Verus

10th century, Hogwarts Castle

“Oh, Harry, Sal, there you are!” Rowena greeted grandly as the duo traipsed into the chamber of which the party had seemingly been moved to. The seemingly happy witch ambled over towards them and proceeded to pull the younger wizard in close. “We wondered where you had gotten to- oh my!”

Salazar snickered at the sight of the dark haired woman, whom had jumped an inch within her life at the appearance of the black serpent which had taken up residence around Harry’s forearm. The snake hissed unforgivingly at the sudden screech but went pliant under Harry’s soothing touch.

§Hush now, she is of no threat.§ Harry hissed back in the serpent’s mother-tongue, wearing a small amused smile. Rowena watched on diligently, before she blinked from her stupor.

“I always forget that the pair of you are two of the same- in more ways than one, it would seem.” She said and shook her head fondly.

Salazar, stood at Harry’s side and petting the young hatchling, merely smirked in retort. “And you three still claim that he will fall into the clutches of one of your houses whilst he’s away studying.”

Rowena’s eyes slitted at his words, but she simply huffed and turned her back on them both, “He is far too intelligent to end up anywhere but Ravenclaw, Salazar- and from what Merlin has spoken of, it is a rather prestigious house, one both Harry and I will be very proud to be apart of.”

As Salazar trailed after the witch to further argue his point, Harry couldn’t fight the slight smile which sprang to his lips, this debate had been going on ever since Merlin had first let it slip that Hogwarts had commiserated the memory of the four founders into the school’s sorting of students. But, although their ego’s had been supremely stroked upon having heard the news, they had also found the concept of categorising magical students into groups merely based off of personality alone to be rather witless.

“Ah Harry! Just the young man I was hoping to find.” Godric exclaimed from a foot away, grinning as he sidled over, it seemed that he had already helped himself to some of the desserts which were hovering around, carrying a plate full of delicious delicacies.

Harry greeted the man’s sudden company with a grin.

“Sal’s message indicated that you had just needed a moment to yourself.” Godric mentioned, “I did have my fears that the festivities would be far too much for you and tried to waylay them, but you know how stubborn witches can sometimes be.”

Harry huffed out an airy laugh as he shook his head and waved away the wizard’s worries. “I had a wonderful time, Ric. Honestly, I couldn’t have pictured a better way to have spent my birthday.”

Godric positively glowed upon hearing Harry’s reassurance and squeezed the young man’s shoulder in turn. “Of that, I am glad, my lad. Now, why don't introduce me to this new friend of yours?”

With a prideful smile, Harry turned slightly to show off the magnificent creature wound around his bicep, the snake wriggled before it preened at the sudden attention of its master.

“She truly is a beauty,” Ric commented lowly as he crouched to get a better look at its iridescent scales, “But where in Gods name did you find her? I can’t ever recall having found any nests amongst the grounds.”

Green eyes glimpsed away for the very briefest of seconds, but it was just long enough so that Godric could get a good idea of what his answer might be.

“Salazar! You conniving fiend!” Godric bellowed as he spun around on his heel and marched over to where the dark wizard was now perched. He only continued to berate the man on his sensibilities once he had made his way over and Harry watched on in amusement as Helga and Rowena quickly joined in after having learnt of what Sal had been up to.

When the Slytherin cut his eyes sharply at Harry, Harry simply smiled, his eyes alive and glinting.

That was when Merlin chose to approach.

“They’re insane.” Harry commented to him under his breath, but was all too happy to watch the scene play out. The older wizard hummed around a grin.

“Indeed.” Said Merlin, and he was quiet for a moment before he spoke again. “They care very much for you, that much is obvious. Perhaps that is why they seem so fixated on the idea of where you’ll end up once you leave here. I can only begin to believe that they all want to form some other connection with you, even if it is frivolous.”

Harry hadn’t quite thought of it that way, he guessed his pensive silence must have tipped Merlin off as the man moved on without another word said on the topic. He turned to hold out a finger towards the tiny snake, who had slithered further up over Harry’s shoulders, and stroked the creature’s underneath. Harry was surprised to see that he was permitted.

“A sunbeam if I’m not mistaken.” Merlin smiled at Harry’s nod, “And what have you come to name her?”

The young man blinked at that. In all his excitement, it seemed he had forgotten to name his new familiar.

Merlin laughed at his apparent distress and clapped Harry heartily on the shoulder as he pulled away. “Not to worry, my dear. I am sure you will think of something worthy. But I will say, she seems like a little fighter.”

And with that the older wizard wandered off to join the rest of the party, leaving Harry to his thoughts.

With pursed lips, Harry raised an arm up towards the serpent and observed as it curled around his wrist. §It seems that I lack the incentive to name you.§ He informed the creature quietly, as to not to disturb the others playful ridicule and ribbing, then added, §Or to ask if perhaps you had already been gifted one.§

The creature stared back at him with unblinking eyes for a long moment before its oscillating tongue darted out into the air in a whispered hiss. §You wish to title me, speaker?§ Harry dipped his head at her in return. §I see. I do not understand the appeal, but if it would benefit you…§

The young wizard snorted softly to himself. §I think it just might.§

The snake hissed almost thoughtfully, before she spoke once more, §Then I suppose you may.§

Harry shared a secret smile with her and, almost simultaneously, a name instantly sprung to mind.

§How about Helios? The ancient Greek God of the Sun. All Seeing, too. It seems rather fitting, no?§

§Eloquent enough. It sounds strong.§

Harry smirked down at her, §Shall I take that as your apparent approval?§

Helios hissed back once more before she curled inwards and slithered into the sleeve of Harry’s robes, he shook his head at her with a faint chuckle. Thankful for the hellish little thing.

—

It appeared as though the entirety of the castle had joined in on the embarrassment of wanting to sing Harry a Happy Birthday later that evening, but the young wizard hadn’t been able to hide his smile even as he'd struggled through it all.

The party was still somehow thriving as the evening air seeped in, mead having been passed out in measured handfuls, and everyone having an incredible time.

“Blow out the candles, Snakelet!” Came Sal’s voice from over the herd of noise, echoed again by Godric who seemed rather eager to get started on the consuming of the traditional dessert.

Harry laughed at them both as he leant in closer towards the four tiered cake, coated in honeycomb icing, and proceeded to blow out the bundle of candles which sat atop. He reopened his eyes as a chorus of cheers engulfed the room and grinned out at all the people he loved.

He hadn’t had the heart to wish for anything this year. Not that he’d ever let that slip- he could just about imagine Godric’s theatric dramatics over merely hearing such an idea.

But, it had all just begun to feel much too real, and really, how was he supposed to wish for anything but the life he already held here?

Harry knew better than to ask for the impossible though. He had a whole world out there waiting for him, and although it only planned to use him as a trivial chess piece in its petty little war, he wasn’t about to willingly let it. No, if the Gods had prophesied this fate for him then he would make sure that he fulfilled it, only he would come out on top. For everything he was about to lose- and had already lost- he knew that he deserved that much.

—

“Oh, do open mine first, Harry!” Helga prompted from the lounger across from him and Harry watched as she gestured to a perfectly wrapped golden parcel.

Harry smiled as he settled the gift within his lap and tore at the edging, trying not to pay too much mind to the onlooking eyes. He unwrapped the paper to reveal a beautifully carved box, its exterior as dark as the inside of an ebony tree.

“Its stunning.” Harry breathed as his fingertips trailed carefully over the ridges towards the gold clasp, “Thank you, Helga.”

The bright-eyed witch waved his thanks away and leant forward so that they both could get a look inside the box as it opened. “The casing is awing indeed, but the real gift lies within. They call it Secretum Secretorum, or The Secret Book of Secrets.”

Harry blinked down at the ancient old book held inside. It looked well-loved, the edges only slightly dogeared, and the tight leather binding wrinkled. It was no bigger than the size of his opened hand. He was cautious as he pulled it from the box.

“It was passed down to me by my father,” Helga informed him quietly as Harry opened the book to reveal pages on pages of dark ink. “Only the owner can know its contents, and the secrets it stores within its binding cannot be shared if opened by another.”

Harry couldn’t find the words to say to her, to describe his gratitude, as his eyes flew across the scrawled scriptures and many sketches which lined the insides. There had to have been a world of impossible information filed away within its yellowed pages.

Helga was smiling when he gazed up at her, “I know it will aid you well, little warrior.”

The young wizard swallowed thickly as he drew the witch in for a much needed embrace.

Godric complained a little as he handed over his own present full of knives, mumbling about how no one had stuck to the gift giving guidelines. Which only made Harry laugh. Rowena was a little more subdued in her handling of the matter, but felt her gift of mirrors which allowed for communication was a little underwhelming in comparison to Sal and Helga’s own. Harry assured both of them, wholeheartedly, that he was beyond thankful for what he had received, and would have been happy with simply spending the day in just their company.

Little did the four founders know though, that he had left them all gifts of their own in their chambers upstairs. He only hoped that they found them long after he had parted.

The evening begun to wind down soon after and as the party dwindled, Harry found it harder and harder to force down the pounding heart which sat in his throat.

It was when Merlin finally stood, just as the last light of the setting sun had submerged itself behind the rolling hills, that Harry knew that his time was finally up.

The founders simultaneously seemed to realise this as well. The four pulled themselves to their feet and drew the young wizard in close whilst Merlin wandered over to where Harry’s trunk sat.

Rowena gifted him a sad smile as they pulled away from one another, “Looking at you now, I just know that you will surprise the world in which awaits you, Harry. You are not the child they picture you to be, remember that. You are strong and competent, far more capable than anyone anticipates.”

Her delicate fingers threaded through his dark hair once before she tucked a stray strand behind his ear. Harry watched her soft brown eyes fall to his scar.

“You will be brilliant. Of that, I am sure.” She added in a thoughtful whisper.

Harry captured her slender hand in his own and squeezed tightly, hoping the action would suffice for his lack of words. Rowena kissed his temple in return before she moved on to allow the rest of them their goodbyes.

By the time Merlin had wandered back over, the man was met with a line of watery smiles and teary eyes.

“That time all ready?” Godric asked after a strong sniff. Merlin looked to him with a wry smile.

“It would seem so, my friend. Though, if I am not mistaken, there is one more gift to give.”

Harry frowned as he blinked between the five, he wondered, for a split second, if Merlin meant the presents he had left for them upstairs.

“Ah yes!” Helga beamed before Harry watched her hurry over towards the fireplace, she returned to them with a fraying length of rope in hand.

“Uh,” Harry started, eyeing the worn rope wearily, “What’s this for?”

Salazar snorted at his uncouth reaction and so Harry sent him a rather halfhearted glare before he glanced back towards the blonde witch.

“That, my dear, is a century old hawser.” Merlin informed him instead, he extended a hand out to grip one end of it just as the rest of the founders took one point or another. “It is often used in ceremonies and bondings. Allows magic to be drawn into its well-woven fabric as well as a collective of people.”

With a furrowed brow, Harry looked between all of them. “I don’t understand.”

Helga smiled warmly at him as the rope they held between the five of them was hoisted closer towards his torso. A slight sheen appeared to radiate from it.

“We want to always share a part of us with you, Harry. We are family in more ways than one, but this will allow the fates to recognise you as such.” Helga told him, “It will ensure that magic will recognise you as an heir, our heir.”

Harry choked a little on his own tongue upon hearing that, and his frantic gaze darted between the five adults as though he believed they would soon laugh and tell him that this was all some kind of joke.

“I-” He tried, croaking. “You-”

Godric’s familiar lilt of laughter brought Harry back to his senses and allowed him to see just how serious they were all being.

“Are you sure?” He asked, unable to help himself.

“Quite sure, Snakelet.” Sal smirked at him.

Harry shook his head in utter disbelief before he turned to Merlin himself. “Even you?”

The older wizard grinned, “Especially me, my dear.”

Harry, once again, was lost for words, but this didn’t seem to deter the others. Godric, who was closest, tugged him into his side and Salazar extended the rope out closer, beckoning for Harry to join them.

When his palm met the ropes many threads, a jolt of energy shot down his right arm and caused his fingers to tighten their grip. The sensation could have only been described like lightning. One second the energy was there, then gone, and in its place it left a godlike glow which encased the hawser.

Harry felt the family magics intertwine somewhere deep within him. At the very core of his being. It warmed him endlessly, so much so that he felt it still even as Merlin took hold of his arm and apparated the two of them away.