- - - - Godric - - - -

Godric's eyes snapped open. He ended the notice from his ring, warning them of the breach in the wards. Any sleepiness he may have felt slipped away. After three months of waiting, filled with nights where he just couldn't sleep well, the day had finally come.

He sat up at the same time as Salazar, the two slipping out of bed. Godric summoned his boots, trousers, and a loose jumper. He said, "I need to get to Gryffindor Tower, I'll see -"

His words were interrupted by Bob appearing in front of them. "Culley let Bob in." A click of the house elf's long fingers had Godric in his clothes, the well worn, faded t-shirt and sleep shorts disappearing to wherever Bob sent them. "Sir Gody needs to go to tower. "

"I'll see you soon."

Salazar nodded and Bob grabbed Godric's hand and the two appeared in the Gryffindor Common Room.

"Wake Hermione -"

"Tell her plan is now. Take speaker to bathroom entrance. Get stragglers down here. Wake all house elves and prepare for Tinki and Moppsy. Move fessors to room. Sir Gody has said. Bob goes now."

As Bob left, Godric grabbed a coin from his pocket and summoned his sword to him. He buckled the sheath to his waist. While he fastened it, he smiled grimly as he heard Hermione's chosen spell go off: caterwauling charms that she had placed in each of the dorm rooms, the spell changed so she could control when they would go off.

He was quite grateful that the Common Rooms never let any sound be heard in the castle halls. The noise surely would have alerted the enemy that the school knew of their presence.

Children came tearing into the room, shouting and yelling at each other. Godric set the wards so the students couldn't go up the stairs or out the portrait hole. He waited and the only ones to notice his presence was Hermione when she made it downstairs, looking utterly terrified, and the twins who maneuvered their way towards him.

The screeches from the spell abruptly cut off and Hermione spoke, her voice magnified to be heard over the confused children, "Everyone should be here, Ric."

His name had the room going silent and everyone turned to stare at him. And then the shouting began again.

Sighing, Godric sent his magic out and snapped 'Sàmhchair' and he watched as everyone tried to speak but couldn't. Save Hermione and the twins, who were waiting for him. Godric simply held up a finger and, sure enough, a few stragglers made it downstairs within the following thirty seconds.

Bob appeared and bowed to Godric. "Sir Gody, all students retrieved. House elves next." And his ever faithful house elf vanished.

Godric faced the students, and rolled his eyes when he saw the twins and Hermione fighting back laughter. "Now that everyone is present, I'll explain what's going on."

- - - - Salazar - - - -

Salazar hadn't been sleeping well. He had thought to take a sip, just a sip, of the dreamless sleep, but at the last moment talked himself out of the indulgence. When the wards began warning of the breach, Salazar was relieved he had passed on taking the potion. The moment Godric was taken away, he called out, "Culley!"

But the little elf was already there wringing her hands with wide eyes. "Mistress-sir, the elves be crying in the kitchen." Salazar was pulling on trousers and his boots as she continued her report, "Bob is already being taking Sir Gody. Culley's family will get children go down."

"Very well," Salazar said, nodding his approval. "I will start here with the girls." He didn't take the time to change out of his nightgown, simply transfiguring it as he called out, "Everyone up and down to the Common Room. There's an emergency."

Salazar ran down the stairs, using the spell he saw Bagman apply to speak loudly during the tournament, he called out, "Hogwarts is under attack. All Slytherin students are to assemble in the Common Room immediately."

When the children didn't move swiftly enough, he once more made the announcement. Salazar could hear loud screeching from the girls' side of the dorms, hollering from the boys' side. Salazar grinned knowing Culley and her family had been busy gathering the students. "All Slytherins report to the Common Room."

They came to the room in various states of wakefulness and dress: with robes, without robes, with trousers, without trousers. Salazar kept the spell on when they entered and called them forward, "Gather around and your questions will be answered."

Adrian Pucey moved forward and asked Salazar, "Is it time?"

Salazar ended the spell. "It is." With a nod, Pucey stood behind Salazar, openly showing his support for the first time and declaring his views against the Dark Lord. With the Head Boy at his back, Salazar took a calming breath and sent his message out through the ring.

- - - - Godric - - - -

He felt his ring vibrate and warm and he took a quick glance at it. Salazar was ready.

"I apologize for silencing you all, however I doubt you would have let me speak otherwise. Now, your questions will be answered in a timely fashion, however that moment is not now. Hogwarts is under attack and we need to get everyone to safety. Now, I am going to remove the silencing charm." He did not want to spend more magic than he needed before facing Tom. However, he did not need screaming students either.

As soon as he canceled his spell, the students were all complaining and some tried to go back up the stairs. "Enough!" Alicia shouted as the Head Girl stormed to the front, bathrobe tied tightly around her frame. "Why do you think there's an attack? If there was, the professors would have been alerted first. How did you get in? And... What did that house elf call you?"

Thankfully, most of the students quieted, though that only meant that they were whispering to each other.

"The professors will be alerted shortly. However, the priority is to get all the students to safety before handling the threat. Bob brought me in as he is Gryffindor's house elf. And Bob called me by my title. Now, Tom, or the Dark Lord or Voldemort or You-Know-Who or whatever you want to call him has invaded the school and -"

"You're mad!"

"Why should we believe you?"

"Nutter!"

"Enough!" He roared. The entire room silenced and Godric grabbed the pommel of his sword to steady himself. "I do not have the time to mollycoddle you. My name is Godric Gryffindor. I have been reincarnated along with my friends." He refrained from drawing his sword, but by then some of the children's gaze had already fallen on it. "You will do as I say because you will go to safety."

- - - - Rowena - - - -

Rowena sat up and looked around wide eyed. She wasn't entirely certain what woke her up until she felt the wards shuddering once again. They were already inside... just like Luna predicted. No sooner had her feet hit the ground when a loud pop sounded. "Mistress Row'n Claw!" Moppsy called out in a panic, "There bes baddies in castle!"

"Yes, dear," Rowena smiled down at the elf, "I'm well aware."

"Wha?" Padma was sitting up rubbing her eyes, "What's wrong?"

Moppsy squeaked and Rowena waved off her concern. "The time for subtlety is over, Moppsy. We're reclaiming the castle tonight. No more hiding who I truly am. Go now to the kitchen, Godric has a plan for you to carry out."

"Yes, Mistress!"

Padma was pulling on her robe and shaking her head. "Who?"

"Come down to the Common Room. We don't have time for questions now. I'm sure there will be plenty of them downstairs, perhaps we'll even have time for answers."

As she made her way down the stairs, the door opened as she passed. Rowena was not surprised to find Luna joining her. "I'm sorry I didn't see this," the blonde girl said.

"You did though, simply not when."

Luna didn't respond other than to nod, but did not look appeased. Rowena went to the stupid statue of her former self and grinned at Luna. "Ready?"

"Yes..."

Rowena smirked and pressed her wand to the plaque at the base. She sent out a pulse of magic, triggering each rune chain located in the dorms. Each room lit up with fireworks, courtesy of the Weasley twins. The fireworks shot spirals and words stating 'Come To The Common Room' with loud bangs that none could sleep through. Those twins... They were such good boys, with brilliant minds. Rowena found it astounding they weren't in her house. Yelling and screaming came from both sides of the dorms and Luna's eyes lit up with humor.

There was a stampeding of feet as the students came barreling down the stairs to find Rowena and Luna calmly waiting for them. When the Common Room was filled with the students Rowena asked, "Is everyone here?"

"Who lit the fireworks?" "Where are Fred and George?" "What's going on?"

"Calm and all will be answered."

Marietta asked, "Why should we listen to you?"

"My name is Rowena-"

"Mamaidh! Tha e an seo, tha e an seo!" Helena came flying through the wall beside the door and came to a stop when she saw all the students staring at her. Her hands flew to her mouth and she shook her head. "Tha mi duilich."

"It's okay, dear. They need to know. We're taking the wards back tonight."

"But, Mummy..."

"Yes, love, Uncail Godric will take care of it. As a matter of fact, why don't you go and tell him about the bad man?" Before her daughter even made it through the wall, Rowena sent a pulse stating that Tom had arrived.

"Mummy?" Cho asked. "The Gray Lady doesn't talk to anyone, but calls you... Mummy?"

"Yes," Rowena said and spoke loud enough for those in the back to hear, "as I was saying before my daughter arrived, my name is Rowena Ravenclaw. I and the other three founders have been reincarnated to see to the safety of the school. The reason you've been gathered at this horrid hour is because there is an attack currently happening upon the premises. Once the wards are reclaimed by us, I will happily usher you to safety." Instantly, Rowena sent yet another pulse: Ravenclaw Ready.

- - - - Godric - - - -

His ring warmed, giving him a message from Rowena saying Tom arrived followed swiftly by a second and final message. The only one who hadn't -

"As if you're Godric Gryffindor," a familiar voice sneered.

Ronald Weasley, now a fourth year, had pushed his way through the front and was now making towards Godric. However, before he could say anything, the boy was being held back by his two brothers.

He grinned at the two and Hermione stood next to him. She had her hands on her hips and glaring at the room. "He's telling the truth!"

More voices raised up in denial, but a single voice had them all freezing.

"Uncail Godric!" Helena came up from the stone floor, focused on him. She was wringing her hands, worry in her posture. He ignored the gaping children and smiled softly at her.

"Halò, Helena. What news do you have?"

"Mamaidh said to tell you that I saw Tom." She wrung her hands.

Godric nodded. "I need you to do something for me."

She straightened and frantically nodded her head. "Yes?"

"Alert the other ghosts if they are not already aware. Have Terrance, Sir Nicholas, and Jackin make sure there are no students wandering the castle. If you find Peeves, tell him that the twin menaces said that he could use anything in their lab. Tell him to wreak havoc on any who dare invade our school."

"Not the orange potion!" One of the twins called out. Godric tilted his head. "Won't help. Everything else is fine."

"Once you complete those tasks, see what Sal needs."

"Where will Uncail Salazar be?"

"By the time you get to him... most likely in the laboratory. If you can't find him, speak with Helga. I'm sure she and Ro will have their hands full watching over the students."

The ghost nodded and faded back under the stone. Godric once more faced the children and sighed at their gobsmacked expressions. Still, it was better than their screeches.

- - - - Helga - - - -

Helga bolted upright, hand clutched to her chest as the wards shook with anger at the intruders. She ended the ring notification just as Tinki appeared. "Mistress Helgy, I bring children to Common Room now."

"Perfect." She quickly summoned clothing to her that was more fitting of what was happening and quickly switched her night clothes out.

Tinki popped away as Helga heard movement from the bed beside her.

"What's go-going on?" Hannah yawned.

"Time to get up, dear. We must congregate in the Common Room for a meeting."

"At one in the morning?" Susan asked, flopping back onto her bed.

"Yes, now. And I wouldn't wait for Tinki to retrieve you. Or wait for me to force you, for that matter."

The other girls in the dorm quickly got dressed and followed Helga out of their room and into their Common Room where a few others already waited. When Helga walked to the middle of the room and knelt so she could press her palms against the floor, she heard Susan ask, "Helga, what are you doing?"

Helga smiled and called her magic forward and asked for the stone to obey. The ground under them shifted and writhed, her focus was mostly on the area under the beds in the dorms so they acted much like a boat on an angry sea. She magnified her voice and called out, "To the Common Room, if you please."

It didn't take long for the rest to enter and she smiled as Tinki appeared before her. "Mistress Helgy, all your Puff's are accounted for. Tinki will now be going back to kitchen to prepare."

"Stay safe, Tinki, thank you."

"Mistress Helgy does not need to thank," Tinki said before she vanished.

"Excellent, we are all here. Forgive me for being brash in my next words: The school has been infiltrated and I must ask you to follow me to safety."

Most of the Common Room nodded, used to her having knowledge that she shouldn't have. A few, though, didn't look convinced and Zacharias called out, "Yeah, and how do you know this?"

She sent the notice to Godric that they all arrived. "My name is Helga Hufflepuff. We are taking back our wards and the moment that we do, I can lead you all to safety where I can answer any questions you may have."

- - - - Godric - - - -

His ring went off one last time and he looked. The Hufflepuff house was gathered and ready.

He waited a few seconds before he began the countdown.

Three.

Two.

One.

"Ric?"

Now.

"Gheall mi, Godric Gryffindor, m 'anam don sgoil. Thug mi mionnan airson a 'chlann a dhìon. Tha an t-àm ann a bhith ag ath-aithris na bha againn. Mar sin a bhios e." He knelt and slammed his palm on the ground, in time with his three friends, as they called their school back to them. The castle itself almost sighing in relief.

He straightened and grinned, closing his eyes and just feeling... right. This was how it was meant to be.

First order of business: closing off the access point so no one could enter or exit the school, including communication via floo. Within moments, the Death Eaters would have no way to escape.

Nodding firmly he glanced around and saw that more of the students looked shocked. Apparently even the majority of the students felt the change. Which meant Tom might have as well.

"Hermione, you will lead the third and fourth years. Said years, front and center!" When no one moved he barked, "A-nis!"

Everyone jumped and immediately the children obeyed and came to stand in front of him and Hermione.

He nodded and turned, walked to the wall by the fireplace, and commanded, "Airson na cloinne. Atharraich agus cùm sàbhailte." The wall shuddered, moved, and a passage appeared, candles lighting the way. He looked at Hermione. "This will take you to the corridor where the music classroom is. From there -"

"Take the passage two doors down behind a tapestry which will lead us to a room on the third floor. There's a passage down the hallway to the right, behind a gargoyle that you tap on the nose. That leads us directly in front of the bathroom. Inside the bathroom Harry will have the passage open. You said it would be a... slide."

Godric grinned. "Fastest way down to the laboratory from here. We do not have time to answer your questions now." The room stayed, blessedly, quiet. "Hermione, go. Neville, Dean, go with her and keep everyone calm and help Hermione. Intersperse between the two years. Twin One," he didn't rightly care who stepped up, but one of the twins did, "bring up the rear of the group." He got a salute as the boy waited at the mouth of the tunnel as Hermione began the trek down the passage and the students followed her. He wanted to go first and secure the way, but he had to get all of the students out first and then close the passage behind them.

"But... Harry's not here," Neville said by the entrance to the passage.

"He's safe. Bob took him to open the way to the laboratory."

"What is the lab?"

Godric took a steadying breath and focused on figuring out where the Death Eaters and Tom were heading. According to the wards, most of the invaders were on the seventh floor and a vast majority were heading to the Fat Lady. A few others were heading somewhere else - somewhere he couldn't quite figure out yet. He said the one thing he hoped would make them move faster 'You might know it as the Chamber of Secrets' and sure enough, the children's footsteps quickened.

Neville nodded at Godric and stepped into the hallway to help Hermione.

"Alicia, did you catch the directions?"

"I did." The girl still looked dubious.

"You will lead this group. I am trusting you to do as I say and lead these children to safety."

"What if you're wrong?"

Twin Two placed a hand on her shoulder, before Godric could reply. "Alicia, trust him. Question later. We need to move."

She looked torn, but eventually nodded.

"Upper years, take a younger year and -"

"You're a nutter," someone gasped. "Bloody mad. Do you honestly think we believe you?"

Godric sent a burst of magic at the girl, silencing her, not even bothering to look over. "Twin One, take her with you."

Said twin went, grabbed the girl gently by the arm, and led her away. "I have her silenced now, Ric," he said as the two disappeared into the tunnel and Godric released his spell.

He turned back to order the upper years into position, but the Head Girl already had been putting together partners. Within a few minutes they were all set and Alicia began walking forward. A few pairs had made it into the passageway when the pounding on the Fat Lady began. A few younger children began crying and screaming, but the older students quickly got them quiet and continued to usher them away.

Godric knelt once more, his grip firm on his sword so it wouldn't bang on the floor. He placed his free hand on the stone and chanted, "Bidh luchd-dìon ag èirigh. Tha an t-àm ann a bhith a 'dìon agus a' sabaid airson na cloinne." When finished, he sent a strong, magical pulse that ran quickly through the school and towards the guardians he had created so long ago.

- - - - Salazar - - - -

Salazar was relieved to see Helga leading her students. He wanted to ditch these children and their questions. It was in front of the actual laboratory door that he stopped and turned. He called out, "Silence!" When that didn't work he sighed and sent out a spell that filled the corridor, "Sàmhchair!"

And he had his blissful silence at last... except someone was panicking and he could suddenly hear their thoughts screaming in the stillness. Salazar decided to speak, "My name is not Tracey Davis. I am Salazar Slytherin. This…" Helga was giggling. She covered her mouth, turned her head, but she simply could not hide her humor as her shoulders shook. Salazar crossed his arms and asked, "What is so funny?"

"I am Salazar Slytherin." Helga laughed as she repeated the words. "Oh, if Godric was only here to hear you say that again!"

Salazar opened his mouth to rebut and shut it just as quickly. "Oh bollocks." He huffed and said, "This is Helga Hufflepuff, for any that did not already figure that out and do stop laughing at me… you're not helping."

"Sorry, sorry, do continue… this is Salazar, the mean muggle hating…" Unable to continue, she broke into laughter once more, and Salazar shook his head in amusement.

"This is why we love you so." Salazar looked at the dumbfounded children. "Right. We have returned to keep you safe. Listen closely for I will not repeat myself. I do not hate muggles. I do not hate muggleborn. And if you bring up that idiot Tom again, I will hex you and feed you to Ismanna!"

"Salazar!" Hegla reprimanded. "He will not feed you to Ismanna. You'd give the poor dear heartburn."

"You're right, I won't." Salazar shrugged. "I won't be down here long enough to care. Do not touch anything within the laboratory."

He put his hand on the door and gave it a pulse of magic. The snakes moved instantly and someone nearby whispered, "We're going into the Chamber of Secrets?"

Salazar didn't say anything, but shot a look at Helga. She shrugged innocently, but he knew she was the one to lift his spell. She was the only one around them that was magically strong enough. "Do not scream when you see Ismanna. You will hurt her feelings. Yes, she is a basilisk. Yes, she can kill with a look. No, she will not kill any of the students, regardless of blood status so do not ask her to. It is Ismanna's job to protect all that reside within the castle. Any more questions have to wait. Now, let's go."

- - - - Godric - - - -

Godric sent a quick message stating that the last of the Gryffindors were on their way. Standing back up, he found a dozen students left still making their way out. Twin Two was last with two tiny first year boys standing near him. He walked over to them and they waited, one of the small boys coming to stand by Godric, shoulders shaking with fear and wide eyes as he kept looking over at the portrait hole. "Are-are you really?"

"Yes." The effort it took to not roll his eyes was quite large, but Godric was pleased when he was able to refrain.

Twin Two started going down the tunnel with his child and Godric ushered his after them. Once they were out of the Common Room, Godric placed his hand on the stone wall near the entry and said, "Dùin agus seulaich," and the castle covered the way to the Common Room. The only way left was forward. He turned to the child beside him and grinned. "As I was saying, yes, but you can still call me Ric. What's your name?"

He began leading them after the twin and the boy scrambled to keep up with the pace that the others had set. "E-Euan."

"That's a strong name."

"I-is it?"

"Mhmm... it means born of the yew tree."

They began down the stairs and Godric silenced their steps. The area was eerily quiet except for the conversations to keep the students calm.

"And that's... strong?"

"Yew trees signify change after adversity and they are long-lasting."

"That sounds good."

He grinned at the boy. "Names are only half the battle, the rest is up to you."

"You know what names mean?"

Godric shrugged. "Mum always says that names are the foundation for who a person is. She taught me, and a few names have stuck with me."

They neared the end of the tunnel and paused, waiting for the twin and his first year to step into the corridor. Once they did, Godric and Euan stepped closer to the corridor opening. Checking the wards, Godric found that none of Tom's minions were nearby.

A hand gripped Godric's, and the man glanced down and smiled at the boy. "Good lad, keep close. I'll get you to safety. I swear."

"Why did you come back?"

"Come back?"

"Here. After you all died. You still came back."

"We did." Godric peeked out of the exit and glanced around. He saw the twin disappearing into the next passageway. Keeping a firm grip on the boy, he led them into the open before taking him into the next hidden hallway. "We made sure that if we were needed again, we would come back to make certain no harm came to any of our students."

"All? Even... Even Slytherin?"

"Especially Salazar. He is a healer, the well being of our students is important to him." Godric nearly had to drag the frozen boy the next few steps to the exit of the second tunnel. No enemies were near them, but there were now groups that were splitting up and heading down to different floors, some even using secret passages. "Now, Euan, this is the longest amount of time we'll be out in the open. I need you to keep as silent as you can, alright?"

The boy nodded, his hand holding Godric's tight and unrelenting.

"On three, we're leaving here and going down the right hallway. All the way to the gargoyle. One, two, three."

- - - - Laboratory - - - -

The resident ghosts sporadically arrived within the laboratory. They were tasked to keep an eye on the children since they were unable to do any battle.

Cuthbert came floating in, his notes held in front of his face as he shuffled them around, and muttering to himself, "I am so close, but I'm missing something." The sound of children had his head snapping up and staring in wonder at the sight. He looked around, nearly frantic, and caught sight of Helga.

"Lady Helga," his panicked voice had everyone coming to attention and staring at him, "why are there children here? I don't understand. Has something changed to allow the children access to the laboratory? And, dear me, is that a basilisk? She's lovely."

Helga laughed. "Hello, Cuthbert. It is good to see you. There has been an emergency." Salazar stepped forward to stand beside her.

"But it isn't safe. There are experiments and - Duke Slytherin, my lord," Cuthbert hastily bowed, "forgive me, I did not see you. If you believe it is necessary, I will be over... here..." he drifted over to a corner "... with my notes."

- - - - Salazar - - - -

Salazar was ready to strangle a few students in his house. Spouting idiocy that Tom had said before; did these children not have minds of their own? He spoke swiftly in parseltongue, "Keep them safe, my queen; even if that means petrifying them."

"You're a parseltongue?"

"What part of I am Salazar Slytherin did you not understand?" Salazar shook his head and walked away. "Imbeciles. I'm surrounded by imbeciles! The basilisk will keep you safe. Pucey, stay here and watch over them."

"Davis! Salazar?" Pucey called out and jogged after him.

"Sal is fine." Salazar motioned with his hand for him to speak, asking, "What is so important that it cannot wait?"

"It's Montague." Pucey looked at the gathered Hufflepuffs and Slytherins. "He's missing."

"No, he isn't missing. Montague opened the way for the others." Closing his eyes, Salazar searched the wards and shook his head. "There are so many moving..." Salazar's gaze hardened as he looked up at Pucey. "As I suspected, he's still with the Death Eaters."

"You're not going to kill him, are you?" Pucey asked. "He's an idiot, but he's still just a kid."

"That depends on him," Salazar admitted and held his hand out towards one of his workstations. The case that had been sitting there flew to his hand. Next he summoned the empty prophecy orb. "If he attacks first, I will not hesitate. He brought these people to my school. He endangered the students." Salazar looked at the case in his hand then gave it over to Pucey, carefully placing the orb in his pocket. "This has healing potions and salves in it. You should not need them, but just in case..."

Pucey nodded. "Okay."

"Stay together. Together we're strong. Remember that." Salazar turned and had to stop because the small toy dragon came flying to him. Salazar sighed softly. He had forgotten the small thing had been staying in the laboratory with Ismanna since Harry's cleansing and allowed the dragon to curl up on his shoulder before he left. He caught up with Helga and the pair moved swiftly to the end of the slide to guide the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor students to the laboratory.

- - - - Rowena - - - -

There was a commotion in front of the door. Harry stiffened, his wand drawn as he took up position in front of her. Rowena found it adorably Godric-like and didn't hide her smile. Unfortunately the situation they were currently in was nothing to be taken lightly and the noise was not stopping until there was a thud against the door. Angelina opened the bathroom door allowing George - carrying his young sister, Ginevra - inside first.

"Ah," Rowena said with a frown. "I hadn't thought about her circumstances."

"Second year?" Harry asked, as his wand lowered to his side.

"Indeed," Rowena agreed. She asked George, "I assume she panicked upon seeing where she was being led?"

George set Ginevra on the stone floor as others began trickling into the bathroom. "Yeah. She didn't want to come in. I had to silence her, Angelina finally stunned her. I just... couldn't do it."

"Salazar will have calming draughts in the laboratory for any that require it." Rowena looked at the slide and back to George to ask, "How do you intend on getting her down there?"

"Easy," George said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

George jumped in first, Angelina dropped Ginevera in after him. Once they heard George claim he had hold of his sister again, Angelina looked at Rowena and gave her a crooked smile. "It's easier than dealing with a hysterical teenager."

- - - - Godric - - - -

Godric had to tug Euan out of the alcove and into the open space. The boy's breath came out raggedly, but after the first couple of steps, he kept pace with Godric with ease. When they made it to the gargoyle, Godric rapped the nose with his free hand.

The gargoyle lept aside and Godric whispered, "Tapadh leat. Faodaidh tu a dhol còmhla ris an t-sabaid a dh 'aithghearr." The gargoyle vibrated, but settled into place and blocked the way in once the two were inside.

"Almost there, Euan."

The boy nodded, sniffling and trembling.

Finally they made it to the second floor. After a quick check, he knew there was no one except students nearby.

He elbowed the large painting open and moved Euan forward and into the girl's loo.

There, the entrance to the laboratory stood open. Harry stood beside it with Twin One-Two (he didn't have the patience to tell who stayed and who went ahead). "Rowena," he breathed out. "All your students?"

She smiled warmly at Godric. "Safe."

- - - - Salazar - - - -

"Really?" Salazar crossed his arms over his chest as he glared at the idiotic students. "You've known me for five years, but now that you know my true identity, now you hate me on principle?"

"I've always hated you and I was right!" Ronald bloody Weasley spat at him.

Twin Two sighed and silenced his little brother. "Sorry. I thought I had him."

Salazar waved him off as Luna smiled and spoke out from the crowd, "I don't hate you."

He smiled in gratitude. "Thank you, Gealach." He looked down the tunnel and asked, "Can you two lead them to the laboratory?"

"I can," Luna said in her sing-song fashion and moved forward to pet the dragon, rubbing her finger over its head. The toy preened at the attention and Salazar swiftly scooped the dragon into the girl's hands.

"Take him with you."

"Okay!" Luna beamed and began moving down the tunnel in the direction Helga had already gone with the first group of students: half Gryffindors, half Ravenclaws. The steady arrival of students was slowing now, but he hadn't received a signal that they were all safe.

"Well?" Salazar asked, "What are you waiting for?"

One of the upperclassmen huffed, crossing his arms. Salazar didn't recall this one's name, but he did not have time for this. He made eye contact and sent a compulsion charm. The boy frowned, then followed Luna stating, "I should go..."

- - - - Godric - - - -

Godric grinned and brought Euan forward who looked shell shocked at seeing Rowena. "Ready for the fun part, Euan?"

"There's a fun part?"

He pointed at the gigantic entrance. "You get to slide to safety. No one but us can enter."

The boy finally smiled at Godric. "I suppose that sounds fun."

"Go on, now. You'll go with him?" He asked the twin, who nodded.

"Of course."

Before the two disappeared, Terrance appeared, causing Euan to squeak and accidently step into the tunnel. Twin One-Two had tried to grab the boy to keep him steady, but the two tumbled down the slide. Godric smiled at the laughter that bubbled upwards towards them a few moments later.

He turned to Terrance who spoke immediately, "All students are accounted for except Montague. We will be gathering in the laboratory to help keep an eye on the students," and with that, Terrance floated through the floor and towards - presumably - the laboratory.

"Now what?" Harry asked as he fidgeted. "Where do we start looking for Voldemort first?" Godric moved forward towards Harry, the boy looking at him with a fierce look of determination. "I can help you this time. You won't have to keep me behind a barrier to keep me safe."

"You're right," Godric said as he sent a pulse through his ring: Angry Harry incoming. "You can help me." He placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, turning so that Harry's back was fully to the large hole.

"What do you need me to do?"

"Stay safe so I can focus on my duty." He pushed Harry, summoning the boy's invisibility cloak. The last thing he saw was the utter betrayal on the boy's face, and the last thing he heard was the scream of absolute fury.

- - - - Salazar - - - -

A familiar presence was soon behind him, Twin One had arrived. Salazar relaxed, knowing someone reliable was with him. He turned to him and stated, "Harry's on his way down."

"That must be the yelling I hear." Twin One helped steady a young boy to his feet. "Alright there?"

"Are these... bo-bones?"

"Yes," Salazar answered and the boy stared at him, his mouth silently restating 'bones.' Chuckling Salazar gestured for them to keep going. "Wait until you see Ismanna."

"I've been looking forward to meeting her," Twin One admitted.

The young boy looked up at the twin with wide eyed wonder. "Who is Ismanna?"

Twin One spoke conspiratorially, "A huge basilisk!"

"Woah," He said, his voice just as filled with wonder as the twin's, but followed up with, "What's a basilisk?"

Salazar frowned, Harry was coming too quickly down the slide. He casted a cushioning charm moments before the boy would have thudded onto the pile of bones. There was a solid crunching sound that caused Salazar to grimace. "Up you go, Harry. You don't want to be there when the next person lands." Harry scowled at Salazar and the man blinked in surprise. "What did I do?"

"You're in cahoots with Ric!"

"I can assure you, I did not 'cahoot' with anyone," Salazar said with sincerity, "but I won't lie and say I'm not pleased you're here."

- - - - Godric - - - -

Godric held out his hand to Rowena, the Invisibility Cloak dangling from his fingers. "Hold onto this for me? I can't keep it safe and fight at the same time."

Rowena smiled at him tenderly as she grabbed the cloak. She reached out with her free hand and cupped his cheek. "Of course. I will see you soon." She bent down and brushed her lips over his forehead before she jumped down after Harry.

Godric watched his friend disappear to the laboratory below. All students, safe and accounted for. He breathed a sigh of relief and sent a message to Salazar to close the entrance and seal it so no one could use it to enter.

He had a battle to focus on.

- - - - Salazar - - - -

Harry huffed and crossed his arms. Salazar could feel Rowena's presence coming swiftly and moved forward to send a slowing charm up the slide. "Rowena's coming, I need you to clear the landing area."

Harry looked behind him and sighed exaggeratedly. "Fine."

Salazar removed the spell once she was safe to land and moments later, Rowena came out giggling. "That is such fun. Why ever did we not come down in this fashion before?" Salazar helped her to her feet. Rowena didn't wait for an answer and turned to the annoyed teen. "Come along, Harry. I need you to help me keep those children in line. There is the entirety of the student body in the laboratory. Can you imagine the mischief those twins will cause?"

Harry looked defiantly at Salazar and the man sighed. "I can lie and say I will stay with you. Or you can listen closely for I haven't the time to indulge your sensitivities. It is my responsibility to see to your safety. While you are quite capable against your classmates, these individuals that have invaded our school are here for one reason and one reason only: to cause as much pain and death as possible."

"I can-"

"Are you willing to kill someone?"

"What?"

"That is what you will be expected to do if you leave with me. So think carefully." Salazar gave Harry a beat to think over his answer and then asked again, "Are you willing to kill someone?"

"No..." Harry looked at his feet and sighed. "You better be careful. I don't want to have to tell our parents that you got yourself hurt because you refused to let me stand at your side."

Our parents. Salazar gave the boy a smile and a nod. "I will. Please, take care of the children. They won't all listen, there may be bickering. And only you can talk with Ismanna."

"Okay." Harry only hesitated a moment before giving Salazar a hug.

When their embrace ended Rowena gave Salazar's hand a squeeze. Then she slipped her hand into the crook of Harry's arm, much as she had at the Yule Ball, and the two started their way down the tunnel towards the laboratory. She confessed, "There's another reason I'd like you there with me. I noted a disturbing number of students that were pleased at hearing Tom has returned. I saw their reactions at the Farewell Feast last year while Dumbledore said his little spiel regarding Godric's adventure to the graveyard. While I haven't a clue what mischief they may attempt, I'm counting on your sharp eyes, and ability to speak with Ismanna, to help me keep the innocents safe."

Salazar touched the wall beside the long slide and felt the wards react. He could just hear the rumble from above echoing down to him. He did as directed: the entrance was once more closed, sealed, and warded. Taking a calming breath, Salazar focused on what was to come. "Gus Godric a ghiùlan."


Google Translate Time:

Dachaigh = home

Mamaidh! Tha e an seo, tha e an seo! Tha mi duilich.

Mummy! He's here, he's here! I'm sorry.

Sàmhchair = Silence

Gheall mi, [name], m 'anam don sgoil. Thug mi mionnan airson a 'chlann a dhìon. Tha an t-àm ann a bhith ag ath-aithris na bha againn. Mar sin a bhios e.

I, [name], pledged my soul to the school. I swore to protect the children. The time has come to reclaim what was ours. So shall it be. (So mote it be)

Airson na cloinne. Atharraich agus cùm sàbhailte.

For the children. Change and keep safe.

A-nis = Now

Bidh luchd-dìon ag èirigh. Tha an t-àm ann a bhith a 'dìon agus a' sabaid.

Guardians arise. The time has come to protect and fight.

Dùin agus seulaich = Close and seal

Tapadh leat. Faodaidh tu a dhol còmhla ris an t-sabaid a dh 'aithghearr. = Thank you. You can join the fight soon.

Also: Jackin is the Fat friar