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.

Chapter 4: The Founder's Quarters

September 19th, 1993

Just after Midnight

Gryffindor Dorms

Harry sighed, annoyed that the runes were burnt out. Either he hadn't carved them correctly, or he overcharged them and caused the scheme to fail. And it had been going so smoothly. The cage with the Transfiguration permanency runes had worked great, and he thought he had carved everything smoothly after practicing for a few nights.

However, it was after that that where things got difficult. The control ward worked, though it had taken him the better of three hours that he didn't get to sleep to get it to work. Though now it was all a waste, as adding the ward to keep Pettigrew unconscious that caused everything to fail. He wasn't sure what to do about it other than try again and hope for better results. If he had too much of an issue, he would ask an upper year or perhaps the Ancient Runes teacher, Professor Babbling.

Sighing, He vanished everything, and closed his eyes. It took him a minute to recenter his mind and calm his emotions down. It had been a stressful and painful process carving the runes, and there had been a lot riding on this. After calming his mind down, he closed his eyes and soon enough, fell asleep.

Morning...

Hermione, god bless the girl, was already off in the library by the time Harry woke up, and Ron had been dragged off by his brothers for some 'sibling bonding'. Said siblings were the twins, who also seemed to take Ginny and Percy hostage, and were determined to enjoy their Sunday together. Despite this not being the first time the twins had done such a thing, it was still amusing to watch as the twins ignored everything Percy said, and dragged the three off to god knows where. Harry honestly wasn't sure he wanted to know, but would ask Ron later.

Instead, he quickly got up and took a hot shower, before he made his way down to the Great Hall. After a quick breakfast, he made his way to an abandoned classroom. Having remembered what the Goblins said about the Gryffindor Heir ring, he knew only one person who could tell him anything about the founder and his history. The only question was how to speak to him without Dumbledore noticing.

He had thought about it for several days, and remembered when the hat had come to him last year in the chamber, and Dumbledore had said that 'Great loyalty' had called Fawkes to Harry, and 'Help is given to those who ask for it'. It made Harry wonder if he could simply ask to talk to the hat.

Making sure there was a silencing charm up, he focused and called out, "Uh… Hogwarts? Is it possible that I could speak to the sorting hat? I need its help."

After a moment of nothing happening, Harry sighed, and just before he dispelled the silencing charm, he was startled by a small pop, and an elf appeared in front of him with the Hat.

"Well Mr. Potter. I must say, I am confused as to why you needed to speak to me so soon? We just saw each other a few months ago, you know?" The hat said in a light tone. Despite it being just an object, it was quite surprised that someone had called for it, and much more surprised that it was an actual request, and not just another attempt to steal and prank it.

Harry stared, watching as the elf put the hat onto one of the desks, before disappearing. After a moment, he shook himself. "Right. Sorry. I was surprised that it worked."

"Of course it worked. Dumbledore did say that help is given to those that ask for it. You asked, I came. Now, what do you want?" the hat spoke, seemingly slightly impatient.

"Well, firstly I need to know that you won't tell Dumbledore anything we discuss?" Harry asked with insistence.

"A child's secrets are their own. I am bound by the magic the founders gave me to not reveal anything that is revealed to me in confidence, or anything pulled from someone's mind. There are few exceptions, like extreme child abuse and if the person is a danger to the school, but otherwise, nothing can be revealed." the hat responded.

"Good. I went to Gringotts and discovered that I was apparently the heir of a founder, Godric Gryffindor app-" Harry was cut off by a laugh.

"Of course you are an heir." the hat laughed, "The Potters have always been a known descendant of the Gryffindors, and the fact you summoned the Sword is proof that you are The Heir. The first since Godric's daughter married your many-times great grandfather. I assume they told you that they didn't possess the family ring, and that you would have to search elsewhere for it?" The hat asked.

"Uh, they just said that they didn't have it. I figured that because you were made by them, perhaps you would know where to find it?" Harry suggested. The brim of the hat seemed to twist into a smile.

"Of course I do. First though, I must rest upon your head once more. It is one of two trials the founder had made mandatory in order to claim his house." The hat responded.

Harry frowned. That would be a problem, as the hat would discover that he had already lived through the next few years, and that he was from the future. At least he assumed it would. Then again, the hat was also bound to keep the secrets of the students, so the only question was if he could trust the hat and the magic around it.

"Well Mr. Potter. It can't be that much of a problem. I was in your head only two years ago, and it isn't like the headmaster doesn't speak of your adventures in his office enough for me to know some of your doings. Fighting a troll? Well I've never been more amused. Certainly the basilisk was more entertaining, but the troll getting knocked out with his own club by a first year while another was on its back? That's a joke that I'll need to remember to tell future headmasters." The hat said laughing.

"You said you were not bound to reveal anything you saw, correct?" Harry asked.

"Of course! Unless you plan on killing yourself or other students that is." The hat snarked.

"Alright, but don't be surprised at what you find." Harry replied in a false chipper voice. Truthfully, he wondered what the hat would find. Maybe Death had hidden everything, in which case, Harry has been unnecessarily panicking.

Harry sighed as he picked up the hat, after a moment of the hat being on his head, it whistled. "Interest. Your mind has become very organized… and using the chamber? A genius move, as only those that speak parseltongue could enter and see the memories hidden inside."

Harry felt a sensation, much like an odd itch that moves around his brain, as the sorting hat searched his mind. Harry knew, if he checked his mindscape, he would be able to see the hat moving through memories, as he was catching a few glimpses of different memories as time went by. He wasn't surprised to see events that hadn't happened yet mixed in.

There was a silence, and eventually he felt the hat pull itself to the edge of his mind. "You died, and then suddenly you are back as a thirteen year old. How?"

"If you couldn't see how, then I cannot tell you. I am sure the 'how' protected itself so it cannot be known. Truthfully, I wasn't even sure if you would see the other memories." Harry responded in his mind, knowing the hat could hear him.

"So it is all real then? All of that happened?" At Harry's agreement, the hat went silent for a moment, "You are playing a dangerous game Mr. Potter. Things could easily turn out worse."

"So they could, but I was given little choice in the matter. Besides, the how is confident that I will do better than before." Harry replied.

There was a silence before something fell on his head, and when he removed the hat, he had to act quickly to catch a golden ring with a large ruby on it. "That is the ring you are looking for. It will give you a helluva headache though, as the wards are connected to it as well."

Harry wasn't sure what the last sentence would mean, but braced himself the best he could as he took in the ring. Much like his other two rings, it had a set of engravings, along with the House crest engraved on the surface of the gem. Harry also noticed the ring seemed warm, despite being in the hat. Taking a deep breath, he slid the ring onto his middle finger, apart from the other two rings.

Unfortunately, nothing could have prepared him for the feeling that would come. Harry's whole world spun as information poured into his mind. He fought the urge to vomit as the feeling disoriented him and caused him to fall to his knees. Absently he heard the hat gripe about being on the floor, but Harry didn't care.

After five minutes, where he focused the best he could to understand what he was feeling, he pushed it all away, and was surprised that the feeling receded and despite the migraine he now sported, he felt himself return to normal.

"What the fuck was that?" Harry asked, forgoing any politeness.

"Those were the wards. That feeling was the castle reporting everything to you. What the wards are, the control you have over them, the bonds that were made for the house elves and ghosts, and every single person's location." The hat responded with a snicker. "I did warn you, did I not?"

"Yea. Bloody hell that hurts though." Harry responded. "So what now?"

"Now, you go to the fourth floor alcove, just at the end of the hall. There is a hidden room that is meant for any descendants that wear that ring. It will help you, and should you need my assistance, I will too. Do not worry about time, as Mrs. Granger isn't the only one who will have such a device." The hat said, as an elf reappeared and picked him up.

"And don't worry, I won't tell the headmaster or anyone else what I saw in your head." With those words, the hat was gone, leaving a disoriented Harry who was highly confused about the hat's words. What's there that could understand speech? And a time turner? Aren't those heavily regulated?

After taking a few minutes to try to get his headache to calm down, he sighed, and gave up. He had been in this room for almost an hour, though that might not matter too much. After focusing on turning the ring invisible, which thankfully it did, he made his way up to the fourth floor alcove. It took him several minutes to figure out how to open whatever door was there, but eventually he found a small impression in the wall. Taking a very small leap of logic, he requested the ring to become visible before pressing it into the wall. There seemed to be a small shudder in the wall, before suddenly it faded from existence.

Harry looked into the new area that was surprisingly well lit, before stepping in. It seemed to be a small entryway, with a main area off towards the left side, and more rooms further down. He counted at least three doors, but decided to investigate the more open area first. Deciding the He couldn't be too safe, Harry drew his wand, relishing the warmth he felt holding it. Bracing himself, he stepped in, and made his way to the main area. He braced himself before stepping around the corner, and was unprepared for what he would find…

…an entirely normal living room. Well. What was probably normal for wizards back then. It had a fireplace centered across the entry, with few chairs, some near it and some towards the outside, with bookshelves lining the walls, only leaving the corner open where an L-shaped desk stood out, making it a perfect work area. There were probably a thousand books in all, and Harry was sure it would be Hermione's wet dream to be in his shoes.

Taking in the room more closely, he noticed a few things. The room was remarkably similar to the Tower, only smaller and probably meant for only a few people. The other thing he noticed was that some of the books on the shelf looked new, and he knew he saw a book that was more modern than when Godric Gryffindor was alive. Why was such a new book in here though, when I am the first to enter this place since Godric himself.

He caught a glimpse of the surface of the desk, and found a few pieces of parchment laying there, stained yellow from age. Walking over, he picked them up. They glowed, and he watched the writing change from something he couldn't read to English.

My heir,

It is an honor to know my family has survived for so long. You may wonder, of course, how I know it has been more than a few years, and I would tell you that a seer gave me a prophecy, which is found on the next page.

At first, I did not believe her… but then came a second prediction, that my daughter would marry a merchant family, one that was the descendants of warmages long past. When she married Hardwin Potter, my heart nearly stopped, for they were descendants of a Roman family, ones who worshiped death, and were called Warmages by their fellows.

So here I am, trusting that the Sorting Hat has found the right person, one who will not abuse the power they will find in this room, one who will respect magic, respect life, but not be afraid to end one when necessary.

There is magic here, magic which is as old as Merlin, who died three hundred winters ago. There is even magic from faraway lands on the continent. Here you will find books not found as part of our school's library, along with three books written by myself, one from Salazar, and one from Rowena and Helga together.

I only hope that this knowledge helps you survive, my heir, and that when you are done, you come back to the school to help it prosper.

Godric of House Gryffindor

Harry read it twice, before looking at the second sheet of parchment.

'Survivor of the unsurvivable curse,

Shall return from the close,

Born to the line of Griffin and Death long gone,

Born in a time of Light and Dark at war,

The first born with abilities lost to time,

He shall tread the line between both and prevail,

Else the Light will fall or he shall be consumed by Dark.'

Harry glared at the parchment, almost wishing for it to combust in his hands. 'Definitely about me. Peverells would've been the line of Death, and Potters are the line of Griffin… Gryffindor.'

He shrugged, it was something to worry about later. Glancing at the third sheet of parchment, it listed some things about the place he was in, and revealed that there was a Time Turner inside the grandfather clock next to the fireplace which only would be seen if the heir, him, wanted it to, and it could only be used by him. It was capable of going back eight hours, which was more than enough really, but nonetheless was an incredible asset.

There was a note that books of incredible value were bought by the elves as well, and that there was a training room with dummies made by Rowena herself to train with, along with instructions.

It cleared up his confusion though, as it explained how the books seemed newer than others. He walked along the shelves, frowning at seeing Magick Moste Evile' on the shelves. There were also three of the rarer tomes that he remembered Snape having mentioned in class as being the most valuable potion books in the world, and some of the books he had only seen in Dumbledore's collection, making Harry grin at the extra content.

'So the prophecy says that I will either lose by fighting only for the light, or I shall become Voldemort… or perhaps it means ideology? Or no… maybe in my use of magic?' He pondered the thought.

Light and Dark were terms applied to both wizards and magic, but in the end, it was most commonly meant to define them by the kind of magic they used. Taking that point of view, the prophecy could mean that he needs to learn and use both, becoming a mix of them, or gray, to win.

His jaw dropped as he remembered the words Death had said. 'There is still a prophecy to fulfill after all.'

This was what he meant. Coming back was another destiny of his. He was always destined to lose the war the first time, perhaps as some twisted joke by fate to give him the experience and desire to try harder, to try and win…

Harry felt his anger flare for a moment, the window cracking from the sudden pressure, before it all vanished with a laugh, 'I can't even be mad, can I? It made me who I am, for better and for worse.'

It took him a moment to recover himself and repair the window with a silent flick of his wand, before he decided to search the bookcases, where he found the first of two books by Godric. He would start from there, he decided. He pulled them free, seeing the same glow as they touched his hand, and he came to the conclusion that there was magic on them to translate them from their original language to English, or whatever the reader spoke. He sat them on the desk before checking the Grandfather Clock.

It took him several minutes to find the time turner, but he had eventually seen the mall engraving of an hourglass on the side. Pressing his finger into it, a compartment opened, and the time turner fell into his fingers. It was a little smaller than Hermione's, about two inches round, made of gold with a bronze sand inside of it. Runes circles the gold ring, ones he didn't know.

'Impressive.' Harry thought, whistling. 'Not much different from Hermione's from what I remember, though hers was a tad larger and the hourglass more filled…'

It was pretty impressive that the Department of Mysteries had replicated Rowena's quite closely, though he then guessed they likely found one of hers or one modeled after hers. He shrugged off the thoughts, instead intending to search the rest of the space.

The desk was empty, apart from what had been on top of it, the letters and now the two books that Godric had written. The shelves, which Harry inspected more closely, had several books written on magics Harry had never studied or heard of, and in languages Harry didn't recognize.

There was an interestingly detailed portrait in the hallway just past the study, as Harry coined it. There were four people, all in clothes that looked not too different from what they wore now, just baggier and made of wool from what Harry could tell. They were middle aged, perhaps fifty or sixty, and Harry could pick out who was who. Rowena looked remarkably like Helena, while Helga was similar to Professor Sprout, though her hair was darker brown and her eyes were golden brown.

Salazar and Godric stood in between the two, their arms on each other's shoulders. Godric was slightly taller and more stockier, a well trimmed beard hanging down what looked to be a few inches from his chin, matching his bright red hair. Harry thought it looked like he had freckles, and bright blue eyes had been painted in. Salazar was a large contrast, being more slender built his face more angular, with a clean shaven face and long black hair tied at the back. His eyes were green, a matching green of his own.

Harry smiled at the line painted in, seeing the sword hanging from Godric's waist.

He entered the door next to the painting, and found a rather large bedroom, with a made bed, two nightstands, and another bookshelf with small trinkets, old cups and and items. He left them be, taking a peak at the bathroom which had a large tub and shower, along with a toilet.

'Stocked.' Harry noticed, 'The elves must keep this updated and stocked.'

Considering toilets were not a common thing until the eighteen hundreds, he guessed that the room had been updated without anyone's knowledge.

He continued on. He found what looked to be a large potions room, the shelves half filled with ingredients. Harry saw a parchment and a scroll on the stone station, and it told him the ingredients were all ones capable of being safely preserved, and that they should still be good.

'Godric thought of it all.' Harry thought.

The scroll was a list of all ingredients. Some he didn't even know, and others which he did. He just sat it back down, before exploring the dueling room. It was large, with a fifteen foot ceiling and a space roughly twenty foot by thirty foot. The five dummies sitting to the side actually looked more human than the ones the DA used. He saw a note, and it detailed how they worked and their limitations. Apparently, they had five difficulty settings, and could be set for a myriad of different spells that they were able to 'cast'.

He wasn't sure exactly how a nonliving being could cast a spell, but he didn't ponder it much.

Making his way back to the study, he sat and looked at his watch. No one would question his disappearance for another hour, and with the turner, he could give himself an extra two, though he had to be careful to not overuse it. He thought about what he wanted to do, before picking up the thinner book that was titled 'Godric's Life.'

Chapter Length: 3749

A/n: So I thought about incorporating a moving portrait of the founder into the story, but after a short bit of thought, I decided not to. The story isn't one where a founder is meant to help, but of Harry growing into the man he wants to be and bringing back the Potter name. Hence, the quarters will only be a place of solitude for himself and others whom he allows to know.

As for the time turner, it won't give him too much of an advantage as he still is human and he still needs sleep, but it will be an advantage that he didn't have before. As for the spells and books, yes, they will help him, but I will not elaborate on how.

Hope you all are enjoying this fic. And for those curious, I am hoping for a chapter every two weeks, possibly sooner. I do have classes and other responsibilities though.