Hearts and Hourglasses

Hearts and Hourglasses
Chapter 31: Synergy

The Portkey brought Draco to his father's study. Lucius Malfoy was waiting when his son arrived.

"Draco," said Lucius by way of greeting. His cool gray eyes fastened on the decrepit Sorting Hat in Draco's arms. "Good, you have it." There was approval in his voice, and Draco straightened, feeling a flash of pride for pleasing his father.

Lucius turned slightly, inclining his head towards the door and raising his arm, gesturing for Draco to come along. Draco quickly walked towards him. Lucius placed his hand on Draco's shoulder as they headed out of the study.

Their footsteps echoed in the hallways as father and son strode through them. Draco had difficulty keeping up with his father's longer strides. Sometimes, he had to trot. Lucius seemed to be in a hurry. Draco felt his father's hand tightened on his shoulder, and he swallowed reflexively.

His father was taking him to see Voldemort.

Is it true, Draco? His father's eyes were flat, and Draco stared into them, wondering at the fear he imagined he saw in Lucius Malfoy's eyes. After his first year at Hogwarts, his father had waited for him at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. With the same dragon medallion Portkey, they arrived at home in the main study.

Is it true, Draco? Was Voldemort at Hogwarts? His father had asked. When Draco nodded, confirming the story, Lucius Malfoy had paled.

Voldemort was so feared that even his own kind was frightened of him.

"I'll be all right," Draco suddenly said to his father. Lucius glanced at him with startled eyes, and Draco repeated firmly, "I'll be all right. I'm not scared of him."

When pride lit Lucius' eyes, warmth melted the nervous ice in Draco's stomach. He was surprised by how good it felt to see his father proud of him. It was such a simple thing, yet it made Draco feel able to stand up to anything or anyone, including Voldemort.

Family is important, Draco, Lord Slytherin told him. Especially your parents. As long as they are beside you, you can do anything. As long as you know they are with you, you are never alone.

Draco moved closer to his father. He could feel the older wizard's surprise. Later, he would suffer gladly the embarrassment of his action. For now, Draco just wanted to be near his father.

Promise me this, Draco. There was a sad light in green eyes. Promise me you'll keep your family beside you. Don't lose them. I lost my family when I was younger than you are now. They were taken away from me.

Lucius' fingers again tightened, and Draco looked up at his father whose face was set though worry gleamed in gray eyes. They were almost at their destination. Their pace slowed as they approached the end of the hall. They stopped, facing a large dragon carved into the wall.

Draco stared at the dragon on the wall. It was a Swedish Short-Snout. Its pale eyes considered Draco while thin blue flames ensued from its nostrils with every breath.

His father suddenly said in a soft tone, "Be careful, Draco." Again, Draco glanced at his father to see worry in his eyes. "Voldemort is planning something," said Lucius, and he took a deep breath before continuing, "You're involved, Draco." Anger suddenly flashed across his father's face, and he looked like he had more to say, but Lucius closed his mouth abruptly and just glared furiously at nothing in particular.

Draco was about to reassure his father when the older wizard snappishly ordered the dragon to move aside. The Short-Snout gave Lucius an insolent look instead and sat down on its haunches with a rather stubborn expression on its scaly face.

His father looked ready to explode, and Draco quickly and politely asked the dragon to move aside. Affection replaced the dragon's stubborn demeanor, and Lucius was exasperated when the Short-Snout extended its neck out from the wall and nuzzled Draco's face with its snout.

It snorted smoke into Lucius Malfoy's face before pulling its head back into the wall and moving aside. Draco grinned as his father coughed and sputtered curses at the dragon, which looked very satisfied. It looked sad when both wizards walked into the wall and disappeared.

They were heading to Voldemort's stronghold. Other than Voldemort, no one else knew where it was exactly. Its location was Unplottable. Apparating and Disapparting were impossible in the stronghold, and the only way to get to it was through special portals, which the Dark Lord himself had created for his followers. One of these was at Malfoy Manor.

Fifteen years ago, after Voldemort had been defeated by the infant Harry Potter, Lucius Malfoy had commissioned the dragon sculpture, whose purpose was to seal off and to guard the old portal. He had hoped it would never be used again.

When they arrived at their destination, there was a prone body lying on the floor. Lucius immediately bent down. "Avery," he said urgently as Draco knelt down beside him. His father grabbed Avery's shoulder and shook the wizard.

There was no reaction. After a few moments, Lucius took out his wand and cast Ennervate on the unconscious wizard. Avery jerked, his eyes opened and stared at them fearfully. When he recognized them, he relaxed.

"Malfoy," he murmured, saying the name as if it was a godsend. Clearly, Avery was very glad that they were the ones who had awakened him, and not someone else.

As Lucius and Draco helped Avery up to his feet, his father asked the other wizard what had happened to him.

Immediately, there was a low harsh laugh from Avery. "Lucius," he whispered in a tired tone, "do you really need to ask that question?"

Draco watched as his father's eyes closed for a few moments than opened to look at Avery. "How long?" he asked softly.

"Too long," answered Avery in a flat dead voice. He moved away, turning his back towards them, but Draco could see that he was shaking. Lucius watched him silently and didn't ask another question.

Tortured. Avery had been tortured for his lack of loyalty to the Dark Lord when Voldemort had been weak and so close to death. Avery had been tortured with Crucio undoubtedly. Draco looked to his father and wondered if Voldemort had tortured him as well.

Suddenly, Avery tensed and whirled around to stare at them. "Why are you two here?" he said with a frown. His eyes flicked to Lucius who said quietly, "We have business with him, Avery."

Avery's eyes latched onto Draco. His eyes lowered to stare curiously at the Sorting Hat in Draco's hands then turned back to Lucius. The line of his jaw was hard. "It is too dangerous if he sees your son, Lucius." Avery sounded weary, and Draco was startled when tears glinted in the other wizard's eyes.

Avery blinked. He lifted his hand to his eyes, and he was very embarrassed to find them wet. Then, his face turned tight again. He glanced to the doors at the far end of the hall. There was hatred in his eyes.

"I lost my brother to the Aurors," he revealed softly. He looked back to Draco, who found himself being examined minutely. Avery said, "He was barely eighteen years old when he was marked. He had just graduated from Hogwarts..."

All of a sudden, he breathed out sharply, and he glared at Lucius. "Why did you take your son from Hogwarts?!" he snapped in anger. "You know very well that's the only place where our children are safe from him!"

Draco was very surprised to hear this. He stared at his father and Avery, but before he could say anything, the doors at the far end of the hall creaked open. Avery recoiled. Righteous anger ran from his face, and terror replaced it. He stumbled away, turned and fled for the wall from which Lucius and Draco had come out of. Wormtail walked out through the doors just as Avery disappeared.

* * * * *

"You two wait here. Master will see you shortly." There was arrogance in Wormtail's tone. The short balding wizard lifted his head at them in an imperious manner, and Draco glared darkly at him.

Wormtail noticed his hateful regard of him and stared balefully back at Draco, who was startled, when his father placed his hand again on Draco's shoulder. Lucius squeezed his son's shoulder warningly as he respectfully told Wormtail that they would wait for the Master's arrival.

Nodding stiffly, Wormtail told Lucius that he should teach Draco to properly behave in a superior's presence. Again, Lucius' fingers tightened on Draco's shoulder. This time, it wasn't to reprove Draco, but to keep them from going around Wormtail's throat and choking him.

If it hadn't been for Wormtail, Voldemort wouldn't have returned.

Lucius only relaxed when Wormtail left them. As his father released him, Draco took the opportunity to look around the room they were in. Unlike the dim hall they had just left, it was well lit for the walls, the floor and the ceiling were glowing with an eerie light. Draco had the uneasy feeling that they were being watched, and he shook his head to lessen his discomfort before continuing his examination of the room. There were no furniture and no windows. There were two doors. One of which led back to the hall behind them while the door in front of them led to Voldemort's private suite.

Draco's hands tightened on the Sorting Hat, and he looked to his father, who was standing stiffly and staring at the door, waiting for Voldemort to come.

Why did you take your son from Hogwarts?! You know very well that's the only place where our children are safe from him!

... We are that fearful of Voldemort, thought Draco. He continued to look at his father, who had not yet noticed that his son was watching him closely.

This isn't right. Draco finally looked away from Lucius and stared instead at the Sorting Hat against his chest. ... This isn't right. We shouldn't continue to follow someone who we are so afraid of.

Draco's thoughts were interrupted when the door opened, and out came Wormtail, who motioned that they could enter now. Voldemort was expecting them.

* * * * *

"So, this is your son, Lucius."

Lucius' hand was once again on Draco's shoulder, and Draco could feel his father's fingers tremble.

"Yes," murmured Lucius softly, his eyes were downcast, but Draco stared straight at Voldemort, who smiled as if amused by the bravado Draco was showing.

Voldemort was a thin wizard with graying black hair and red eyes. The latter feature caught Draco's interest. He had never seen a person with red eyes before. Voldemort was sitting in a large high-backed chair. A lit hearth was right behind him, and Draco had trouble looking at Voldemort since light from the fire glared into his eyes.

The Dark Lord suddenly turned his head slightly and hissed. From one of the dark corners of the room, there was an answering hiss, and a gigantic snake slithered into view. Moving lazily, it circled Voldemort's chair once before rising and sliding its body across its master's lap. It circled once more, still rising, around Voldemort's upper body before resting its head on his shoulder. It hissed once more, and Voldemort chuckled softly.

"Lucius, Nagini says your son is quite a handsome boy," he murmured. Draco almost flinched when his father's fingers tightened too much. Lucius' voice, however, betrayed none of his fear, as he said swiftly that he was glad Nagini approved of Draco. But Voldemort, who was stroking his pet serpent's head, didn't seem to be paying attention to Lucius.

His eyes on Nagini, Voldemort suddenly said, "Draco, would you like to take your father's place?"

This time, Draco did wince, and instinctively, he pulled his injured shoulder away from his father's crushing grip. His hand stole up to his shoulder and massaged the injured area. Lucius stepped forward. "He's too young, my Lord!" he protested. He backed away when Nagini hissed warningly and slithered down to the floor. Voldemort stood up slowly.

"What are you afraid of, Lucius?" he queried lightly, his crimson eyes watching Lucius' every reaction. "I wonder... are you afraid you won't be of any use to me if your son takes your place in my Circle?" His lips twisted. "Or are you afraid I will kill you when I don't need you anymore?"

Draco glanced up to his father to see that though fear had made Lucius become as pale as a ghost, there was fury in his slate grey eyes. His back was rigid, his muscles tensed. He was staring straight at Voldemort with barely controlled anger. The Dark Lord was deliberately toying with him.

Fear rose sharply in Draco. Voldemort wanted his father to attack him. It was a test, and if Lucius' control did break, Voldemort would kill him. Now that Draco was here, the elder Malfoy was expendable to the Dark Lord.

Draco saw his father's hand jerk towards his pocket for his wand. He quickly stepped in front of his father and stared coldly at Voldemort. "I came here for Lord Slytherin," he declared quietly. "You told me you could rescue him from Azkaban."

Red eyes looked at him intently, and for a moment, Draco was reminded of Lord Slytherin's eyes.

Voldemort smiled. "Straight to the point as well," he said, and he settled back into his chair. His eyes remained on Draco, and they gleamed with interest and what seemed to be approval. He then looked to Lucius, saying, "This generation has more spine. I must say, Lucius, I am glad I approved your plan of letting Severus teach at Hogwarts."

Distracted and puzzled, Draco glanced back at his father, who was tight-lipped and still staring at Voldemort with barely contained fury. Draco looked back at Voldemort and was about to ask what he meant about Snape when Voldemort lifted his hand. Wormtail immediately approached him.

"Wormtail," said Voldemort, "show them how Lord Slytherin will be rescued from Azkaban." The short wizard nodded, and Draco was stunned when he took out a silver serpent pin from his pocket.

"... That's mine!" yelled Draco, and he moved towards them. He had to back off when Nagini suddenly appeared in his path and herded him back to his father. Angry, Draco demanded to Wormtail that he give back his pin.

Wormtail sneered at him. "You dropped it. Finder's keepers and all that," he said and made an irritating high-pitched laugh, and Draco would have gone after him had his father not held him back.

"Lord Slytherin gave that me!" Draco was infuriated when Wormtail taunted him, saying that he didn't deserve such an important token since he had lost it.

"Enough of this childish behavior, Wormtail," Voldemort suddenly said coldly, and the other wizard fell silent with a cowed expression. Draco still fumed, and he tried to get away from Lucius, who had an iron grip on his son's shoulders.

"How did you get Draco's pin?" Lucius suddenly queried softly, and Draco froze. He realized then that since Wormtail got his pin, then he must have been at Hogwarts. That also meant he and Voldemort knew about the Founders even before Draco owled his father about them.

Voldemort noticed the shock in Draco's face, and he chuckled softly before telling Wormtail to show them. Draco was flabbergasted when the short pudgy wizard turned into a fat rat.

"An Animagus." Draco looked back at his father, who looked thoughtful. "So that's how you got away from the Aurors," Lucius said softly. Draco frowned at him. Later, he had a lot of questions to ask his father. But for now at least he knew how Wormtail had gotten his pin. As a rat, he could have infiltrated Hogwarts without anyone knowing. He had been spying all along for Voldemort as a rat.

Draco thought that being a rat suited Wormtail perfectly.

He and his father watched quietly as Voldemort picked up the wizard-turned-rodent. Wormtail squeaked fearfully when Nagini slithered closer, her eyes staring at Wormtail unblinkingly. She looked disappointed when Voldemort hissed at her. No doubt, he was telling her that she couldn't eat the rat. She wasn't the only one, who was disappointed.

On Voldemort's hand, Wormtail was clutching the wriggling serpent pin in his paws. The tiny silver snake didn't seem to like Wormtail. It kept rearing its head up and kept hissing at the rat. Draco was very pleased when it tried to bite Wormtail's nose.

Voldemort suddenly hissed at it, and the silver serpent froze. Slowly, it turned its tiny head towards Voldemort, its emerald eyes staring at the Dark Lord curiously. It looked puzzled. Voldemort hissed at it again. After a few moments, it jerked itself out of Wormtail's paws and coiled around the rat's neck. Wormtail squeaked in alarm, but Voldemort told him to keep still. The silver serpent suddenly stilled. It had formed itself into a ring round Wormtail's neck.

Then, the Dark Lord took out his wand and cast a spell on Wormtail. Draco blinked. Nothing seemed to have happened to the rat. A few moments after, the snake ring glowed, and Wormtail vanished. Voldemort straightened, leaning against the back of his chair fully and told them to wait.

"Lord Slytherin will be joining us momentarily," he said with a slight smile.

* * * * *

"He escaped?" Harry stared at Ron with a shocked expression. He was sitting up in his bed with Ron standing beside it. His best friend had just woken him up with the news that Salazar had escaped from Askaban.

"It's the front page news on the Daily Prophet," said Ron quickly. "Hermione's got a subscription to the paper. Everyone's talking about it."

Indeed, when Harry entered the Great Hall for breakfast that morning, he kept hearing the words "Scaevola, escape, Askaban" as he headed towards the Gryffindor table with Ron and Hermione, who were also talking about it.

"The Ministry's in a pickle," Harry heard George say as they sat down. "Ever since Black's escape two years ago, the press has been keeping close watch on Azkaban. No one's supposed to be able to escape from Azkaban."

"But Professor Scaevola isn't really a criminal, is he?" asked Ginny, adding, "He shouldn't have had been arrested in the first place. He didn't do anything wrong. People shouldn't be scared he escaped."

Fred shook his head. "The way things are these days..." he murmured softly. He then explained to Ginny that since Scaevola managed to escape from Azkaban, people had assumed him to be as dangerous as Sirius Black, who was still at large.

Harry silently stared at his breakfast of pancakes and eggs, thinking that Sirius wasn't a criminal in the first place.

* * * * *

"Draco is gone," Snape told Dumbledore in a tight worried voice. They were alone in the Headmaster's office. Snape was standing in front of Dumbledore's desk while the other wizard was seated in his chair on the other side.

Dumbledore frowned and asked when Snape had discovered Draco’s disappearance.

Snape answered, "After breakfast, his friends asked me where Draco was. Crabbe told me that his bed was empty when he woke up this morning. I immediately searched the entire castle for Draco, but I couldn't find him anywhere."

"Do you have any idea where he could have gone off to?" asked Dumbledore in a quiet tone. Snape frowned at him. The Headmaster seemed entirely too calm about this.

"What do you know about this?" said Snape suspiciously. His frown deepened when Dumbledore gave him an innocent look.

"Headmaster," said Snape warningly.

"Yes, Severus?" queried Dumbledore with a cherubic smile.

Snape leaned down, flattening both his palms on the table. "No games, Headmaster." he said flatly. His voice was rising, pitching higher. "This is one of students. One of my Slytherins. I don't care that you risk Potter and his friends with whatever scheme you have up your sleeve, but I'm not letting you play around with the life of one of my students!"

Snape was out of breath when he ended and gave Dumbledore a withering look when the older wizard told him to calm down.

"Where is Draco, Dumbledore?!"
"Calm down, Severus. I'm certain he's in perfect health wherever he is."
"Don't tell me to calm down! Where is he?!"
"At Malfoy Manor, I presume."

Surprised, Snape stared at Dumbledore with a puzzled expression and after a while said dubiously, "You sent him home?"

Dumbledore's expression turned affronted. "Now really, Severus," he protested. "Why do you always assume I'm responsible for everything that happens around here at Hogwarts?"

"Because you are," Snape answered bluntly. He rolled his eyes when Dumbledore pretended to look hurt.

"Why did Draco go home?" Snape asked, his serious tone implying that Dumbledore had better provide a straight answer or else. His temper was again challenged when Dumbledore pulled open a drawer and offered him a lemon drop.

"No, I do not want a lemon drop, whatever that is."

"It's a Muggle sweet, Severus, and do keep your voice down. You'll wake up the paintings."

"Paintings be damned, answer me!"

"You're hurting their feelings, Severus. ... Why are you staring at Professor Dippet?"

"I am contemplating how perfect he will look hanging around your neck."

"... You're always so uptight, Severus. I wager you don't get enough sweets- Very well. Very well. Here."

Dumbledore took out a sheet of parchment from his drawer and placed it on his desk. Snape reluctantly backed away from the snoozing picture of Professor Dippet as the current Headmaster pushed the note towards him. It read:

To Headmaster Dumbledore:

I took the Sorting Hat from your office. Lord Voldemort told me I had to bring it to him before he'd rescue Lord Slytherin from Azkaban. Please tell Professor Snape I'm sorry that I couldn't wait for you and the others to rescue Lord Slytherin.

Draco Malfoy

The letter was clearly in Draco's handwriting, and Snape exhaled heavily. "He told him," he said wearily.

"Yes," said Dumbledore softly then he added, "I hadn't expected this."

Snape looked up from the letter to see Dumbledore rubbed his temple as if he had a headache. "You didn't expect that Draco would tell Voldemort?" asked Snape.

Dumbledore shook his head. "No, no," he said, "I expected that Voldemort would know sooner or later about the Founders being back at Hogwarts." His eyes sharpened as he said, "What I didn't expect is that Voldemort would want the Sorting Hat."

Snape blinked at this while Dumbledore continued thoughtfully, "I have assumed that Draco somehow knew that the Founders' time here is limited and that he also somehow knew about the Source in the Hat. He must have told everything he knew to Voldemort." Dumbledore paused and regarded Snape, who looked wary. He folded his arms and gave the Potions Master a pointed look.

"Did you tell anyone, Severus?" Dumbledore asked lightly.

Snape hesitated before smiling slightly. "You know I did, Headmaster," he admitted without guilt.

"Who did you tell?" Dumbledore asked curiously.

"Lucius Malfoy," answered Snape. Dumbledore's eyes lit. "Now, it fits," he murmured, and he gave Snape a considering look. "Were you able to persuade Lord Slytherin to stay?"

After a moment, Snape shook his head, saying, "No, he told me that he promised Gryffindor he wouldn't try to extend the length of their stay here." Snape looked awkward, and Dumbledore smiled, knowing that the younger wizard was still having a hard time accepting the fact that Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin were close friends.

Dumbledore straightened in his chair and gestured at Snape to sit down. He had told him to sit down earlier, but Snape had refused to. This time, Snape did sit down. He looked a little addled, and Dumbledore sympathized with his young colleague. He, himself, was having a difficult time putting together all the pieces of the puzzle. It was time for a truce.

"Now, Severus. Let's show all of cards now, shall we?" When Snape nodded, Dumbledore asked, "Did Lucius plan Lord Slytherin's arrest?"

"No, he didn't," Snape immediately declared. Dumbledore nodded, saying, "I thought not. Involving the Ministry is Lucius' style, but it would complicate things too much in this matter. Not to mention he'd have an awful time getting Lord Slytherin out of Azkaban."

"Indeed," said Snape dryly, then he added, "But Voldemort somehow managed to get Lord Slytherin out."

Dumbledore's face turned very tired at this. "It doesn't surprise me. He holds great sway over the Dementors. Those foul creatures are just waiting for him to give the word, and Voldemort is biding his time, waiting for his powers to regenerate to their fullest level."

Snape nodded quietly at this. "So, it is entirely Fudge's fault that Voldemort has Lord Slytherin now?"

"Perhaps not entirely," said Dumbledore, "mostly his fault, but certainly not all his." He closed his eyes, and after a few moments, opened them. "Why does Voldemort want the Sorting Hat?" he asked out loud.

Snape looked surprised, and he said, "It's obvious he wants Lord Slytherin to stay." He frowned when Dumbledore didn't appear to have heard him. Certainly Voldemort would want Lord Slytherin to stay in this time. Every Dark wizard and witch would want Lord Slytherin to stay. He was the greatest Dark wizard who had ever lived. He had brought glory to their kind.

Following Lord Slytherin was infinitely better than following Lord Voldemort as well. The latter was no more than a tyrant. Also, Snape hadn't been surprised when he heard the news that Lord Slytherin had escaped. Lucius Malfoy would have made certain that Voldemort knew about Salazar Slytherin's arrest. As Dumbledore said, Voldemort had power over the Dementors though Snape had to admit he was concerned that Voldemort acted so quickly. The Dark Lord was still weak. He shouldn't have been able to control the Dementors yet.

Damn that Fudge. If he hadn't interfered with his Aurors and Dementors, Voldemort wouldn't have known about the Founders. Snape had hoped to convince Lord Slytherin to stay in this time and help get rid of Voldemort. Instead, Lord Slytherin was now in Voldemort's debt.

Snape's reverie was interrupted when Dumbledore again wondered out loud why Voldemort would want the Sorting Hat.

"Headmaster," said Snape in an irritated tone. "I should think it would be obvious. Clearly, he wants the Hat so that he can regenerate the Source inside it so that Lord Slytherin can stay longer in this time."

Dumbledore blinked and gave him a sleepy look. "But Severus, he can't recharge the Source inside the Hat," he said and explained, "He doesn't have Fawkes."

Upon hearing his name, Fawkes began warbling out a phoenix song. Snape frowned in confusion and looked at the firebird on his golden bird perch beside the door. ... Fawkes is needed to recharge the Source? He wondered before turning back to Dumbledore.

"Headmaster, explain."

* * * * *

"Helga, I'm telling you Severus doesn't know where Voldemort is." Rowena's brows knitted at Helga, who was still unconvinced. They were in the kitchen in Wvelte. The two women were seated at the table while Godric was preparing breakfast.

"Rowena, he was conspiring to kidnap Salazar!" Helga's eyes were angry, and Rowena flinched inwardly at her words. It was difficult to explain to Helga what Rowena had learned from Severus' mind. When Helga had confronted the Potions Master in his office yesterday, she had immediately demanded to know where Voldemort was.

Rowena remembered the surprise in Severus' mind and the wariness that followed. It was very difficult to discern what was going on in the wizard's head. There were so many levels of concealment. Severus was adept in controlling what he thought, and there was a multitude of variations of the truth. It was as if he was prepared for his mind to be invaded.

"Helga," said Rowena softly, "I told you he wanted Salazar to stay in this time. That doesn't mean he was planning to kidnap him."

Helga shook her head and said bluntly, "I may not be able to read minds, Rowena, but I can tell. He is up to something."

"I agree he is up to something," said Rowena, "but he didn't take Salazar's pin from Draco. He was completely surprised when you demanded that he give it back. He has no idea that the pins are linked to us. He thought they were just decorations." But Helga wasn't listening to her. Rowena could only watch as Helga stood up from the table and walked over to Godric. She pushed the wizard aside, snapping at Godric that she would make breakfast instead.

Godric was about to protest, when a furious look from Helga silenced him before he could even say anything. After a few moments, Godric walked out of the kitchen with barely contained anger. Rowena felt utterly helpless. If only they had Salazar's serpent pin.

When the four of them had finally decided on which animals to represent their Houses, they had commissioned master jewelers to fashion pins to give to each of their students. It was a way to keep track of their pupils. Each respective pin was loyal to its owner. In time, they became tokens of love and affection. Students who had promised themselves to another would exchange pins.

This exchanging caused no complications if done within a House, and only minor problems if it occurred between members of different Houses. Because the pin usually identified members of a House, an exchange could cause some confusion, but this was actually only a slight problem. The ones really troubled by this were the House Heads, particularly Godric and Salazar.

Godric would flinch and turn red whenever he saw one of his students with a serpent pin. Salazar would be upset whenever he encountered one of his students with a badger pin. (A Hufflepuff?! Are you insane?!) Both wizards made it clear they disapproved of their House members fraternizing with the students of a certain House. Unfortunately, this didn't dissuade their students, and in fact, encouraged more intrigues between Houses Gryffindor and Slytherin and Houses Slytherin and Hufflepuff. Rowena and Helga had to convince Godric and Salazar not to interfere with the romantic affairs of their students.

However, undeniable chaos visited Hogwarts when several bright and mischievous youths came up with the idea of turning their House pins into Portkeys. It got to the point where giving a pin was considered an invitation for the receiver to intimately know the pin’s owner. This time, it was Helga's turn to be upset. Godric and Salazar didn't mind this new development at all. Salazar even jokingly asked Rowena if they could exchange pins.

Tears stung Rowena's eyes as she remembered the teasing look Salazar gave her before he bent his head and murmured into her ear, Fortunately, we don't need pins to visit each other whenever we want to.

She wished they had exchanged their pins. At Helga's insistence, exchanging House pins was banned at Hogwarts. No new pins were assigned to new students, and old student pins were confiscated. Only the teachers were allowed to wear distinctive House pins, and pins were given only to students who excelled in their studies. Over a thousand years, this practice had changed, and the trouble the pins had caused in the school had been forgotten. In the present day, Hogwarts teachers didn’t even wear House pins.

Indeed, Severus had thought Helga was insane when she accused him of stealing a pin.

* * * * *

Salazar. He looked up to see his father looking down at him and smiling. He smiled back. Scythe Slytherin was a tall man, and Salazar, as a ten-year old, only came up to his waist. This was how Salazar remembered his father, who had died before Salazar could grow up to be as tall as he was.

Slender soft arms encircled Salazar's neck, and he tilted his head back to see his mother standing behind him. She, like his father, was smiling at him. Remember, Salazar. she murmured softly, her voice was music to his ears.

Remember, we're always with you.

Salazar had this dream often. He knew it was a dream, a wish from his heart, not a memory, not real. His mother had never said such words to him.

But still he knew those words to be true.

... My dreams are back, he realized.

Salazar opened his eyes slowly. The first thing he saw was a scarlet canopy above him. The first thing he felt was a soft bed underneath him, and there was a thick blanket wrapped snugly around him.

He took a deep breath and released it slowly. His lungs took air in and out easily. His chest was no longer tight. After a few moments, Salazar moved his arms and carefully levered himself up into a sitting position. His movement pulled at the blanket, and there was a startled noise from his left.

Salazar glanced aside to see Draco, who was sitting in a chair placed beside the bed. He was bent over the bed and slowly pushing himself up with one hand while the other rubbed at his eyes. He must have been sleeping when Salazar's movement jarred the blanket and woke the boy up.

Draco straightened abruptly when he saw that Salazar was awake. "You're awake," he said with a delighted smile. Salazar tilted his head slightly in a single nod and smiled back. Draco then began asking how he was feeling. When Salazar said he was thirsty, the boy immediately got up from his chair and went out of the room to fetch him something to drink.

Alone, Salazar gingerly moved his legs over the side of the bed and sat up on the bed's edge. Curiously, he looked around the room he was in and wondered if he were back at Hogwarts.

... No, this isn't Hogwarts, he decided. If he were back in the school, he would either be in the hospital wing or in one of the rooms in Wvelte. He stood up slowly and turned around. There were no windows in this room, but there was a fireplace. The hearth was lit and blue flames were dancing in it. Aside from the bed, the other furniture in the room consisted of a large wooden cabinet, a large table, two side tables and several chairs. Wood paneling covered every inch of wall. There were rugs on the stone floor. It was a very comfortable room.

The door opened, and Salazar turned towards it to see Draco enter with a large tray in his hands. He closed the door before walking towards Salazar, who was very glad that Draco had also brought a meal for him. He was starving. He hadn't been able to hold food down properly in the Dementors' prison.

* * * * *

Lord Slytherin was sleeping again. Draco was careful not to jar him when he pulled the blanket back over the wizard. Lord Slytherin had fallen asleep after he had finished eating the food Draco had brought for him. This time he looked more peaceful. He had been unconscious when Wormtail came back with him from Azkaban, and he had been crying softly in his sleep. Draco had wanted to wake him up, but his father told him it would be better if Lord Slytherin woke up on his own.

Draco looked up from the bed when the door opened, and his father came in.

"Is he all right, Draco?" Lucius asked softly when he was standing beside Draco's chair. He peered curiously at the sleeping wizard. After several moments, he commented, "He doesn't look like much."

Irritation flared inside Draco, and he shot a glare at his father but didn't counter the statement. It was true that Lord Slytherin was unremarkable physically. He was tall and thin with facial features that were neither handsome nor repulsive. He looked ordinary.

Then suddenly, Lucius tensed. Draco stared at his stiff parent with a puzzled expression.

"I take it you're Draco's father," Lord Slytherin's voice said dryly. Draco twisted his head back to the bed to see Lord Slytherin sit up, his green eyes staring at Lucius coolly.

"I am," answered Lucius without inflection. Draco glanced at his father to see him giving a hard stare back at Lord Slytherin, whose face turned amused at the other wizard's defiance. Lucius was caught off guard when Lord Slytherin commented that Lucius reminded him of a student he once had.

"Who?" queried Lucius curiously.

Lord Slytherin opened his mouth to answer then closed it abruptly. "Never mind," he said in a dismissive tone. Then much to Lucius' surprise, Lord Slytherin lay back on the bed, closed his eyes and seemed to have fallen back asleep. Draco smiled at the outrage that was slow to show on his father's face.

* * * * *

Harry had a strange dream that night. In his dream he saw Salazar standing in front of Voldemort. Wormtail was there as well, and there were two other people. The last two he couldn't identify.

When he woke up, he couldn't remember everything in the dream, but there were portions he could recall as clearly as if he had actually been there.

He remembered Salazar asking who had rescued him from Azkaban. Voldemort gestured at Wormtail who had bowed clumsily at Salazar, who smiled warmly at the short wizard.

What is your name? Salazar had asked after thanking Wormtail. He had frowned when Wormtail said Wormtail.

I want to know the real name of the one I owe a debt to. Salazar had rebuked Wormtail kindly. When Wormtail hesitantly gave his real name, Salazar repeated it slowly and several times as if he wanted to make certain he wouldn't forget it.

I am in your debt, Peter Pettigrew. Salazar had said. How may I repay you?

Wormtail nervously glanced at Voldemort before answering in a jerky voice. I would like you to work for Lord Voldemort.

After that, Harry woke up, sweating in horror.

To be continued.

Below, are some notes about this chapter. It's mostly about Draco and his father.

Main chapter themes:
Even Dark wizards are afraid of Voldemort. This was repeated quite a few times in Book 4: GoF. Another focused idea is the issue of debt among wizards. Mentioned by Dumbledore, also in Book 4.

Another thing. It's a popular idea to redeem Draco by making his father the reason why Draco is not good. I agree with this idea. After all, children are who they are because of how they were brought up. I even thought of having Salazar replace Lucius Malfoy. But I grew increasingly wary of the idea. I know Salazar would make a good parent for Draco, but I didn't like the idea of him replacing Lucius.

So, I went back to the books and reread all the parts with Lucius Malfoy in them. He is proud of Draco. And Draco clearly looks up to his father.

My favorite scene of them is in Book 2: CoS. When they encountered the Weasleys in Diagon Alley, he placed his hand on Draco's shoulder. I like that very much. It shows he has a close bond with his son. Touch is very important. With me for example, I like it very much when my mother hugs me or just places her hand on my shoulder or on my hair. My dad doesn't do that. (grins) He's not the touching type. He used to ruffle my hair when I was small, but he hasn't done that for a long time.

Got sidetracked there. The main point is that I don't want Draco to lose his real father, and I'm certain Lucius doesn't want to lose his son. Draco is his only child. Plus, even if Lucius is truly a terrible person and does not love his son, blood is very important to him. Family and bloodlines. You've seen how he is about pureblood, mudblood, Wizard blood. He may not like Draco, but he will not want to lose his son.

Additional note: [Added January 20, 2002 - HnH was first published on FF.net on September 24, 2001] This is a late note, but I decided to add it while going through some posts about disclaimers and such, which reminded me of something a reader told me about HnH reminding him of Cassandra Claire's HP series.

I'll lay down all the cards on table. I read Draco Dormiens and Draco Sinister before I began writing HnH. The only idea I will claim I stole/borrowed from Cassie is the Parseltongue plot device, which you will only see being used in the first 2 or 3 chapters of this story. I still feel guilty about it so after I finish HnH, I will edit out that Parseltongue bit. I had plans for it, but it hasn't been used properly. Such a wasteful use of a good idea.

I'll also add that the Salazar Slytherin you'll read in this story began as a reverse reaction of sorts to the Salazar Slytherin portrayed in Cassie's Draco Sinister. His initial personality is a mirroring. After a few chapters, he was writing himself. As for other HP fanfiction influences and inspirations, in chapter 33: Phoenix, you'll see a plot device I borrowed from RJ Anderson's stories. While writing the same chapter, I also couldn't get something, I read about in Heidi's A Surfeit of Curses, out of my mind.

In chapter 24: The Game, you'll see a game which will definitely remind you of monopoly, pick-up sticks and role-playing games such as Age of Empires. End of Additional Note

Hearts and Hourglasses
Interlude: Green & Silver
(betwixt chapters 31 & 32)

Draco raised his hand and rapped his knuckles against the door. There was an answering affirmation from the other side, and he opened the door slowly.

"Who is it?" queried Lord Slytherin's voice, and Draco walked into the room to see him sitting at the desk, head bowed slightly over a piece of parchment and engrossed in whatever he was writing on it.

"It's me," Draco said politely, and the wizard looked up and over to him with a smile. "Draco," he greeted. "What can I do for you?"

Draco almost winced openly when he said that. It reminded him too much of when he gave a similar question to Wormtail.

I am in your debt, Peter Pettigrew. How may I repay you?

He hesitated, taking a moment to clear his mind of the memory before going over to stand beside Lord Slytherin's chair. Green eyes took a curious shine, and their owner laid down his quill and gave Draco his complete attention.

Again, Draco hesitated. He glanced away from Lord Slytherin, organizing what his father had told him to say to other wizard.

Draco, you have to convince him to forget about his debt to Wormtail. Tell him Wormtail is not one of us. He's a traitor from the other side, a Light wizard who turned Dark. Also, tell him this. Voldemort cannot be trusted. He is half-Muggle. The last bit had surprised Draco, who had always thought that Voldemort was a pureblood.

When he looked back at Lord Slytherin, Draco found him waiting patiently, his demeanor, expectant. Thrice, Draco hesitated in telling him, wishing his father would speak to Lord Slytherin himself rather than giving Draco the task of persuading Lord Slytherin to break his word of debt.

Most Light wizards believe that Dark wizards have no concept of debt or of loyalty. Most Light wizards are wrong. Dark wizards actually understand both only too well. They simply prefer not to owe to another, and neither do they wish to depend on another person.

Promises are considered as a sign of foolishness by Dark wizards. As the saying goes, "Promises are meant to be broken," and thus promises are rare amongst Dark wizards and witches, who don't expect their kind to keep a promise so why make one or trust another to keep a promise.

Pledges, on the other hand, exist amongst Dark wizards, who knew it best to ally themselves with a superior. Such is the case with Voldemort's Death Eaters, who chose to serve the Dark Lord, because he is extremely powerful. Dark wizards will always be loyal to whoever is the most powerful.

Debts are different from promises and pledges. The latter two are made consciously while debts happen by accident. They are determined by fate, unless a nefarious scheme is behind it as was the case with Lord Slytherin and Wormtail. Intentional or not, a debt always creates a bond between wizards. It forms a tie, which will remain until the debt is repaid. This is even more obvious amongst Dark wizards and witches, who intensely dislike being in debt. Debt is like an invisible chain. Very bothersome. Stories are even told about it.

"Why did you help me?" A Dark wizard asked a Light wizard, who answered, "You needed help so I helped you." "I didn't ask for your help," retorted the former upon which the latter replied, "Next time, cry 'Don't help me!'"

Indeed, Dark wizards have the tendency to look a gift horse in the mouth.

It's different this time though, thought Draco as he carefully urged his facial features to be expressionless. He really needed help. He didn't want to ask for help, but he needed it. The debt the wizard owed to Wormtail stemmed from deep within, and Lord Slytherin is truly thankful to the rat for rescuing him from Azkaban.

Draco seriously doubted he could persuade Lord Slytherin to forget his debt, and he knew full well that Voldemort must have planned this all along in order to make Lord Slytherin work for him.

* * * * *

Godric's brows knitted as he read the letter one of the school owls had given to him. On it, written in green ink, was:

Godric, tell Rowena I'm fine. I know she's worried about me. You can tell Helga as well though I rather you don't since she will flay my hide for getting into trouble. I certainly hope the girls are not reading this with you. I asked Draco to owl this letter to you. He'll try to open and read it, of course. He's a very curious boy, and his father reminds me too much of Cassius. Remember him? Perhaps, Draco's family is descended from him. A thousand years is a very long time. Patience. I was distracted. You know what to do after you read this letter. Do let me know it reached you. I suspect Draco may even have given this to his father.

A lot of good it will do for him. Only either of us can open this letter. Just as only the two of us can take the Crysalis from the Sorting Hat. As for the Sorting Hat. You do know Draco took it from Hogwarts, correct? When I asked him why he took it, he told me Voldemort told him to take it. Yes, Godric. Voldemort. He's the one Severus has been telling me about. The one he wants me to get rid of. I've spoken with him. He reminds me of Rowena's father. Not in looks, mind you. They're afraid of him. They, being Peter and Lucius. Peter is the one who rescued me from Azkaban while Lucius is Draco's father. They try to hide it, but I can see fear in their eyes. They react to him the way you reacted to Rowena's father.

Don't make that face. Rowena told me you were very frightened of her father when you were a boy. He was so strict, you almost ran away from the school several times. If she hadn't convinced you to stay, you would never had finished your studies. Now. Remember not to think about this with Rowena around. I'm not supposed to tell you what she told me though the point is certainly moot if she's reading this with you. Actually, I have never met Rowena's father personally. The only person I know whom I can liken to Voldemort is Lord Trenzel. I believe you know about him, Godric, but chances are you do not know him. He was my teacher, and I wager you were better off with Lord Ravenclaw.

Enough about our teachers. Voldemort wants me to serve him. Yes. He is a rather gutsy fellow. Thomas pales in comparison to him, and he is shrewd. Peter, whom I owe a debt to, is loyal to him, and thus, I am now in Voldemort's debt. Quite a conundrum I am in. Godric, this will upset you, but I will have to break my promise to you about not extending our stay in this time. Fawkes gave Draco a few of his feathers, and they should last about two months. When they are exhausted, then I will return to Hogwarts.

Salazar

* * * * *

Salazar, get back here at once!

He smiled at the furious scrawl that appeared on the parchment. With the wand Draco had lent him, Salazar wiped away Godric's words, took a quill and wrote back:

No.

Then he waited. Moments passed, and his single-worded answer vanished to be replaced by a reply with many words.

Is that all you have to say! You gave me your word, Salazar! We are not going to interfere in this time. You promised you would not interfere!

This time, Salazar didn't bother to erase Godric's angry statements. Instead, he wrote his answer below them.

Salazar Slytherin will not interfere. Voldemort agreed that my true identity must not be revealed. Sextus Scaevola will be serving him, not Salazar Slytherin.

It was a few moments before Godric wrote back:

You cannot trust Voldemort, Salazar. He is using you. He is the one they call You Know Who. He murdered one of our students.

Salazar tilted his head thoughtfully when he read this. Voldemort was the one who killed one of Helga's Hufflepuffs. After a moment, he wrote back:

I will have to warn him about Helga then.

A small smile curved his lips as he imagined the shocked look on Godric's face when he read this. Angry exasperation would soon follow and sure enough Godric's reply was:

THIS IS NOT A JOKING MATTER! How could you even say such a thing! He murdered one of our students, Salazar!

Salazar dipped his quill in the inkbottle and was about to write back that Godric should stop assuming that he possessed the same morals as he. But he hesitated even as the tip of the quill touched the parchment and left a blot of ink on the paper.

It feels wrong to say that. Salazar sighed softly, replacing the quill in its bottle before leaning back in his chair. He ignored the new words that appeared in the parchment and closed his eyes instead.

It bothered him deeply that Voldemort killed a Hogwarts student. He had changed. His time spent amongst Light wizards had changed him. Years before, he hadn't cared the least bit when a group of Dark wizards killed a student at Ravenclaw manor. There were always conflicts between Dark and Light wizards. Casualties were commonplace on both sides. What actually surprised Salazar was that only one student had died. He had decided then that the school was even more well-protected than he had originally thought.

Either that or that squad of Dark wizards was inept. The latter reason was unlikely. It was Marius' group, and Salazar had trained them himself. It was Cassius actually who had killed the boy, who had foolishly challenged him.

Salazar remembered how furious Godric had been. He would have gone after Cassius, had Rowena not held him back. But Rowena was unable to keep Helga from going after them. Helga hadn't been present during the battle. Had she been, it was very unlikely the youngster would had died.

There had been a standoff between her and Cassius. Salazar had been present to witness the duel between them.

"He was only a child!" Helga had screamed at Cassius, whose face turned dark with anger. He would have attacked Helga had one of his companions not intervened. Feyra, who was in love with Cassius, warned Helga that more students would die if she hurt him.

That had made Helga hesitate. It was one thing to avenge the death of a student. Quite another to instigate more violence. In the end, a compromise was made. Their group would never attack Ravenclaw Manor again so long as Godric and Helga ceased their vendetta against them.

Salazar tilted his head up, his eyes opening to stare unseeingly at the ceiling. He was recalling what had happened afterwards.

* * * * *

Rowena's lips were trembling. He could feel them shaking against his mouth. Salazar's eyes were opened, and he could see that her eyes were tightly closed. He loosened his arms around her and let his hands slipped down to rest on her hips. When she didn't move away, he turned his head, breaking the kiss.

He looked back just as Rowena's eyes flickered open and stared at him, her brows knitting slightly with surprise. When she tried to kiss him again, Salazar move his head back, murmuring, "Are you sure you want this?"

She stilled at his question, her wide luminous eyes reminding Salazar of a doe about to flee. When Rowena pulled away, he let her go and watched silently as she turned, casting her eyes everywhere in the room except on him.

"Why do you ask me that, Salazar?" she whispered softly when she finally looked back at him. Her blue eyes were unreadable. Salazar staved down the smile that automatically began to form on his lips and said expressionlessly, "You are looking for comfort, Lady Ravenclaw." A corner of his mouth twitched. "I am the wrong person to comfort you."

"Why?" she questioned simply, and he answered in a similar tone of voice, "I'm a Dark wizard, Lady Ravenclaw. One of my apprentices had just killed one of your students. You cannot trust me," he ended lightly.

Her eyes narrowed. "Did you plan the attack, Salazar?"

"Can't you read my mind?" He countered.

She lowered her eyes abruptly, her lips tightened. "I can't." Her answer was so faint he could barely hear it. She shook her head slightly, helpless, and Salazar could see she was fighting it. For a moment, her face turned grief-stricken. In the next moment, the pain was gone, and she seemed calm.

"I can't bear to hear other people's thoughts right now, Salazar." Her voice was stronger now, but still barely above a whisper. Salazar nodded slowly at this and asked, "They are angry with you?" He was referring to Godric and Helga.

Her slight form stiffened when he said that, and it confirmed Salazar's suspicion. Rowena had come to him because she couldn’t bear to stay with Godric and Helga. They were too angry right now, and since Rowena didn't react as strongly as they did, since she kept her head, they were angry with her as well.

"I'm certain they will come to their senses soon enough," said Salazar in what he hoped was a reassuring tone of voice. It sounded kind enough, but pretenses were usually useless with Rowena. This time though, his words did comforted her, and Salazar found himself holding her again.

Cool lips pressed against his and brazenly pushed his lips apart. Her hands wound around his neck and moved up, her fingers played through his hair. Rowena urged his head down and closer. Salazar was unable to suppress a groan when she pressed herself against him.

I want this, Salazar.

It's all that I can give to you, Rowena.

I know. For now, it's enough.

Rowena was a rarity. She understood him too well and accepted him as he was. She was angry at him, of course, for the death of one of her students, but she didn't blame him as Godric and Helga had. Blame was what Salazar expected to see in her eyes. He never found it.

"Tell me why you don't blame me, Rowena." He was lying on his side, holding Rowena against him. The bed sheets underneath and over them felt so coarse when he compared them to the smooth silky feel of her slender body against his.

"Mhmm...?" Rowena didn't seem to have heard him. Sleepily, she snuggled against him, startling Salazar when her leg moved in between his. After several uncomfortable moments, he shook her awake, moving away from her at the same time.

Half-awaked eyes gazed at him reproachfully. They blinked when he asked her again to tell him why she didn't blame him.

"Why would I blame you, Salazar?"

"Because I'm a Dark wizard, Rowena, and a Dark wizard had just killed one of your students."

"You had nothing to do with that," she answered with quiet certainty.

Is she reading my mind again? Salazar looked at her curiously, and he was startled when she laughed softly.

"Salazar, I’m surprised that you place so much importance on the fact that you are a Dark wizard."

Salazar's head tilted slightly. "And you don't, Lady Ravenclaw?" he queried dryly.

Blue eyes danced with amusement. "I do have you as my lover," she pointed out gently.

He froze momentarily before saying, "Your first lover, Lady Ravenclaw." He found himself surprised by the huskiness in his voice when he corrected her statement. Pleasure made him smile when Rowena blushed at his possessive tone, and Salazar couldn't deny he was possessive of her and the fact that he was her first.

And you'll be her only lover, a voice inside his mind insisted. Completely distracted, Salazar forgot that his question was still insufficiently answered and proceeded to show to Rowena that she would never regret giving herself to a Dark wizard. Only much later would their discussion continue.

"Evil is very attractive, Lady Ravenclaw."

She had laughed at this statement and teased him that indeed he was very attractive.

"But I don't think you are evil, Salazar."

"You don't? But I'm a-"

"Dark wizard. I know, I know. You have certainly pointed out that fact many times."

"I repeat that fact, because you don't seem to understand its ramifications."

"For sleeping with you, a Dark wizard?" She asked in a dubious tone.

Salazar nodded, saying, "Your kind certainly does not approve."

"And neither does your kind," she countered with a triumphant smile, "but I don't see you worrying about the ramifications of sleeping with a Light witch."

He smiled at this. "Touche, Lady Ravenclaw. But-" His smile widened into a grin. "- evil usually has more freedom than good."

Her eyes turned curious. "Do you really see yourself as evil, Salazar?"

"Of course," he said frankly and carefully watched her reaction. When fond amusement lit her eyes, Salazar knew he was in serious trouble.

Rowena wisely replied, "Good is a description we give to what is good for us or what we like. Evil is what we call that which is not good for us or what we don't like. When we neither like nor dislike it, it means nothing to us or it is something we have yet to know and to understand."

"... Are you saying I am good then?"

"You are both, which makes you human."

"A pity... I rather like being considered devilish."

"I noticed."

"And just what are you, Lady Ravenclaw?"

"Human," she said simply, then she smiled mischievously and added blandly, "though many consider me a princess. For some, I am even a goddess."

Stunned, Salazar stared at Rowena speechlessly, suddenly seeing her not as the sensuous vixen who just so recently made him lose control. Instead, he was strongly reminded of the twelve-year old impish little girl, he had kidnapped many years ago. As Rowena continued smiling smugly at him, his mind hunted for a suitable retort.

Just as he found one, Rowena's eyes narrowed dangerously at him. "Don't say it," she said sharply.

He schooled his face into an innocent expression. "Say what?"

"You know what, Salazar."

"Rowena, you often seem to forget that I cannot read minds. What is this what you are referring to?"

"Don't pretend you don't know. You're going to call me little brat again."

Salazar smirked, saying, "You leave me little choice. You are a b-" She kissed him before he could say the word, and Salazar decided this was infinitely better than the bowl of oatmeal she had thrown in his face the first time he had called her a brat.

* * * * *

When Salazar finally returned to the present, he found that the parchment before him was blank except for one word.

Salazar?

He stared at it, wondering how long he had been daydreaming. Was Godric still waiting for his answer?

He murdered one of our students, Salazar!

Salazar's jaw clenched. Serving Voldemort would be foolhardy without knowing more about the other wizard. Salazar would have to ask him why he killed a Hogwarts student.

And if you find out there is no reason, would you still serve him? His eyes closed once again as confusion beset him. Before he had met Rowena and after, he had killed his share of Light wizards, a good number of whom who had just finished their studies at Ravenclaw Manor. What right had he to judge a fellow Dark wizard for killing a student? The boy wasn't even one of his Slytherins.

If the dead boy had been a Slytherin, would you act upon it?

"Yes, of course, I would," he immediately answered himself, and his eyes snapped open. Rowena often said that he and Godric had the tendency to separate wizards and witches and even their students as either Light or Dark. Helga had seconded this particular observation, tartly adding that all their students were their responsibility regardless of which House and which side they belonged too.

Black eyes flashing dangerously, Helga had said, "Before they become Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs and Slytherins, they become Hogwarts students first. Rivalry can only reach a certain level before it becomes stupid." She wasn't only referring to their students.

Helga, like Rowena, cared little about sides. Salazar had seen her go after Light wizards as well as Dark wizards when they had done wrong. She treated all their students the same way, hard but fair. Salazar had noticed that she accepted Draco rather quickly even though she had threatened to kill him for hurting Harry.

Of his colleagues, Helga was the one Salazar least understood, but (though it galled him to admit it) she was the one whom he held in the highest respect. There weren't many people who would dare to literally bash his skull in, and he had lost count of the number of successful hexes she had thrown at him. For a Light wizard, Helga knew the Dark Arts a mite too well. It was little wonder she had come up with the Hawthorn Charm.

Salazar suddenly frowned thoughtfully. He stared at the waiting piece of parchment and reached for his quill.

Godric, are you still there?

A quick reply said that he was.

Salazar, are you all right? What happened? You were gone a long time.

I am all right, Godric. I was only distracted. Never mind about it. Have you asked Helga if she will leave this time without confronting Voldemort?

There was a long pause before Godric answered. Salazar jumped at what was written next.

Salazar, this is Helga.
YOU GET BACK HERE THIS INSTANT!

The parchment began to shudder, and Salazar was very amused when large rough creases formed in it. His imagination suddenly produced a clear picture of Godric and Helga fighting over the paper, and Salazar dearly wished he could see them right now.

He immediately recognized the fine handwriting that wrote the next message.

Salazar, we are so worried about you.

He quickly wrote back.

I am fine, Rowena. Please do not worry about me.

Suddenly, two messages were scrawled awkwardly near the edges. One said:

Rowena, do not say WE. Helga and I are not worried about him.

While the other said:

Tell Voldemort I want to see him.

Rowena complained:

You two are going to tear the paper.

Sure enough, rips appeared on Salazar's parchment moments after Rowena's message showed. Salazar chuckled and wrote:

It can be divided.

He watched as the parchment was cleared, after which three straight creases appeared. Then, the paper separated itself into three sections.

Words began to appear simultaneously on all three pieces of parchment, and Salazar spent the next hour and a half talking with his friends.

To be continued.

 

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