Disclaimer: I do not own any character's objects or anything else that comes from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.
Warning: This story will contain scenes of violence, bad language, and maybe other themes that some audiences may find unsuitable. You have been advised.
"Regular speech or spell"
"Parseltongue"
Text
'Thought'
Chapter 12:
"The pleasure is ours, Lord Slytherin." Anton Greengrass, Daphne and Astoria's father, spoke before he looked down at the corpses at his feet and said, "Thank you."
"It is the least I could do for the two of you." Harry bowed to each at once. "My family and I are forever indebted to the kindness and loyalty you and your family have shown over the centuries."
"Your appearance makes the years of work worth it, milord." Iris replied.
"I'm glad to see you agree with me." Daphne spoke up.
Anton and Iris turned to face their eldest daughter and smiles quickly grew on their faces before they rushed over to hug her.
"Daph! My little girl!"
"Hello, Daddy." The young woman spoke. Her icy, cool demeanour falling for her parents but still remaining composed.
Anton backed up looking her up and down while still holding her, though now at arm's length. "You have grown so much! I'd ask if I have to worry about anyone hurting you, but I know my daughter better than that." Anton beamed. "I'd be more worried for anyone who dared to cross your path."
"You know it." Daphne grinned proudly at her father's recognition before turning to her betrothed with a smile. "Not that the Lord would let that happen either."
Harry couldn't help but smile abc at her, warmth growing inside him as it always did to see the care she held for him. "Never."
Anton turned away from his daughter to look at the young lord. "I am grateful for my daughter's protection and for your rescue, but I have to ask, what is your plan now, Lord Slytherin? You and all associated with you are now in the limelight and are quite exposed."
Lord Slytherin's smile fell at the older lord's words and his stoic appearance returned. "We are more visible than we had planned to be at this time unfortunately due to traitors in our midst, but we are by far vulnerable. I have secured Slytherin castle and my devout followers and I will soon be relocating from Hogwarts to my ancestral home. Its seclusion will afford us many more options until the time is right to completely reveal our presence."
"Completely reveal your presence? In what way?" Anton's brows furrowed.
"My forces and I have not been training just for defense, Lord Greengrass. I intend not to live out my days as a lord hidden away from the world slowly building from the shadows in hopes that my descendants may bring back the glory of the name of Slytherin. No, I intend once we are ready to bring that glory myself. Slytherin will once more stand as a name to be respected and not just feared. The castle will stand as a beacon of strength. The Wizengamot will honour my family once more."
"How do you plan to get them to do so?" Iris spoke up.
Daphne chimed in. "Harry-" Anton and Iris snapped their heads to look at their daughter at her casual usage of his name."
"Lord and Lady Greengrass. Daphne is my betrothed and most trusted confidant. I understand the formality of our customs is necessary, but I prefer my Lady not walk on eggshells with me. Please. Let her continue."
Daphne's lips furled into a barely noticeable smirk before she continued. "Harry and I have realized an opportunity has fallen into our laps with the return of the fake heir of Slytherin."
"Voldemort." Anton realized.
"Exactly. He is already an enemy to us but is also an enemy of the nation despite the public denial of his existence." Daphne continued.
"Which can only be denied for so long. That is why the Order of Slytherin has allied itself with the Order of the Phoenix to combat the threat. A war is coming, Lord and Lady Greengrass, and when a Slytherin is seen leading the fight to protect the people, the Wizengamot will be unable to assert us as a purely dark house. They cannot deny their heroes." Harry finished.
Anton and Iris stood, stunned for a moment in thought before the lord spoke. "Clever. Very clever. Worthy of the Slytherins of old, I would say."
"Thank you, Lord Greengrass. In the meantime, with your permission, I would like to relocate you, your people, and your possessions to castle Slytherin to ensure your protection. My order is strong, but I doubt we can hold the manor for an extended period of time."
"You would have us?" Anton asked, startled.
"Of course. As I said before, I am truly grateful for all that you and your family have done for mine over the generations, not to mention that I would be remiss to neglect the parents of my betrothed." Harry nodded his head in respect.
"We would be honoured, Lord Slytherin." Iris replied with Anton quickly agreeing.
"Very good." Harry smiled before calling out, "Dobby, would you come here, please?"
Dobby not a moment later popped into existence and bowed before hsi lord. "Yes, milord? How cans I help you?
"Would you be so kind as to work with the house elves here and coordinate with those of castle Slytherin to bring anything the Greengrass family need over to our home?" Harry asked.
"I'd be honoured!" Dobby gleamed before popping out to carry out his lord's order.
"Was that the former Malfoy house elf?" Iris asked in shock.
Lord Slytherin grinned. "His name is Dobby and yes. He has pledged his loyalty to me, and I could not ask for a better aide. Now, Daphne, I shall leave you with your parents to show them the way to our new home while I take care of another matter."
"Well before you go come with me." Daphne grabbed her lord's hand and rushed off with him in tow, barely giving him time to say goodbye to her parents.
"Is everything okay?" Harry asked, concerned after Daphne pulled him into a neighboring room which at a quick glance revealed to him that it was a study. She didn't reply though and merely pushed the door so it would close. He furrowed his brows in confusion, but as soon as the door clicked close, he got his answer.
Daphne without another word threw her arms around his shoulders and kissed her betrothed passionately with all her might. After a moment of paralyzation, Harry reciprocated, expressing his love right back to the woman who changed his life for the better.
Gasping for air and staring into her eyes after breaking the kiss, Harry felt his whole body melt. "I love you too."
Daphne replied with a sheepish grin, "Thank you. For saving them. And for trying so hard with them. I know my father is abrasive, but I promise it's nothing against you."
Harry just hugged her close to him, enjoying his ice queen's warmth. "You don't need to thank me, Daph. I meant what they told them. I trust you more than any other and would do anything for you."
Daphne leaned up and kissed his neck softly. "I hope it goes without saying, but I'd do anything for you, too."
Harry smiled and leaned into her affection. "I know, love." After a few moments though, curiosity, a common trait among the line of Slyytherin, got the better of its current head, and he had to ask, "I do have to ask you, though: why this room?"
Daphne looked around and giggled. "It just was far enough so that my parents wouldn't interrupt." Harry laughed with his lady.
"Fair enough. I don't think anything would be able to save me from your father if he caught us like this."
"Don't underestimate yourself, Lord Slytherin. You have turned into quite the capable fighter yourself." Daphne lightly pushed him, though not moving him at all.
"I am aware, my future Lady Slytherin. I just don't know how good any skill would be against ferocity that intense." Harry laughed.
Daphne hugged Harry a bit closer before releasing, prompting Harry to a couple moments after as well. "Like I said before, Harry, you're stronger than you think, but we'll have to finish this discussion another time."
Harry shook his head with a chuckle. "You're right as always. You go help your parents while I finish securing the Chamber of Secrets. I'll leave the Order here to ensure the aurors don't get any other ideas. Meet back at Hogwarts?"
Daphne gave her future husband another kiss. "I'll see you there." She quickly then turned and left, Harry staring after her until her body disappeared around the corner.
Harry then turned and shadow traveled out of the building until he got outside the manor's wards, where he apparated into the Dark Forest so he may shadow travel back to the chamber of his ancestor.
Three of Harry's Order were currently occupying the Chamber, with one on assigned guard duty while the two others were moving supplies the Order was to take with it back to Castle Slytherin from Hogwarts.
"Milord." The three bowed in unison, their faces obstructed by their robes.
"How are the preparations coming along?" Harry nodded for them to rise.
"This is the last of it, sir. As soon as the house elves retrieve it, the Order of Slytherin will no longer have anything here at Hogwarts, personal items included." Pansy Parkinson answered.
"Very good. I'm happy to hear it. Great work on finishing up." Harry paused for a moment. "How do all of you feel about leaving for our new home?"
The guard on duty, Blaise, spoke up. "Excited, sir. It'll be nice to have a place we can fully call our own."
"I'm glad to hear that, Blaise. When I uncovered the castle, I hoped it would be a safe haven for us, but what about you, Theodore? Pansy?" Harry turned to the other two, who removed their hoods, revealing their faces.
"Nervous, in all honesty, Lord Slytherin." Pansy answered, her face down.
"Now, first of all, how many times do I have to tell all of you not to be quite so formal with me all the time? I appreciate the respect, especially in public, but all of you are my followers. I trust each and every single one of you with my life."
The three nodded. "Yes, sir. Thank you."
Harry sighed and shook his head. "We'll get there someday I hope. Now though, thank you, Pansy for your honesty. I think I understand why you're nervous, but would you mind telling me to ensure that I am not mistaken? I promise none here will judge."
Pansy gulped and nodded her head. "Well. It's just… I, at least, finally am starting to feel the reality of all of this. We're leaving Hogwarts, our home of five years. There is no turning back." Pansy quickly added, "Not that I regret my choice at all, sir. It's just-"
"A lot at once." Harry finished for her, reassuringly. "I understand. Almost every single member of our order has family on either the false lord's or the ministry's side in this war, and here we are, essentially challenging both. It is a lot to process, but I can assure you and everyone else this: no matter what, I will not abandon a single one of you. I don't care if I have to break into Azkaban itself to rescue just one of you. I will not abandon you. You are my people. I have a responsibility to each of you that I honour most highly, and I wouldn't have it any other way."
Pansy smiled, tears in her eyes. "Thank you… Harry. If I may call you that, at least this once."
Harry chuckled and raised his head to look at the ceiling for a moment before looking back at his followers. "As I have said, in private, I welcome it from all of you… with certain exceptions of course."
"Of course. We'd never dishonour you." Pansy replied.
"I know. Now, the house elves will be here shortly. Go say your goodbyes to whoever you need then meet in the Great Hall for our farewell speech to the school."
The three nodded and with a bow left, leaving Harry alone in the Chamber. He turned and looked around, taking in every detail as if it was the first or last. After a few moments, though, he lifted his right hand and snapped his fingers five times, calling five Slytherin house elves. Each was dressed in slightly loose but comfortable fabric embroidered in the Slytherin colours.
"Milord. How may we assist you?" One spoke.
"Would you five be so kind as to take this stuff back home for me? This should be the last trip."
"Of course." Within moments the house elves disappeared again, this time, leaving Lord Slytherin alone with only his empty ancestral chamber. He looked around once more and sighed. "I suppose it is time"
Lord Slytherin took his time and walked down the sets of stairs to the only other occupants of the Chamber of Secrets, his prisoners. Neville and Hannah sat in their respective cages, dirty but clearly not starved. Umbridge, however laid strewn out on the floor of hers and was in much worse shape. Her hair had a quality now similar to Bellatrix Lestrange's and seemed a shell of her former self. As Harry entered their row of cells, their eyes turned toward him, though Umbridge was the only one to move more than that, pressing herself against the gate to her cell.
"Please, let me out. I beg you! Please!" She cried.
The lord stopped in front of Neville's cell but turned his head to answer sternly. "I will get to you when I am ready. For now, keep your mouth shut."
Umbridge's mouth immediately snapped shut and she gulped before nodding and retreating abc into her cell.
With the toad now silenced, Harry turned to his former friend. "It's taken me a lot of time to figure this out, but I finally have decided."
Neville's eyes watched Harry but gave off no hint of emotion.
"As a traitor, you and Hannah deserve nothing but punishment and death." A flicker of fear crossed Neville's face, but once it returned to stone, Lord Slytherin continued. "I, however, can not in good conscience kill a former friend of mine, which leaves us the other option: punishment."
"I will accept my punishment as well as Hannah's if you let her go." Neville finally spoke.
Harry's eyebrows raised. "Do you mean that when you have not even heard of what I have planned?"
"Yes. I betrayed your friendship anyways, so I'm who you really want." Neville sank.
"Well, I am afraid your offer is declined, Neville Longbottom."
"You bastard!" Neville leaped at Harry through the bars, but was easily dodged, then kicked backward into the cell.
"It's a shame. You truly were one of the only people I wished to carry over from my old life, and now here we are." Harry shook his head. "You and Hannah will share the same fate, and one of you cannot hold it for the other." Harry sat down in a chair across from the cell.
"Neville Longbottom. I have decided that as punishment for your treachery, you have forsaken all of the benefits you reaped as a member of the Order of Slytherin." Lord Slytherin removed the custom wand created for his former lieutenant. "Your wand." He gripped the wand in both hands at each end. "Is forfeit." With one smooth motion, Harry pressed each hand down and together, snapping the wood in two. "And our friendship is as well. As a final act of compassion, I will release you and Hannah, but only after taking the only other thing you gained from me: your knowledge and skills. Your training."
"W-w-what?!" Neville gasped, stunned in fear. "You don't mean?"
"Yes. I refuse to let what I taught you be used against me in any way, so I am taking your memories. You will wake in the hospital wing with no recollection of this school year after I came to you about my secret." Harry nodded and stood up, walking over to him.
"You can't do that!" Neville pleaded.
"You've left me no other choice, Neville. I can't kill you, and I can't leave you in here forever, but I also cannot let my own knowledge be used against me. This way you will still be yourself but will pose no threat. I'm sure you'll learn the truth. You may even try to hunt me down, but without the strength I gave you, I am not concerned. After tonight, the Order of Slytherin will not be here, nor any trace of our existence."
Neville just stared in disbelief at his former friend.
"Any last words, friend?" Harry spat the last word. Neville just hung his head in silence. "Very well then. Goodbye, Neville Longbottom. Obliviate!"
Lord Slytehrin's wand connected to the prisoner's temple and a flash of light emerged. After it faded, Neville fell unconscious onto the ground, drained from the experience. Harry snapped his fingers twice. When the two Slytehrin house elves appeared, he unlocked the cell and instructed them. "Take him to the hospital wing of this castle. When you return, prepare for two more."
"Yes, milord." They both bowed before carrying out his orders.
With Neville's cell emptied, Harry turned and walked the short distance to Hannah's, who had not stopped staring at the encounter.
"Hannah Abbott. In order to show compassion, I have decided you shall share the same fate. What do you have to say?"
"Please. Just get it over with." She knelt her head against the bars.
Lord Slytherin nodded in understanding before removing her wand, snapping it, then continuing. "I appreciate your courage." Harry touched his wand to her right temple."Obliviate!"When the light dissipated, Hannah was slumped on the floor unconscious just as Neville had been. Harry need not wait to unlock the cell as his house elves arrived, ready for their next trip.
Once the two house elves had disappeared with the other traitor, Lord Slytherin stood and slowly walked towards the final occupied cell, like a predator stalking its prey.
"What- what- what are you going to do to me?" Umbridge cowered.
"First. I have a present for you." Lord Slytherin removed from the inside pocket of his roves two items and threw them at the ground in front of her.
"No. You can't be serious." She gasped in disbelief.
Lord Slytherin summoned a snake made out of magick and guided it between the bars and towards the toad of a woman. "As you can imagine, the alternative is much worse."
Umbridge gulped as the serpent stopped right in front of her, within striking distance. Despite it having no soul or life, it seemed to watch her every move. Slowly she picked up the blood quill and roll of parchment.
"Write: I obey Lord Slytherin." The man commanded before adding, "At least until the message sinks in." He threw her words back at her.
Hesitantly, the woman got to work, wincing and crying in pain. Until finally the job was done enough to the Lord's liking. As she worked, the two house elves returned but waited silently for their next instructions.
"Good. You may rest."
Immediately the quill rolled out from her writing hand to grab her other in pain. "Please. Just let me go. I did what you asked."
"Yes. You did… and you will continue to do so." Lord Slytehrin smiled. "You are too cruel. Too evil. Too dangerous to be left free, toad. I have decided your fate is your continued imprisonment to atone for all you've done. Congratulations, Delores Umbridge. You will be the first non ally of my family to see Castle Slytherin in hundreds of years. Though, you will only see the interior of its prison."
"No! Please! I beg you! Please don't! I'll do anything!" She pleaded.
"Uh uh uh, Umbridge." He chided as if she were a child. "Remember the words on your hand. You obey Lord Slytherin."
The woman's face dropped in horror and fear at hsi growing smile before leaping at the bars to try to attack the man.
"Tut. Tut. And here I thought we were making progress. Oh, well. There is always tomorrow." Lord Slytherin shrugged before flicking the tip of his wand and knocking her out with a spell.
"Shall we move her for you, sir?" One of the elves asked.
"I would appreciate it immensely. Please see to it she is immediately locked in one of our cells back home. She has much to answer for. Thank you both."
"You're welcome, milord." The two bowed and disappeared, and Harry picked up the quill and returned it to his robes while he burned the parchment to ash.
He then straightened himself to ensure he looked proper before starting to depart the Chamber. He was interrupted though, at the top floor by another Slytherin house elf popping out of the air with a note from his beloved.
"Milord. You lady has a message for you." She handed her lord the small piece of folded parchment.
"Thank you." Quickly, he opened and scanned the short lines before nodding. "You may return home. Thank you again."
The house elf bowed and disappeared, popping away similarly to how it appeared. Lord Slytherin took one last look around and moved to the stairs and began his ascent out of the Chamber.
When he arrived at the top of the stairs and made it past the disillusioned wall, he turned back to face the entrance.
"Remain locked unless given the password." He commanded in Parseltongue.
The illusion broke and was replaced with the real brick of the castle, ensuring no one could enter. Harry nodded as if to say his thanks and turned to make his way back to the Great Hall. The school that once felt like home and that pained him to first say goodbye, now stood almost as a shell of its former self to the man. He wondered if the castle was a shell, though, or if he had become one. The thought was quickly banished, though, in favor of a brighter one. Hogwarts had been what he perceived as his home for years, but it did not behave like a real home. During the years, he had his share of positive experiences, times with friends, but just to have some positive experiences didn't make it a real home.
A home was where you could truly be yourself. You did not have to try to be another just to stay in a favorable light. A home may hold bad times, but that was natural for it is real. Reality came with bad along with the good, but, in the end, the good would outshine.
Reaching this conclusion, Lord Slytherin also reached the Great Hall. Scanning it, he saw as the note explained that those of the Order of Slytherin sent to secure Greengrass manor had returned and were waiting in the Great Hall among the other students present for Dumbledore's awaited speech. He was still twenty minutes early, however, so decided to abandon all pretense and sit at the Slytherin table right between Daphne and Astoria. Seeing this, those of the other houses among his order followed suit. The entire hall watched in shock, including the teachers present, but remained silent.
"Everything is good back home then?" Harry asked, ignoring the stares.
"Very good. My parents are finished moving already."Daphne grabbed his hand. "Thank you again. How did everything go here?"
Harry squeezed her hand. "Anytime, and…" The man leaned in to whisper in her ear. "Neville and Hannah are in the hospital wing unconscious with their memories of this year erased just like we discussed."
Daphne turned and smiled before leaning into his ear. "And Umbitch?"
Harry chuckled before leaning back in as well. "Locked in a cell at our castle. I feel she can be useful there as a possible hostage, and if not… well, she does have much to atone for."
The future Lady Slytherin turned at him in pleased shock. After recovering from his statement, she leaned back in. "I like the way you think."
"I'm glad you think so" Harry chuckled, indicating that the time to whisper was over for the moment.
Harry and his people switched to lighter topics, acting more like the fifteen year olds they were rather than just elite wizards and witches. As this continued, the Great Hall finished filling with students and finally teachers, with Dumbledore arriving last.
As usual the old man started with an, "Ahem!" Silencing the Great Hall. "Thank you students. I appreciate you coming here. I am here to speak with you about the presence of the Order of Slytherin."
Everyone's eyes glanced over to the Slytherin but were drawn back towards Dumbledore when he resumed speaking.
"With the return of You-Know-Who, they have decided to leave in favor of a more discrete location. This is not due to any lack of safety here, but to help ensure this school does not become a target of retaliation. In the same reasoning, the Order of the Phoenix is doing the same. I refuse to put all of you in danger. We will take the fight to him and prevent the threat he poses! Soon we shall return, and when we do, things will be safer than ever before and return back to normal for everyone. Wish us luck, but, in the meantime, I would like to instate our very own Professor McGonagall to take my place. So everyone please, let me introduce Headmistress McGonagall.
The headmistress arose from her seat and walked up the lectern to meet applause from the students and teachers alike. Dumbledore nodded and returned to his own seat. Finally, she silenced everyone by motioning her hands down.
"Thank you, Albus. No one could ever replace you, but I will do my best to continue the great legacy of this school and its students. Rest assured students, the cruelty of Umbridge's stint will not be repeated under my supervision. The Ministry will not be allowed to appoint whoever they wish. Hogwarts will remain as an upstanding, independent institution."
Cheers resumed from the students and polite clapping commenced from the teachers behind her. After some moments had passed, she once again motioned her hands down in a shushing way.
"Now, Lord Slytherin. Is there anything you and your order have to say before you depart?"
The Order of Slytherin stood, led by their Lord.
"I just would like to say goodbye to everyone. I appreciate the years of pleasant memories this school has given me, and as much as I look forward to the future, I have to admit I will miss this place. I wish all of you well. Now, would anyone else like to say anything?" Lord Slytehrin turned to his people, who shook their heads. "Well in that case, farewell."
Lord Slytehrin followed by the rest of his Order turned into shadows and raced out of the hall. Once they made it outside the castle walls they solidified
"Everyone ready to go home?" Harry asked with a smile looking at each one of his people.
"Yes, milord." They said as one.
"Good. Let's go."
Each member of the group disappeared, leaving Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for Slytherin Castle and a new beginning.
AN: Hello again, everyone. I know it has been some time since I last updated, but I'm going to try to finish what I started. I owe it to each and every single one of you who have ever enjoyed it to at least try. I hope not to disappoint anyone. As always, feel free to leave a review with your thoughts. Occidere Prima Vel Occidi.