Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the intellectual property associated with Harry Potter.

Hi all,

Here's the next chapter. Harry puts all the clues together and goes to meet the guardian. I went overboard with a poem in this chapter for absolutely no reason.

Chapter 41

Godric and Helga's secret chamber combined their two main passions: a duelling stage surrounded by a vibrant garden. With each step into the room, Harry's breathing gradually returned to normal after his heart-pounding chase through the castle. The peaceful atmosphere, combined with the pleasant fragrance of flowers that filled the room, helped him regain his equanimity.

The room's overall aesthetic was inspired by Greek elements. This was reflected in the white marble pillars and intricately carved statues scattered throughout the chamber. In the centre of the room was a duelling stage with several weapon racks and target dummies set up. In comparison to the rest of the room, the stage was unremarkable.

The gardens were the main attraction, taking up a significant portion of the space. Surrounding the stage were a variety of landscapes, showcasing the vast array of flowers. In addition, specific areas were set aside for the cultivation of food crops and medicinal plants. There were several benches, ponds, and pathways strategically placed throughout the gardens. The location bore the hallmarks of meticulous planning and upkeep.

Harry approached a formidable pair of statues in front of the stage. These statues depicted a man and a woman, whom Harry assumed to be Godric Gryffindor and Helga Hufflepuff. Godric possessed a commanding and dignified presence, standing upright with a firm stance. He held a sword in his left hand while his face was turned to look at the woman beside him.

Helga, a stunning witch, had a shapely figure and was dressed in elegant robes. She exuded a warm smile on her face, reflecting her down-to-earth personality. She held a wand in her hand, poised as if to cast a spell.

"Who are you?" A house-elf poked his head out from behind the statues. It wore dungarees and a straw hat on its head.

Harry almost jumped, not expecting anyone else to be present. "My name is Harry Potter. I came here to find clues to gain access to the guardian's chambers.

The house elf stared at him for a moment before nodding. "The portrait would not allow you entrance if you be a bad wizard."

"What is your name?"

"Turf, sir. I be responsible for the upkeep of these gardens." The house elf emerged from behind the statue and stood before him. "I'm not used to seeing others. This be a rare treat for Turf, sir.

"Do you not interact with the other house elves?" Harry asked.

"Turf doesn't, sir. To keep this place a secret, I cannot interact with the other elves very much."

"That sounds incredibly lonely."

"Turf and his elf-ancestors be given serious responsibility," Turf said, shaking his head. "I will go out one day and find an elf-mate so that I can pass on this responsibility to my elf-spring."

"Are there any books in this room where I could find written clues?"

Turf pointed in the northwest corner. "There be an alcove where there are some books. You may find what you be looking for there."

"Thank you," Harry replied as he started walking in that direction. Turf trotted behind him, almost running to keep up.

Harry felt sorry for Turf. He shouldn't be forced to stay in one place for so long, no matter how beautiful it is, just to keep it a secret.

"Do you know what is going on in the castle with Merlin?" Harry asked. "He is attempting to gain control of the castle."

"It's not being my business. I do not know this Merlin, but he sounds like a bad wizard."

"He is that," Harry replied.

In the corner of the room, he discovered an alcove complete with a desk, chairs, and a bookcase filled with dozens of books. He sifted through them, taking out any journals he came across, before sitting down to look for the final two clues he needed.

"Would Harry Potter like to eat something from the garden?" Turf looked up at him with huge eyes.

"I'm not hungry right now," Harry replied, but noticing the elves' dejected expression, he quickly added. "I will make you a deal. Once I have resolved the current crisis, I will return here if the portrait allows me in. You can prepare lunch for me if you wish."

Turf removed his hat and performed a deep bow. "Turf would enjoy that, sir."

Harry spent more than half an hour searching through the journals before finding the final clues he was looking for. After noting them down, he rearranged all of the sentences in the right order. It turned out to be a lengthy poem, which was completely unnecessary given how simple the puzzle was once it was arranged correctly. Perhaps the founders had a lot of free time.

Know that the lion always comes first.

Is Noble the creature that stalks its prey?

To hunt is to kill and sate its thirst.

Can you hear the cries of the victims' dismay?

Head for the territory where food is plentiful.

End your search where the fruits are laid bare.

Near the den of the mammals that are deemed inseparable.

Seek entry by tickling the pear.

Is the serpent's tongue really that unusual?

Consider this puzzle incomplete in its absence.

And keep in mind that you have failed because you are unexceptional.

Lament the life ahead of you that will be forever stagnant.

Let it be known that the serpent never comes in second place.

Freedom represents taking flight into the boundless skies.

Or the unfettered mind that brings you to my secret haven.

Rejoice because your curiosity has led you to my prize.

Thank the eagle for your keen observation, not the raven.

Honour the Guardian, as it carries a heavy burden.

Taking the knowledge and offering something in exchange is preferred.

Hold out your hand and together you will succeed, I am certain.

Either this verse is cursed or I am bedevilled; why am I third?

Glory is often sought by those who are insecure about their worth.

Unless you have found peace within one's mind.

All who enter my house are genuine children of the earth.

Really kind, loyal, and true, although I fear that they will be falsely maligned.

Do you have any insight into Merlin's true roots?

It's not as one might imagine, an inconvenient truth.

All I ask is that you watch over him after we have hung up our boots.

None of us four's mistakes should be repeated—the foolishness of our youth.

All he needed to do was take the first letter of each sentence and combine them to form the answer. It appeared that the puzzle itself wasn't meant to be the challenging aspect, but rather locating and accessing the hidden chambers to find the clues.

Kitchens. I call forth the Guardian.

It revealed the location and password for the guardian's chambers. Harry found it amusing that he had previously been near the location where Peeves met him. Did the poltergeist know the kitchens were his ultimate destination all along and he pulled a prank on him?

"How can I leave here when Merlin's puppets are undoubtedly waiting for me outside?" Harry frowned and considered the problem.

"Turf knows a way, sir," Turf said excitedly.

"What is it?"

Turf vanished briefly but reappeared a moment later, clutching a broomstick in his hands. "Turf's elf-sire grabbed one of these from the Come-And-Go-Room to keep himself entertained when he being bored. Harry Potter can use it to leave through the window."

Harry looked at the arched window that let in an abundance of natural light. "You mean it's a real window? I assumed it was just an enchantment that produced artificial sunlight. How come the window is not visible from the outside?"

Turf gave him the elf equivalent of a deadpan look. "Magic, sir."

"Right," Harry said sheepishly, grabbing the broomstick from Turf.

He examined it carefully. The broomstick appeared to be in good condition, despite its age. Harry was confident that Turf wouldn't have suggested it unless it was still safe to use.

Turf raced ahead of Harry and climbed up onto the window sill. He opened the window to reveal the vast expanse of sky beyond it.

"Thank you for all your help, Turf," Harry said. "I promise I will return once I have dealt with Merlin."

"I will be waiting, sir," Turf said, bowing.

Harry climbed onto his broom and flew out the window. He stopped in mid-air to survey his surroundings and orient himself. Several towers surrounded him, and he could see students congregating on the grounds below him.

As the window closed behind him, Harry considered his options for reentering the castle. The front entrance was the obvious choice because it was the closest to the kitchens. Going that way would draw the attention of both professors and students. However, given the circumstances, he had no choice. If he attempted to find a window on a higher floor, Merlin might block his path.

The sound of shouts from below caught his attention. He looked down and saw the students staring up at him, gesticulating wildly at something in the air. They weren't pointing at him. His mind was initially clouded with confusion, but it was soon replaced by a familiar sense of alarm that flooded through his body.

Terrified, he watched as a swarm of gargoyles flew towards him. To make matters worse, he noticed more gargoyles gradually coming to life and detaching from the castle. Merlin appeared to be going all out, affecting even the outside of the castle.

Harry pushed down on his broom and sped towards the ground with a pack of gargoyles hot on his heels. As he accelerated, he felt the wind whip past him. The students' screams grew louder as he approached the ground. Unexpectedly, a gargoyle appeared beneath him. He swore and swerved to avoid its outstretched claws.

He looked back and noticed a growing number of gargoyles in the air. At first glance, it appeared that over two dozen gargoyles were pursuing him.

Harry cursed under his breath as he realised he needed to escape from his pursuers. He needed to enter the castle through the main entrance without being followed; otherwise, the students could be in danger. Accelerating, he led the gargoyles in a thrilling high-speed chase through the skies above the castle.

He could feel the broom vibrating in his hands as he pushed it to its limits, but he was able to keep some distance from the gargoyles. His gaze fell to the ground as he calculated the distance. With his keen eyesight, he noticed the front doors were open as house elves levitated furniture out of the castle.

Just as he was about to take action, he heard a furious bark. Looking up, he was met with a breathtaking sight. A swarm of owls swooped out of the Owlery and flew towards the gargoyles. Hedwig was at the forefront of the pack, her white plume easily identifiable. She appeared to have assembled all of her troops to protect her human. A surge of affection and concern washed over him. He didn't have time to worry about her, though, because she was providing him with the opportunity he needed, and he wasn't going to let her efforts go to waste.

As soon as he saw her extending her claws and attacking the first gargoyle, he executed a spiralling turn and descended quickly to the ground. His feet were almost touching the grass as he flew straight to the front entrance. Some of the students had to scramble out of the way to avoid being struck by him.

"Get out of the way!" Harry shouted as he approached, noticing the house-elves blocking the entrance.

They quickly dropped their burdens and leapt out of harm's way without needing a second warning. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed some professors staring at them in disbelief, followed by their voices demanding that he stop. Ignoring their pleas, he rose slightly in the air to avoid the steps and flew through the front entrance.

Harry made a sharp turn and flew through the doorway to the staircase leading to the floor below. He slowed as he approached the bottom of the stairs, then turned and accelerated down the corridor towards the portrait with the fruit bowl. Fortunately, he knew where the kitchens were, having discovered them when he received the Marauder's Map.

Harry came to a halt and dismounted the broom when he reached the portrait. As he tickled the pear to reveal the door handle, a gargoyle appeared at the end of the corridor. He quickly flung open the door and slipped into the kitchen before it could reach him. As he set the broom down, the remaining house elves turned to look at him.

"You're not supposed to be here," one of them squeaked. "Students are supposed to evacuate the castle!"

"I have something important to do," Harry said. He raised his voice and spoke the password. "I call forth the Guardian."

A grinding noise filled the air, startling the house elves. Their gaze remained fixed on the wall as it began to part, revealing a dark tunnel.

"We never knew a secret entrance be there," a house-elf squeaked in surprise.

A loud thump behind Harry—the sound of something hitting the door—attracted his attention. He spun around, filled with anxiety. "Can anybody force their way into the kitchen?"

"They shouldn't be able to," the house-elf who had first spoken said. "We will stand guard until the professors arrive to sort them out."

"Thank you." Harry dashed forward into the tunnel, and the wall closed behind him.

As he moved through the tunnel, braziers on either side lit up, illuminating his path. He approached a pair of stone doors adorned with Hogwarts heraldry, depicting the insignias of the four houses. The door opened without prompting. He slipped through the opening, and the door quickly shut behind him.

When he entered, his attention was drawn to the spectacle in the chamber's centre. A massive rift hovered in mid-air, with a wardstone placed on a platform beneath it. The wardstone was etched with intricate arrays that blended into the platform and ground, spreading out in all directions before disappearing into the walls. As he studied them, the arrays distorted and appeared to merge into one, leaving him disoriented.

Nonetheless, Harry could not help but take a step closer, completely captivated by the breathtaking sight before him. Was this the very heart of the castle, from which it derived its power? Could this rift in space be a portal to the fae realm?

"I wouldn't get any closer if I were you," a female voice said.

Harry snapped out of his trance and focused his attention on a woman who appeared out of nowhere. The woman was breathtakingly beautiful, with raven-black hair cascading down her back and lavender eyes framed by long eyelashes. Her movements appeared to flow effortlessly as she approached him.

"Are you the Guardian?" Harry asked.

"I like to be called Lady Hogwarts," she said, stopping in front of him. "Or Rowena, for simplicity's sake."

Harry's eyes widened. How could she be both the Guardian and Rowena Ravenclaw?

She stared at him intently, causing him to shift nervously under her gaze. "After years and years of defending this place, I gave myself a name. The Four Founders referred to me as the Guardian, but that name seems too mundane for me."

"Is this place really that dangerous?" Harry pointed to the rift, which was spewing out numerous streams of bright, multicoloured light.

"Take a few more steps forward," Lady Hogwarts said, "and you will begin to feel the forces acting on your body before it's torn apart."

Harry took a few steps backwards to make sure he was well out of range.

"I know why you came." Lady Hogwart stated. She waved her hand, and a pair of comfortable chairs appeared. "Take a seat, and we can discuss Hogwarts' current situation."

Harry sat and waited for her to take her seat. "Lady Hogwarts, how long will it be until someone else reaches us? Can Merlin enter this chamber?"

"Call me Rowena," Lady Hogwarts instructed. "I was created in her likeness, so I do not mind being called that. We will not be disturbed because this chamber is almost impenetrable. Merlin will have significant difficulties reaching us here."

"Why is he winning the battle for control of the castle when you have access to this place?"

"Do you know what this location is? This is the Wardstone Chamber. The wards branch out from here and spread throughout the castle and grounds to ensure that everything runs smoothly. While this location is important, it doesn't control the wards. The controls are in the headmaster's office, where he can also take direct control of them."

"How did you manage to influence the castle? Were you the one to initiate the shutdown?"

"The founders granted me some autonomy in the event of a crisis," Rowena replied. "I have limited ability to tap into the castle's wards. I initiated the lockdown. It was the only way to slow down Merlin's takeover of the castle."

Harry nodded. "I see. How is Merlin gaining control of the castle? Peeves speculated that it had something to do with the Sapient Array, which first appeared on the third floor."

"When Merlin helped build the wards for Hogwarts, he added some extra pieces that allowed him to directly control the castle once he performed a ritual," Rowena said. "The Sapient Array is a physical manifestation of Merlin's consciousness. The Four Founders were successful in imprisoning his physical body in a chamber within the castle. However, an essential element required to restrain Merlin was removed from the castle, allowing him to infect the castle."

"What is the missing element?"

"The Sorting Hat."

"What? Are you saying that all of this started when Dumbledore stole from the castle? Was he aware of what he was doing?"

"I do not think so," Rowena replied, shaking her head. "You are the only living person who knows the true story of this castle. We concealed Merlin's true origins and fabricated his history. Tom Riddle came close to uncovering the truth when he discovered Salazar's secret chambers, but he failed the test."

Harry recalled entering Salazar's library, where he had to write his name in the book to be judged worthy of accessing the knowledge contained within it. "Who is Tom Riddle?

"He is better known as Lord Voldemort."

Harry inhaled sharply, his mind reeling from the shocking revelation. However, he wondered why he was so surprised. It was only logical that Voldemort, being a Parselmouth, had managed to enter Salazar's chambers. Harry hadn't made this connection earlier because the name Tom Riddle seemed so unremarkable in comparison to Lord Voldemort's name.

"How do we get rid of Merlin?" Harry asked, getting back on track. "Don't tell me we need the Sorting Hat; otherwise, we are screwed. Unless you can end the lockdown and find Dumbledore. What makes the hat so special that it can restrain Merlin, anyway?"

"The Sorting Hat was created to restrain Merlin's consciousness," Rowena explained. "Even though his physical body was restrained, his mind was as powerful as ever, so we had to take precautions to keep him from influencing the castle."

"How is the Sorting Hat still functioning after all this time?"

Rowena lowered her head in shame. "Salazar performed a dark ritual that split his soul and fused it with the Sorting Hat, rendering it nearly indestructible and essentially immortal."

Harry looked at her incredulously. "Do you mean the Sorting Hat is Salazar himself?" "All rituals require a sacrifice, so what did he have to do to fulfil his?"

"I can't say."

"Was it really necessary?"

"I am not sure," Rowena sighed. "But he had another compelling reason to perform the ritual, so the question is pointless."

"Back to the main topic. How do I get rid of Merlin for good?"

"His body now rests in permanent slumber within the prison we built for him," Rowena said. "To stop the Sapient Array, it's necessary to destroy his physical body. We made a huge mistake by not eliminating him when we subdued him. Our primary concern at the time was preserving the wards that he had built. We were too greedy."

Harry stood up, feeling a surge of energy as he realised the end of his nightmare was within reach. Although the idea of killing someone made his stomach churn,

"It won't be easy," Rowena warned. "Killing Merlin may also disable some of the castle's wards. It will take a lot of work to rebuild them."

"Isn't that something you can do?" Harry asked.

"Maybe," Rowena replied, looking unsure. "I cannot build new wards without a physical body. I may be able to assist others in building them, but it won't be as effective."

Harry paused as he realised the full ramifications of removing Merlin from Hogwarts. Although he had to be removed, doing so would jeopardise the safety that Hogwarts provided not only for the students but also for all of the magical creatures that lived in the forbidden forest. Was he prepared to take such drastic action?

While pondering the problem, he came up with an audacious idea. "Rowena, is it possible for you to replicate Merlin's ritual and replace him as the cornerstone of the Hogwarts wards?"

Even though it would give her more control over Hogwarts, it was a better choice than Merlin.

Rowena shook her head. "To perform the ritual, a physical body is required."

Harry was disappointed but looked up when Rowena cleared her throat.

"There could be another way," Rowena suggested hesitantly. "But you will have to go down into Salazar's chambers again."

"What could I possibly accomplish down there?" Harry asked.

"There is a room in his chamber that you shouldn't have been able to enter," Rowena said, and Harry nodded. He remembered being locked out of one of the rooms. "That is where we will find the solution. I need to accompany you because you will require my assistance to open it. However, this means we have a limited amount of time before Merlin completely takes over the castle. Once I leave this room, it will be more difficult to counter his moves."

"So, it's a gamble where we either win big or lose everything?" Harry exhaled. "All right, I am ready whenever you are."

Rowena nodded and waved her hand, and the door opened behind him. They proceeded down the tunnel, and she opened the door to the kitchens. When Harry emerged from the tunnel, he came face to face with a group of adults. Headmaster Flitwick, Professor Snape, Professor Babbling, and his grandparents.

"Harry," Charlus said, his face stern. "Would you like to explain yourself?"

Harry gulped, knowing that he was in serious trouble.

"We had to destroy several gargoyles to get to the kitchens and make sure you were safe." Minerva glared at her grandson, her nostrils flaring. She was struggling to maintain her composure.

"I can explain," Harry said weakly.

Snape sneered. "Just like his father, who doesn't care about the rules."

"I certainly hope you can give a good reason," Flitwick said. "Otherwise, you will be in a lot of trouble."

"There is no time to waste," Rowena reminded him.

"Who is this?" Minerva inquired, casting a curious look at the woman beside him.

"This is Lady Hogwarts," Harry announced, causing the adults to gasp in surprise.

"We need to move quickly if we are going to stop what is going on with the castle," Harry hurriedly continued, dodging past them and running for the door. "I know who is responsible for the Enchanted Wall and the attacks on the students. I need to get to the Chamber of Secrets."

"What is this nonsense?" Snape said.

"Hold up, Mr Potter," Flitwick commanded. "Please explain it to us clearly."

"We don't have time!" Harry yelled, frustrated. "Either you trust me and escort me to the chamber, or you stay out of my way."

"Very well," Charlus said, raising his hand as the other adults appeared to be about to protest. "Given that my grandson is not prone to hysteria, I am inclined to believe him. It would explain why the gargoyles attacked him, as if something was trying to silence him. We will escort you, Harry, but you better explain everything after this is all over.".

They left the kitchens and headed up to the ground floor. With the adults by his side, any challenges they faced were easily overcome.

"You should warn the other professors not to enter the castle," Rowena stated. "If we don't act quickly, they may be used against you."

Charlus nodded and dispatched a patronus with a message through the front door.

They ascended the stairs to the first floor, where numerous statues awaited them, but the adults dealt with them again. There were no more obstacles, so they climbed to the second floor and approached Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.

Suddenly, the Bloody Baron emerged from behind the wall in front of them. "You are making a grave mistake, Harry Potter. In a short period of time, I will seize full control of the castle and ensure that you face the consequences of your disobedience."

"Trying to dissuade me with threats?" Harry snarked. "It smacks of desperation."

"This isn't the real Bloody Baron," Minerva said, frowning. "He isn't usually that talkative. Who is the person we are really speaking with?"

"His name is Merlin," Harry answered. "Yes, the one from the legends." He is to blame for the entire mess. He is just like Modor, a deity from the Fae realm who is trapped within the castle."

"What?" Charlus raised his wand. "I should have known it was one of your kind interfering in our business."

"Leave him be," Rowena said. "The baron is only serving as a mouthpiece and isn't a threat. Ghosts cannot follow us into the Chamber of Secrets."

The adults followed Harry into the bathroom, and he opened the entrance. His grandfather slid down first, and Harry followed suit. Once everyone was down in the tunnels, they proceeded to the Chamber of Secrets.

"What are we supposed to find here?" Charlus asked as they climbed over the rubble and made their way towards the back of the chamber.

"Slytherin has another secret chamber besides this one," Harry replied.

"What?" Snape's head jerked around. "How are you able to enter? You are not a Slytherin."

"Are you stupid? It only requires parseltongue to enter," Harry smiled. "I am more deserving of being a Slytherin than you. Perhaps if the Sorting Hat had been present during the sorting, I would have ended up in your house."

"I should send Dumbledore a letter expressing my gratitude," Snape stated.

"Did you just crack a joke?" Babbling looked at him in surprise. "I had no idea you had a sense of humour."

Snape scowled and looked away.

They arrived at the statue's head, and Harry hissed in parseltongue, causing the mouth to open and allowing them access to the chambers. As they entered the hexagonal chamber, the adults looked around in amazement, and Snape couldn't hide his excitement.

"This is incredible," Flitwick exclaimed, his enthusiasm palpable as he bounced up and down. "That we can access a long-lost piece of history."

"Is that a library?" Snape approached the door and attempted to open it, but it wouldn't budge.

"It has a parseltongue ward," Harry informed him, "so you will be unable to open it."

Snape stared at him, silently instructing him to open it.

Harry grinned. "Every book is written in the parseltongue script."

Snape let loose a torrent of curse words, expressing his disappointment. Charlus and Harry exchanged a grin, enjoying the man's misery.

"Please, do not swear in front of my grandson." Minerva gave Snape a stern look.

"We do not have time for this," Rowena said, gliding across the floor towards the door Harry had previously been unable to access. She reached out to touch the door, which opened instantly.

Everyone crowded around her, so she turned to address them before entering. "Before we go inside, I would like to ask you to keep an open mind about what you are going to see. It was the only way to preserve him for such a long time."

"What are you talking about?" Charlus asked sharply.

Instead of answering, she led them into the room. As soon as Harry saw the body lying on the elevated platform, he stumbled backwards in terror. The adults' response was hardly better than his own.

"What type of dark magic is this?" Flitwick demanded.

"To preserve Salazer's body for so long, necromancy was used to transform him into a type of Inferi," Rowena explained. "Combined with another method we used, he is essentially immortal but remains asleep when the room is closed up."

Salazar Slytherin's sleeping body lay on the platform, transformed into the terrifying visage of an Inferi. One of his eyes opened abruptly, and he fixed his gaze on them.

So, what do you think? The next chapter will serve as the conclusion to the Enchanted Wall arc. However, there are still some events to unfold throughout the remainder of the school year.

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Thanks for reading.