring them in at all? Because it's my story and I wanted to play with them! *nods* =) I did try to come up with a reasonable explanation as to why they were still hanging around, since the theory as to why ghosts don't move on including them being afraid to move on. I hope Ravenclaw explained it to where it was understandable and believable. If not, then whenever Harry get's around to reading their journals, I can always try explain it better.
Is Harry going to talk to them everytime he's down in the F.L.? Nope. He's more interested in reading the books right now. Plus, he doesn't want to bother them.
How can Dumbledore not know about them? Because unless they are with other ghosts, they keep themselves turned invisible. Otherwise, smart people like Dumbles will be able to take one look at them and recognize them immediately from their portraits. As for Nick's Death Day party, well, they weren't anticipating "live 'un's" to be in attendance.
If they've been around all this time, why has there been allowed bad things to happen at the school? Because people do not learn if they do not make mistakes. If they had not allowed the bad Headmaster's / Headmistress's to continue their tenor, then when a good one came along, how would anyone know that? As for possessed teacher's, fraud's, and ministry buffoon's, unless a person's life is immediately threatened and their are no other adults around or on route to the location (Harry being bitten by the basilisk, they couldn't have done anything about Myrtle - it was an instant death) they see how things work out themselves. Besides, they can't quite be everywhere at one time.
Is Harry going to suddenly start seeing them in the hallway or even in his dorm? Nope. The only place he will be able to mention them as ghosts, call on them, talk to them, or anything other than meaning the Houses themselves, he has to be in the Library. The enchantments on that room are very very good, which is why even those that discovered the room and their presence within Hogwarts has never been able to mention it before.
In other stories, the Founder's have been made into demi-god's. Is that going to be the case here? Nope. My Founder's are going to be prone to mistakes like you, me, and even that person in the back row still holding that pitchfork. Writing all knowing, all seeing, all powerful ghosts is boring - I mean, what else is there to write about if they can do everything.
Is Slytherin going to be nice and does he agree with Lord Moldy-Shorts? Slytherin is not nice. When Harry get's around to reading the journal's, he'll see the reason he left the castle and why he wanted to bar muggleborns and half-bloods from the school. Over time, he has seen that it was better to let them into the castle, but having not a lot to think about for 1000+'s years will make most people come around to different way's of thinking. As for agreeing with his descendant, at the moment, it looks like he doesn't, but him and Harry do have a conversation on this topic later on, so you'll just have to wait and see.
I hope that answered most of the questions that everyone is going to have. I've not jumped into the deep water. Just bare with me. I promise it'll all make sense as time goes along.
Now ... onto other things. Poor Harry, about every other chapter he ends up in the hospital wing. He really just needs to move in there. ;-) As for Harry's living location after this year, the reason he can't tell anyone is that because legally, he still belong's to the Dursley's, so Dumbles just needs some time to come up with a way to get Harry into either Sirius's custody or Snape's custody without the ministry (or anyone else for that matter *coughLordMoldyPantscough*) finding out.
So, who wants to take bets on what happens when Snape finds out Harry can see magical signatures? (Because Snape will realize that means that Harry is as powerful as Dumbledore.) *grins*
Up next, the third task. I had some fun writing it. =) I'm aiming for a Sunday evening posting. I don't have much editing to do of it, but I do need to add a scene that I thought of while I was at the doctor's appointment with my grandpa the other day. =) (I always carry around paper and pencil just in case my netbook battery dies, plus I've been known to forget idea's as soon as I get the netbook turned on. At least with a notebook and pencil, I can just jot it down right then.)
*Set's out all kinds of sweets, treats, cake, and pie. Then downs an invisibility potion and runs away.*