Peace at Last

Hi i'm sorry its taken awhile to update alots been going on but i got there in the end. First i would like to wish everyone a happy new year, second i want to thank everyone for there reviews it helps. Right thats it on with the story hope its good enough.

Chapter 12


Hermione jumped in saying, “I never knew it was possible for a portrait to come alive like that. How did you manage it?”

The founders chuckled at her enthusiasm she was emitting, Rowena smiled at her before answering, “When we built this manor and placed our portraits here and at Hogwarts we knew that the only way that we could help our heir was to be able to teach them. Now whilst it is easy for us to lecture from the portrait we realised that to teach the practical part it would be easier to actually be real people.

So we created a spell which would connect us back to the world for a day. But only if we were allowed out of the portraits by our joint heir. You see if an heir who was only from one of us then it would not work for the spell to work the person would have to be the heir of us all, and up until now Harry is the only one,” she took a breath smiling at the shock on Hermione’s face, “From what I know Harry has allowed all of us to exit the portrait five times, but I’m guessing Salazar has been out a lot more than that,” she smiled at Harry and Salazar, “in order for it to work Harry has to say a specific passage ‘I the heir of’ wherever he may be the manor chamber or Hogwarts ‘give permission to’ one or all the founders ‘give permission to leave their frame’ that’s it really but you have to have the specifics in place for it to work.”

Hermione looked as if she was about to ask another question when Tom interrupted, “Why did you want to come out now though why not later?”

Salazar decided to answer this one, “We came out now to help Harry, Remus and Sirius prepare everything for the ritual and to take part, as it’s an old version, to aid in anything else that needs to be done or planned or even explained. Also we came out now in order to calm this young one down.”

Harry spoke next to Sal, “Hey Sal, why is it that Hermione can’t speak or understand Parseltongue? I mean both Tom and I can even though, and why can’t Tom become Lord Slytherin?” Everyone looked eager for the answer especially Tom.

Salazar frowned down at Harry whilst thinking of the answer, “Well, Hermione can’t talk or understand Parseltongue, because it’s only a talent that male members of the Slytherin family can do, it’s a way that male members of the family used to plot and plan things so nobody could understand.

There has never been a female who has ever had the ability, or none that I know of anyways, it’s most probable though that it’s only males who are able to use it, I do know that most females are able to understand it but normally they have been through their majority and have been acknowledged into the family, which Hermione has yet to be. You need to speak to the Goblins about that though as they will want to test her blood, right I’m going off topic now.” He took a breath and began to think of possibilities for the next answer he sighed thinking it had to be Harry who asks the awkward questions.

“The second question could be many reasons the one I truly believe is in fact that you are the descendent of my younger brother, and not myself, you never found my library in the chamber either so it would tie in with my theory, you see you have to be my heir to be able to enter the library, and not just a Parselmouth. I know you entered the chamber and you were able to use the basilisk, but that only means you are a member of the Slytherin family.

It does answer me some of my questions that I’ve had since I saw you, you look extremely like my brother however you have some of you fathers features it is a good job that the Slytherin genes are still strong.” He stopped there to see everyone’s faces they were all looking thoughtful, the founders were smirking at him for his last comment, and Harry however looked distant as if he was lost in memories again. He sighed and whispered are you alright into his ear he nodded and smiled at him.

Harry looked over at the clock and noticed there was only fifteen minutes until lunch, he sighed ‘we didn’t even get to talk about what will be happening next I suppose we will have to talk over lunch.’ He shook his head and smiled everyone was getting on great there was no tension nothing.

He left them alone for five minutes before deciding it was time for lunch, he cleared his throat and waited, they all turned to him so he started to speak, “how about we have lunch and we can carry on talking during it, after though we have preparations to do, is that Ok with everyone?” they all nodded so he stood up and carried on talking, “it’s going to be in the dining room so you know where it is.” He walked through the door with everyone following him still talking to each other; he opened the dining room door and sat at the head of the table.

Salazar followed and sat on his left with Godric next to him followed by Helga then Rowena and Severus next to her. Tom sat at the other end with Hermione next to him the Lucius, Remus and Sirius sat at Harry’s other side. Harry smiled at everyone and clicked his fingers; the food appeared in front of them and they all started to eat, apart from Harry who just poured himself some Butterbeer into a goblet.

Salazar looked at Harry and noticed he wasn’t eating, he looked around and saw some soup, he poured some into a bowl and gave it to Harry with a look that said plainly to eat it or else, Harry sighed and tried to eat a spoonful, but he was unable to he pushed the bowl away and sat there thinking. Salazar looked at him again once he was half way through his own meal noticing he had only ate a small amount, he sighed “Harry please eat some more,” he groaned in frustration when Harry just shook his head, “Fine but I’m making you some nutrient potions after. Really though Har you need to eat, this ritual is going to take a lot out of you, eat a bit more please,” Harry sighed and nodded, Salazar smiled and looked up to see everyone watching them.

Hermione spoke up, “How did you get him to eat, I’ve never been able to do that after summer?” the Sirius and Remus nodded but the others looked confused.

“I have to do it every time after summer when he firsts visits the chamber, he refuses to eat so I encourage him,” Salazar explained to Hermione, Remus and Sirius then explained to the others what they were on about, “because the ‘Muggles’ don’t feed him enough he looses his appetite and doesn’t eat it takes a few days for him to be able to eat properly but we have to encourage him.”

“Speaking of those ‘muggles’ what are we going to do about them,” Tom said sneering at the word muggle;” they should be punished for what they have done, no matter what you say Harry they will be punished.” Everyone was nodding in agreement except for Harry who was shaking his head.

“You can’t do any thing to them,” Harry said but carried on when he got imploring looks from everyone there, “if anything happens to them then Dumbles will go and check on me, probably want to move me from there and he can’t find out that I’m not there it will ruin everything.” He looked around and let out a sigh of relief when he saw they agreed with him and whispered to his self, “I’m not worth it anyway, I’m just a freak.”

Both Salazar and Sirius growled when they heard that even Remus looked at him sharply, Salazar grabbed Harry’s chin so he could look him in the eyes, “you don’t believe that do you Harry?” Harry shook his head but Salazar could tell from looking in his eyes that yes he did believe it, he growled again and spoke calmly, “Listen Harry, you deserve to have those things punished for what they have done to you, they deserve more than punishment, you deserve people caring for you because you are special and you are not a freak, do you understand that Harry?”

Harry nodded and Salazar saw belief in his eyes but could still see a slight bit of doubt he carried on speaking more softly now, “You need to forget what that thing said to you Harry, because you are nothing like what they have ever said. They did not know you, but we do and you are special more so than anyone else please believe me,” he pleaded and let out a sigh of relief upon seeing the hope in his eyes he released his chin and nudged him to carry on eating.

Salazar looked up noticing how pale three of them were smirked, he realised that they all thought Harry had a brilliant home life until today that is. He shook his head realising that everyone here bar the other founders and Harry are going to be in for some shocks as the day goes on.

Harry looked up after eating as much as he could and decided to try to carry on with the conversation from earlier, “right what are we going to be doing now?” he asked nobody in particular, “because we’ve got a lot to talk about if anyone wants to start off.”

Everyone looked at him as if he was mad, which he probably was but he didn’t say anything he just carried on looking at them, Salazar sighed realising what he was going on about. He looked at everyone else and decided to speak, “Harry wants to know what you lot are planning to do now, I’ll be helping Harry with the potion for the ritual whilst Rowena and Godric set up the ritual room, I think Helga will give you a tour, however I believe he wants to know is what are you going to during the next three weeks?”

Hermione decided she would speak first, “Well, I need to learn to protect my mind, and I would love to use the library here to look for things to research if that’s possible,” she looked at Harry and he nodded she let out a breath of relief but frowned though, “trouble is though I don’t know who to ask for help with occulmency so I’ll think on it and decide by tomorrow.”

Lucius decided to go next, “right well I’ve had a look through the papers but you won’t know anymore until you have your rings so when you go to Gringotts then I should be able to help more with that,” Harry nodded but didn’t say anything as it looked as if Lucius was still going to say more, “I was wondering if it would be possible for my son to come here as his mother will be away next week and I thought it would be best if he got familiar with Hermione here.” Harry nodded his head in agreement to that and Lucius gave him a rare smile.

“I’m not sure what I shall be doing other than researching,” Tom began, “I understand that you wish to join me however I’m unsure of your position as I wouldn’t say you were a typical deatheater more of my equal I just don’t know how to adjust to that at the moment. I would however like to get to know you as I believe that it should aid in the discovery,” Tom said but also thinking ’and it will give me a chance to explore these feelings that I have for you.’

Sirius and Remus looked at each other before Sirius decided to speak, “When the ritual is complete and you magic has settled you need to go to Gringotts to claim your inheritance, the rings and such, my will reading is being read on the 10th so you should do all that at the same time, you’ll also get the title of Head of the House of Black,” he held up a hand to forestall Harry’s protests, “I want you to bring the title back into the world Har I couldn’t but you can. I know you don’t want to but it will help you I’ve also had them file for emancipation for you so as soon as you sign nobody can interfere with your life ever again.” Harry looked shocked at what Sirius had just said and he smiled.

“I would like to test both Hermione and your skill level Mr Potter,” Professor Snape continued, “I do know that you have held back a lot of your skills during school and I would like to know how far ahead you both are. I was also wondering if you would allow me to look at the library here to see if there is anything else I could help you with” Harry nodded his head and gave him a small smile.

“Now Harry we are going to continue your training to make sure we have everything covered you still need some work but you are doing well,” Godric said and the other founders nodded there head in agreement, “however now I suggest you and Sal go make that potion and anything else you want to do whilst we set up the chamber ready. Helga will guide these around so they shouldn’t get lost.”

Harry nodded his head, “Right Helga I’m not opening the libraries on the top floors yet or your studies I need to have a look at something in them first,” he stood up ready to leave, “Sal you coming?” he nodded his head he was about to walk away when he thought of something he turned to the Professor and said, “Sir, would you like to come down to the lab with us or would you rather have the tour?”

Salazar was smirking as he saw the expression on Severus’ face it was torn between the two things. Severus nodded to himself as he decided, “I’ll come with you to the labs I’m sure somebody could give me a tour at a later date.” Harry nodded his head with a smile and walked out of the door.


AN: Thanks again and i hope you liked let me know either way please.