Authors Note: Thanks for the support I hope you continue liking this story.
Lost in time
Chapter 5
Once Harry is back in Hogwarts he walks slowly up towards the infirmary to see if Hermione is okay. He's not even there when he hears Dumbledore. "What do you mean he's out there looking for Voldemort?"
"He said he was rendered insane someway and that he's responsible because he had a son in the past and that's the real ancestor of him-who-must-not-be-named."
"Tom." Harry says walking into the room. "His name is Tom and he will probably want to go by that again now that his insanity is cured. Which reminds me, he said Peter Pettigrew is the real person that betrayed my parents not Sirius Black. Whoever that is."
"Harry?" Dumbledore asks.
"Why is Hermione still made out of stone?" Harry questions.
"Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey don't know the potion and didn't dare to give them any." Ron whines. "I told them it came from you but they didn't believe me."
Harry just sighs and takes the potion from Ron and says, "Don't worry Ron. I'll heal her and the others."
"You'll do no such thing." Madam Pomfrey says walking between Harry and Hermione. "You are no healer."
"I am now." Harry says with as much authority as he can. "I learned from Godric Gryfindor and his father Merlin and yes it was THE Merlin who taught me now step aside."
Everyone stares and Harry uses their distraction to spell the potion onto Hermione's lips getting a gasp once they notice what he just did and then says "Look, it's working already." And it really is the second it touches her lips they start to soften and look more moist and a moment later Hermione gasps and moves around frenetically. "Calm down Hermione. The Basilisk won't hurt anyone anymore."
"Harry?" She says shocked after seeing him. "Was I gone that long?"
Harry laughs and then replies, "No Hermione, I was gone. Lost in time so to speak. But you should rest now. Madam Pomfrey, will you now use the potion in the other vials on the others?"
"Of course." She says starring at Hermione.
"Thank you." Harry replies. "I think, Professor Dumbledore, we two need to talk."
"I couldn't agree more." Dumbledore replies with a twinkle in his eyes.
Harry walks up with him and starts with his tale as they walk as detailed as he can manage sometimes laughing at the memories and sometimes nearly crying. Once he is done it is quiet for a moment and by then they are sitting in Dumbledore's office. It takes a few minutes until Dumbledore says, "That was quiet the adventure. I must say I'm a little jealous that I didn't meet Merlin and the founders."
"I can get the portraits of the founders here." Harry explains with a sigh. "I have to find Godric's anyway to find out what happened to James after I left. I really hope he doesn't hate me for leaving."
"I never did." A voice from a picture further up along the walls says. Harry looks up and sees a man with dark unruly hair and blue eyes move through the paintings to be a bit further down. "Uncle God told me everything about you and dad and I understand. I'm glad you managed to save Tom and that you didn't forget me. Uncle God also told me about your uncle and the promise he had to give you and believe me he kept it. I could not have been happier, even though I would have loved to have you around, but I understand."
"James." Harry says hardly able to speak due to the emotions welling up. That man, that in the painting already looks older then Harry and is dead for such a long time now is his son. The little baby he held just a few hours ago. It feels so surreal but still hurts. "I wished I could have watched you grow into the man you became."
"I'm sure of that and there will be plenty of time to talk about everything you missed. I also wrote down every day in a note book and left them for you, I'll tell you where later so you can read about everything I might forget to tell you." The man says, "But how about you start getting the portraits here to confirm your story. I'm sure even Dumbledore would like it confirmed considering the story is rather unbelievable."
"I do believe him every word." Dumbledore insists, "But I still would love to talk to the founders."
"Right." Harry replies. "I'll start with Sal if you don't mind."
"Go ahead." James says, "I'll be glad to finally meet him."
Harry nods and leaves still fighting his emotions unwilling to show his son how sad he is. He walks down to the chamber and tells his husband that he saw their son's portrait and that he's taking him there.
After taking the portrait from the wall down there, that he walks back up towards the headmasters office and by now the students start to move towards the great hall but they ignore him apart from a few glances. He's nearly at the headmasters office when McGonagall is in front of him. Dumbledore already made sure that all the houses know that it is save again with the help of some portraits but no one knows what happened yet, well no one but Ron and Hermione and whoever they told everything. "Who are you and what business do you have at Hogwarts?"
"Professor Dumbledore expects me." Harry says his scar hidden under his fringe again.
"I shall show you the way." She says sternly.
"That's not necessary but the gesture is still appreciated Professor." Harry replies. "I'm also not opposed to the company and I'll assume you're curious why Professor Dumbledore considers the school safe again and would like to hear the story behind it as well."
"You know something about it?" She questions.
"I just came back from the chamber for the second time? In this time I think, but then again, I was down there so often way back in the past." Harry says smiling. "But don't worry, Basily the Basilisk won't attack anyone again."
McGonagall looks skeptically towards the young man and together they walk into the office and Harry sees a Goblin sitting there that hadn't been there before. "Would you like me to come back later?" Harry asks seeing the Goblin.
"No Harry please sit own." Dumbledore says cheerfully. "This is Rastnik. He works for Gringotts and actually came to speak to a Harry James Slytherin."
Harry looks surprised and McGonagall says, "There is no Slytherin left a life."
"I shall hope that is wrong." Salazar says from the painting. "I wouldn't like to hear that my Husband died so soon after he managed to return to his time."
"Don't want to see me in the after life yet Sal?" Harry questions.
"Not until you're old and gray and uglier then I'm with that ugly burn which you said you'd find a way to remove." Salazar reminds him.
"I said I would if you insist and you never did." Harry points out.
"But only because you said it makes me look fierce." Sal grumbles.
"And it does my love." Harry says much to McGonagall's surprise. "And now shut it for the moment Rastnik wants something from me."
"What am I supposed to shut?" Salazar asks.
"You know what I mean," Harry grumbles, "I once told you about that phrase. And now be quiet so I can get this over with I've got other things to do too." After that Harry looks at Rastnik and says, "Please forgive the rudeness of this portrait but he's been alone for some time and rather board which is not a good thing in his case."
"I want to meat Hagrid and the twins you mentioned." Salazar says not really caring.
"Sal shut it or I swear I bring you back down until you can behave." Harry threatens.
"You'd miss me too much." Salazar grins, "But fine, it is time you find out my little secret oh and don't worry about Jamie, I had him covered with my brothers help but this had to be done due to the deplorable way you were dressed when we first meet and that first boggart and every other one after apart from the Helga one."
"Are you quiet finished?" Rastnik asks. "I've got more things to do then sit around and listen to you."
"I'm surprised you're here at all." Minerva says, "I've never heard of a Goblin actually going to the wizards to do any business. Usually you summon us. Unless of course you want something from us."
"These are, 'special' circumstances, not that it's any of your business." Rastnik grumbles before looking back towards Harry. "Now, do I assume correct that you Sir are Mister Harry James Slytherin nee Potter?"
"Who?" Minerva asks shocked.
"I am." Harry says surprised that the Goblin already knows. "Now, what brought you out here?"
"The particulars around a certain vault and other belongings that were entrusted to us and placed within that aforementioned vault for some time and are supposed to be passed on now." The Goblin replies. "We had a magically binding contract with Salazar Slytherin to protect the ownership documents of his 'home' and his Vault with everything inside until his husband would be back from his travel to the past, meaning, his time. It was permitted that others would add to it which is what I meant with the other various belongings. According to the notes in the file we will have to hand everything over to a Harry James Slytherin nee Potter who can prove his identity with the help of the portrait of a James Balthazar Slytherin that is hanging in this office."
"It's him." James says, "I mean Harry is Harry James and so on."
The Goblin eyes the portrait skeptically until Dumbledore says, "And I can confirm that the name under his own Portrait is James Balthazar Slytherin, first Headmaster of Hogwarts."
"Well," Rastnik says, "I guess that everything is yours then." The Goblin smiles towards Harry and the young man wonders what he wants to actually look friendly, or rather, try to look friendly and failing miserably. "In that case, I'm sure you're aware that most owners of relative wealth give us free rain over a part of their coins to invest it under certain conditions."
"Like what conditions?" Harry asks. "Like to return half of the winnings at a set time or all the money and half the winnings at a set time and then make a new contract."
"And don't forget to make sure that in case they lose money which can happen they have to repay it from Gringotts vault." Salazar points out clearly to the Goblins dislike.
"Yes," The goblin drawls "That is one of the possible details."
"Since you said reasonable wealth I assume it is quiet a lot of money after years of you guys increasing it?" Harry assumes.
"It always was an impressive wealth Harry my dear." Salazar points out. "I own a castle, or owned since it's yours now."
"Wait." Harry replies shocked, "You mean that home he mentioned was the castle? This castle?"
"Of course Harry dear." Salazar replies. "This is my home and I'm the one that inherited it so it's mine or was since now it's yours. Of course I made sure to order the Goblins that the castle was to be used as a school and that they had no right to interfere and a board of governors made up from parents should act as owner until you are back."
"So Lucius has no more say in anything?" Harry asks looking at Dumbledore.
"No he does not." Dumbledore says cheerfully "But I was already allowed back anyway. I fear that Lucius will be here about that shortly."
"I fear I gave him a bit of a distraction and doubt he'll be here any time soon." Harry says before looking towards the Goblin. "So how much is it?"
The Goblin takes out a file and moves pages around magically. It takes rather long and Harry wonders how that many papers he fit into that one little folder until the Goblin finally replies. "Would you like the exact amount of each coin type or rather a total of their value?"
"Value please." Harry replies.
"Then it's 54. 654. 953. 364 Galleons, 7 Sickle and 23 Knuts" The Goblin replies. About a quarter of the Galleons is in Sickles however and another smaller portion in Knuts. You also have valuables in the Vault that are estimated to have a combined value of 64.687.953 Gallons On top of that you own 24 items that seem to be invaluable and couldn't be estimated reasonably at least not with a number that would be affordable to even the richest of wizards. Most of those have been added over the years by relatives of yours that still knew about your situation like your father-in-law."
Harry stares at the Goblin for a moment before he says, "That's a lot of gold." He takes a deep breath and then asks, "What about the vault I had before, the one from my parent?"
"I assume you mean the one you entered still being Harry James Potter the last time in company of Miss Weasley during the last summer?" Rastnik asks. "That would be your own one created by your parents in case something happens. Their will wasn't to be read until you're of age."
"I'm 22 due to a sort of accidental time travel as you probably know. I'm married. I think that should qualify wouldn't you agree?" Harry questions.
"Yes mister Slytherin it would." The Goblin grumbles seemingly unhappy about it.
"Well, can you get the will or do we need to make an appointment?" Harry asks the seemingly reluctant Goblin.
"I think an appointment would be more appropriate." Rastnik replies with a little smile. "Would the end of December suit you?"
"How dare you try to drag it out." Minerva says.
"Oh don't worry Professor." Harry says charmingly and smiles just as charmingly towards Rastnik. "That way I have plenty of time to think about what I'll do with all that gold. I need to decide if I'll invest it myself to get the whole winnings myself or if I entrust it to the Goblins and to think up more way's to make sure that I get as much out of this as possible."
Rastnik looks at the smiling wizard and then adds, "I just remembered that I had a cancellation later today."
"Then I'll be by this evening around 8 I'm sure you'll be able to accommodate me on that time. If not we can always wait until December." Harry says, "By the way, do I need a key for my knew vault?"
"You won't need a key." Rastnik grumbles, "It's a high security vault that can only be opened by a Goblin. And I will be ready for you tonight at eight sir."
"That is good to hear." Harry replies and "I assume you can have a list of all the items in my vault as well as everything I'll inherit from my Parents send my way at least an hour or two before that? After all, I need it to decide how much Gold I even could spare to invest or let someone invest. I do hope that I can get around to talk to Mister Malfoy I'm sure he can assist me with advice as well. I think I'll need at least three hours with that list and it wouldn't be fair to expect you to have it done by five this evening. Maybe we should move the meeting to December."
"I will make sure to have it ready and send your way by five." Rastnik replies grudgingly.
"I hope so." Harry says with a smile while Rastnik leaves as fast as he can without seeming too impolite.
"You seem to know how to treat a Goblin." Minerva says surprised.
"I have read about them and heard Salazar whine about them every time he had to do business with them and his brothers advice for him as well." Harry stats. "But for now. Professor Dumbledore, I thought on the way here that I probably will have to let the Minister know about what is going on. I will need his help if I want to help Tom and Sirius."
"Sirius?" McGonagall asks, "As in Sirius Black?"
"Yes Sirius Black." Harry relies, "I found evidence that he isn't the one that helped Voldemort."
"I agree." Dumbledore sighs, "But maybe we should do things a little more slowly. I hate to know Sirius suffers for even a moment more if he doesn't have to but we need some proof for your words. Maybe we should start with finding the other founders portrait. I think you mentioned they exist and while you do that I'll inform the head of houses about the changes including your knew appearance and I'll inform the board of Governors too. That way you won't have to explain it over and over. After that I will have an announcement within the school for the students to make it easier for you to be here and then you deal with the Goblins tonight. Maybe your parents mentioned something about Sirius innocence in their will. If not we'll try to think of something tomorrow."
"You might have a point." Harry replies rubbing his eyes.
"I'm sure I am and this way you you might also be able to find a few hours of rest my boy." Dumbledore replies. "You look dead on your feet."
"I'll see if I can." Harry says, It's been a while since he had a restful night. "Maybe you can find a place for the portraits already and I'm sure Sal would like it to be somewhere available for the kids rather then up here. Even though he can move anyway I'm sure he'd rather be in his own painting for the majority of the time and be around the students."
"Maybe the Great hall then?" Dumbledore suggests. "I thought about having them along the wall opposite of the head table and close to their respective houses."
"I think that might be for the best." Harry says and stands. "I'll go and find the others."
The last thing Harry hears before leaving the room is his former head of house asking about classes that day with all the discussions and Dumbledore's reply that a day off after the excitement might be best anyway. Harry is walking towards the kitchens to retrieve Rowena next when he walks into Snape. "Who are you and what do you want here."
"My name is Harry Slytherin and Professor Dumbledore will explain the rest." Harry replies, "Excuse me please, I have something to do for the Headmaster."
Snape watches after the young man and then moves quickly towards the Headmasters office while Harry tickles a pear a moment later. He walks into the kitchen and sees the elves wearing nothing but table cloth wrapped around themselves or other things to replace any proper clothing. "Listen up everyone." Harry says loudly. "I just inherited the castle. I intend to let the school continue as usual but there will be one major change for all of you. While I do need and appreciate your help greatly, I find the state of your appearance beneath the quality of your work. I wish for you to make some proper clothing fitting to your own size, pants, shirts dresses whatever you like from what ever old cloth you find appropriate. I want the Hogwarts crest on every item to show that they still belong to me. Once you are done with that you may borrow them as needed and use them at your leisure but do not forget that everything with the Hogwarts cress belongs to me and is only a loan."
The elves stare at him for a moment and then cheer clearly still knowing about the possibility and feeling honored. Harry hardly manages to make himself heard over the thanks he receives. "I need a tiny bit of pudding please. A teaspoon full is enough really."
The house elves nearly stumble over each other, in their hurry to get him pudding and in the end he has way more then he needs but still only thanks them and takes a tiny pit to smear it on an eagle scratched into a small stone in the kitchen wall and says, "Pudding for you Rowena."
A section of the wall moves and blends into the one on the side to reveal a little hole in the wall in which a portrait is floating in the air. "Finally," Says the blond woman in the painting that is sitting with a book in her hand under a tree by the lake with a picnic around her that he knows includes her favorite desert. "I've feared you forgot about me my dear. And it did get increasingly tedious to only have this one book to keep me amused. I really should have had myself painted in the library as I first wanted to but no I had to let Gody talk me out of it. I guess I had too many nargles around me to listen to him."
"I told you Rowena but you insisted to have pudding close by instead." Harry reminds her. "And Godric only insisted that you should not have that in the library seeing that you're a roll-model for the children."
"I didn't know I wouldn't be able to taste it though." Rowena sighs, "Either way, do you think there are any portraits around that have books in them? I would love to visit those once I'm properly on the wall."
"I'm sure you'll find someone my dear." Harry says. "How did you do after I left?"
"Fine." Rowena sighs, "I married a muggle I met later. He was a backer and made me delicious cake with pudding in it."
"I'm sad I never had the chance to meet him. I'm sure he was a very good man." Harry says. "I'll send you up to Professor Dumbledore. He's the current headmaster of Hogwarts and will find a good place to hang you after introducing you to the teachers and students my dear."
"Thank you Harry my dear." She says dreamily.
"Oh and by the way." Harry says grinning "If Sal is still with him, point out the bird in the headmasters office to him. After all, it's a real Phoenix."
She actually looks up at him and says, "I always knew they exist."
"I always did as well." Harry replies, "But I didn't feel like getting into an argument with them and feared what they'd do to my wand after hearing that it has a Phoenix feather as a core."
"How very interesting." Rowena marvels. "I never knew it could be used as such."
"I'm sure Dumbledore will be delighted to let you know more details." Harry says and looks towards an elf, "Would you please bring her Portrait to the headmaster and introduce her as Rowena Ravenclaw to him."
"Of course master I'll be delighted to." The elf says.
"It's Rowena Lovegood nee Ravenclaw now." The woman in the portrait explains and Harry smiles and orders the elf to introduce her with the correct name. The elf agrees and takes the portrait before he leaves.
"What is your name?" Harry asks another afterwards.
"I'm Minzy master." The elf says. "Why does master ask? If Master wishes me to have another he may change it."
"Oh no Minzy your name is a fine one." He replies smiling, "I'll just might need your assistance soon and wanted to know how to call you."
"Master can just call elf and one of us will appear." She explains.
"I'm aware and will use it in an emergency." Harry states, "But I find it impolite to just call you by your race and not your name."
"What is Masters name?" Minzy asks, "Minzy wishes to not be impolite by just saying Master."
"My name is Harry and I'm glad to meet you all. And Minzy, if you're ever too busy to answer my call personally feel free to send another one." He says, "Now please excuse me I have another errant to run."
"Of course Master Harry Sir." She squeaks. "Master Harry Sir just call Minzy when Master be in need of Minzy."
"Thank you." Harry replies and leaves this time to walk towards the defense class room which used to be the muggle defense training room. He walks into it seeing no children around and goes to the back of the class and looks for a little badger scratched into a stone there. He draws his sword and touches it with the tip of his sword. "I know no fear."
Again part of the wall disappears to leave a niche with another floating painting. "Hello Helga." Harry greats, pulling it out, "I'm glad to see you."
"So am I Harry my dear." Helga says standing outside by the lake as well but in her training robe with her sword with her and a wooden opponent, "Have you seen Jamie's Portrait?"
"I have." Harry replies, "He looked well and seems to have had a happy live. It does feel strange though. It's just a little while ago that I had him in my arms."
"I know Harry." She says, "But he really was a joy. Godric and I never had a child of our own and found out shortly after you left that I could not give him any. He refused to find a wife that could and rather had James as his Heir instead, especially since we had promises Salazar to at least leave him with enough money to cope since he wanted to pass everything to you. We obviously would have made sure that he would have more then that though even if we had other children. And he really was a lovely child. I couldn't have loved my own child any more then I did him."
"I know Helga." Harry says fighting tears. "I'm glad he found a good home with you two."
"I wish you had it too." She sighs.
"I did." Harry says, "Once I traveled back in time and was with you I had the best childhood possible."
"By then most was past." She insists still saddened.
"I know Helga." He says, "But I'm fine and happy and managed to help Tom at least with the insanity. I don't know if people will forgive him for what he's done during that time though."
"I hope you can help with that Harry." She says, "I rather not see someone punished for a deed he never meant to do and had little to no control over. But let's not worry to much now. Have you found my dear husband? I would like to talk to him again very much."
"I'll go there now and send you to the Headmasters office where I'll send him next." Harry says and calls for Minzy to have her introduce Helga Gryffindor nee Hufflepuff next.
After that he walks up to the Gryffindor tower and once he walks into it he hears Ron, "Harry." He cheers, "There you are where have you been all night?"
"I had to explain some things to Dumbledore." Harry says.
"You look dead on your feet mate you should sleep." Ron insists.
"You're probably right but I need to do something else first." After that Harry turns to a painting of a lion in the room and grins. All the others have used something more discrete but not Godric. He used a huge painting saying that he'd never be able to find it himself again otherwise and they all wanted to be able to find it in case they had a new portrait made and that one placed in their secret hiding place later. Now Harry uses a sticking spell to stick an asphodel to the frame before saying, "An Asphodel belongs to the family of Lillies. It grows best in well-drained soil with abundant natural light. It's powdered root can be used in many potions such as the Draught of living death or a Wiggenweld Potion."
Once he had recited enough about a potion ingredient the portrait flips forward and behind it is enough space for yet another floating portrait. "It's good to see you Harry." Godric says, "I'm glad to finally see you again. Have you already found the others?"
"Yes Godric." Harry replies. "You're the last one I had to find and your wife is missing you."
"Good, then I'll take it that I'll see them soon, and that you'll have some rest. You look like you really need it Harry."
"I'm fine." Harry sighs, "No need to worry."
"You're my brother-in-law Harry." Godric says, "I have every right to worry when you look like you haven't slept in days."
"It's not that bad." Harry says. "I'm really fine."
"When have you last slept?" Godric asks.
"I think I slept an hour or two the night before the funeral." Harry says with a sigh.
"And when did you reappear in your time?" Godric questions.
"I'm not sure." He looks towards Ron, "How long have I taken to find Tom?"
"Only one night and now it's about noon." Ron says. "It wasn't yet midnight when I saw you again after you got back."
"See Godric." Harry says, "Since I left in the evening as well I only was up for a little more then a day."
"With maybe an hour or two rest before." Godric sighs. "When's the last night you slept through?"
"Before you came back with Sal's..." Harry says and feels the tears burn in his eyes. "I don't wish to talk about this. I'll rest in a moment. I just had to find you all."
"Then rest and once you're well rested I might give you the hint my father gave me for his portrait to be found." Godric replies.
"Merlin had one made too?" Harry asks and all the students in the room gasp.
"Yes he did." Godric replies, "Said he wanted to see you again as well and that he missed his youngest son too and no one could get down to him."
Harry sighs sadly and then nods, "I guess he only gave a hint to which room it is?"
"I fear he did no more then that." Godric confirms. "I fear none of us found the place and guess a map to the castle won't go amiss if you manage to find one."
"I'll see if I can get my hands on one." Harry sighs.
"But after getting some sleep." Godric insists.
"Fine." Harry says and looks towards Ron and Hermione smiling towards the girl, and glad to see her out of the infirmary. "Could you guys make sure that Godric Gryffindor's portrait will be brought to the Headmaster?"
"Of course Harry." Hermione says.
"Just go to bed Harry." Ron says and Harry does as ordered even though he's sure he won't be able to sleep.
Harry is hardly in bed when Fred and Gorge sneak in to the dorm room and say, "Hey sorry to bother you mate."
"But we heard what you guys said about a map."
"And since we have one."
"We decided to borrow it to you."
"But we'd like to have it back."
"It's really important to us."
They pass a piece of parchment to him and touch it with their wands saying together, "We solemnly swear we're up to no good."
Harry watches the castle appear on it, "But once you're done,"
"Don't forget to touch it with your wand again and say."
"Mischief managed."
"Or anyone could read it."
"But wait with your search."
"You really do look like you could use a rest."
"Thanks guys." Harry says, "I really appreciate it and promise to get it back to you as soon as I can."
Authors Note: Will Harry be up in time for his meeting with the Goblin and how will it go? Will he be able to help Sirius and Tom? Will he get over his loss? Will he and Ron and Hermione stay as close as they used to be or will he find new friends? How will the portrait of Salazar Slytherin influence the Slytherin house if at all? Will Harry start to work at the castle again or move away?