Authors Note: Thanks or the support.

Lost is time

Chapter 6

After a rather restless rest Harry asks Minzy for some food and asks her for the name of one or two other elves so he can start learning all their names. He has slept a little that afternoon but only one hour or two with interruptions due to a nightmare of Salazar's death.

Once he has eaten a tiny bit, he doesn't really feel like eating, he reads over the list he got from Gringotts with the items he inherited from Sal and his parents. Once he had a slight look over them, and got over the shock about now owning Excalibur, he travels to Gringotts and tells the first Goblin he sees that he has an appointment with Rastnik and asks where he can find him. He is lead into a room with three Goblins one of them dressed much better then the rest. "Mister Slytherin, My name is Haurein, this is Battlestar and I think you already meet Rastnik."

"I have." Harry replies. "Now if we please could get on with this."

Harry listens to the Goblin that was introduced as Battlestar who is reading from the will. It does include that all of James friends inherit something while Harry get's most but unfortunately there is nothing to prove that Sirius is innocent. He is surprised to hear that Dudley is supposed to get some money as well as a book called memories. The Goblin explains at that point that since Dudley is a muggle they can not contact him and it is left to the main heir to try and get it to him and if not it wouldn't matter. Harry decides to get it to him however thinking that it was his mothers last wish so he should do it. He also remembers that, once when he told his friends about Dudley and his eating habits after already having told them how he treated Harry and how his parents have reacted about that, Rowena had said that it wasn't right that someone who clearly liked pudding was raised to become a criminal. Harry was shocked at first that she pitied Dudley, but after thinking it through he had agreed with her.

Once that is done Haurein says, "I have some papers here with the usual stuff to have us increase your wealth we have of course included that you have a right for reimbursement if we lose you any amount of money."

Harry takes the paper and reads through it three times before doing a spell to show any hidden messages and enlarge particularly small words he found with it before reading it again. After that he says, "I don't like the part that I have the right to reimbursement but you don't have to point out any money lost and neither do I like the fact that there is no mentioning of when the money you may use has to be returned this way you could keep it indefinite and I'm not willing to let that happen. I want to add that you have to return the whole amount after one year and three quarters of the winning will go to me and only one quarter to Gringotts. Also if there is a loss instead I wish it to be notified and reimbursed right away without me having to ask for it. Since you clearly tried to trick me right now that will also only be for this one year so I have time to find something else to do with my money myself. Unless of course you manage to redeem yourself during this year."

"Mister Slytherin that was by no mean an attempt to trick you." Haurein says, "We simply gave you the average contract we always use, a Goblin would never steal."

"I might reconsider after this first year if you prove yourself to act only in my best interest from now on." Harry replies. "You may write a new contract and send it to me at your earliest convenience and I will read it over and either sign it or send it back with notes for changes I wish to be done to it. For now I would like to know if it is already too late for me to go down and see my vault or if I can go and take some of my coins already."

"Normally we wouldn't since we usually close regular business at eight but for you Mister Slytherin we make an exception." Haurein says trying to sound pleasant.

"You have my thanks for that." Harry says and goes down to take some of his money before he leaves again, already with a new contract since they had that done while he was down but Harry insists to have a proper look through it in the morning and that he'd send it back some time that week. Much to the Goblin's displeasure. It is nearly ten by the time he returns to Professor Dumbledore.

"How was your trip to Gringotts?" The older man questions.

"They tried to trick me." Harry says, "Sal once mentioned that they tried the same thing with him back then. Seems like they still do that. How did your day go and are the portraits hanging in the great hall already?"

"Oh yes they are and I fear some students were rather surprised by them." Dumbledore says with a chuckle and sparkling eyes. "Especially Helga and her worrier behavior. But they all seemed to believe now that they are the real founders. Especially since James confirmed Salazar's Identity. It was known to some that the first headmaster of this school was a child of one of the founders but only few knew the name since the plague is under his painting and that is so far up that it gets hard to read. However, they are confirmed now and will hang there."

"Good." Harry sighs and then says, "I'll go down then. I need to ask Godric what hint his father gave him for me to find that damn portrait."

"His father left one?" Dumbledore asks, "But didn't you say it was Merlin?"

"It is." Harry says, "Or was. And yeah it seems there is a hidden portrait of Merlin somewhere in this school but so far I have no idea where. Godric has a hint for me though."

"You should rest Harry." Dumbledore says, "You look like you hadn't had any sleep today."

"I had a little." Harry says, "But couldn't really sleep well. I'll get some ingredients tomorrow to make some dreamless sleep so I have one good nights rest tomorrow night but for now I probably couldn't sleep peacefully if I tried."

"I'm sure Severus has some." Dumbledore suggests.

"I guess." Harry says, "But I'd rather not ask him. Now excuse me please."

Harry walks down to the portraits and talks to them for some time even after getting the hint from Godric until the man says "You should sleep. I know it's still hard for you but at least lay down for a few hours."

Harry agrees and walks up to his dorm room and wonders if he should even stay in here considering that he is a Slytherin now and that he's 10 years older and has worked as a teacher for the last few years. He tries to sleep for about an hour before he gives up and takes out the map. The tip had been "Don't forget that balance is the key to everything. Once you find your center you are sure to win." He had to find some center but the center of what? The grounds, the castle, or something else entirely? Harry looks at every room on the map and wonders what center could be meant as well as if there is something hidden like the eagle in the kitchen or some other sign to find where to say something or touch with something or if it is at least a little more simple.

While watching the map Harry suddenly freezes and looks over to Ron's bed only to confirm that the still 13 year old boy is still alone in his bed, as he's supposed to. He looks back to the map and sees two names in that bed. Ronald Weasley and Peter Pettigrew. Why on earth is that name there? And why doesn't Harry see anyone else then Ron there. He starts to inspect the parchment more thoroughly and find out how it works and what spells might have been used. It's nearly sunrise when he hears something. A scratching or rather scurrying around the room from a rodent and Harry sees the name move on the map. That's when it clicks. Voldemort and Lucius had told him what little they knew to be fact including how Sirius had killed Peter and that only a finger was found. They had assumed that Sirius had done it out of revenge, knowing that it was Peter that had betrayed the Potters.

But what if he hadn't? Harry remembers what Ron had said the day they had meet. The rat is missing a claw. Harry looks around were according to the map Peter should be, only to find Ron's rat. Harry quickly stuns it silently before the animagus can figure out what is going on and then takes the Rat to the headmasters office without waking anyone in the room. He asks a portrait in the room to get the headmaster as soon as possible and a little later Dumbledore stands there still dressed in his nightgown and Harry explains that the rat is Peter and that he is absolutely certain of that fact. He doesn't mention the map the twins had for their sake but that he has prove. Dumbledore turns the man back into a human and then calls the Aurors.

A few hours later Harry is telling Fudge as well as some Aurors and other Ministry officials and some reporters the whole story leaving out where the dark Lord is currently hiding but that he is indeed back and out to destroy some dark artifacts he made while being crazy. After that Harry personally joins the Minister to free his Godfather and then has to retell the whole story to him and Remus Lupin another friend of his fathers that came to Hogwarts when Harry found Peter there. Hagrid also is freed from Azkaben since he never opened the chamber of Secrets. After all he couldn't have done it not being a Parselmouth and the fact that Harry can show them how to get in is prove enough for them, non actually want to go where the Basilisk is still living and rather hope that Harry can keep it under control so no one has to fight that monster. And Harry is having another talk with Ron and Hermione. After all Harry had to explain to Ron why his rat is gone and promises to buy him an owl since he cost him the rat. Not that Ron seemed to mind that much after finding out what the Rat really was or rather who. He is disgusted since he always slept with that thing in his bed.

Once that is all done the day is nearly over again and Harry yawns more often then not. "I assume you didn't find the time to buy the needed ingredients?" Dumbledore asks at the end of a rather long day that was mostly spend with Sirius and Remus and later with Ron and Hermione.

"No professor but I'm sure I'll be fine for one more night." Harry replies.

Dumbledore looks towards the portrait of Harry's son James and asks, "Would you be so kind to seek out Severus and ask him to bring me a vial of dreamless sleep?" After that Dumbledore looks towards Harry and adds, "You might be hesitant to ask him, but I'm not."

While Harry is still trying to tell Dumbledore that he really doesn't need to bother Snape, said potions master is sitting in his private room and looking into the flames of his fireplace. He had talked to Salazar Slytherin for a moment and even managed to do so alone during the last night after curfew. He hadn't slept since. He just couldn't believe what he had learned during that talk. And it isn't just the fact that Godric is the potions master of the founders and Salazar preferred to work with creatures or transfiguration. No what really shocked his mind is the reaction he got after asking Salazar why he had married that spoiled brat. Severus had never been that happy that a portrait can't harm anyone. All the founders had gotten very angry and even Rowena and stopped to read and complained.

They told him about their first day with Harry. How the boy had wondered what the boggart might turn into and mentioned Fluffy, an Agrumantula, a murderer that killed his parents and is just constantly trying to kill him and is absolutely bonkers, a dragon that apparently had bitten Harry's friend once and a huge Basilisk that had been from his time. And all that had come from that tiny little runt of a boy with too baggy clothing. And like that wasn't enough the boy had seemed unfazed and even said for anything something why he doubted his boggart to turn into whatever he had just mentioned and then the boggart had turned into a very hateful man that called him names and threatened to whip the boy with his belt. the man had told him what a waste he was and that he wished him dead. Best having died as a baby to never have burdened him.

All of them agreed that they'd never forget how calm that boy had faced that and reacted like it is the most normal thing in the world and how he had just shrugged it of afterwards and explained that the man was his uncle and that he really is kind of scared of getting whipped again for accidental magic.

Godric also mentioned that while teaching Harry healing magic he healed the boy of multiple badly healed brakes. Most of them never having been seen any medical attention magical or otherwise. The boy had been malnourished during childhood and according to Salazar he still has marks on his back from said whippings. Marks that will never leave him. And still the boy had been the most grateful child any of them had ever seen.

According to Godric Harry had never asked for anything and Salazar had pointed out that he only once mentioned a wish to him and that was just something to remind him of his friends from his time and that it was said in passing. Not as a request to receive anything. He always behaved like he didn't expect to get anything. On top of that he always reacted instantly when someone needed help without wasting a thought of what it might cost him. He told Snape how Harry had gone back to his time and left his son how he seemed to fight his own tears and just accepted his duty never even complaining about the fact that he was thrown through time twice. Having to give up everything just to help his descendant that had gone insane and not once did he complain. He just took what was thrown at him and dealt with it.

Severus just sighs when he now hears that Dumbledore want's some dreamless sleep and takes one of his last two vials deciding to take the other himself when he returns. The thoughts about Harry just won't let him rest. He's still pondering them when he walks through the dark hallways towards the headmaster and is deeply in thought when entering it. So deeply that it actually takes a moment until he notices that he's not the only one with the headmaster. "Professor. The potion you requested." He says handing it over to Dumbledore only to watch the man hold it out to a glaring Harry Potter. Or rather, Harry Slytherin.

Harry sighs and takes it and holds it out to Severus saying, "I'm sorry for the bother. Dumbledore insists that I need this potion but I'm fine for tonight and can make myself one tomorrow so you don't have to give up one from your stock."

Severus looks at the young man sitting in the brightly lit room. He looks like a moving shadow. The rings under his eye have rings and it even seems like those have rings too. His eyes have none of the happy or mischievous shine they used to have. They look dead and hopeless. It also seems that he lost wight in the two days he's back. Severus takes out another potion and holds it out to him and says, "You're right you need this one too and since according to Godric you learned at least a little about healing as well as potions you should know. I doubt you'd let anyone leave your presence without taking both if you saw them looking the way you do."

Harry sighs, takes the potion the professor holds out and looks at it closely before opening it to smell it too and then sighs again saying, "If you insists. How much do I owe you?" After that he places one of the vials in a pocket and takes out a little bag with his coins.

"You are currently living at Hogwarts and I'm the potions master at residence." Severus says watching the young man, "That means I'm supposed to provide you with potions and Dumbledore will pay for needed ingredients with school founds."

"If you insist." Harry says, "But if you believe me up for the task I could help you brew new ones for free to thank you for the bother."

"It was no bother but you may help when you feel more rested." Severus says, "And have the time. From what Dumbledore told us you have more then enough on your plate at the moment."

"Thank you." Harry just says again and already takes the nutrient potion Severus handed to him. "If you excuse me, I'll do as you both insist and rest."

"Of course my boy." Dumbledore says. "But before you go, are you still comfortable with the boys? I could provide you with a set of rooms for yourself."

"Oh please don't worry about me." Harry says, "I admit it's a little strange sleeping in the dorms again but I'll deal so there is no reason to bother sir."

"There is." Severus grumbles. "This castle is yours, so just take whatever bloody rooms you like."

"I'm fine and I'm sure the rooms might be needed otherwise." Harry insists.

"There actually are a few free guest rooms in the dungeon close to Professor Snape. I'm sure he can show you the way and the elves will be glad to help freshen it up a bit for you." Dumbledore points out.

"I'll think about it tomorrow but for now I have a sleeping potion so it shouldn't matter where I sleep." Harry says, "Especially since the nutrient potion was layered with a calming drought that will react with the dreamless sleep and probably insure that I sleep for at least 12 hours. Good night!"

Severus is surprised that the man noticed but glad that he took it anyway. After what the Founders have told him he started to consider that Harry is not the man he thought the boy to be and now having seen the way he offered money for a potion they were hard pressed to talk him into taking has only confirm it all for him. "Are you finally seeing the real Harry?" Dumbledore asks after watching the potions master look after the depressed young man.

"I fear Salazar and his, friends, have managed to open my eyes to it." Severus replies with a sigh. "He'll need more than that the way he looks and if half of what the founders said is true he'll need a lot more then anyone might be able to provide."

"I fear you're right but we can only do that much unless he asks for help." Dumbledore says with a sigh. "He won't even let me know where Tom is hiding and can only presume that it's with Lucius Malfoy since he used the mans help to bring Voldemort back to life so he could heal him. I could help Tom instead of Harry helping him but he insists to find a way to prove the mans innocence and give him his old live back and see Slughorn punished, rather then let me hire the man under a false name and give him a fresh start."

"Slughorn? Why him?" Severus questions.

"Because the insanity was caused by an improperly brewed potion made by Slughorn and tested by Tom." Dumbledore starts to explain, "It seems he used students on occasion to test his potions."

"He always did as far as I know." Severus replies. "He paid me too a few times. But I never had any, lasting, damage done by them."

"You should let Harry know about that." Dumbledore says, "It might help when he tries to help Tom stay out of Azkaban."

"I will." Severus says, "But not today. I think I'll take the last of my dreamless sleep myself and rest too. I'll need to leave for a little while tomorrow to buy some new ingredients."

"Of course." Dumbledore replies.

The next day Harry is feeling a little better after finally having gotten some good rest and even eats with a little more vigor before he looks through the map to find a 'center'.

Authors Note: Will Harry find the portrait? Will Severus help him adapt to being back in his time? Will they actually be able to be friends or is there a possibility for more? Will Harry find a way to help Dudley from turning into a criminal thanks to his parents? What kind of book is Dudley inheriting? And we still don't know anything about that sword Harry got from Merlin that was supposed to be so special!And what about Lucius? Will he just accept the change that Tom is nice now and wants to HELP muggles just like Salazar did? He did try to open the chamber! How will Draco react? How will Ron and Hermione go one in school without their best friend with them? What will Harry do for a living or will he just stay in the school he owns and watch over the kids and live from his inheritance? Will Sirius and Remus be around to help him or does Sirius need help himself to cope after so many years in Azkaban?