What if - I shouldn't have done this spell

Godric had enough. Fuck this life. He couldn’t just watch any longer. Yes, he should do something about Voldemort - because this bastard was trying to harm his school - but at the moment the Ministry was the bigger problem. They dared to intervene with Hogwarts and enough was enough.  He had enough of lowering his head, trying to hold himself back, tired of facing his problems with cunning and wisdom or kindness. He was Godric Gryffindor, a lion that roared and fought with teeth and claws. Voldemort had awoken him when he had tried to kill Harry Potter, which resulted in Harry remembering all of his former life, the life of Godric Gryffindor. It was the reason why he saw himself as Godric more than he saw himself as Harry. He had never revealed who he was, always lowering his head, always acting like a child - at least trying to act as one -, to not be in the spotlight. It had annoyed him that he was the ‘The Boy Who Lives’. It was hard enough trying to not show how his magic was killing him slowly. To his luck, people around him didn’t care enough to see how he paled after using magic, how his body shivered whenever he used his magic. It was the same ignorance that helped him to hide how he never ate enough when he was by his family, and that he had scars all over his body.

He had given his all not to reveal himself, to be just as anyone else and trying lowkey to protect Hogwarts, strengthen its defense, getting rid of any danger. It had worked more or less. First year? He had endangered his new friends - who still were children and so not really equal to him - by protecting Hogwarts and preventing Voldemort from gaining power again. The second year was a success and he even could help Tom - the past splintered soul of Voldemort - to change his behavior, to be his best self. In his third year, he had been nearly helpless against Dementors but could prevent them from hurting his godfather. The fourth year had been a catastrophe because he had been blind to the danger and too weak and useless to protect a student which resulted in the death of said student. And now? Now was this Umbitch here and trying to control Hogwarts for the Ministry of Magic. She had forced him to write with a Black Quill so that he had write the sentence she had tasked him to write as a scar on his hand back. This woman was a sadist, greedy, and power-hungry. He knew it was only a question of time until other students would get the same punishment as him.

Godric coughed blood and nearly fell over, but he forced himself to stand, leaning on the wall of his chamber, and tried to get through what had to be done. Thanks to the forceful awakening fourteen years ago, his old magical core was completely developed and awake while his ‘Harry’ core was still developing. Instead of merging, they were fighting, which was the reason why he was dying slowly. Currently, he was forcing his second core into submission, trying to destroy it even. It only accelerated the process of killing him, but to be honest: What was his life worth, when he couldn’t be himself? When he couldn’t do what he needed to do, the whole reason why he had cast the spell so that he would be reborn?

A cry left him and his magic crashed against the walls. The pain was running through every vein, every inch of his body, and even with his strong will, he couldn’t force himself to stand anymore and just collapsed. He took a shaking wet breath before everything went dark.

When he woke up, he still felt pain, he still could feel the weak core inside him, but now it was running amok in his body with the rest it had. But at least he wasn’t dead yet. Careful and moaning he stood. His legs were shaking and barely hold his weight. He blinked, trying to focus his sight, and stumbled into his bathroom. The mirror showed him what he had hoped to accomplish. He looked like his old self again, even older than he currently was. Just… as he had looked before he had gotten sick before he died in his last life. He smiled weakly. Good. That would work. He took a shower, trying to gain a little bit of energy. After this he went back into his living room, checking the time. Mhmh… He would have time to get to the Great Hall before everyone was getting there to eat for dinner.

He changed into his old clothes and went through some secret passages to get unseen into the Great Hall. Nobody was there. Except for some ghosts. Good. Not showing how his body was still aching and sending him pain with every movement, he went to the table of the teachers, just to sit on it. He leaned back slightly, resting his weight on his left arm. It was time to be himself again.

When Salazar entered the hall through the small entrance Professors could use, there was already some tumult in the Great Hall. Students were looking up to the table of the Professors, Umbridge was standing in front of it, down the two steps, her face red in anger. The students were speaking with each other in low voices, some were giggling, and some were confused. Other Professors were standing behind Umbridge, and they looked mostly confused and concerned. His gaze wandered to the reason for all this. There was a man in red sitting on the table. He could only see his back, but he could see this man was doing exercises from his build alone. The hair was a golden mane that was shoulder length. Salazar stepped further, down the steps, and then turned slightly to see more of the front of the man and his heart stopped for a moment. That wasn’t reality, he was dreaming.

The man sitting there was completely relaxed. One leg was bent on the table and he was resting his right arm on his knee, the other leg dangling off the table. His weight was more on his left arm, but Salazar could see that he could balance this position differently if he wanted to. He had a short three-day beard but most important were his green eyes. The green was light and Salazar had only known one person in his life with this kind of green. Suddenly his knees felt like they wanted to give in. This just couldn’t be real.

There was amusement in the green eyes, but Salazar also recognized the dangerous sparkle in them. This man… this lion-like man was ready to attack, to strike down any danger he saw for Hogwarts.

“I don’t know…”, said the man, his voice warm and kind, but there was a slight low rumble that got more and more obvious the more he spoke: “But I don’t think you have any rights to get me down from this table, or to be more precise, out of this school. As far as I know… The right is mine to banish you…”

He rised his chin a little, a mocking smile on his lip.

“And… I have also read more into the topic. You know… some laws have not changed since I died. I even have the right to kill you if I see it fit as punishment.”

“You!”, snapped Umbridge and some Professors were even grabbing their wands. The green eyes focused shortly on that, but then - as they were no danger to him -, he focused back on Umbridge.

“Surprised? There was a contract, like an Unbreakable Vow between the founders and the current king that there should be no influence of politics in Hogwarts as long as Hogwarts forms no army. If someone tries to have political influence on Hogwarts… Hogwarts can decide which punishment is the best. This contract is valid as long as one of the bloodlines of the founders of Hogwarts is alive. Well…”

He opened his right hand and the Sword of Godric Gryffindor appeared in his hand. Godric was the only one who could summon it without the Hat. Salazar felt as if he wasn't getting any oxygen into his lungs.

“I’m alive and I’m also a founder of Hogwarts.”

“You’re mad!”

“Am I? I guess it’s you who is mad. It shouldn’t be no secret that I’m the only one who can summon my sword without the Sorting Hat.”

He let the sword circle around his wrist, before letting it float next to him. Godric - Salazar still couldn’t believe it - leaned forward, the amusement had vanished in his eyes, and there was only room for coldness and fury.

“You have hurt students, you make sure that the lessons have no quality and no meaning whatsoever, just because the fucking Ministry of Magic fears that what? We are training assassins? An Army? For who? Dumbledore?”

Godric snorted, the warmth in his voice had left him as well. The students were quiet now, everyone was tense since Godric let out some of his power, and everyone with a little bit of sensitivity towards magic - which should be everyone in this place - could feel it. This man was dangerous and he was ready to strike.

Dolores raised her wand towards Godric, which just earned her an eye-roll from Godric before he stood up. There was something odd in his movement. It was slower, and not so fluent as it should be. Godric was very much like his crest animal, every movement powerful and fluent. So that he wasn’t right now alarmed Salazar. The Lion of Hogwarts was in pain, he just tried to hide it. His magic got stronger, the flames of the candles flickered and Godric shivered a little, his eyes narrowed slightly before focusing completely back on Umbridge, and in Salazar’s mind it made ‘click’.

Something was wrong with Godric’s magic. Normally he would let his magic break out, showing it in red-golden veins, just to show off and also to intimidate. He didn’t want to hurt someone in front of the students - he would if Umbridge wouldn’t give in - and so he tried subtly to make her fear him by showing his power. The bad news was, that Umbridge was dumb and an idiot, and idiots wouldn’t see warning signs even if you shoved them down their throats. Salazar’s eyes fixated on the Gray Lady who looked more than worried. Yes, he had to stop his friend now. Whatever Godric would see fit as punishment, he would hurt himself in the process just to make a point, to let others fear him enough to let Hogwarts alone.

The thing was, that if he stopped Godric by speaking to him or holding him just back, revealing himself - a spell on a necklace made it impossible for Godric to recognize him at the moment - would shock Godric, but not enough. It was likely that he would react in anger because currently he was in Attack Mode and revealing himself with just words would get Godric only to lash out at him - only to regret it a second later. To be fair, Salazar deserved it, because it seems like Godric was alive for a longer time and not for just this day. So he had been alone and it was likely that Godric had been here in Hogwarts. But if Godric was lashing out, it was likely he was using his magic as well and that would hurt him. He needed to shock Godric completely. And he knew exactly how.

With quick steps he came closer to Gryffindor, with a little force, he tore off the necklace, feeling how the spell vanished and gripping Godric on his wrist. The blonde man was surprised, but his body automatically got into defense mode. Salazar was quicker, he pulled Godric to himself, turning him slightly, holding him by his jaw, and pressed their lips together. He felt how Godric’s body got tense completely and how his left hand tried to push him away. But Salazar was like a wall right now, not moving, not releasing Godric, and before the other could use his magic, his own magic infiltrated Godric. A kiss was a good way to do this. Godric’s lips were warm and soft and so familiar, he nearly had forgotten them over time which hit him now, now when he could feel them again. He felt the chaos in the body of the other, felt how hurt he actually was. Godric winced, a small sound nearly impossible to hear, and then, suddenly the body just relaxed and Godric’s hand clawed into the fabric of his robe. He felt how Godric was now leaning into the kiss, returning it. Salazar shivered at this sensation, his whole body, his instinct, his mind, he just wanted to take Godric here and there. But his lover was hurt and it was the only reason why he held himself back. It didn’t stop him to lick over these damn tempting lips. Godric didn’t hesitate and allowed him entrance. Greedy, Salazar explored the other's mouth, starting a playful match with their tongues. He did hear some gasps from the others but decided to ignore them.

He had seen Godric die, he had missed him for over a thousand years. He would enjoy the hell out of this now.

It was Godric who broke away, slightly and only a few centimeters. He looked at him with dazed eyes but also confused.

“Sal…”, he breathed out and Salazar smiled slightly, feeling Godric’s body trembling and knew that it was not from pain.

“Hem-hem!”

Oh, right. There was this situation and they were in the Great Hall.

Godric seemed to realize the same, his eyes widened and Salazar let him go, as he stumbled back, hitting the table with his backside, and grabbing the table hard.

“You- You kissed me.”, he said, one hand trembling against his lip.

His voice was full of shock, but also quiet. But it was also very quiet in the hall, so everyone heard it. Salazar snorted amused. He knew why Godric was shocked. It was not really the kiss itself, it was more the situation when he had kissed him.

“It’s the 20 century, Ric. People don’t see it as a sickness anymore like they did when we founded Hogwarts. I mean, a lot of people are disgusted by it, but I don’t care and I don’t want to deny my feelings for you. You’re my boyfriend and everyone who has a problem with it, well I don’t care. They have to live with that problem, not me.”

Godric was still processing what exactly was happening, his words, his very presence, and that he was alive. This was good, it gave Salazar time to take care of other things.

“So, now to you, pink toad. I’m Salazar Slytherin and I can only agree with Godric. You broke the contract, you have shown how cruel you can be with the students, and that you’re a horrible person. The good thing is, you never hid it well, so I could collect some evidence and send it to my lawyer. You and your dear Minister will have a big problem. And if you don’t go now, I will banish you even if Godric will kill me for that, because I shouldn’t do that spell alone.”

Godric stepped next to him, focusing back on the important matter at hand right now. He was barely holding together, he could see it because he knew which signs he had to watch out for.

“Who said, you do the spell alone?”

“I did. So?”

Godric looked at him, while Slytherin was looking at Dolores. She wanted to say something, but Godric was quicker.

“Dobby.”, he called and a House-Elf appeared: “Escort her back to the Ministry. And Umbridge? Say hi to Fudge from me. He can scream like he wants and tell the press I’m a liar. I don’t care. There is no difference for me between a returned Voldemort or an insane Fudge. Everyone who tries to interfere with Hogwarts will have a problem with the founders. Tell him that.”

“What?!”, she gasped, but Dobby just vanished with her.

Finally, Godric relaxed again and Salazar turned back to him.

“We need to talk.”

“We need to talk to the whole school. I should explain how I got back, or not?”

“That has time. I think I have deserved that explanation first.”

But most importantly he wanted Godric to rest. The signs that his body was giving in became increasingly apparent. His body was trembling, his breath had quickened and there was also sweat on his temples. Godric hated to show weakness, so it was Salazar’s highest priority to get his love out of here.

“Fine. I guess we have to talk about our next steps first anyway.”

Salazar nodded. Godric stroked slightly his hair back and Salazar caught a brief glimpse of a lightning-shaped scar before Godric’s hair fell back into place. Holy Merlin, Godric was Harry Potter? But… Harry had been here this morning. Oh… Oh fuck. He had a bad feeling about this and he knew he would want to kill Godric for his recklessness but first things first.

They went out - ignoring Professors and students - and decided to go to Salazar’s chambers. Going downstairs was easier and quicker.

He still couldn’t believe it.

Salazar was alive and well, he was with him, he had kissed him in front of the whole school! The shock was still there and he still had problems processing it. If he had known that Salazar was alive… he wouldn’t have taken this drastic step to get Umbridge out of Hogwarts. It would have meant more time for them together but… Maybe without this step, they would have lived here together without knowing the other was there and alive. Godric would have died without spending time with Salazar. Was this better or worse? He didn’t know.

“Ric…”

The soft voice snapped him back into reality. He hadn’t noticed that they had entered Salazar’s chambers and sat down in the armchairs.

“Sorry…”, whispered Godric.

“You’re dying.”

Of course, Salazar knew. 

“You don’t even give me the chance to tell you.”

“I have examined you during the kiss. It was when I let my magic into you.”

Godric sighed, and leaned back in the armchair, away from Salazar who was kneeling in front of him and looking up at him. His silver eyes were worried but also calm with a hint of happiness.

“I have two magical cores.”, Godric began to explain.

He told him how he remembered since Voldemort tried to kill him as a one-year-old child, how he had hidden his true self and survived until now. Salazar just listened, only asking some questions when Godric forgot an important detail.

“I’m sorry. I nearly destroyed my second core today and… this… I don’t think I will live longer than a week…”

Every breath he took, every movement he did was just hurting him. Godric sighed, closing his eyes.

“I’m sorry.”, he repeated.

Warm hands closed around his own and he opened his eyes to see Salazar sitting there, eyes closed. His magic was flooding through Godric, this time more gentler. He was analyzing his injuries. Godric let him, waiting and just breathing. Since they were here alone, he couldn’t hide the pain anymore. His body was shaking in spurts, sometimes stronger, sometimes weaker. He hardly got any oxygen in his lungs and he felt how he was sweating, his body was fighting but losing.

“I think I know a solution but yeah… Your injuries are grave. I would like to have you more stable before we can do the solution I have in mind… But I think this is the most stable you can be…”

Salazar stood up, sighing, and began to walk up and down.

“I need to get in contact with my guardian. I can’t help you without him. And I need you to rest, Godric. No magic, no big movements. Please.”

Godric nodded.

He knew, fighting Salazar was useless, and maybe… just maybe Salazar could help him. He didn’t want to see Salazar pleading not to leave him. He didn’t want Salazar to lose him again. So he would fight for this life and when Salazar said he should rest, he would do it.

Suddenly he was in Salazar’s arms and was carried bridal style into the bedroom. 

“Rest my love.”

“Sal…”

He held on to Salazar’s hand and Salazar understood, crawling under the blanket next to him. 

“I’m here. I’m not leaving you. At least until you sleep. I need to prepare a lot.”

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry I left you…”

Salazar kissed his left temple, holding him in his arms. For the first time, Godric felt safe in this life. He slowly closed his eyes.

“You came back to me. That’s all I need.”

And he would do his best to stay at his side and never leave him again. Well, he needed to find out how to get immortal it seems, but there would be some solution. He just had to get healthy again first. With that in mind, he finally rested.