Harry Potter and the Founders Vault
Disclaimer: The same as usual.
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Important Note 1: This story is NOT an Evil Dumbledore story, so for everything thinking Albus has a hidden agenda or is putting the gang in danger for various reasons or whatever, please just stop. If you're reading this because you like evil Dumbledore stories, please find another story as you won't find that here, but if you're enjoying this for what it is, please continue.
Important Note 2: As you all should know by now, I didn't put Harry and Hermione together from the off – I wanted their relationship to build up slowly, which is why Harry has a girlfriend in Enola and Hermione is dating Deam Thomas as of this school year. Don't worry, though, 'Harmonie' is the endgame and I intend to get them together by the end of this year – year 4.
Now, on with the chapter…
The Room of Requirement.
The day after arriving at Hogwarts and the announcement of the Tri-Wizard Tournament, Harry was the first waiting outside the Great Hall for the others; Harper was the next to arrive with Daphne and Tracey next to her – the two girls greeting Harry warmly.
"Slytherin table today?" Daphne asked.
"No. Professor McGonagall has requested we always go to Gryffindor for Breakfast on day one. She has all our schedules," Harry said, using the American term for their school calendar, or timetable. "Dinner?"
"Good enough," Tracey said. "See you later Harp." With that, the two went into the room.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked his sister; Harper was unusually quiet and looking down. There was something off about her.
"I… didn't sleep well," Harper said, rubbing her eyes slightly.
"You do sometimes get insomnia," Harry mused, knowing that of his sister and putting an arm around her as Hermione came down the stairs with Padma, the other Ravenclaw girl saying hello to the two as Hermione stayed with them. Harry putting his around arm around Hermione who smiled at the touch.
"So, why are we changing our meeting place?" Hermione asked and was surprised as Harper didn't answer.
"Hey sleepy," Harry said pushing his sister a little. "The meeting place? Why are we changing up?"
"I'd like to know too," it was Neville finally showing up. He was in a bit of an upheaval with his cloak not completely on. "Sorry, Trevor got out of his aquarium…" the three laughed, the sentence bringing them back to first year; Neville had been more careful with his pet since then, but every once in a while, they had to look for the toad.
"Oh, it's better changing it up. Better location and will throw the Weasley twins off," Harper said.
"Oh, you're taking them to the Room," it was Cedric coming up, taking Harper away from Harry. Harper smiled as her boyfriend put an arm around her. "It is ready. We spent a lot of last year preparing it. I'll come walk you to class once I get my timetable," Cedric kissed Harper's cheek and then went over to the Hufflepuff table as the four headed for the Gryffindor table.
"Still seems weird to switch where we meet," Neville pointed out. "And Myrtle and Rowan. They are practically a part of the group..." the two ghosts were some of the only ones outside of the main four who really knew what they were doing. They had been there through all the clues with the ghosts, too.
"They can come meet us in our new place and we can still go visit them," Harper pointed out. "Trust me, the minute you see where we are going you will be thankful."
"And where are you going?" It was Fred and George sitting near the four.
"Not any of your business," Harry said, quickly.
"Don't worry…" George began.
"We have bigger fish to fry than your four's secret," Fred continued.
"We are going to get into the Tournament," George finished.
"You are underaged," Hermione pointed out, just as Dean sat next to her and Hermione smiled at her own boyfriend.
"We'll find a way," the two said together with a smirk and Harry could see Hermione was about to respond but put a hand on her shoulder. It wasn't worth arguing with the two, knowing they would never actually get in anyway.
The group ate their breakfasts and then Professor McGonagall came around to give them their timetable. This year, Hermione's timetable was normal, with no classes clashing like they did last year, which, now that the others knew how she'd gotten to classes last year, they were all thankful for.
"Harper, are you done?" Cedric asked a little later, coming back up to the Gryffindor table and Harper gave a nod and took Cedric hand.
"See you in class," Harper said to the three.
"She didn't finish…" Ron said, sitting near them and seeing Harper's plate still had food on it. In fact, it looked like she barely ate.
"Is she alright?" Hermione asked Harry.
"She said she had insomnia," Harry said, although a little concerned himself. "It's happened before to her, and it doesn't help she can't use most potions that would help. Apparently, in first year Professor Snape gave her one she could use… actually, I might want to have her ask about it again. And we have double potions first thing."
"You know maybe she's just nervous," Neville said, and his eyes went to the Weasleys who were listening in. "You two know why…" he was hinting to the fact that this year was Slytherin's year to get the Key and if she failed it would mean everything they did the last three years would be for nothing.
"Possible," Hermione said but Harry gave a shrug.
-Harry Potter-
Harper and Cedric walked out of the Great Hall. Since they had ditched out of the breakfast early, they had a little bit of time to walk around together.
"I've got to say, I loved that date night with you in the muggle world. And Hermione's parents are very nice," Cedric spoke up.
"They're the best," Harper agreed.
"Oh, you know my birthday is coming up," Cedric said, and Harper gave a nod. She had already bought Cedric a special birthday present. "Usually, me and my friends do something in the Hufflepuff Common Room, but I already talked to Professor Flitwick and he said I couldn't bring you in."
"I'm sure I can sneak in," Harper mused.
"Unless you like the smell of vinegar…" Cedric mused, referencing the fact that non-Hufflepuffs got sprayed with vinegar when attempting to enter their Common Roo. "Besides, you don't have to. He told me there's this large ballroom in the dungeons. The ghosts use it for their Death Day parties and has agreed I can use it for a birthday party," Cedric said. "So, you, Harry, Hermione, and Neville can come. Along with Edward, of course."
"Sounds great," Harper said. "I can see if Dobby can get the Hogwarts House Elves to set it all up."
"Dobby is on it," a new voice spoke, Harper and Cedric both jumped, not having seen the House Elf following them, but hearing him pop out. Both gave a chuckle.
"You know, it will be my 17th birthday," Cedric said. "I can… enter the Tournament."
"You want to enter?" Harper asked, pausing now.
"I mean yeah. Money and eternal glory," Cedric mused.
"Can you name one person who ever won?" Harper pointed out, and Cedric opened his mouth but closed it. No, he could not. Harper only knew the names from the books in the Potter Manor library. "And yeah, it's a lot of money but is it worth risking your life for a game?"
"You and Harry have done a lot of risking your lives over the last few years," Cedric said. "And the job you want is very risky. Curse breaking."
"True, but me and Harry risked our lives for bigger things – to actually save lives. And curse-breaking is important in finding the past, bringing things that were lost back, or just making sure no one gets injured. I do all this for something greater," Harper said, and as she explained it to Cedric, she knew it was true and the Founders' Vault was a part of that. She had been stressing over it all night since she was told; it had made her sick to her stomach, thinking about betraying the three, but right then she knew she had to do her part. They had to get into the Vault and this was the only way.
Harper paused, putting a hand on Cedric's chest, making him stop walking and leaned up to kiss him on the lips. The man was shocked for a moment but kissed back. "Thank you," Harper said when the kiss was over.
"For what?" Cedric asked confused.
"I had an issue since last night and speaking to you just helped me sort it out. You always help me in a way no one else can. Even Harry, I love you for it," Harper said.
"You… love me? I mean, I love you too," Cedric said, clearly caught off-guard by the sudden revelation and choosing not to ask what issue he had helped Harper with. He knew she wouldn't tell, and he didn't want to pry.
"That was never in question," Harper said with a smirk and Cedric chuckled. "Look, if you want to enter the Tournament, I will support you of course, but just think about it more. Make sure it's absolutely what you want to do and it's not just something you think you should do because of the excitement and you're old enough. Promise me, you will give it real thought and only do it if it's truthfully what you want?"
"I promise," Cedric said.
"Good, now I got to head to potions," Harper said, knowing their time had run out before classes. She began to head back to the main castle building, the pair having been on the lawns, but stopped and turned back around. "You know what else gives you fame and a lot of money?"
"What?" Cedric asked.
"Becoming a professional Quidditch player," Harper said, and Cedric paused. That was his dream. "It would be a shame if an accident in a dangerous Tournament put an end to a promising career before it started..." with that, Harper ran into the castle. Cedric paused before looking to his own schedule. He moaned. He had History of Magic.
Still, he could use the normal dull class to think. Harper had definitely given him things to think about and he needed to really give it a thought to if it was worth putting his name in the Tournament or not.
-Harry Potter-
Later that day, during lunch Harry, Hermione, and Neville met together to head to where Harper told them to meet as a group: the Seventh-Floor corridor. She had told them she would meet them there, but as they headed for the stairs Harry paused as he heard a voice call to them.
"What, too good to eat with us Potter?" The new voice asked.
Harry turned to see a dark-skinned Slytherin boy he barely knew the last few years with Crabbe and Goyle next to him. "Draco… you've changed over the summer," Harry decided to play with the boy, figuring having the two goons who were formerly Draco's bodyguards had given him the courage to come up to Harry.
"You think you're funny Potter?" The Slytherin said back.
"Very much so," Harry said. "But honestly, you must have been such a non-entity the last three years, I can't even remember your name."
"Zabini, Blaise Zabini," Blaise said giving Harry a glare. "You know I think the Daily Prophet is right about you."
"Well, that would be a first," Harry said.
Before Blaise Zabini could respond he was interrupted as Professor McGonagall approached.
"Does there seem to be a problem here?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"Nothing, Professor," Blaise said, and Professor McGonagall turned to Harry, Hermione and Neville.
"We're good. We were just going to go meet with Harper when Zabini here wanted a word, but now I think we will head up," Harry said, and started to move away with Hermione and Neville following.
"What was with that crack about the Prophet being right?" Hermione asked and Harry shrugged. He didn't get issues of the Daily Prophet and hadn't paid too much attention to it since his first year.
"I think I know," Neville said. "Early summer they started to run some articles calling you a traitor to your country and how our savior was no longer trustworthy."
"Traitor to my country?" Harry asked.
"For everything with Sirius," Neville added.
"But I'm an American. I didn't betray my country," Harry said.
"Technically you hold dual citizenship. You might identify as an American, but Britain is your country too," Hermione pointed out, to the surprise of Harry, as they continued their trek up the castle. "But the rest is just hogwash. You didn't betray anyone by defending Sirius and the government knows that. If they could prove treason, they would have had you in jail the minute you stepped foot back here," Hermione explained as the trio walked to where Hermione had done the Ravenclaw challenge the year before.
"We know this government isn't against locking up innocent people," Harry pointed out with a shrug, but the trio didn't say anymore as they reached tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy teaching trolls to dance, and they noticed the door waiting for them.
Neville gave a moan. "That room was a bit creepy last year,' Neville said.
"You should have seen the Gryffindor room," Harry commented back, reaching to the doorknob and opening the door.
The room that met them wasn't the room they were previously in; it looked more like a large, nice study room with some interesting glass rooms beyond – there were even some trees growing within, surprising the group. Harper was standing in the middle of the room, smiling and held out her arms as she span around.
"What do you think?" Harper asked.
"How did you do this?" Hermione asked as they closed the door.
"Really, I didn't. This room is more than just a place for the Ravenclaw task," Harper said back. "This is the Room of Requirement," Harry, Neville, and Hermione looked at each other, wondering if any of the three knew what Harper was talking about. "Originally made by Rowena Ravenclaw, the room is made to sense what you need and give it to you if you walk back and forth three times in the corridor, thinking of what you need."
"So, you asked it for a room for us," Hermione said.
"Not exactly. This room was originally made by a student named Jaiden Blu, about a hundred years ago. His books and stuff are still in here. Fascinating stuff, really. It talks about some type of ancient magic he could use but no one else could," Harper explained. It seemed she had woken up somewhat since this morning. "The place was an absolute wreck though when I reopened it. Cedric, Dobby, and I had to redo the rooms, make sure all the animals in the Vivariums were okay… oh, and I added the swimming pool."
"Animals?" Harry said.
"Four different habits where this Jaiden apparently brought animals to protect them from poachers," Harper said, indicating the unusual glass rooms. "A House Elf put a food source in there and the animals have continued to breed, survive and thrive. This Jaiden also had a device here to use animal traits like feathers and fur to add to clothes to make them more durable."
"Who told you all this?" Neville asked, shocked at all of Harper's knowledge.
Harper and Harry looked at each other. They hadn't told the two about Hogwarts having its own unique personality – or speaking to Harper in her dreams.
"I did," a voice spoke, and Neville and Hermione turned to the statue of an ambiguous woman at the top of a small staircase.
"Neville, Hermione… meet Hogwarts," Harper said. "Inside here she can speak to us in the real world not just in dreams."
"Okay, that is cool," Harry said not as surprised as the other two since he knew about Hogwarts personality;
"Hogwarts?" Hermione asked.
"The castle is living… in a way," Harper said. "She has a personality."
"I do," Hogwarts responded as the statue. "I usually only talk to True Heirs of my Founders, like Harry and Harper, but you are the closest of anyone to finding the Vault. I will make an exception for you two in this room."
Hermione looked like she had a million and one questions to ask, but not sure where to start. She kept opening her mouth to say something, but then closing it. Meanwhile, Neville just looked shellshocked.
"So, what animals?" Harry asked.
"Harry, you have a long time to look through them," Hogwarts said. "And Hermione I can answer any questions I am allowed to over the year. But you four have something to do now though. Correct, Harper?"
"Yes, Hermione," Harper said, and Hermione gave a nod, taking out the Vault book
"Welcome back to Hogwarts," Hermione read, her eyes going to the statue which seemed to be still once more. "You are now the closest to anyone has ever reached to opening the Vault, but this year is Slytherin's turn. Should Slytherin get the key, you will be the ones to open the Vault and finally find out what is inside."
Hermione paused. "Well, this is the clue but the words make no sense," Hermione said turning the book around.
"Seems to be some type of foreign language," Harry said.
"I'll have to get to the library," Hermione said, closing the book. Harper remained quiet at this, knowing that the book was going to lead Hermione and the others on a wild goose chase while she knew already what her task for the year was.
"Can I go look at these animals now?" Harry asked, drawing Harper attention to him.
"Four rooms, four different areas. The swamp like one is a little… you know, I'll let you see for yourself," Harper said pointing at each of the four doors, one on this level, the other three on the upper levels, and Harry ran into the closest one, which opened up to him as a field.
"Is this a Herbology section?" Neville asked, looking into one of the other side rooms to see many pots and plants.
"Yeah, Jaiden seemed to like to grow his own potion ingredients. There are a bunch of pretty nice cauldrons too – in good condition despite their age," Harper said, and Neville had moved through to look over the pots and plants, mumbling something about using what the Flamels gave him here.
Hermione was already looking through the books in the room too – some seemed to be in a perpetual state of flight, so she had to summon them – while Harper noticed her friend's hands on the field guide; Harper herself had been very interested in when she first came into this room.
Harper was glad that this room had a positive impact on her friends.
-Harry Potter-
That night, as Harry slept, he was battling Arthur in a swordfight. He got the advantage over the once-King and disarmed him before holding the sword to his neck.
"Do you yield?" Harry asked, as Arthur looked around for his escape and found none.
"I yield," Arthur said, and Harry backed away, resting the sword by his side.
"Very good, young heir," it was Godric, giving Harry a smile from the sidelines. Merlin had been present since the dream-training had started, but Godric had just joined from Harry's perspective. "I told you my heir has improved greatly."
"Yes, he has," Merlin said with a nod. "You are getting to the point where we have almost taught you all we can, and these dreams will be over."
"What?" Harry asked, not having expected that and a feeling of loss quelled inside him. At first, the dreams with his dead mentors had been weird, but he had grown to look forward to them as their guidance was something he always sought, even if it was just for the response that they wouldn't interfere. It helped that he always woke from these dreams more rested than a normal night's sleep, too.
"You did not think this would last forever?" Merlin asked. "We were here to guide you on the use of the sword. Now you have almost mastered it, our time together is coming to an end."
"Don't fret, it will not be until, at least, the end of this school year," Godric said. "After that though, your true destiny will be upon you, and you must use what you have learned from us to complete it."
"Don't be rash," Arthur said. "There is still one important thing the boy is missing."
"And what would that be, King Arthur?" Merlin asked.
"Someone in the real world to train with. Our lessons are only good if he continues to practice," Arthur pointed out. "He needs an equal out there."
"That will be harder than you think. Sword fighting isn't in favor with magical or muggle people," Harry said. "There are classes in the muggle world, particularly fencing, but nothing like you've been teaching."
Surprisingly, Godric gave a smile. "I think you will find your partner in the place you least expect, but should have always known would be there," Godric said, cryptically, and Merlin gave Godric a look. Harry knew that comment was close to too much advice and made a mental note of it at once.
"For tonight though, I think you can escape into real dreams," Merlin said. "And tomorrow we will see how well you channel magic into the sword."
-Harry Potter-
Harper was sitting in the Slytherin Common Room, looking out into the Great Lake at the creatures that dared to swim nearby.
She had a deck of cards in her hands and was shuffling them as she watched the fishes and other aquatic creatures, wondering if she'd see a mermaid or the Giant Squid tonight – she loved watching the Lake, especially late at night, when she couldn't sleep. And with the Common Room almost empty, she could catch a glance of some rarer creatures who might swim by.
She also knew Sasha swam in the Lake at times, and Harper kept an eye out for her snake, knowing she soon had to get down to visit her and the Chamber. Plus put the eggs the Flamels had given her and Harry in the hatchery…
Her mind was on bigger worries than that though: the Slytherin task was before her, and she had decided what she would do with each of her friends. She needed to find a competition she could challenge each of her friends to without making it seem unusual. Then she had to cunningly win in a way that was almost cheating. Besides that, she had to make it seem like she was helping unlock the clues for the Slytherin Vault and mislead them. It was definitely a big betrayal of trust.
Neville would be an easy mark, sadly. The two were close, but overall, she felt she could easily trick him. Neville was too trusting at times as well; he would never think Harper was doing anything wrong because they were friends. Harper had a whole list of games she could challenge him to. The only tricky part was challenging him in a natural way.
Hermione was definitely closer to Harper, but again the trust was there. She didn't think Hermione would suspect anything of her, but Hermione did know Harper better than Neville. She had to be extra careful on what she chose, how she cheated, and how she challenged Hermione to make it all seem normal.
It was Harry that was the biggest problem. Harry had been her partner in crime since they were little. They had also been opponents in games as children from board games, card games, and video games. Harry knew her way too well for anything to just work. She had to get around him to challenge the other two and then also challenge him without him realizing anything. She also had to figure out a way to cheat right to Harry's face. The only person who could ever tell when she was bluffing at Poker.
"Evans?" The familiar voice spoke, drawing her attention back and Harper groaned. She had thought she stayed up long enough that everyone else, even a few OWL and NEWT students, were in bed.
"Malfoy," Harper returned the greeting continuing to shuffle her cards as Draco came up to her spot by the window. "Kind of busy here, so if you want to make fun of Harry being a traitor or something, can we do this in the morning?" Harper had also heard from one or two people about the newspaper and laughed it off.
"He betrayed no one," Draco said monotonously, that made Harper actually pause in shuffling cards and turned to look at the blonde boy. "As far as I am concerned, both you and Harry did what any member of an Ancient and Noble House would do for their Lord – especially a Lord who was wrongly imprisoned for crimes he did not commit, and after reading everything I know Lord Black is innocent. You tell my Uncle Sirius I said that."
"You have an owl. Tell him yourself," Harper said but was shocked over the comments.
"I need a word with you on something else," Draco said, and the comment on Harry and Sirius had Harper interested enough not to brush the Malfoy heir away. She indicated the seat near her and continued shuffling her cards as she waited for Draco to sit and talk. "Look, after everything with the Flamels last year, I have turned over a new leaf, I hope. I'm trying to change myself and my future."
"And?" Harper asked.
"I want a clean slate with you and your brother. I don't want this rivalry anymore. I kicked Crabbe and Goyle to the curb to start fresh – I even asked for a roommate swap with Blaise, so I am bunking with Theodore Nott now," Draco said; the current arrangement in the Slytherin dorms were that the boys and girls of each year were split in two, which was why Harper shared a room with just Daphne and Tracey and not the other girls in her year. "So, can we forget the past?"
"Hm…" Harper paused, staring at the boy who seemed sincere. "Who are your friends now, exactly?"
"Well…. Pansy is still around, but mostly me and my new roommate are getting along," Draco shrugged, and Harper knew Nott wasn't aligned with the darker elements of the Slytherin House. A good friend for Draco if he was really trying to start over.
"I think I can speak for Harry as well when I say we can let bygones be bygones, if you're not an ass in the future," Harper said. "And that includes to Hagrid or any of his creatures."
"I dropped Care of Magical Creatures," Draco said, and Harper figured that was a smart thing to do for the boy. If he got hurt in class again, even if Draco didn't want to push forward, his father would make a fuss. "And I don't plan on being… as you said, an ass anymore. I won't. To any of your friends."
"Then we have no issue," Harper said, going to get up putting her deck of cards in her pocket. She really needed to try to get some sleep. She paused though and turned back to Draco. "Draco, how would you trick someone who knows you too well?"
"Urm, by doing the last thing they would expect," Draco answered back. "Why?"
"That's just what I was thinking," Harper said, but not explaining further as she headed for her dorm room. Daphne and Tracey were already in bed when Harper changed into her pajamas and laid down, pushing Daisy over a bit.
…
Falling asleep quickly, Harper found herself in the dream world with Hogwarts as Rowena before her.
"Hello," Harper addressed Hogwarts.
"Interesting day for you," Hogwarts said.
"Will be an interesting year," Harper said back.
"Agreed," Hogwarts replied.
"You once said you could train me in these dreams?" Harper said.
"I can. You have never asked for training before though," Hogwarts said.
"Now I am. Can you teach me to fight with swords?" Harper said and the form of Rowena Hogwarts was doing seemed shocked.
"Does this have something to do with your task?" Hogwarts asked.
"Maybe, does it matter?" Harper asked.
Hogwarts seemed deep in thought at that.
"No… not really. I am not allowed to give you answers but I am allowed to train true heirs in subjects they would wish. What they do with that training is up to them," Hogwarts decided. "So yes, I can train you…"
With that, the dream changed, and they seemed to be standing on a grassy courtyard inside Hogwarts. The castle looked younger around them, but the area seemed familiar.
"Is this… the Transfiguration courtyard?" Harper asked. There was no fountain or trees here, but she did recognize it.
"Yes," Hogwarts confirmed. "Or it will be. Before it became what you know of it today, my Founders training grounds was made here," Hogwarts explained, a little cryptically. She was still as Rowena, but she had a sword in her hand and Harper realized she was holding a sword too. "Let's begin."
With that, Hogwarts came at Harper with the sword.
Post Chapter Note: As usual, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I had a lot of fun writing it,
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