Authors Note: Thanks for the support.

Lost in time

Chapter 7

It's around lunch that Harry notices that the center of all the hiding places of the portraits is actually in the great hall and just happens to be along the wall right behind Dumbledore, at the center of the head table. Harry goes down right away to have a closer look around there just to see if it could be there and simply ignores the whispers from the students that are currently eating as well as some of the staff members. "What are you doing Potter?" Snape snaps after awhile, the curiosity getting the better of him but unwilling to show it.

"The name's Slytherin." Harry mumbles, "And I'm looking for some hint to find something. This is a possible place for it but I'm far from being certain."

"I take it you mean the portrait?" Dumbledore asks.

"Yes." Harry says cheerfully. "I think I found something." All the staff members are standing up and crowding the wall where Harry stands. "But I don't get why he would use an eagle?" Harry keeps looking around and then has an idea and points his wand towards his throat and says, "Sonorus." After that he looks towards the students. "I need all of your help. Somewhere along the walls must be a small lion scratched into the stone. Along another wall is a badger and along the last one a snake the eagle is here behind the head table so please search the other walls so I can find a portrait of Merlin himself."

At first most Students just look like they don't care but the second Harry mentions that it's about a Portrait of Merlin, every student is running towards the wall and soon after he hears "A Lion, I found the lion." Harry just grins when he sees a Slytherin shout it from their side of the room."

"I found the snake!" Lee shouts over to Harry from the Gryffindor side of the room.

"The badger looks nice." A blond first year Ravenclaw girl says with a dreamy look on her face and Harry grins certain that she must be related to Rowena somehow because she looks a lot like her. The color of the eyes is different and the facial features are a different too and she's not holding a book but the hair is the same and that dreamy look is identical too.

"Great." Harry's voice booms over the room and he thinks for a moment, there are a few options for this part too but the most likely to Harry is that a member of each house has to admit a fault in it. But a student or a teacher? He decides to try with the head of houses first since they are supposed to set a good example.

Harry quickly turns to Fillius and says "When I signal you you say," And then he whispers something into his ear only to see him frown. "Trust me." Harry says "I knew Merlin this is what he'd have said and the most likely thing he would have us do to find his portrait." Next Harry walks to every head of house and he whispers something after giving them the same instructions and then is saying the same thing to them he had said to Fillius after he get's a similar frown. Severus' glare is by far the worse. After that Harry walks to Dumbledore and also gives him something to say at his signal but this time Harry earns himself an approving smile. After that he sends the head of house to their respective animals.

Once they are at the proper position around the Hall he points towards Fillius who says using a sonorous. "Knowledge without ambition is as useful as a lost book."

Next Harry points towards Severus who's also using the sonorous on himself before saying with a grumble, "Ambition without courage is like a bird that wants to see the world, but doesn't dare to fly."

Next is Professor McGonagall who's voice is heard over all the other sound in the hall thanks to the sonorous, "Courage without loyalty will leave you to fight alone against the wold."

The one who's amplified voice is heard next is Pomona, "Loyalty without Knowledge is like a Lion with neither teeth nor claws."

The last one to speak is the Headmaster who doesn't need to touch anything and says, "Only united will we stand strong"

A loud rumble is heard and part of the wall behind the headmaster disappears and leaves a portrait floating in the hidden space behind it. Merlin smiles down at Harry and says, "I always knew you'd find my portrait. Because you always understood that no matter how good a quality is, it will never prevail on it's own."

"I know Merlin." Harry says, "I take it, it didn't matter what they said exactly as long as they all admitted to need one of the others?"

"Each one another so everyone is needed." Merlin says, "If one house would have been admired more and one left out it wouldn't have worked and someone else had to say that only all four houses together can prevail."

"I assumed as much." Harry says with a sigh, "You always said that it didn't matter what quality you had as long as you had something you could do because there were always others that could support you. But more importantly, when did you finally grew a beard?"

Merlin chuckles and then says, "That is actually my grandsons fault. He is just as big of a prankster as my youngest son was and took over where Sal left. He gave me something that made my hair grow to this length and no matter how often I cut it, it always grew right out again. I tried to talk him into an antidote but he never gave it to me."

Harry laughs a little but also looks a little sad and Severus watches him closely. "I'm glad he had something to laugh and that you were around for him."

"Of course I was." Merlin says, "He was a very happy child, a little spoiled at times but loved from everyone around him. Harry, you don't need to worry about him. And you know that Salazar would have wanted you happy right?"

"I know." Harry says, "Thank's Merlin."

"Will you ever call me father?" Merlin questions, "After all I am your father-in-law."

Most people in the hall gasped since that little bit of information hadn't hit the Hogwarts rumor mill yet. "You know me, I might need forever to get used to it."

"I'm still glad to call you my family." The older man says smiling. But you need to eat more my son. You lost wight."

"I couldn't agree more. How about you join us at the head table for what is left of lunch Harry my boy. I wanted to ask you something anyway." Dumbledore says, "And Severus wants to go to diagon ally to buy potions ingredients as far as I remember you wanted to do the same so maybe you can go together."

"I doubt Professor Snape would appreciate it." Harry replies and sits down at the head table at a place Professor Dumbledore gestured towards that was kept free right to his left side. "What can I do for you?"

"I wanted to ask if you are willing to teach Magical Defense again. Maybe a renaming of the position that was the Defense against the Dark arts class might be good anyway to end the talk about a curse on the position. I'm sure I could give you a little crash course about the more modern magic that you might not be aware of and there are enough books around that I'm sure you'll be ready for the task for the next school year."

"I guess I could give it a try." Harry says, "I have nothing better to do for now anyway."

"I'm very happy you agreed Harry." Dumbledore cheers, "Now what about a new set of rooms. You will of course have Lockhart's office if the classroom is okay for you that is. If you need something else just let me know."

"I think it will do." Harry says.

"Have you thought about a set of private rooms that you would like to have?" Dumbledore questions.

"Anything available will do." Harry replies and Severus who is hearing everything only wonders how he could ever have thought this man spoiled. He clearly had never looked beneath the visual resemblance with James that the man still has. Not that it's necessarily a bad thing considering that the man wasn't that bad on the eyes. Not as charming or lovely as Lily but not bad.

"Then I will give you the ones next to Severus' private quarters." Dumbledore says grinning. "Oh and Severus knows more about Slughorn's experiments so you should try and go to diagon ally with him and use that time to discus things with him."

"I really rather not bother him." Harry sighs, "Why don't you just tell me what he already told you?"

"Because he's a meddling old coot." Severus grumbles towards Harry. Severus is sitting next to Fillius who is right next to Harry and is thus still in hearing range. "Just agree to whatever he says and give up you can't reason with him anymore then with a spoiled child."

"I think I like my position already even though I can't move around since I'm not hanging on the castle walls. I do hope that will be changed soon though." Merlin says from behind them.

"I'm sure you and Professor Dumbledore will get along splendidly." Harry grumbles towards the portrait before he turns to Professor Snape to ask "When do you plan to go Professor?"

"Right after lunch since I have no classes this afternoon." Severus replies.

"Okay." Harry says "I'll go ingredients shopping with you. I assume you know which supplier is best anyway and I can buy books for my self afterwards."

"What kind of books are you interested in?" Severus questions wondering if Harry still has some interest in potions since Godric mentioned that Harry seemed to have enjoyed it under his tutelage in the past. Or if he will solemnly focus on defense now.

"Mostly defense to be prepared for the coming year but I also want to learn more modern healing and potions theories and the new potions that have been created of course."

"I could advise you on some potions books too." Severus drawls trying to sound disinterested "I wanted to check out some new books anyway to see if they are good enough to use in class."

"I would greatly appreciate that Professor Snape." Harry says pleasantly. "If you do that, would you mind greatly to also advice me on good Defense books? Since you wanted that position first I assume you are well able to help me in that area as well as at least the potions side of healing magic. Only if that isn't too much of a burden of course. I don't want you to feel obligated to do anything just because Professor Dumbledore asked you to let me accompany you."

"Of course." Severus replies. "It wouldn't be a burden at all. According to Godric Gryffindor I might even enjoy discussing some potions theory with you and look forward to see if his trust in you isn't too great."

"I will endeavor not to disappoint either of you." Harry promises before he continues eating to be ready when the other Professor is ready too. Knowing that Merlin probably isn't the only one to drive him crazy should he not eat enough no matter how late his breakfast was.

An hour later Harry and Severus are at diagon and Harry strolls through the shop and looks around for a moment while Severus tells the clerk what he needs. After a moment Harry hears the clerk say, "By the way Professor, I got something really rare just this morning."

"What is it?" Severus drawls.

"Basilisk skin." The man says with a gleam in his eyes and takes it out. Harry walks closer and looks at it.

"How much?" Severus asks after inspecting it.

"Don't bother Professor Snape." Harry tells the other man. "This was shaded at least fifteen years ago I'm sure I can get you some fresher one together with some venom and if I remember correctly they loose their teeth too and regrow them every few years so I might be able to find some for you too."

"And how do you think you can get that?" The man asks upset.

"Don't worry." Harry tells him, "I might be willing to sell some below what it's usually worth if you give us both a fair price too. And I can get it because I have a Basilisk."

"Don't be ridiculous no one can have a Basilisk at home." The clerk says upset.

"He can." Severus replies, "He's a parselmouth and I've heard about his Basilisk so I'm going with him in this particular case but I'm sure to let Lucius Malfoy know about what you've got I'm sure he'll buy it."

Harry just grins towards the still skeptically looking man but once Severus is done and Harry tells him his order which s pretty big considering that he needs nearly everything again, he really does get a small discount. Harry pays and a little latter they enter the book shop. They look quietly through some books. Harry first in the defense section with Severus not to far away and actually pointing out some rather good books of which Harry buys an exemplar to have a closer look in them before they move on to the potions section and then to the healing. In both Severus suggests some books even though, he only knows about healing what little he needed to get his mastery. Harry buys enough to do Hermione more the proud and after seeing a Hogwarts a History in the shop he smiles remembering how he once upon a time said he'd burn every single exemplar when he get's back. Well, maybe he rather focus on just informing people about the flaws in the book and get a new one out.

After that Harry assumes they go back but Severus actually asks if they want to have a drink at the leaky cauldron before going back. Harry is surprised and goes with him assuming that Severus wants to go and not wanting to ruin the trip for the older man but Harry only drinks a butter bear. Severus starts a conversation about potions theory and some new potions as well as old ones and asks Harry about the one that healed the ones turned into stone since according to Madam Pomfrey it wasn't the one they had planed to use to safe them.

Harry does answer all his questions and asks some of his own and Severus quickly notices that Harry is really very knowledgeable on the subjects and he enjoys having someone talented to talk to and later start to talk about defense as well. Severus finds it rather amusing that back then they fought a boggart the way they would whatever thing it turns into. He is glad that Harry had read ahead on that topic and enjoys his time with Harry and also discuses the dark Lord briefly and what he plans to do with him now. Harry sighs and explains how he wants to help him since what happened wasn't really the mans fault.

After talking for a while Harry starts to look at the time and says, "I should go and brew some potions for myself so I don't have to bother you and I still have to find a way to help Tom."

"Don't worry about the potions." Severus replies, "It's not a bother as I explained, as the Potions Professor I'm supposed to take care of that. And anyway, I rather have you visit that Basilisk of yours for some fresher skin and a tooth and if possible a bit of venom too. And about Tom, I know that Slughorn didn't only test on him. Professor Slughorn did that every year. I know because I was one of his test subjects to."

"Do you know others that he tested on?" Harry asks, "And did any of them get hurt?"

"As far as I know there was never any lasting damage done." Severus replies.

"I don't care if it was lasting or not." Harry grumbles, "They, you back then included, were kids. They shouldn't be harmed no matter if permanent or not?" Harry frowns and then asks, "Was the testing official? I don't know how it is in this time but I'm sure there must be laws to regulate it, I can't see it permitted that kids are used as test subjects."

"There is no age restriction since some would have to be tested on children to see their reaction on it but minors have to have permission from parents." Severus replies, "Mine never signed anything though and didn't know about it. Also there should have been a medi witch on stand by which wasn't. I had to lie when I had to see one afterwards."

"Then it wasn't legal what he did." Harry replies. "I have to go ask Tom some things and see if I can find out who went to school with him and can confirm that Slughorn did the testings on him."

"You should take it easy for some time." Severus suggests. "You've been through a lot after getting back from the past. You need to think of yourself a little too and start you life again. Like finding friends in this time again. Ron and Hermione are a little young for you at the moment and you need people around you."

"I will." Harry promises, "Once I'm done helping Tom. You probably don't understand it, but I had to leave my son in the past when he was little more then a new born. I'll never hold him again, never see him grow up and while I'm glad to know that his life was good, it hurts. You have no idea how much it hurts to not only have lost my Husband but my child too and I need something to do and apart from that, Tom is my descendant. And to be that he has to be my son's descendant and that means he's all I have left of my son. I have to help him."

"I do understand." Severus replies remembering how Dumbledore had drawn him in to help protect Harry because he was all that was left of Lily. "I might not have a child, but I do understand. But that doesn't stop me from worrying."

Harry looks at him for a moment and then sighs, "Then worry if you can't help it. But it won't slow me down. I have to do this." Harry gets up and places some gold on the table to pay for both of their drinks, "I'll stop by your lab when I'm back to see if I can still help you a little as promised but I'll go help tom first."

Severus just nods and watches the man leave before he himself goes back to Hogwarts intend on being done with as many potions as possible before Harry is back to make sure that the man can rest after returning.

Authors Note: I guess it is rather obvious what Dumbledore is trying to achieve, but will he be able to do it? Will Harry and Severus get together? Will Harry be able to help Tom? When will he have time to see Dudley to give him his inheritance from Lily? How will the boy react? Will Slughorn get what he deserves? Or will he get away with having done those testings? And after so many years of testings, is Tom really the only one with long term damage done to him? Are there others that have suffered and are still suffering from some consequence and if yes, how will Harry find them and can he help them too?