Arthur's Note: I realize it's been a really long time since I last updated this story. Procrastination is definitely one of my bigger faults; however luckily for you I just couldn't stand the thought of this story staying unfinished forever. I'm going to really try and update soon, I'm already working on chapter five. I was also partly inspired to continue on because of all of the reviews this story has received. I'd like to thank you all but as that would be far too long, please accept this chapter as my gratitude. I'd like to think that during this story's hiatus my writing has improved, though I know for a fact that my punctuation could still use some work. Therefore if anyone is interested in becoming my beta for this story please review the story and leave your e-mail address. I beg anyone who reads this to go to my bio and look over and review my other story Magical Discoveries which is, in my opinion, my best fanfiction to date. Disclaimer: I should have done this before. No, Harry Potter does not belong to me, unless God has decided to answer my prayers and make it so. In which case, I should get a really big check in the mail any day now.

Chapter Four

Harry slowly awoke, there was sunlight streaming onto his face from an open window. He heard the faint sound of footsteps and the clinking of metal. Once he was fully awake he saw Helga setting up a table next to the bed. The silverware clinking softly as Helga moved them into place on the table with her wand. "Well, good morning Harry," she said cheerfully. "Good morning," said Harry in a resigned voice. All hopes that yesterday had been nothing more than a vivid dream now dashed. "Are you alright dearie?" asked Helga, giving him a worried look. "I'm okay, really, just a little...never mind, it's nothing important." He replied. "If you're sure, just eat up, I expect Godric will be here soon to see you. Just please make sure you don't tell him about anything in the future." "I wont I promise." After she left, Harry looked down at his breakfast, it smelled delicious. It consisted of eggs, ham, toast, and tea. He found himself suddenly ravenous after yesterday's happenings. He ate his breakfast rapidly, for he was also very nervous about facing Godric Gryffindor, the founder of his house. I know he said he thought I was the perfect Gryffindor, but what if he changed his mind, he thought worriedly. Just as he finished changing his clothes and pulled the curtain away from his bed, Godric strolled into the hospital wing. "There you are, let's get going, I figured we would take a walk around the grounds and talk," he said. They walked out of the castle without saying a word. Once they walked out of the entrance, however Godric started a conversation. "Harry. I know you can't tell me about the future, as much as I wish you would so I could find out what Salazar is up to. You are a Gryffindor in the future then?" "Yes," Harry would have stopped there, but something about Gryffindor compelled him to add, "but the sorting hat wanted to place me in Slytherin." I don't believe I actually told him that, Harry thought as he instantly looked away, afraid that Godric would be angry with him or possibly disappointed. "The sorting hat is supposed to look at your personality and choose which house fits you best; however I've always thought that a person's choices and actions are more important. I am guessing you asked not to be placed in Slytherin then?" "Yes, that's it exactly. I never knew I was a wizard, until after I got my Hogwarts letter. My aunt and uncle attempted to keep me in the dark about the magical world. When I finally got to the school, the slytherins just seemed so cruel. I didn't want to end up like that," Harry said. "Well you see then, you do belong in Gryffindor, I know you had your doubts," Godric replied practically reading Harry's mind. Harry didn't say anything, which gave Godric the chance to really look at him. He was still a little short for his 15 years, but Godric sensed he was going to have a growth spurt soon. One of Godric's gifts was his intuition. He was quite good at divination. He might even catch up to me; Godric thought silently, though he'll need to grow a foot and three inches. He realized he was getting distracted, and went back to observing the teenager. Messy black hair that stood up in all directions, and bright emerald green eyes that have seen more than many adults were the most obvious physical traits. Whatever he's been through, it had to be something big. Finally his eyes came to rest on the lightning shaped scar, which was slightly visible through his bangs. Even though Godric had seen it yesterday, he hadn't put much thought into it. That's definitely a curse scar, and a powerful one at that. Suddenly Godric had an idea. "Uh, Harry, why don't we rest here for a bit." He casually flicked his wand, and some food appeared on top of a blanket. They sat down, Harry began to eat. Meanwhile Godric busied himself by taking several deep breaths, and relaxed. He blocked out all of the noise surrounding him and cleared his mind, waiting for a vision. Finally after a minute or two of this images started flashing inside of his mind. He saw every moment of Harry's life before Hogwarts, and after he began his education in magic. Another revelation came into Godric's mind; he realized that Harry was his heir. "I don't believe it," Godric whispered. Harry had been looking at him worriedly for a few minutes, but had decided it was better not to interrupt. "Sir?" Harry asked. "I can see why you kept the future a secret from me," the founder finally said. "Wait, how do you know...?" Harry trailed off. "I got the answers through meditation, which also included your life story, and the fact that you're my heir." "I'm your what! No way! I mean that's impossible sir," he said in a voice of disbelief. "I assure you it's not. The only reason I did not use my abilities to find out what Salazar was up to before was because he used an ancient magic to block me from getting visions from him." "How could I possibly be your heir? How could you know?" The teenager was quite confused. "In your second year you pulled out my sword from the sorting hat, only a direct descendent of mine could have done that." "Oh," was the only response that Harry could give. Now that Gryffindor knows about the Chamber of Secrets what's he going to do? Harry thought about this for a few seconds before he looked back up at the man. "Sir?" "Enough of that call me Godric, after all I am your grandfather a couple dozen times removed. I know what you're wondering, and to be honest, I don't know what I'm going to do about Salazar," Godric replied. "You can't change history, when I get back to my own time, who knows what will have changed," Harry tried reasoning with him. "Yes, I suppose so; though it irks me to no end to let things just rest this way." Godric silently promised himself, I'll try not to interfere, much as I hate what's happening, but if Salazar lays a hand on Harry, I will not stay silent. I can't help but feel protective of the boy, he reminds me so much of myself, he is family and he's already seen so much hardship. I can't believe his muggle relatives did that to him. Godric had seen the years of emotional and mental abuse his family had shown him. He had even seen his Uncle beat the boy up on numerous occasions for the smallest of infractions. He knew better than to mention it to Harry though, the boy had never even told Ron and Hermione everything. I'll get closer to him, he needs to talk to somebody about it, but I need him to trust me more before I bring up such a sensitive subject, Godric thought to himself. "I think it's time for us to head back to the castle," Godric said to Harry, who simply nodded before scrambling to his feet. They made their way to the castle doors in companionable silence. As soon as they got inside they found themselves faced with Salazar Slytherin. He looked hatefully into Godric's eyes before sneering and looking down at Harry. "Ah, just who I was looking for...Godric I've decided that this boy is too suspicious for me to just simply give him the Exaltum potion. Before you say anything Godric, let me tell you that I will make the potion, once I'm sure he's trustworthy. Which is why I believe it would be wise to have him put on the Sorting Hat. After all, it will tell us if he means well or not." He finished silkily, grinning wickedly at the two of them. I know you're hiding something boy and I intend to find out what. You are to contradictory for my liking. It's preposterous, a parseltongue in Gryffindor. I don't see why you're not in Slytherin; you certainly have all the qualities. You've shown yourself to be cunning and determined to get what you want, considering the fact that you're blackmailing me. It would be a pity if I had to eliminate you, such wasted potential. Perhaps I can convince you to switch sides, Salazar thought; all the while staring at Harry with a question in his eyes. "Well, what do you say Godric?" "This is ridicules Salazar, we can trust him. I know for a fact." This was said with a warning in his voice. "Do you truly expect me to take the word of a Gryffindor?" Salazar asked disgustedly. Seeing that a fight was going to ensue if something wasn't done soon Harry stepped between the two men who were bearing their teeth at each other like rival dogs, and said, "I'll put the Sorting Hat on." Salazar simply looked at Godric triumphantly before leading the two down into the dungeons. He opened a door into a room that would be Snape's office a thousand years in the future. Once inside Harry took the seat in front of the desk when Salazar indicated it to him. Both Salazar and Godric remained standing on either side of him. Salazar took the Sorting Hat, which looked considerably newer, off of his desk and placed it on Harry's head. Instead of only speaking to Harry in his head, the Hat spoke aloud to the room's occupants. "Ah...a cunning mind, resourcefulness, and a disregard for rules... but wait what's this...loyalty, quite a good mind as well as a thirst to prove yourself and a strong need to find the truth. Also of course a great amount of bravery, worthy of a Gryffindor to be sure. I certainly had quite a time sorting you in the future didn't I?" "Yes, I'm sure that you did, but that's not why we're here," Salazar said softly. "I know, I know, you want me to make sure he's from the future and that he has no ill intentions towards you or any of the other founders." The hat then continued to examine Harry's mind, "mmm...hmm...quite interesting, no need to worry Salazar the boy's intentions are not to harm any of the founders." "So Salazar if Harry and I may be on our way," Godric said politely. He stood up and left with Harry about to follow him. "Hold on Mr. Potter, I'd like a quick word." Salazar closed the door in Godric's face, putting several strong locking and silencing spells on the door. He turned to face Harry and the boy who lived immediately took a step back at the look on Slytherin's face. "What do you want?" Harry asked, trying not to show the nervousness he felt. Salazar quirked an eyebrow at the abrupt question. "I simply wish to say a few things to you without anyone around to interrupt." He stalked towards Harry, slowly circling him like a predator about to go in for the kill. "The hat didn't tell the whole story did it? Not too surprising given the fact that it used to belong to Gryffindor. I should have foreseen such an occurrence. Yet still what the hat did say confirms some of my suspicions." "Suspicions?" Harry asked. Slytherin continued to look at Harry, weighing him, appraising his worth, that seemed to be all Slytherin's eyes did. "You possess all the qualities I admire in my students. Why then were you placed in the house of that oaf Gryffindor?" Harry realized the wizard wouldn't let the subject drop so he decided to tell the truth. "The reason I'm not in your house is because I asked the hat not to place me there. Your house's reputation is...somewhat tarnished." The dark wizard merely continued to contemplate him. One side of his mouth quirked upwards in a small smile although it wasn't exactly a friendly one. "You have such potential; I can feel it, your power it's wrapped around you like a cloak. Ask it of me and I would teach you such things that most would never dare to conceive. The Dark Arts was Harry's first thought, his second was that this was not unlike what had happened to him his first year. Voldemort had offered him a chance to join him if he would give up the Sorcerer's stone. Harry's eyes looked directly into those of his inquisitor. "I was offered such a deal before. My answer remains the same, I will not turn to the dark arts," he said firmly. Slytherin just continued to smile," Whether you like it or not boy, there is a darkness within you. You cannot hide from that part of yourself forever." Harry ignored the remark, not wanting to think about it, at least not now while he was under such scrutiny. With his usual rashness, the boy who lived said the first thing that came to mind without thinking about the consequences. "My father James Potter was a pureblood, but my mother Lily Evans was muggleborn, so you can forget any thoughts of making me your apprentice." Before the teenager could react Slytherin had his wand pointed at him. "A halfblood," Salazar spit out, "a pity." Harry could tell the elder wizard was about to curse, maybe even kill him, but before he got the chance the office door swung open. It hit the wall so hard Harry wouldn't have been surprised if there had been cracks in the walls. Gryffindor stood in the doorway his wand drawn and pointed at Slytherin's heart. "I think Harry here will be leaving with me," Godric said softly. "Of course Godric, the boy and I were simply chatting," Salazar said. Godric and Harry left the dungeons. Gryffindor steered Harry up several flights of stairs before leading him to an unknown corridor. They stopped in front of a painting that depicted a phoenix perched upon a tree branch. "Perseverance," Godric said. The password, Harry realized when the picture swung open, revealing a large cozy sitting room. Godric made sure Harry was seated comfortably before also sitting down. "I'm sorry I took so long to get to you Harry, but the locking charms Slytherin used were quite complicated, and took me a while to get around. Now what happened? What did Salazar say to you?" Harry took a deep breath before launching into his tale. He couldn't meet his ancestor's eyes when he told him what Slytherin had said about there being a darkness in him. When he was finished there was only silence.

If anyone is interested in becoming my beta for this story please review the story and leave your e-mail address. I beg anyone who reads this to go to my bio and look over and review my other story Magical Discoveries which is, in my opinion, my best fanfiction to date.