Harry Potter and the Founders Vault
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Note: Originally this was part of the previous chapter, but it didn't fit in that, so it now has its own chapter. I hope you enjoy!
The First Ravenclaw Task.
Sirius Black was in his dog form, walking near the Forbidden Forest. It had taken him this long to get back to this place, yet it felt like yesterday when he was last here with his friends.
He knew Remus was here now though as he had heard about 'Professor Lupin', the new Defense Against the Dark teacher, and part of Sirius wanted to go to his friend, but he knew he couldn't reveal himself, even to his old friend – as far as the wizarding world knew, he was a wanted murderer. Even though he knew Lupin knew the truth exposing himself to his former friend could put him in danger, especially considering Lupin condition. Plus, regardless of what Tim Evans was doing for him, he really needed to just get that rat now before it slipped away.
He wasn't sure what time of the year it was, but at this time of night, students shouldn't have been in the grounds, which is why he was surprised to see a small group of young people near his position.
Instantly, he recognized Harry and Harper from the photo Tim had given him, while the two other students with them must be their friends. Then there was a crup who was looking Sirius's way, though.
"Lucy!" Harry called, forcing the dog back as she was about to approach where Sirius was hiding. "By the way Harp, I heard Fudge got an interesting tattoo..."
"I don't know what you mean," Harper replied, but gave a smirk as if she did know. "Okay we've got to follow the directions in the book exactly. This Forest can be dangerous."
"I know," the other boy said clearly shaking.
"We're with you this time Nev, no Voldemort drinking unicorn blood this time," Harry said, and Sirius knew this had to be Neville Longbottom after that name – he remembered Neville's parents from their time in the Order of the Pheonix and knew what had happened to them after, given his cousin Bellatrix never shut up about it in Azkaban. He was glad Neville had found Harry.
Harry had put a hand on his friend's shoulder which seemed to reassure him. "Hermione, you read the directions in the book. Neville, Harper you two will have your wands at the ready to cast spells. Lucy will be extra protection," Harry was now saying.
"And you?" Harper asked her brother as the other girl Sirius now knew was Hermione had a book in her hands.
Harry held out his hand and a sword appeared in it, surprising Sirius. Harry held up the sword. "Lumos," Harry called, and the sword blade entirely lit up. "I'll be leading the way and keeping the light."
"Wow, that's so cool," Neville stated.
"It channels magic just like a wand," Harry explained, "so it's its own wand, in a way."
"Come on, let's get this over with," Hermione interrupted. "The book says that way." Hermione pointed and the four continued moving.
'What are you four doing?' Sirius thought to himself; he really wanted to follow them, to protect them, if necessary, but he also had a limited amount of time to get the rat. Still, Sirius decided to start following them, but he had waited too long – by the time he started moving the four students had disappeared and he couldn't get a lock on their scent with all the other smells in the Forest.
Sirius turned into his human form, hoping maybe being taller he would see something.
"They better be careful," Sirius said to himself, going back to his dog form and heading for the Castle. He couldn't protect his Godson and friends, but he could get the rat, at least.
-Harry Potter-
Harry had led them in the Forest, the light his sword provided was brighter than anything their wands would produce, which was good since the trees blocked the setting sun. Hermione had enough light to see and read off her directions in the book while Harper and Neville could keep their wands free to use defensive spells. Lucy gave growls at certain things moving but so far nothing had stopped them.
That was until an arrow went into a tree near them and from over a small hill a group of centaurs appeared – human torso and heads, but a horse's lower half. Only Neville had seen them before, when he'd been rescued from Voldemort. They were impressive to look at.
"Who are you to wander so deep into this Forest?" A deep booming voice of one of the larger centaurs asked.
"Hold, Bane, they are but children," one of the other centaurs said, "barely even touching adulthood. We don't harm the young."
"Very right, Firenze, but what are young wizards doing this far into the Forest? In our territory," Bane asked, moving closer and then seemed to realize what Harry was holding. "You. What is the name of the sword which you wield?"
Harry paused for a moment, but then remembered Merlin telling him how centaurs would respect Excalibur. He trusted Merlin, Arthur, and Godric and when they made comments about his real life he knew to listen.
"It's… Excalibur," Harry said – and like every time he said its name, the sword glowed. At that, the centaurs bowed their heads to Harry.
"You are it's master?" Bane asked.
"Yes," Harry stated, not sure where this was going.
"The Great Wizard Merlin, King Arthur, and Godric Gryffindor were always kind to the centaurs of old. Bearing Excalibur makes you their spiritual successor. As their heir you shall be shown the same respect among my people we offered them so long ago," Bane explained. "You, your Knight, your Queen, and your Lady of the Lake," Bane looked at Neville, Hermione, and Harper at each of these expressions, "you are granted passage through our territory. Although why, you haven't said?"
"Lady of the lake?" Harper, however, asked.
"I'll fill you in later," Harry said, knowing the myths of King Arthur more than Harper did. "We're here looking for something left by the Founders," Harry told the centaur.
"You are partaking in the quest of the Founders of Hogwarts, then," Bane continued.
"I know what you seek," another one of the centaurs spoke up. "I shall lead you."
"Very well. I wish you success," Bane stated to the students. The other centaurs gave a nod, moving away, but Bane paused at the smaller centaur who had offered his services, before leaving as the one who said he led them came closer.
"I am Torvus," he said. He was paler than the other centaurs, his hair longer and had unusual body pain across his face.
"Harry, Hermione, Harper, and Neville," Harry said pointing at all of them in introduction as Torvus started to lead them.
"I have known many young of Hogwarts in the past," Torvus said. "I have helped many as well."
"Really, who?" Harper asked.
"Most recently, Mallory Crusher," Torvus said.
"MC?" Harry asked.
"What is with this girl that everyone knows her?" Harper added, making her three friends chuckle as they walked besides Torvus.
The group remained silent at this, following the centaur until he pointed at a clearing.
"What you seek is in here," Torvus explained, still leading them, taking them inside the clearing. Within were four statues, weathered and moss-covered; the four knew these statues as that of the symbols of the Founders: A Snake, A Lion, An Eagle, and a Badger. The statues were in a circle, and all four were facing that of an equally weathered and moss-covered stone box.
"This has been here for as long as the Castle. But no one can get any nearer to it," Torvus said, keeping his distance.
"Interesting," Hermione muttered, stepping forward first and into the area, followed by Neville and Harper. Harry was last, giving Torvus a nod, but Torvus didn't seem to be able to follow. "The Founders have some seriously strong magic," Harry said as Lucy gave a moan also not able to follow. "Lucy, stay."
"I shall wait so I can lead you safely out," Torvus said, giving another nod as Lucy sat by his hooves.
The four approached the box, the top of which seemed to have square pieces that had some sort of lines on it. "There's a piece missing," Neville said pointing at a place. "Looks like I just can slide this…" Neville moved the piece near the missing spot, and it moved right into the missing area.
"It's a sliding tile puzzle!" Hermione said. "The lines on these tiles create a picture, we need to move them about until the picture is complete."
At that, the group spent a bit of time moving around the tiles until they finally got the last one-piece place. "It's Rowena's symbol, the eagle, but I have never seen it look like this." Hermione stated.
Harper and Harry looked at each other though – they had seen it like this before, on the dagger that was currently attached to Harper's leg. The two didn't have more time to think about this as the box with the puzzle on it opened.
"Looks like we did it right," Neville breathed.
"Look at this!" Hermione breathed, taking out several papers from the stone box. "This looks like a map of Hogwarts…" there were several showing all the different floors and common rooms. "It's extremely old."
"I think these are the original blueprints," Harry said, looking them over, too. "But look at these lines that were placed on them… and numbers."
"It's almost like it's been set up on a grid or a chess board," Neville said.
"Hold on a second," Harper added, grabbing one of the pages. "This is the Chamber of Secrets. Wow, it is bigger than we thought! This is the main chamber we found Ginny in, but there are other Chambers off-shooting it..."
"It's not like we're going back down there," Neville remarked at this, and Harper and Harry decided not to say anything. Their friends still thought the Basilisk was dead and the Chamber was closed for good. "But why is that here? I thought the other Founders didn't know of the Chamber."
"We don't know what the other Founders knew or not," Hermione added as she looked at the Vault book. "Oh, a new clue. Numbers? Must correspond to these blueprints somehow… I am going to need time to study these somewhere with more light," Hermione folded everything every carefully and put it all in the bag she had been carrying.
"Let's get back to the Castle," Neville said, and the other three had to agree. Torvus and Lucy were waiting where they'd left them and, at that, the centaur brought them back to the edge near Hagrid's hut, safe from other threats in the Forest.
"Thank you," Harry said as he finally dimmed the light on his sword.
"Should you need us again, the centaurs will be at your service, King Harry," Torvus said, and Harry raised an eyebrow, but couldn't question as the centaur went to disappear into the Forest.
"They are way too into King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table," Harper remarked, once she was sure Torvus was out of earshot. "But it worked for us. Let's get in before we're missed."
With that, the four students made the familiar trip from Hagrid Hut up to the Castle and entered the Castle easily enough. The Halloween feast was definitely over now, so the four decided to head back to their common rooms – but they didn't get the chance as McGonagall and several other teachers along with students came running toward them.
"There you are! Where have you been!?" Professor McGonagall asked, and her voice was stern. Lucy gave a bark at that.
Harper was quick with the excuse this time. "We just can't find those candles," Harper said, using the old joke that they were finding candles to commemorate the death of Harry's parents.
"Yeah, it's been 12 years since my parents died," Harry said, not missing a beat.
"And once again we couldn't find the candles to honor them," Hermione added, knowing what excuse they were using.
"It shouldn't be this hard," Neville added with a wry smile.
"Next year I am sending you a box of candles and a howler just so I can see what excuse you come up with," Professor McGonagall stated.
"And why do you have your sword?" Professor Snape added, looking at them.
"Harry agreed to help me prank the Weasleys. We were going to dress him up as a Knight and he was going to walk into the Gryffindor Common Room pretending to be Sir Cadogan, brought back to life to get revenge for all the time Fred and George messed his with portrait," Harper said and Harry gave a quick nod to this.
"It's alright you two," it was Albus Dumbledore, appearing at the top of the Grand Staircase. "All four of them are safe."
"What is going on?" Hermione asked, not sure why it seemed all of Gryffindor house was behind Professor McGonagall, the students watching the exchange between the Fab Four and the two Heads of Houses with a mix of intrigue and annoyance.
"It seems Sirius Black has made it to Hogwarts," Professor Dumbledore explained. "He attacked the portrait of the Fat Lady, hoping to gain entry into Gryffindor Tower," he shared a look with Harry and Harper as he said this, all three knowing by now that Sirius Black was innocent, but had to remain in-character and react appropriately to this. "Now please, teachers get all students to the Great Hall. We're locking down the Castle."
-Harry Potter-
Remus had dragged Harry aside so they could have a private word; the other teachers were setting up sleeping bags in the Great Hall and everyone from all the Houses were sleeping in there tonight to make sure students were kept safe from the 'dangerous Sirius Black'. Personally, Harry felt this was an overreaction even if Sirius was evil and gotten elsewhere in the Castle – although he was claimed to have killed twelve muggles and one wizard in one fell swoop, he had to remind himself.
"Are you quite safe, Harry?" Remus asked.
"Of course, I am," Harry stated, frowning at this.
"If only I had the new Marauders Map done by now, but it isn't ready yet. I didn't know he was here," Remus stated. "Tomorrow I am going to check some places we use to visit as teenagers, but he could be hiding in the mountains now."
"Another reason to climb the mountains," Harry muttered, remembering his trip to the mountaineering shop in Hogsmead earlier.
"Professor Dumbledore is doing all he can legally for Sirius. Unfortunately, a lot of people in high power want to see Sirius kissed by a Dementor," Remus said. "And yelling at the Minister and having Harper tattoo 'Sirius Black is Innocent' to his forehead does not help." Harry tried not to laugh at this. "Even if it is hilarious and Padfoot would definitely approve. So, would your dad…"
Harry gave a nod. "Just keep your head low and continue with your studies for now," Remus said and Harry gave a nod. "Now go, join your friends and rest."
The sleeping bags weren't in any House order, although the older girls and boys were kept somewhat separate, so tonight Harry would be able to sleep near his friends and sister, so he joined Neville, Hermione and Harper in a corner of the Great Hall. Lucy was with them as well. They needed to discuss the maps they had found, after all.
-Harry Potter-
The next day, Harper found the two Flamels helping with locking down the school to protect against Sirius's re-entry to the Castle.
"Can I have a word?" Harper asked them.
"Better say we pulled you aside for a private conversation," Nicholas said putting an arm around Harper and telling his wife to continue helping secure the Castle. "What's going on?
"You said before that Rowena Ravenclaw redesigned her symbol," Harper said.
"For the school yes. The original symbol of her house was the one on your blade," Nicholas said.
"Why?" Harper asked.
"If you're asking more about her parents or family before Rowena, I am sorry to say I cannot help you there. Nothing is known about the Founders' parents. For all we know, Rowena was the first magical being of her line and redesigned the symbol for the magical family instead of her Muggle linage," Nicholas said.
"I thought all four Founders were Pure Bloods," Harper said.
"That piece of information is more a more… modern interpretation," Nicholas sighed. "Their blood status was never confirmed, and it's assumed by the Pure Bloods nowadays they, too, were Pure Bloods, but honestly we know very little about their families before them. We only know about the dagger because of the importance it played when Rowena refused to give it to her first husband."
"It is very possible Rowena Ravenclaw or any of the Founders could have been Muggle-born," Nicholas continued. "After all, the only reliable fact is they were four powerful wizards and witches who worked together and set the foundations that Muggle-borns can be just as powerful as those with magical ancestors. Your friend, Hermione proves that. Your aunt, Lily Potter also proved that. In fact, Salazar's house symbol and Helga's were both made for Hogwarts itself," Nicholas said. "Any reason for the curiosity?"
"Urm, no. Just curious," Harper said and Nicholas gave a nod letting her keep the information to herself.
"Now, head off to class. I know the teachers are ferrying you all around right now, but that will die down in time," Nicholas smirked and Harper chuckled, turning and leaving the Flamels to get to her first class of the say.
Post Chapter Note: Well, I hope you liked this. I enjoy having Nicholas and Perenelle around, it's a shame they're to die soon. Never mind though! What did you all think of the first task for Ravenclaw and the continued use of Hogwarts Mystery? It should be noted that I (Millie) will soon be getting the Hogwarts Legacy game so that may soon find its way into this story too, despite being set 100 years before this story.
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