Hogwarts' Champion

The Dark Lord Voldemort sat in one of the many sitting rooms in the Riddle Manor nursing a tea. Nagini was curled around his feet, sluggish as she digested a rat he had conjured for her. He was simply thinking and waiting, waiting for the boy to sleep. Casting a Tempus charm he frowned, almost three in the morning and the boy was still up. He didn’t mind the time, the Dark Lord was a night owl after all, but he had studied the boys sleep schedule to know when he could send the long visions and Potter had been up much later than normal this evening.

Finally he felt the boy drift to sleep through their connection and grinned, time to work. Voldemort began to follow the connection between them only to be stopped by an unexpected barrier. Frowning he pressed against it, it held firm. He tried to blast it with raw magic and it didn’t even budge. He frowned as he felt a pulse of warning go through the wall in front of him that blocked him from Potter’s mind. He ignored it and focused on what he could still feel of the boy beyond the barrier.

Potter was still asleep; he gave no signs that he felt Voldemort and was, in fact, enjoying a peaceful dream that involved flying. Snorting Voldemort gathered more magic and threw it at the barrier, trying to make it fall. Again the barrier didn’t budge but this time, instead of a warning, the wall sent a wave of magic at him that threw him back along the connection and into his own body.

Voldemort opened his eyes and frowned, that power was too strong to come from Potter. It had felt old and very pissed. Whatever it was it was protecting the boy. Voldemort hummed in quiet thought and rest his chin on his hand.

“You are my descendent?” came a refined voice filled with disdain.

Instantly Voldemort stood, wand in hand, to face the threat that had apparently made it through the wards without alerting him. In the next second he froze, recognizing the floating man by the fire place as Salazar Slytherin, who he had seen a portrait of when he had explored the Chamber the first time. “Lord Slytherin?” he questioned with a frown, “How are you here?”

The dark haired man raised an eyebrow, “I followed you here through the connection you have with the child.” His green eyes swept over Voldemort’s form, “You look ridiculous child. I love my snakes but the lack of a nose to emulate it is taking it too far.”

Voldemort scolded, “It was not my intention to come back in this form. However it does serve the purpose of scaring my followers.”

“I’m sure.” Salazar said dryly.

“Lord Slytherin, you said you followed me down my connection with Potter. However the intention of my question was how you were here at all. You died centuries ago.” Voldemort said silkily.

“All of the Founders left their conscious mind in Hogwarts in case we were ever needed. Our power cores served to make hers stronger as we passed.” Salazar said, he narrowed his eyes at Voldemort, “Now, why were you attempting to get to the boy?”

Voldemort frowned, “Lord Slytherin, my ancestor I may be but I do not think I should talk with you of my plans. Especially if you reside in Hogwarts.”

Slytherin cocked his head, his cold stare not leaving his face, “While I am glad you are wary I must insist you answer my questions. All of us Founders have awoken. We have a proposition for you but we must know where you stand on several things.”

Voldemort narrowed his eyes, “I will not have my plans reported to the Headmaster.” He hissed, making Nagini sit up and take interest.

“The Headmaster is to be removed one way or another.” Salazar said icily, Voldemort’s eyes widened, “Now answer my questions child and I shall tell you what has transpired. Why were you attempting to get to Harry Potter?”

“To lure him to the Ministry.” Voldemort said easily, “There is a prophecy there that concerns us both that I wish to see. He has the means to get it without setting off the black magic wards.”

“He is under the impression you want to kill him. Is that true?”

Voldemort sighed, “To an extent. I really only want him killed because he keeps getting in the way of my plans. Other than that I could really care less.”

Salazar nodded, “And the end goal for your plans?”

Voldemort frowned, “Conservatively Lord Slytherin? I want control over the British Magical World. It is corrupt and in the corruption our ways and traditions are being lost. I wish to correct it.”

Slytherin eyed him for several seconds, “I have heard a little of your efforts. Do you really think such a Gryffindor tactic as outright war will get you your end goal?”

Voldemort’s hand tightened around his wand, “If I simply took over politically I would only effect the change at the base levels as so many already blatantly ignore the so called power that the Ministry holds. Taking over as a dictator instils fear, allowing for the change to be forced on those who would otherwise ignore it.”

“I see.” Salazar said, he studied Voldemort for several more long second before snapping his fingers. Magic pulsed around the Dark Lord, drawing five flickering orbs into the room before it all converged on Voldemort who let out a yelp very unbecoming of a Dark Lord in surprise. Slytherin watched as his heir shook on the ground, “Stop fighting it child. You need to whole and sane to make any significant progress in your goal.”

Nagini hissed at Salazar and rose up threateningly to strike at him, *You’re hurting my Master!*

*Relax great one.* Salazar soothed, *He is in pain now but his soul was too shattered for him to live much longer, even without the war he’s seeking.* Nagini looked to consider this, nodded and sunk back down as Voldemort stopped thrashing and lay still. A soft gray light surrounded him for a mere second before disappearing. “There.” Salazar said, “Now you look more like my heir.”

Voldemort looked up and with a frown transfigured an empty stand into a full length mirror. “What did you do?!” he exclaimed, taking in his short dark hair and brand new nose. He looked like he had when he was sixteen, with only slight differences. His blue eyes were speckled with red and his eye teeth were still slightly pointed in pseudo fangs. “What did you do!?” he demanded again, turning to Salazar and his eyes flashing red.

Salazar eyed him, unimpressed, “I brought your horcruxes back. Your soul was too shattered for you to succeed in your goal.”

“I was doing fine!” he hissed.

“You’re fooling yourself child!” Salazar snapped, “I was there when the idea of Horcruxes first came about! Anyone who made more than two always went insane and eventually died from strain to the soul and magic! Even the horcruxes didn’t help those people, they simple vanished! You had very little time left!”

“I’ll make more!” Voldemort hissed.

Salazar frowned, “Your soul is recovering. There is very little chance for you to make one at the moment without ending yourself instantly.”

“I refuse to die!” Voldemort hissed, grabbing his wand and standing.

“Calm child. If I know how to bring the horcruxes back please assume I know enough to know what they’re for. I left you one, which is all you need to maintain immortality.” Salazar said, “As long as you keep it close you won’t even feel that the pieces is gone from you.”

“And I don’t suppose you’ll tell me which one you left.” Voldemort huffed.

“I’ll tell you it’s the one you refuse to acknowledge.” Salazar said drawing himself up straight, “Now are you quiet done with your theatrics? We have much to do before morning.”

Voldemort rolled his eyes but sat back in his chair, Nagini rested her head on his knee reassuringly, “Yes I’m done Lord Slytherin.”

“Oh good.” Salazar said dryly, “Now, there is Corruption within Hogwarts.” Voldemort snorted and Slytherin glared at him, “More than even you know if you haven’t noticed that the boy is being manipulated and with the right offer you could have easily drawn him to your side and effectively out of your plans.” Voldemort’s eyes widened and his mouth snapped shut. Salazar nodded, “The Corruption somehow manage to block Hogwarts consciousness from feeling the students so she cannot expel the source. The boy seems to be right in the center at the moment. He is being beaten and trained to withstand the torture curses by the Headmaster and a few of his year mates.”

“What?” Voldemort rasped.

*Poor hatchling.* Nagini hissed.

Salazar smiled at the snake, “Yes, it was quiet bad. This evening he came to Hogwart’s room. He was covered in lacerations and bruises, he was bleeding all over the place, and passed out at the promise of safety. When we woke him up later he told us that his was not the worst he has had.” He returned his eyes to a stricken Voldemort, “He told us that he wanted to run but was afraid of what the Headmaster would do to his family. Now are you fully willing to begin your take over at the school so that we may wipe out the corruption there and protect the students?”

Voldemort considered this then nodded, “Headmaster Dumbledore is very influential in the Ministry and the Wizarding World at large. It would benefit me to take him out first.”

Slytherin grinned, “Yes it would. I will be most proud of you if you can discredit the one who has damaged my school so.” He widened his stance a little, “As for Harry, before we can begin we need to unlock his magic.”

Voldemort frowned, “He has already come of age. How has it not been unlocked already?”

“The corruption brought on by the Headmaster.” Salazar said evenly, “It coats him thoroughly. So much so that when he first entered Hogwarts’ room she thought he was the Corruption and was going to destroy him. His magic has curled in on itself in an attempt to get away from the Corruption around it.”

Voldemort nodded, “I can see that. But why would we need to do that first? I can take the school from within.”

Salazar gave a very uncharacteristic soft smile, “You will need Harry. He is very unique. Not only can he hear Hogwarts herself, he can also hear all four of us Founders even though he is not a descendant of any of us. And our Dear Hogwarts has taken a liking to the boy. She has not removed her magic from him since she promised him safety. Once he places his blood on the foundation stone he will be the one in control of the school, with the way she was acting toward him during his story I doubt she will accept anyone else. Once she’s regains her full awareness you will need her cooperation, hence having Harry with you.”

“Very well Lord Slytherin. How should we unlock his magic? I assume we need to get rid of the corruption around him but if it is as ingrained as you say it will be difficult.” Voldemort said, rubbing Nagini’s head softly.

“He will need to get out of Hogwarts with his four trusted friends and join his family.” Slytherin said, “I would prefer he stayed with you. If you are to embark on this together you should lose the animosity between you.”

Voldemort winced, “While I agree we need to be on speaking terms I doubt with the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters is where he needs to be to get away from corruption.”

“You should know that magic is not inherently light or dark child.” Slytherin huffed, “And while you have killed and tortured you have not done so without cause or provocation. What actual darkness you are struggling from will be helped both from having your soul back together and Harry’s own views.”

Voldemort frowned again but nodded, “Very well. I can bring him here too…”

“No.” Slytherin interrupted, “Not here. Harry is under the impression that the Headmaster knows you well and if that is even a bit true then he may find this house.” Salazar smiled, “You are my heir and you will be clearing my school of corruption. I think it is high time you moved to Slytherin Manor.”

Voldemort gaped, “That was supposed to have disappeared centuries ago!”

Salazar nodded, “It did. When I died, I hid it because of my heir at the time. I decided I would keep it away until a worthy heir came along.”

“That is most kind Lord Slytherin.” Voldemort choked out.

Salazar inclined his head, “You are my heir; I think you can call me by my first name while we are alone.” Voldemort nodded in a daze and Salazar continued, “Now, I will have Harry and his four trusted friend snuck out tomorrow evening. In the mean time you must find one Sirius Black and his mate Remus Lupin. They are the only family Harry care about and having that relationship will help with the Corruption blocking his magic. You will need to meet Harry in Hogsmeade, as we discussed this plan after Harry fell asleep and have no idea as to the best place to meet I will ask Harry and come tell you were exactly to meet him.”

“Of course…..Salazar.” The Dark Lord said, still in a bit of shock.  

Salazar smiled, “I will give Harry the portkey to the manor. The wards should revert to you as soon as you step foot past the gate and as I have awoken I will be able to communicate directly with you through my portraits as well as this form. Questions?”

“Not as of now.”

Salazar nodded, “Good, now what shall I call you? I refuse to use the title you have given yourself, it is much too theatric for me.”

Voldemort winced, “My real name is Tom Marvolo Riddle.”

Salazar grinned, “I think Thomas Marvolo Slytherin sounds much better.”

The brand new Thomas smiled, “It does. Thank you Salazar.”

Salazar winked, “But we’ll probably still call you Tom for short.”

Tom sighed, “Fair enough.”

“See you this afternoon Tom.” Salazar said with a half bow, *My Lady.* he hissed, inclining his head to Nagini. As he straightened he disappeared in a small flash.

Tom stared at the empty spot for several seconds, contemplating what had just taken place when Nagini piped up, *I like him.*

Tom snorted, *Of course you do.* he stood and slid his wand into his sleeve, preparing to go find Sirius Black and Remus Lupin.