Oklahoma Girl: last 1
by Lindseys Angel
Ok, this isnt the last chapter, because I am also gonna be writing Oklahoma Guy in the very near future.(Ihope. So This epilogue and that 1 are gonna be tied in, so u'll just have to wait and read Oklahoma Guy to find out how Wes and Fred end up.









But I think its kinda obvious dont u?????????








Dont bother with this, I just need to copy this at home. Stupid school doesnt have email.




Salazar gaped at it while Rowena broke into giggles. Helga teased Godric, "That's you all right. Short and to the point."
Godric flushed, grabbing the note from Salazar, who was grinning from ear to ear. "Admit it, Godric, you wanted to come here as badly I did!"
"No, I didn't!" Retorted Godric, his red face matching his dark crimson robes. "I just wanted my sword to be returned properly, that's all," he muttered, jamming the note into his pocket after glancing at it.
Salazar was milking this for all it was worth. "What is with you and your hat?" he laughed, grabbing the Sorting Hat from Godric's other hand and jamming it on his own head. "You're always putting all sorts of things in it!"
Rowena's nose wrinkled. "Salazar, take it off." It was very dirty.
Salazar ducked before Godric could snatch it off. "Give it back! You're just jealous because I thought of the idea first!" Godric was referring to the idea of creating the Sorting Hat.
"True," Salazar admitted honestly, "I was speechless when you came up with such a brilliant and original idea. It was truly ingenious, Godric."
Godric paused. "... You really think so?"
Salazar nodded, looking serious. Slowly, a proud pleased expression came over Godric's face. "Well, thank you very much, Salazar."
"You're welcome, Godric." Salazar smiled, pulling off the Sorting Hat and giving it back to Godric. As Godric took it, he said, "I was shocked that you of all people thought of it."
Oh no... Rowena barely held on to Godric as he tried to reach pass Helga at Salazar who had run behind her.
"You snake! You just had to say it!"
"I couldn't help it! You're just so fun to make fun of!"
"You two are squashing me!"
Rowena managed to jump aside in time. Godric flew back, pass her, nearly colliding into Dumbledore and hitting the door with a loud thump. Salazar fell back, crashing into Harry's chair and jolting the boy awake.
***
Rudely awakened, Harry raised his hand to his forehead and rubbed at his scar. It was an unconscious habit of his. He heard a groan and blinked, looked over his chair's armrest to see Salazar sitting on the floor and rubbing the back of his head. He was wincing.
Harry's eyes widened, and he looked up from Salazar to see Helga fuming at him and at Godric sprawled against the door. What happened- Harry jumped to his feet when he spotted Dumbledore, standing by Godric.
"Headmaster!" Harry was careful not to tread on Salazar as he hurried to get to Dumbledore.
"Harry," said Dumbledore, adjusting his glasses as he looked over Harry.
"Sir," said Harry hurriedly, "I-" Suddenly, his mind went blank, and he couldn't find the words to explain this situation to Dumbledore.
"Relax, Harry," Dumbledore said encouragingly, "Take a deep breath and start from the beginning."
Harry followed Dumbledore's suggestion and took a deep breath. After a few stutters and stumbles, he launched into a quick recollection of what had happened. He decided not to mention Cedric, going straight instead to seeing the Sorting Hat glowing and putting it on, and about the words on the inner side of the Hat, about asking Fawkes' for a feather, about dropping the feather into the Hat and the Four Founders appearing.
He stopped at that, prefering to tell Dumbledore the rest in private: about the memory and Doppelganger spells, about the wager, about the dragons, about his shock that Salazar Slytherin had green eyes and had a great sense of humor, that Rowena Ravenclaw could speak Parseltongue and could read minds, that Godric Gryffindor looks so cool and hates Salazar's guts (this Harry expected), and that Helga Hufflepuff could clean Godric's and Salazar's clocks.
The last portion Harry felt Dumbledore already knew, and of course Harry wasn't going to tell him that he thought Lady Ravenclaw was drop dead gorgeous.
Harry jumped when Rowena said, "Why, thank you, Harry." He whirled around just as Salazar said, "I do wish you could teach me how to read minds, Rowena."
"You know I wish I could, Salazar," replied Rowena, smiling warmly back at Salazar, who was standing behind her. Harry's mind whirled. The exact nature of their relationship was also another thing he had to ask Dumbledore about.
Chapter 4 has ended. Please go on to the next chapter.
Chapter 5: An Attempt at Nomalcy
Dumbledore had decided to inform the House Heads about the Founders first and summoned the professors to come to his office. Harry was again very impressed with Dumbledore, who acted as though important historical figures visited Hogwarts all the time.
Professor McGonagall reminded Harry of a gold fish, eyes bugged out, mouth opening and closing without a word coming out as she goggled at the Four Founders. Professor Flitwick kept squeaking nonsense words all throughout the gathering and flushed crimson whenever Lady Ravenclaw looked his way. Harry couldn't blame him.
Professor Sprout was beside herself with excitement. She kept babbling, "The Four Founders are here... at Hogwarts... they're back..." and grabbing and shaking already shaken Professor Flitwick. Professor Snape, Harry's least favorite teacher, was stunned, his expression frozen midway between disbelief and refusing to be excited.
"This is Severus Snape, Head of Slytherin," Dumbledore said.
"A pleasure to meet you, Severus!" The look on Snape's face was priceless when Salazar hugged him as a big brother would. Used to Salazar's antics by this time, Harry laughed, earning a murderous glare from Snape still locked in Salazar's embrace.
If Harry hadn't been so busy laughing at Snape, he would have noticed Professor McGonagall's jaw drop, Flitwick falling over in shock and Sprout mumbling, "Now I've seen everything." Harry might have also noticed Rowena Ravenclaw glancing over to the trio and frowning slightly.
The next day, the rest of the staff was informed of the news before breakfast. Harry hadn't been present in the morning meeting, but unlike his fellow Gryffindors and the rest of the students present in the Great Hall that morning, he wasn't surprised when Headmaster Dumbledore stood up and called for all of their attention.
"Wonder what's up. This is the first time he's made an announcement at breakfast," Ron mumbled, chewing on a piece of toast. Hermione stopped eating and observed softly, "Not only that. Look at the others at the staff table."
Harry grinned. The House Heads had had a night to compose themselves, but the rest of the staff had not. Madam Pomfrey, Madam Hooch and Madam Pince were whispering excitedly amongst themselves. Professor Sinastra kept standing up, pausing then sitting back down again. Mr. Filch, Hagrid & Professor Moody weren't at the table, but Harry had a good idea where they might be.
"Students." Dumbledore's voice carried clear and loud to every ear in the Great Hall. "I am pleased as punch to inform all of you that Hogwarts has the honor of having four very distinguished professors as guests."
There was a stir through out the Great Hall as students wondered and murmured to each other. "More teachers?" "About time... too many Double classes in my schedule."
"I hope one of them is going to teach Potions," Neville said hopefully. He wasn't the only one hoping at the Gryffindor table. Snape, in charge of Potions, was always taking points off their House and favoring Slytherin.
The picture of Snape being hugged by Salazar suddenly popped into Harry's head, and he snorted into his cereal, attracting Ron and Hermione's attention.
"Care to tell us the joke, Harry?" Ron nudged his shoulder, and Harry utterly wished he could, but he had sworn to Dumbledore never to tell anyone.
"Uhm..." Harry was saved from having to lie to his two best friends when Dumbledore continued. "They arrived last evening after supper so they weren't properly introduced during the start of term banquet, but they did arrive in time to observe first classes today." Dumbledore paused, smiling. "Please do inform your schoolmates, who are not here this morning, to be on their best behavior during classes and out of classes. That's all."
Fred Weasley frowned. "Sounds like an inspection or something."
"Inspection?" asked Ron curiously.
Hermione answered before George could, "Magical School Accreditation Inspections. The Ministry may have sent a group of wizards to rate Hogwarts. Of course, Hogwarts always gets accredited."
Lee Jordan nodded. "Yah. I've heard of those. They come around once every six years. I remember there was an inspection in second year."
"I remember that too," George said, "The professors kept on telling us to behave." He suddenly grinned. "The teachers also had to be on their best behavior too. Wouldn't want the accreditation team to catch them being mean and abusive to us poor students."
Fred and George smiled widely at each other. Hermione frowned at them. She had been made a Prefect this year so she was being even stricter than usual on rules and regulations.
Ron grinned at Harry, who was dying to tell them the truth. "Wouldn't it be wonderful," Ron said conspiratorially, "if the inspection team catches Snape being mean and nasty in Potions?"
"Ron!" Hermione said sharply, "The reputation of the entire school will suffer if you joke around in Potions."
Harry barely listened to the ensuing argument that followed between Ron and Hermione. He returned back to eating his breakfast with gusto and happily anticipated the Hogwarts Four visiting his classes.
Chapter 5 has ended. Please go on to the next chapter.

As luck may have it, it was in Potions that Harry saw them again. He couldn't help himself but grinned when Professor Flitwick led them in. Rowena and Helga first then Godric following with Salazar next and Mr. Filch in the rear.
Harry sat up straighter as did everyone in his class. Harry kept an eye on Snape, who looked on guard; Harry silently prayed for a repeat performance by Salazar. He was disappointed when the Slytherin Founder was behaving himself instead.
"Class," squeaked Professor Flitwick, "These are Professors Regius, Hawthorn, Gloucester & Scaevola. They will be observing your Potions class with Professor Snape."
The Gryffindors greeted them politely, and Flitwick and Filch lead them towards the rear of the classroom. Harry looked back as they seated themselves and couldn't help but noticed how serious they all looked. They, in fact, looked so strict that even Ron decided not to go through with his plan of upsetting Snape. Ron didn't have reason to misbehave during class either since Snape was being uncharacteristically nice and even personally guided Neville in brewing today's lesson, Promethean Potion.
It was a particularly useful potion since who ever drunk it would be immune for some time against fire and some physical attacks.
"You first, Longbottom," Snape said when Neville's potion had turned a bright neon red. Neville gave him a frightened look, but obediently drank a little of it. He hiccupped after swallowing and shouted fearfully when Snape pulled out an iron poker from behind his desk.
"Save me!" Neville squealed and ran behind Hermione for protection. Harry was frozen, staring at Snape and wondering if he really would go after Neville.
"Potter."
"Yes, Professor Snape?"
Snape gave him a tight smile and held out the poker to him. "You test if Neville's potion was done right."
The Gryffindors relaxed as Harry walked over to Snape and took the poker. Harry had to pull twice before Snape would let him have it, and he swallowed reflexively at the dark vengeful look in Snape's black eyes. Harry definitely preferred Salazar Slytherin's friendly green eyes.
"It's all right, Neville," Harry whispered when he reached Hermione. Neville was still cowering behind her.
"Neville," Ron suddenly said sharply, "have a little more backbone, will you? Remember you're a Gryffindor!" Harry glanced at his best friend, startled by his words, then quickly shot a look at Godric who was frowning.
What could he be thinking, Harry thought, suddenly feeling as impatient with Neville as Ron was. Was this Snape's plan all along then... He could feel a burning spot on the back of his head where he imagined Snape's eyes were boring through. It would be just like Snape to make their class look disappointing in Godric's eyes.
Harry breathed easier when Neville came out from behind Hermione. Cowed by Ron's words, he straightened his posture and nodded bravely at Harry. "Go ahead, Harry," he said, without a quaver. However, he winced when Harry poked him in the stomach gently with the poker.
"... Hey!" Neville's eyes snapped opened, and he grinned. "I didn't feel a thing at all!"
The class broke out in laughter and cheers and began tasting their own potions. Harry had barely swallowed his potion when he felt something brush his shoulder. He glanced aside and saw Ron grinning at him and holding one his school books in his hands.
"You didn't even flinched when I smacked you!" Ron said with amazement, and Harry realized that Ron had hit him with his book.
"Let me try!" Harry grabbed his Potions book and hit Ron right on his head. Ron just shook his head, still grinning. "A pillow fight has much more whomp. This stuff is great!"
Harry nodded. "Yeah, and it would be really useful during Quidditch too against those bludgers."
Soon, all the students were testing the effects of the Promethean Potion by hitting each other. Hermione even tried to burn her hand by placing it directly in her cauldron's fire.
"Class," Harry heard Snape over the din, "the potion will wear off in six-"
"Ow!" yelped Neville, grabbing at his shoulder, where he had been daring people to punch him. Ron pulled back quickly before he could hit him a second time. Everyone was soon backing away from one another and nursing injuries.
Later, in the hallway outside Potions, Ron was cursing softly under his breath and clutching at his head. "Why'd he only tell us *after* that it doesn't work properly with non-metallic objects!"
Harry nodded in agreement and winced, his shoulder was throbbing in pain where Ron had hit him several times with his book. Only Hermione emerged from the classroom unscathed.
"Well," Hermione said with a knowledgeable expression, "Professor Snape did say that the potion only works against fire and some physical attacks, and I did read the lesson in advance."
"You could have warned us," Ron complained, groaning loudly, "Harry, I wish you didn't hit my head so hard!"
"Sorry, Ron." But Harry didn't sound apologetic. His own shoulder was also hurting.
Hermione wasn't sorry either. "You two shouldn't have started hitting each other so quickly. Didn't you even wonder why Professor Snape took out an iron poker? The Promethean Potion is only effective against-"
"Wait a minute, will you, Hermione?" Ron said scathingly, "Let me get out a scroll and pen to write everything you say down. That way I don't have to do Snape's assignment later."
"Oh! You idiot!" Hermione left them in a huff. As she disappeared up the stairs, Harry stared at his angry best friend.
"Ron," Harry started then stopped when Ron shook his head. "I know, I know, Harry," he said, suddenly looking very tired, "I shouldn't have acted that way to her. I'll go after her right away and apologize."
Harry just nodded silently as Ron went after Hermione. He decided to let them have some time before coming up after them. Suddenly, the door beside him swung open.
He looked aside to see Salazar coming out rather sneakily and closing the dungeon door quickly. He spotted Harry. "Hello, Harry," he murmured, looking around. The serious strict facade he had been wearing throughout Potions fell away when he saw that he and Harry were alone in the hallway. Mischief twinkled again in bright green eyes.
Harry grinned at him then turned serious. "What are you doing out here, Professor Scaevola?" He said politely, keeping his expression bland. "Shouldn't you be with the others?" They, Flitwick and Filch had been talking with Snape when the Gryffindors left the classroom.
Salazar's face filled with mock horror. "Did they tell you to keep an eye on me too?! Don't believe everything they say about me! They exaggerate I tell you!" Then, he chuckled, patting Harry's right shoulder fondly. "Don't worry, Harry, I'll behave. I just came out here to clear my head a bit. I don't take very well to potion fumes."
Harry's eyes widened, surprised. "You don't like potions?" He asked curiously.
Salazar shook his head. "That's the girls' forte, not mine and Godr-," he broke off, rolling his eyes ceilingward, "Gloucester's." Salazar seemed very amused by Godric's new name. Harry was about to ask him about it, when the door opened again and out came Professor Flitwick.
"Oh, there you are, Professor Scaevola!" Flitwick said in his tinny voice, "Professor Gloucester wants you back in." Salazar snorted at the mention of the name again and said in a lazy tone, "Tell him, I'm not going back in there to listen to him complain about Severus' method of teaching. Remind him he's not a Potions Master."
So, Godric is defending his House. Harry thought that it was very nice of him to do that, and suddenly he wanted to see how Snape was reacting to Godric's criticism. ... Oh well. Harry decided it was good enough to know that Snape was getting trouble from one of the Founders.
Meanwhile, Flitwick agonized on whether to go back in and tell Godric what Salazar told Flitwick to tell Godric or to persuade Salazar to return to the classroom as Godric had asked him. Harry felt Flitwick wouldn't hesitate on what to do if it had been Rowena Ravenclaw who made the order.
Fortunately for Flitwick, Salazar acquiesced, saying, "Never mind. I'll go back in." Flitwick looked relieved and went back in. Salazar looked back at Harry and smiled. "Well, I must be off to be bored with the others." He gave Harry a farewell pat on the head. "I hope to see you again soon, Harry."
"Same to you, Sir," Harry said softly as Salazar went back inside the dungeon. As the door swung closed, Harry discovered that he was beginning to like the Slytherin Founder more than his own House's Founder.
Supper that day was nosier than usual. Students, surprisingly enough were talking about their lessons and comparing them. The Magical School Accreditation Team, as most of the students called them, was dining with the faculty and staff at the head table.
Harry kept raising his head to watch the Founders eat.
"Can you believe it?! Fred said excitedly, "McGonagall actually taught us Mind Switching in Transfigurations!"
Hermione squealed, "Mind Switching?! You're so lucky!"
Harry was puzzled. "Mind Switching..."
Ron grimaced. "Who'd be crazy enough to want to switch minds?"
Who indeed? Agreed Harry silently, then said aloud, "That sounds very dangerous." He shuddered suddenly. What if Voldemort decided to switch minds with me- Don't think about it! There was some sort of connection between Harry and the Dark wizard, and he didn't want Voldemort getting ideas from him.
"It's not too dangerous," George told Harry, "the people who are going switch minds have to be both willing to do it."
"Yes," added Lee, "it's a tandem spell. Both parties has to cast at the same time or it won't work."
"Oh, okay." Harry was reassured. There was no way he would ever be willing to switch minds with Voldemort.
Hermione was asking Fred, "But isn't Mind Switching really advanced magic? It isn't included in the curriculum."
"And how would you know that?" Ron asked her.
"I borrowed and read Percy's school books in his last year here. Learning Mind Switching counts as extra credit," she answered.
"That's right." George gave Hermione a look of admiration. Harry felt Ron, beside him, tense. "That's why we were excited," Fred continued, "McGonagall is teaching us really advanced magic!"
"It must be because of the Accreditation Team," said Lee, "The teachers are out to impress them."
George nodded, then looked a little puzzled. "They weren't so gung ho about it the last time though, just told us to behave a lot..." But he let it go quickly and grinned. "But that was six years ago and when in second year, you really can't tell yet which spells are hard to do from the ones that are really hard to do."
Hermione contributed eagerly, "Professor Snape also gave us an advanced lesson today in Potions. The Promethean Potion is supposed to be one of the last potions to be studied next term."
"Ow!" Said Lee feelingly, "Then Snape got you too, didn't he?"
"Yes," chorused Harry and Ron. There were similar affirmations from the other fifth year Gryffindors.
"We were going to warn all of you about that next term," said Fred.
"You look like you're the only one okay about it," said George to Hermione, who was sitting across from him.
"Don't worry about her," muttered Ron darkly, "Hermione was the only one Snape didn't get.
With that, Ron and Hermione were not on speaking terms for the rest of the evening. Harry was tempted to shake some sense into Ron. He couldn't believe that Ron was actually being jealous of George. Harry didn't even want to know whatever Ron was thinking was going on between his older brother and Hermione.
In the Gryffindor common room, students were still talking about their lessons except for Ron who had gone up ahead to the fifth year boys' dormitory to sulk. Hermione, Harry knew, was just as upset as Ron and was trying to distract herself by asking the Weasley Twins and Lee Jordan to teach her Mind Switching.
Harry was just glad that Ron wasn't there to hear George suggest to Hermione that they pair up to do the spells while Fred and Lee demonstrated first.
"This way," George said jovially, "you can be sure their minds really switched, and that we're not only pulling your leg."
"Oh," Hermione remarked, "I wouldn't be so sure about that. Lee is unofficially the third Weasley Twin."
"Ouch!" Lee winced exaggeratedly, "I'm not sure whether to be flattered or insulted."
Fortunately for Lee, before the Twins could pounce on him, the portrait of the Fat Lady swung open, and Professor McGonagall climb in.
"Gryffindors!" called out McGonagall commandingly. Students looked at her curiously, stopping whatever they were doing. She sounded like she was announcing the arrival of someone important like the Headmaster.
Harry immediately came to attention when Godric Gryffindor entered the common room.
Chapter 6 has ended. Please go on to the next chapter.

Everyone," Professor McGonagall had said, "I hope you all don't mind, but Professor Gloucester requested to spend this evening with you. He was a Gryffindor himself."
Harry wondered how she had managed to say that last bit with such a straight face.
He supposed that he should have expected that Godric would want to visit Gryffindor Tower, but the sight of his House's founder actually walking, looking around their common room, striking polite conversation with the students... It was almost too much for Harry's self-control.
Everyone should know who he really is, thought Harry, starting to feel frantic as Seamus Finnigan cheerfully challenged Godric to game of wizard chess when the older man showed interest in the game he and Dean Thomas were playing. Dean was more than happy to forfeit his place to Godric (he was losing badly), saying he had to go up to their dormitory and put up a new West Ham poster.
Ron should play chess with Godric! By then, Harry felt more than a little crazy.
"West Ham?" Godric asked curiously.
Used to most wizards not knowing about soccer, Dean replied, "They're a muggle team, not a quidditch team."
"What is quidditch?" queried Godric innocently, shocking everyone who heard him, including Harry who almost screamed, 'HE'S GODRIC GRYFFINDOR!'
"You don't know Quidditch?!" George, Fred and Lee accosted Godric immediately, looking properly horrified for his sake. "How can you not know Quidditch?! It's the greatest game in the world!"
"No, it isn't!" Protested Dean, but the trio ignored him. Acting as one, George promptly grabbed by Godric the shoulders and sat him down in the armchair Dean had recently vacated; Fred zoomed off to their dormitory to get some things; Lee stood in front of Godric, coughing and clearing his throat just as he always did before commentating on a Quidditch game.
Professor McGonagall was very upset. "GEORGE WEASLEY, YOU DO NOT MANHANDLE A PROFESSOR!" Her voice and composure did a complete turn around when she addressed Godric. "I'm so very sorry, Professor Gloucester."
"It's all right, Minerva." Harry and everyone else watched with keen interest as their House Head's face turned an alarming shade of red.
Six seconds later, McGonagall snapped back in character. "Gryffindors, to bed now!"
There was a second of silence, then everyone except Harry and Hermione protested.
"But, Miner- I mean Professor McGonagall, it's only nine-"
"I have more than enough of your cheek, Mr. Weasley! One week's detention for you, your brother and Mr. Jordan! All of you report to Mr. Filch tomorrow!"
"But I haven't done anything!" Howled Lee.
"Harry!"
"Yes, Professor?" said Harry meekly, hoping he won't get detention.
"Please escort Professor Gloucester to his room." McGonagall, still very red, was getting more furious since Fred, who just came back, was also protesting his punishment.
Harry quickly led Godric out of Gryffindor Tower.
***
As he walked alongside Godric, Harry peeked up at him occasionally. Godric's expression was solemn, eyes calmly looking straight forward, his stride at a constant pace. Harry unconsciously copied him, only realizing it when his awkward shuffle turned into a firm walk.
Embarrassed, Harry tried to change back his walking style then suddenly decided not to in mid-step. He ended up being tripped by his own feet. Harry yelped in alarm, falling to his right and automatically reached his hands out to the wall to check his fall.
Strong hands grabbed his shoulders and pulled him back. Harry closed his eyes and breathed out hard, his heart beating quickly, still recovering from panic.
"Are you all right, Harry?" Godric asked in a concerned voice, his breath tickling Harry's right ear. Harry quickly looked up to see Godric standing behind him, leaning down a little, his hands still firmly on Harry's shoulders. Seeing Godric's worried expression made Harry angry and ashamed of himself for fouling up right in the man's presence.
He pulled away, and Godric released him. Harry turned around as Godric straightened.
"I'm fine, Sir." Harry bit his lower lip when his voice trembled even on only those three syllables. He suddenly felt very nervous and uncertain. Unable to return Godric's steady gaze, Harry looked away and lower, staring instead at a small golden lion pin on Godric's chest. The miniature lion turned its tiny head towards Harry and stared back at him with unblinking ruby eyes.
"Harry," said Godric softly, and reluctantly, Harry broke his staring contest with the lion pin and looked back up at Godric, who smiled at him. It was a warm reassuring smile, and Harry smiled back, feeling less nervous.
Godric's brown eyes lit up with a proud twinkle. "That's much better, Harry. You've been looking edgy ever since we left the tower."
Harry was about to apologize again, but Godric waved it away. He chuckled then, reaching up his right hand to rub the back of his head with a rueful expression. "I have this effect on my students," he said then frowned, "and not only on them. People tend to pussyfoot around me once they know who I am."
Oh. Harry's stomach felt lighter. Not only me then. Harry was relieved, and he grinned, remembering how Professor McGonagall acted in the common room.
"People tend to look up to you, Sir?" Asked Harry, still grinning.
Godric's smile returned and nodded, not being boastful just confirming that it's always been that way. "Quite," he answered softly, almost in a sigh, "It's a heady experience sometimes, but a heavy responsibility all the time."
That's why he looks serious most of time, thought Harry. Well, what did you expect? That he'd act like Fred and George?
Godric suddenly shook his head slightly and lowered his hand. He glanced at Harry, and with a small nod, both of them continued on their way.
As they neared the marble staircase that would take them down to the entrance hall, Harry thought that the man walking beside him was every bit what he had expected the founder of his house to be. Harry smiled, getting worked up again, but not because he was nervous as before. He was thrilled that he was with Godric Gryffindor.
A faint peal of laughter echoing from the direction of the entrance hall broke through Harry's reverie. His pace quickened as did Godric's.
"Did that really happen, Sir?" Harry tensed upon hearing that familiar smooth and immensely irritating voice. Despite that it was distorted as an echo, he recognized whose it was immediately.
"It certainly did, Draco." Godric froze for an instant then kept moving. The second voice was Salazar's.
On the top step of the staircase, Harry almost fell down the stairs had Godric not held out an arm to steady him. Draco and Salazar were sitting on the floor right in the middle of the entrance hall. Both of them were facing each other over a small magical blue fire. To Harry, they looked like they were camping out.
Both had heard them coming and looked towards them. Draco looked like he was going to sneer but immediately composed his features when Salazar broke into a wide grin and waved at them to come down.
"Godfrey, Harry, come over and join us!" Salazar called out. Harry glanced at Godric as the older man went down the stairs first. After a few moments' hesitation, Harry followed, eyeing Draco narrowly. The other boy was also looking at him intently.
"What are you two doing here, Sextus?"
"We're waiting for you and the others, of course." Salazar lifted a brow questioningly when Godric continued looking at him suspiciously. Harry couldn't help but smile when Salazar turned a bit and stretched his legs out, his hands reaching back to pillow his head as he laid down full stretch and comfortable on the floor. He tossed Godric a lazy and insolent look before closing his eyes.
Draco was delighted. He was about to follow Salazar when Godric said in a frosty tone, "What I mean is that shouldn't you be in the Slytherin common room?"
"Look who's not in the Gryffindor common room," returned Salazar automatically, keeping his eyes closed.
Godric looked ready to kick Salazar in the ribs when Draco said, "There was an accident in our common room. Goyle slipped in the bathroom and hit his head pretty hard against the floor." Draco sounded like that happened often.
"Professor Snape had to take him to Madam Pomfrey," continued Draco, his face turning smug, "He asked me to escort Professor Scaevola to his room." Then, Draco looked somewhat uncertain. He glanced at Salazar, saying, "But the Professor forgot where his room was located, and so we came here instead."
Harry could only think that Snape wanted Draco to find out about the Accreditation Professors being actually the Founders. Draco continued explaining to Godric in a doubtful tone, "Professor Scaevola said that he would wait here until you and the others arrive. He said he would ask you where his room was."
It was clear that Draco was getting suspicious about this peculiar arrangement, which even Harry didn't know about. Harry could only curse Snape and Draco silently in his mind. If Draco finds out, his father, Lucius Malfoy, would find out, and that meant Voldemort would know that the Founders were back at Hogwarts!
"Draco kindly offered to keep me company," said Salazar, finally opening his eyes and sitting up. He smiled warmly at Draco. "Thank you, Draco. I am pleased to see that members of my House are as courteous as ever."
Hah! Harry wanted to say as Draco smiled back at Salazar with what Harry thought was a predatory grin. "You're very welcome, Sir," he simpered.
Salazar inclined his head graciously, then stretched long and hard like a cat before standing up and offering a hand up to Draco. "You better get back to your common room," he said as Draco took his hand.
"Oh!" Harry's stomach turned into heavy lead when Draco declared, "I can stay longer, Sir, until Professors Regius and Hawthorn get here. I'd like to get to know you and Professor Gloucester better. I think you two are so interesting!"
Harry wanted to throw up.
"Thank you, Draco," Salazar said kindly but firmly, "but you and Harry will be missed by your friends. You should both go back to your rooms."
Taking the opportunity, Harry lunged forward and grabbed Draco's sleeve, intending to drag the other boy down to the dungeons if he had too. But Draco jerked his hand away and said loudly, "But I have so much to tell you! At least let me pay back for the interesting story you told me."
Harry quickly seized Draco's wrist just as Draco said, "Do you know that Harry, here, killed a boy?"
Suddenly, Harry felt very cold.
"Harry killed someone?" Godric's voice sounded so faint to Harry. There was a roaring in his ears. White shrouded his vision, and he couldn't see anything. He didn't notice he was gripping Draco's wrist so hard that the other boy's hand had turned very white.
"Yes," Draco winced and tried to pull his hand away. Harry wondered distractedly why Draco's voice, on the other hand, seemed so loud. Every word he was saying cut into Harry like a sharp knife.
"Potter!" hissed Draco, "Let me go!"
"Harry, you better let go of Draco's hand." Even Salazar's voice was so faint Harry could barely hear him.
He felt someone grab his hand and loosened his grip on Draco's wrist. Draco immediately wrenched his hand away.
"Harry," someone whispered. He felt hands rest on his shoulders and squeezed reassuringly, but Harry didn't feel comforted.
"... I hate you," Harry whispered, barely hearing his own words in his ears, but they echoed again and again in his heart.
"Harry." Again another whisper, a gentle shake this time, and suddenly his vision cleared. He could see Godric's face right in front of him. Hazel eyes looked relieved when Harry finally noticed him.
"Thank goodness!" exclaimed Godric, but Harry was looking pass him at Draco who was holding his hand with a look of pain in his eyes. Salazar was also in front of him just as Godric was with Harry.
"I hate you," repeated Harry again, this time louder and Draco and Salazar looked at him. Draco sneered despite the pain he was in.
"What's the matter, Potter? Cedric Diggory not good enough to be your victim?"
Harry's right hand dug into his pocket and whipped out his wand. He heard Godric yell. Draco's sneering expression dissolving into fear was all that Harry saw as he pointed his wand and screamed, "CRUCIO!"
To be continued.

Chapter 7 has ended. Please go on to the next chapter.



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