Harry Poter and the Founders Vault

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the idea.

Note 1: I mentioned this a while back, but I do want to reiterate that this ISN'T an Evil Dumbledore story. Yes, Professor Dumbledore made some bad decisions, but he's only human. I will NOT be going down this route.

Note 2: We had a reviewer turn off this story due to not doing an immediate Harry/Hermione romance. I do want to point out that these two are endgame, but as they're both only 13 at this point in the story, I don't want them together instantly. Yes, they will have their own individual romances before they eventually get together. We're playing the long game here.

Note 3: I recently started working full time after not having a proper job for a while. Because of this, unfortunately, updates will remain once a month for the foreseeable future. I apologize for this, but I promise you this story will be worth it.

Year 3: Harper's First Quidditch Match

Perenelle had asked Harry to have a test duel with Neville so they could adjust how well he was going forward with his training and see what he was good at and what he needed work on.

"Well thank you Harry for joining us. Neville needed a dueling partner," Perenelle said as they entered the castle from the outside.

"It was fun. Neville did well," Harry said with a smile. He loved a good duel.

"You still won," Neville pointed out, seeming upset.

"Don't let that go to your head," Perenelle said to Neville. "Harry has a talent in defense spells; it seems that he has spent time nurturing. You don't have such a talent, but you are learning well without it. You are advancing. That is what is important."

"As the person who helped train you a bit last year, I can say you are," Harry pointed out, putting an arm around Neville. "Hell, if we were at Grand Canyon Academy, I guarantee you'd make the dueling team and help us win the inter school dueling championship."

"Really?" Neville asked.

"Really Nev, I wouldn't lie to you," Harry said. "Come on, let's get some breakfast." They had been dueling before breakfast on this Saturday morning.

"Harry, remember, you, I, Nicholas, and Harper are meeting after the match today," Perenelle reminded Harry, who gave a nod as the two went into the Great Hall.

With a Quidditch match today between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, both teams were already dressed in their robes and had their brooms out. People were dressed up to show what team they were supporting, too.

As they approached the Hufflepuff table where Harper was sitting with Cedric and Susan, it was to see Harper's skin was bright red. "Harp?" Neville asked.

"Weasleys," Harper responded. "Messed with the shower. I am more curious how they knew I was heading into it then how they did this."

"Don't worry, this should work," Cedric said, having been looking through a textbook. He was dressed in his Quidditch robes and had his broom. He pointed his wand at Harper and called out a spell, Harper's skin turned back to normal.

"Thanks," Harper said to the boy with a smile as she looked at her hand.

"Well as Captain of the Hufflepuff team I can't have my girlfriend the color of the enemy," Cedric joked and kissed Harper's cheek. In the few weeks since Halloween, the two had been going strong and Harry had to admit he liked Cedric.

"Hey Harp, can you do it?" Harry asked and Harper raised an eyebrow. Harry deciding to change the subject and have a little fun. "The dragon transformation spell?" The other day in transfiguration, Professor McGonagall had shown them a spell to transfigure small objects into miniature dragons. Harry had been obsessed with it since.

"Both you and Hermione perfected this spell too," Harper pointed out, and Neville had to laugh as he grabbed some food – the duel having worked up a hunger in the boy.

"But I only get a perfect Welsh Green dragon. You are so much better," Harry pointed out, with a pout.

"Fine," Harper said as Cedric and Susan laughed and Harper took out her wand. "Draconifors," Harper moved her wand at the spoon she was pointing at as she said the spell and the spoon transfigured into a perfect miniature Hungarian Horntail.

"Awesome," Harry said with a smile as the mini dragon gave a roar and then flew up into the air. It started shooting small puffs of fire. "Okay, maybe not the right place to do that. Undo the transfiguration!"

"It's moving too fast," Harper said as the tiny dragon went right for the Gryffindor table, causing the students to duck. "I…."

Before Harper could finish, the dragon was transformed back into a spoon that dropped harmlessly on the Gryffindor table.

"Okay, who transfigured that?" It was Professor McGonagall. She had her wand out, having stopped the miniature dragon.

Harper raised her hand. "But I asked her to," Harry called, making the teacher look at the two.

"10 points from both Gryffindor and Slytherin for using magic irresponsibility," Professor McGonagall said. "But a very impressive transfiguration," with that, Professor McGonagall walked away and the two had to laugh; even Neville gave a laugh.

"I got to get going. Pre-game meeting," Cedric said, giving a smile. "You're going to be there right?" His eyes were on Harper as he said it.

"I promised I would," Harper said with a nod and Cedric smiled before walking out with his team.

"You're going to a Quidditch Match?" Harry asked. "You don't even like Quidditch!"

"I don't like baseball either, but I go to your matches," Harper pointed out to Harry, who had to give a nod to that.

"Hey, you can come sit with me and Susan," Neville said happily as Harper gave her friend a nod.

Before anyone could say anything more, Hermione came running up.

"I figured it out!" Hermione said to the three, making them look at each other. None had an idea of what Hermione meant. "The… well… oh, come on!" Hermione taking Harry's hand and started to drag him away from the table; Harry nearly tripped as he had to get his steps, following her.

"Are we following them?" Neville asked.

"I think so," Harper said with a shrug, the two getting up to follow, leaving Susan amused.

-Harry Potter-

"The numbers in the Vault Book. One of them led to one of the blueprints – and the other numbers used the grid to bring us to a certain location. I cross referenced with current maps of Hogwarts and got the exact location!" Hermione said as she dragged Harry. Harper and Neville coming up besides them.

"When did you have the time to figure this all out?" Harry asked as they started running upstairs.

"Time has no meaning," Hermione said cryptically as they continued.

"With Hermione lately, that seems to be true. We'll have the key before Christmas if it's up to her," Harper stated to Neville as they continued walking up the stairs until they were on the 7th floor in the left corridor. That is where they stopped.

"And this is where we are being led," Hermione said, stopping in the hallway.

"A tapestry of dancing trolls?" Neville asked, looking at the only thing before them which was a tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy teaching trolls, ballet.

"This was the clue location…" Hermione said, taking out the Vault book. "See, there is a congratulation on finding the location and a new clue," Hermione turned the book to the three who saw she was right. "Just a bunch of random letters though…" Hermione turned to look at this. "I'll figure this out…" Hermione walked away from the trio.

"Anyone else concerned Hermione is taking every class this school has to offer, working with the Flamels, and the one going after the key this year?" Harry asked his sister and friend.

"She is stretching herself thin," Harper agreed; the trio had not been able to figure out how Hermione was doing everything but had noticed the effect it was getting on their friend. She always seemed tired and stressed.

"We better get to the pitch though," Neville said to Harper. "Harry, are you going to come this time?"

"No, I'm going to go find Mione," Harry said, waving off the two as Harper gave him a pat and went with Neville.

-Harry Potter-

Harper and Neville got into the Quidditch stands and took a spot next to Susan.

"You two were almost late," Susan said. Harper looked around; she with the majority of the Hufflepuffs. "And Harp, you could have worn yellow…" Harper was in her normal Slytherin sweatshirt to keep warm and put the hood up since it was raining. With her snake ring and dragon tooth she didn't exactly look like a Hufflepuff supporter.

"Don't have yellow," Harper pointed out with a shrug and looked down at the ground. There was something about the Quidditch pitch field – a feeling drawing her to it almost like the way she was drawn to the Chamber last year, only much lesser.

Her attention to it was cut off when Neville gave her a friendly push.

"I know you don't like Quidditch, but even you have to know you need to look up," Neville pointed out, and Harper turned her attention to the sky. The two team captains had shaken hands and the balls were being released. Harper waved to Cedric as he moved his broom around after Madam Hooch blew her whistle.

…

Cedric had to smile; he scanned the stands for a moment and did find Harper with his fellow Hufflepuffs. He didn't pay more attention to the audience though as he had to keep track of the game and watch out for the Snitch. Last year he would have shrugged off a game against Gryffindor as an easy win, but last year they were missing a chaser and their seeker was bad. This year though, the Gryffindor team seemed to be rejuvenated.

They had their three Chasers back in action and all three of them were competing well with his Hufflepuff's own Chasers. The Weasley twins had always been some of the best Beaters at Hogwarts and Oliver Wood was an amazing keeper. That left it down to their new Seeker: Ginny Weasley.

Cedric knew not to underestimate her due to age. He knew she was helping Harper and his own brother, Edward, prank the Weasley twins so she was definitely clever and sneaky. Cedric recognized the broom she was using as Charlie Weasley's old broom, too, and just observing her for a moment Cedric knew she would be a challenge to beat to the Snitch. She was flying well and searching.

Cedric gave a smirk. He liked a challenge, and he started his own search for the Snitch. He kept his ears on the comments to keep track of the score – the Weasley twins friend, Lee Jordan giving superb, albeit slightly biased, comments on the game. Gryffindor and Hufflepuff's Chasers and Keepers were keeping the score pretty even. This match would come down to who caught the Snitch and every so often, he turned to see if Ginny had located the Snitch as he searched himself.

Then he caught sight of the little golden ball and started flying after it. He knew Ginny had seen it too – he could feel her not far behind him. It would be a race to see who could get their hands around the golden ball first. Ginny caught ahead of Cedric for a moment, but Cedric picked up his speed to get ahead of her.

As he was about to catch it Cedric had to dodge as Ginny's broom flew right in front of his face, nearly hitting him without a rider on it. Cedric paused as he turned to see Ginny falling. For a second, he thought she got hit by a Bludger but then he saw them: Dementor below on the pitch, and Cedric realized some of the cold had been due to them and not the rain and wind.

Cedric abandoned the Snitch and took his wand out of his robes. He usually didn't keep it on him while playing but had tucked it there after reversing Harper skin color change this morning. He remembered his happy memory clearly in his head as he yelled out "Expecto Patronum!" below as a bright white horse came out of the end of his wand and started charging the Dementors below. It was joined by other Patronus's, including a phoenix, a cat and wolf.

Cedric turned his broom to the still-falling Ginny. She wasn't falling fast, it had happened so quickly, but made Cedric believe someone had lessen her momentum so she came down slowly. He was still the closet to her and got to her before anyone else grabbing her before she got to the ground.

Cedric saw Dumbledore coming out onto the pitch, followed by many other teachers- he had never seen Dumbledore so angry as he yelled at the Dementors and cast larger Patronus's to force them off the pitch.

"Mr. Diggory!" It was Professor McGonagall. "We need to take young Ms. Weasley to the hospital wing." Cedric nodded to the Professor as he gave the unconscious Ginny over to the teachers.

-Harry Potter-

Harry had tracked Hermione down to the library where she was sitting with a lot of books around her.

"Mione?" Harry said sitting down.

"Besides figuring out this clue, I have a ton of homework to do," Hermione said and gave a yawn.

"Hermione…" Harry said again, putting his hand in front of her. "Look, I know you love learning but this isn't healthy," Harry was really concerned for his friend. "As the months have gone on all you do study. It's taking its toll on you. You're always tired. I think you really need to consider dropping a couple of course."

"And which courses do you suggest I drop, exactly?!" Hermione snapped seeming offended by this.

"Divinations for a start," Harry said. "All you do is complain about Trelawny, and while I won't say her way of seeing the future is completely stupid, you definitely don't have the gift necessary. No offense." Hermione didn't say anything to that, so Harry figured she didn't have a response. "Oh, and Muggle Studies. You're Muggle-born, you probably know more about that stuff than the Professor."

"But it's fascinating," Hermione protested.

"I flipped through your book. It's at least 50 years out of date on Muggle culture and customs," Harry said. "Me and you could re-write the book together and publish an updated one."

"That might be fun," Hermione smirked. "Besides, I like seeing the magical community misrepresentations of the muggle world and correcting it."

"Drop Muggle Studies and with the free time you get we'll start the book," Harry said with a smile.

"Even if I dropped those two, I'd still have a full schedule," Hermione said.

"Not if you also drop Care of Magical Creatures," Harry added.

"You love Care of Magical Creatures," Hermione reasoned, tilting her head at Harry.

"You're not me. I see myself one day running a preservation like my mom and Newt – or joining a ranger group to keep track of wild magical creatures. I want my life to revolve around Magical Creatures. You don't," Harry said.

"But I like being with you in the class," Hermione said, quickly trying to hide her blush. "…and Harper and Neville. Plus, Hagrid would be so sad if I dropped." Hermione added quickly to cover up her reaction.

"I'll give you that," Harry nodded. "Although we do have to get him to switch off Flobberworms – since the incident with Buckbeak, he's only had us watching Flobberworms which is really dull."

"I appreciate the concern, Harry," Hermione said. "But I am determined to continue with this."

Harry sighed, knowing he was not convincing Hermione to drop anything just yet. "At least let me help you then," he reasoned.

-Harry Potter-

The entire Gryffindor team except for Oliver Wood was in the hospital wing along with Edward and Luna, who were sitting near the still unconscious Ginny when Harper and Neville walked in. Fred and George stood up and pointed at Harper.

"I'm not going to prank you over your little sister hospital bed," Harper said, pointing her own fingers at the twins. "Can you say the same?"

"Okay. Harper on that side of the bed. Fred, George with your team," Neville said and the three cautiously walked around them as they stood near the bed. Ginny moaning as she turned in her sleep and woke up.

"Hey, be careful," it was Luna smiling at Ginny.

"What happened?" Ginny asked, sitting up slowly.

"Dementors interrupted the game," Katie Bell, one of the Gryffindor Chasers, said. "You fell off your broom."

"We're sorry, Gin," Fred said holding out a piece of wood along with George.

"We tried to get it, but it hit the Whomping Willow," George added as they put the pieces of Ginny's – formerly Charlie's – broom on her lap. It was clear the pieces were too broken to fix even by magic.

"Ginny, you're awake!" This was Cedric walking in with Oliver Wood by his side. "You were pretty amazing out there until the Dementors came. I thought you might get it over me for a moment," Cedric gave the girl a smile as he put an arm around Harper.

"So, what's happening with the game?" The Gryffindor team asked looking over at their Captain.

"Both of us asked for a rematch," Oliver said giving Cedric a nod. "But Hooch said the rules are obvious. Gryffindor was forced to forfeit to Hufflepuff. Even though the Snitch wasn't caught – a first for Quidditch – Hufflepuff did have a higher score than us, meaning they won," Oliver said this through practically-gritted teeth; there was a groan among all the Gryffindors.

"But the teachers have decided from now on Patronus's will be summoned before the game and patrol the surrounding area, just in case, so to make extra sure no Dementors will ever again interrupt a game," Cedric said. "Dumbledore was so mad though, I swear he was about to kick them all out right now. If it wasn't for Minister Fudge insistence that they stay in the surroundings where Dumbledore has no power they'd be back in Azkaban by now."

"Why did they even come to the pitch?" Harper asked. "It's not like they like Quidditch… do they?" She didn't know much about Dementors, as they were rare in the USA – although her dad did know how to defend against them.

"No, they don't care for the sport," Cedric answered his girlfriend. "But they prey on happiness, euphoria – what better place than a Quidditch pitch where people are too excited?"

"Ah, I see," Harper nodded, beginning to wonder if this was a fault in Professor Dumbledore's agreement to let the creatures near the Quidditch pitch.

"See Gin, you'll be fine next time," Fred said to his sister now, wanting to keep the conversation more cheerful.

"We just need to get you a new broom," George added; about to move but found himself unable to move away from Fred. "What the…?" Fred and George tried to dis-connected but found their clothes were stuck to each other.

"Really?" Fred asked looking at Harper.

"I didn't do a thing," Harper said holding her hands up in the air. Edward and Luna laughed though. "I think my proteges have decided to do this one on their own…"

"We thought it would cheer up Ginny," Edward said, and seeing her brothers struggle to try to separate did make the girl laugh.

"You're using Second and First Years?" Fred asked.

"Genius!" George added as Harper laughed.

"I need to go meet up with Harry and the Flamels," Harper stood, heading for the door with Cedric. "See you Gin. Feel better!"

Once out of the Hospital Wing, Harper turned to Cedric, who had left with her.

"That was an impressive Patronus," Harper said to her boyfriend as they walked.

"Thanks," Cedric said.

"Professor Lupin told Harry he would teach him. Any chance you would teach me?" Harper asked and Cedric raised an eyebrow. "It seems like it would be a good skill to have – especially with so many Dementors around."

"Sure, why not," Cedric said. "Have fun at your lesson."

Harper kissed Cedric's cheek and then ran off heading for Moaning Myrtle bathroom – the two Flamels and Harry were already there.

"Sorry. I went to check on Ginny," Harper said.

"I heard what happened," Harry said as Harper turned her attention to the sink with the snake on it, opening it with her Parseltongue.

"Nothing good comes of Dementors," Nicholas added, giving a nod as the sink sunk to reveal the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets. At that, they all went down the familiar tunnel; Nicholas and Perenelle putting a ward on the door before they descended, so no one else would come in while it was open.

The corridor from the bottom of the shoot was lit and happy, the same as it had been since Harper had claimed the Chamber as her own, and the entrance to the Chamber itself seemed closer than it had the first time Harper and Harry had gone down.

When they reached the Chamber, Sasha was already waiting. The Basilisk had gotten used to having her company and seemed to be waiting for them.

"Hello mistress," Sasha greeted Harper.

"Hi Sasha," Harper said as the two went to where Nicholas and Perenelle had, at the beginning of the year, set up a study area for them: a nice table and they kept brushes and paper here for Harper and Harry to draw the right symbols in. They also kept blood replenishing potions down here – the two Flamels having found one Harper could use due to her intolerance to certain potions. "Sasha, how would I enter the other chambers?" Harper asked, knowing what needed to be done today.

"There are several other chambers connected to this one. The one behind the mouth of my original Master is just my sleeping chamber. It leads to exits into the Forest and into the Great Lake for me to hunt," Sasha explained to Harper. "But by my Master's feet there is another doorway you can open, leading to my Master's private chambers. They are yours now."

"Harper, what are you doing?" Harry asked, having watched the conversation in Snake with intrigue, but frowned when Harper began to move toward the statue of the rejuvenated Salazar Slytherin.

"I want to explore," Harper said, making eyes go to her as she bypassed the area they practiced blood magic and went to the feet of Salazar. "Open."

There was a creaking sound as snakes on the ground moved and a trapdoor opened at the statue's feet. "This goes lower…?" Harry asked, confused at the stairwell below as Harper took out her wand and used Lumos.

"You three coming?" Harper asked as she went down a few steps.

"Yes," Nicholas said.

"You're like a child in a sweet shop," Perenelle said, but followed her husband as well; Harry already ahead of them following Harper down.

The stairway wasn't that long, and they found themselves in a hallway that led them to another chamber. "This would be the perfect place to train Neville," Perenelle breathed; the area was large, perfect for duels. There were some statues of knights around them, too.

"Except we can't bring him down here for now," Harper added.

On a far wall was Salazar's symbol and below it were weapons – a sword and shield, both holding Salazar's symbol on it. "These must have belonged to Salazar," Nicholas said, going to touch the sword but pulled his hand back as he got a shock.

"Interesting," Harry said, looking at the sword himself and trying to get it as well, but also getting shocked.

Harper moved forward and touched the hilt of the sword with no problems.

"It seems only you can remove these weapons," Perenelle said as Harper took out the sword. It felt odd in her hand.

"I could teach you," Harry said, almost ready to summon Excalibur but Harper put the sword back.

"Maybe another day," Harper said to her brother as she went towards the back walls. There were two large snakes on the wall here and Harper looked at one of them. "Open…" The snake moved and another doorway opened. "What is this?"

The room was large and empty besides stands. Nicholas came up behind her. "These are soft and its hot here," Nicholas said, the temperature inside the room was higher than the rest of the Chamber. "I think this is a nursery… Salazar must have liked to hatch snakes. It's been a long time since anything been born here, but could easily be re-done. All we need is eggs."

"Something to think about," Harper mumbled.

"One more, Harp," Harry said pointing at the last snake on the wall, and Harper turned to it telling it to open.

The door opened and Perenelle was first in this time.

"Well, it looks like this was an office," Perenelle said as the other three came in. "Salazar must have worked in here… but no books," there was an empty, ancient bookshelf against the wall. "…or papers of any kind."

"Only this," Harry said, picking up a bracelet laying on the floor. "So tiny."

"That would be for a child," Nicholas said. "Her name is engraved here in ancient ruins." Nicholas pointed at the engravement as he took the bracelet from Harry. "It's says… Adria."

"Who's Adria?" Both Harper and Harry asked together.

"Don't know," Nicholas said. "But she was important to Salazar for him to make or keep this here. Maybe the answer is in your blood?"

"We should return to our studies," Perenelle said with a nod, smirking at her husband's reference for their student to get back to her studying.

"Harper, Harry," Nicholas said holding the bracelet to them. "It's yours," Harper took the bracelet from the Flamel and pocketed it as they moved back to the main chamber where Sasha was waiting.

Both Harry and Harper threw themselves more into learning blood magic at this, wanting to learn enough so they could trace their bloodlines more than ever at this moment.

Post Chapter Note: It's been a while, but I hope you liked this chapter.

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Karry Master OUT!