Chapter 3
Godric and Salazar gawked and watched every tiny movement as they walked. They almost ran into several Muggles and narrowly avoided a large four-wheeled contraption packed with Muggles.
"I want one," Salazar was staring hungrily at a deep blue vehicle with a snake on the hood.
"For Hogwarts' sake, Sal." Godric began to complain until he caught a whiff of something delicious, "I must try those feasts,"
"Surely we need some method of compensation. I hardly think they're giving it away."
"Where would we get something to trade?"
"Godric, my good man. Who do we know that would be anywhere there's gold to be found?"
"A dragon?"
"For once, yes. And what generally keeps the dragon captive?"
"Goblins!" Gryffindor grinned, "We could equip ourselves with some currency and return here,"
"Where are we to find the goblins?"
"You're the expert. Lead on."
"Hogsmeade fell under our direct protection. It's unlikely that they forged a stronghold there. Especially considering the sword remained at Hogwarts."
"They didn't know that,"
"They should have."
"So, a magical settlement that isn't Hogsmeade? Diagon Alley, it is,"
"Where is this alley, and how do you know of it?"
"During Riddle's war, he often attacked under anti-apparation wards to incite fear. I would carry Albus into the fight,"
"The more I hear, the less I like. Riddle ought to be given a good thrashing."
"I'll let you have at it,"
Slytherin mumbled less than kind words as the flame transported them again. His furious rambling continued even after they reached, "We really must find an alternative way to travel. I'd need to purchase a donkey's worth of lavender to keep my skin uncharred."
"You were a scaly beast for centuries. You can handle some fire."
"Let me throw you in the lake intermittently and see if you have the same attitude,"
"That's different."
"It is, is it?"
"It is."
"We'll settle this after we visit the goblins. I'd say we head for the white marble?"
"Agreed. It's the kind of ostentatious they'd go for."
Their disillusionment followed them through the gates and held until they were separated from everyone else by walls of flames that rose from the ground.
"We demand an audience with your leader." Godric's voice boomed. He slipped into character with ease. Slytherin was positioned a step behind Godric to be less noticeable.
"We do not cater to the whims of wizards." The answer was expected, and Slytherin smirked.
The fires raged, shielding the Founders from the gazes of curious onlookers. Gryffindor raised a hand, "You should rethink your policy,"
Had Slytherin blinked, he would have missed the moment the large silver sword materialized in Godric's grip.
"I trust you remember exactly what this sword can do?" The tone was calm and even, yet the goblin still blanched. The two wizards followed the frantic creature out of the main lobby, leaving a trail of flames that began to die down. Godric allowed the sword to disappear from his grasp in a show of control.
"We could have made less of a scene," Salazar commented as they walked.
"We could have, but where would the fun have been,"
"I regret missing this,"
Godric's wink promised mischief, but their discussion was halted as they were led into an empty cavern, staring at goblin spears levelled at their throats.
"Oh, look. A welcoming committee," Sal squealed with glee. Godric's body was shielding him from the bulk of the weapons, and with a flick of his wrist, Sal's daggers were in his hands.
Godric didn't flinch, even when a spear prodded at his jugular vein, "Sal. Civil or not?"
"I'd say civil, but I hate being ambushed."
"Your wish is my command," Godric dipped his head and swung his arm around, fully trusting that the sword would reappear. The blade didn't disappoint and sliced through the spears like butter on a summer day.
Sal moved with speed that reminded Godric of the snakes adopted as his symbol. He was fast and struck ruthlessly. Catching Sal's eyes, Godric was surprised by the sudden yellow of his friend's eyes.
"Stop!" The call came from a goblin that entered, wearing a regal metallic tunic unlike the others.
Godric and Salazar turned in sync, pressing their backs against each other to ensure their safety.
The now weaponless goblins reluctantly fell back, and the two wizards allowed their weapons to disappear again.
"I trust we can conduct business, now?" Salazar asked with a surveying look around.
"Who are you?"
"Next time, you ought to just ask. Godric Gryffindor,"
"Salazar Slytherin, in case you didn't get that," Sal interjected.
"This is impossible."
"Not impossible. Merely a little inexplicable," Sal responded, "Helga never marked us as deceased, did she?"
"She did not." The goblin acquiesced.
"Which means that we still have wealth that we left entrusted to your kind," Godric prodded
"You do,"
"Very well, good goblin. We would like what is ours to be returned."
"Our records do not go back that far,"
"Really? Because I recall a cave of etchings that held all of goblin history," Godric turned to Salazar, "Don't you?"
"Well, I was attempting to get Rowena out, so I didn't exactly get a tour,"
"I did. I had enough time to go sightseeing since my sword could cut through goblin wards."
The story was patched together with sheer confidence. Rowena was held captive in an underground cave once upon a time. The sword did bring down goblin wards, although those may have been on the verge of crumbling anyway. The two incidents were also separated by a good few years.
The goblins did record their history by etching them into stone. However, they tended to focus heavily on goblin trades and stories and not so much on wizards. So if they were led to believe that Salazar and Godric had laid siege to them once before, so be it.
"Perhaps, I was incorrect. Yours will be returned to you,"
"Excellent. And I'm sure it will be adjusted to reflect the equivalent wealth of this period?"
"It shall."
"Shall we establish ourselves as patrons of this establishment?" Salazar pondered, enjoying the looks shared among the goblins.
"Perhaps in the future. We have much to do today anyway." Godric agreed, "A quarter of our wealth must be suitable for Muggle trade,"
The goblin gave a surly nod of acceptance and cleared the room.
The wizards waited patiently for the most part, although Sal glared at many a passing goblin. Godric occupied his time by flipping and catching the sword, making it disappear and reappear at different angles.
Finally, two bags were thrust into their hands and Godric and Salazar accepted their new Muggle and Wizarding capital with twin bows of thanks. They left Gringotts by flames intending to return to the Muggle world. Instead, they reappeared in a random clearing with trees and benches. Godric tried to transport them again, but they always returned within the same area.
"While you attempt to figure this out, I will go for a walk," Slytherin attempted to sound cavalier.
"Not happening. You will just take the opportunity to do something reckless."
"I hate to tell you this, but the centuries have made you dull," The former basilisk pouted.
"You are staying right here."
"Fine. But, I will be getting the strange snake chariot. With your coin, no less,"
Godric caught a glimpse of black hair and a tiny body that looked familiar. The boy appeared to be fleeing. In a second, the man disappeared and a phoenix dug it's talons into Salazar's shoulder, "Ouch. You damned bird."
Godric flew towards the boy, settling on his shoulder and pecking his hair. Harry leaned into the touch, eyeing the green-robed man that followed with caution, "Who are you?"
"What does it matter? You know the bird, yes?"
Harry studied Salazar for a minute. Eventually, he sighed and sat on one of the park's empty benches, "Is something wrong at Hogwarts?" Harry finally asked, "Do they need to get into the Chamber?"
"Everything is fine. You speak?"
"Too much, according to my relatives,"
"They do not appreciate your gifts?"
"What gifts?" The boy snorted
"You can talk to snakes, yes?"
"Oh. That. Yeah, it's not great."
"What?! The language of serpents is a noble speech. It can only be spoken by a select few. Parseltongue is a revered talent for a reason." If Godric had not smacked his head with a wing, Sal's rant would have gone on.
"It's a mark of a dark wizard. Slytherin was a Parselmouth. And so was Voldemort."
"They were men too. Is that the mark of a dark wizard also?"
"Well, I haven't heard of any Dark Ladies, so maybe?"
Salazar laughed, "We'll see how you feel in a few years."
"Who are you, anyway?"
"Salazar Slytherin. I owe my life to you, by the way."
Harry turned away, "Fawkes, are you a secret prankster? Did Professor Dumbledore get confounded and Polyjuiced?"
Godric rubbed his head against Harry's cheek. Salazar's eyes lit up, "What is this Polyjuice? New liquor?"
"Liquor? No, it's a potion that lets you become someone else,"
"Shape-shifting potions! Where can I find it?"
Harry was looking between the excited wizard and the equally excited phoenix and wondered exactly what was happening. He took a deep breath, "You can make some. Me, Ron, and Hermione brewed some in the second-floor bathroom." His eyes widened immediately, "That's a secret. Snape would kill us if he knew."
"Such greatness. I must meet these remarkable young wizards." Salazar crooned,
"Witch and wizard. Besides, Hermione's a muggle-born, and if you're pretending to be Slytherin, you should know his opinions about those,"
"I have opinions about muggle-borns?" Sal asked, directing his question to the bird on Harry's shoulder. Godric shrugged; he was researching Muggles, after all.
"Death to all of them? This is not a good impression, Mister,"
"I am Salazar Slytherin!"
"Alright. I don't know what's happening here, but I think it's time I go."
"Go where?"
"I was heading to the Leaky Cauldron. I kind of blew up my uncle's sister, and Vernon would probably kill me if I go back there tonight,"
"Is it not safe for you there?"
"Professor Dumbledore says it's the safest place for me." The boy began to walk away, leaving the man to exchange rapid whispers with the phoenix.
"Wait!" Sal shouted, and the lad stopped, turning to face them again. Slytherin quickly continued, "Do you have to get to the inn right now?"
"Not really, I guess."
"If there's anyone we ought to tell, it's you."
"Tell me what?"
"This isn't the first time that the three of us have been in the same room,"
"Are you a time-travelling Dumbledore?" Harry asked, gaze swinging between the snickering bird and the man.
"You're not all wrong, actually." Slytherin announced proudly before continuing, "Come with us. You trust Fawkes, and if I turn my wand on you, I will die,"
Harry seemed to consider it for a second and that had Slytherin on edge. No child should ever be that willing to leave with a strange man and a magical bird.
"Go where?"
"Hogwarts, of course,"
"Okay," Harry's shoulders drooped with relief and he agreed, grabbing hold of the phoenix's tail feathers.
The three disappeared in a shower of sparks, the hastily erected muggle-repelling wards falling. The shaggy black dog lurking under the shrubs with his ears cocked and eyes shining went unnoticed.