September, 11th 1992
6:30 p.m.
Harry was halfway into his second week at Hogwarts and his first impressions had not changed. He greatly loved the sprawling castle and the odd quirks it exhibited, like the semi hidden stair case behind two tapestries that had a trick step Harry hadn't known about. He had sunk to his knees in the step before an older student had come along and pulled him out. The boy that helped him had said the step would've stopped at about his mid thighs, but he also didn't seem too sure about that himself, so Harry stayed clear of that step for a while. Other than a mild expedition through the castle to learn its many pathways Harry had visited Salazar and Rina a couple of times when he was free and he had begun to make it a habit. Salazar had been stuck down in his chamber for over sixty years with no visitors since the person, Thomas, Rina had mentioned when she first saw him.
He was actually making his way down the steps to the chamber he had found Rina and Salazar in so he could talk to them both. He didn't have anything inparticular to talk to either of them about, which struck Harry as odd. He had always imagined what he would say or do if he ever found a relative other than the Dursleys and now that he had, he didn't know what he wanted to talk about, and oddly enough he viewed the giant snake as more of a relative than any of the Dursleys. Maybe he could ask Salazar about being a wizard and how it was when he was around Harry's age, or perhaps he could ask if Salazar could give him some sort of instruction in magic, if not in practice then perhaps in theory.
The bones at the bottom of the stairs had creeped Harry out when he first came down and they did again when he finally reached the end of the stairs this time. It was still weird to think how large of a snake Rina was. Harry had never seen one to begin with, Privet Drive was very urban and you could bet if a snake was spotted it would be immediately killed, so it was no surprise Harry had never seen a snake before, in real life anyway. Heck he could barely believe the huge skin Rina had shed that he was passing right now, and she had grown considerably since that particular skin was shed. He was surprised there was even a steady enough supply of vermin under the castle to support Rina.
Maybe I should start bringing her food. I wonder if she needs living food or if something from dinner would be good enough for her.
"You ssseem to be visssiting usss quite a bit thessse daysss hatchling," Rina rasped out emerging from the entrance of a tunnel to Harry's side.
"I just don't think you or Salazar should have to spend all your time down here with no one to talk to. I get the feeling it's already been a long time since anyone visited," Harry said slightly shivering at the noise Rina's scales made as she slithered behind him.
Maybe I should start bringing her food. I wonder if she needs living food or if something from dinner would be good enough for her.
"You ssseem to be visssiting usss quite a bit thessse daysss hatchling," Rina rasped out emerging from the entrance of a tunnel to Harry's side.
"I just don't think you or Salazar should have to spend all your time down here with no one to talk to. I get the feeling it's already been a long time since anyone visited," Harry said slightly shivering at the noise Rina's scales made as she slithered behind him.
As she made her way in front of him she actively had to resist the urge to look him in the eyes. It was evident by the way her head would almost turn in his direction before jerking back slightly the way she had been looking. Apparently Rina was used to killing everything near her as soon as it appeared.
strangely enough this fact dawning on Harry made him feel slightly safer around her more than it scared him.
"That isss true, but I would sssay Sssalazar will be far happier you are here more than me," Rina said with her jerky motions making Harry almost chuckle," he hasss been very different ever sssince Thomas left and before that he wasss very ressserved over hisss wife and daughtersss deathsss."
Harry didn't know how to respond to the information Rina was freely giving him, after all he knew most likely Salazar wouldn't give up this information so easily. It made him feel like he had much more in common with his distant relative.
"Go ssseem him he will be rather overjoyed. Although you probably won't be able to tell, he isss a recluse after all he rarely leavesss hisss portrait."
"Thank you Rina. Next time I come down I'll bring you some food," Harry said with a beaming smile looking up at the giant snake," do you have any preference for what I bring?"
This time Rina's head nearly did jerk to look Harry in the eyes before she visibly stopped halfway in the motion,"I do not have a preference. I would like meat but do remove the bonesss it isss rather uncomfortable regurgitating them."
Harry nodded his smile straining at the thought of Rina hacking up bones in the pile he always passed when coming down.
Harry moved farther down the chamber absentmindedly commanding the bridge to form so he could make his way into Salazars study.
"Oh dear lord," an exasperated voice said from behind the wooden door leading into the study," are you back already?"
"Yes. I thought you would be more happy to see me."
"It is exceedingly difficult to miss someone that continuously returns nearly every day he is able. Honestly you should be studying not goofing off with an old man like me," Salazar said with an admonishing statement pointed at Harry.
"I've been studying for the last week," Harry whined," Honestly the first day was pretty interesting, and I enjoyed transfiguration and charms. But potions was a little tense I think Professor Snape doesn't like me much."
"That's nonsense. If a professor doesn't like you it's most likely because you did something. Honestly I had the oddest feeling you were just as much a delinquent as Godrick was when he was your age," Salazar said looking off past Harry's shoulder as if he was remembering a far off time.
"I am not a delinquent. I mean maybe I've grabbed a few pieces of bacon or eggs when making breakfast for the Dursley's but that was because I needed to eat. And sure maybe I "accidentally" knocked over thumbtacks on Uncle Vernons office chair when cleaning the study, but I'm not a delinquent."
The portrait looked at Harry with a curious yet amused gaze," well then, I can only say try and change that professor view on you by being an upstanding student."
Harry nodded glumly knowing that it would be an up hill battle trying to get Snape to even like him a little bit. Harry put off those thoughts for the moment wanting to just talk to Salazar.
"What were professors like when you were younger?"
"Ha. Professors? Why, when I was your age you would be lucky to even have a relative that could effectively teach you. It wasn't until we were able to establish this school that young wizards were even able to learn how to do any significant magic."
"When you say "we" you mean the other founders of Hogwarts, right?"
"Exactly! Building this school was the largest and greatest undertaking any wizards of our age had ever dared to try. It was one of the only times all four founders were able to work together, more often than not we were all frothing at the bit to one up one another. To be fair though it was rare to see Helga in conflict with any of us although when she was she put her entire heart into it and we rarely ever one against her when she got like that. And when we finally had the school built we had the problem of how to split students between ourselves and the abysmal staff we had put together. Rowena put forward that we each establish our own houses with their own values and outlooks on what we thought made a great wizard. Godric in a very rare stroke of brilliance had the idea we make some a magical artifact that could sort students among the houses with no bias," Salazar chuckled lightly stroking his sizable beard," you should have seen my face when Godric proudly showed all of us his ragged old hat that Rowena had enchanted to read students minds and their aptitude for each house and it's values. I nearly cursed Godric bald when he tried to put that disgusting thing on me head."
"You sound like you miss them," Harry said softly.
Salazar took a deep breath and looked at Harry," I suppose I do. Although I hate to admit it I miss Godric and his churlish pranks, Rowena and her know it all attitude, and yes even Helgas mother hen personality that made her treat all of us like her children. We may have all had our differences but we achieved something beyond great together. I wish, that in my idiocy, in the later years to come that I hadn't succumb to the foolish idea only pure blooded wizards and witches should be allowed to join our school. It was foolish to not see all magical children should be taught equally to both protect them and others. Perhaps if I hadn't done what I had Thomas wouldn't have ended up as he did and so many people wouldn't have lost their lives."
Harry had long ago sat in the chair at Salazars desk losing himself in Salazars story and regrets that he seemed to be reflecting on.
"Harry," the portrait said with a serious tone heavy with import," don't let your own personal beliefs come between you and your friends. You need to know that bonds of love and friendship are far more worth while in your later years than petty things like blood purity or who is or isn't a genius. But you also need to know you shouldn't blindly follow your friends either, you need to know when they are making bad decisions just as much as knowing if your decisions aren't correct."
Harry listened to Salazars words with rapt attention, this was his first worthwhile lesson any relative had ever given him, and the weight of his words fully sunk into Harry branding his words into his mind so he would never forget the wisdom he was being given.
"I promise I won't take my friend for granted. But that goes for you and Rina too Salazar, so don't be surprised if I come down a lot more to visit you both."
Salazar huffed with fake irritation," very well but if you intend to visit I insist you let me tutor you so your thick skull might retain useful knowledge they most likely are not teaching anymore."
Harry's eyes brightened at the idea of learning from Salazar," yes please I promise to be an excellent student."
The portrait gazed at Harry with a face that practically screamed "dear god what have I done".
September, 12 1992
7:20 a.m.
Harry sat in the common room of Ravenclaw intending to wait for Fleur so that he could talk to her. Salazar talking about his past with the other founders and his regrets really made him think about everything that had happened between him and Fleur. He realized that he shouldn't hold a grudge against her just because she was doing something she had been doing her entire life without restraint.
" 'Arry? Why are you waiting in ze common room," Fleur asked as she stood at the base of the school dormitory stairs.
Harry had to stop to think for a second. Fleur was more disheveled than she usually was her hair was slightly tousled and she wore an elegant yet modest nightgown that perfectly complimented her silver locks of hair. She looked cute with her curious yet tired expression she pointed at Harry.
Harry blinked for a second and shook his head slightly," I just wanted to wait for you. I wanted to talk, we haven't been able to in a while since you started preparing for the O.W.L.S ."
Fleur flowed her way over to the couch Harry sat on and fluidly sat next to him her hand lightly hovering over Harry's as if wanting to take it, but her hand moved away thinking better of it.
"Of course 'Arry what is troubling you?"
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry," Harry was fidgeting with the hem of his robes not knowing how to steer this conversation.
Fleur's brow scrunched in further confusion," why are you apologizing 'Arry you 'ave done nothing wrong."
"But I did. I haven't trusted you at all. When I found out you had an ability that let you sense people's emotions and you hadn't told me about it I only thought you hadn't told me for some horrible reason. I don't think it ever crossed my mind you might actually just like how my aura f-feels to you," Harry said blushing.
Fleur had an equally large blush on her cheeks at Harry's wording," I honestly did 'Arry. I may 'ave not told you about my sense when I should 'ave but I never used my ability to 'arm you and I never intended to either."
Harry searched Fleur's face for any sign of deceit but as he scrutinized her face he found no sign of deceit. As he looked into her sparkling blue eyes finding only sincerity his walls he always had around himself began to crumble and his previously stiff posture relaxed as he slumped in his seat.
"You can use your senses around me if you want, Fleur."
Fleur's P.O.V
Fleur's eyes widened as she looked at Harry's slouched form. He looked so tired even though he had no doubt just slept.
"Are you sure 'Arry? I don't want to invade your privacy again if you're not sure."
Harry smiled tiredly at Fleur," it's fine really. I don't mind maybe just when I'm feeling something you don't think you should see please don't mention it or just... look away please."
Fleur nodded and allowed her senses she had kept pulled away from Harry to wash over him allowing her to gaze at his aura again. The ever present snake around Harry was significantly smaller than it had been weeks ago when she first saw it. The entity was no longer smiling maliciously at her it was now glaring at her hatefully frowning.
She would need to bring up this... thing to Harry eventually but not now. He was already so tired and this conversation was clearly taxing him. As she turned away from the apparition she gazed at Harry's unabashed emotions taking in their radiance.
Harry was understandably nervous on the surface. But she could also feel his acceptance of her, he felt happy that he could trust her yet also apprehensive. He also felt slight fear.
"Why are you afraid, 'Arry," Fleur asked delicately.
He noticeable flinched at her soft question," I've n-never trusted anyone completely like I am with you right now. Honestly you are the only person I've trusted this much."
Fleur frowned even further, if that was at all possible," what about your family surely they 'ave your trust?"
Harry laughed but his emotions held no mirth, warmth, or sincerity. All his aura conveyed was immense emptiness. His gaze shifted from Fleur to the fire crackling in front of them.
"The people that count as my "family" rarely treat me like a relative. Servant would be a kind term, I'm more like a slave in their eyes," Harry's own eyes were hauntingly void of light as if he was seeing nothing the only spark being from the fire reflected in them.
Fleur shivered at the numb feeling in Harry's aura. This time she didn't hesitate to take his hand that was limp by his side laying on the surface of the couch between the two. Harry flinched and almost drew his hand away at first but he visibly relaxed allowing his hand to be held.
He slowly turned his gaze to Fleur almost making her gasp at his eyes nearly overflowing with unshed tears. Fleur had never seen Harry cry openly and yet here he was on the verge of tears his aura nearly crippling her with sorrow.
" I-I'm s-sorry Fleur I d-didn't want to be l-like this when I talked to y-you."
Harry's voice was thick with sadness and his apology caught her off guard. She hadn't expected him to apologize. It was like he thought he shouldn't have feelings to show.
Fleur threw caution to the wind and engulfed Harry in a hug. She held him gently almost as if she thought he may crack from the slightest pressure. Fleur knew Harry didn't like people touching him without permission but just this once she wanted to be a little selfish and comfort him without asking beforehand.
Thankfully when she felt Harry's aura it had shifted to one of timidity and contentment. Fleur smiled as she absentmindedly stroked Harry's hair his body slumped further against her as he hugged her back and nestled his head into her shoulder. They both relaxed against Fleur's side of the couch.
Fleur would let Harry relax and calm down after all breakfast had just started and they would not need to worry about other Ravenclaws coming around for a while. Fleur felt oddly relaxed with Harry nearly half asleep from crying on her shoulder but she made sure she didn't forget what Harry had said.
"Servant would be a kind term, I'm more like a slave in their eyes."
Fleur's eyes had become icy as Harry's hollow words rung in her head. She would kill whoever had broken Harry so thoroughly that he thought he should apologize just for feeling.
This she swore.
A/N:
Okay so a bit of an explanation for this site. Hi I'm Jack and I am the original author for this story it's just that I previously wrote it on Archive of Our Own and I just ported it over here so people who aren't on that site can read my story up to date. This was after all the site that got me into reading fanfics so I wanted to put my most successful one up to date on here. I hope you enjoy I will continue to update the story as I write on Archive of Our Own!!!!
