Disclaimer: I own nothing other than the plot. The original concepts belong to JKR and Warner Brothers. Any concepts brought from other fictions are either coincidental or will be used in their own way, and no plagiarism is meant.
A/n: So this is a longer chapter but that is because of how the information is to break down. Hope you all enjoy it, and make sure to check the note at the end.
Chapter 20: A Founder's Help
April 9th, 1994
2nd Floor, Hogwarts
"Figured it out yet?" The portrait asked. "Well, if you haven't, let me introduce myself. I am Salazar Slytherin, Parselmouth, apparent Dark Lord, and one of the four Founders of Hogwarts."
Harry stared, mouth agape, at the speaking portrait. "What?" He muttered.
"Are you ok?" The portrait, no, Salazar asked. "You look like you have been hit with a confundus charm."
"I'm not sure. When I found this place, I never expected to find a portrait. I never thought they had existed back then." Harry replied.
"They existed, except they aren't the same as modern day portraits. To make them like they used to, well, it would definitely be labeled as dark, which is why even then, most did not make portraits if they knew how to. Godric wanted to, but passed before I could finish getting his frame ready." Salazar replied, "Rowena and Helga didn't though. Rowena wanted to know what happened in death, and Helga never wanted to be tied to life."
"Tied to life?" Harry asked. Was the older portrait a Horcrux? Could he possibly still be alive?
"These portraits were created with less than savory means, and there is a cost to them. Firstly, the canvas had to be painted using a form of magical paint, with a few drops of blood in it. Following that, was the framing. It was engraved in runes, which are on the back of the portrait, to hold my magic and consciousness to it, and lastly, was the ritual, which was done before someone died. Rowena helped me finish this, as the ritual was the last thing one could do. My whole essence, or soul, is stored in the frame, and will be until this frame is destroyed." Salazar explained.
So not alive then, "What happens when the portrait is destroyed?" Harry asked curiously.
"I move onto the next thing, whatever is found when someone dies." Salazar responded.
"Oh?" Harry responded. He knew what was on the other side, at least that there was something, but couldn't say much.
"Now, enough about me. Did you enjoy your search of my quarters?" Salazar asked.
"Uh? Sort of. I could feel something watching me the whole time, except in the bathroom." Harry responded, deciding to sit down in a chair by the fire.
"Yes, there is a linked frame in each room, and one hidden in the headmaster's office. While I cannot cast magic any more, I still have my magic, and can use it to hide or show myself, reach out to the wards, and call elves for my needs. They and the Headmaster keep me up to date on the ongoing events of the world." Salazar spoke.
Harry just stared at him, thinking for a minute, before shaking his head. "So is what they say true about you? That you were a dark lord and that you hated muggles and muggleborns? That you left a basilisk here to kill muggleborns?"
Harry watched his eyes darken, and his hand clench. "We will come back to the idea that I was a dark lord." He hissed out.
"As for the last question, it's a foolish thought. I had no love for muggles because they enjoyed hunting and killing us for our abilities. Muggleborns were different though. I had no problem with them, and was happy to keep them at Hogwarts if they needed it. It is one of the bylaws of the Hogwarts Charter, allowing students who need a place to stay when school is not in session." Salazar said, anger clearly lacing his tone.
"Then why was a basilisk in the chamber?" Harry asked.
"Consider it a last resort. I put her there in case the wards ever failed, and the school was under siege. The armor statues are also a protection, meant to kill intruders, as are the moving stairs and some of the enchanted passageways. All of it was meant to stop or slow intruders, or guide them into a trap. If every defense failed, Izza, my basilisk, would have awoken and killed any and all invading the castle. She had blinders on her, allowing her to not kill allies in most circumstances, but I would guess Riddle had changed that, and probably warped her mind. That is saying she wasn't already insane from being here for almost twelve hundred years. She was never meant to live beyond a thousand." Salazar explained, "It was for the best that you killed her, and gave her peace once more."
"Alright." Harry responded. There was a silence while they thought, before Salazar spoke.
"You are worried about the kind of man I am? You fear that I would do you harm, or influence you towards the dark?" Salazar commented, though it was clearly a question. Harry didn't respond at first, or not even for several minutes while he tried to put his thoughts into words.
"Sort of. It is hard to explain. I am sure times were different when you were alive, and that means our views might be different on things. And I do not fear the dark. I fear becoming what killed my parents." Harry spoke slowly.
"Good. You are smarter than I expected. Firstly, 'dark' is a very abstract term that has become a way to prevent people from learning powerful magic. If it is classified as 'dark' and can't be learned, then you are easier to control or overpower. You'd probably be surprised to know nearly a fifth of magic is classified as dark, despite roughly half of that just being more powerful, and not actually dark. The other half is actually 'dark' or 'black magic'. Most of which is some rituals, necromancy, curses with horrendous outcomes, and the three unforgivables." Salazar said, watching Harry's face.
"Even parselmagic is labeled as dark, when there are only a handful of uses for it." He added on.
"What is it used for? I know I can talk to snakes but that's it." Harry responded. This was a golden opportunity to learn something about the branch of magic.
"Well, most parselmagic spells are healing, though there are a few wards and curses. Otherwise, it is used to control snakes, and can be very good security on voice locks, as no one else can really speak it, at least in Britain. I heard it was popular in India and some of the islands out there." Salazar responded.
"Awesome. I couldn't find anything about it." Harry responded. He thought he should give the founder a chance, as perhaps he could be an extensive resource, and a spy in Dumbledore's office too. "Now, what about you being a dark lord?"
Salazar chuckled, "I won't lie and say I wasn't, however, your definition and mine are vastly different. Your definition is a person who wields forbidden magic to attempt to kill or harm innocents. In our day, 'Dark Lords' were your aurors. We stopped murderers and rising groups who wanted to control or kill innocents. We were coined 'Dark Lords' by muggles who thought we were evil, and the terms later twisted and were applied to me as the lead example. Horrible marketing for my house and name, but I can do very little from here, and I don't believe it is worth changing. At least not now." Salazar said with a scowl.
"So you didn't use dark magic?" Harry asked.
"In modern standards, yes, all of us founders did, and even back then, I was a master of the forbidden arts, but I never actively used them, or at least not unless it was necessary. I only hoarded the knowledge. The books would be hidden in the chamber, though I will not tell you where to find them until you are mature, of age I mean, or we have no other choice. I know your parent's murderer is still alive and needs to be killed, but I don't wish for you to do something reckless with those books. I have discovered how he is alive though, from your headmaster." Salazar said, watching Harry's reaction.
"So do I, he made Horcruxes." Harry commented offhandedly as he stood to pace. He is nothing like the books say.
In his pacing, he missed the look on the founder's face, both horror and surprise clearly displayed instead of an arrogant aloofness. "How do you know what that even is?" Salazar demanded in shock.
Harry stopped, not realizing he would have to explain his knowledge. Could I tell a portrait? Didn't Salazar work with him too?
"I need to ask if I can tell you. My source is… well special." Harry said slowly. "But I don't think it will be a problem."
"Well… I expect you to tell me soon enough. And how could a source be special?" Salazar asked.
"He is unique in his position. But nevermind that. I don't want to risk telling you and suffering consequences."
"Alright…." Salazar trailed off, muttering something Harry didn't hear, "Well, you should know that Dumbledore expects you to fight this war. I often stay in his office and he went from testing you and trying to find a way to get rid of the one in you, to trying to figure out if you were Riddle possessing you or actually you, to now wanting to start training you, sometime next year I think. He believes you seem to do well on your own for now"
Harry huffed, "I wonder how he will manage that, as he is busy with his three jobs as it is."
"Agreed. Hogwarts should be his priority, but I am biased. Now, we need to train you. He has spotted you learning some things, but we need to increase your learning. My heir will not be some common student." Salazar said, arrogance coming back slightly.
"I am training with Professor Flitwick on dueling, and I have begun to learn other things from Sirius. Mostly Hitwizard techniques and combat training. We did a few duels at home, and it was enlightening." Harry cut in.
"Good, but not good enough. Both Godric and I were battlemages, and Rowena and Helga were capable in their own rights. I will train you to not just rival Voldemort, but to destroy him. He has ruined too many lives, and brought our world to its knees. He was only slightly under Grindelwald in the modern era, but Grindelwald was a different kind of Dark Lord. He was cunning, manipulative, and a smooth talker, capable of inspiring his side, while brutally slaughtering his enemies. Voldemort hid in the shadows and inspired fear and distrust." Salazar spat, "Dishonorable, the whole lot of them."
Harry wondered exactly how sane the portrait was, but also agreed with him.
"Very well. When do we start?" Harry asked.
Salazar grinned, pleased that he had company once more, and was able to follow his passion.
Elsewhere
"Hey pup, what did you find?" Sirius asked through the mirror.
"A few things, some of which I cannot tell you." Harry replied, "But I promise it will make a difference once Riddle returns."
Harry was sitting in Remus' office, roughly the same time he had started his conversations with Salazar, which then evolved into a series of tests of his abilities. The founder was actually surprised at his speed of casting and the nonverbal casting, but desired to see more from him, and said he would explain later. Salazar then went into in-depth magical theory on controlling the power of one's spells, something called the String and River Theory. Basically, it was talking about only allowing a small amount of magic to flow, the bare minimum for spells, versus the river, which was overpowering a spell. It was an interesting conversation and apparently the first thing Harry would learn as it had a lot of benefits.
"How come? You were only in there for a few minutes?" Sirius asked, Remus looked equally confused.
"I had plenty of… time, trust me on that. Nothing there is cursed though, I can promise you that." Harry replied. Remus' eyes widened as Sirius looked confused.
"But how? Those are heavily regulated devices?" Remus asked. "Besides, they are recent inventions!"
Harry shook his head. "The DOM might have rediscovered them, but Rowena made them first, and other forms of time based magic are used through the castle. A book even stated as much. The secret passageways have time dilation runes in them, allowing you to cross the distances quicker." Harry responded.
"No wonder. I always thought it was space reduction allowing the two points to be brought closer, but if that's the case, it makes more sense." Remus replied amazed, wonder showing in his eyes.
"Would you two please explain!" Sirius called out, frustrated at not knowing what was going on Harry just gestured Remus to speak.
"He has a time turner, Sirius. It allows him to go so far back into the day. They are supposed to be something only known in the DOM, and I only know them because a student was supposed to get one this year, and refused at the last moment." Remus replied, "I have always wanted to see one."
Harry pulled the gold chain up, and revealed it to both of them. It was solid gold with quartz glass and the Slytherin crest on it. It was charmed to prevent it from breaking, and only Harry could use it, as without the heir ring, it wouldn't work.
"Wow, impressive. I assume only you can use it?" Remus asked. Harry nodded and tucked it away.
"I need you both to not ever mention it to anyone. At all. Ever. Except Charles and Dorea once I tell them." Harry said. He wouldn't have told them without the heavy privacy wards he had put up again. And as Sirius was still at Potter Cottage, Harry didn't want him to mention it to his grandparents until he did.
"Marauders Honor." Both said simultaneously, grinning at each other. "What else did you find?" Remus asked.
"I believe I found records about a vault in the Chamber, but it doesn't specify where, and it is apparently full of books on Dark and Black magic, so I am not encouraged to find it at the moment." Harry said, "As for what I found, it was Salazar's personal quarters. I think I will enjoy the peace and quiet I have there. A full bedroom, bathroom, and training room with a workstation. There are plenty of books on magic and other things, as well as a large desk and a fire, though whether it is connected to the floo or not, I have no idea."
"Did you learn anything else while you were there?" Sirius asked. He wouldn't say it aloud, but he was curious about the infamous founder. Remus looked equally interested.
"Yea. I look a lot like him, different cheeks and hair, but we are pretty close. Also, he doesn't actually hate muggleborns, and only has disinterest in muggles due to witch burnings. Muggles were also who called him a dark lord, as magic was evil, and he was powerful, so they termed him as such. History warped what he was, and what 'Dark Lord' meant." Harry spoke, thinking back to what the founder had said.
"Wow, I wonder what other history you will uncover?" Remus said. Of course, the history fanatic is obsessed with what could be learned.
"Interesting. My mother would be very disappointed." Sirius laughed, "I assume you will teach us what you can?"
"Of course, however, I need to get back with my friends. They will become suspicious if I am missing for too long, and I can't run the risk of Dumbledore finding out about my status." Harry responded. The two nodded, before Harry said his goodbyes and left to find his friends.
Hermione had dragged the group to the library for some studying, and Neville and Ron were thankful that Harry was there to rescue them, which Harry did. Ron had, after the news about Scabbers broke, apologized to Hermione for his harsh words. While he wasn't entirely forgiven, they were speaking again, and he was always on his best behavior, not insulting or demeaning her hobby of books and knowledge.
Thankfully, it seemed, Hermione had come to enjoy taking breaks from studying, and the group, including Susan and Hannah, enjoyed the rest of the warmer day out by the lake.
April 18th, 1994
Beyond
"Welcome back to my Realm, Mr. Potter" Death said. "I take it that you have been enjoying yourself?"
"Well, meeting the founder was interesting, but couldn't you have told me that he was around?" Harry asked. The being chuckled.
"I could have, but that would have ruined the surprise. I see you have spent plenty of time with him. Have you learned much?"
"I have. He has been reteaching me theories on magic, and is now teaching me more advanced theories. It has made Transfiguration far easier, and controlling my magic more focused and simpler. I don't have as many issues with tiring quickly or lacking control over my power." Harry replied. The past two weeks had actually been enlightening. While they hadn't practiced new magic, Salazar was instead content to teach him control and endurance instead, but had promised that soon he would learn new things.
"Good, good. It is why I helped him create those portraits. I am glad you two get along. Now, to let you know, you can tell him that you and I are acquainted, it will be simpler. Also know that you don't need to keep any secrets from him, he will help you in any way he can. After all, you are his only descendant." Death said, causing Harry to sigh.
"Good, I've wanted to tell him about you, but I wasn't sure of the consequences or if I was even able to. Is there any chance I can tell Sirius about you? Or my grandparents' portraits?" Harry asked. He was disappointed, even if he wasn't surprised, at Death's answer.
"No. I may allow you to tell them once I have all of Riddle's soul, but until then, they may not know. Come up with other reasons for how you know certain things until I decide otherwise." Death spoke sternly, causing Harry to nod.
"Very well, was there any other reason for this visit?" Harry asked.
"Not particularly, I was simply bored and decided to check in on my favorite living being." Death responded. "Though I can offer you some advice if you would like?"
"Sure?" Harry replied with uncertainty.
"Well, Salazar is a master of rituals and such, perhaps you should ask him about the necessity of doing them. It would help you a long way against fighting with Voldemort." Death replied.
"But aren't I equal to him in power?" Harry asked.
Death let out a loud laugh at that. "When I said you were born to be his equal, I meant it. However, it will be years before you are equal to him, and by years, I meant fifteen to twenty. It takes time to reach your true peak. Merlin didn't reach his peak until his late forties. While you will never reach Merlin's power, or even the next fifty most powerful magical humans, you will be up there. At least the top twenty in the last five hundred years, or possibly the top ten." Death said.
Harry was shocked. "Are there often people born as powerful as the likes of Riddle and Dumbledore?" Harry asked.
"Yes. In the days of the founders and Merlin, where there wasn't inbreeding, magic was a lot stronger, but since then, has become weakened from the constant inbreeding, limiting the growth of one's magic. Nowadays, people are only half… if that, as powerful on average than they used to be. The most powerful would only be above average if they were born fifteen hundred years ago." Death responded.
"Today, people like Dumbledore are only born every five to ten years on average, with maybe thirty or so alive that are that powerful. You would be surprised to know that there are others still alive that rival or even exceed Dumbledore in raw power, but they often stay to themselves, or teach instead. Not everyone uses their power to influence the world. But back onto our topic. Unfortunately, we both know Riddle will be back long before you are ready naturally. Rituals will increase the speed of your growth, and as long as you don't exceed what is naturally possible, then there are no ill consequences." Death said as he became more serious.
Harry didn't look any more certain about it, but Death didn't allow him to speak, "Ask Salazar's opinion, and then formulate your own. Remember, the Ministry is equally bigoted as the purebloods are, but that bigotry on magic didn't exist back in the time the Founders were around."
Before Harry could even make a response, he awoke in his bed. A quick check of his watch proved it was time to get dressed and ready for the day, and another painful workout from Flitwick and Oliver. He got dressed in plain dueling robes, ones that were cheap and disposable, and made his way to the Charm's classroom. Recently, the professor had taken to ambushing him as he entered, so he had his Cherry wand out and ready in case he was attacked before he even entered the hallway.
It was right before he reached for the door handle that he felt a wave of magic, and twisted to the side, narrowly missing the cutting spell meant for his back. His wand was already up and firing a blasting curse, followed by a bone breaker, a spear of fire, and a trio of knives which were banished towards the professor who rolled from behind the statue as it was blown to pieces.
Again, Harry was reminded of how good the small part-goblin was, as every spell had missed, or in the case of the knives, shielded against. Harry was quickly on the defensive as Flitwick animated the nearby bench to attack him while sending cutters and bone breakers at him. Harry dodged or shielded against the spells and eviscerated the bench, turning it to ash and dust. He threw himself to the ground as a piece of the statue was banished at him while casting a silencing ward invertedly at his portion of the hallway.
He heard the classroom door shattered by the piece of statue as he fired a lightning bolt. While traditionally, he would have blown his eardrums out, the spell was silent to him as the sound was contained behind the ward, but to the professor, who was right next to the wall it hit, it was far more painful. Harry saw the man wince as he dove into the classroom, avoiding the next salvo of spells the professor used, two of them he knew were he hadn't seen.
Aiming his wand at the door, he waited, and was surprised to see a piece of flying paper enter the room. He aimed his wand at it, while watching the door. It landed at his feet, and only had two words on it.
I yield.
Harry grinned, pleased at winning this round. He made the mistake of having his wand lowered, and only dodge the stunner at the last minute. He looked up to see the professor with blood dripping to his neck from the ruptured eardrums, but grinning. He didn't have his wand raised anymore, so Harry chose not to fire anything back at the professor.
Using the flagrate spell, he wrote, Hospital wing for you, you probably can't hear anything.
The professor nodded, and the two made their way to Madam Pomfrey's domain, where they both got yelled at for dueling to a point where she needed to heal them, especially at this time of morning. Flitwick apologized profusely, and blamed himself for not being more prepared. Harry nodded along, and after another five minutes of threats, mainly that the both of them would clean bedpans if she had to heal them so early in the day again, they were released.
After they reached the stairs, Flitwick turned to Harry, "Good job Mr. Potter. You protected yourself this time while taking away a key sense to an opponent. If that had been a real fight, you would've had the advantage, as your opponent could no longer hear if you apparated or were moving."
"Thank you professor, though I am sorry for your eardrums." Harry responded. He had used the move before, last Sunday, but deafened himself as well. He learned from his mistake though, and was determined to not feel that pain.
"It is no problem. Though neither of us won, you did not lose either. That is just as important in a real fight." Professor Flitwick responded. They had just reached the hallway of their duel, where Harry saw the Headmaster repairing the statue.
"Ah, Filius, Harry! I must say, a spectacular showing, but must you damage the school in the process?" Dumbledore asked.
"We got carried away. Typically we stay within my classroom, but today was a test, one that Mr. Potter did well on." Flitwick responded, Chuckling at Harry's confused expression. "Yes, Mr. Potter, that was a test. Did you need anything else, Albus?"
"No, but do make sure no bystanders find their way in between the two of you. Those knives look awfully sharp." Dumbledore responded with a small smile. The two nodded, and after quick goodbyes, they made their way back into the classroom. Harry wasn't overly concerned about the headmaster knowing his training anymore, as Salazar had informed him that the only thing that would have to be kept secret is him. Harry still wasn't sure he could forgive the headmaster, or at least not until the man came to Harry and explained himself, and answered some questions. If he didn't do it soon though, Harry would confront the man himself out of impatience.
"What did you mean when you said that what we just did was a test?" Harry asked in confusion. Generally the professor would warn him that there was a dueling test coming, instead of the ambush laid outside.
"Well Mr. Potter-" Harry just cut him off, "Professor, we work together far too much for last names, you can call me Harry unless it is in normal classes."
Flitwick nodded, "Agreed, if it is just us, Filius will do, especially as I hope we will see each other outside of classes this summer, that is, if you accept my offer."
Harry perked up, despite his tiredness, "What kind of offer is this?"
"Have you heard of the Minors Dueling League, or the U-17 Dueling League?" Flitwick asked.
"Well, I have heard of the second one?" Harry responded uncertainly, "It is a dueling league hosted for those who aren't yet eighteen, and is hosted by the World Dueling Association and the International Confederation of Wizards. It is the basic rules system, and there are only so many spots, each representing their own country." Harry responded.
"Well, it is the same thing, just different names really. As a Dueling Master with over seven championships, I am allowed to sponsor a dueler into both the Minors and the of-age league, and this summer is the bi-yearly league for the Minors. It will be hosted three weeks after school lets out for the year, from July 18th to July 22nd, and is going to be in France. As it is before the Quidditch cup, I thought you might be interested in enlisting." Flitwick explained. "Before you agree though, I wish to let you know of a few things."
"Firstly, our training would increase. Until the week before finals, we would train every other day. If it is before classes, from six to seven thirty, if it is a weekend, then seven to eleven. I would also be pushing you far harder in training. Every day would be putting you to your limits and then some, but you wouldn't need to worry about any more surprise attacks, at least. The week before finals, I would only make you train three times, and the week of, no training. However, it would be back to every other day until the week before the tournament, where it would stop the Friday before, giving you the weekend off training. It would not be easy, but this is important to hone your skills. Despite your natural talent and power, and your rapidly developing skill at dodging, you still need experience, which is what the training will be." Flitwick explained.
Harry grimaced. It was going to be a lot of work, and a lot of time spent doing the training, however, Salazar would probably say to go for it. If he used the time turner to go back, which he could go up to twenty four hours, then he could ensure he gets some rest and extra theoretical knowledge in. As the time turner prevented him from aging as well, it was something he could use often, though Salazar seemed insistent to have times where he didn't use it, to help keep his sanity. Apparently, repeatedly shifting time could mess up his subconsciousness.
"I agree, I want to do this." Harry replied. The man didn't question it, seeing that Harry had clearly thought his decision through, and was determined now to succeed.
Later…
Harry withdrew the time turning from his neck, and did a little math in his head, and once he was sure of the numbers, rotated the glass thirteen times, before stopping. Seconds later, everything seemed to twist and pull, and occasionally he saw students moving backwards, but otherwise the empty hallway just seemed distorted. It lasted only thirteen seconds, but soon enough, it was over. Quickly enough, Harry hid the golden device and pressed his ring into the wall, before stepping inside the quarters.
"Welcome back to my humble abode. Here as current you or future you?" Salazar asked. Harry often did come back and visit Salazar after he had already attended lessons, but occasionally he would see Salazar first.
"Future, thirteen hours to be exact. I have until nine tonight, but I need some sleep first. I am knackered." Harry replied. After accepting Flitwick's offer, he spent the next thirty minutes dueling, losing, and then dueling again. The goal was both to improve his stamina, and improve how long he could duel without a break, meaning Flitwick was intentionally dragging the duels out while pushing him to his limits at every moment.
"It is not unexpected after dueling with Filius Flitwick. Get three hours of rest, I will wake you when it is time." Salazar responded. For a moment, Harry was confused, but then remembered that the founder was tied into the castle and had elves, portraits, and ghosts to tell him everything. He was bound to know about the hallway battle.
"Thank you." Harry yawned in reply. It was no sooner that his head hit the pillows on the fluffy bed that he was out, and only barely awoke to the founder making obscene noises in an attempt to wake him. Eventually though, he was up and back in the sitting room.
"So, what happened today?" Salazar asked. "You seemed focused when you walked in here."
Harry took a moment to organize his thoughts, before deciding to start at the beginning of his day. "Well, it started off with going to… I call it Beyond. Remember when you asked me about how I knew of the Horcruxes?" Salazar nodded, "Well, I knew because of Death."
"Death? But that is a state of being?" Salazar said, though Harry could tell he was trying to avoid the actual being.
"Cut the stupidity. He told me he worked with you, and that some of the wards and your portrait were assisted by him." Harry replied, "He also told me that I needed to ask your opinion on doing rituals. He seems to think they are necessary?"
Salazar stared for a moment, shock across his face. "When did you meet him? Why did you meet him?"
"I met him when your basilisk bit and killed me. And he is helping me kill Riddle. Apparently there is a prophecy that involves the two of us, Riddle and I, and that I am also fated to unite his Deathly Hallows and return them to him." Harry replied, only slightly impatiently, "I have already destroyed three parts of his soul, including my scar, and there are apparently more. Death believes that Riddle will return before I am at my strongest, and suggests I talk to you about rituals. I am against it, but apparently you would have an unbiased opinion on them."
Salazar took a moment to find his words before nodding. "Death is right. Riddle will probably be back before you are out of school. Rituals… Well firstly, rituals are complicated, and one of the times where 'Dark' and 'Light' can be applied though. There are 'dark' rituals, some rituals require horrid ingredients, while others, 'light' rituals, only boost what is naturally there, and require very little ingredients, or what they do require isn't costly or horrible to get. Us founders all did some at one point or another in our lives, and it helped us significantly." Salazar replied.
"What rituals would we be looking at? Harry asked.
Salazar started muttering, mostly numbers and different languages, before nodding. "Firstly, Arithmancy is very important in rituals and ritualistic magic. If you want the most out of them, we would need to do either nine, fifteen, twenty one, twenty seven, or forty nine rituals. Personally, I would suggest nine rituals done over nine months, or fifteen, one every fifteen days. Nine would be sufficient, encouraging you to have faster magical maturity, enhanced physical fitness and healing, and more control over your mind. However, we could do fifteen, which could be done every fifteen days, that would provide you with extra, but still within normal, physical and mental speed, stronger magic, and even a few abilities, like unlocking your elemental affinity, which can't be done without a ritual, or finding your familiar bond, which would follow your mind magics branch."
"The last three options, twenty one every twenty one days, twenty seven, one on the third, ninth, and twenty seventh of every month, or forty nine, one done every seventh, fourteenth, and twenty first." Salazar explained. "These three would be a lot more demanding, and really, after fifteen, the benefits start falling off. Most of those rituals are the smallest increments, and don't truly provide you with the benefits you go through the hassle for. I would suggest fifteen or twenty one rituals, but that choice is up to you."
Harry frowned, as his mind was overwhelmed with the numbers. He had Salazar repeat himself once, to ensure he understood everything. There seemed to be a pattern of threes and sevens. Harry sat in thought about everything, "What is the difference between nine, fifteen, and twenty one?"
"Twenty one would help you, possibly only advancing your learning by a year, or adding in one or two abilities otherwise. Either way, you are looking to advance your development by at least two to five years. Two for only nine rituals, four for fifteen, five for twenty one." He responded. "These rituals won't 'give' you knowledge, but they will cause your body and mind to mature quicker, though you will also suffer a more powerful puberty as you are in the prime age of the beginning of puberty and it would be encouraged and enhanced."
Harry nodded, though he was blushing slightly. Compared to their muggle counterparts, magical children went through puberty after their twelfth birthday, but it generally finished by their fifteenth birthday. During that time, their minds developed similarly, and by seventeen, they were mentally as mature as a twenty one to twenty five year old muggle. Or at least, that is how Dorea had explained it.
"So I would be through mentally developing by fifteen, though puberty would be done by around my fourteenth or so birthday?" Harry asked.
"No. Well, yes to your mental development, not puberty. Puberty would be enhanced. The physical development and… your endowment, would be amplified by the rituals on the body, along with muscle growth, endurance, and physical healing." Salazar responded.
After a few minutes of silence, Harry spoke, "Let's do fifteen. It seems balanced enough, and if I have done the math right, it will be done before the end of the year."
"The middle of November, yes." Salazar said, "Will you be able to do it though? Be here every fifteen days? If we do this, we will have to teach you to apparate. That ring overrides the wards to allow you to move through the school, just as the headmaster can."
"I have the dueling tournament from the 18th to the 22nd of July, but I can always use the time turner for it." Harry replied, "Flitwick asked me today after the duel in the hallway. As for apparition, I have been wanting to know how to do that."
Salazar went silent for a moment, "You won't have a ritual on those dates, the last would be on the 17th of July. Alright then, grab the book off the shelf, second from the bottom, called Mageía Ton Teletourgión, and head to the training space, and I will walk you through the first one.
Harry followed the instructions, and Salazar began helping him scribe runes on the floor. This one was rather simple, and mostly involved a five pointed star, with a single rune in each. The center space of the star had a further five runes, one against each side of the space, plus a central rune, which was called the Rune of Activation, or at least its translation was that. Harry couldn't even imagine the spelling of the original word. All of it was drawn in plain white chalk, and though this ritual didn't have an activation incantation, most others did.
Once Salazar was pleased with the look of the ritual, he spoke, "Use a silver or gold bladed knife, That is entirely clean! Now, three drops go on each point of the star, and once you are ready, drop three on the central rune that you will stand on. This ritual isn't affected by other items of magic, but leave your wands and outer robes sitting out. The less the better." Salazar said.
Harry followed the instructions, and the instant the third drop of blood hit the central rune, the chalk glowed. Harry felt a sudden drain of his magic, followed by a sudden surge of magic around the room. It was… tingly, and warm, but only lasted a minute before the runes and star faded and disappeared, leaving nothing on the ground. Harry took a minute to gather himself before speaking.
"Well… that was interesting. Say, what did that ritual do anyway? I didn't think to ask."
Salazar laughed. "I wondered if you would ask. That was the first of five rituals for your body. Typically, it would be done on a child's twelfth birthday for maximum effectiveness, but it works just as well now. Over the next few months, your body will develop more towards your physical prime. It helps that you are working out more too. The next one will be on your magic, helping you feel it and control it better, before we do one on the mind, allowing your Occlumency to develop more smoothly." Salazar said. "Now, no magic for the rest of your time here. Let us return to the sitting room and work on theory instead, and tomorrow we will start working on apparition."
A/n: So now Harry begins his rituals. Most of them won't be shown, but I will do my best to ensure that they are mentioned. Salazar in this story won't teach him much magic until the beginning of fourth year, as it will give his body, and the rituals, more time to help him develop to prevent harm to his magic. Harry however, will be learning extensively from Flitwick over the coming months. There will only be one, or maybe two more chapters, before the end of third year, but they will largely be focused on the rituals and training, and Harry's social life.
As for the Animagus forms, I have taken a select list from the initial comments, and counted the votes for each one. Right now, The Direwolf is in the lead, as I don't consider it a magical animal. Because of the various ways they have been described, I'd make it only somewhat larger than the Gray wolf, which can weigh upwards of 120-180 lb for adult male wolves (Depending on sources you look at. Google says 180, but most sites say around 120.)
Feel free to add more votes. I will quit taking tally on them probably after the dueling tournament, which will be a few weeks. Harry isn't going to immediately learn his form or how to change into it, as no matter the wizard, I intend for the process to take time.
Anyways, as always, I hope you all enjoyed it, and until next time!
Votes:
Direwolf: 6
Snake (undecided breed): 3
Eagle/Hawk: 3
Black Panther: 1
Sabretooth Tiger: 1
Raven: 1
Bear: 1