Harry Potter and the Founders Vault

Disclaimer: The same as always.

Note: The last chapter of year 2. A few loose ends to tie up before our gang head back home for the summer…

Dreams, Curses, and Protectors

Harry was dreaming. He was surprised to see Godric Gryffindor appear before him.

"Young heir, it's been a while," Godric spoke.

"And whose fault is that?" Harry asked, a little sarcastically – it was Godric who had left him, after all.

"You're right, but I could not trust myself to not give you the answers you seek. Your sister had to find her destiny by herself," Godric explained. "Besides, you did well young heir. You supported your sister; you stopped the false heir of Slytherin from controlling Salazar's Familiar; she who was meant to be the Protector of Hogwarts."

"The Basilisk was meant…?" Harry paused at this new information, surprised. "You know what, I know not to ask more questions about the basilisk. But is there something you will tell me?"

"That depends," Godric said. "But there is no harm in asking."

"Why don't I have any of Salazar's powers?" Harry asked.

"This is an answer you already know; your Uncle Mato told you during Christmas but he was talking about Harper and Boyd," Godric said confusing Harry. "Think young heir, Harper gets her magic from her father and Boyd from his mother."

"I get my magic from my father," Harry said. "That's the reason why I don't have Salazar's magic."

"You have some of your mother's magic in you, but none that originates from Salazar. Your magic comes mostly from me," Godric confirmed with a smile. "You are my true heir. And now you don't have part of Tom Riddle within you, you won't have any of those powers."

"I see," Harry nodded, not quite getting what this last sentence meant, but dismissed it for now. "I miss dueling with you," Harry voiced, deciding to change the topic.

"As did I young heir. Grab your sword, we have a lot of time to make up for," Godric smiled as Harry's sword appeared before him, the student ready to learn from Godric.

-Harry Potter-

Harper tossed and turned and finally sat up. Her eyes catching Tracey's bed where her cat, Daisy, was sleeping. Lucy had returned to the Gryffindor Common Room with Harry now the threats were over. She smiled as she noticed the dream catcher she had bought Tracey was hanging over Tracey's bed and she looked up at her own. A thought occurred to her as she took a breath and got up on her bed to take it down.

"Okay, let's see what this does," Harper said to herself as she settled into the bed, waiting for sleep to come over her.

As with all dreams, she didn't know when sleep took her, but when it did, she found herself on the grounds of Hogwarts and before her was a familiar woman with long brown hair and dark eyes, wearing what looked like a coronet on her head.

"Are you Rowena Ravenclaw?" Harper asked.

"No," the Scottish voice spoke back. "And yes in a way."

"Well… that's not confusing at all," Harper said.

"I am Hogwarts," the form of Rowena explained. "I choose this face to talk to you. I took the form of one of the four who made me. I have been trying all year to talk to you, but that Dream Catcher of yours protected your unconscious mind so well not even I could enter. I applaud the magic crafted into it."

"That was my Uncle Mato," Harper gave a small smile at that. "But… I don't get it. You're Hogwarts. How?" Harper asked.

"My Founders didn't just create a building or a school; they gave me life in a way. An ability to think," the form of Rowena explained. "With all this magic within year in, year out, something was going to gain life. You have felt it since you have entered. True Heirs have a special connection to the school. A connection blood heirs like Tom Riddle don't; and so, I enter the dreams, hoping to have a conversation."

"There's a difference between true and blood heirs?" Harper asked.

"You have a lot to learn," the form of Rowena smirked. "But I think that's to come in your next school year. Now that you know of me, keep that Dream Catcher down. It's been a very long time since I had true Heirs I can talk to – and your brother is busy with one of my Founders most nights. I would like to talk to you more. Help lead you and your brother on the adventure that coming."

"Okay," Harper said, not knowing what else to say to that. She hadn't been expecting this.

-Harry Potter-

Professor McGonagall walked into Albus Dumbledore's office. She smirked at the two phoenixes present, knowing one belonged to Cassidy Evans. Albus Dumbledore was sitting at his desk.

"Good morning, Minerva," Albus said, not looking up from his papers. "Enjoying the end of term?"

"Students are, now that tests are over," Minerva said. Ever since the Chamber of Secrets had been closed, the school had been quiet, which was nice, if not a bit unusual. The most eventful thing that had happened since February was when the Mandrakes were finally ready, and the petrified students and cat were revived. "And you would be…?"

"Getting a head start. We have two positions open for next term," Albus explained.

"Two?" Minerva asked.

"Professor Kettleburn has informed me he wishes to retire the Care of Magical Creature position – something about wanting to spend more time with his remaining limbs," Albus smirked at this as Minerva chuckled. "Which leaves that open as well as Defense Against the Dark Arts," Albus explained. "What would you think of Hagrid taking over Care of Magical Creatures?"

"Hagrid? Well, the man certainly has a love for magical creatures," Minerva mused. "But as for Defense Against the Dark Arts, you know Ms. Tonks has been doing very well. She's probably the best teacher we have had in that position for a long time; she competent, knows the subject, knows how to teach, and isn't a murderer, possessed by Voldemort or an imbecile." She smirked at her own words. "Even Mr. Potter, and Ms. Evans joined her class instead of continuing with me and the classes sent from Grand Canyon Academy."

"Yes, Ms. Tonks did do well," Albus mused, not looking up from the papers on his desk.

"And I have friends who work administering the OWLs and NEWTs. They gave me the heads up this year is the best results we have had in that class in a long time," Minerva continued.

"Oh, my dear Minerva, if you have something to say just say it," Albus chuckled, putting the papers down and looking up at his former student and curtain friend.

"I think we should offer Ms. Tonks the position permanently – for next year at least," Minerva stated.

"As much as she has proved herself able to do the job, her heart has always been in becoming an Auror. Taking the position for a couple months doesn't delay her progress to transferring from Junior Auror to full-time Auror, but a year would," Albus explained. "I am afraid as much as we would like her to stay Ms. Tonks is leaving at the end of the year."

"You could at least offer it to her and see," Minerva tried, knowing Albus was right in a sense.

"I would not want to put pressure on her to stay," Albus said, dismissing the suggestion.

"Well then… what about Mallory Crusher?" Minerva asked. "She had high scores on her Defense Against the Dark Arts OWLs and NEWTs, if memory serves. She's a brilliant curse breaker from what I have heard. She used to tutor her friends very well, and most importantly we know she's on the good side, so to speak."

"Nymphadora Tonks and Mallory Crusher… you're picking quite the former troublemakers to be Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers?" Albus asked, with a small smile.

"Troublemakers seems to have a talent for Defense," Minerva explained, a small smile on her lips.

"Maybe so, but Mallory Crusher works for Gringotts full-time, partnered with Bill Weasley in Egypt. I don't think she'll want to leave either her position as curse breaker or the elder Weasley child to be a teacher here," Albus commented.

"Bill himself would be a good choice as well," Minerva tried. "I know he used to tutor the subject here."

"I thank you for the suggestions," Albus sighed. "And they are all great suggestions, but I have some other ideas," and with that, Minerva knew when a conversation was over. "But Minerva, out of curiosity, did your friends in the Ministry say anything about Harry and Harper's score on the OWLs they took?"

"They were as impressed with the siblings as we were," Minerva stated, heading for the door now.

"Hm, well, that's good…" Albus mused as Minerva left. "Now, Dobby," he now called his new House Elf, who appeared out of thin air with a pop.

"Yes, Master Dumbledore?" Dobby squeaked, holding a clean rag. He had clearly been cleaning – the House Elf was also no longer dressed in rags but a mismatch of other clothes already, all which made Albus smile every time he saw the Elf.

"Could you put these in the cabinet over there?" Albus asked, handing the elf a stack of files and pointing at the cabinet. The House Elf was eager to do as Dumbledore asked.

"Can Dobby ask Master Dumbledore a question?" Dobby asked.

"You may," Albus said.

"Dobby remembered Mistress Mallory Crusher. She was a nice and great witch. She would make a great teacher. Why not offer her the job? Or offer Mistress Tonks to position full time, just to just see?" Dobby asked clearly having heard McGonagall and thinking of the topic himself.

Albus gave a frown at this. "You've clearly been thinking things through."

"Being away from my former masters has given me a lot of freedom," Dobby squeaked happily, "More than I expected!"

"I'm glad," Albus smiled down at his elf. "Well, you should know that Tonks has bypassed my expectation for her and MC herself would make a great teacher," Albus admitted, but paused. "Sadly, years ago, a curse was placed on the position and since then I have not been able to keep a teacher over a year – most were just uncomfortable teaching, claiming unusual theories over the position. Some had accidents, but lately... well, I have had a teacher murder a student, another possessed by the Dark Lord himself, and then there's Gilderoy – he didn't even survive the year. The curse is getting stronger, and I don't…"

"You're protecting them," Dobby stated.

"Yes," Albus admitted with a nod.

"Sir? It is an honor to be your elf," Dobby said with a bend of his head, his nose touching the floor. "Do you have any thoughts on who would get the position?"

"Well… I do have someone in mind. Someone who has nothing to lose and is already, sadly, cursed," Albus mused.

-Harry Potter-

Harry and Harper had wanted to get back into the Chamber since the night they had left it, but with classes, studying for their OWLs, exams, and just having time with friends they hadn't found the time. Every time they entered to say hello to Rowan and Myrtle they looked at the sinks, wanting to go in, but couldn't as Hermione and Neville were with them.

The Vault Book had told them the quest would continue the next year, so there had been no more clues for the keys yet. The last few months of second year had been unusually ordinary, or as Harper called it, once: dull.

Now though, having escaped Hermione and Neville, with Rowan and Mrytle not in the bathroom they had the chance to go down, and as they entered the main Chamber, they were able to take in the changes that Harper had initiated.

"This does look nice now," Harry mused, looking at the statues of the Founders that had appeared after Harper took the dagger out of the snake's head. He moved over to the statue of Godric. "Good likeness."

"Not a bad likeness of Rowena or Helga either," Harper mused; she had told Harry about her dreams with Hogwarts, the school liking to take the forms of the two female Founders the most in the dreams. Harper had also questioned Harry about how he was having his training dreams with his Dream Catcher, only to discover he had never put it up.

"Harper, think you should…?" Harry started.

"Oh yeah," Harper nodded. "Hello, er, Basilisk, where are you?"

At the call, the large now-young-looking statue of Salazar Slytherin's mouth opened wide, and out slithered the familiar, large form of the giant snake. "True heiress, you came back. What is it you wish of me?" The Basilisk asked, landing on the floor before them.

"Just to ask you some questions," Harper said modestly. "Firstly… do you have a name?"

"The fake heir never asked me that!" The Basilisk remarked, looking shocked. "My original master called me Sasha," Sasha explained.

"Nice name," Harper said with a nod. "We have reason to believe you were meant to be the protector of Hogwarts…?"

"I was. My master and his friends, agreed that should trouble come to the school, I would be a great protector to protect the students. Salazar made this Chamber for me to live in. But I was connected to his blood as his familiar so when the other one came…"

"You do not have to justify your actions. We know," Harper said. "We have told everyone you're dead, though. No one will ever come looking for you again."

"You did that for me?" Sasha asked.

"Yes, and… I am your mistress now?" Harper asked.

"Yes, you are," Sasha said.

"Then my order to you is for now and the future you will be Hogwarts' Protector again. If needed, I will come to you to protect the school – but if anyone were to ever ask you to attack the school again, you will not listen – even if they are my future heir or heiresses," Harper explained.

"Yes mistress," Sasha said.

"I feel so left out," Harry said, having only heard hissing, and Harper laughed.

"I gave Sasha the order," Harper said, and Harry smiled. It had been his idea, in case in the future one of Harper descendants turned to the dark side. To ensure Sasha was returned to her original purpose for ever.

"Sasha?" Harry asked.

"Her name," Harper said putting a hand on the giant snake. The basilisk didn't move.

"Why aren't we dead?" Harry asked.

"Um…." Harper didn't know this one.

"I have my eyelids closed," Sasha explained now making Harper pause. "My kind have two eyelids – one is a very thin layer protecting the eyes and blocks my powers so I don't kill whoever I talk to, while the other are what you would call normal eyelids."

"She has two eyelids. Kind of like a camel protecting its eyes in sandstorms," Harper explained to Harry, thinking of the explanation off the top of her head. "She has one set closed so not to kill us on sight."

"Wait, she understood me?" Harry asked.

"I can," Sasha said.

"She can," Harper repeated.

"Well, that makes things easier," Harry said. "I am sure there is a lot to explore down here but we don't have much time right now. Maybe next year we can take a more thorough look."

"You're on," Harper said. "We shall see you again after summer break."

"I look forward to having you both here," Sasha said as the two turned to leave the Chamber.

"Why do I feel like history is wrong about Salazar Slytherin?" Harry asked Harper as they moved back through the tunnels back to the pipe they had come down – the rope ladder Hermione had made was still there for them to climb up this time.

"We need to get into the actual Founders Vault. I think the answers are there," Harper mused.

"Well, we're two down," Harry said, holding up his own key. "Two to go."

Harper gave a nod. "And by the way, what was that about talking to dragons being cooler than snakes?" Harper asked as they reached the main shoot.

"Wait until we have to fight a dragon," Harry said as Harper took hold of the rope ladder and started to climb.

"Why would we have to fight a dragon?" Harper asked, looking down at Harry holding onto the rope ladder with one hand as she did.

"Who could have predicted a Basilisk?" Harry countered, and Harper had to give a nod at that as she started to climb again.

-Harry Potter-

Thanks to the extra points Professor Dumbledore had given them in February, Gryffindor had won the House Cup to a great cheer from most of the Houses, besides Slytherin who came in second. Harper, Daphne, and Tracy had clapped for the Gryffindors though – with a smile.

It was later that day when the four friends were in the Hogwarts Express heading back to London when they truly got to talk that day, though.

"Okay," Hermione said once the four were together in their compartment. "I took a bunch of notes from the information you told me about your OWLs," Harry and Harper nearly groaned; Hermione had been obsessed with the fact that they took two OWLs and asked them so many questions.

"Mione, you don't have to take it until the end of 5th year," Harry remarked. "You have time! Come on, let's have some fun."

"I agree," Neville said with a sigh.

"Okay, okay, but Harper I do have to say your Astronomy notes are amazing. How do you know so much about the solar system?" Hermione remarked and Harry gave a laugh, only to be playfully pushed by his sister.

"When I was a kid I got obsessed with UFOs," Harper admitted. "And since we were taking astronomy anyway in junior magic school, I ended up going overboard."

"You can say that again," Harry said.

"Not as embarrassing as the time Harry…" Harper began.

"Don't you dare!" Harry snapped, seeming to know what Harper was going to say and jumped on his sister to shut her up. Harper was still trying to tell them something but was laughing as she and Harry fought.

"This is weird," they hadn't heard the compartment door open and turned to see Ron had entered.

"Harper was trying to tell us something embarrassing about Harry," Neville said as the two stopped. "What's up Ron?"

"We need more players for an Gobstones tournament. You in?" Ron asked.

"Sure," Harry, Harper, and Neville said right away.

"Come on, Mione," Harper said, putting Hermione's book down for her. "Let's have some fun." Hermione gave a nod at this.

-Harry Potter-

In Azkaban, Sirius Black sat in his cell looking at the newspaper he had convinced the Minister for Magic to give him some days ago; the front page showed the Weasley family, who had won some money in a Ministry giveaway. His eyes were on the rat on the youngest boys' shoulder, though. He had known that rat right away. Peter Pettigrew.

He knew Tim and Remus were looking for the rat, that they had come to visit him again and he was glad to see his friends, but he had no way to get this information to them. It could take a long time for them to visit again. In the meantime, Pettigrew could leave – or even worse, hurt Harry. The young Weasley boy and Harry were in the same dorm in school, after all.

He looked at the picture Tim had given him of Harry and Harper. If he had better clothes on with pockets he could take it with him as he transformed, but he didn't. He would have to abandon it.

"I'm coming," Sirius said to the picture as he put it down on the newspaper. He needed to get to Hogwarts.

Post Chapter Note: A nice little cliffhanger to which we all know the resolve, but it's fun to do, don't you think?

Important: As usual, between each year I'll be taking a little break to let this story rest. Year 3 will return in a month's time, or there about; depending on my trusted beta, we should be sticking to updates every 2 weeks, but there may be the occasional 3 week break as he tries to get through the backlog of things to edit.

Karry Master OUT!