Hearts and Hourglasses

Chapter 19: Silver Lining

A month after Salazar's successful raid of Ravenclaw manor, another group of Dark wizards attacked the school. They broke through the magical charms and barriers placed around the estate, which had already been weakened beforehand by Salazar.

Godric was furious. The six Dark wizards soon found themselves in disarray as the young Light wizard attacked and defended not only with spells, but also with swordplay. Godric had wisely decided to follow Helga's example and had chosen to arm himself with more than with just a wand. He was dangerous at duelling range and was a whirling dervish at close range.

Outwanded and confused by Godric's unorthodox battlestyle, the Dark wizards withdrew and regrouped. Standing close to each other, three of them managed to keep Godric away while their leader hurriedly conferred with the remaining two wizards.

They were startled to hear someone laughing. They looked up and saw Salazar perched high above on a branch of the oak tree under which they had withdrawn to. They recognized him immediately and asked him to join them in defeating the Light wizard and in destroying the magical school.

But Salazar just kept on laughing at them. When they finally demanded to know what he found so hilarious, he answered with a chuckle that it amused him greatly that adult wizards such as they would feel so threatened by children that they needed to attack a school.

"It is pathetic," Salazar told them with an ambiguous half-smile. "Cowardly actually."

***

Monday, as far as Harry was concerned, was a disaster. In the morning, it was discovered that the Fat Lady was not in her portrait. Without her, the portrait hole was sealed and couldn't be opened. He and the other Gryffindors were trapped in the tower. Fortunately, Hermione thought fast and told everyone to start shouting. The ruckus and noise brought Professor McGonagall, who took down the empty portrait and let them out.

Professor McGonagall was livid. She immediately went to Headmaster Dumbledore, who ordered a search for the Fat Lady, who was found unconscious in an empty canvas in an art supply closet. When they woke her up, she was surprised to see them and shocked to learn that she had been kidnapped from her portrait.

The Fat Lady didn't remember anything after dozing off to sleep the night before, and none of the other pictures, or even Peeves, had noticed anything unusual. By all accounts, it seemed to be just a practical joke with the sole purpose of keeping the Gryffindors locked in their tower. But thanks to Hermione's quick thinking, they had only missed breakfast and were not even late for their first classes that morning.

The practical joke did succeed in irritating them.

"I'll bet ten galleons those Slytherins did it." Ron bit savagely into a sausage. Harry was eating his lunch quickly. All the Gryffindors were starving, since they hadn't had breakfast that day.

A smear of sauce on the right side of his jaw, Neville looked up from his plate and remarked, "They do seem pleased with themselves..."

Harry glared over to the Slytherin table and froze. Draco was staring back at him. Cool gray eyes narrowed at Harry, and a corner of Draco's mouth lifted in a smirk. Harry scowled at him.

Godric and Salazar had stopped mouthing off at each other over the weekend, but their Houses were still at war especially with this latest transgression against House Gryffindor.

Harry didn't know how Rowena and Helga managed it. Nevertheless, the two men were not reconciled. Over at the staff table, the two wizards were deliberately ignoring each other.

"Wonder how they did it though..." Harry looked away from the staff table to see George scratching his chin thoughtfully. "Tampering with pictures by magical means is not easy. Actually, it's impossible," he declared.

Fred nodded, agreeing with his twin. "Pictures have a different dimension of their own. We can't meddle with them, and they can't meddle with us."

Their area of the Gryffindor table fell silent as they pondered on how the pranksters had accomplished this particular feat.

"It's easy." All of them stared at Hermione, who was wiping her mouth clean with her napkin. She smiled at them, mindful that she had their full attentions, saying, "All they had to do was take pictures of themselves, and their pictures kidnapped the Fat Lady."

Which was why fourth year Gryffindor Colin Creevey found himself accosted by the Weasley Twins and Lee Jordan before lunch was over. By evening, several large portraits of the trio had been plastered on the walls of the Gryffindor common room. Harry, Ron and Hermione were very amused when they spotted Freds, Georges and Lees wreaking havoc in various school paintings.

Mr. Filch was boiling mad. The Fat Lady was delighted.

In the afternoon, Quidditch trials began. After their last classes for that day, Harry, Ron and Hermione headed for the Quidditch field. Harry played Seeker for the Gryffindor team and was eager to see what new talent might be had from the hopefuls trying for the team this year.

Harry was happy to find that Godric was there. While Fred and George were entertaining the students who wanted to join the team, Lee was quickly bringing Godric up to speed about Quidditch.

"You know," Lee remarked to Godric, "I cannot believe you know practically nothing about Quidditch."

Harry quickly went to Godric's rescue and interrupted Lee. "Hi Lee. Good afternoon, Professor Gloucester," he greeted brightly. Ron and Hermione caught on quickly.

"Hey Lee," Ron said, "looks like a good turnout this year." There was a score of first year Gryffindors taking the trials, a handful of third-years, but the majority were second year students.

Lee nodded. "Since we didn't have the Quidditch Tournament last year, a lot of those interested in joining the House teams decided to try this year instead."

"Who looks promising?" Harry chipped in. He breathed easier when Lee started to point out those he thought might be accepted into the team. Ron and Hermione kept Lee busy with questions, and Harry thanked them silently.

"How are you, Sir?" Harry asked Godric in a low tone. Godric's eyes flickered. Guilt flashed in expressive brown eyes, and Harry quickly said, "Please, Sir. I'm not angry at you. Stop blaming yourself."

Godric's face looked lined as if he hadn't been sleeping well. His hair was awry as if he had run his hand through it more often than usual. Godric turned away from Harry, making the boy feel helpless and frustrated.

Harry remembered what Salazar said about Godric (actually Gryffindors) being the sort to blame everything on themselves. It also meant they were those who weren't afraid of accepting all responsibility for their actions.

I shouldn't remind him of it, thought Harry. It was clear Godric didn't want to talk about it.

I should distract him then, Harry decided, and he lifted his broom and presented it to Godric who looked at him and at the Firebolt in Harry's hands with a startled expression.

"Care to ride it, Sir?" Harry offered and grinned, suddenly wanting badly to see how Godric Gryffindor would handle a broomstick.

Harry was surprised when Godric, with an awkward look on his face, politely declined.

"Sir?"

"My experiences with brooms haven't been pleasant, Harry, and I prefer what I ride to have a proper head."

Harry then remembered that in Godric's time, brooms weren't as comfortable or as well made as they were now. Harry reassured Godric that brooms were much better now. It was with a dubious look that Godric finally mounted Harry's Firebolt.

Harry smiled at the surprise in the older man's face when he felt the Cushioning Charm on the broomstick.

"Definitely much more comfortable," commented Godric, smiling at Harry, who was pleased to see him smile. Harry watched him as he took off smoothly.

There was a ruckus from across the field, and both of them turned to see a flier beginning a loop.

"Way to go, Professor!" Shouts of delight and fanfare came from the Hufflepuff Quidditch Team who were holding trials on the opposite side of the field from the Gryffindors. Harry's jaw dropped as Helga, in mid loop smoothly did a one-half roll and ended up facing the opposite way at a higher altitude.

"Wow!" Harry glanced over to George and Fred who had started whistling and cat-calling. Lee & Ron looked as amazed as Harry, their mouths gaping in astonishment; while Hermione was apprehensive. Harry turned back to Godric who was grinning broadly and floating a few feet off the ground.

"She never ceases to amaze me," Godric said affectionately.

No kidding, thought Harry, there was more to Helga Hufflepuff than what met the eye. Then, he looked over to the Ravenclaw and Slytherin sides. He spotted Salazar talking with Draco and his friends, but Rowena was no where in sight.

"She declined to go with us," said Godric to him, anticipating Harry's question, "she said she had a slight headache and wanted to rest for a while."

Suddenly, clamor broke from the Slytherins. Harry turned, expecting to see Salazar doing acrobatics on a broom. It was Salazar, but he was doing nothing more than holding tight onto his broom as it zoomed around uncontrollably like a Filibuster rocket.

"SOMEBODY STOP THIS BLOODY THING!!!" Salazar's irate words reached Harry just as the broom streaked out of the Quidditch field with its unwilling passenger.

"SEXTUS!" Godric shot off after him; Helga was already in pursuit.

***

"Salazar," screamed Helga as she drew along beside him, "slow down!"

"I can't!" Salazar yelled. He was leaning low against the broom and looking pale. The knuckles of his hands, gripping the broom handle, were white.

"You idiot!" Godric was on his other side, and he was having trouble keeping up with Salazar. "What do you mean you can't stop?!" They were miles up in the air.

"I have been trying to stop!" Salazar's voice quaked with fury and alarm. "It won't stop! I've been trying to make this blasted thing stop, but it won't-"

To Helga's and Godric's disbelief, Salazar's broom sped up even faster, increasing the distance between them and Salazar.

Suddenly, the broom jolted, stalling for just an instant, but the momentary lapse caught Salazar by surprise. Godric watched in horror as the other man lost his hold and slipped off the broom.

Helga at once followed him, tilting her broom sharply earthward. She overtook the plunging wizard, and came to a halt quickly. As Salazar fell passed her, she grabbed him by the wrist.

Godric shouted in alarm when Helga was almost dragged off her broom by Salazar's weight. She was barely holding on to it with one arm and one leg. Salazar's wrist had slid through her fingers, and she was now holding onto his hand.

"Godric," Helga shouted, "I can't hold him! You have to get below-" Salazar's hand slipped through hers.

"SALAZAR!" Helga screamed as Godric raced after him. The ground below whirled and grew closer as he kept his eyes locked on Salazar, unconscious, falling headlong towards the earth, green robes flapping wildly around the listless form.

Flying perpendicular to the ground, Godric drew level with Salazar and passed him. At a scant thousand feet from the ground, he stopped his descent and caught Salazar.

***

Salazar was ashen. His face was blanched white; his eyes closed. Godric could see his lips move the slightest bit, twitching, forming words Godric couldn't hear. Salazar seemed to be chanting something under his breath, but he wasn't awake.

After catching him, Godric had quickly brought both of them down to terra firma.

His hand trembled as Godric placed it on the Salazar's thin shoulder and shook the other man. There was no reaction, no change. There was no sign that Salazar had even felt him.

"Godric!"

He turned just as Helga landed. Within moments, she was kneeling beside Godric and examining Salazar's prone form.

Helga's face was tight with anxiety, but her eyes were calm and meticulous as she took Salazar's hands and began massaging his wrists. The tightness in Godric's chest ease when Salazar began to breathe easier.

"He's in shock," murmured Helga, "He has to be kept warm. This cold ground isn't helping." She began to take off her cloak. Her eyes flicked to Godric, and she snapped commandingly, "Take off your cloak!"

After a perplexed moment, Godric hurriedly took off his outer wear and handed them to Helga who quickly covered Salazar with them. Night was falling, but Godric barely noticed the chill in the air and didn't shiver when a breeze started and ran icy fingers through the thin layer of his robes.

The next people who arrived were Harry and Draco. Helga was about to call out to Harry for his wand when Draco reacted quicker. The boy at once took out his wand and cast a warming spell on Salazar before performing Leviosa on him.

Helga was startled by Draco's foresight, and despite her animosity towards him, she nodded approvingly at him. Harry had gone and retrieved their brooms. After which, they quickly took Salazar back to Hogwarts.

***

It was difficult for Rowena to leave Salazar's side, but Helga had assured her that he was fine. Salazar was sleeping peacefully now. He would wake up in a few hours. Godric, on the other hand, troubled her more. The raging emotions and fears he had kept bottled up inside him were breaking loose after almost losing Salazar. Close death reminded him too much of his first encounter with it.

She found him easily. He was in the Duplice room, staring at ceiling. Rowena couldn't see what he was seeing. Only Gryffindors and Slytherins could make sense of the painting supposedly there. To Rowena, there wasn't even a painting, just a blank ceiling.

Godric tilted his head down when she came in. He didn't say anything, but the look on his face told her clearly that he didn't want to see anyone right now.

"Rowena, please leave," Godric said firmly.

She closed the door behind her and looked at him steadily. "I will not, Godric. I know about it. I've known for a long time. Not everything, not all the details, but I knew."

"... You knew?" Godric stared at Rowena with disbelief and dread. "How could you have known. I was so careful. I deliberately kept thinking of other things to make sure you wouldn't find out."

Rowena gave him an amused smile. "So that's why your mind is usually so noisy. I suggest you borrow a leaf from Salazar's book. He simply just doesn't think of it." Then, her face gentled. "But don't blame yourself, Godric. I found out from Salazar."

"..."

"No, no," said Rowena quickly before Godric thought the wrong idea, "He didn't tell me anything, and he was very careful with his thoughts. However, he couldn't control his dreams."

"... Dreams?"

"It was a nightmare actually."

"... A nightmare?" Godric shook his head slightly, befuddled. "Why would Salazar have nightmares about it? He wasn't the one who killed-" He broke off, his jaw tightening.

"Godric," Rowena murmured softly, gently insistent "please forgive yourself."

"... I can't," Godric said simply, turning away from her. He jerked away when she tried to comfort him. He didn't see the shared pain in Rowena's eyes.

"It wasn't him, Godric. The creature who attacked you and killed your mother wasn't your father."

But Godric wasn't listening to her. His mind, heart and soul was trapped in that memory, that fateful evening when both his parents were taken away from him.

***

"Run, Godric!" His mother pushed him away towards the door, but his muscles were paralyzed. He tripped over his own feet and crashed to the floor.

He didn't see his father's maddened eyes locked on him, but he heard his mother's scream when the Ignis Curse struck her.

Godric looked up from the floor to see his mother's body burst into flames. The curse was quick and excruciating. It only took moments for the flames to turn her into ashes.

Godric's heart turned into ice. His mother's scream still rang in his ears long after it had ended. Then, he heard another sound.

There was a clatter, the sound of a wand hitting the floor, then a soft whimpering sound. Godric slowly turned his eyes towards the sound and saw his father crying.

Godric stood up as his father fell to his knees and cupped his wife's ashes in his hands. He couldn't hold them. The fine particles slipped through his shaking fingers.

His father was sobbing and weeping, saying he was sorry, then a harsh insane shriek broke through the sad cries. His father looked up at him.

Those eyes, once capable of making Godric proud and warm at the same time, were now nothing more than the wild insane orbs of an animal. The beast, that was his father, didn't even bother to retrieve the fallen wand. It attacked Godric, splayed hands going for his throat.

There was nothing in his mind and heart as he pointed his wand at his father and killed him.

***

"... I felt nothing when I killed my father..." Godric's eyes were empty. He didn't even see Rowena who was standing in front of her. His head tilted up slightly, eyes gazing at nothing. For a moment, Rowena feared he was going to collapse, but he didn't. He swayed towards the wall, leaning his body heavily against it.

Rowena watched silently as Godric turned his head and pressed the left side of his face against the wall. His right hand rose and pressed its palm against it. His eyes closed, and a single tear crept down his cheek.

"When they examined him," whispered Godric, "they said they didn't understand what killed him. He looked so peaceful... He was even smiling a little. My father was inside that beast... He cried for my mother. He could have been saved, but I killed him."

Rowena remembered when they heard about Godric's loss. The official word was that Lord Gavin Gryffindor, driven mad by the Cruciatus Curse, died of a broken heart after realizing he had killed his wife. Their son's involvement was not mentioned. It was for the best. No one challenged Godric when he assumed his father's place.

When she moved closer to him, Godric's eyes snapped open and warned her away. He straightened and backed away from the wall. Rowena was barely able to keep herself still. If she even so much as tried to make him feel better, ease the guilt, he would shut her out. Godric was resolved to punish himself and suffer alone.

"Godric, stop it. You can't keep beating yourself over and over for this. What happened happened. Nothing you can do now can change it-" Rowena stopped, realizing that Godric wasn't even listening to her. Nothing she could say would make him forgive himself. It was only up to him.

Rowena felt helpless and found herself wishing Salazar was here. The Dark wizard would have no hesitation in deriding Godric. That's what he had been doing the past few days, infuriating Godric so that he wouldn't dwell on the past. Salazar wouldn't even think of consoling Godric, which was what Rowena was trying to do and what Helga would also attempt if she ever knew.

When it came to Godric, Salazar's method of annoyance was much more effective.

Suddenly Godric asked, "Why did Salazar have nightmares?" Rowena's concern abated when she found that Godric seemed to be more tranquil now. His inquisitive brown eyes gazed at her inquiringly, and she felt that he wanted to be distracted.

Rowena was more than happy to do so though Salazar would most likely never forgive her if he found out what she was about to tell Godric.

"Remember when he got you drunk and cast a truth spell on you?"

"... Yes, but how did you know about that?"

"From his nightmare."

"... Remind me never to doze off in your presence, Rowena," he commented wryly.

Rowena gave him a guileless smile, and Godric grimaced before gesturing at her to continue. Rowena was pleased when he seated himself on one of the beds. She perched herself on the other one before continuing.

"Salazar's nightmare was about you, Godric. I don't know most of the details, but I do know he had been terrified by you."

Godric blinked at her. "... I don't understand."

"I don't understand everything either, Godric," Rowena said in a patient tone. "Dreams are hard to decipher, but there are thoughts and feelings that are repeated in intense dreams, especially nightmares. Salazar kept thinking, repeating to himself never again to get you drunk or cast a truth spell on you."

Rowena gave the increasingly puzzled Godric an amused look. "Whatever you did to Salazar must have been traumatizing to him. He absolutely hated it, and you know how he is when he hates something."

"I know. I know," muttered Godric, "he never lets up about it."

"Yes," agreed Rowena softly, "In his nightmare, he barely stopped you from killing yourself."

Godric's eyes widened. "WHAT?!"

Rowena's eyes lowered from Godric's. "You tried to impale yourself with your sword, Godric."

"I never did that!" Protested Godric, standing up. "I never did that!" He repeated emphatically.

"Are you sure?" Rowena asked, looking back at him. "You were drunk, Godric. You don't remember everything that happened that night."

He was shaking. "... He would have told me..." Godric said, but he sounded uncertain, and Rowena reminded him that Salazar would not want to mention an experience that affected him greatly. The Dark wizard would never let others know of the things that disturbed him. They were signs of weakness.

Godric breathed in sharply. His eyes were now narrowed and furious. Rowena was glad to see the angry light in them as their owner exploded.

"THAT BASTARD! That's why he's been riling me since last week! He thought I was going to kill myself if I became depressed again! ... That's probably why he does his damn best to irritate me all the time! HE THINKS I CAN'T TAKE HANDLE MYSELF WHEN I'M UPSET!!!"

"Well, you do get despondent quite easily, Godric..." Rowena trailed off when he gave her a furious look."

"Do you also think of me as that pitiful, Rowena?!"

"Of course not, Godric! I think you take very good care of yourself... But you were melancholy for a long time after your parents died," Rowena said carefully, watching him closely, "Helga and I tried to talk to you about it, but-" She broke off, feeling guilty.

Both she and Helga knew that something had been eating away at Godric besides grief over his parents' deaths, but they hadn't been able to help Godric deal with it. He struggled with the guilt of killing his father by himself and alone. Only Salazar had been able to find out about it, by accident.

"Swords..." Godric muttered suddenly, "Salazar started bothering me about my swords after that night..." The muscles in his face tightened, and his eyes glazed with unwilling comprehension. "I must have tried to kill myself that night then," he said softly, slowly admitting and believing, "He never bothered with me before, even after I showed him Avada Kedavra..."

Godric's expression turned disbelieving. "But he wouldn't leave me alone after that night... He started being nice towards me... mentioned that we had the same interests... offered to show me where to get dragon eggs at lower prices... wouldn't let me go alone to taverns-

Rowena flinched when he bellowed, "HE WAS FEELING SORRY FOR ME!!!"

"Calm down, Godric! ... You can't go to Salazar right now!"

"I'm going to shake that bastard awake-"

"Helga would never forgive you if you hurt one of her patients even if it's Salazar, and I won't like it either!"

Rowena somehow managed to keep Godric from going after Salazar. The wizard fumed for a long time as he paced the length of the room and back with Rowena watching him warily. When the anger finally cooled and died down, Rowena had to deal with him putting up a stoic facade. She could see right through it. Godric was embarrassed and perplexed with the reluctant realization that he owed a great deal to Salazar.

Rowena also knew Godric would never admit it, but she felt that he wasn't going to be baited as easily by Salazar's taunts as before nor would he allow himself to fall again into despair over what he had done to his father. His pride wouldn't allow it. Godric was utterly ashamed of the idea that his friendship and rivalry with Salazar began because the Dark wizard felt sorry for him.

Salazar, she knew, had been disgusted with himself when he began to fret over Godric. He hid his concern from Rowena and immediately directed a considerable amount of his energy and time to watching over the Light wizard. It was how Salazar dealt with stress and frustration. He was never one to contain his feelings and emotions, but he didn't show and express them directly either. They came out in other ways, mostly in the form of amusement. In Rowena's case, exceptional tenderness.

It had irked Salazar when it became clear to him that he had become fond of Godric. The Light wizard amused and challenged him, something that no other Dark wizard had done before. Indeed, Salazar was always treated with utmost respect by his fellow kind, even by his peers.

Rowena also recalled the fear and distraught she had felt from Godric when he and Helga brought Salazar into Hogwarts. He had been terrified by the thought of Salazar hurt and dying. Both men would never admit it, but they valued each other, treating one another candidly and with no reservation; so much like brothers with a close connection.

Rowena finally decided to distract Godric again, this time from his chagrin.

"Would you like to know how I see you, Godric?"

"... What?"

"I see you as an elm tree," Rowena said warmly, her soft blue eyes regarding him fondly.

Taken aback and diverted from his discomfiture, Godric slowly frowned at her. "... A tree? You see me as a tree?"

"Trees are wonderful, Godric," Rowena said lightly, "The elm is large, tall and straight. Its limbs are upright. The shade it provides is always welcome."

Godric was still uncertain about being compared to a tree, though he couldn't help but smile when Rowena added that the elm was also an attractive specimen of a tree.

Flattered, he laughed self-consciously, then asked her what she saw Helga as.

"A lioness," said Rowena immediately, and Godric didn't ask why. His amused eyes told her he agreed with her wholeheartedly.

"How about Salazar?" This one, Rowena could see, he was curious to know.

Rowena's eyes gentled, and she said, "Salazar is a dark cloud with a silver lining."

After a few moments, Godric nodded once.

To be continued.

Chapter 19 has ended. Please go on to the next chapter

Chapter 20: Friends, Enemies and Rivals

Harry was furious at Draco. He had found out that the broom Salazar rode on was Draco's Nimbus 2001 and could only think that Draco had tried to get the Dark wizard to his father, Lucius Malfoy or much worse, straight to Voldemort.

Ron agreed with Harry, but Hermione was dubious. She pointed out that it would have been easier, far simpler and more effective to use a portkey. The same strategy that Barty Crouch as Mad-Eye Moody had used to deliver Harry to the Dark Lord at the Triwizard Tournament.

"It could just be an accident," reasoned Hermione, "I don't think Draco even has the skill to charm a broom. You know how well-protected those things are."

Harry glared at her, barely biting back a retort about her thinking too nice of Draco since Ron had beaten him to it. In a jealous tone, Ron accused Hermione of liking Draco Malfoy.

Hermione looked at him with an expression of disbelief. "For goodness' sakes, Ron! You, of all people, should know I do not have the slightest bit of interest in Draco! He's an obnoxious, bigoted, spoiled brat!"

"You didn't like Viktor Krum at first," Ron reminded her in a cold tone.

Harry shut out the bickering that followed and headed out of the common room. Ron and Hermione didn't even notice him leave nor did the other people in the room.

The entire school was abuzz about Professor Scaevola's near fatal accident. After arriving back at Hogwarts, Salazar had immediately been taken to the hospital wing. Godric and Helga went with him, but Harry and Draco had been ordered to report to Headmaster Dumbledore's office.

Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape had also been present as Harry and Draco reported to Dumbledore about what had happened at the Quidditch field. While Draco was talking, it was clear to Harry that the three adults didn't know that Draco knew about the Founders and neither had Draco given away that he knew.

"I don't know why my broom suddenly went berserk like that," Draco had said with a flustered face. He looked guilty to Harry.

"Has your broom returned?" Dumbledore had asked in a tone, which seemed too kind to Harry.

Draco shook his head. Of course, thought Harry angrily, he wouldn't want to have his broom inspected and be found out. No doubt, Lucius Malfoy will be sending a new broom to Draco soon, and not because his son needed a good racing broom to play Quidditch but for another try at kidnapping Salazar.

When Dumbledore told them they could go, Harry had wanted to stay behind and tell the Headmaster that Draco knew about the Founders, but Professors McGonagall and Snape were also there. Harry wanted to tell and explain to Dumbledore the whole truth about what had happened on the Founders' second night here at Hogwarts, including that he had cast the Cruciatus Curse on Draco. But not with his House Head there and certainly not with Snape listening.

Harry wasn't seeking Dumbledore's understanding and forgiveness for casting the Cruciatus Curse, but he didn't want to keep secrets from Dumbledore, especially on something as important as this. What happened on the Quidditch field convinced Harry that Draco couldn't be trusted despite Salazar's reassurance that Draco wouldn't betray them. Dumbledore had to be informed and warned about Draco before something bad really happened.

Harry decided to stop by at the hospital wing to check on Salazar before he went back to the Headmaster's Office to tell Dumbledore. He was irritated and angered to see Draco coming out of the hospital wing.

***

The tightness in his stomach was easing, and Draco's worry abated. Hufflepuff had told him that Lord Slytherin was perfectly fine. He just needed to sleep off the shock for now.

Draco shook his head slowly, glancing back at the door behind him. He had been so surprised when his Nimbus 2001 suddenly went crazy shortly after Lord Slytherin took off. He couldn't understand what could had happened. His broom always worked fine before. Not as fast or maneuverable as Potter's Firebolt, but it had never showed any bugs. He took care of it and maintained it regularly.

Draco's heart had frozen into a painful cold lump when he learned that Lord Slytherin had fell off his broom miles from the ground. If he had died, Draco would never forgive himself for persuading him to ride his broom.

Lord Slytherin had told him that he didn't like brooms. He preferred to ride things with four legs. They're much more comfortable, he had said. Draco had then remembered that the Cushioning Charm hadn't been invented a thousand year ago and had convinced him to give today's modern broom a chance. Draco had also been keen on seeing Lord Slytherin fly.

Draco never expected what would happen next, and when he turned around to head back to the Slytherin Dungeon, he was surprised to find Potter standing behind him.

His immediate reaction was that he didn't want to deal with the other boy right now. He nodded at him brusquely and moved to pass him. But Harry blocked his way.

Irritation flared. "What's your problem?" Draco said snappishly.

"You are!" Countered Harry instantly, his green eyes flashing with anger. He opened his mouth to say something else, but stopped himself. They were in a hallway. Someone might overhear them.

Draco tensed when the other boy's hand closed around his arm. He pulled away immediately and looked at Harry with fury. "Potter," he said coldly, "I warned you not to lay a finger on me-"

"Go ahead and curse me," hissed Harry defiantly, catching Draco off guard. He seized Draco's wrist and dragged him forcibly through the hallway.

Draco tried to dig his heels into the floor and wound up stumbling and almost falling to the floor. Harry was pulling him too quickly, and his grip was too strong for Draco to break. Having been always unimpressed by Potter's small wiry form, he was surprised by the other boy's strength.

Draco tend to forget he and Harry were around the same size.

"Where are you taking me?!" Draco demanded. He was infuriated. People were jumping out of Harry's way as he marched through stairs and corridors with unwilling Draco in tow. They were starting to receive weird looks, especially from other Slytherins and Gryffindors they met along the way.

"We're going to see Headmaster Dumbledore," answered Harry bluntly. His words had just registered in Draco's mind when all of a sudden, Potter stopped. Propelled forward by inertia, Draco barely kept himself from crashing into the other boy's back.

They were at the gargoyle statue guarding Dumbledore's office.

"Fizzing Whizbees," Harry told the gargoyle, which jumped aside. He proceeded to drag Draco up the moving spiral staircase. Draco finally tripped and hit his knee against the edge of a step.

He yowled in pain and jerked his arm away from Harry. He bend over, wincing as he rubbed at the injury. He lifted the hem of his robes and pulled up his pants leg to examine his knee and saw that a bruise was forming, showing prominently on his pale skin.

"YOU IDIOT!" Draco yelled at Harry, standing a few steps above him. The other boy smirked down at him, saying, "Oh, quit whining, Malfoy. It's only a little bruise, and boy do you scream like a girl."

Draco saw red, but before he could counterattack, they arrived at Dumbledore's door. Harry opened the oak door, and much to Draco's disgust, he grabbed his wrist again and pulled Draco into the room.

Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk, and the expression on his old face said that he had been expecting them. Draco didn't see the amusement in the Headmaster's eyes at the sight of Harry pulling Draco along with him. When Harry stopped in front of his desk, he kept his hold on Draco, who stared furiously at the hand keeping his wrist prisoner.

"Yes, Harry, Draco," said Dumbledore, one white brow lifting upward in question.

Draco flinched when Harry's fingers tightened on his wrist. He glanced at the other boy's profile and saw that Potter seemed nervous. The muscles of his face and jaw were tense.

Realization struck Draco at the same moment Harry began talking.

"Sir," said Harry in a voice that quavered a bit then firmed, "I have to tell you something. About what Draco said about me hexing him and hitting-"

"I don't believe this," muttered Draco with disbelief. Potter was at it again, being courageous and assuming all responsibility. He was so sick of all his righteous crap.

Harry gave him a sideways glare then looked back to Dumbledore, who was watching them intently. He continued, "Draco wasn't telling the truth-"

"You're suicidal, that's what you are, Potter." Draco was shaking his head, feeling nauseated.

"Shut up, Malfoy!" Again, Harry's hand tightened around Draco's wrist, threatening him with pain to quiet, but Draco wasn't taking it from him anymore. His other hand suddenly clamped down on Harry's wrist and twisted it.

Harry's eyes widened in surprise then a hiss of pain escaped from him as Draco increased pressure while twisting at the same time. His fingers loosened from Draco's wrist, and Draco then twisted Harry's entire arm and slammed it against the other boy's chest, knocking Potter almost off his feet.

While Harry recovered his balance, Draco turned back to Dumbledore. "Potter's just being a stupid git, Headmaster. Pay no attention to him."

"Don't listen to him," yelled Harry, "he knows about them! He tried to get Lord Slytherin to the Death Eaters yesterday!"

Draco froze, his eyes flicked to Harry. ... So that's what he's thinking... Suddenly he was boiling mad. He thinks I'm that stupid?!

"You moron! If I was doing that, why would I use a broomstick?!"

"How else are you going to do it?!"

"Portkeys, Floo-"

"So! You have been thinking on the ways!"

"You don't send the person being kidnapped off alone on a broom! Somebody can follow him especially if there are witnesses!"

"You sound like quite the expert on how to pull off kidnappings, don't you?!"

In the back of his mind, Draco grudgingly thought that Potter was getting better at comebacks, and he was doing a good job of making Draco look guilty in front of Dumbledore.

"Both of you." Draco looked at Dumbledore who had stood up. The eyes behind half-moon glasses observed them shrewdly. "I want a full explanation from the beginning from each one of you."

Draco cursed Potter silently. It was already complicated enough without getting Dumbledore involved, and after the trouble he went through to make sure Harry wasn't sent off to Azkaban. ...Perhaps Dumbledore favored Potter enough to even let him off with casting the Cruciatus Curse... It was too big a risk. Draco could only hope Harry was intelligent enough not to tell Dumbledore about Crucio.

... Why do I even bother with him... He's such a nuisance...

Harry was facing Dumbledore again, looking directly at the old wizard's face, but Draco could see that his eyes didn't meet Dumbledore's eyes quite straight.

He's afraid, thought Draco, feeling satisfied and then annoyed. Why did Potter have to be so stupidly brave and bull-headed? It was insane. Couldn't he tell the difference between being self-sacrificing and being suicidal?

Let him go off to Azkaban then, thought Draco darkly. Let Potter be so honest and courageous, if that's what he wanted. ... So noble, so damn noble. He wouldn't allow himself to owe anything to Draco Malfoy. Stupid Gryffindor pride-

Draco suddenly realized that Potter was exposing everything, risking going to Azkaban to protect Lord Slytherin from Draco, whom Harry thought was plotting to send the Dark wizard to the Death Eaters.

That broke the proverbial straw on the camel's back. Draco was utterly furious at Harry. He was incensed at the other boy.

Lord Slytherin isn't even his House's Founder, and he's trying to protect him?! Why should he care?! He doesn't even like Lord Slytherin! He hates Slytherins! But noooo! He has to be a hero! He also has to protect Salazar Slytherin!

Draco was so sick of Harry Potter. At this point, he'd volunteer to escort Potter to Azkaban himself. Let the Dementors have him! Draco Malfoy would be rid of the torment that was Harry Potter, the Boy who Lived, forever.

He lifted his hand and grabbed Potter's shoulder. Harry turned towards him with an impatient look, which turned to surprise when Draco pulled him back away from Dumbledore.

"I'll explain to the Headmaster first," Draco said coldly.

***

Later, outside of the Headmaster's office and standing beside the gargoyle statue, Harry was staring at Draco thoughtfully. The other boy looked tense, the expression on his pale sharp face was a mixture of irritation and anger. Draco looked like he was thinking very hard on something. He didn't even seem to notice or to care that Harry was standing beside him.

He lied again... Harry was confused. Draco had lied again, this time straight to Professor Dumbledore. The explanation Draco gave to the Headmaster started out truthfully enough. Draco confessed that he found out on his own who the Accreditation Professors were really are. He volunteered to escort Professor Scaevola, who was actually Lord Slytherin, because he wanted to get to know his House's Founder better.

Draco admitted that when he saw Harry with Lord Gryffindor, he couldn't resist the opportunity to provoke the other boy into embarrassing himself in front of the two Founders. And then, after that, Draco lied.

He said Harry cast Stupefy on him, and that he was knocked out. When he woke up, he found that he was in a room he'd never been in before with Professor Scaevola, who told him everything was all right. It was here then that he told Lord Slytherin that he knew who he really was. Lord Slytherin told his companions that Draco knew, and they asked Draco not to tell others about them. Draco agreed, but Harry, who had also been there, didn't trust him.

Lord Slytherin, however, backed Draco and assured Harry that Draco wouldn't reveal that they were back at Hogwarts. After this, Draco spent as much free time as he could with Lord Slytherin.

Draco then confessed that he lied to Professor Snape about Harry accidently hitting Lord Gryffindor instead. He wanted to get Harry in trouble and a lot of detention, but Draco assured Dumbledore that he never intended to betray Lord Slytherin's trust. He didn't Owl his father and didn't tell any of his friends about the Founders.

Draco insisted that, what had happened with his Nimbus 2001, was an accident. He admitted that he didn't even know what spells to cast on a broom. He certainly couldn't charm it to fly as fast as it had when Lord Slytherin used it. When Draco said that, that Harry began to have doubts that Draco was responsible for his broom acting the way it did. Draco's Nimbus 2001 had matched and even outflown Harry's Firebolt.

Harry also began to consider that perhaps it was because of Salazar that the Draco's broom flew in that manner. A flier's skill affected the performance of a broom. State of mind also influenced its behavior. In his first year and in his first flying lesson, Neville, on his broom, had suddenly shot up many feet into the air without intending it. He had been so nervous that his broom reacted the way it did.

Maybe Salazar Slytherin was just a really bad flier.

Dumbledore seemed to accept Draco's explanation without a doubt. When he asked Harry his side of the story, Draco shot a glare at Harry, his pale gray eyes clearly challenging Harry to refute the explanation he had just given to Dumbledore. Those same eyes were surprised when Harry agreed, confirming to Draco's story.

After hearing this version of that night, Dumbledore had then decided to shorten Harry's detention from three months to just three weeks, much to the boy's relief. He also gave Draco detention for provoking Harry and for lying to his House Head. Draco looked disgusted when Dumbledore said that both he and Harry would have to report to Mr. Filch together.

"This will encourage both of you to learn to tolerate each other's company," Dumbledore had said with an amused twinkle in his eyes before dismissing them with a warning not to get into trouble again.

That's why Draco is seething right now, thought Harry, waiting for the other boy to start cussing at him and blaming him for the detention he had gotten, but Harry was more concerned about why Draco had lied again about the Cruciatus Curse. This was the second time Draco had covered up for Harry.

If Harry didn't know better, Draco seemed to be trying to protect him. The idea was alien to Harry. Draco hated Harry. He'd made it clear since first year. He'd always been causing trouble for Harry, trying to get him expelled and everything. Getting Harry sentenced to Azkaban must have been a godsend to Draco Malfoy.

... Why then had Draco lied twice and kept Harry from being sent to the Dementors?

Draco suddenly growled softly and stalked away from Harry without a single word. Startled, Harry he went after Draco.

"Draco-"

"Go away, Potter!"

"I need to ask you something. Why did you lie?"

Draco stopped all of the sudden and turned around. Before Harry could react, Draco suddenly grabbed the front of his robes, dragged him towards a door, opened it and hauled Harry inside an empty classroom.

Before locking the door, Draco flung Harry away from him, causing the other boy to crash into the teacher's desk. He then pulled out his wand and cast a silencing charm on the entire room.

Harry straightened defensively and watched Draco warily. The expression on the other boy's face seemed calm, but there was a look of deadly intent in his eyes.

He slipped his hand inside his pocket, ready to pull out his wand. Draco must be planning to do something serious to Harry since he had soundproofed the room. Harry was surprised when Draco pocketed his wand.

Draco looked towards Harry and smirked when he saw that Harry had his hand inside his pocket. He sneered, "Lord Slytherin is right. You, Gryffindors, are quick to get to your wands."

Harry glared at him. His fingers did twitched around his wand at Draco's words. The other boy had an irritating talent of getting under Harry's skin with so little effort. Silently, he pulled his hand out and asked stonily, "Why are we here?"

"Isn't it clear?" Draco said condescendingly, "To talk. Why did you think I cast a silencing charm? We wouldn't want anyone to hear us and find out about the Founders now, do we?"

Harry nodded stiffly, and Draco continued in a smug tone, "Now, what was that you asked me just now... Oh yes... Why did I lie?"

Harry tensed when Draco began to walk towards him in slow deliberate paces. "Why did Draco Malfoy lie, wonders Harry Potter," said Draco softly in a low dangerous tone.

"Why did he lie?" Draco began micmicking Harry's voice, mocking him, "Why did he keep me from being thrown into Azkaban for casting the Cruciatus Curse on another human being? Draco Malfoy has no reason to help me. Why did he save me?"

Harry's hands tightened into fists, but he forced himself to keep still. Despite that Draco was clearly doing his utmost to antagonize him, what he was saying was true. Harry was wondering why Draco had helped him.

Draco's face then turned revolted. "You're probably thinking I was trying to protect you, didn't you, Potter?" He inquired softly.

Harry blinked and nodded slowly; Draco made a rude noise. "Thought so," he declared disgustedly, "that's just like you, Potter. You think the entire world revolves around you-"

"No, I don't!" protested Harry vehemently.

Draco matched his tone, gray eyes flashing like cold silver. "You think I lied for you! For you! Everything just has to be for you, about you, because of you! YOU!"

"That's not true!" Harry insisted; his voice shook with anger.

"And so humble too," Draco said contemptuously, "Everyone's hero, Harry Potter. I am so sick of you."

As he stared into Draco's hateful eyes, Harry remembered something else.

On the Hogwarts Express, Draco extending his hand out to him.

"You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort," Draco had said, "I can help you there."

Then, the angry and embarrassed light in his eyes when Harry rejected him.

Harry had forgotten, but Draco had tried to be friends with him. When he didn't, he had made perhaps his greatest enemy.

"You're just angry," Harry said softly to Draco, "because I wouldn't be your friend."

Pale eyes widened and narrowed at this. "Because of you again," hissed Draco, and Harry's hackles rose. Draco was starting to make his point clear to Harry. Everything did seem to be because of him. Even Ron had pointed that out to him.

Then suddenly, Draco began to chuckle. Harry stared at him, utterly confused. Draco seemed to be laughing at himself. He watched as the other boy recovered quickly, straightened his posture and walked away from Harry, shaking his head.

"Lord Slytherin is right," whispered Draco suddenly. His voice was so low that Harry could barely hear him, but he could hear the tired amusement in the other boy's tone.

Harry was confounded by this sudden change in Draco's mood.

"... What do you mean, Draco?" Harry asked curiously. Draco turned back to Harry, who couldn't help but notice that the corner of Draco's mouth was twitching. Then, it stilled, and Draco became suspicious. He looked at Harry carefully as if judging him, as if he was deciding whether or not to tell him.

After a few moments, Draco shrugged and told Harry, "Lord Slytherin told me that I was too obsessed with you."

"... What?" Harry couldn't believe what Draco had just said.

Draco sighed wearily. "You don't even care. He's absolutely right. I've wasted too much time on you."

Harry didn't like the fact that Draco was making him feel guilty over something he didn't even understand.

"Draco," snapped Harry peevishly, "what the hell are you talking about?"

Draco stared directly at him and said, "It's about our relationship, Potter."

... What relationship?! Harry's retort was delayed when Draco continued.

"We're enemies, right?"

"... Right."

"Do you consider me as a rival?"

"... what's the difference?"

Draco explained, "Enemies don't like or hate each other, but they usually can stand each other as long as the other isn't bothering them. Rivals compete with each other. They want to beat and surpass the other."

Harry nodded slowly and began thinking of the times when he and Draco competed with each other. The first thing that came up was Quidditch.

"Yes, I suppose," Harry answered Draco, "we're both Seekers for our House Teams."

Draco folded his arms. "How do you consider me as a Quidditch player?" He asked pointedly.

Harry hesitated, and Draco sighed again. "Never mind, Potter, I can read the answer in your face. The point is that I consider you as a rival, but you only consider me as an enemy. It's a one-sided relationship, so it's not worth the aggravation on my part."

Harry flushed. "You're the one who's good at aggravating me," he told Draco testily. But Draco shook his head, saying, "I'm just an annoyance to you, Potter. You, on the other hand..." Draco looked tired. "The last four years... I have spend too much time trying to get the better of you."

"... Draco-"

"It wasn't worth it," Draco interrupted him brusquely, "Even after I thought I've finally beaten you. When you were crushed by the thought of going to Azkaban for casting Crucio on me, I thought I had finally won over you... But I wasn't the one who broke you, it was Cedric Diggory. You didn't even care for yourself, much less bother with me."

... I meant that much to Draco... Harry was beginning to feel like a heel. "Draco," he said uncomfortably, "I'm-" He was cut off by a flash of warning in Draco's eyes.

"I will throw up if you start feeling sorry for me," Draco declared, looking nauseated.

Anger flared in Harry. "Just what do you want me to do anyway?!" he yelled at Draco.

"Ignore me," stated Draco firmly.

Harry was taken aback. "... What?"

"Ignore me," repeated Draco, looking irritated, "You don't bother with me. I don't bother with you."

"But-"

"Look, Potter, you didn't want me as a friend so I became your enemy. Now, I want to be neither. You will cease to exist for me."

Six minutes ago, Harry would be delighted by Draco's decision. Now, the idea of Draco ignoring him bothered him more than Draco aggravating him.

"Draco, I'm not going to ignore you," said Harry stubbornly. Draco gave him a look of disbelief, and Harry suddenly realized that he sounded like he wanted to be friends with Draco.

"I can't ignore you," said Harry quickly, covering up his confusion and awkwardness, "You know about the Founders, and I'm not convinced you're not going to hand them over to Voldemort."

Draco gave him an incensed look. "I am not going to betray them," he snapped, his pale eyes lit with fury, "I promised Lord Slytherin I wouldn't tell anyone about them!"

"So what?" Harry countered glacially, "You're a Dark wizard's son. Your father is a Death Eater. Promises mean little to your kind."

"So why then do you care so much about Lord Slytherin?" Draco's eyes were icy. "He's a Dark wizard. He's one of our kind. I'm sure if he knew about Voldemort, he'd like to meet him."

Harry's insides turned cold. "You will not tell him," he said forcibly.

Draco's eyes shone with a malignant gleam. "So that's why you wanted to convince Dumbledore that I planned that broom incident," he said softly, "You're not worried for Lord Slytherin. You're scared of what will happen if he helps Voldemort."

Harry's muscles locked as Draco's voice turned sinister. "You have good reason to worry, Potter. If my kind ever finds out that Lord Slytherin has returned, the Dark wizards will rise in fervor and-"

"You seem to forget that the other Founders are back as well," said Harry through gritted teeth.

Draco laughed harshly. "You really don't know much about Lord Slytherin, do you Potter?"

"... What do you mean?"

"You'll find out on your own sooner or later, but I'm sure you have an idea of what he is capable of. On the other hand, you don't seem as confident with the others since you don't think the three of them can handle Lord Slytherin. A lack of faith in Gryffindor, eh Potter?"

Harry moved towards Draco menacingly. "He can take care of him! I just don't want them wasting their time watching out for Slytherin! Are you going tell him about Voldemort?!"

"I might," said Draco lazily.

"It won't do you any good anyway!" Harry was so angry he was spitting the words out. "He's not staying in this time long enough to help Voldemort!"

Draco froze. "... What do you mean, Potter?"

"Find that out for yourself!" With that, Harry shoved pass Draco and stomped to the door. He flung it open, exited and slammed the door behind him. But Harry didn't have the satisfaction of hearing the door slam since Draco had silenced the classroom, and Harry was outside when he slammed the door.

Draco had told Harry to ignore him, and Harry wished dearly he could ignore him. For someone who decided not to bother with Harry anymore, Draco just did an excellent job of infuriating him.

As Harry marched off back to Gryffindor Tower, he realized belatedly that he still didn't know why Draco had kept him from being sent to Azkaban.

To be continued.

Chapter 20 has ended. Please go on to the next chapter.

Fore note: This chapter is not a continuation of chapter 20. This chapter happened roughly around the same time chapter 10: History Lessons (Chamber of Secrets) occurred. That one is Harry and Godric. This one is Draco and Salazar.

Chapter 21: Legacy

"Tell me about yourself, Draco."

Draco paused, surprised by Lord Slytherin's request. They were both on a ledge, which protruded from the exterior wall of the castle. It overlooked the cliff upon which Hogwarts stood.

Draco was more than a little nervous since the ledge he was standing on was a bare six feet in width and in length. The remaining three sides of the platform opened out into open air, and Draco wasn't enjoying the spectacular view of mountains, forests, sky and the long drop down to the cliff bottom far below.

Lord Slytherin looked comfortable. He was sitting on the ledge, his legs extending out and crossed at the ankles, his torso bent perpendicular at his waist, with his back against the wall behind him. His arms were crossed behind; his hands, pillowing the back of his head. Draco wished he could copy him, but he couldn't seem to force himself to step away from the solid reassuring wall.

The boy knew that high strong winds were howling all around them. Icy drafts constantly blew upwards against the sides of the cliff and over its edges. Few students dared to venture to the cliff's edge bordering around the castle. It wasn't because there was a danger of falling off the cliff, but because it was always freezing cold there. Also, it was rather hard to appreciate the vista with a roaring chilly wind always blowing against your face and doing its best to force you back and away from the edge.

However, Draco only felt a slight breeze blowing against him. There was a barrier surrounding the ledge and protecting him and Lord Slytherin. It cut down on the wind's strength severely and muffled its roar effectively. It was eerily quiet actually.

"Draco?" He glanced down at Lord Slytherin who was looking at him. The expression on his face was amused. "You will be more comfortable if you sit down," he suggested dryly.

It was embarrassment chiefly that made Draco follow his advice. He also felt spineless to be so tensed and being fearful of heights in the Dark wizard's presence. Draco forced his knees to bend and sat down awkwardly. He immediately felt better; his mind became less muddled. The shortening of the distance between his head and the cliff bottom, though only by a minute fraction, eased his nerves. It also helped to keep his eyes on the stone under him or stare level to the horizon rather than letting them stray downwards over the sides of the platform.

"Tell me about yourself, Draco," said Lord Slytherin again, and Draco glanced towards him to find bright green eyes regarding him with interest. He blinked at the older man as a corner of his mind mused that Lord Slytherin's eyes were remarkably like Harry Potter's eyes.

Those eyes were still looking at him; their owner waiting for Draco to say something. He hadn't said anything since they had come here, having been too concerned with dealing with vertigo.

Finally, Draco said, "What would you like to know, Sir?"

Lord Slytherin tilted his head slightly, looking thoughtful. "Tell me what is your ambition," he said.

Draco blinked again and found himself at a loss. ... My ambition? Draco wondered. He looked away from Lord Slytherin, whose discerning emerald eyes tended to make Draco stumble in thoughts and speech.

He felt foolish when he couldn't find a suitable answer to give to Lord Slytherin. Draco couldn't tell him that his utmost concerns right now were trying to do better than Hermione Granger in studies and trying to beating Harry Potter at Quidditch.

Suddenly, Draco felt very small. He ducked his head down, feeling ashamed of himself. Lord Slytherin would be expecting something grand, something worthy, certainly something much more than petty rivalries in school. Draco rarely thought of what he would strive for after Hogwarts. His father's high and exalted position and wealth guaranteed that Draco would never have to be concerned with careers and the like. Everything had been handed to him on a silver platter. It was until he met Harry Potter that he realized there were some things he had to work for.

Maybe I should lie, thought Draco, starting to panic. He didn't want Lord Slytherin to be disappointed in him. He didn't want those green eyes to turn cold with disapproval and disappointment. Draco saw them far too often in his father's eyes.

He lifted his head slowly and looked back at Lord Slytherin. The words died in his throat even before he could open his mouth. Those emerald eyes were regarding him expectantly. He couldn't lie. Draco felt those eyes saw truth and lies as sharply as if they were etched in stone.

Draco swallowed, his throat tightening reflexively. He lowered his eyes and murmured, "I don't know." He didn't see the smile that curved the older man's lips, and he was startled when the warm weight of Lord Slytherin's hand rested on his head.

Again, his hair was being ruffled, and warmth bloomed inside Draco. His mother sometimes patted and stroked his hair, and it usually left Draco feeling embarrassed, which was a natural reaction he supposed when mothers patted their sons' heads. Draco didn't know how he would feel if his father patted his head. Lucius Malfoy had never once patted his son's head, or at least Draco couldn't remember him ever doing so.

Would it feel like this? Draco wondered. There was awkwardness, shyness on Draco's part, a touch of embarrassment, but mostly he felt warm and cared for.

He couldn't keep from feeling a little disappointed when Lord Slytherin lifted his hand. Draco looked up abruptly when he said, "Would you like me to tell you what your ambition is, Draco?"

"... Yes, please," he replied in a raspy voice.

"Your ambition, Draco," said Lord Slytherin lightly, "is to feel good about yourself."

Draco stared at him silently, then looked confused. "I don't understand."

Green eyes twinkled. "Everyone's deepest desire is to feel whole, to feel content, to feel good. Ambition is what drives people to fulfill that desire. Whether you seek power or fame or glory or wealth (or sex), the underlying reason is the same, the need to feel good about one's self."

Draco nodded slowly. "What should I do then?" He asked.

Lord Slytherin lifted his left hand and began ticking off its fingers with his right hand. "For a boy your age: Do well in school. Have fun. Make your parents proud. Have fun. Make friends & impress girls. Have fun." He stopped on the little finger with Draco staring at him with a flabbergasted expression.

His House's Founder noted his shock with amusement and lowered his hands, saying, "You look surprised, Draco. What did you expect me to say?"

To go rule the world, perhaps, thought Draco, scarcely believing this jester beside him was Salazar Slytherin. "Uhm..." Draco mumbled, "I expected you to say something like conquering the world, defeating all your enemies or become the greatest wizard ever."

"The first one is passe. Too many people have done it," Lord Slytherin pointed out. "The second one merely means you are not adept at dealing with people. As for the third one--" he smiled smugly "-- I was and am the greatest wizard of my time.

What an ego, thought Draco, but he couldn't help grinning. It was hard to be serious with Lord Slytherin. He didn't seem to take even himself seriously. But despite the Dark wizard's casual manner, Draco knew that Lord Slytherin had accomplished something that outweighed even being the greatest wizard of his time.

Draco frowned, trying to figure out the wizard sitting beside him. Lord Slytherin was a puzzle. The other Founders were as Draco had expected them to be, but Salazar Slytherin was a complete surprise to him. Even now, Draco was distracted by the jaunty tune the older wizard was humming. His arms again folded behind his head, Lord Slytherin was staring up at the cloudy blue sky.

He's so completely at ease with himself, observed Draco. With no care. Nothing seemed to faze him. He seems to treat life as if it was a joke.

The bottom of Draco's stomach dropped down heavily. ... He acts just like Dumbledore... the boy realized weakly.

"Have I disappointed you, Draco?" He started and glanced at Lord Slytherin, who was eyeing him intently. He looked serious this time.

Draco hesitated in answering, gathering his thoughts; Lord Slytherin straightened. Draco automatically shied away, barely catching himself in time. Every line of the older man's bearing warned Draco not to underestimate him. Lord Slytherin's face seemed chiseled. His mouth was a thin line, with the barest curve at one end. It was not a friendly smile.

The light in his eyes had dimmed. They now smoldered with an emotion Draco could barely decipher, but fear rose in Draco, responding instinctively to the dangerous threat Lord Slytherin now posed. The change was so quick and so sudden, that Draco couldn't believe this was the same wizard who had been so amusing just a few moments ago.

Draco was starting to tremble. He couldn't tear his eyes away from Lord Slytherin. Green eyes, black within and now ringed in darkness, held him in his place despite that every part of his brain was screaming at him to get away. He tried to move his arms first, but his muscles were frozen, paralyzed.

H- he's going to kill me! Terror blotted out nearly all of Draco's senses. He couldn't hear anything, not even the harsh sound of his own breathing. Sight remained, and the only thing he could see was blackness lurking in green depths, ready to take him. Something brushed his face, and Draco opened his mouth to scream.

A hand covered his mouth. The dangerous dark fire in green eyes died and vanished though those same eyes still hypnotized Draco. An amused light now gleamed in them.

"Are you satisfied now, Draco?" Lord Slytherin queried softly. When the boy nodded, he grinned and removed his hand from Draco's mouth. Draco blinked when that hand again rubbed his hair affectionately.

"So..." murmured Lord Slytherin, "people in this time see me as a tyrant... How charming."

He pulled back his hand, and Draco straightened, lifting his head to look at Lord Slytherin, who was bemused. The older man asked, "Tell me, Draco. Exactly what did I did that earned me this reputation?"

"... You assassinated the Thirteen."

Lord Slytherin stilled. His eyes flickered with an emotion that faded too quickly for Draco to catch, even if he had been paying attention to how the older wizard reacted.

"You used Avada Kedavra on thirteen of the most powerful Dark wizards and witches in your time!" Draco declared in a breathless tone. His voice was colored by a mixture of horror and admiration. His face was flushed with excitement.

Draco was in the company of Salazar Slytherin, the wizard who had single-handedly annihilated the Thirteen, which had been the supreme Dark magic coalition a thousand years ago. His own father would envy him right now.

History lessons taught at Hogwarts expounded little on the events that happened around a millennium ago. It was considered a relatively peaceful (and boring) epoch in the history of magic, as according to Light wizards. The only momentous event was the founding of one of the greatest, if not the greatest, magical institution in the Wizarding world.

But information on the beginnings of Hogwarts was scarce. "Hogwarts, A History," the book considered as the foremost and best source of information on the school, said only that Hogwarts was founded by four of the greatest wizards and witches a thousand years ago (exact date unknown). These four, known as the Founders or the Hogwarts Four, were Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff and Salazar Slytherin.

Despite the fact that House Slytherin turned out more Dark wizards than it did Light magic practitioners, Light wizards had assumed that Salazar Slytherin was a Light wizard, who in the end, turned to the Dark side.

That's what Light wizards taught their children, but every Dark wizarding child was told by their elders that the great Salazar Slytherin was, in fact, one of their own from the start, a Dark wizard.

"Lord Slytherin's ambition knew no bounds," Lucius Malfoy once said to Draco. His father had summoned him to come to his study on the eve of his eleventh birthday to tell him a story. "He was set to become the youngest Head of the Thirteen, when he decided to help found Hogwarts.

"Children, Lord Slytherin had decided, held the keys to true power. When the other members of the coalition didn't see his way, and in fact, demanded he cease his association with the school, he withdrew from the Thirteen and devoted all his time and attention to Hogwarts.

"Much to the coalition's chagrin, Dark wizarding families began sending their children to Hogwarts. They wanted their children to learn magic from Lord Slytherin, who was still highly respected and admired by Dark wizards everywhere. Word had also spread wide and quickly of Salazar Slytherin's defiance against the Thirteen."

"Why did he leave Hogwarts?" Draco had asked his father.

Lucius Malfoy replied, "Most Light wizards believe it was because of the disagreement between him and Gryffindor over the matter of admitting Muggle-borns into Hogwarts. That is part of the reason, not the whole cause. As much as he disliked Muggle-borns, Lord Slytherin wasn't going to abandon Hogwarts simply because of them."

"What happened then, Father?"

"The Thirteen happened," Lucius Malfoy had answered in a disgusted tone of voice. "They had been humiliated when Lord Slytherin withdrew from the group. He was the only one ever to do so. They were also envious of Hogwarts' success and of Lord Slytherin, who continued to grow in favor amongst Dark wizards and even in the Light wizarding community.

"On the other hand, the standing of the Thirteen had fallen ever since they lost their greatest member. It is said they even tried to form their own school. It was a dismal failure. They had no experience in teaching, and neither did any of them have a reputation to match that of Ravenclaw, whose lineage composed of teachers as far back as anyone could remember.

"Even our own kind think of that family as Wise Old Ravenclaw, though they were of the other side. Lord Slytherin was ingenious to ally himself with such a prestigious Wizarding family.

"The coalition grew desperate. Powerful wizards and witches they were all, but none of them could match Salazar Slytherin in magic and in mettle. It is said they tried to persuade Lord Slytherin to come back to them. When he refused, they tried to kill him and attempted to destroy Hogwarts.

"Their followers tracked down the Muggle-born students attending the school, beguiled and befriended them, then tricked them into mind switching with them.

"In Hogwarts, these wizards' in mudbloods' clothing targeted Lord Slytherin. He managed to escape from all attempts to kill or brutally maim him, but his distrust of Muggle-borns grew to the level where he became paranoid. He wouldn't allow any mudblood to attend his classes, and the other Founders ridiculed his concern.

"He insisted to Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff that all Muggle-born students be expelled from Hogwarts and be disallowed from entering the school. There was a row between Lord Slytherin and Gryffindor on the matter.

"Lord Slytherin became fed-up with Gryffindor's love for muggle-borns, and he left Hogwarts, vowing never to return until all muggle-borns were gone from the school.

"The Thirteen was delighted that Lord Slytherin had finally abandoned Hogwarts. They lost no time in inviting him back. Somehow, Lord Slytherin discovered that they were behind the attempts on his life at Hogwarts. He was incensed when he found out. He attacked and killed all the members of the coalition."

"All by himself?!" exclaimed Draco. Lucius Malfoy smiled at the look of awe, horror and anticipation on his son's face. He had felt the same when his own father reached this point of the story.

"Lord Slytherin used a killing curse that had never been seen before in his time," Lucius Malfoy elucidated. "An instant painless unblockable killing curse which is activated by the incantation Avada Kedavra."

Draco blinked. "... Lord Slytherin created Avada Kedavra?"

His father nodded, and Draco demanded, "What did he do after?"

Lucius Malfoy hesitated before saying, "He left and was never seen or heard from again."

"... Why?"

"Lord Slytherin was disgusted by both Light wizards and Dark wizards alike. Light wizards for their foolish and sickening love of Muggles and mudbloods. Dark wizards for their insipid disposition to betray one another."

Draco felt disappointed. "He never returned?" he asked.

"There were many rumors of him being seen in different parts of the country, but none of them were ever proven or true."

"... If he left Hogwarts, why wasn't his House taken down?"

Lucius Malfoy looked smug. "Hogwarts will fall without House Slytherin. Just as it would never have risen without Salazar Slytherin."

"The other Founders respected Lord Slytherin then."

"Of course."

"But," Draco protested, "I hear they don't even teach Dark Arts at Hogwarts."

"True," admitted his father, "Dark magic education at Hogwarts is minimal. You do know that I have been thinking of sending you to another school, Durmstrang-"

"No!" Draco blurted out before he thought of it. He paused, taken aback by his own outburst, and he was bewildered when Lucius Malfoy chuckled.

"Don't be surprise, Draco," said his father with a smile, "There is much honor and pride to be had in joining House Slytherin. Since Lord Slytherin founded it, Dark wizarding families have been sending their children to Hogwarts. It is tradition, and you now feel the need to be part of it."

Slowly, Draco nodded and then asked, "But why didn't Lord Slytherin just found a school of his own?"

Lucius Malfoy explained, "Lord Slytherin knew that to ally himself with Ravenclaw would allow him to influence the education of Light wizarding children in addition to teaching the children Dark wizards sent to him. Gryffindor thought the same thing, and both sides gained from the alliance."

"... Lord Slytherin was really smart."

"Yes, he was, and he was one of ours."

Draco's eyes brightened with pride, and he said enthusiastically, "He must be the greatest wizard ever!" Then he fell silent, suddenly remembering that his father had served Lord Voldemort, who struck so much fear in the hearts of wizarding people that even now he was still referred to as You Know Who.

But there was an agreeing light in Lucius Malfoy's pale eyes. "Lord Slytherin was the greatest Dark wizard ever, Draco," he corrected slightly and added, "He had something Voldemort never had."

"What was that, Father?"

"Respect."

Draco blinked. "But," he said, "so many wizards and witches are afraid of him even y-" He stopped, wincing inwardly at his wayward tongue and expecting his father to dismiss him immediately.

His father did glare at him, and Draco was surprised when the angry expression on Lucius Malfoy's face turned grudging.

"I will tell you this only once, Draco," his father said sharply. "It is oftentimes difficult to differentiate fear and respect, but those two are very different. What Voldemort has is people's fear. His enemies fear him as do his allies, who follow him because they are afraid. Lord Slytherin had respect. People followed him, because they wanted to."

Then he told Draco to leave.

To be continued.