Authors Note: Thanks for the reviews and support.
Lost in time
Chapter 4
A scream wakes Harry but he stays unmoving in case there is danger around.
What was that, put me down now. You called me your master so do what I order you to do. A frantic voice says but Harry doesn't know who yet.
That was the crazy man that hurt you before. Harry hears Basily hiss from some distance but getting closer, I bit that book thing, doesn't taste good but I did because you told me to do after lifting you up. You even told me to use the little red girl he'd bring to prepare after he suggests and make him believe I don't know that he hears everything I tell the girl. You said to wait for him to order Plan B and then tell you that you were the one to make me do all of it. And that since he's the older you, the one that knows more I should listen to that order no matter what you say my little master. I know you don't like it yet but you'll come to that. I remember you from a few weeks after I hatched until you went back to your time. I also remember that you were still spitting mad at me when I first saw you. By the way, I never told Tommy that his gift doesn't come from Salazar since he's never been able to speak with me.
Please let me go, I want to stay. Harry hears the same voice say and now remembers that it's himself, his younger self. He still stays where he is remembering that he had heard Salazar's painting speak before he heard himself. He's not sure what was the first thing and he tires to remember.
And then he hears it, the voice he longed to hear but Salazar's painting had been frozen, the magic that was at work to make the moving painting speak like Salazar was still alive would take some years to settle and Harry hadn't given it enough time, "Harry. It's good to see you so young again."
"Who are you?" Harry hears his younger self ask.
"Salazar Slytherin." The man replies, "At least a picture of him. I just want you to know that I'm not angry at Muggles. No matter what, things happen the way they are supposed to happen so please, don't start to hate them."
"Why would I?" Yes why. Harry thinks, for a moment after seeing his husbands lifeless body he had hated them but those words had come back to him. Sal doesn't hate them. He doesn't want Harry to hate, so he stopped.
"Because they killed the one I loved." Harry says unable to stop himself. He has to talk to Sal but first his younger self has to go so he can speak more openly, just this hint had to be given so he would know when to return. He stands up and sees everything ready Go on Basily, get my younger self to the center there, I'll send myself back then, and thank you for doing as I asked, I know you must have been very lonely.
Who are you? The younger Harry wants to know
I'm you, your future self. Harry answers with a chuckles Even though I did just come from the past. And since Sal is looking worriedly clearly due to the sad look on Harry's face he says, "And don't worry Sal, I'm not hating them all, only those that did the deed. There are good and bad muggles just like there are good and bad wizards and witches."
While saying that Harry starts the ritual by saying just one word now that everything is ready. In theory either one of them could be send away the way they stand but knowing how it happened last time and that the timeline is protected the way he knows it is, the older Harry isn't worried. After starting the magic he says the last think he had remembered from this time, "By the way, Basily has two set of eyelids. One of them can dampen it's eyes enough to stop their magical effect without rendering Basily blind." He waits until his younger self is gone before walking closer to Sal's portrait wishing he could be in the mans arms.
"I assume Godric raised our son?" Salazar asks.
"I could never have left if I had waited for your portrait to talk." Harry says, "And not when watching James grow up even a little longer then I did. It was already so hard. But it was time. I remembered you saying what you did and if I had waited for you to speak to me you'd have done that in the past and not here. It was time for me to go."
"I'm sorry that I ended up being the one to leave you rather then the other way around." Sal replies sadly. "But I think you've got some business to attend to before we talk don't you? The boy that was turned crazy is from our James, many generations down sure but still. We have to protect him."
"You're right." Harry sighs.
"Smile my love." Sal tells him looking a little sad himself. "You're back in your time, with your friends and your future is still open. Find someone new to love. I'm sure to hate him, but I want you happy. I want to see you smile again my love."
"I will try Sal." Harry sighs and then walks towards the gate to the main chamber, takes the diary and leaves the chamber after reopening the door from the inside. After that he returns to the cave in to help Ron remove the stones that still block the way.
"Step back Ron." Harry says loudly once he's at the place.
"Harry? Is that you?" Ron asks, "You sound strange."
"You'll see why in a sec Ron but don't worry just go back and if possible around a corner." Harry orders.
It takes a moment until he hears Ron shout back clearly from some distance. "Ready." Harry uses that time to stabilize the way and make sure that the next spell won't cause further damage.
"Bombarda Maxima." He says now and the stones fly away from him and are mostly turned into rubble.
"Cool spell where did you lean tha..." Ron starts to say but stops the second he sees the very mature vary strong looking man with a sword. Ron points his wand towards Harry and says, "Who are you and where is Harry.
"Easy," Harry replies, "Remember the slugs? Don't want something worse back fire on you now do we?" Harry slowly moves his hands up and moves the hair to the side before saying, "Time is a strange thing my friend. And time travel even more."
"You are kidding me?" Ron mumbles.
"I'm not. For me ten years have past my friend." Harry explains. "Ten years that I spent in the past and learned a lot. Some of it from Merlin himself." Harry smiles a little and then adds, "There are things I need to do but first, let me get you to Ginny. If I remember correctly she's in the shrieking shack or close. She was controlled by someone but that shouldn't be possible anymore so she might be moving back already."
"Really?" Ron asks, "So she's fine?"
"I haven't seen her Ron." Harry says sounding a little worried thinking of the little red haired girl from his past. "But I sure hope she is."
"Then let's go." Ron says before looking around, "How are we going to get out of here?"
"There are a few ways." Harry replies, "The easier and closes to the shake will require some help of my pet from the past."
"If that pet is still around let's take it." Ron says.
"Then follow me." Harry replies and walks through a small gab in a wall that Ron hasn't noticed before.
"At least the Basilisk can't get here." Ron mumbles.
"It can." Harry says and Ron frowns at the sad sound in his voice.
"You okay mate?" Ron asks.
"I'm fine." Harry replies. "Or I will be. It was hard in the past at first. I missed you all so much. And while that never stopped, having new friends and a new life there helped to distract."
"And now you left that behind." Ron replies for once certain that he understands. "Why did you though? Why come back when you were happy?"
"Because I had to." Harry says, "The time line is protected. I would have come back either way, even without a ritual, but this way, I would get back unharmed. And anyway, I'd already lost part of my live back there before I left."
"How?" Ron asks.
"My Husband was killed." Harry replies hoping that homosexuality was still accepted with wizards in this time.
"I'm sorry." Ron says. "I'm happy that you're back though. Even if you're older, I'd have missed you terribly if you'd stayed there."
"I know Ron." Harry says and looks at the now smaller red head, "And as far as I'm concerned we are still friends even if I'm nearly twice your age now."
They reach an end, or at least it appears to be one to Ron since the only way out is straight up. "How are we getting up there?"
Basily Harry hisses loudly, I need you to give me a lift. "When my Basilisk get's here just jump up he'll lift us up."
"Basilisk?" Ron asks shocked.
"Time is a strange thing Ron." Harry says, "I know you hate Slytherins but believe me, history was not what we thought it to be and Basily, the Basilisk, only hurt people because I told him it happened and he waited for my return. He's mine and listens only to me, now that I'm back. He won't hurt anyone and his eyes aren't harmfull when his inner lid is closed which he'll have closed."
"Are you sure?" Ron asks fearfully.
"I am." Harry replies and grins, "And I can't wait to visit Aragog with Basily as a thanks for her great protection when we only wanted to have a chat with her."
Ron looks at Harry but then sees a movement and squeaks. "Jump." Harry says and Ron jumps only to not fall and feel something move him even further up. He's standing on scales and dares to look down and sees a huge snake head he's standing on. "I told him we might use this way in the past when I prepared for my return here. But back then he was much to small for this."
"Aren't you scared?" Ron asks sounding scared out of his mind.
"Not of Basily." Harry says and looks up and adds, "But of what is too come, of that I am very afraid."
"Why?" Ron squeaks, "What is to come?"
"I'll have to find Voldemort." Harry says, "And I'll have to save him. As strange as it sounds but it seams he was rendered insane by a spell or something. He never was really evil. And as it turns out, he doesn't speak parsel because of Salazar. He got it from me. I had a son in the past. I might be younger then him, but I'm still his ancestor. And that means I'm responsible for what he does and have to make sure it'll stop. If I can't cure him. I will have to kill him."
"Do you know how?" Ron questions looking at the somber man that used to be his best friend.
"No I don't." Harry sighs. "Not yet." After that Harry gives Basily further orders for his upcoming plan as well as ordering her to get Lockhart out onto Hogwarts grounds safely and unharmed. Once they are outside the snake goes back down underground and Harry hisses a thanks towards Basily and a promise to see it soon.
Harry and Ron walk in silence until Ron sees a movement ahead and shouts. "Ginny."
Harry watches them for a moment before he approaches and hands over a little bag with potions. "Take these and bring Ginny back to the castle. The Potions in here will heal everyone that was turned to stone very quickly. Tell Hermione not to worry for me, and Dumbledore as well. I will be back as soon as I can."
"Where are you going?" Ron asks worriedly.
"Where I can do what has to be done." Harry says, "Don't worry Ron. I'm well prepared and will be back sooner then you know."
After that Harry disapparears. He uses his wand and the connection from his scare to find the less then ghost like remains of Voldemort and heals them as well as possible before apparating as close to Malfoy manor as his limited knowledge of the area allows him. He uses other means to get closer as fast as possible with the fragile bundle and once there he knocks and waits for an elf to appear. Once it does he is surprised to see Dobby and actually needs about a second to get over it and then says, "Tell your master that I've got Voldemort with me. I need his assistance in a job for him."
A little latter he is shown into the mansion and Lucius is in front of him neither Dobby nor Lucius Malfoy seem to recognize Harry yet though. "I know how to bring Voldemort back and I am willing to do it but I need a bit of your flesh since you are a servant of his."
"Flesh?" Lucus replies incredulous. "I refuse."
"Not much." Harry replies, "A spell will get it a single cell of a muscle, which will do. You won't feel a thing and most certainly not notice it missing."
"And why should I trust you?" Lucius drawls.
"Because I could kill you." Harry stats calmly.
"And how?" Lucius asks laughing.
"Did you know that Basilisks have very good ears and can bury their way underground?" Harry asks. Basily come up
The head of the giant Snake shoots up through the floor and looks at Lucius who walks a few steps back and stares at the snake.
"Impressive." Lucius says sounding scared but seeming to try to hide it. "But if that were a Basilisk I'd be dead already."
"They have two sets of eye lids and the inner one stops the effect. He'll open that one if I order him to. Not that I'll need to." Harry sighs, "He could just swallow you whole. And don't even bother throwing spells at him. He's not an infant and even Salazar couldn't harm him when he was. I would know since I've been far enough back in time to meet him. Now will you give me the flesh willingly or do I have to order your death and find another one with his pretty mark on it's skin."
"Fine." Lucius replies after a moment of thought and Harry spells a cauldron to appear and starts to brew something from things in his robe that include a small finger bone from Balthazar, Salazar's grandfather, that he brought with him from the past. He also uses a bit of Lucius flesh that he spells right out of his body as mentioned, a bit more to be sure but little enough to make it painless and not course any lasting damage even though he might feel weaker in his left arm for a while. After that he ads a bit of his own blood certain that to Voldemort he's still an enemy even if he doesn't know it since he doesn't recognize him.
A little after that Voldemort stands in front of him with a sort of snake like appearance and starts to speak about loyal followers and asks Harry who he is and how it comes he doesn't recognize him.
While Voldemort spoke Harry ran a few wand less diagnostic spells that he can do non verbally as well and sees the result invisible to everyone else in the air around Voldemort. It takes him a while to find out what is going on even thought the less then human appearance is already the first hint he got.
"I asked for your name." Voldemort starts to sound angry since Harry doesn't react right away.
Harry sighs now knowing why the man lost his sanity and then replies, "My given name is of no importance but my family name is Slytherin. You might find it hard to believe since the name wasn't heard in so long but we are family. You still need to take a potion to get your full power back."
"And why should I take anything you give me?" Voldemort asks angrily.
Because we are family. Basily. The snake moves up again having hidden in the mean time and Voldemort stares at him. Please confirm that he and I are related.
Of course you are. Basily says already having been ordered not to call Harry Master around the other wizard until Tom is cured.
Harry holds out the potion and says, "Please take it."
Voldemort looks at it for a while and then carefully takes it. It takes a moment until he drops to his knees and screams in pain while Harry just waits until he rises again, now looking like a normal human again before Voldemort looks at the man in front of him through his blue eyes. "You have his eyes you know." Harry says sadly, "Salazar's."
Voldemort or rather Tom stare at him confused for a moment before paling, "What have I done?"
"It wasn't your fault." Harry replies. "You took a faulty potion in your youth. There was a combination of a mold and a leave in it that render the drinker insane over years. It works so slowly especially at the start that no one would notice. Do you know how that might have happened? You must have taken it in your second year at Hogwarts. At the start I think from the time it was in your system."
"It could have been some of the experimental potions I took around that time." Tom says. "Slughorn worked on something and had some first and second years try it in exchange of different things we might like. I, well, I didn't have much and wanted a broom so badly, I was still a nobody in that house due to the fact that I was raised in a muggle orphanage. I hoped to get on the team and that it would help."
Harry sighs and then says "It was an accident then, event though the testing might not have been legal. We'll find a way to change things for the better again from now on. I'll go to Hogwarts you'll stay here and wait."
"Thanks for your help." Tom replies, "But I have to find my own way to make up for my sins."
"There were no sins done." Harry insists, "Only things that were supposed to happen had happened as they had to. You are not to blame especially since you have not done anything. You were rendered insane. But if you really want to make things right, destroy the things you've hidden. All but Nagini and the one I doubt you wanted to create."
"Which one?" Tom questions confused.
"The boy-who-lived." Harry explains with a sigh. "There is a fragment in his scar."
Tom gasps while Lucius looks confused. "I, but what can I do? There has to be a way to save the child. I never meant to kill a child, not him and not Myrtle. I... I loved her!"
Harry looks sadly towards the depressed looking man that had in his insanity killed the girl he loved at the time. "There is nothing you can do. But the consequences are little. You won't be able to truly die while I live, that and your ability to speak parsel that was past on are the only consequences, so you needn't worry."
"While you live?" Tom asks confused and Harry just moves some of his hair to show his scare. "I went back in time and time truly is an amazing thing. I got my ability to talk to Basily and other snakes from you through that soul piece. And then I go back in time, fell in love and passed the gift to a child and many generations later that gift was passed to you that way. I'm now Harry James Slytherin nee Potter and the Husband of Salazar and since you are his heir and he only ever had one child and that was with me, you are also my heir, even though I'm still younger then you."
Lucius and Tom stare at him. "Go Tom. Do what you have to do to be mortal the day I and your snake die and that will be all the redemption I expect. After that return here and I'll see if we can do anything to get you off the hook, it might take some time though."
"Harry." Tom says right after Harry turns to leave. "I heard that people thought Sirius Black had given the Potters secret to me so I could kill you but that is wrong. It was Peter Pettigrew. Black is innocent. If you want to try and free me then try with him first."
Harry nods his agreement and after they explained some more about that, he returns to Hogwarts.
Authors Note: Healing Tom was easier then thought. But what will happen now? He is still feared and hated by everyone! Will Harry be able to help him. And what about Lucius? Will he be god now that his master is? Will Dobby get freed in this story or will he stay with the Malfoys? Will Harry be able to free Sirius? How will Dumbledore react? What will happen to Slughorn? Will he get in trouble for giving Tom that potion that rendered him insane? Was Tom the only child he experimented on? And what about Sirius? Will Harry be able to free him now?