A Soul Within

Special thanks to Digitallace for fine tuning this chapter, and too everyone that has taken the time to read my attempt at writing after so long.


Chapter Seven


Note*- bold italics are Harry’s ‘voice’
*- 'thought' or talking to Harry from Salazar in this chapter*
*- 'thought' in italics will be Harry's thoughts

Draco had waited until after breakfast before going back to his room. He had decided to let Harry sleep, as he had been getting so little as of late. He had eaten a quick meal, before going back down to the dungeons. When he came into the room the previous night, he had noticed Harry still wore the clothes he wore for the day. He noticed the smile on his friend’s face, as well as the very clear wet spot on the front of his trousers. He shook his head with a smile and transfigured his clothes into pajama bottoms and put the blanket over him. He had left the stone in Harry’s hand.

Now, he sat on the edge of the bed, and gently shook Harry’s shoulder. “Harry,” he softly said. Harry murmured in his sleep and rolled onto his side facing Draco. “Harry,” Draco tried again.

Harry groaned and sat up in the bed when Draco shifted closer to the end of the bed. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, and leaned his elbows on his knees, looking down at his hands.

Draco looked worriedly at Harry, noticing the usually messy tousled hair was a bit longer than the normal shoulder length that he liked to keep it. The slight shadow of whiskers was seen on Harry’s usually smooth chin also. “Harry?” He asked, reaching out to touch Harry’s shoulder.

Grey eyes looked up to meet Draco’s. “Draco . . . isn’t it?”

“Sal . . . Salazar?” Draco stammered, getting quickly to his feet. “Harry? What happed to Harry?”

“Yes, it’s me Salazar,” Salazar smirked, getting up and reaching is arms up and stretching, before walking to the mirror that hung on the wall. “Harry is fine and knows that I am in control for a short time. Only I will be able to open my chambers, and we are both eager for me to awaken.”

“Can he answer if I ask him something?” Draco asked.

Salazar closed his eyes, then opened them again. Green eyes looked back at Draco. “Draco, I have freely given permission for Salazar to take over for a bit. I want . . . no, I need to find him. These dreams we’ve shared aren’t enough anymore. I can’t live like that.”

“As long as it’s not for long. I want my friend back in one piece,” Draco grinned, stepping closer to hug Harry close.

Harry had closed his eyes and returned his embrace. “You will have him in one piece,” Salazar replied, laughing when Draco pushed him away after hearing the deeper voice of Salazar. It was confirmed when he saw the grey eyes.

“Jeez . . . warn a guy next time, huh?” Draco said, rolling his eyes.

Salazar looked back into the mirror, his hands skimming up and down the naked chest. “Harry really has been keeping fit hasn’t he? I saw, and felt that he was when we were in our dreams, but to actually touch him . . . ”

“Well, technically it’s still Harry touching himself, isn’t it?” Draco smirked. “He’s always been in shape. His Muggle relatives kept him busy with countless chores, then he was always active in school here, with Quidditch and his adventures, and being an Auror you have to keep in shape.”

“He has trained hard these past years hasn’t he?” Salazar said, taking a pair of black trousers and a green buttoned down jersey from the closet.

“Yes, he took Voldemort very seriously, especially when people close to him started to die because of the war,” Draco replied, rubbing his forearm.

Salazar stopped buttoning his shirt and walked over to Draco, gently pulling the sleeve of the robe up. “He is dead, but you still have the mark?” he asked, tracing his fingers over the skull/snake tattoo.

“The connection is gone, but it left the mark. Severus has tried, is still trying, to make a potion to get rid of it,” Draco replied, pulling his arm back to himself and pulling down the sleeve.

“Might have something to do with the magicks involved with the ritual to bind you to him. He was a Parselmouth?” Salazar asked. Draco nodded. “Do you by chance have a memory of the initiation so I can hear the ritual?”

“I do,” Draco nodded, a small bit of hope welling in his chest at the thought of getting rid of the reminder of his past once and for all. “Severus also has memories stored in a Pensieve that may be of some help. He is also marked, as well as my father.”

“I will do what I can,” Salazar replied. “Does this Severus have a class right now? Do you?”

Draco looked at the watch on his wrist. “Merlin....I’m late. Yes, my Defense class is probably wondering where I am. Severus also is teaching his potions class. I am sure he won’t mind if you observed his class. Will you be all right? Do you know where the classroom is?” Draco asked, walking out of the room with Salazar following.

“I will be fine, and I once taught potions myself, I’m sure I will be able to locate the classroom.”

‘Not the same room, but it is close to where you taught,’ Harry thought to Salazar.

“Go, I will find my way,” Salazar said to Draco following him out the door. “We will talk later in the day.”

Salazar bemusedly shook his head as he watched the blond jog up the dungeon stairs, before turning in the other direction. He took his time noticing the small changes, nodding in greeting to the few portraits that graced the stone walls. He came upon the large black wooden door and slowly opened it to not alert too many of the students sitting at their desks while the black haired man lectured about a wolfsbane potion. He motioned to the professor to continue on when his lecture faltered and sat at the back of the classroom.

‘This wolfsbane is for the lycan?’ Salazar thought.

‘Yes, it was invented a couple of centuries ago, but Severus has improved upon it. One of my godfathers was a werewolf, and he was very thankful for any help he could get. It was quite painful for him before Severus improved on it. He is well known throughout the lycan clans for his efforts,’ Harry replied.

‘I had tried to cure the bite, but was unable to before I took the death potion,’ Salazar said. ‘I am sorry for the loss of your godfather’s Harry.’

Harry was silent for a few seconds, feeling the hug within himself. ‘Thank you Salazar. It is getting easier. This is all very strange, don’t you think? Talking to oneself in my head.’ Harry said, giving a light chuckle.

“Is there a reason you are interrupting my class, Harry?” Severus stopped and looked closer, noticing the grey eyes.. “Or should I say welcome to my class, Professor?” he whispered.

“I have heard a great deal about you from Harry,” Salazar quietly said, then noticed some of the students turning to look at them. “Perhaps we can speak more once your class is over?”

“Yes, I would like that, Professor,” Severus said, being careful not to say the founders name. “I have a spare period after this one, and I could have my apprentice watch over the younger years for the other classes. There are a few things I would like to discuss with you.”

Salazar nodded and stood up. He held out his hand. “I will let you get back to your lecture. I will meet you in the Headmistress’s office?”

Severus shook Salazar’s hand and turned to glare at the students. “What are you waiting for? Get your ingredients and start your potions,” he said, turning to walk to the front of the classroom.

‘Gotta love him, huh?’ Harry laughed. ‘He’s not usually that grouchy anymore. Must not have had his coffee this morning, and he doesn’t like to be surprised.’

‘He didn’t seem too surprised,’ Salazar mused.

‘He is a brilliant man, and was a spy for the light for a long time. He had to learn to control his expressions at a very young age,’ Harry said.

Salazar grew quiet in his wanderings as he walked up the stairs, listening to Harry talk of some of his past exploits in his head, or some of the findings of the castle he had found in his years at the school. Salazar smiled to himself, adding his own little tidbits of information on the castle.

‘So why can’t we just go find your rooms? We could always go see McGonagall later,’ Harry asked.

‘Although I am just as eager to awake, we will need some assistance from Professor Snape before we can do that,’ Salazar reassured. ‘Patience, Harry.’

‘You just like walking about, don’t you?’ Harry teased.

‘There is that,’ Salazar laughed. ‘You know you can come back anytime right? I would never force you to stay back.’

‘I know,’ Harry said. ‘I wouldn’t deny you this freedom, Salazar.’

Salazar stopped at the gargoyle that guarded the Headmistress’s office, placing his hand flat on it’s wing. The majestic stone creature moved to the side, revealing the spiraling staircase. No password was needed as the castle recognized the long lost soul of one of it’s founders.

Harry sat back in his consciousness, watching in awe as Salazar sweet-talked one of the sternest witches of the castle. Once she got over her shock that she was talking to one of the founder’s of the school, they got along famously. Dumbledore had tried to talk from his portrait, but with a glare from Salazar the portrait was silent. He would have words with the former Headmaster later once he was in his own body. He didn’t like the way Dumbledore treated Harry in his youth. Minerva had said nothing but just raised her eyebrows in response before she set another cup setting on her desk.

“Severus is here,” Minerva said, motioning to a mirror on the wall.

‘Well, I’ll be,’ Harry muttered to himself, seeing Severus coming up the spiral staircase. ‘That’s how they do it,’ He had always wondered how they knew who was there before the door was even opened.

“You just solved a mystery for Harry, revealing the mirror,” Salazar smirked.

“Yes, well, some secrets do no harm,” Minerva said, giving a small grin. “Harry, I’m sure will keep that to himself?”

Salazar nodded, and turned to face Severus when he opened the door. “Professor,” he said, reaching out to shake Severus’s hand.

“Professor Slytherin. It is an honour to meet you,” Severus greeted returning the handshake.

“I will let you two get acquainted. I need to attend to some business at the Ministry. You will see yourselves out?” Minerva asked, taking a pinch of floo powder from the jar on the mantle of the fireplace. They both nodded, then turned to sit down once the Headmistress was gone.

“Noticing that you are somewhat here, I take it that Harry was successful in his endeavors to try to have contact with you?” Severus smirked.

“Yes, he was. It helped that he was holding the soul stone when he tried last night. And before you ask.... Harry is fine and listening to everything that is going on around me right now. No harm will come to him. I would never do anything to harm Harry if I can help it,” Salazar said.

“You will be helping in the search of your rooms?” Severus asked, sighing in delight when he took a healthy sip of his coffee. Salazar nodded. Severus put down his cup and reached into his robe pocket. “This here is an antidote for the ‘Draught of Living Death’, with Dittany added to it. The simple cure would not be enough after I had looked over your notes for your death potion, and the ingredients added from Rowena Ravenclaw. You have been asleep for a very long time and there could be repercussions.”

‘Like what?’ Harry asked worriedly.

“Harry wants to know what kind of repercussions,” Salazar said. “I know my body will take time to adjust after so long lying still.”

“Your memories may have gaps in them also, but it should come back to you a bit at a time. Your body will be unresponsive at first. I have brewed some salve to help with that,” Severus added, taking out a jar of light green potion. “It should be applied a few times a day to speed up the recovery of your body.”

‘All over?’ Harry asked.

‘I imagine so, Harry,’ Salazar replied.

“If you would permit me, I would like to go with you when you open your rooms,” Severus said. “Once you are given the antidote, Harry will be a bit weakened.” Salazar raised a brow in question. “He has been sharing his magical core with you for a while now, it might weaken him when some of that extra power leaves him.”

“It will not hurt him?” Salazar asked.

“No. Harry has always been a powerful wizard, possibly one of the most powerful in Britain. He will recover in short time, as long as he rests afterwards.”

“He thinks very highly of you, you know?” Salazar said. “You also care very much for him don’t you?”

“He will hear this won’t he?” Severus asked before answering. Salazar nodded, a grin on his lips. Severus took a sip of his coffee, and sighed heavily. “Harry was and always will most likely be the bane of my existence, but....I would not have it any other way. He is one of the few that I admire. He has overcome so many obstacles in his life, and he has grown because of them. His mother was my closest friend in school, and he is very much like her. He is the embodiment of everything that is Hogwarts. He is as loyal as a Hufflepuff, smart as a Ravenclaw, brave as a Gryffindor, and cunning and sneaky enough to be a Slytherin.”

Salazar let Harry come forth as the emotions overcame him. Harry’s eyes flashed back to green as he got off the chair and hugged Severus. “Sev....Gods...I don’t know what to say....” Harry cried.

“Harry?” Severus tentatively asked. He felt Harry’s head nod against his chest. “If you repeat any of that, I will deny it,” he said, a slight smile to his mouth as he returned the embrace firmly but briefly.

“Not a word,” Harry smiled, stepping back and sitting back down on the chair. “Is there anything I should know with the antidote and the salve?”

“The salve should be rubbed into Salazar’s skin two to three times a day. It will help the lax muscles and tissue come back to life. I am not absolutely positive in this, but you may have to stay in close proximity to him once his soul is back within his body. You have shared yourselves for a short time, but you have connected quite strongly if your dreams have anything to go by,” Severus said.

“How long do you think we’ll have to stay close together?” Harry asked. “Not that I mind....it’s just something to know.”

“Yes, I am sure you’ll be inseparable,” Severus said, rolling his eyes upward. “I am unsure on how long or how far your bond will go. It is something you two will have to work on together once Salazar awakens.”

Harry stood to his feet. “Okay, lets go then,” he grinned excitedly. “Time’s a wasting.”

“Insufferable brat,” Severus muttered fondly to himself as he followed Harry out the door.

By the time they got to the hallway of the second floor, Salazar was back in control. “The castle has changed over the years, but then it hasn’t. There have been many rooms and hallways added since my day; I’m sure to accommodate the influx of students and teachers alike here. Even though some of the classrooms, floors, and hallways have changed, our rooms....the founders’ rooms should be in the same general area. When we first resided in the castle the founders’ rooms were in one tower, but when Godric married, then Roe, they made their home in their own towers, as well as Helga and her aunt. Helga had her rooms by the infirmary; Godric had his on the seventh floor, close to the Gryffindor tower that is now there. Roe and I were only a tower apart. Hers was connected to the library. She always did love to read,” Salazar reminisced fondly.

“I had always thought your rooms would be in the dungeons,” Severus mused out loud.

“Why? Because that is Slytherin territory?” Salazar smirked. “No. When the school first opened my classroom was on the main floor of the castle, but then there was more and more ingredients that I came across that needed to be in a cooler area, hence why the classroom was located in the dungeons after awhile. And later, I needed the escape to my chambers beneath the school, and the potions classroom had an entryway to get to it. As for my personal chambers.....” Salazar said as he climbed the main staircase. “They are in a tower facing the lake and Hogsmeade as Harry has found out from one of our shared dreams.”

Severus followed Salazar up the staircase, and stopped when the founder did, holding onto the railing as the staircase moved on its own to settle by the third floor door where it was forbidden to students for many years. “This hallway.....” He began.

“Was forbidden for a reason,” Salazar finished. “The castle allowed entry to the main hall and a few rooms inside, in which I hear your groundskeeper kept a Cerberus, and was a way into a room that your past headmaster had arranged to keep the philosophers stone. The man should be strung up and whipped for allowing something dangerous into the school. It could have killed children, could have killed Harry all those years ago,” he added under his breath.

‘But it didn’t,’ Harry said.

“The stone should have been destroyed instead of kept hidden away,” Salazar said, the wall sconces lighting brilliantly in the hall, dispensing the darkened shadows. He scoffed at the forbidding looking statues lining the halls.

‘They were intimidating to us eleven year olds back then,’ Harry said, watching within himself as Salazar banished the statues to who knows where.

‘But it did not keep you away, did they?’ Salazar thought to Harry.

Harry gave a mental shrug. ‘We didn’t know what was in here when we came through the door,’ Harry replied.

Salazar shook his head and continued on. “This is the door to the hidden chamber the Cerberus was in,” he said, pointing to the heavy wooden door then continued on down the hallway. His hand skimmed along the stone walls as he walked.

Severus watched closely as Salazar slowly walked down the hall, his hand never leaving the wall. They had walked past the door where Harry came against the Cerberus, until they stopped at a large tapestry that hung on the wall, the colors as vibrant as when it was first hung. The tapestry had a picture of dragons soaring in the air, their wings spanned out as they took flight over the castle towers.

“I had always loved dragons,” Salazar softly said. “The dragon colony that was nearby was one of the reasons I had agreed to this place to build the school. Tallis, my familiar was happy to be close by some of his own kind.”

‘Whatever happened to him?’ Harry asked.

‘I am not sure. I will have to ask Roe’s portrait later,’ Salazar replied.

Severus saw the small smile on Salazar’s face and knew by the look that he was speaking to Harry inside his head. He hid his surprise when Harry’s wand was in Salazar’s hand, slowly drawing a line across the palm of his hand, a thin trail of blood in its wake.

Salazar stroked his bloody palm on the snout of the majestic red dragon on the tapestry, then stepped back, silently healing the cut on his hand. The picture on the tapestry was as still as before, except for the red dragon; it turned its head, its nostrils flaring as if smelling the air around him. The great wings began to unfurl in the picture, then the dragon seemed to come closer until it took up the whole of the tapestry. The heavy fabric slowly began to split down the middle, a black wooden door revealed as it parted.

“This is the door to my chambers. It is a portal to the upper floor of the tower,” Salazar said as he stepped through.

Severus followed, his wand grasped firmly in his hand, ready for the unknown. He felt a warm breath of air, like a gentle caress against his cheek when he walked through the door, not unlike the other passageways throughout the castle. “The blood? Why Harry’s blood? Would it not need your blood to open the door?” he asked.

“The blood was not needed to tell who I was, but rather my intentions. It knows that I, Salazar Slytherin wants access to his rooms, and that Harry means me no harm,” Salazar replied, walking further down the hallway. They came across a stone statue of an eagle that was imbedded into the wall. “This is the entryway to Rowena’s rooms.”

‘We will visit there when you are up and about,’ Harry assured Salazar. ‘For now, I would like to concentrate more on getting you so that you can.’

Salazar and Severus came upon another door. Salazar reached out and grasped the handle, took a deep breath, then opened the door.

tbc (I promise - not written yet, but will be working on it)