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 23: Come And Get Me!
Harry did not exaggerate, the dinner that the house elves put on was superb. By the third course, they were all groaning in lovely discomfort with still two more to go. Ginny skipped out on the final 'main' course simply because she wished to sample the delightful dessert that everyone was looking forward to.
The elves didn't disappoint, bringing out an enormous cake that resembled Hogwarts castle in honour of the founders. The exclamations of delight that rang around the room gave testament to the intricacies that made up the gigantic dessert.
They thanked the blushing elves over and over until Nodsy raised his hands, replying that they had enjoyed making the cake, and that such thanks were not necessary. He dished up requested 'parts' of the castle, with each of the founders eating their own common rooms and Harry and Ginny sharing the astronomy tower.
Everything was perfect…
…too perfect…
"AHHHHHHH!" Harry suddenly screamed, dropping his spoon and clutching at his scar. The others all peeled themselves off the ceiling and in slow motion watched him drop to the floor and start writhing in agony.
For once, the founders looked at a loss, completely baffled by what was going on, but Ginny immediately sat on him, straddling his body with her strong legs to try and stop his agony throws. She clutched at his head calling out, "Harry?! Harry? Wake up, you have to break the contact! Harry?! Please, listen to my voice!"
"What is going on?" Helga asked fearfully, already trying to help Ginny stop him struggling. The other three founders were also crowding around, looking bewildered and anxious.
"It's his scar! His link, he is seeing through Voldemort's eyes at the moment. We had thought the connection was closed, but the evil bastard obviously opened it again for some reason. I dunno if he even realises it, but whenever Harry see's through his eyes, or else actually talks to Voldemort through the link, it causes him great pain and he cannot break free." She gasped out, still trying to restrain him, but his screaming grew more intense and she was simply holding on for dear life.
Salazar had other ideas, and he pushed her off ignoring her exclamation of surprise and pointed his wand at Harry's scar muttering softly under his breath. All at once he staggered and would have fallen over had Godric not caught him.
His face twisted into a grimace of pain and intense concentration, and Harry's cries lessened. Rowena, obviously realising what he was doing, pointed her own wand at Salazar and started to mutter also. Ginny opened her mouth but Helga shook her head, indicating for the young witch to remain silent.
Ginny, obviously still wanting to help, grabbed one of Harry's hands in her two and let him squeeze, hard. Suddenly his screams stopped and he bolted upright, his eyes wide and bloodshot and his breathing ragged. Ginny threw her arms around him as he blankly stared around, evidently not understanding anything clearly.
"W-Wh..what?" he stammered, blinking up at Salazar who wore a look of satisfaction on his face.
"Are you in any pain at the moment Harry?" Rowena asked, concern evident.
A look of concentration flickered on his face before his expression cleared into one of astonishment, "No! How is that possible? I mean I always feel like crap after one of his invasions."
"Yes well, I have taken certain liberties in your mind Harry, I hope you do not take offense. But you have very little in the way of shields, so I – well we – are doing it for you." Salazar explained, gesturing to himself and Rowena.
"You aren't being put through any pain are you?" Harry asked uncertainly.
"No, thankfully because we do not directly share the link with Voldemort, he cannot influence our nervous system as he can yours. I suppose you can say we cheated, re-wiring the route so that it is taken away from any 'pain giving' tendencies." Rowena explained.
Ginny's eyes narrowed, "But I saw Salazar stagger!"
Harry's head snapped to the snake founder who shrugged, "I had to break into the connection first, so I was exposed briefly to the full extent, but only for a moment." His eyes turned grave, "It is no wonder you fear that connection Harry, for the pain was indeed intense."
Harry lowered his eyes, hiding his embarrassment, "I-I don't really fear the pain, more the – the stuff that he says to me, and images that he shows me."
Ginny hugged him again as Helga replied, "Yes well, thankfully with their help, he will not be able to talk to you any longer."
Harry nodded before looking once more to Salazar, "He didn't know I was there initially. The connection was instigated simply because he was furious." His brow furrowed slightly, "Would you like to tell me why you sent him that 'message'? I am assuming it was you, since you are the only one who could have come up with such a cunning insult."
The others looked at the snake founder who smirked, "From what you have told me Harry, Voldemort rules by fear. He would have been overthrown many years ago if not for the fact that everyone fears him. That is probably why the Order of the Phoenix and yourself has been such a thorn in his side. You respect his power, and know that he can kill you, but that is as far as it goes, you don't actually fear him. Well, I figured letting him taste that feeling wouldn't hurt."
Harry's breathing had almost returned to normal and he frowned, "And I can only guess that Fawkes was more than willing to partake. He has been harassing me to do something similar for months now."
"What did you do Salazar?" Rowena asked, obviously fighting between disapproval and curiosity.
Harry interrupted, "If you want I can show you? I mean I have a pensive somewhere into which I could put the memory."
Salazar gave an evil grin, "Perfect, as I really wish to see his reaction."
Harry made to get up, but Godric stopped him and waved his wand, "Accio Harry's Pensive!" There was a couple of thuds and an enormous stone basin came flying towards them. Obviously surprised by the size of the bowl, Godric threw himself to the side to prevent getting bowled over.
The ladies giggled as Harry smirked, "That was why I was going to go and get it. At least your reflexes were up to the task. I got completely flattened last time I tried that!" He placed his wand to his temple and concentrated, slowly pulling out a wispy grey memory and depositing it into the pensive.
He looked at the founders expectantly while Ginny grabbed his hand, and together they entered his memory of only a few minutes ago. Darkness was all around them but they all had a tingly feeling and Harry muttered, "I guess that is how the memory interprets pain."
A greenish grey light appeared to the left and all of a sudden they were standing in a richly furnished room with several people all dressed in Death Eater robes and Voldemort stalking around the outside of the circle, obviously furious.
"HOW DARE THAT PUNY LITTLE BRAT! I WILL TEACH HIM THE MEANING OF PAIN. HE WILL BEG FOR DEATH BEFORE THE END!" the Dark Lord was snarling.
Salazar raised his eyebrows, "Not much of a looker is he? I thought you said he was supposed to be handsome?"
Harry, obviously not able to take his eyes away from his adversary said out of the corner of his mouth, "making the horcruxes altered his looks as well as his soul."
Meanwhile Voldemort had whirled upon a short Death Eater, "Bella! You said this place was warded! How do you explain a phoenix getting through then? How did he find us; find her? Answer me!" he thundered.
The figure, obviously Bellatrix Lestrange, trembled and threw itself onto the floor, her voice crying out slightly panicked, "My Lord! No known magic has ever been successful when dealing with a phoenix. They go where they wish, especially when bound to a wizard. There was nothing I could do!"
"CRUCIO!"
Piercing screams were dragged from her throat as Voldemort stalked towards her, "I do not wish to hear your pitiful excuses Bella. If you cannot do such a simple task as protecting our base, then you are of no use to me at all. What power could a songbird possibly have against a wizard or witch trained in the Dark Arts?" he hissed.
"My Lord, may I speak?" a voice said from the right.
The snake like figure rose from the still screaming witch, "Be quick Severus, do not try my patience!"
"My lord, if the phoenix that delivered the insult is truly bound to Potter, then it is a fair assumption to say that he knows where we are. Should we not move?" the silky voice hastily answered.
Salazar leaned over and whispered into Harry's ear so as not to disturb the others who were watching the proceedings with a mixture of morbid fascination and horror, "I assume that is the man that killed Dumbledore? The spy?"
Harry nodded as Voldemort hissed, "You make a good point Severus, one that I had not considered." His gaze fell to the Death Eater on Snape's left, "Rookwood, go make the necessary preparations to move. I…"
All at once Voldemort's eyes widened and Harry whispered, "Now it starts to get interesting…and more painful."
"POTTER!" Voldemort spat, "Don't you know it is impolite to eavesdrop on conversations that are not meant for you?
Harry's voice rang through the memory, tight and obviously in pain, "hey it isn't my fault that you opened the connection again! You're the Occlumency master not me!"
"You brat! You will suffer greatly and wish you had never been born by the time I am through with you!" he snarled.
Harry's defiant voice replied, "You need to come up with more threats Voldy, you are getting quite boring in your old age. Come and get me!"
The Death Eaters, obviously unable to hear Harry were looking at each other quite confused, all except for Snape who was watching the Dark Lord like a hawk. Voldemort hissed, white with rage, "Your little gift was quite insulting Harry, didn't your old fool guide ever tell you not to antagonise your enemy?" his gaze on the wall turned more intense and the tingling feeling increased.
Harry's voice gasped out, "Sorry, must have missed that lesson, perhaps he was planning on teaching me it before he was murdered!"
"Ever the comedian Potter, but I tire of your continual lack of respect. You and your pet bird will pay for killing Nagini!"
"Huh?" Harry replied.
The real Harry whispered, "I still don't understand but I think we may be in luck!"
"Don't play coy with me POTTER!" Voldemort thundered, "You killed my beloved snake somehow and you will die in great pain for the insult of returning her body in the clutches of your bird!"
Salazar was looking incredulously at the fake snake while Ginny was staring in distaste at Voldemort who had placed his wand to his temple causing several of the Death Eaters to gasp. He started to mutter softly and the tingling feeling actually grew to something like pain and Harry muttered, "That really hurt, but I think you are about to break through."
Sure enough Voldemort staggered, "W-What? Who? WHO THE HELL ARE YOU, WHO DARES BREAK INTO MY THOUGHTS?" a faded image of Salazar appeared briefly, obviously in pain before winking out and the room started to swirl away and the founders and the teens were returned to Potter Castle.
Immediately Harry turned to Salazar, "Did you kill Nagini?"
The snake founder shook his head, a confused smirk on his face, "No, that was completely fake. I sent the message simply to rattle his bones a bit, but it looks like it did more than that! Looks like an ally got to her before we could."
"Snape maybe?" Harry mused.
"Could be, but it could also be R.A.B, whoever that is. You know? The person that took the locket horcrux?" Ginny put in.
"Either way, until we know that the snake is definitely dead, we cannot stop looking for her for fear that she is actually alive." Harry replied, the founders nodded in agreement.
Rowena suddenly smiled, "Well, I think we have found what we are going to teach you next Harry."
"I beg your pardon?" he asked, confused.
"Occlumency and Legimency! According to Helga you are very proficient at mind and body control, so you have the potential to learn it, you just need to be properly taught." She explained, Salazar and Helga nodding in agreement.
Godric looked sympathetic at the less than enthusiastic look on Harry's face, "Trust me Harry, I know how you feel, for it is not easy for a Gryffindor to learn to control their feelings. But I managed, and you do have some of Salazar in you, so I don't expect you will struggle as much as me."
Harry sighed, "If it helps me block out Voldemort then I guess it is worth it, but Snape's teaching methods were less than pleasant."
Salazar cocked his head slightly, "It may be that he was rougher than necessary purely because of his dislike for you, but without meeting the man I can't really comment."
"Never the less, it is a good idea for you to learn Harry, not just because you can then block Voldemort, but because it will help you even more in battle then the stuff I have been teaching you." Helga smiled.
"Do I have to learn? I am still struggling with the 'slowing time down' thing." Ginny said, scowling slightly.
Salazar laughed, "Ah Ginny, in this I think you can be excused. Besides, I don't think you would be very good at it, your temper is to close to the surface, even now after training."
Her eyebrows rose, "And Harry's isn't…?"
"No, not at all!" Rowena exclaimed, "If it was, do you honestly think he would have let your brother say such awful things without yelling at him?"
Ginny nodded, "Point I suppose. Anyhow, why am I complaining? I don't particularly want to learn Occlumency" she laughed.
Godric sighed, "Quite a day we have had, if it wasn't for the fact that we don't need sleep, I would crash for twelve hours easily!"
Harry nodded fervently replying, "yeah, at least we are on holidays for another four days. I don't think I could handle returning to Hogwarts any sooner. It is going to be hard enough as it is, what with McGonagall riding my back, Ron angry with me and Mrs Weasley ready to kill me for stealing away her only daughter over Christmas."
Ginny hugged him, "Not to mention NEWTS, the DA and the war!"
He gave her a wry grin, "Shouldn't you try and cheer me up? Not depress me even more?"
She shrugged, "I never said I was here to help, only to tell the truth!"
He rolled his eyes, "Cheers."
"Actually Harry, I have been giving some thought to your DA." Godric stated.
The other founders turned incredulous looks onto him and he smirked, "What? Even I can think you know, there is no rule that says a Gryffindor has to always act with his fist and not his head!" He turned back to Harry, "Two things, firstly, you should go back to your vault and see if there is anything there that could help with your instruction etc. You could take us with you and kill two stones with one bird."
"I think you mean kill two birds with one stone Godric." Harry replied grinning, "But yes, I do agree with you. What was the second thing?"
The lion founder looked more serious, "Since McGonagall has flatly refused to help you in your, um, aggressive endeavour, from now on you two will be going head to head. That much is obvious, so you cannot expect any help from the Order. You have been training the DA as a proper army, and have done so to great proficiency, but because your own experience in an army is rather limited, there are certain things you just cannot pass onto them because you don't know them yourself."
"Oh I know where this is going." Salazar muttered to himself.
Godric shot him a look that said clearly 'shut up', before continuing, "I think you need to, at least with the most trustworthy of the DA have a 'gathering' once a week where we come and teach them." He indicated the four founders.
Harry's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline, "You want to expose yourselves to the world?"
"No, not the whole world, just to your trustworthy members. The war is coming to a head Harry, and you need warriors, not just people who can fight." Godric replied.
"I agree with Godric, and am amazed that such an intelligent thought came from his head." Salazar said, grinning at the somewhat insulted lion founder.
"I think it is a good idea in principle, but we need to figure out who those 'trustworthy' members are. Remember, we do think there is a spy running around somewhere and we don't want to expose ourselves to them." Rowena murmured.
"The chances of the spy being in the DA are pretty small. More likely they are in the Order." Ginny supplied, picking some dirt out from under her fingernails.
"Don't assume anything Ginny. That was what my parents did, and look where it got them! Still, I see no reason why we cannot at least consider it. Anyhow, did you want me to take you to my vault tomorrow?" Harry replied gently.
Godric grinned, "What is wrong with now? After all, it isn't like we have to use the front entrance, and neither do we have to sleep!"
Harry rolled his eyes at his enthusiasm before looking at the others, "Well? Did you want to go now? Or have you more patience than your colleague?"
"Oh let's just go now, if we don't, I think Godric well simply keep pestering us until we do." Rowena replied.
He grinned evilly, "Oh you better believe it!"
Salazar sighed, "Merlin save us, well Harry, I vote we go now, otherwise there may be murder in the halls."
Harry laughed, "fine, if it is to save our sanity, I am all for it." He led them to the portal and waved them through before stepping into it himself.
He couldn't help but grin and the somewhat amazed look on all of their faces. "That is exactly how I felt when I first came here. I don't see how a single person can own so much wealth. I could try and spend all this and I think I would fail!"
"No kidding!" Ginny gasped out, grabbing his hand, "You could buy the world and still live like a king."
He smiled fondly at her, "Well, I don't think it quite that much love, but it is certainly more then I'll ever need."
She sighed dramatically, "I knew there was a reason that I loved you. Everyone is going to say I chased you for your money!"
He grinned, "Let them." He turned to the founders who were still frozen in their awe. "Go on! You dragged me down here, the least you could do is look around."
They all jumped slightly, Salazar scowling darkly at being chastised. However, his expression cleared slightly and he asked, "Where did you find those potions ingredients?"
Harry pointed to the back of the vault, "Look for a gigantic ornate wardrobe, you can't miss it, trust me." with that the snake founder took off, looking quite enthusiastic which caused Rowena and Helga to laugh before they too started to move towards the various objects.
"I'll look at the various armour in here Harry, there is probably something that you could use." Godric said wandering over to the various suits.
Harry raised an eyebrow, "Um Godric, I am not going to dressed in full knights armour, we are not in the middle ages anymore."
Looking insulted, Godric replied, "And do you think I would even try to make you? Give me some credit!" the twinkle in his eye caused Harry and Ginny to laugh.
Harry heard a cry of surprise from Rowena and saw her holding up a beautiful ornate box encrusted with sapphires and amethysts. "What is it?" he asked, curiosity lining his face.
"It's mine!" she exclaimed.
"Oh, yeah you can have it." Harry replied giving her a cheeky grin.
She shook her head, "No, I mean it really is mine. This was made as a wedding gift for me. How the hell did it end up here?"
Helga stifled a giggle, "Language Lady Ravenclaw! It shouldn't come as that much of a shock that some of our possessions would wind up here. After all, Harry is a descendant of ours."
Rowena nodded, "I suppose, it was just a shock that I would see this, even though it is now over 1000 years old!"
Harry grinned, "Well, that should just show that I wasn't exaggerating when I said you four were important figures in our history."
She just nodded dumbly again. Harry walked over to Ginny who was examining several very beautiful pieces of jewellery with a beatific expression on her face. He smiled, "Gin?"
Jerking her gaze away she gave him a guilty look, obviously aghast at being caught staring covetously at some of his possessions. He gestured to the jewellery, "You like I presume?"
She nodded and he picked it up and put it in her hands, "Then take it! Anything you want in here, no matter what it is, just take it. Unless I say no of course!" he said jokingly.
She gasped, "Oh Harry, no! I couldn't possibly take from you, I…"
"Gin I mean it. I love you, and I can't see myself giving any of these pieces to another woman for fear you would skin me and her alive. Hermione might see some, but most are for you and you only!"
Ginny's jaw had fixed itself stubbornly and she was shaking her head determinedly at him. He sighed, "Please? Eventually these will all belong to you anyway, so who cares if it is a bit sooner?"
Realising what he meant she blushed deeply and a look of love and contentment settled itself on her face, "you mean that Harry? About you and me….you know?"
He smiled, "Of all things that are certain in the world, this is one of them. I love you Ginevra Weasley and nothing is going to change that!"
The two teens missed the 'awwws' that the two female founders gave and the passing of coins from Salazar to Godric signifying a bet made and won. However, they soon came back to earth and blushed bright red when they realised they had four sets of eyes glued to them.
Harry grinned, "Shouldn't you four be doing something aside from watching us?"
Salazar strode forward, a large book in his hand, "Well, I found what I was after. At least I think I have – the dialect is quite obscure but I am sure that Rowena will be able to help me translate it." He went and joined Godric who was busy examining more clothes and suits of armour.
Suddenly he called out, "Oi! Harry, Ginny come here, I think I have found what you need."
Making their way over they saw several sets of green clothing. Harry raised his eyebrows, "They look very Slytherin, Godric, I am surprised that you would even consider them."
He shrugged, "Eh, the colour can be changed. It's what they do that is good! These are duelling robes, but I think you'll find they protect against more than just the milder jinxes. They have an advanced shield charm built into them which should block all minor curses and lessen the effects of some of the more nasty ones."
"And we can probably add to that to make them stronger." Rowena stated, examining the robes for herself.
Godric nodded, "Best of all, there are six of them – one for each of the leaders of the DA!" he grabbed them and slung them across his shoulder, struggling not to lose the gloves that were loosely attached to the shirts.
Salazar rolled his eyes, "You know you could use magic to hold them."
Looking outraged Godric replied, "I don't need to wave my wand around for everything Lord Slytherin!"
Ginny shook her head and rolled her eyes, "Men!" she ducked quickly behind Harry to escape the two glares that were turned onto her.
He laughed, "Come on you lot, if there is nothing else can we go back to the castle?"
"But we've only been here for half an hour." Helga complained, obviously wanting to examine more of his artefacts.
Harry shrugged, "You can come back here at any time, the portal will always be open to you. I don't mind, but I do have some stuff to do back at the castle, and Fawkes and I need to have a nice long chat I think."
Salazar's head snapped up, "Don't you go getting mad at him because I asked a favour of him Harry!"
Harry snorted, "I am not suicidal Salazar. I think that if I tried to control Fawkes, it would be the last thing I ever did. He has gone to great lengths explaining that he is a very independent bird."
Rowena laughed, "Oh it is so true! Many times did he rebuke me for trying to keep him out of trouble. I always wondered why I got the 'Gryffindor' phoenix."
Salazar rolled his eyes, "Probably because Talon felt you needed one."
A look of fond sadness flitted over her face, "He probably did at that. He always said that I was not impulsive enough."
Ginny looked confused so Helga whispered, "Talon was the name of the phoenix that gave his life for her. Each of us has had a phoenix do so, and it is a rather tender subject."
Looking saddened, Ginny unconsciously went and gave Rowena a hug, who looked quite surprised but returned it nonetheless. She then turned all business, "Anyhow, I think Harry asked if we could all return to the castle?" Obviously not willing to argue with her, the other founders followed her and the teens back to the beautiful castle.