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 31: I Have to Sneak Into My Own Home? Isn't that a Little Strange?

The next two weeks were some of the saddest that Hogwarts had ever seen. McGonagall was often away, meeting with various ministry officials, Order members as well as trying to rally support from the magical community. The general student body, still stunned from the attack at Hogsmede went about their daily business like zombies, devoid of any emotion.

The DA however, furious that they were caught so unawares and determined to never let themselves be outmatched so badly again, threw themselves into training with the founders.

Neville, who had healed to a satisfactory level, was spending all of his spare time practicing offensive techniques. He has started using the Room of Requirement again, by himself, to simply hurl spells at practice dummies.

When the other members heard about this, they started to join him, though Harry stayed away because of his oath. However, according to the founders, who looking in on them occasionally, their dedication was astounding.

Their Saturday session at Potter castle had finished, and the members had left chatting softly about what they had learnt and how they could use it in practice. As had become the custom, the founders, Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione returned to Phoenix's Nest to discuss the future.

Ron was gradually letting go of his distrust of Salazar, but he still couldn't manage a full conversation with him without dropping in what scoundrels Slytherin House produced. Salazar for his part was not fussed, he understood how a Gryffindor's mind worked (though he usually attested that they didn't have brains at all) and was not insulted at Ron's unfriendliness.

Helga was talking softly to Hermione about some useful Charm that would let her quill write by itself directly what was in her mind without having to speak. Ginny was trying to teach Godric the wonderful game of exploding snap and Rowena was reading a very old book that she had ferreted out from somewhere.

Harry was quite content to simply relax, as his opportunities to do so were becoming few and far between. Thankfully, McGonagall had stopped riding him so much, obviously satisfied that he was keeping his oath. He also suspected that after the Hogsmede attack she felt a smidgen of gratefulness towards him, as she realised that his training of the DA had helped preserve more lives.

He was not so naïve to think that she had changed her beliefs, but at least she was leaving him alone for now. After Voldemort had been forced to flee, Harry wanted to open up the link to see how he was reacting, but Salazar cautioned against it. He believed that even though Harry had grasped the basics of Occlumency, Voldemort would still be able to sift through his memories if need be and their secret would be revealed.

After hearing this Harry agreed wholeheartedly, but threw himself into mastering Occlumency so that he could control the link himself.

Harry broke out of his thoughts as Rowena suddenly jumped up and rushed into the adjoining room. All conversations breaking off, the others in the room shared confused looks before Ron called out, "Is something wrong?"

There was no answer so Ginny got up to see what was going on. Godric seized her arm and forced her back into her seat, "I'd leave her if I were you. If she thinks she has had a brain wave, it is not wise to interrupt her thinking. She can get quite snappish."

Harry grinned, "Sounds like Hermione!"

"Hey!" the bushy haired girl protested, "That's not fair."

Ron shrugged in agreement, "Eh, the truth hurts love. I can still remember in first year with the stone and you telling us to be quiet and let you think. And then in second year with the polyjuice potion and then again in…"

"Alright alright!" she exclaimed waving her hands in the air in exasperation, "But you two never put forward any good ideas, so I have to do the thinking for three!"

Harry put his hands up in mock surrender, "And we are thankful for it Herm, believe me. But the statement still stands."

She rolled her eyes just as Rowena practically skipped through the door, grinning from ear to ear, "I've done it!"

"Wonderful!" Godric replied smirking, "Done what?"

She glared at him, "What else? Found a way to track Voldemort's Horcrux!"

There was a moment's silence before Ginny squealed jumped up and threw her arms around the older woman, "We knew you could do it! Fantastic, we can start to destroy the bugger!"

Giving a slight grin Helga admonished, "Language young lady, it is not becoming of you to swear, even when justified."

"So where is it?" Harry asked.

Rowena shook her head, "It is somewhere in England, that is all I know at this stage. When I transfer the tracking to my wand, I will be able to apparate within 2 square miles of it. I will have to walk the rest of the way though, because the tracking spell will become very sensitive."

Hermione nodded in agreement, "Sort of like a compass the closer you get to the pole."

Rowena smiled, "Exactly."

"So when do we go?" Ginny asked.

Harry stared at his hands, "Tonight, after curfew."

"But…" Hermione started to protest and Harry held up his hands for silence.

"Hold up Hermione and listen to me. Rowena cannot side-along apparate us all. You and Ron will stay here to cover for us. Because you are Heads, McGonagall will need you in case something goes wrong. Unlikely though it is, if she discovers you missing, she will know something is up." Harry explained.

Ron was turning a dangerous shade of red, "So you are shutting us out again?"

Harry shook his head emphatically, "No! Not this time. We will not destroy the horcrux until we bring it back here to Hogwarts. You can be apart of that, but if the horcrux has protection around it like what Dumbledore and I went through last time, we will do better with less people, not more."

"Is Ginny going?" Ron asked, staring at his little sister.

Harry turned to look at her before facing Rowena, "Um, I don't know actually. That would be up to Rowena I guess, she knows how many people she can apparate at once."

The founder grimaced, "The more people I take, the more worn out I will be and the further away from our target we will end up. As it is, side apparating four others is going to be a stretch. If she is willing, I would prefer it if she stays."

Ginny looked thoughtful for a moment before sighing dramatically, "I suppose I can put up with my prat of a brother for a few hours without Harry to stop me from killing him."

Harry looked at Ron, "Happy now?"

The red haired teen shook his head, "No not particularly, I wish we could all come with you. But at least the reason why we can't is because you are playing the hero again."

Harry raised his eyebrows, "I thought you wanted the, um, what was it? Oh yes the attention seeking hero playing Harry?"

Ron winced, "I did, but the attack kinda opened my eyes. I understand now what you mean about taking a life. I mean, it was horrible, but I wasn't destroyed by it."

Harry smiled sadly, "Indeed, I am glad you see this now. It will make the coming war much easier to bear with you by my side."

Ron's mouth twitched, "Always Harry. I won't let you down again."

Ginny clapped her hands to her ears, "Enough with the mush already! Honestly, you two are acting like a couple of emotional women!"

"Ginny!" Helga scolded, "You should be pleased that their friendship has healed."

Ginny was about to respond, but just then Godric's stomach gave a huge rumble. He gave a sheepish grin, "I guess it is lunch time."

The tension broken, they all laughed as Dobby came in and supplied them with a lovely feast.

"Right, Harry I want you to hold my wand arm" Rowena directed, gesturing for him to grab hold, "You three, take my other arm, and if you can try and supply your own energy so I am not completely sapping mine."

They were in Potter Castle's foyer, getting ready to leave. As the founders did as they were told, Ginny looked Harry in the eyes, "Be safe love, don't do anything stupid. If you aren't back by morning we'll start to look for you."

Salazar shook his head, "If we aren't back by morning, hold a funeral service, don't bother sending anyone else after us."

On that morbid thought, Rowena apparated them out of the foyer, the last thing Harry saw was Ginny's beautiful, worried brown eyes. Plunged into darkness, Harry looked around, trying to get his bearings. As his eyes adjusted, he saw that they were in a shadowy street which was completely deserted.

Godric went to light his wand but Rowena's arm shot out and stilled his movements, "That probably isn't such a good idea. If there are wards around to alert Voldemort of magical activity, we would give away out position."

Nodding in agreement, he put his wand back into his sheath and looked around the area. Harry whispered to Rowena, "If we are using a tracking spell, won't that register in the wards?"

She shook her head, "I wouldn't think so, the magic required is extremely small as the spell is inbuilt into the wand, instead of being channelled, and secondly. Any ward would have to be extremely sensitive to pick it up, and if he had done that, he probably would have been getting warnings consistently from any witch or wizard that happens to walk through this area."

Harry nodded in understanding as she placed her wand flat on her hand and concentrated. It spun in a full circle twice before pointing itself to the left. She started to walk, the others spreading out around her in a defensive pattern.

The streets were completely empty, not a soul in sight. Harry thought that the area looked vaguely familiar, but he couldn't recognise any specific landmarks. He supposed that the Dursley's might have driven through here once upon a time when he was a child. After all, they like driving around London, if only to stick their noses in the affairs of others.

Rowena stopped suddenly and looked at her wand, frowning, "We must be getting close, the slightest change in direction is causing the wand to move noticeably. We have to be very careful from now on."

The founders cast disillusionment charms on each other, and Harry pulled his invisibility cloak from his pocket, swinging it over himself. Salazar grinned, "I never tire of seeing, or not seeing I suppose, that cloak of yours. It truly is an extraordinary."

Harry realised something, "How am I going to be able to follow you guys? I mean, you can all sense yourselves, but I can't! I won't know where you are going."

Rowena sighed and took the charm off herself, "I'll stay visible then. A single woman walking is not going to appear threatening if anyone is watching."

Harry frowned, "It isn't necessarily safe either!"

She grinned, "Well, if a big baddie comes and attacks me, you can be my Prince Charming and come riding to my rescue."

Salazar snorted, "Come on you lot, I would like to get this done before sunrise if possible."

They continued walking for another block when suddenly Harry gasped, causing the disillusioned founders to turn and face him. Helga asked softly, "What is it?"

"I-I know where we are!" Harry replied, disbelief evident in his voice, "We are going to Grimmauld Place, my godfather's home."

Godric hissed softly, "You mean the place that was taken over by Voldemort over Christmas?"

Harry nodded, forgetting that they couldn't see him, "yes, exactly. How could the Horcrux be here?"

Rowena clicked her tongue, "I don't know, we aren't there yet, it could be in a different spot you know."

"Maybe, but I am pretty sure Dumbledore did some intense research to the area, to make sure that there was no other magical influences." Harry responded.

Salazar sighed, "Well, we have no choice but to go on. How far to the house Harry?"

Looking at the number on the nearest house he replied, "Its 12 houses down from here."

Rowena started to move off again, this time with much more caution. As Grimmauld Place came closer and closer, Harry's nerves rose. Finally Rowena hissed, "I am putting myself under the charm now, we are almost on top of the horcrux." She promptly disappeared from view, but Harry could see Grimmauld place anyway.

Pausing for a moment he questioned the founders, "Can you see number 12?"

Godric responded, "I can, it looks quite menacing actually. Why?"

"Just checking….after all, it was once under a Fidelous charm."

"Ah, well safe to say that particular charm has now been broken." Helga murmured. After a moment's silence she asked, "So, what's the plan? How are we getting in there without being detected?"

"Back door?" Godric suggested half-heartedly.

Harry snorted, "As far as I know, it doesn't have one. There is only one entrance, and it is guarded by a mad portrait that will scream at you if she is awoken." There was another pause, as each person tried to decide how they could get in.

Harry suddenly slapped himself on the forehead. Hearing the sound, Salazar turned, smirking, "yes Harry? Thought of something yet?"

"Of course! I'll apparate you guys in there! We know the horcrux is in there somewhere, but I can get us into the attic and we can sneak around then."

Helga replied, "Harry, you have never apparated four other people before. It is extremely hard, and requires intense practice over time."

He sighed, "Time is something we don't have. Unless someone has a better idea, you guys are just going to have to give me a crash course!"

The founders gave each other a look before Salazar exhaled, "I think it's our best shot guys. Alright Harry, we will give you as much of our energy as possible so that you aren't drained completely. As it is such a short distance, the effects shouldn't be too bad. As far as apparating us goes, try not to splinch us. The principle is exactly the same as Side-Along, but instead of visualising only a single additional person, you have to visualise all of us."

Harry nodded and held out his arms for them to grab hold of. He nearly staggered at the energy that flowed through his system from the power offered by the four people around him. Focussing his entire consciousness on transporting all of them to the attic he felt his body shake with the exertion.

Very slowly, like a truck gaining momentum, Harry felt himself being sucked down the familiar tube. His speed picked up and he was only vaguely aware of groans emitting from a couple of the founders.

Suddenly his speed came to a full halt, but he knew that the apparition had not finished. In his mind he could see a wall, preventing him from completing the jump. He pushed, but it made no difference, he simply could not move them.

Frustrated he gave a snarl, almost losing his concentration. Refusing to admit defeat, Harry started to draw on all of the power that the founders had supplied him with, pulling deep from the well of energy that he was attached to. Maintaining his tenuous hold on the image of the attic, Harry pushed the last of his strength into the apparition.

CRACK!

Tumbling to the floor Harry gasped in relief, grateful to be free from the feeling of apparition. Looking around he saw Helga on the floor with Godric on his knees. The other two looked better off, but only slightly.

Salazar groaned and put his hands to his head, "Errrghh that was fun."

Helga moaned slightly, "I think I'm going to be sick!"

Harry gave a mock insulted glare, "You're welcome!"

Staggering to his feet Godric grinned at him, "Well done Harry. Not many normal 17 year olds can fully apparate four other people through some pretty impressive wards and still be conscious!"

Groaning, Harry rolled himself onto his knees, "No one has ever accused me of being normal. I feel like I have been kicked by a horse and then run over by an elephant!"

"Hardly surprising, still, from the looks of things you did the apparition admirably. None of us are splinched, and I am assuming that this is the attic you meant to apparate us to?" Rowena said softly, peering around the dark room.

Looking more closely at his surroundings Harry recognised the dingy room vaguely, having only been in the attic once. He nodded, "Yeah, this is Grimmauld Place, now we just have to find that Horcrux, all the while evading any nasty Death Eaters that might be wandering the halls."

Rowena smiled, "Well, luckily the tracking spell is still working, so tracing it shouldn't be too hard."

Godric was frowning at the trap door in the floor, "Do you think there will be many of the enemy here?"

Salazar shook his head, "Unless Voldemort is considering using this place as his base, I wouldn't think there would be more than a handful. My guess is he took this place to shake up the Order and let them know who was in charge. He wouldn't want them taking it back but I doubt very much that he is using it as a proper base."

Harry got to his feet, leaning on the wall heavily, his leg shaking slightly. Helga frowned at him, "Are you going to be alright Harry? You expended a lot of energy getting us here."

He grimaced, "I'll be fine, though is someone has a pepper up potion I wouldn't say no to it."

Salazar smirked, plunging a hand into his robes, "I think that is the first time Harry has ever asked for a potion. Normally we have to force feed you."

He rolled his eyes, "Normally I haven't apparated five people through wards either." He accepted the potion and drank it quickly, wincing as steam poured out of his ears.

Rowena kneeled by the trapdoor and opened it cautiously, trying to minimise the squeak that the hinges gave. Godric stuck his head through, looking backwards and forwards rapidly to check if there were any enemies in sight. He pulled up and grinned, "The house seems pretty silent. I can't really see anything cause it is so dark down there."

Harry nodded, "That is to be expected, the bedrooms and living room are all on the lower levels. Up here there is just the library, a couple of storage rooms and a ballroom."

Helga looked surprised, "Ballroom? This must have been some house it its prime!"

Godric swung his legs into the hole and noiselessly dropped to the floor below, gesturing for the others to follow him quickly. Rowena, Harry Helga and Salazar followed, the latter closing the trapdoor silently.

"Alright Rowena, where to?" Helga whispered, her sharp gaze trying to pierce the darkness that clouded the hall.

There was a soft snort, "I can't tell, I can't even see my hand let alone which direction the wand is pointing. I don't suppose we can risk a little light?"

"I don't think we have much choice. But try and keep it to a minimum." Salazar replied.

There was a flash of light which quickly dimmed, casting very weak rays onto the hallway. Godric held his wand up to Rowena, "Is that enough for you?"

She nodded, "Yeah, I can see now. Let's just hope there are no spell detectors inside of the house, otherwise we just put up a huge sign saying 'We Are Here'." She looked at her wand and the direction it was pointing, "Harry, you know this house better than anyone, what part of the house does this point to?"

Thinking carefully he drew a mental picture of the house and matched up the various rooms that it could mean. He shrugged, "Well, along that line there is what used to be my bedroom, the drawing room, the kitchen and the boiler room."

Suddenly a memory stirred in the back of his mind and he froze, "Oh crap."

The four founders stilled, and fixed him with stares of surprise and worry, "What is it?" Helga asked, her wand already raised to defend against possible threats.

"I know why we are here. I know what Horcrux is hidden in the house. I saw it, I handled it!" he tried to keep the exasperation and anger that he felt from leaking into his voice, but was only partially successful.

Salazar's eyebrows rose, "Is this story going to take a long time to tell? After all, we are standing in the middle of a deserted hallway controlled by the enemy."

Harry shook his head, "When we were cleaning out the place, we chucked away many different items that Sirius didn't want to keep. There was a locket in the drawing room which none of us could open. It got chucked into a bag to go into storage. I don't know why I never made the connection!"

"Because you weren't expecting it to be in your very own house of course! I mean, who expects that an evil object that can bring down the Dark Lord would be lying on a shelf in plain view?" Salazar replied.

"So how did it get here then?" Rowena asked, curiosity evident in her voice.

Godric snorted impatiently, "Is that really important right now? Shouldn't we find the dam thing first and then figure out how it came to be here?"

Salazar nodded, "I hate to say it, but Godric is right. Alright Harry, lead the way."

Harry frowned, "There might be another way to get it, without having to sneak around the house." Without waiting for an answer he called out softly, "Kreacher!"

A crack split the air causing the founders to aim the wands quicker than sight could see. The filthy old house elf stood before him, his face twisted with loathing, "Master called, Kreacher answered."

Before he could start muttering Harry fixed him with a stare, "Kreacher, I want you to bring me the locket that used to be in the drawing room, the big heavy gold locket with a green S imbedded on it. Now!"

The house elf, unable to disobey such a direct order, shot him a filthy look and disappeared once again. Salazar frowned, "Are you sure he is trustworthy Harry? He seems twisted and full of hatred, and he certainly doesn't like you."

Harry snorted, "Of course he isn't trustworthy. He was partly responsible for Sirius's death two years ago. Still, he is mine, and is bound to obey me until I release him."

"It wouldn't hurt to obliviate him when we are ready to leave though." He suggested.

Harry rolled his eyes, "Go right ahead, I am not going to cry about it. Just don't mention it to Hermione, she is a bit touchy when it comes to the treatment of house elves."

"Shh!" Godric hissed suddenly, his wand pointed at the hallway, "Someone is coming!"

Instantly, the founders disillusioned themselves and Harry swung his invisibility cloak onto himself. They flattened their bodies to the wall and waited.

"Macnair, I swear, if you have gotten me out of bed for nothing, you are going to rue the day your mother ever gave birth to you!" an angry voice cut the air.

Light flooded the hallway and two figures dressed in black stomped into view, one glowering darkly at the other. Harry recognised Macnair and he struggled to contain the growl in his throat.

The unnamed Death Eater scanned the hallway, "Alright then, where is this disturbance you were so adamant about?"

Macnair scowled, "I don't know, but I definitely heard something that shouldn't be in this house!"

"Well I think you are jumping at shadows like a scared little girl! There is nothing here, and the only other people who know about this place is the Order, and I very much doubt they would come back for it considering how they ran with their tails between their legs!"

"I'm telling you that there is something here!" Macnair insisted, his wand covering the walls where the founders and Harry stood.

There was a crack and Kreacher reappeared, grinning nastily at the concealed Harry. Too stunned the Death Eaters didn't do anything, but Harry swore under his breath as the house elf announced, "Kreacher finds Master's object, does Master require anything else of Kreacher?" he held out the locket to the hidden Harry.

The Death Eaters swung towards where Kreacher was gesturing, their wands already shooting off spells. Harry, forced to conjure a shield, gave his position and identity away as he swung the invisibility cloak off himself. Macnair froze, "It's Potter! We need back up!"

He turned to flee, but before he had even taken two steps, four stunning spells caught him in the back and he dropped to the ground instantly. The other Death Eater looked wildly around for the concealed enemies. Harry used is inattention to cast a full body bind on him, freezing him instantly.

Immediately Harry whirled onto Kreacher, his eyes on fire as he pinned the house elf with his gaze. For the first time since Harry had met the elf, Kreacher looked slightly frightened. Shaking, he dropped to the floor, offering the locket up and quivering in fear.

Snatching the locket out of his hand, Harry tossed it to Salazar before turning his attention back to the elf and snarling, "Did you think that was funny Kreacher? Huh? Was it not enough to get your last master killed, you have to try and kill me too?"

The elf threw himself onto the floor in a half grovel, his entire body trembling with terror. Harry raised his wand but felt a slim but strong hand latch onto his wrist.

Turning roughly he stared into the concerned but sympathetic face of Helga. She gave a sad smile, "Do you really want to do that Harry?" she asked softly.

Blinking twice he considered her words. Sighing he shook his head and lowered his wand and sagged, "No, I do not kill for the fun of it."

Salazar nodded approvingly, "Good, that is how it should be." He turned to Kreacher, "However, assuming the wizarding laws for house elves are still the same as where we have come from, an elf is forbidden to endanger their master in any way. I am surprised that you managed to betray your last master, but I will not stand for it this time."

Kreacher looked torn between confusion and anger, "Nasty man has no authority over Kreacher! Kreacher serves the noble house of Black, and is bound to master! Nasty master that he is!"

Harry twitched slightly but didn't respond. Godric growled, "You have broken some of the most sacred laws of your kind! We may not take kindly to the slavery of the elves, but laws are there to be upheld. I invoke the law of Betrayal laid down by Lord Desple, ruler of the elves."

If Kreacher had been trembling before, he was shaking like mad now, tears rolling down his face and his ugly head shaking from side to side. Godric showed no pity and continued, "Kreacher, elf of House Black and Potter, you are hereby banished from wizarding England and must return in disgrace to the elvish city of Titenbock! Furthermore, you are bound to silence regarding anything that you have seen or heard during your service to the House of Black and Potter. Now be gone!"

Sobbing piteously, the elf took one last look at the house before disappearing with a crack. Rowena immediately turned to the two subdued Death Eaters and promptly obliviated them. Harry frowned, "We can't just leave them there, they will know something happened."

Godric's forehead creased, "We can't take them back down either, in case there are more Death Eaters in the house."

Salazar snorted, "Oh please Godric, between spells flying and that elf's sobbing, if there was anyone still in this house, they would have heard it. Lets just dump them in the living room and be done with it." He and Godric levitated them and Harry led the way quietly through the house.

Once they had put the unconscious Death Eaters on the lounge Salazar turned and grinned at Harry, pulling out the locket, "So, I am assuming that this is the horcrux? I certainly recognise the locket as my own."

Taking a single look at it Harry nodded, "Yeah that's it. I still don't understand how it came to be here, but we can figure that out later. I am sure that the others are starting to get nervous, after all we have been gone a fair while."

Rowena nodded, "Let's just get Fawkes to flash us back then, it's the quickest way of travelling."

Nodding in agreement, Harry summoned the phoenix who appeared instantly. He was very pleased that they had found the horcrux and within seconds they were flashing back to Hogwarts.

There was a slight scream of surprise from Hermione as the five people re-appeared. Harry grinned at her, "What a way to welcome us back eh?"

Ginny was up and in his arms quicker then he could blink. He grinned down at her, "So how was your night Gin?"

She rolled her eyes, "Judging by the glee on your face I am thinking that it went well?"

Salazar pulled the horcrux back out and laid it on the table. The others all crowded around, Ron snorting, it doesn't look so dangerous! It looks like something my sister would wear!"

Salazar looked insulted, "I beg your pardon? That is one of my finest pieces of jewellery, passed down for several generations. It is an heirloom!"

Ron blushed, "Sorry sir, I forgot it belongs to you."

"Lucky you." He replied coolly, "I am not looking forward to destroying my belonging believe me."

"So what do you need to do?" Hermione asked curiously.

Harry pulled out his sword, "Stand back everyone, I'm going to give this thing a good jab!"

Ron's jaw dropped, but was pulled away by Godric as Harry with a huge downward hack, struck the horcrux.

There was an enormous bang and a flash of light which blinded everyone instantly. Harry's arms suddenly burst into pain, as if thousands of red hot needles were being plunged into them. He gave a slight cry, but couldn't let go of his sword.

Salazar reached his side in an instant, casting several spells at the point where the sword met the locket. He pulled out his own sword and struck the locket as well. The secondary bang was not quite as loud, but the grimace of pain that the snake founder gave indicated the pain was no less intense.

He gasped out, "Y-You need to strike it as-as well! Hurry!"

Not even pausing to understand why, the other three founders drew their swords and thumped the locket. A high pitched, ear-splitting scream filled the air and the three-unaffected teens clasped their hands to their ears. Harry's muscles bulged ever so slightly as he pushed harder on his sword and all at once the locket cracked.

A black mist rose from the broken locket. It faced Harry for a moment, as if considering him but before he could do anything Godric cried, "Debello Defungo!" a blinding white spell burst from his wand and hit the mist. The black started to swirl, faster and faster until it was too hard to watch.

With a final scream, the soul fragment disappeared.

Harry felt his legs turn to jelly and he started to collapse. Ron darted forward and caught him before he hit the floor, Ginny by his side instantly. The other founders looked exhausted but triumphant, Godric grinning broadly.

Salazar knelt down by Harry, "Are you ok? You took the brunt of its power by yourself initially."

Harry looked at his arms and was surprised to see them slightly red and getting worse. "Um, I think my arms are going to be pretty badly burnt from the looks of things."

Salazar looked at them and frowned, "That must have been some wave of fury to cause that much damage. I'd say you'll have third degree burns, but hopefully I can get some salve on it before the blisters start appearing and bursting. That should minimise the damage." He turned to Rowena, "I will need the strongest burn cream we have, probably the one to treat Dragon Burns would be best. I don't know what sort of magic caused this so it is better to be safe rather than sorry."

She nodded and hurried out as Hermione sat next to Harry, fear evident in her eyes, "Are you in much pain Harry?" she asked.

Ginny snorted, "You know as well as I do that even if he is, he will simply brush it off and say he is fine."

Looking insulted Harry opened his mouth to retaliate, but another wave of pain focussed his attention back onto his arms. He closed his eyes tightly, biting his lip hard to stop the moan of pain that was trying to escape his throat.

He heard Hermione gasp, "He has gone white as a sheet!"

He felt cool hands on his face and Ginny's voice calling to him, "Harry! Harry? Are you still conscious?"

Forcing his eyes open he was startled to see his vision had blurred. He gasped out, "I can't see much, and I feel like I am going to pass out any second."

Another face swam into view which he identified as Helga's. She said calmly, "It might be best if you go under Harry. You will feel less pain that way when Salazar is treating you. There might have been a curse in the locket that we didn't know about, and the effects may get worse."

"Curse?!" Hermione nearly shrieked.

Harry winced, "Not so loud Herm, my ears can't take it." He whispered.

He could hear Salazar muttering under his breath and guess the snake founder was trying to figure out what was wrong with him. There was a flash of light and Fawkes appeared near his head. He smiled at him, "Hey there, thanks for coming and getting us."

The phoenix snorted, "Because I was really going to leave you in a house controlled by Death Eaters."

Harry grinned, "I don't suppose any of those healing tears would work on me?"

Fawkes sighed, "Unfortunately they only work on physical wounds. I could possibly heal the initial burns, but whatever curse is causing them would still remain. Best to let Salazar undo that first and then I will do what I can."

Harry sighed, "Cheers."

Salazar frowned, "I know what curse is upon you Harry. It is only life threatening if left on for longer than a day, it is mainly used to cause great pain over an extended period of time. I can remove it, but it will be unbelievably painful. I do not think you will remain conscious. If you want I can knock you out now before I start the counter-curse."

Harry shook his head, "No, just get it over with."

He thought he heard Ginny mutter something about stubborn males under her breath but he couldn't be sure. Salazar merely nodded and pointed his wand at Harry's heart and said firmly "Sano Pectina!"

Harry's mind went blank with pain and he was only vaguely aware of the scream that was torn from his throat. He felt like his heart was being put through a blender and his nerves were on fire. He couldn't feel Ginny gripping his shoulders and he couldn't hear Helga's soothing words. All he was aware of was the whiteness that the agony trapped him in.

His body, pushed beyond what it could bear, started to loose consciousness, and the last thing Harry remembered was feeling grateful that the white was fading to black.