Verus

10th century, Hogwarts Castle

The years after Merlin’s visit only seemed to pass by blissfully. The great wizard, visited once every few moons, enough to see what had become of his task. He witnessed the growth of young Harry, how the founders cherished and shaped the child, he watched as the four elders joined together to ensure that the small babe was loved, nourished, and looked after. The boy had well and truly wormed his way into each of their hearts, even if some were a little more reluctant to admit to this fact than others.

Harry evolved into quite the eccentric character too, he was curious about everything and anything, and rather enjoyed floundering through the historic castle he’d taken to calling home.

The first few years of his life had definitely been a learning curve- for all those involved. Harry’s magic was a great deal more powerful than Merlin had first suspected, it was wild, enigmatic, and rather instinctive. It resembled a feeling similar to that of the wizard’s own, and Merlin had only just come to terms with the astounding attestation that Harry drew from both the world around him when casting, as well as his core. A delightful mixture of the Olde Magic, that had been long lost since the passing of King Arthur, and the present form of magic, which had evolved and infiltrated the current Wizarding world.

Harry truly was a wonder to watch and to teach, his magic was distinctive and elemental, though often times temperamental, especially when the boy’s accidental magic had come into play (much to the chagrin of one, Salazar Slytherin).

They’d had to begin the boy’s control lessons after a certain mishap had occurred in the Great Hall, where Harry had gotten rather zealous over an announcement and sent quite the spark flailing through the air. Which had, thankfully, only resulted in Godric fussing over his singed beard and Salazar snorting into his dinner. This control allowed Harry to connect further with his core, to understand how magic was truly supposed to feel, and how it could aid him.

Occlumency training had started soon afterwards, and it helped a great deal, seeing as Harry’s imaginative and bold displays of magic started to occur less and less often. The boy instead chose to make use of his powers by furthering his inquisitive nature, something Helga largely appreciated.

It hadn’t stopped there though, magic seemed to call to Harry like sailors to a singing siren. The boy could make objects appear wordlessly when and where he wanted by the time he was four, and vanish them too. He loved to transfigure his work into birds that were delivered promptly to the founders’ desks, and grinned mischievously whenever the birds grew impatient with waiting. By the time he was six, he had built a great control over his wandless magic and felt at ease using most spells, simply flicked a hand whenever needed.

Of course, it wasn’t just magic that he’d been taught. No, Harry learned to read and write with remarkable ease early on. And although he detested most of his etiquette lessons, claiming they tended to drag on, the boy grew accustomed to what was expected of him, he understood and learnt how he was supposed to act and treat other people. He was shaping up to be quite the little heir, something Godric liked to remind them all of.

Customs and traditions were often brought up too, and Merlin liked to sit and chat with Harry whenever he stopped by to talk History, to explain the events of the world the child would soon have to live in.

Languages were also infused into Harry’s daily life, mostly due to Rowena’s insistence. Latin had come first, then as had Harry adapted the witch quickly trailed into French. Rowena was all for the idea that once a person had become fluent in a language that was different to that of their native tongue, they then had the capability to further their linguistic skills. Which meant that new languages were often brought up and used whenever Harry spent time with the dark haired witch.

Around the age of seven, the founding four thought it best to properly begin introducing the boy to the schooling of magic, and had sat down all together one eve to create a desirable timetable which established who would teach Harry what subjects. Upon hearing this news, Harry had been overly obsessed with the idea of learning proper magic and started reading all kinds of books to better prepare himself for the upcoming change. More often than not he’d be found in the near-vacant library, or ambling through the castle’s halls engrossed in a passage or text. More than once he’d had to have Salazar silently steer him away from a moving staircase and towards safer ground.

It was early one Thursday morning though, after everything had been finalised, that the four finally decided to gather.

Harry bounded into the room they had dubbed a sitting area with Godric hot on his tail, the young boy laughed joyously as he bypassed Rowena and ducked behind the chaise lounger Salazar had taken perch on. Godric went to grab at him playfully, grinning all the while, only to have Salazar bat him away as though he were a giant pest. Harry poked his tongue out at the redhead in victory.

“Quick thinking, young one, but next time you won’t be so lucky. Sal won’t always be there to save the day.” Godric conceded with a wink, he smoothed down his robes before he took a seat opposite.

Helga smiled warmly at the sweet boy who had swung out of his hiding place to plop himself down by her feet. “Did you enjoy your flying lesson, Harry?”

Harry nodded happily and flashed her a big smile. “Yep! Ric let me soar over the lake. My feet skimmed the water and everything! It was insane.”

Both of the women in the room shot a stern look towards the man in question, who simply shrugged as he feigned an itch.

“I do hope Godric had the good sense to warn the selkies of your fun.” Rowena quipped, turning her nose up at the redhead as she pursed her lips.

Godric rolled his eyes, albeit fondly. “Oh, my dearest Ro, you know the merpeople hardly ever venture that far up. The child was perfectly fine.”

Rowena simply tutted.

Harry blinked, before grinning madly. “There are people in the lake?”

Helga offered him an airy titter as she ran her fingers through his shoulder length hair. It was sleek, even with all its curls, a great change to the uncontrollable birds nest the boy had been saddled with throughout his infant years. She smiled.

“Now, can we get to the point as to why we are all here?” Salazar started before anyone could prompt the inquisitive child further, barely withholding a sigh, “Harry, we thought it best to gather in close quarters this morning to inform you of your studies. But, there are rules and instructions put in place, and you must vow not to purposely disobey them.” He added upon seeing the young boy’s face light up.

Harry nodded, his face solemn as he stared up at the potions master, “I will.”

Rowena turned towards the child first, a gentle smile blessed her sharp features. “Charms will be your first lesson with me, then over the coming weeks we’ll add in Arithmancy, the Study of Runes, as well as Wards and Protections.”

Harry’s smile grew and he shuffled in place when Godric drew his attention.

“I know our flying lessons have already begun, but alongside those, I’ll be here to teach you Defensive magic and Transfiguration. Then when you are feeling able we will begin to delve into the art of blade handling.”

“So I’ll get to use the Gryffindor sword?” Harry inquired excitedly, having watched the older man duel with the long, silver blade since he could crawl.

Godric smirked knowingly and so, in Harry’s excitement, he missed the eye roll Salazar gave the godforsaken sword.

A tender hand brushed at Harry’s forehead and the boy leant back so that he could peer up at the blonde woman sat behind him. “I hope you’ll enjoy the lessons I have prepared for you, I think you’ll rather enjoy Astronomy. But you will also learn Music, Herbology, and Care of Magical Creatures with me.”

“Yes,” Salazar drawled, drawing Harry’s focus, “And I have been given the task of teaching you both Offensive and Mind magic, alongside the Art of Potions and the History of Magic.”

Harry couldn’t dim the grin that overwhelmed his soft features, practically splitting his face in half, upon hearing this. He’d be learning real magic, casting spells that he’d only ever dreamt of using, and absorbing a whole world of information he hadn’t even dared to imagine.

—

During his first week, Harry had been gifted a very beautiful yew wand. It had been fitted with the core of a Peruvian Vipertooth heartstring and had been something Harry had been looking forward to most, having gone over the different types of woods and cores that could suit certain types of wixen with Merlin the summer prior.

But even with the excitement of having earned his own wand, it turned out, that magic wasn’t all just fun and games, Harry found his schooling to be a little trickier than he’d first expected.

Transfiguration with Godric had been practically mind-numbing. He’d really struggled to understand exactly why it was necessary for him to create life from something so obviously inanimate, and how to go about doing so.

Ric had continued to spout enthusiasm throughout the whole painful ordeal, praising and consoling Harry where needed, but the man had hit a metaphorical wall on just how to help the boy without hindering any of their previous progress.

Unsurprisingly enough, it was actually Merlin who had made a breakthrough with Harry.

It seemed that when working with Old Magic it tended to be much harder for the caster to create life from an object, rather than drawing from the living world around them. So when Godric had set Harry the task of turning a twig into a stick insect, well, Harry hadn’t possessed the necessary power to do so, which had been quite bewildering. It had taken four days for the boy to focus his attention enough so that he could use his inner core to preform the spell, something most wizards did without second guessing. But once Harry had mastered it, the two separate magics inside of him seemed to blend seamlessly with one another, instead of waging an all out war. Slowly but surely, his ability to transfigure objects came rather naturally.

Another issue arose when Rowena had him in her Charms lessons, because it became fairly obvious just how much Harry preferred going wandless. The excitement of having a wand had dwindled quickly and using it felt like more effort than he was used to, he also often struggled to cast correctly, having spells rebound or merely die out before they could bloom.

It was during his second week that the witch had Harry use a Levitation Charm on a swan feather, and with the help of his wand harry had managed to, not only, throw his feather across the room but also the entire drawer in which Rowena held a few spares. To say that the witch had been surprised would have been an understatement, especially once she had cleared away the created mess and found Harry quietly levitating his quill without having barely lifted a finger.

From then on it was decided that he would be taught without a wand, learning a little beyond the basics before he was taught how to use his wand to the best of his ability too. Though he much preferred it without, Harry settled for learning all that he could, that and plus he liked how much it made the founders proud.

Care of Magical Creatures had been an incredible display. During his third lesson with Helga, she had presented him with a unicorn that was quite obviously a colt, its horn only just having grown in and not baring the golden coat needed to recognise a foal. It glistened beautifully under the afternoon sun and seemed to be quite the fan of the blonde witch. Harry, in his hasty excitement, had all but darted towards the magical creature- which in retrospect, had been a huge mistake.

He really should have known better. So seeing the unicorn rear back at his sudden presence had been hard to witness as had watching Helga calm the colt from the sidelines.

The witch had reprimanded him for his thoughtlessness but hadn’t sent him away like he’d expected, instead she chose to reintroduce him to the wary creature. Harry had read that Unicorns much preferred a woman’s touch, but seeing as the colt was still fairly young they were a lot more trusting, he’d learned from his previous mistake and took caution when he reproached the creature. The unicorn had been incredibly hesitant at first but Harry used his magic to send out soothing pulses through the earth beneath them and spoke to it in a low hush, showing the respect he had previously forgotten. The colt had all but eaten out of the palm of his hand, and still to this day often preferred the company of the boy over the group of young scattered throughout his herd.

Even with his bout of beginners hiccups, Harry was getting along quite well and so he felt prepared for whatever was to come his way as he headed towards his first lesson with Salazar. There was simply something about the older man that drew Harry in, he had a large, almost looming presence, and although he wasn’t the most affectionate person, Harry rather liked being around him. He was different to the other founders in more ways than one.

Harry tensed upon entering the potions lab, having spotted the current mood Salazar was in. The man had always been quite intimidating, all work and no play, but when he was angry- or worse yet, frustrated- he was a brutal force to be reckoned with.

Salazar’s blazing eyes snapped up to meet Harry’s stiff form when the door creaked shut behind him, he barked at Harry to hurry up and enter, and so the boy jumped in response and hastily made his way over to the man’s side.

“Sal…” Harry ventured, gingerly.

“Just sit.” The man snapped out, grumbling under his breath as he tried to clean what looked to be the contents of an exploded potion.

§I should have known not to mix those two compounds!§ Salazar hissed quietly to himself, and Harry’s brow furrowed, never having heard the man deprecate his work before. Salazar was one of, if the not the best potions master the world had to offer, Harry had heard even Godric admit to this fact. So seeing him so torn up over a simple mistake was a little surprising, it made the scary potioneer all the more human.

§What did you mix?§ Harry found himself asking, unconsciously slipping into the language the man had just used.

§It’s a basic rule, I should have-§

Salazar halted, and blinked down at the seven year old stood in his presence.

“Did you just speak in Parseltounge?” Inquired Salazar in a tone of disbelief. Harry’s nose scrunched up at the question as he tilted his head.

“The snake language?”

“The snake!-“ Salazar exclaimed, before he inhaled and shook his head, “If you mean the ancient tongue of the serpents, then yes.”

“Um, I’m not sure.” Harry shrugged, unsure on how else to answer his teacher as his eyes surveyed the mess. “I thought only you could speak it.”

Salazar’s hard steely eyes bored into Harry’s for a brief moment before the man swiftly turned away to pick up a shard of glass. §Are you sure you understand me, child?§

Harry blinked then raised a slow brow, wondering if he should call for Helga seeing as there was something obviously wrong with the potions master. §Of course I can!§

And then the most incredible thing occurred, Sal laughed.

Not his usual derisive snort or amused huff, no, Salazar bellowed out a booming cackle. One that had Harry gawping.

§We are not speaking English, Harry.§ Salazar told him once his laughter had ebbed into a faint chortle, though amusement still lined his words.

§We’re not?§ Harry questioned, eyes wide.

Salazar smiled and settled a hand on the young boy’s shoulder. §No, child. But it seems as though my plans for this lesson have changed. Instead of brewing, I will teach you how to use this gift and its magic. You will learn how to identify the switch between dialects, perhaps we will write too.§

The beaming grin that engulfed Harry’s face rattled something deep within Salazar.

§This is so amazing.§ The young boy whispered.

§Indeed it is.§ Salazar exhaled, giving the child’s shoulder a small squeeze of affection. §Treasure it well.§

—

After Harry’s first potion lesson, things changed rather rapidly.

The three other founders were unsure on what had exactly happened during the time both Harry and Salazar had spent in the confined lab, but whatever it had been, it had obviously changed the entirety of twos relationship. And it was wonderful, albeit a tad strange, to see the most severe of the four welcome this change so effortlessly.

Before, Harry had tended to avoid the dungeons whenever possible, used to only being around the dark haired man whenever he was roaming the rest of the castle. But now the boy spent almost all of his free time with Salazar. The two spoke in hushed tones, shared secret smiles, and it was rather funny to catch the dark haired wizard striding to and fro, only to find Harry trailing not too far behind him, fighting to catch up. The other three had expected Salazar to grow tired of the seemingly relentless stalking, the never-ending chase, and all of Harry’s incessant questioning. But the stoic man always had the time to spare for the small child, a smile here and there, or an answer which delved deeper into one of Harry’s many inquiries. Godric believed his old friend to be rather delighted with the new found attention, basking in it he deemed, whilst Rowena simply awaited the day Salazar would grow too frustrated and snap.

Since Harry had begun to look at Sal in a new light, the wizard was mighty and practically all-knowing. Salazar answered any question he had to ask, no matter how quaint, taught him all of the first year basics to potions in the few short weeks which led up to Yule, and shared with him the secret chamber in which he had built upon the construction of Hogwarts. It wasn’t long before the nicknames started up either, Salazar would smile proudly at him and call Harry ‘Snakelet’ or ‘Little Serpens’. In turn, it only further warmed Harry to the wizard.

Though this was not to say that the boy didn’t divide his time fairly amongst the others, he gardened when he could with Helga, duelled often with Godric, and spent time painting with Rowena after having found out about her penchant for sketching one day. His time within the castle walls was an adventure, and he couldn’t imagine a life anywhere else.

“So essentially, there is more than just the first wall of defence in a person’s mindscape?” Harry commented as he widened his gait to fall more easily into step with his tutor, though it was quite the struggle not to trod on the man’s long and elegant emerald robes.

Salazar briskly turned the next corner at the end of the corridor, “Of course. Otherwise it would all be rather futile, do you think it not? If an army had a single line of defence then what good would it do? The entire battalion would be defeated in a single blow.”

Harry hummed and grew lost in thought, needing to be commandeered upon approaching the next corner. Sal hid his fond smile behind an eye roll just as the two entered the main chambers.

“So you’re saying that I need more than the first line of defence I’ve already constructed.” Harry inquired, green eyes focused intently on Slytherin.

Godric, who was lounging not too far, greeted them both with an amused grin. “Line of defence? Sal, I do hope you’re not planning to lead our young Harry here into his first battle.”

“I would not dream of it. I save all that Gryffindor idiocy for you to teach, Ric.” Salazar smirked at his friend before he paused and turned to face his young protege. “But yes, Snakelet. We will continue to work on it.”

Harry nodded and allowed himself to be welcomed and ushered into the small circle, which had been created, by Helga. Rowena joined them a moment later, in conversation with a familiar bearded wizard.

“Merlin!” Harry greeted the man with a large smile, big enough that Merlin laughed jovially and pressed a hand to the boy’s head as he stepped by.

“Harry. Rowena has just been telling me of your proficient work in Runes, I am glad to hear that you are exceeding expectations.”

Harry brightened at the praise. “It’s rather interesting how they coincide with other areas of magic.”

“Indeed.” Merlin smiled.

“Are we to begin then?” Godric questioned once it was obvious everyone was seated and ready. Harry’s brow furrowed in confusion as his eyes scanned the circle.

Merlin sighed and swiped gently at the knee of his dark robes. “It seems this day had felt a lot further away when we first planned it.”

Only Helga gave the man a sad smile.

“What do you mean?” Harry wondered, peering around the room at the surrounding faces. “Why have we gathered?”

“You will know all in due time.” Salazar conceded, quieting the boy, “Patience, Little Serpens.”

Harry’s lips pursed just as Merlin turned to face the child.

“Harry, can you recall the tale I often told you? The one in which answers your question of how you came to be, of how you were placed here.”

“Yes.” Harry answered with a nod and proceeded to smile at each one of the founders. “You fled with me one Saimhan, after the death of my parents, and brought me back to a time in which you deemed I would be safe.”

“That is correct, my dear. But it is time you learned that there is more to that story than first told.” Merlin acquiesced, his smile had since faded into a grim line. “You see, Harry, that night was also the night in which you defeated one of the most powerful wizards to be born in centuries.”

Harry blinked a few times in a fruitless attempt to digest that newfound knowledge. It was just something his brain could not quite comprehend. He had defeated a wizard that strong? Him, as a mere baby?

“How so?”

Merlin gifted the boy a faint smile, aged hands clasped in the curve of his lap.

“It is believed that your mother’s love allowed for a curse to rebound off of you, leaving you with only a scar.”

Merlin’s wise gaze lingered for a moment on the boy’s curse scar, a lightning bolt which marred the skin from his temple to his hairline.

“And also rendering the dark wizard who attacked you, powerless.”

“So he’s not dead?” Harry prodded further and Salazar’s lips quirked at the boy’s quick understanding.

“His defeat was celebrated. Wizards across the country relished in his demise. All of them believing him to be dead, and no longer a threat.” Merlin spoke, his eyes trained on Harry. “But to answer your question, no. I do not think him to be dead.”

“But that doesn’t make sense!” Harry voiced loudly, “How could someone survive a curse meant to kill?”

Merlin chuckled, and not unkindly, “The fact that you are sat here before me could be telling.”

Harry groaned unhappily. “It does not add up, Merlin. My mother’s love, of all things, saved me from death’s clutches- how is that so? And this dark wizard you named, what happened to him if he did not vanquish?”

With a sigh, Merlin shifted closer to reply, but it was Helga who spoke up.

“Harry, why don’t you hear the rest of the tale before you delve any deeper into questions?” The petite witch suggested.

Harry’s lips thinned but he nodded once. Knowing better than to argue with the Hufflepuff woman, it was a feat no one could win.

“The dark wizard, I should mention, bestowed a certain name upon himself, Voldemort, though he much preferred the title of the Dark Lord.

He had built up an army of loyal followers. All of whom wished for purity within the Wizarding World, they wanted our traditions to be celebrated, as they felt the muggleborn children who were being introduced into the magical world each and every year were slowly but surely diminishing their customs, their magic.”

Harry frowned.

“That is… fair. Is it not? To want our customs and traditions to be withheld.” Harry’s head turned towards Salazar, “I couldn’t imagine not celebrating with you all each solstice. Never mind, never again.”

Slytherin raised a knowing brow, but said nothing.

“It is a fair wish to want, young one.” Godric conceded instead, ”But the way they went about it was unjust.”

“Is that why this wizard, Voldemort, tried to kill me? Did he believe me to be a muggleborn?” Harry queried.

Merlin shook his head, “No, child. But he did wish to remove them from our societies, in whichever way he deemed necessary.”

“Right…”

“I know I have mentioned Grindelwald to you in the past, Harry, during my teachings of history. You’ll find that these two men held many of the same views.”

Understanding dawned on Harry. “Oh.”

“Yes, oh. They did not like the fact that their family lines were being tainted by muggles, either. They felt this weakened their blood and in doing so, their magic.

“Voldemort and his followers grew rather powerful during his uprising, so much so that an actual war broke out. During those dark times many innocent lives were lost. Mayhem erupted everywhere.

“It is necessary that you understand that there was a lot at stake, Harry, and the night your parents were killed, the war was at its height. Both sides, dark and light, were battling for victory. For freedom.”

“So who won, the light?”

“It would appear that way, yes, but as I said, a fair few believe Voldemort to still be alive. Hiding.”

Harry swallowed noisily, then dipped his head in acknowledgement. “Is that the reason as to why you brought me here? Did you think he would come after me, to finish what he started?”

Helga paled at the young boy’s words whilst Rowena had to turn away.

“It’s not quite as simple as that.” Merlin told Harry, “The night you survived the curse, you were found by your godfather-“

“I have a godfather?”

Godric chuckled behind Harry and watched as the young boy peered up at the ageing wizard.

Merlin nodded at him with a smile. “Yes, Sirius Black. He was a good friend of your father’s through school. The two were as close as brothers, or so I have been told.”

Harry smiled at the thought before a question inevitably hit him. “Does he know where I am then? My godfather.”

“Many things happened that night, Harry. Your godfather, well he nearly fell victim to a set of already spiralling plans. In fact, he was almost arrested for the murder of your parents.”

Harry’s face fell upon hearing those words. “Almost?”

“Almost. But it was a fellow light wizard who kept him out of the Aurors way, a man who worked as a spy for both the dark and the light. I believe he was once quite close with your mother too.” Merlin recalled, humming. “Anywho, by the time your godfather made it back onto the scene, you were gone.”

“And ended up here.”

With a chuckle, Merlin shook his head, “Not quite, but do not fret, my dear, we are nearly there.”

Harry’s head tilted in reply.

“The light, like the dark, had a leader. Where it was Voldemort who led his followers, another powerful wizard guided those who fought against the Dark Lord. Albus Dumbledore was against everything the dark stood for, its magic, its beliefs, its teachings. He was the one who took you from your parents cottage that night and placed you on the doorstep of your mother’s sister’s house. She was Muggle, and had a son your age.”

Chewing his lip, Harry catalogued everything he’d just been told. “This wizard, Dumbledore, why would he take me there?”

“He believed it to be the best choice for you. You, a mere babe, had just defeated the Dark Lord, you were famous, Harry- you still are. And so Albus believed it best for you to grow up in a world without magic, without fame. Though he thought it right, I could not allow it to be done.”

“Why not?”

Melin gave a tired sigh, the choice had not been an easy one, “I have the power of knowing, my dear. What I saw, it was not a life any one should have to lead. Let alone a child. Albus had his suspicions, that I know, but the fool thought it was the right move for everyone involved. To keep you far away.”

“Merlin brought you here, Harry. To us. He knew that we could offer everything you needed. A real home. Love. Knowledge.” Rowena reassured him.

Harry smiled sweetly at her. “I couldn’t imagine growing up anywhere else.”

Then he looked back at the old man.

“No one knows I’m here then.”

Merlin shook his head.

“Not even my godfather?”

“No.”

Harry nodded once.

Merlin watched him for a moment, it was a strange concept, the reality of time had a funny way of hitting you when you least expected it.

“I have visited him from time to time. He is happy, shares his life with someone, though it is obvious he is pained to be without you. Without your parents.” Merlin added, and though his words brought Harry some comfort, a silence fell.

“What I don’t get, is how everything escalated so quickly,” Harry piped up, mind buzzing with thoughts, theories. “Do the wizards of my time know nothing about the art of debate? Politics?”

Salazar snorted, highly amused, but was silenced by Rowena’s halfhearted glare.

Merlin merely smiled, “Humans are strange beings, Harry. We all want glory. We all want to be heard. We all think we are right.”

“But my right might not be your version of right.” Harry challenged.

Godric laughed merrily, “How correct you are, Harry!”

Harry gave a small smile but did not take his eyes off of Merlin.

“Why did the dark wizard want to kill me then?”

A sigh escaped Merlin’s lips, “It was prophesied.”

Harry’s lip curled in distaste at the mere thought. Growing up within the castle he had been rather grateful not to have delved any deeper into the teachings of Divination (all Salazar’s doing), but having heard about the subject and flitted through some light reading, Harry could say that he was definitely not a fan. The future, in his eyes, held many endings. Prophesied, or not. And those endings could always be changed, altered.

“And so this Dark Lord listened?” Harry rolled his eyes.

A breathy laugh escaped Merlin, amused by the child’s reaction, “Perhaps so, it seems that way, doesn’t it? But I do not claim to know what goes on in the minds of others, Harry.”

The young boy hummed.

“Voldemort was powerful, that much is true, but he let his fear rule him. Understand that, my dear. You simply got caught in the middle of it.”

Harry frowned, “Fear of what?”

“He was terrified of the inevitable, child. The one thing no one can escape.”

Harry looked up at the old man with a pinched brow, but it was Salazar who answered his unasked question.

“Death, Little Snake.” Slytherin told Harry, just as a gentle hand clasped his right shoulder.

Harry inhaled and nodded slowly.

“What’s supposed to happen when I return then?”