Disclaimer: All charcters and world concepts are property of J.K. Rowling

Disclaimer: This is not the work of CNG25 but that of Lilausty, originally published on harrypotterfanfiction-dot-com.

Chapter 14: Iddy Biddy Baby Potter Has Found Some Friends

Harry threw himself to the floor, only narrowly avoiding a particularly nasty looking orange spell. He silently cast a sticking charm on his cloak so that he didn't have to worry about it flying off. He couldn't see any of the Founders as they were not yet shooting off spells.

The Death Eaters had stopped casting spells and were stalking into the house, looking around carefully. It was impossible to recognise any of them, as they were in full robes and masks, but he could automatically tell that a relatively short Death Eater was in charge, merely by the way the others got out of his or her way.

A male voice spoke up from one of the Death Eaters that had walked towards the kitchen, "There is no one here! They must be upstairs, though I do not understand how they could not have heard us and come down to investigate."

A cruel laugh emanated from the short Death Eater, and a woman's voice replied, "What you do not understand Crabbe would fill up the Hogwarts Library. The day you figure out what one plus one is, is the day I kiss Potter's shoes."

An overwhelming wave of anger and hatred washed over Harry as he recognised Bellatrix Lestrange's voice. If it wasn't for the little voice that was not his own telling him to sit still and not attack, he would have tried to kill her then and there. He couldn't see Fawkes, but that didn't stop the flow of words between the two of them.

Meanwhile Bellatrix was still talking, "Avery, Goyle, go upstairs and bring down whoever you find. No playing, you understand me?"

There were a couple of grunts and two of the black clothed people started to head for the stairs. Harry, not willing to let them past the first step sidled past them, stood before them completely invisible and smirked. He waved his wand silently at the floor.

CRASH!

The two slipped on the floor which had turned to ice and landed on their behinds. Several of the other Death Eaters roared with laughter, but Bellatrix was obviously not amused as she lazily raised her wand saying, "Crucio!"

Not knowing if the spell was meant for him or the downed Death Eaters Harry raised a shield, but felt no impact. Only a long agonizing scream reached him as Goyle writhed on the floor in pain. As she lifted the curse she removed her mask, her eyes glinting black as she surveyed the stairs.

Harry couldn't help but shudder at the evil that was staring almost straight at him. It was incredible that he could stand in Voldemort's presence and not cower in fear, but that Bellatrix could manage to get a reaction out of him.

She whispered, "It seems that someone is here after all." She raised her wand and pointed it at the stairs, and Harry realised her plan. He started to back up the stairs, trying to keep as quiet as possible, but he wasn't quick enough.

"Stupefy!" she snarled, and a red beam of light hurled its way towards Harry who was forced to raise a shield and block it.

Immediately the spell dispersed, but it also gave away his position and Bellatrix smiled, "Gotcha!"

Knowing that he couldn't hide any longer, Harry whirled the cloak off, not wanting to be impeded by it and pointed his wand back at the somewhat stunned Bellatrix. He sneered at her, "You haven't got anything, murderer!"

Her smile widened, "Aw, is iddy biddy baby Potter still upset that I killed his godfather?"

He glared at her, "Yep." Remembering his duel with Tonks, he decided to go on the offensive and try and catch them off guard. Also, knowing that the four founders were somewhere in the room gave him great comfort. "Stupefy!"

Bellatrix blocked it, laughing "Aww iddy biddy Potter wants to play! How cute, but you are going to have to do better than that. Let me show you, crucio!"

Harry jumped to the side, flattening himself to the banister and just avoided the curse, however, Bellatrix was only just getting started as she started hurling spell after spell at him. Forced to raise a shield, he started backing up the stairs to give himself more room, but he also realised that he would be separated from the founders.

Cursing himself for his stupidness and continued to block spell after spell until an almighty roar reverberated around the room as a barrage of spells from four different places in the room were unleased. Several of the Death Eaters were down before they could even blink, but most had managed to avoid the onslaught and were desperately trying to block the spells coming from hidden enemies.

Bellatrix snarled, blocking a couple that came at her which gave Harry enough time to turn around and dash up the stairs. He launched himself into the master bedroom, where, as he expected Vernon and Petunia were cowering. He panted, "Go, get out of here, anyway you can! Out the window, just GO!" the spiteful part of himself was asking him why on earth he was risking his life for them, but the honourable part of Harry was yelling louder saying that if they died he would blame himself.

While Vernon turned to do as commanded, Petunia was looking behind Harry, her face paling dramatically. Harry whirled around, already raising a shield to intercept the curse thrown at him by a sneering Bellatrix. She continued to cast spells at him, blocking easily any that he sent at her as she talked.

"How sweet, baby Potter to the rescue! Pity that this one will work about as well as your last one. Always the hero, never the victor, you are pathetic. Even your friends downstairs are not going to be able to help you, I am not allowed to kill you." She looked genuinely disappointed about this but then she gave a feline grin that almost made Harry step back, "But that doesn't mean I can't play a little! Do you want to play itsy bitsy baby Potter?"

All of a sudden, she stepped up the offensive, and Harry found himself hard pressed to block, let alone return any form of attack. She continued giggling as she threw spell after spell until a particularly powerful cruciatus curse broke its way through his defences.

Harry's mind went blank with agony, and he only vaguely felt himself collapse to the floor, trying to contain the scream that was forcing its way out of his throat. He couldn't hear Bellatrix's laughing, he couldn't even understand the words that Fawkes was whispering through his head. All that was there was the pain, eating away at his consciousness.

He didn't know how long she had held the curse on him, but it felt like hours though in reality it probably was only a couple of minutes. All of a sudden the pain stopped, and Harry looked up, his eyes watering slightly and his glasses askew. He blurrily made out the figure of Bellatrix on her knees blinking in astonishment, her hand pressed against a bleeding gash that ran along her calf.

Looking behind her, he saw Helga Hufflepuff glaring down at the Death Eater, fury written across every inch of her face. Bellatrix pulled herself up to her feet, her wand still pointing at Harry as she half faced Helga who said, "Now that isn't very nice my dear. Why don't you pick on someone a little closer to your age?"

If he hadn't been in so much pain Harry would have laughed at the extremely ironic statement. Bellatrix however, surveyed Helga through narrowed eyes. Dropping the childish voice she demanded, "Who are you that you dare to cross wands with me?"

Helga smiled, "Who I am is not important, besides you already know of me, you just need to search your memory. I actually came up here to give you some advice."

Bellatrix looked surprised "Oh? And what would that be mmm?"

"Retreat. Now."

Bellatrix blinked in astonishment before throwing her head back and cackling, "Retreat? From a chubby woman who has probably never duelled in her life? I don't think so, or have your forgotten that I hold a wand on your precious Potter? Forgotten that I have 15 Death Eaters downstairs to call upon?"

Helga raised her eyes and her wand, "Chubby? I prefer the term curvaceous…"

Bellatrix snorted, "I am sure you do."

"… and as far as your vaunted forces, you should know that 4 are dead and the rest have fled in terror like the cowards they are. My friends will be up any second."

For the first time, Bellatrix looked unsure and her eyes flicked to Harry, the Dursleys and back to Helga. A thumping sound reverberated around as Godric, Salazar and Rowena came into view, obviously having finished with securing downstairs. They took in the situation in a blink of an eye, and before you could say wand, three more were pointed directly at the Death Eater.

Realising that she truly was outmatched, especially since they had defeated all of her forces, Bellatrix locked yes with Helga, "You will regret the day you ever crossed me witch!"

Salazar drawled, "My dear, I think she just insulted you!"

Helga laughed, "How can it be an insult when it is what I am?" she looked back at Bellatrix, "I look forward to when we will meet again, though I doubt you will! Now get out of here before we decide to kill you now and be done with it!"

Throwing a venomous look at Harry, who was still lying on the floor watching the proceedings with a mixture of hatred and amusement, she disapparated. Harry breathed a sigh as Helga rushed over to him, followed by Salazar. "Are you alright Harry?" she asked as he pushed himself off the floor and stood up gingerly.

He nodded his head, "yeah, I'm all good, though I wouldn't say no to some Panadol!"

The founders looked confused but Petunia, finding her voice said, "I-I have some downstairs."

Having forgotten that they were there, the four founders and Harry turned to face them. Harry raised an eyebrow, "It was an expression Aunt, I seriously doubt that it would help at all."

She lowered her eyes, cheeks going red with embarrassment while Vernon puffed out his chest, "She was offering to help you ungrateful brat!"

Godric nearly pulled a wand on him, "Ungrateful? You – you, argh I don't even have an insult good enough for you! Did you not just notice that Harry saved your lives nearly at the cost of his own? Or are you so thick or blind that the duel in front of you didn't register? How dare you treat him like dirt when you should be kissing the ground he walks on?"

Vernon looked like he was going to explode but before anything else could be said, Rowena interrupted, "Enough with the insults already! We will just repair your lounge room and leave. With any luck, Harry will never lay eyes on you again. Under no circumstances are you to ever contact him, is that understood?" she fixed them with a stare that was reminiscent of Professor McGonagall.

Vernon snorted, "And why on earth would we want to?"

Salazar drawled, "You might be surprised. Next time Death Eaters come knocking on your door you may wish you had him here. It was merely coincidence that we were here when they came, next time you will not be so lucky. Think on that Dursley!" With that he waved his wand with a great cry of "Reparo Maxima!" before gesturing for the others to join him downstairs.

Harry took a couple of steps forward before he had to lean on the wall, his head spinning dangerously. In a flash Godric was next to him, supporting him gently with a concerned look on his face, "How long did she hold the curse on you for?"

Harry shrugged, "I dunno, longer than I have ever had it before though." He closed his eyes slightly as Salazar walked back to him.

He surveyed Harry through narrowed eyes before calling out "FAWKES! Take Harry back to the Nest now! We will follow. Do not let him leave!"

Harry didn't even register Fawkes claws gripping his shoulder gently, or the disappearing of Number 4 Private Drive. As soon as the arrived at Hogwarts, Fawkes easily lifted him and placed him on the bed saying "If I were you, I would lay down. When held for extensive periods of time the cruciatus curse causes extensive damage. It may be that you are suffering from some of the effects. Do not worry though, Salazar will sort you out and you will be in a couple of hours."

Harry nodded wearily, his body starting to tremble slightly as the pain in his nerves started to increase again. There was a loud CRACK and a groan, before Harry felt a cool hand pressed against his head.

Vaguely he heard Salazar say, "Dobby, I need you to get me some purple lignat scales, Winky please get a good fire going and bring me lots of hot water. You three, just stay out of the way!"

There was a chorus of assents and a couple of cracks and Harry lost the fight to remain conscious.

The first thing Harry was aware of was that he didn't hurt anymore, the second was soft voice murmuring over him, "Do not fret Helga, he should be coming around any minute now." He recognised Salazar's voice.

"But why was he so affected? She couldn't have held it on him for any more than 3 minutes? Long enough sure, but not to cause that much damage" Helga responded.

There was a sigh from Salazar, "My guess is that when it broke through his shield, it was somehow amplified sort of like the sun's light being intensified when going through glass at a certain angle."

Harry, finding that he could open his eyes, did so, squinting at the brightness that invaded his pupils. He almost jumped as he felt a hand on his shoulder but Godric swam into view grinning slightly, "So, finally awake are you? You know you gave us a right good scare there Harry! I hope there won't be too many of them, I don't think my poor heart could take it!"

Harry gave a weak grin in return, "I'll try not to sir."

Salazar rolled his eyes, "Looks like he is reverting back to old habits."

Helga smiled, "Hardly old, considering we have only known each other for a little over a day." She turned back to Harry and gently helped him sit up before hugging him tightly.

Surprise was written all over his face, but he returned the hug just as tightly much to Helga's delight and Salazar's amusement. Once she moved aside Salazar knelt down before him with a slight frown on his face, "Now, I need to ask you some questions, just answer them as you see fit. Ok?"

Harry nodded looking slightly confused but Salazar dove right in, "What is your full name?"

"Harry James Potter."

"When were you born?"

"July 31st 1980)

"Do you know where you are?"

By this stage Harry knew that he was checking to see if he was in his right mind so he decided to have a little fun, "Of course I do, I am down at the beach at Hastings!" He almost laughed aloud at the look on Helga, Rowena and Godric's faces but Salazar merely nodded and continued to ask questions.

"What is my name?"

"Bob the builder, and before you ask, yes I know who these others are, they are, Dizzy, Lofy and Muck!"

Harry could see that Salazar knew exactly what he was doing by the twinkle in his eye, but the other three were looking more and more worried. Harry looked over at Fawkes and exclaimed, "Oh and there is Spud!"

Fawkes snorted "That is hardly an endearing name Harry, and I hope you know you look like you are going to give Rowena a heart attack. I think Salazar is proud though."

Harry sent back a wave of amusement as Salazar asked a final question, "Lastly Harry, do you have a destiny and if so what it is?"

Harry threw him a shocked look, pondering how to answer, "Of course I do! But I cannot tell you what it is, as even I do not know what the future holds."

Salazar nodded before turning back to his fearful and confused companions, "Well, there has been no damage from the curse, he is fine."

Helga shot him an incredulous look as Godric burst out, "How can you say that? He is loopier than Lady Gemins' hair!"

Salazar frowned, "Firstly, do not insult the hair, I had a personal involvement with it, and secondly…" he merely grinned before going and sitting down, gesturing for Harry to join him.

Harry carefully made his way over to a sofa and sat down smiling brightly at the other three founders. Finally unable to hold back his laughter any more he chuckled, "Oh if only you lot could have seen your faces!"

He promptly started laughing even harder with Salazar joining in as a wave of confusion working its way across their faces. Finally catching on, Rowena turned a bright shade of red and started glaring darkly at Harry. The other two were not far behind and within seconds, Harry feared for his life.

"I-I'm sorry!" he choked on his laughter, "I couldn't help myself though. You were all so serious even though I was fine."

Salazar grinned, patting him on the back, "It is quite alright Harry, they are used to me pulling the same sort of jokes on them. They'll get over it, they just weren't expecting you to do something like that during a serious examination. I must say though, I am certainly glad that some of my genes seem to have found their way into your own!"

Harry nodded before a look of confusion crossed his face, "Hang on! How do you know what genes are? Weren't they a modern discovery?"

Salazar raised an eyebrow while Rowena snorted, "Perhaps for muggles they were, but the magical community discovered DNA around 50BC."

Harry's jaw dropped, "If they were so advanced, why on earth did they stop at the medieval level of technology? For most things I mean?"

Rowena shrugged, "You're asking us? You are the one who is living in this age you know! Perhaps the magical community just got dumb."

"Or arrogant." Godric supplied.

"Or isolated." Helga said.

Harry nodded, "It has certainly is all of that and more. I guess they figured they were so far advanced of muggles they decided not to bother trying to better themselves. The funny thing is, muggles have so far past the magical community and yet wizards and witches still look down on them. There is so much we could learn, but the pure bloods think them inferior."

Godric agreed, "Yes, I wish I could see the faces of a lot of the 'old' families if and when they realise they are living in substandard conditions while muggles are living the high life!"

Helga pierced Harry with a stare, "Moving on past the inferiority of the magical community, we need to talk about your actions at your relatives house. Particularly when the, I am assuming they were Death Eaters, showed up."

Harry winced, expecting to be given a lecture. All four founders were now looking at him with serious stares and Salazar started off, "Don't look so scared Harry, we are not going to take your head off. However, I must ask, why didn't you do as we said and leave?"

Staring t his hands he replied, "I am sorry Salazar, its just I have been treated like child for so long, always told to hide even though I can fight. It is an automatic response for me now to just ignore all orders given by adults, no matter who they come from because they have led me wrong so many times. The last time I obeyed an adult was the night Dumbledore died, and I cannot help but think that if I had disobeyed him, he might still be alive today!"

Helga sighed, "Harry none of us see you as a child, and we of course know that you can and must fight. But you need to choose your battles carefully! I know in my heart that Dumbledore would have died no matter what, and that he was proud that you did do as he said. Do not blame yourself!"

Godric continued, his deep voice filled with sympathy and wisdom, "You have grown up being bullied and controlled by adults your whole life, so instead of relying on them for care and love, you see them merely as other humans who think they are better than you, but essentially are fools. Correct?"

Harry stared at the lion founder, shocked at having his feelings put into such simple terms. After a moment he nodded replying, "I was never able to be a child, I had to rely on myself completely. When I came to Hogwarts, and adults tried to care for me I felt they were just trying another form of control. I didn't know how to handle it except to do as I had always done and just ignore them and go my own way. Of course that just made them think I was an arrogant sod who thought he was better than everyone else."

Salazar grinned, "Harry, you are arrogant, and rightly so! But it is not a bad thing, you do not think you are better than your friends, just people who have proved unworthy of you."

Harry looked up at the four, "So you aren't angry at me?"

Rowena snorted, "Well, it would have been nice for you to have left right away, if only to save poor Godric's heart when he found out that you had been under the cruciatus curse. What were you thinking, taking her on by yourself?"

Harry sighed, "She killed my godfather, and besides I didn't intend to start a duel with her!"

Rowena's face reflected a mixture of intense sympathy and exasperation as Helga wrapped her arm around him, "Oh I am so sorry for letting her go! I should have just killed her when I had the chance Harry."

Harry looked at the kind hearted lady in surprise, "Kill her? You?"

Salazar snorted, "Impertinent boy aren't you Harry? You would be surprised to know then that dear Helga has killed her fair share of Dark Wizards?"

Harry looked with renewed respect at the woman whose arm was wrapped tightly around him and whose eyes were dancing with amusement. He opened his mouth to apologise but she got there first, "I do not pay attention to Salazar Harry, I have gotten used to people thinking that I am too much of a softy to wish to harm anyone. If I had my way, I wouldn't have to, but unfortunately living during a war means we aren't given the luxury of choosing our roles."

Harry nodded in understanding, thinking of the prophecy and his own role in the war. He looked into her eyes before glancing at the others, "There is a question that I always meant to ask Dumbledore, but never had the chance. Is using dark magic, even for a good cause, wrong?"

Godric turned his head to the side, "What is dark magic Harry?"

Harry blinked, "What?"

Salazar snorted, "It wasn't a difficult question. What do you consider to be dark magic? So many things have changed since our time that I believe the definition between light and dark magic would also be different."

Harry shrugged, "Well, my understanding is that dark magic involves any spell that can physically or mentally harm a living creature."

Rowena looked incredulous, "But…a simple incendo spell can do that!"

Harry's forehead creased, "Come to think of it, you are right! Yet that has never been identified as a dark spell. Perhaps the line isn't as black and white as some people say."

Godric nodded, "Things seldom are Harry. However, I think I know what that particular definition was referring to, and in answer to your question, using dark magic is not only necessary in war, but can do far more good than harm."

Helga, who still had her arms around Harry continued, "Imagine if you were in charge of protect a bunch of children all under 5. A group of evil wizards come and attack you. You can either try and fight them using 'light' magic, which really is based upon defensive techniques. Or you can use 'dark' magic and take them all out, thereby saving the children's lives."

Salazar butted in, "Helga raises a good point, one which I hadn't considered. It seems that all light magic is defensive while dark magic is offensive. If this truly is the case, then how could you be expected to kill Voldemort without using dark magic?"

Harry looked confused, "But isn't a stunning spell offensive? It is a light spell but can incapacitate an individual…"

"…Until he is revived by one of his fellows, which takes all of a moment."Salazar drawled.

Harry sighed, "Point taken I suppose."

Rowena placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, "I think the simplest way to decide whether or not you should use dark magic is to examine the situation. Is your or someone else's life in danger? Is the opposition too advanced to be knocked out by simple tactics? And what is your motive for using the spells? If you are not powered by revenge and hatred then using the spells will not make you 'dark'.

Harry snorted, "Sounds like a jedi thing."

"A…what?" Rowena asked, confusion on her face.

"Oh, just a philosophy thing that was described in a movie. Jedi were these warriors that had special powers, but depending on how they used them, determined if they were good or bad." Harry explained, grinning slightly.

"What is a movie?" Godric asked curiously.

Harry sighed, "it is a muggle invention used for entertainment. The wizarding community doesn't have anything remotely like it so unless you have seen one, you can't really understand what I mean. The closest thing I can relate it to is a moving photograph. But it is much more complicated than that."

Helga smiled, "Well, you will have to show us one of them sometime. In the meantime, I have a question for you…have you told your friends about us yet?"

Harry inwardly winced, but shook his head, "No, I told them that I would be spending my nights in another room, but not that there would be anyone other than Fawkes with me."

Helga sighed, "Harry…"

"Look, Hermione would insist on telling an adult that you are here. Even though she doesn't trust the Order any more than I do, she still things adults are wiser and therefore reliable. I cannot take the chance that Voldemort will hear of you. As it is, I am sure that Bellatrix will be informing him of four mysterious and very powerful people that completely obliterated her forces. He is going to be curious enough without finding that you are staying at Hogwarts and training me! He has spies everywhere, and if even one other person finds out that you are here, the risk of him hearing about it is increased dramatically."

Rowena placed a calming hand on his shoulder, "That may be Harry, but you know as well as I do, that if and when you friends do find out, they are going to be very upset and angry that you excluded them."

Harry snorted before shrugging, "Consider it my spiteful nature. There have been times where I have been excluded for months at a time about important things that have been going on. Now it is there turn."

At Helga's and Rowena's disapproving stares he hastened to reply, "I am only joking! I am not seeking revenge against them, I just don't think that it is wise for them to know about you yet. But you are right, they will find out eventually, so what is the big deal about the timing?"

Helga responded, "The big deal can be summed up in a single word Harry, trust! How do you think they are going to feel? Especially Ginny, who you are supposedly in a relationship with? Don't you think she is going to feel betrayed and upset at your lack of trust?"

Harry felt his belief wavering, but Salazar stepped in, "That is enough ladies, it is his decision and none of us have any right to try and persuade him otherwise. He raises a very good point regarding secrecy, and if he is willing to risk his friendships and his love to win this war, then we should be grateful for his dedication to defeating Voldemort."

Godric nodded, "There have been many times when one or all of us have been hiding something important from the others, and we have gotten passed it. If Harry's friends cannot get over it, then they aren't his friends at all!" He turned and looked at Harry, "We will not talk about this again, until you bring the subject up."

Helga and Rowena looked like they wanted to argue some more, but were silenced by a single glare from Salazar. Harry nodded in gratefulness, "Thank you Godric." Looking at the two disgruntled ladies he smiled sadly, "I truly do appreciate what you are saying, but my mind is made up. It may change in the future, and you have my word that you will be the first to know."

They seemed to reluctantly accept this and nodded solemnly. After a moment Salazar clapped his hands, "Now that that is taken care of, I think that dear Rowena should explain what it is we four shall be teaching you."

Harry raised his eyes, "You mean you didn't spend the entire afternoon planning revenge against my relatives? I am shocked, really I am!" he gave a slight grin as the two male founder's laughed.

Rowena rolls her eyes, "Sorry to disappoint you Harry, but yes, we did actually discuss the reason for our being here. We have decided upon a, well, your after hours lessons I suppose."

Godric laughed again, "Rowena's lesson plans are always very thorough. You can be assured she has thought of everything."

Harry nodded, "Yes well if she is anything like Hermione then I already know what to expect!"