A Hogwarts Intervention

Chapter 1: Kidnapped

Hogwarts awoke with a quiet settling groan. Taking a few months to review the events that had happened since she was last properly awake she noted the potential of three very special people who passed through her walls. With a degree of sadness she noted the anger, hatred, and fear that still existed between them. Following the magical trace that she placed on all who were granted safe passage or refuge within her walls she was pleased to discover that two of the three still resided within her. She was also happy to note that one of those two had regular, if often painful, contact with the third wizard who had caught her eye.

Tying a stronger strand of her magic to the older one who bore the mark of the wizard she sought she mentally followed Severus Tobias Snape to the latest Death Eater meeting. She absently noted the connection of Voldemort's magic to the mark on Snape's arm, analyzing it and immediately memorizing it to the point of intimate familiarity. She ignored the soul link between Voldemort and Harry for now, knowing that the young Gryffindor wouldn't physically be in the presence of the Dark Lord quickly enough for her tastes. Hogwarts watched in sorrow as the snake hybrid that the Dark Lord had become conducted the meeting and handed out punishment to those who displeased him. Just as he dismissed them the castle took her chance and surged her magic along the strand of power wrapped around the dour man. Entangling both Potions Master and Dark Lord in her magic before yanking them back within her walls, adding a twist to the strand of power to collect the third member of the party from the Gryffindor dorms.

When the three wizards came too they were slumped around a round table, each in their own chair not only facing each other but a notice board as well. Chains were wrapped around them connecting to floor and walls to keep them in place. Snape was the first to awaken. He immediately noticed the bonds holding him to the chair he sat in and the loss of his wand, causing Snape to decide that he was some type of captive. Instead of advertising his awakened state he opted to remain as relaxed as possible while orienting himself and deciding if he could overpower whoever had captured him.

That plan went out the window the moment he heard two very familiar voices quietly mutter or snarl, respectively, to either side of him. Feeling dread pool in the pit of his stomach he sighed heavily before opening his eyes in resignation and checking the identities of his fellow captives. Much to his pained exasperation the Dark Lord was secured similarly to his left while Harry Potter was chained in his own chair on the potion master's right. Glancing around quickly he spotted their wands, laid out neatly under a glass case on a small table placed below a tapestry of some type. When he finally looked at the tapestry, after visually checking that his wand was undamaged, he saw an ultimatum that settled heavily on his heart and caused him to make a pained sound, despite all of his Occlumency shields. Thus drawing the attention of the other two captives to the words that had burned themselves into the dour man's mind.

Sons of Hogwarts, you have fallen far.
To once more chance to reach upon a star,
Speak of past hurts and fallen lines,
That it might dispel the deeply entrenched lies,
Of minds and twinkling eyes.

To leave the Room of Spoken Truth,
Speak no falsehood and withhold your frightful wrath,
That you may once more walk the path with lightened hearts,
That the hurts of times past fall to truthful darts.

Words of sorrow, Words of pain,
Share and watch it washed away by forgiving rain.

To gain your freedom you must share,
The past, the present, and worldly fare.

Once truth is spoken and fully known,
No longer will you be bound by earthly tome.

Beware, that the peace be maintained,
Or face the chance that it be contained.

Upon reaching the accord,
You will receive your justly earned reward.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Harry asked in frustration at both the riddle they faced and the chains holding him in his chair.

"Potter! 5 points for language and 20 for not bothering to pay attention to the situation." Snape growled at his student. Voldemort growled his own frustration but also noted that Potter simply glowered at his Professor before sitting back in his chain bedecked chair with a huff.

"Be greatful that whatever that spell was it didn't toss us into a volcano, or at the north pole, or somewhere equally difficult to survive without sometype of preparation." Snape pointed out and they watched as the younger wizard paled.

"Yeah. I'd rather not visit the moon without a space suit." Harry agreed fervently. That's when he realized who the third member of their odd little group was. His face ran the gamut of emotions from fear to defiance to, finally, resignation before he slumped in defeat and asked tiredly. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to not try and kill me? At least for a little bit?"

"That depends entirely on how cooperative you prove to be and what the exact enchantments are that brought us here." Voldemort pointed out shrewdly.

"Right. Well when you decide to actually try and kill me could you at least make it not hurt? From the look of things one of you will get free first and both of you seem to want me dead, even if the Professor has protected me occasionally. I figure its part of his job to protect students." Harry said dejectedly, as he slumped further into the chair and restraining chains. It took a moment for them to realize that the words on the tapestry had changed but when they did all three of them stared at the new words.

Turns you will take as you examine the past.
Amends you must make down to the last.
To achieve what you desire,
You must quench the Phoenix's fire.
Bound one and all,
You must speak to avoid the fall.
Two remain of the Peverell line,
One Prince remains at this time,
Half-bloods all,
Struggling against the fall.

To bring back magic to its rightful height,
To shore up the power of Hecate's might,
To continue the rightful fight,
The first task is to speak this night,
Of pains long hidden and deeply cut,
Possibly hidden like a nut.
Break the shell,
Heal them well,
Leave it no longer to fester,
Least you be named Jester.

Heir of Gryffindor, Slytherin, and Prince,
You must convince and be convinced,
To speak of the painful, poisonous past,
That you may find peaceful rest at last.

"That's even worse than the first part and I still don't know what either of them mean." Harry said with a scowl. Snape gave a despairing sigh and looked at the ceiling as if to say 'Why god, why me?', while Voldemort simply scowled at them both.

"The Prince and Prince Heir that keeps being mentioned is likely me. My mother was born from the Prince line." Snape said thoughtfully. "The Dark Lord is clearly the Slytherin Heir and Potter could qualify as the Gryffindor Heir if he truly did draw the founder's sword from the blasted hat in his second year."

"Hey! I didn't lie! Its not like I actually wanted to fight the stupid basilisk. I just wanted to get Ginny and get out of there but the stupid diary memory wouldn't let me. It even took away my wand." Harry retorted with a scowl, causing Voldemort to suddenly go perfectly still.

"You fought Slytherin's Basilisk and you're still alive? What memory are you speaking of?" Voldemort asked carefully.

"The memory of you that was in that stupid diary. Why would anyone make something that possesses a little girl and then make sure it gets into a school of all places?" Harry told him, still scowling. "Now she follows me around and keeps trying to get me to be her boyfriend. Its embarrassing and annoying."

"Apparently Lucius needs a lesson in how we treat someone else's property." Voldemort said with a mirror scowl of his own, his ruby eyes blazing in fury. There was no way he was going to admit that it had been more than a memory that Harry had faced. "Potter, that... trinket was meant to be kept safe, not make its way into the hands of a little girl. Well, not unless I was actually dead anyway."

"Well that's something at least." Harry said grumpily, then something occurred to him that made him snicker. "He was so mad when I tricked him into freeing Dobby! I don't think he was actually thinking when he tried to kill me, even if we were alone aside from Dobby. Dobby knocked him down before he could say Kedavera. It was funny."

"Lucius tried to kill you in your second year?" Snape asked faintly.

"Its not like I knew what the spell was at the time." Harry said carelessly. "I saw how Dobby was forced to punish himself and how Mr. Malfoy treated him. It wasn't much better than what I have to deal with every summer. But then you know about that, especially since my letter was addressed to my cupboard."

"Cupboard? Boy, I have no idea what you're talking about. The letters are written and addressed with an enchanted quill. No one sees the student's addresses except the Headmaster or his deputy and only under certain circumstances. Any muggleborns appear on a list in the Deputy's office with relevant contact information after some sort of a response is received through the post. There are squibs and the occasional witch or wizard working in the muggle post system to make certain that post arrives where it ought to, especially Hogwarts letters." Snape informed him harshly, ignoring Harry's flinch at being called 'boy'.

"But Dumbledore said I had to go back. He said I should be greatful and that the Dursleys is the only safe place. If that's true why is he even letting me come to Hogwarts? Why does everyone tell me that Hogwarts is the safest place? I asked to stay during the summers! I asked! I even offered to pay with everything that's in my vault!" Harry protested, his frustration clearly leaking through in his tone.

A moment later, in the following shocked silence they heard a metallic click. They watched as one of the chains that were wrapped around Harry simply let go of the wall it was anchored to and disintegrated link by link until it had unraveled and reached the other anchor in the floor. The other two wizards looked at Harry in shock. Harry returned their gaze with equal startlement before dawning comprehension spread across all their faces.

"So, we speak about ourselves, truthfully, and are released bit by bit." Snape voiced in resignation.

"The question becomes how much are we required to share and whether the enchantments will accept innocuous things or if it must be something important." Voldemort said thoughtfully. "If what Potter told us was completely true then he shared a great deal, much of it important, no matter how he phrased it. Will the enchantments allow for partial revelation or partial truths?"

"I don't know, but do you think it will let me up to use the loo?" Harry asked hopefully.

In response they heard a quiet pop as a house elf of indeterminate age popped in with 3 trays of food. The elf, after setting the food trays on the table, waved its hand at them. Harry, much to his embarrassment, could feel the pressure in his bladder disappear and supposed that what was inside it had been magicked away or vanished.

"Elf, release us." Snape ordered sharply, recognizing the crest on the elf's converted towel uniform.

"I's can'ts bes doing that Professor Snapey. Hoggywarts placed youse in the rooms and Hoggywarts will lets you go when Hoggywarts is ready. I's being in charge of taking cares of youse until Hoggywarts lets youse go." The elf informed them. "Hoggywarts magic says youse must talk. Hoggywarts magic says youse promise no harm chains not beings needed. I's allowed to deliver messages and sends owlsy post for youse. Hoggywarts magic will protect youse and check messages. I's allowed to bring one visitor each for little whiles. No Headmasters, no scary Black ladys, no Hagrids, no Aurors, no Ministers, no werewolves, no panicky masters or mistresses. Youse pick one visitor, no mores."

"Are you allowed to bring Professor McGonagall? Or Madam Pomfrey?" Snape asked sourly. The elf grinned happily and nodded yes.

"What about Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy?" Voldemort asked, guessing that Madam Pomfrey was the school nurse. At Snape's questioning look he explained. "Not many people know that Narcissa is a fully qualified Healer while Lucius is a Barrister. She also has additional training as a mind healer so she can treat most things. Bellatrix refuses treatment but I'm fairly certain that Narcissa has snuck one or two informal mind healing sessions into their conversations. Bella tends to be more stable after those talks."

"Shouldn't we ask if they'll be stuck here with us first?" Harry inquired. "As much as I'd love to pick Hermione, I'd rather not have her trapped here with us. He said we can send messages so I can just ask her to research that way instead."

"Master student is smart to think of this. I's said little whiles, meanings I's take them back after little whiles." The elf informed them, beaming at how they were handling the situation. "I's can bring items too. Hoggywarts keeps youse wands and makes sure youse stay until Hoggywarts says. Youse not hurting each others. Youse talk. Youse explain. Hoggywarts magic says tellings special peoples allowed."

"The chains will come off if we promise not to harm one another?" Snape asked, remembering what the elf had said before.

"Youse promise, chains go. Youse break promise, chains come back." The elf agreed.

"Does the promise extend to when we leave the room?" Voldemort asked carefully, his poker face perfectly sculpted.

"Until youse leave Hoggywarts. Hoggywarts hopes youse make extra promise on own. Hoggywarts sad that youse fighting. Hoggywarts gives special chance to nots fight." The elf told them seriously. "Youse keep fighting Hoggywarts not try again unless asked special. Hoggywarts magic make special sure youse not be missed for long long time. Bad twinkly Headmaster thinks Professor Snapey and Mister Harry Potter Student is at homes for Christmasy. Snakey is in special room at Hoggywarts and knows why youse gone."

"Nagini? You even took Nagini?" Voldemort said in astonishment and the elf simply beamed and nodded again.

"And if we want someone here with us? If we don't want them to leave after they visit?" Snape asked carefully.

"I's can be doings that. No harms means no chains." The elf warned again. "No more visitors if youse keep visitor unless Hoggywarts says."

"Let me make sure I understand. We promise not to hurt each other and the chains will go away and stay away unless someone breaks their promise then they come back. We can pick one person to come visit us except for certain people and if we want them to stay we loose the chance to pick someone to visit us, unless the castle give special permission otherwise. You're supposed to take care of us and are allowed to deliver messages and send mail for us and get us stuff. The magic of the castle wont give our wands back or let us go until we've talked and hopefully decided not to fight each other any more but the promise not to hurt each other ends when we leave Hogwarts." Harry summarized. "The magic made sure we'd have time to actually talk and Voldemort's snake is here, in the castle but in a special room and understands what's going on. Did I miss anything?"

"Very goods! Youse make promise now so youse can eats?" The elf asked earnestly.

"And if we refuse?" Snape asked archly.

"I's be feeding youse and chains stay." The elf said flatly. "Hoggywarts only add beds and bathrooms when youse promise."

"You mean you'll feed us like a baby?" Harry asked, his voice climbing in dismay. The elf gave a short nod meeting their gazes stubbornly.

"Hoggywarts magic says Professor Snapey and Mr. Dark Lord is allowed wandless magics if theys promise not use for harm. Crucios on Professor Snapey only 10 seconds with 20 minute rest. More means chains come back. No Crucios on Mister Harry Potter Student. No punishing Mister Harry Potter Student unless hurts self or hurts Mr. Dark Lord or Professor Snapey." The elf declared, causing the three wizards to alternately glower at him or look at one another speculatively.

"Why is Professor Snape allowed to be Crucioed but not me? Not that I want them to but..." Harry asked, eyes narrowed in mistrust.

"Professor Snapey gave promise of loyalty, promise of service. Secrets must be sharing but Mr. Dark Lord still own Professor Snapey. Hoggywarts understand this. Hoggywarts also understand youse must be sharing of the secrets to nots bes fighting anymores. Hoggywarts sad that Professor Snapey, Mr. Dark Lord, and Mister Harry Potter Student fighting when wants same thing. Mister Harry Potter Student allowed punished same as Professor Snapey, same limits unless Professor Snapey bes disobeying Master Dark Lord." The elf explained.

"So, if I discover he has disobeyed me I am allowed to Crucio him but only to a limited extent because we still need to share our secrets and killing him or hurting him to much would make him reticent to share. Otherwise the punishment is allowed under the same conditions as for Potter." Voldemort summarized, and received a happy nod from the elf as confirmation. Voldemort considered this before warning. "I will not promise not to try and kill or punish either of them later as I see fit."

"Hoggywarts magics understands. Hoggywarts wants youse to understands each other so's youse try not to fight so's much. Twinkly bad Headmasters tricks played on all three of youse. Hoggywarts magic not happy with this. Hoggywarts magic tries make it better!" The elf told them firmly before asking earnestly. "Youse make promise nows?"

"Not before Voldemort does." Harry retorted warily with more than a hint of anger in his tone.

"Certainly, brat." Voldemort told him with a smirk before proceeding to make his vow. "I, Lord Voldemort, do hereby promise to listen to the secrets of Severus Snape and Harry Potter without offering harm unless presented an appropriate reason to do so without malicious intent. I will abide by the rules set out for our stay here and agree to share my own secrets provided those who are privy to that information take a vow of secrecy to be released upon my word or true death alone. So mote it be."

The magic of the room surged forward, confirming the vow and making it fully binding even as the chains holding him in place dissolved away, returning his freedom of movement. Harry and Snape watched him warily as the Dark Lord stood up and moved around, stretching, before moving back to the table and accepting his food from the beaming elf. Both elf and Dark Lord turned to look at the other two captives.

"Very well." Snape growled. "I, Severus Tobias Snape, do agree to abide by the rules set out for our stay here, agree to share what secrets I may with the proviso of a vow of secrecy being granted to be released upon my word or true death alone, and agree to offer no harm with malicious intent and without appropriate reason. So mote it be."

The chains dissolved away as the magic surged, confirming the vow and releasing the potions master, causing him to give a small sigh of relief. Snape stretched in his chair before accepting his own supper as they all looked at a sullen Harry. Harry, on the other hand refused to meet their eyes and said nothing.

"If you do not make the vow, brat. I will be the one feeding you, not the elf." Snape threatened, causing a flash of fear to appear on Harry's face before he nodded shortly.

"I, Harry James Potter, agree to abide by the set rules as much as possible, agree to offer no harm except in self defense or in assistance of another, agree to share what secrets are mine with the proviso that those who hear them offer a vow of secrecy to be released upon my word or my death. So mote it be." Harry practically whispered. The chains dissolved away and Harry accepted his own meal, refusing to meet their gazes as the elf popped away leaving them to their meal.

"Perhaps we should simply request the Malfoy family join us for the entire discussion." Voldemort suggested, observing how Harry tensed but continued eating as much as he could of his soup.

"Except that when the Headmaster discovers this he will overreact." Snape pointed out softly. "Better to include a member of the order from the start."

"Sirius could..." Harry began only to quail under the death glare Snape sent his way and quietly mutter. "Never mind."

"Perhaps we should have the elf carry a message to Lucius and Narcissa asking their opinion. As for informing a member of the light... Minerva McGonagall would be acceptable. I have no wish to deal with most of the order but I attended school with Minerva and she is... tolerable." Voldemort told them with a thoughtful hum as he took another sip of his soup.

"Filius Flitwick, the school's charms master, would be adequate the only drawback is that he is not a member of the order. However that could be used to our advantage. He is also half goblin and might be able to officiate any binding contracts rather than requiring us to somehow request a goblin representative." Snape pointed out before taking another bite of his meal. "Most of the order would be noticed missing almost at once and the elf did indicate that the castle would prefer that the Headmaster not be informed, at least not yet. That was implied in the restrictions. Anyone who might panic is also banned and I believe that Bellatrix was banned, Lupin and Greyback certainly were. I also wouldn't trust most of the inner circle with knowledge of this situation."

"You're being nice to each other, almost like friends." Harry said in some confusion.

"We're discussing the situation. If I go to far My Lord is likely to curse me or warn me and then curse me when we're free of the enchantments." Snape pointed out almost caustically, ignoring Voldemort's snort of amusement.

"The bowing and scraping is mostly for appearances, at least when it comes to many of my followers. For others it is necessary to keep them in line. Both Severus and Lucius are not required to bow and may speak their minds if we have a reasonable expectation of privacy or are alone. Narcissa has a similar leniency for a number of reasons and she remains unmarked. Bellatrix is one of my followers who are required for the most part to bow, otherwise I'd constantly find her under foot or attempting to take the place at my side or in my bed. I have no desire to be practically running from the woman simply because she doesn't understand the word no." Voldemort admitted, almost biting his tongue in the process to keep his secret.

"Makes sense. She sounds a lot like how Ginny wont leave me alone. The only thing keeping her at bay right now is the weird looks Ron tends to give her." Harry admitted, with a snort of wry amusement before taking another bite of his soup. "How long do you think we'll be stuck here?"

"As long as it takes." Voldemort said wryly. "Hogwarts is not exactly forgiving once the magic of the castle is roused. The basis of the magic was forged in far more turbulent times, even taking into consideration this war between the so called light and dark."

"Oh." Harry said thoughtfully before taking one last bite and pushing his bowl away still partly full, despite the fact that they had all been given a little less than a normal portion.

Both older wizards noticed this and chose not to comment, communicating their surprise to one another via eyes alone. Especially considering that the Gryffindor clearly was still in the "eat as much as possible" stage of being a teenager. Harry took another look around their room and noticed a dark green heavy curtain that hadn't been there before, deciding to leave the other two to their meal he got up and investigated. He found a basic bathroom with a combined tube and shower behind the curtain complete with toiletries for all three of them in green, black, and red.

The two older men watched the young lion out of the corner of their eyes as he continued investigating the room. When Harry tried to open the case holding their wands he got a nasty shock and jumped back, scowling at the innocently twinkling glass display case as he rubbed his sore hand. Both of them noticed that the young man carefully kept out of arm's reach during his exploration of the sparsely furnished room.

"I wonder where we're going to sleep." Harry murmured to himself thoughtfully even as his eyes lit on the drawer in the table just below the display case with their wands in it.

Remembering how the case had shocked him, Harry carefully reached out and gently patted at the door before pulling it open. Inside, much to his surprise he found three envelops, one addressed to each of them. Absently handing over the two that weren't addressed to him Harry, burning with curiosity, opened his. Upon reading the first bit he dropped it as if it had burned his hand. Jumping backward away from the missive as if it were a poisonous snake rearing and ready to strike.

"Potter, what is wrong with you? Its only a letter." Snape said irritably before reaching down to pick up the parchment his student had dropped.

"No! Stop!" Harry said lunging for it even as the dour man quickly secured it out of his reach.

"Don't be such a dunderhead. What could possibly be worth this sort of reaction?" Snape asked archly before turning to read Harry's letter.

Heir of Gryffindor
List of things to share:

Home life
- general history
- sleeping arrangements, past and present
- cupboard, explain fully
- basic communication with relatives
- relationship with relatives, explain as much as possible
- expectations while present at home
- meal frequency and consistency
- normal punishments
- injuries, past and present, explain as much as possible
- other relevant extenuating circumstances and information

Overall
- Incidents linked with Curse Scar
- Unusual incidents, including dreams
- Nightmares and contents
- Map, explain fully
- Cloak, explain fully
- Participation in Tournament, feelings and other
- What happened in the Chamber of Secrets, explain fully
- Feelings about fame - partially completed
- Feelings about other's expectations
- Plans after school
- Feelings about general treatment/popularity - partially completed
- injuries, past and present
- other relevant extenuating circumstances and information

All three lists must be completed before room will unseal, listed order not required.

Seeing the list that was on Potter's letter the Potions Master quickly tore open his own envelope and read what was inside, going white as his eyes moved down his own list.

Heir of Prince
List of things to share:

Childhood
- general history
- home life
- school life
- sleeping arrangements past and present
- basic communication with relatives
- expectations while present at home
- meal frequency and consistency
- normal punishments
- injuries, past and present
- other relevant extenuating circumstances and information

Adult life
- true allegiance
- prophecy and circumstances surrounding it
- promise about baby Harry
- reasons behind promise
- reasons behind actions leading up to promise
- true feelings about Lily Potter
- true feelings about James Potter
- true feelings about Harry Potter
- true feelings about Remus Lupin
- true feelings about Sirius Black
- true feelings about Dark side
- true feelings about Light side
- true feelings about Albus Dumbledore
- injuries, past and present
- other relevant extenuating circumstances and information

All three lists must be completed before room will unseal, listed order not required.

"I take it that these envelops contain something generally distasteful, upsetting, and tailored to each of us?" Voldemort asked slowly as he watched the Gryffindor finally snatch his list from the Potion Master's slackening grip, before clutching it to his chest as if to both hide it and protect it.

"Yes." Snape said faintly as he stared at his list. Voldemort nodded and carefully opened his envelope to discover his own personalized list.

Heir of Slytherin
List of things to share:

Childhood
- general history
- home life
- school life
- sleeping arrangements past and present
- basic communication with cohabiting residents
- expectations while present at home
- meal frequency and consistency
- normal punishments
- injuries, past and present
- other relevant extenuating circumstances and information

Adult life
- true allegiance
- prophecy
- reasons behind actions leading up to death of Lily and James Potter
- true feelings about Lily Potter
- true feelings about James Potter
- true feelings about Harry Potter
- true agenda of the Dark side
- general history of the Dark side
- true feelings about Dark side
- true feelings about Light side
- true feelings about Albus Dumbledore
- injuries, past and present
- other relevant extenuating circumstances and information

Horcruxes
- general history
- number made
- general details including magical theory
- specific objects (optional but highly encouraged)
- injuries, past and present
- other relevant extenuating circumstances and information (destruction method of any type not required)

All three lists must be completed before room will unseal, listed order not required.

"This is going to take a while." Voldemort said before sighing heavily, as he rubbed his forehead trying to stave off the impending migraine.

"I'm not telling you about this!" Harry declared angrily before backing into one of the corners of the room and generally acting terrified and cornered, panic randomly flaring in his eyes.

"You're clearly overreacting." Snape said sarcastically, even as his piercing gaze never left the now huddled form of his student, watching the lion cub's reactions carefully and noting minute details before filing them away for later.

"Potter, sit down! We have all vowed not to reveal the information unless the person who's secret it is either grants permission or is properly dead. There is very little that can be done except addressing the lists we have each been given." Voldemort pointed out in obvious frustration lacing his words heavily with sarcasm. "Do you honestly think that we want to share these things with you of all people? I hardly think that explaining exactly how to kill me is something that is good for my health."

"I'm not sharing! I don't care if I never learn how to kill you! I'm not telling!" Harry said stubbornly, even as his entire body shook and his Potions Professor's eyebrows rose in astonishment.

"Potter, we don't have a choice." Snape pointed out reasonably as he watched Harry start to hyperventilate as he clutched his list harder to his chest, nearly ripping it in half.

"This is getting us nowhere. Elf!" Voldemort said with a frown before calling an elf.

"Master Dark Lord's be needing something?" The elf from earlier asked after popping in.

"Calming draught, from my personal stores." Snape snapped at the creature, who squeaked and immediately retrieved it, quickly handing it to the intimidating man.

"Youse be needing anything else?" The elf asked.

"Some firewhisky wouldn't go amiss, and some butterbeer for Potter once he calms." Voldemort told the elf sourly as he watched the dungeon bat of Hogwarts cautiously approached the panicking lion. Once Snape got close enough he lunged and pinned the young Potter Heir against the wall behind him before forcing him to swallow the potion and backing away quickly, giving the young man some space.

"Not earns yet." The elf told him firmly, only to receive a venomous look from the Dark Lord before the man returned his attention to Harry, watching as the potion took effect.

"Elf, explain." Snape ordered even as his eyes never left the still calming Gryffindor.

"Priv..privileges bes earned. Youse earned bathyrooms, youse earned no chainsies, youse always gets food, youse always gets healings, youse always gets cleanings, youse always gets drinks. Youse earn anything else." The elf explained patiently. "Youse earn treats, youse earn new roomsies, youse earn better bathyrooms, youse earn books unless specials, youse earn beds, youse earn better foods, youse earn lots. Easy earns some, hard earns others. Youse earns by shares truths."

"Beds? You said we have to earn beds?" Snape asked with more than a little dread. Not comforted at all by the elf's beeming nod he could see out of the corner of his eye as he continued to watch the lion cub.

"Youse earn brewings potions. Youse earn bigs bath. Youse earn extra visitors. Youse earn petsies. Youse earn many many things." The elf said cheerily. "Hoggywarts magics helping! Youse even earn wands! But wands bes big earning."

"Do twins count as one person or two?" Harry asked quietly, doing his best to focus on the elf and not on sharing his list.

"Maybes two, maybes one. Which twinsies?" The elf asked.

"The Weasley twins." Harry admitted softly. The elf nodded his understanding and answered.

"Weasley twins bes special, Weasley twins counts as both onesies and twos. Weasley twins must bes earned unless special needs. Hoggywarts magics decide." The elf explained cautiously. Harry nodded glumly as he sunk to the floor and curled up in a ball in his little corner.

"Brat, I have no intention of being stuck here. If I have to ask for Veritaserum and force it down your throat to get out of here I will." Voldemort growled, in response Harry simply curled into a tighter ball in his corner.

"My lord, this is getting us nowhere." Snape pointed out as he gripped the bridge of his nose. "No one wants to start and panicking Potter further, despite the calming draught, does not help. Perhaps we can pick our initial visitors now, if nothing else it is a far more calming subject."

"Very well. One of them will need to be Narcissa. I would not be opposed to the half-goblin or Minerva. If, however, either of you attempt to request Dumbledore, Black, Pettigrew, or Bellatrix I will happily get us all chained again as I attempt to strangle you." Voldemort said calmly, even as he eyed Harry evilly, as if daring him to try and request anyone on that list.

"Nos twinkly Headmasters or crazy Black ladies!" The elf reminded sharply.

"More than understandable." Snape replied calmly. "I am certain that, if I must, I can stand just about anyone else the boy chooses. I, personally, have no wish do deal with any of them and the elf has already explained that the castle wont let the Headmaster become involved, thus I am no longer obligated to choose him."

"Why would you have to choose anyone?" Harry asked in interest, uncurling a bit to look at his Potions Professor.

"As a staff member, especially since a student is involved and the incident is clearly taking place on school grounds, I am obligated to inform the Headmaster of the incident as soon as it is feasible." Snape told him stiffly.

"Oh..." Harry said, dropping his gaze to his knees before asking quietly. "Can I pick Hermione? You've already promised not to hurt us."

"The promise does not extend to any visitors, boy. You need to pay more attention." Voldemort growled out, irritation clear in his voice.

"Never mind." Harry said in practically a whisper as he curled up again, scooting further into his corner once more, even as he clutched his list once more to his chest.

"My lord, harming any visitors would be... counter productive." Snape said carefully.

"Crossing me is counter productive." Voldemort pointed out archly, his irritation beginning to get the better of him.

"Can I have a blanket?" Harry asked softly.

"Youse share part of youse list. Youse can have blankets. Youse can have bed." The elf agreed. Harry thought for a minute, looking over the list to see what would be easiest to share and would be least likely to be used against him by the two powerful wizards in front of him.

"My relatives don't like me." Harry told them before turning to the elf and asking. "Is that enough for a blanket?"

The elf nodded happily before popping away and returning a moment later with not only a blanket but a stuffed toy and pillow as well.

"Hoggywarts says youse be needing this. Hoggywarts says bear always bes clean, always finds youse, always okays, nots rip, nots hurt, nots burn, nots get lost, always stay with Mister Harry Potter sir unless puts away special by Mister Harry Potter sir. Cans be shrinkings, cans be gettings bigger, cans be coming if needs." The elf told him before handing over the objects.

The look of pure shock and delight that crossed Harry's face was more than enough to give the older wizards pause, and make them wonder why he would react so strongly to the simple gift of a protected stuffed bear. Harry dropped his list and ignored the originally asked for blanket and additional pillow in favor of clutching the bear to his chest almost desperately. He completely ignored the other two wizards in favor of investigating the bear, and delightedly discovered a small pouch in the stomach of the toy, with the opening in the side of the bear. The pouch would allow him to place things inside it to keep them safe and nearby.

It took the Gryffindor a few moments of patient waiting on the elf's part for him to remember the blanket and pillow before he sheepishly took them from the small creature. His refusal to release the toy for even the moment needed to easily take both pillow and blanket, amused the elf and confused the older wizards. He didn't even notice when Snape cautiously retrieved his list for the two of them to look over. Harry simply sat in the corner with his dark blue bear dressed in a fitted over robe, cuddled to his chest with the blanket draped loosely around both boy and bear.

"I take it that was a rather large admission?" The dour man asked the elf softly, in return the elf scrutinized him for a moment before nodding slowly.

"Its bes beginning. Youse need Mister Student talk mores, youse need helps. Youse need help each others finish lists." The elf explained solemnly, before popping away back to its other duties.

"Lets look his over while he remains distracted." Voldemort said with a sigh, hiding his concern that his ultimate nemesis was distracted from the danger his presence posed by a simple, practically non-magical, stuffed toy.

Snape nodded before finally glancing down at the list again. He mentally noted that if the wording choice on both his and Potter's were similar than the lists were designed to be only fully understood, at least at first, by the person they were made for. To anyone without knowledge of what the list was referring to, it was fairly innocuous, innocent even. He supposed that the boy's comment fell under explaining the relationship with his relatives. From the marks of "partially completed" he supposed that they were self updating.

The problem, to the potions master, was that more than one of the things listed to be shared easily warranted his death. Idly, he considered refusing to share the information. Both the Dark Lord and Potter would be out of the picture and if he could find a way to limit what messages the two sent to the outside world it was possible that the war would, if not fall apart then at least shift into a sort of stalemate. One could only hope. Severus knew that it was wishful thinking. He refused to accept his death simply because the castle decreed that he share some of his more dangerous secrets with the man who was ultimately going to kill him and the boy he was sworn to protect. He would find a way to survive or accomplish his goals... somehow.

Voldemort moved over to the table to retrieve the envelope that had contained his list. A second piece of paper fell out which he quickly picked up and read. The Dark Lord first went pale, then his ruby eyes blazed in fury, his magic crackled, forming a halo of power around him. Startling Harry out of his contemplation of the cuddly toy even as he gripped the bear to him even more tightly.

"Hogwarts, if the ring still exists, I demand its return." Voldemort said calmly, his fury still blazing in his eyes. A flash of bright color brought their gazes back to the tapestry and its now blazing red words.

Rhyme is bound into this cloth,
For understanding this must stop.
Cast Resero Potentia as one,
Thus communication is done.

"Let me get this straight. The reason we've had to try and figure out what the weird poems mean is because someone decided that it would be funny if the castle had to rhyme to talk to us, using the tapestry?" Harry asked indignantly.

"So it would appear." Snape said sourly. "Potter, can you perform any kind of wandless magic?"

"I don't think so." Harry said doubtfully, refusing to even ease up his grip on the bear.

"Then it falls to the two of us to cast the spell. Severus?" Voldemort asked calmly, his tone broking no argument.

"Of course, my lord." Snape said with a slight bowing of his head, recognizing that any kind of back talk was like to set the other man off just then.

Voldemort nodded sharply as the Potions Master joined him in front of the tapestry, at his command they both cast simultaneously. The result was shocking, as the tapestry unraveled and rewove itself to display four people. Two men and two women, each in the colors of their house. They now faced not an annoying Rhyming tapestry but a moving cloth portrait of the four founders.

"Finally! That damn enchantment was driving me insane! Salazar did you have to cast that curse before you left the castle?" Godric demanded of the other man, depicted in colors of black, green, and silver.

"It wasn't exactly my choice. Its not like any of us were able to fight the enchantments that bloody seer cast when we were alive." Salazar pointed out with a shrug.

"Well, at least we were able to preserve a portion of ourselves in the school." Helga pointed out. "We can thank Rowena for that."

"There are a few... side effects that I failed to mention. I'm certain that you've discovered one or two of them by now but I'm quite happy to go over them if you would prefer." Rowena offered cautiously. The looks her fellow founders gave her spoke volumes and had her nodding in understanding before continuing. "The ritual we performed made the castle sentient, it is effectively our oldest child, especially since we boned our minds, will, and power into the very stones of the building. Anyone who the castle chooses is automatically considered one of our joint family. She has the right to blood adopt anyone into our blood lines and has some of each of our blood magically preserved, stored, and able to replicate if needed. For example, when young Mr. Riddle attended his weakening blood connection to Salazar was actually reinforced when he was knocked out at one point. He was blood adopted by the castle making him not only Sal's heir but effectively his son. Sal's blood was also used to cement Mr. Potter's parseltongue ability, but that's another matter and a bit more complicated."

"Rowena.. Did it ever occur to you that we might need to know this?" Salazar asked, frustration clear in his voice.

"Of course. I simply didn't expect for a meddling seer to bind my tongue and forcefully split our friendship." Rowena pointed out with a shrug.

"We were never complete after Salazar left." Godric said slowly as his mind worked through the implications, then widened in understanding before he started swearing viciously.

"Exactly." Rowena said quietly.

"Are there any other side effects we need to be aware of? Aside from not even needing to sire or birth our own heirs?" Salazar asked wearily.

"We aren't actually dead. The moment our bodies failed we became a part of the castle, though most of our minds are actually contained in this tapestry and our portraits, most of which were hidden or destroyed. The blood ritual we used normally would have only bonded us as individuals during our life times and we would be absorbed into the castle after our death, allowing our spirits to move on, but a greater power granted us a boon. As long as Hogwarts stands we are not only a part of it but can think and act on our own, at least within the bounds of certain rules. If you think on it the rules and the reasons for them will form in your minds, what's left of them in any case." Rowena told them with a smirk. A moment's thoughtful expressions passed over the faces of the other three founders before they were glaring at their friend.

"Well, at least you allowed for possible movement outside of the castle, even if the cost is a bit high and with our temporary bodies being stone." Godric said wearily. "We're going to have to do something with the body of Sal's pet though. We can argue about our differences and any other issues later after we've helped these gentlemen."

"Boy, you should have allowed the hat to do its job." Salazar told Harry pointedly, having accessed the magic of the sorting hat along with the information on the castle and his chamber. Harry refused to meet the founder's gaze and instead cuddled his bear close again.

"Let the potions master harvest what is left of the great beast." Helga ordered snootily, amusement lacing her voice. "Be glad that so many important events and information have either been stored, referenced or occurred on the grounds or we wouldn't have what we need to even remotely help them."

"I want Dumbledore out of the castle for good." Godric said darkly.

"We can work on that later. Honestly, Gryffindor you know nothing of subtlety, no fineness or guile what-so-ever." Salazar said with a fond exasperation.

"But Dumbledore..." Harry began only to be cut off part way through.

"Do not finish that sentence, boy." Godric warned, the threat evident in his voice.

"As much as I would enjoy continuing this discussion, my ring? Please?" Voldemort asked quietly.

"Your horcrux you mean." Rowena said with a knowing expression on her fabric face. At the feared Dark Lord's disconcerted and slightly fearful expression she laughed lightly. "Oh, dear boy, do you honestly think that we didn't have any knowledge about objects within the school, whether designed for harm or not? No, nephew, as soon as we awoke, we knew. The castle keeps track of as much as possible and knows everything that occurs within her walls, thus we know as well. The path you have chosen is hurting you deeply as well as hurting others. We will help you with the situation but you must promise to listen to our advice and the reasons behind it, and before you ask, no, we cannot lift the castle's punishment. You must still discuss the issues on your lists. We wouldn't mind hearing the answers to some of what's on there for ourselves in any case."

"I would ask that you try not to harm one another while you are in this room, by word or by deed." Helga asked quietly, carefully watching their expressions and not liking some of the implications of what she was observing.

"We need to address something first, something that the hat uncovered during the boy's sorting." Salazar said carefully, as he watched Harry.

"We do not have the authority unless the castle is willing to adopt him into one or more of our lines." Helga said sadly.

"Not... exactly. I don't think the castle ever checked but... the boy might be from my line. Which would also explain why the hat allowed the boy's choice of house so easily." Godric said thoughtfully.

"It would also explain many of his trips to the healer's wing." Salazar muttered sourly.

"Why did you call him nephew?" Harry asked in a desperate attempt to distract the founders from his sorting.

"Because we might as well have been siblings, for all that the four of us share no blood." Rowena explained as she regarded him shrewdly before nodding her head in consideration. "Perhaps you are old enough after all."

"Ha! I told you." Godric practically crowed before demanding. "Now can we activate the contract? I'm quite tired of having our lines warring with one another, and the boy is of my line. Reclaiming my sword in that bloody hidden chamber of Sal's is more than enough proof of that, even without the castle checking his blood when it was spilled on her stones."

"Except the hat wanted him in my house in the first place." Salazar contradicted quietly, causing all of the founders to turn and study Harry and the two living wizards to stare at him in utter shock. Harry refused to meet their gazes and instead looked at his new stuffed bear, playing with it a bit.

"If we want this blood feud to end, why don't we simply bind the three of them to peace here at the castle and require they reside here?" Helga suggested with a thoughtful tone of voice. "I know that my nephew is attempting to complete the mess that damnable insane seer started with her spells, but then until now, we haven't been able to explain that the situation truly wasn't as it seemed to anyone. All of our bodies failed, we all died, under the influence of those spells, and the curse aspect partially followed our bloodlines. Now that we're awake we have a chance to break it properly."

"I'll send my Phoenix, I think he goes by Fawkes now, to retrieve the other Horcruxes and Hogwarts can provide a letter for the goblins. The entire situation is such a mess. Of course with the boon it might not register that we're technically dead or technically alive." Godric pointed out thoughtfully. He mentally sent the request to the Phoenix and getting a joyful cry of agreement and welcome in return before he flamed away. Snapping the temporary familiar bond to Dumbledore in the process and leaving the old man half collapsed and gasping for breath in his office.

"Which would explain why my newest son is still only counted as Heir Slytherin rather than Lord Slytherin." Salazar agreed, his eyes narrowed in thought.

"I think requiring a truce while on Hogwarts grounds and requiring the three of them to reside here is an excellent idea." Rowena agreed, before adding her own twist to the situation. "Though I believe that the truce should only be enforced for intended harm. Everyone argues, even the four of us, they will need the ability to argue out their differences and I think that for the first, oh six months or so, they should be required to spend at least a few hours together a day. Until we release them from being required to reside here they should also be required to eat meals together whenever reasonably possible."

"We can't enforce it as simply on the Potions Master. As Heirs to Sal and Godric, we can easily enforce it on the other two but not on young Severus." Helga pointed out, eyes narrowed in thought.

"Oh, that's not an issue." Rowena waved away before addressing the building. "Hogwarts dear? I'd like to claim our resident Potions Master for my line, if you would?" They all received a feeling of agreement, faint amusement, and mild irritation from the castle before the power faded away.

"The castle didn't do anything." Godric snickered only to receive an irritated yet light smack over the head from Lady Ravenclaw.

"Of course not. Hogwarts usually performs the adoptions when they're asleep, out cold, or otherwise unaware of what's happening. She hasn't managed it on Severus yet because he was always too much of a light sleeper or too injured to risk the ritual, or didn't you notice the irritation in her response? Apparentely, she's been trying to catch him out to perform the adoption for a number of years now. Though, she didn't share what bloodline she was going to adopt him into." Rowena pointed out in mock irritation. "She managed to snag young Harry during his first year to stabilize that soul shard in his scar, reinforcing the parseltongue trait that Sal is so fond of, and strengthening his endurance a bit. I don't think that she'll be willing to share the exact ritual with us but it certainly wasn't an adoption."

"I must also admit that I don't particularly like how the combination of Basilisk Venom and Phoenix Tears in the boy's blood is affecting him." Helga pointed out shrewdly. "We may have to find a way to at least slow it down, perhaps even stop it."

"Or we could simply require them to share quarters and dose young Severus with the potion that I accidentally ingested." Salazar pointed out dryly.

"You do remember the side effects of that one, don't you Sal?" Godric reminded the other man cheekily.

"Yes, I do. I'm curious to see how they would handle it." Salazar explained with a devious smirk, earning him rolled eyes and exasperated expressions from the women.

"Well, until we decide what to do the castle will keep monitoring him." Rowena told them pointedly.

"You aren't going to let us go, are you?" Snape asked quietly, more a statement then a question.

"Not a chance." Salazar agreed pleasantly with a smirk. "You are all a credit to this school and your bloodlines, in your own ways, and every last one of you will not be leaving this building again until the four of us have a proper claim on you."

"Will you be returning my Horcruxes?" Voldemort asked in irritation.

"Well, we haven't exactly taken away the one in the room with you, now have we?" Godric asked mildly.

"What on earth are you talking about?" Snape demanded, unable to reel in his irritation and dread at the situation.

"The boy." Salazar pointed out helpfully. Seeing the confusion on their faces the four founders frowned and Slytherin snapped out in irritation. "Good gods, didn't you realize that the boy is one of my son's Horcruxes? The old goat has been gloating over it for years and eyeing him like a pig set for slaughter! He even made certain that the boy went somewhere that he would be raised right."

Voldemort was the first to understand what they were talking about. The shock, fear, understanding, self-loathing, fury, and more that made up the maelstrom of emotions that crossed his face had Snape backing away and Harry huddling further into his corner, clutching his stuffed bear. His magic thrashed in pain and fury, shattering both table and chairs and throwing Snape against the nearest wall, even as it stabbed into Harry, drawing out a pained cry. When the Dark Lord's magic encountered the soul shard in Harry's scar it calmed around him. The darkly colored magic formed a shield from Voldemort's fury and wrath, protecting the orphan boy and wrapping him in a dark, comforting blanket of magic. The calm spread into the rest of the man's magic and soothed his temper even as it forced him to recognize the truth of the founder's words and that his actions had been utterly stupid.

"Don't worry to much about it." Salazar said sympathetically. "There are very distinct side-effects from creating Horcruxes, and I wasn't exactly pleased to realize that the current Headmaster had tricked you into making one. You ought to be fine with only two, allowing us to leave Nagini and young Harry alone. Preforming the reclamation ritual on Hogwarts grounds will allow us to help you through it and adjust the ritual to establish something a bit more stable. If nothing else putting your soul back together will stop the black outs and unneeded killing sprees. You aren't alone anymore, son, and you wont be ever again if I have anything to say about it."

"When Harry destroyed your diary down in the chamber, that soul shard hid within him until the night of the third task of that ghastly tournament." Rowena explained carefully. "From what we've been able to gather the diary shard improperly re-merged with your primary soul piece when you regained a decent body. Which is one of the reasons you're a touch more stable than shortly before attacking the Potters, even with accidentally making Harry another Horcrux."

"We'd also like to thank you for attempting to spare Lily Potter that night." Helga added with a small smile. "Harry takes comfort in that whenever he's forced to relive that particular memory by the dementors. I believe that the castle may possibly have managed to adopt her into my line, or was it that she was born from a squib branch of my line?"

"Squib." Rowena said helpfully before frowning. "Though after some of the nightmares the castle has picked up on from young Harry we might want to officially cast Petunia and her son from your line. Its not as if we're going to let him return, no matter what Dumbledore dictates."

"Lily... Lily was a pureblood and you tried to spar...?" Snape choked out in a combination of shock, fear, and biting sadness as he sat against the wall he had been slammed into by the Dark Lord's power.

"Actually, I believe that she counts as a half blood but yes." Salazar commented, carefully watching as the scene played out in front of them.

"I really don't have to go back?" The hopeful tone in Harry's voice reminded the others that he was there and almost broke both ladies hearts.

"No, you don't." Helga said softly, sending an encouraging smile his way.

"And if we can get these two boneheads to listen they'll be tried in a court of magical law." Rowena told him, glaring at the two dark wizards.

"I'd honestly prefer to arrange an.... accident for them but I don't feel like having to fight the three of you over this." Salazar said off-handedly.

"Its been a long day. Lets put them to bed and we can discuss this more in the morning." Helga said gently, noting how out of sorts the three living wizards were and how tired they seemed to be.

Hogwarts hummed her agreement and three simple canopied beds appeared, one in a darker red, and the other two in different shades of green. Each bed had a set of night clothes on it and they silently took turns preparing for bed without any further complaint, too caught up in recent events to worry over much. They each climbed into bed with their minds whirling over the implications of what all had happened in the last 12 hours, and wondering or dreading what was going to happen next.

Harry practically huddled under his covers, clutching his bear to him before eventually falling into a restless sleep. Both Voldemort and Snape managed to eventually fall into a doze but didn't slip into true sleep, as a result the soft voices from the founders, a few hours later, was enough to rouse them. Neither gave any indication that they were awake and listening as the woven figures on the tapestry discussed the three of them, as their voices drifted softly through the canopy curtains to their ears.

"They are so wounded." Helga said sadly, as she looked over at the beds and toward their occupants. "And our people aren't much better."

"Yes, but they are ours to care for. Even had we not awakened Hogwarts would have done her best to see them all safe." Salazar comforted softly. "The castle would never have brought them to this room if they weren't worthy of taking the extra steps to help them, or if she hadn't already laid claim to them on our behalf."

"Sal's right. They were brought to this room to safely settle a family dispute. Just because it happens to coincide with the stupid war that damned seer laid the ground work for doesn't mean we have to let them fight their way through it on their own. In fact we're practically obligated to help them. Not that I mind all that much.... I wonder if Hogwarts could get that bumbling idiot into a deserted corridor..." Godric commented before seeing the glare being directed at him by both women. "I'll just be quiet, shall I?"

"That might be wise, Godric." Sal said dryly, amusement clear in his tone

"Those nightmares that the boy has. They aren't right." Rowena said contemplatively.

"If we had managed to wake 50 years or so ago we might have managed to spare all three of them heartache and provided them with the proper home they need." Helga added sadly.

"The castle tried. She tried to provide them with a home and she tried to wake us." Godric pointed out sadly.

"If Dumbledore had simply left the wards alone instead of trying to twist them to his will, they would have been properly welcomed and always known that Hogwarts is one of their homes." Salazar said with a scowl.

"Did you see how young Harry clutched at that soft toy? The one that Hogwarts gave him?" Rowena asked, concern clear in her voice.

"Yes. I also saw how he didn't finish his food, for all that it wasn't a full serving, and kept out of arm's reach of the other two." Helga agreed thoughtfully.

"The boy is more than likely to wake tonight. We're going to have to find a way to deal with the frequent night terrors." Salazar said thoughtfully.

"Well, we can probably get the three of them to talk about it since Hogwarts refused to include silencing charms on the beds." Godric pointed out with a snicker.

"Which also means we've more than likely disturbed their rest you dolt!" Rowena scolded. "We haven't exactly been quiet."

"The exhaustion I saw on young Harry is more than enough to keep him asleep for a while, and both Severus and Tom were sorted into my house. If they wish to sleep or join the conversation they will make their opinions known." Salazar said smugly. "Now, on to dealing with Harry's so called family. We could wait until after the term has started to deal with them or we could try to instigate something now. I still prefer the use of a rather unfortunate accident for that so-called family."

"If we take matters into our own hands, even making it known who we are and why, they may force us to relinquish not only Harry but Tom and Severus as well." Rowena argued softly. "We don't want to make them truly prisoners, though I suppose that doing so would be within our rights. There's also the fact that the magics Tom was tricked into using have detrimental side effects on the mind. I had to watch my father and sister succumb to such magics."

"Yet you tamed them." Salazar pointed out shrewdly.

"No, I found a safer way to cause the same or similar effects. These Horcruxes for example have to go. The fact that two of them are placed in living creatures is actually reassuring. The whole soul that both Harry and Nagini possess stabilize the shards they house and help anchor him properly. Its close to having an artificially created soul bond. We're insanely lucky that the diary shard hid in Harry and even partially rejoined Tom's primary soul piece. We actually can't afford for either Harry or Nagini to be injured fatally or actually killed for at least the next 50 years. If we can manage that then we might be able to risk removing the soul shards safely. The shards in the objects on the other hand simply aren't safe there and it will take a joint effort to properly reintegrate them into Tom. I'm tempted to suggest moving one of them into Severus but I don't know how any of them would take it or the sharing of abilities and power that would result."

"Before we can suggest any of this seriously we need to secure them and anything they value." Helga pointed out judiciously. "Rowena, did you manage to get your hands on an updated copy of the current laws?"

"What are you thinking, Hella?" Rowena asked, cloth eyes narrowed.

"I'm thinking that they've forgotten a number of enchantments that were embedded in both the castle and their seat of government as per the charter of the school." Helga told them smugly. "Salazar isn't the only one with a bit of cunning."

"Fawkes returned with the goblin's response as they were getting into bed." Godric informed them. "Apparently our treaty with them is still valid, not that any living wizard is aware of the treaty. In fact, according to them, our treaty is the only one that hasn't been breached and its the only reason they were willing to make peace after idiots started so many wars with them. They agreed that the half goblin on the teaching staff could act as their representative to help sort this mess out."

"Well that's something at least." Helga murmured. "The treaty with the centaurs, forest dwellers, and merpeople is holding and the squid is still enjoying himself in the lake."

"The elves still answer to us." Salazar pointed out thoughtfully. "Nothing is truly urgent yet and I don't really see the problem with Tom's earlier suggestion of inviting the Malfoy family to join them, even if its only for some companionship. Though having access to them should be a privilege. Nagini will want to visit at some point, which I see no issue with and should also be a privilege."

"The way the old man has played with these three is appalling." Helga murmured, eyes narrowed in thought.

"I don't particularly like how he's twisted our people around his finger either." Godric agreed. "Limiting magic that way is appalling. If this continues and Sal's original concerns about safety and security aren't addressed they'll be hunting us again before long. Of course Tom's current methods are actually hurting the situation not helping but that can be fixed."

"We'll have to restructure most of the society back to something we're a bit more familiar with. It would also help with appropriate integration." Rowena pointed out thoughtfully. "The so called creature laws are appalling, as are those that refer to blood purity. Tracking bloodlines is one thing but the mess they've made of everything. Its a wonder the so called purebloods aren't dying out simply because they refuse to introduce new blood into their families."

"Rowena dear, check the still born and miscarriage records." Helga suggested sadly. Rowena did as her friend suggested and gave out a sound of disgust, swearing viciously.

"Not good news I take it?" Godric asked with a false lightness to his tone.

"No." Rowena said sourly. "The only families that are thriving are the ones who accept so called muggleborns and half bloods. All of the others are slowly killing themselves with a lack of fresh blood. I can understand not wanting to have to train the new blood and the outrage over the loss of so many important rituals and traditions but to completely reject the new blood? At the rate they're going? And with the restrictions on magic use? I think the only reason we managed to wake up at all is that Lady Magic is in desperate need of help. Within the next hundred years the enchantments on the castle will start failing and the elves will start dying from lack of sustaining magic."

"Yes, its clearly become harder for them to conceive and birth healthy children." Godric agreed thoughtfully. "Adoption is an option, especially blood adoption since it adds to the initial bloodlines rather than replacing them. It would add new blood and allow the older bloodlines to flourish. Of course that and the traditional fostering have been completely blocked by Dumbledore."

"We can get around it if we forbid the attendance of purebloods unless they are fostering or have adopted a muggleborn. Half bloods would have to be tested on their knowledge of the wizarding world before being counted as being eligible for fostering. The less well off pureblood families could mentor some of the more well off muggleborns instead of a full fostering." Salazar pointed out, adding his own cunning to the discussion. "We could also request that the goblins require an in depth inheritance test from all current account holders and any new ones in the future. It would help us rediscover old forgotten squib lines and help bring muggleborns properly into our world. After all when you find that you already have history somewhere its natural to try and investigate it."

"We'll have to get that damned muggle studies class updated and start requiring not only it but also a wizarding custom class." Godric muttered with a scowl. "I hate to say it Sal, but we have to also require at least a basic proficiency in the Dark Arts as well. The lack of training and outdated information is hurting so many..."

"Now you see why I made it one of the conditions for helping to create the school." Salazar said quietly. "The lack of Dark Arts being taught is stunting many of them and outright harming others. Not to mention the detrimental effect on Lady Magic. In our time there were plenty who would be willing to teach it to those who had an interest, but not in a safe fashion. Now? Now, the children are more likely than not to be touted as monsters and murders for the simple casting of a dark healing spell. This isn't right."

"I concede the point." Godric admitted ruefully. "Something I want, however is that twinkling bastard out of our school!"

They all murmured their agreement before falling into a companionable silence. The silence lasted long enough that both Snape and Voldemort had begun dozing again before they all heard a muffled cry from Harry's bed. The sounds quieted before beginning again and moving on to quiet whimpers, groans, and sobbing, eventually moving on to barely muffled screams and thrashing.

Voldemort mentally growled before shoving aside his curtains, getting up and stalking over to the Gryffindor's bed to yank back the red curtains. Completely ignoring the fact that Snape was half out of his bed to do the same. What he found on the other side of the curtains stopped him cold. Harry was sweating and twisted up as small as he possibly could in his bedding to the point of near strangulation. He was also biting into his pillow to muffle as much of the sound from his nightmares as possible.

The twisted expression of fear, pain, resignation, and sorrow had the Dark Lord wondering just what the boy hero was dreaming about. Snape peered over his shoulder and when he saw the condition that Harry was in he made an abortive move to help, stopping at the glare he received. Voldemort turned back to study the young Heir of Gryffindor before making a decision.

"Hold his eyes open." Voldemort softly commanded. Snape looked at him warily but complied, his own eyes widening when the Dark Lord cast the spell. "Legilimens"

Voldemort plunged into the sleeping mind of the young lion and almost immediately pulled right back out. The dream sequence was showing Harry getting beaten by Vernon while being mocked and blamed for every death that had occurred since his birth by random students, witches, and wizards. Constantly being told that if he had simply died when his parents had that none of it would have happened, that everyone else would have been safe. Dumbledore was standing off to the side asking why Harry was being so ungrateful and told that it was to dangerous for him to return to Hogwarts. Hastily, Voldemort pulled out of Harry's sleeping mind to stare at him in shock.

"We have a lot of work to do." Voldemort muttered before reaching down to roughly shake the sleeping boy. "Wake up. Potter! Its a dream."

Harry startled awake to find two dark looming figures over his bed. With a half aborted cry he rolled away from them, smack into the wall that the bed was pressed against. He huddled there, his eyes darting back and forth between the older wizards as he groped about for his wand. Finding the bear instead he clutched it as if his life depended upon it, and tried to keep out of their reach.

"Did the old goat actually tell you to be more greatful?" Voldemort asked much more calmly, as he sat on the edge of the bed. Harry gave him a deer in the headlights look and started trembling, practically strangling the bear in his arms as he tried to derrive comfort from the stuffed toy.

"When did that happen?" Snape asked with a frown.

"I asked not to go back, he told me to stop exaggerating and be more greatful." Harry said softly, resolutely gazing at his tangled bed covers rather than the older men.

"Take off your shirt boy." Salazar ordered. "Show them the scars."

"Not supposed to tell. Not supposed to tell." Harry muttered as shook his head frantically and hunched over into himself as much as possible, using the stuffed bear as an inadequate sheild against their gazes.

"There has to already be a measure of trust between them or he would have denied having scars, not said he's not allowed to tell." Helga said thoughtfully, her eyes narrowed in fury. A moment later she nodded sharply before calling for an elf. "We need a certified healer, preferably one who is also a skilled mind healer. Can the two of you suggest anyone? Or am I going to have to send the elf out blind?"

"Narcissa Malfoy." Voldemort said softly, as he gazed at Harry in uncharacteristic concern.

"You might as well bring Filius Flitwick, Lucius Malfoy, and Draco Malfoy as well. Though having Draco stay in another room probably wouldn't go amiss. He doesn't exactly get along with Potter." Snape offered wearily. "If the Dark Lord thinks that we need Narcissa now, we'll likely need Lucius in his capacity as a Barrister. There's no point in leaving Draco alone at the manor and, from your earlier conversation, Filius can help us with any paperwork that might need to be filed with the goblins."

The elf popped in a moment later saw the state that Harry was in, squeaked and popped out without waiting for instructions. Everyone but Harry shared a look of surprise, especially when the same elf popped back in with a pair of sleepy redheaded twins. They took one look at their surroundings, saw Harry and ignored everything and everyone else to climb on to the bed and sandwhich their little brother between them in a hug, muttering soothing words and sounds. It took over an hour for Harry to stop shaking and relax a bit into the arms of the Weasley twins.

"You want to talk about it this time little brother?" Fred asked, almost sleepily. Harry shook his head almost violently as they continued to rock him back and forth, hugging him between them, even as he fought to stay awake.

"Does this happen often?" Snape asked, both he and Voldemort were seated at the replacement table that had been provided during the short time they were asleep and drinking tea.

"Almost every night." George offered with a wide yawn.

"We had to break him out of his house when we picked him up with dad's flying car the first time. They had bars on his windows and his stuff was locked in a cupboard." Fred said sleepily.

"Funny thing. We've heard him called it his cupboard." George told them, fighting his own battle to stay awake.

"Saw his name on the wall and a cot in there with his trunk. Like he'd slept there or something." Fred told them as Harry finally lost the battle to stay awake.

"Had trouble convincing the elves to get us when he's like this." George practically slurred his words, his exhaustion clear.

"Yeah, was a right mess. Had to ask them if they wanted him to get hurt." Fred agreed as he slipped into a doze, along side his twin and their little dark haired brother.

"You mentioned scars." Snape asked the tapestry quietly, his eyes never leaving the three boys on the bed.

"He mostly wears glamours, I don't think he's aware of them, but once or twice they've slipped while he was changing or washing." Salazar admitted with a grimace. "The castle can see even when its only stone walls. He was alone for the most part when the spells happened to slip. You'll have to find a way to strip away the glamours for a proper look. I have no idea if he's hiding injuries that need to be treated either."

"We'll have to send a message to their mother so that she doesn't panic when she finds their beds empty in a couple of hours." Snape said judiciously, for the moment ignoring the disturbing revelations about Dumbledore's golden boy.

"You told me that he was a spoiled brat." Voldemort pointed out softly.

"As far as I know he is." Snape parried. "The only information I can get on his home life comes through Dumbledore, and he keeps insisting that the boy is treated like a prince and wants for nothing. What I have managed to observe shows a marked lack of respect for rules and personal danger. I have no idea how he might have even been remotely considered for Slytherin house. I never understood why he chooses to wear rags under his fairly decent robes."

"According to the castle, he doesn't have anything else." Salazar said quietly. "Some of what he does have was given to him by the Weasleys. He also doesn't have enough meat on him. I'd like you to brew nutrient potions for him, if only to get his weight up to something more substantial."

"Earlier, I felt..." Voldemort trialed off seeing the indulgent look of understanding on the cloth faces of the founders, making him scowl.

"What you felt was the Horcrux in the boy's scar." Rowena said with a gentle smile. "We're forcing Harry's secrets out into the open partially because they are actually relevant to the situation, not to mention still ongoing, and partially because both of you need to see him as just Harry. He knows almost nothing of our world, yet he is currently expected to sacrifice everything for it. If we do this right then Hogwarts will release you and you wont have to share all of your secrets unless you want to."

"Regardless, for the foreseeable future, the three of you will be residing here, at Hogwarts, and spending time together." Helga pointed out.

"You've revealed some rather important secrets when it comes to the boy and I. Is there anything equivalent in Severus' repertoire of secrets?" Voldemort asked, even as he noted the Potion Master's sudden stiffness. "You've shared some rather interesting secrets for the two of us. I think its only fair that you share one of Severus', unless he would like to share it himself..."

"My lord, I have no idea...." Severus trailed off when he finally looked at the other man and saw his expression. Sighing deeply he reconsidered his response before speaking in a tone of deep resignation, head bowed, gaze firmly placed on his hands in his lap. "I turned from you when I believed that you had ignored my request to spare Lily. Dumbledore forced me into an unbreakable vow to do my utmost to protect the boy. Had I not needed to protect him from others of a Dark affiliation I would not have clung so tightly to the idea that he is a carbon copy of James Potter. I also would have likely noticed the mistreatment that you all have been hinting at, but I couldn't afford to show any positive interest, or at least I believed I couldn't, not without risking both our lives. With both your destruction and Lily's death, had I not needed to protect the boy and been constantly reminded of it by Dumbledore, I likely would not have survived for long after that night."

Harry had woken back up enough to hear Snape's answer and didn't make a sound or move from his cocoon of twins partially from shock and partially from confusion. He watched the drama play out from behind his bangs, knowing he likely wouldn't be getting back to sleep, and wondered when his world had decided to stop making sense. He also wondered what the twins would make of it and idly considered if the two of them were actually asleep or simply pretending as he watched to see what would happen next.

Voldemort calmly regarded the man sitting across the table from him and considered his options. He could cast a wandless crucio, or find some other way of punishing the man during their confinement. He could wait until they had managed to get free of the room and possibly Hogwarts as well. Or he could simply work with what he had been presented with. Potter was one of his Horcruxes, that left out killing the brat, Severus was sworn to protect Potter, Severus cared enough for the boy's mother to turn aside from him knowing the likely consequences.

"There will be a reckoning for your betrayal." Voldemort warned quietly, as Snape flinched before bowing his head more deeply, shoulders hunched, in acknowledgement. "For now we discover exactly what Dumbledore has kept hidden from us about the boy."

"Actually, we're pretty sure the old goat played him." Salazar told the Dark Lord with a sympathetic grimace.

"That's hardly better." Voldemort pointed out, dryly.

"Of course, its not like he didn't play you as well." Helga pointed out, causing the dreaded Dark Lord to flush and look away.

"Entirely beside the point." Voldemort retorted. His gaze moving back to the three Gryffindors on the bed, two redheads and one black.

"They are worthwhile when you get to know them." Salazar said softly, seeing where his son's gaze had fallen. "All three were supposed to be in my house. All three were placed in Godric's house for their courage to ask for another house, knowing that they might not be accepted. An eleven year old knowingly choosing a more troublesome or dangerous path is courage indeed, though a more subtle one than is usually associated with Godric's house and line. Just because one of our favored traits is considered dominant at the sorting does not mean that the other traits are not also present."

"They buried Harry's love of knowledge deeply to the point that he is being hurt by it, physically hurting him if he got better grades than his cousin. Any time he showed loyalty in the presence of his relatives except to them, regardless of their actions, they did their best to destroy it. Any display of backbone or bravery had his meals and freedom taken from him, often accompanying a beating. His cunning has kept him alive, as he stole food to survive and his magic helped keep him alive." Rowena observed quietly, choosing not to notice that Harry had begun to shake at their words. "The words he calls out in his sleep tell much, as do the scattered bits of memory retained from the hat. Thus far he has only ever slept well when the twins have comforted him and only for short periods of time."

"From what we can tell, he truly believes that the abuse and torture that is inflicted on him is his due. That he does not deserve to live." Godric said softly, even as the twins murmured softly, shifting to cuddle the still quietly shaking Harry more closely to them. "The twins are as much his brothers as possible without a blood link, in some ways even more so."

"Explaining their presence here to their mother is going to be a nightmare." Snape informed them with a groan, then pondered for a moment. "I suppose I can tell them that I needed them to help me brew a rare potion for Potter, that he had fallen ill."

"Actually there are a few potions that require certain ingredients from magical twins or need them to help with certain parts of the brewing." Salazar informed him mirth bubbling in the founder's eye. "I'll even give you my journals that have their descriptions and recipes if you can at least try to be understanding and civil with young Harry."

"That's not all he wants you to do. Knowing him, after he's sweetened you up, he's going to try and get you to check everyone for potions or spells influencing them. Even if he presents it as a prank or something." Godric said with a snort, completely ignoring the fierce glare from his friend for spoiling the man's plot. "Don't be like that Sal, you know you're going to give them a potions lab to play with. Just get it over with and have them brew some of the more harmless stuff. I know perfectly well that your main argument is going to be that we can always take it away from them again if they misuse it."

Voldemort thought for a moment, considering all of the new information he had gained in the last 24 hours. Snape would be a decent guard for the brat who wouldn't die under most circumstances but there were some places he couldn't go without suspicion, even if he continued to pretend that he simply wanted to get the brat in trouble. The two redheads currently on the bed comforting his human horcrux on the other hand would, as his friends and pseudo-brothers, have an easier time guarding the irritating brat. If he could get them to stay with the younger Gryffindor it would simplify things. Deciding to explore this avenue a bit, the Dark Lord sent two wandless stinging hexes at the boys, waking them with indignant yelps and completely ignoring the fact that Harry was likely still awake, judging by his near complete silence and lack of movement.

"Oi! What was that for?" Fred asked indignantly before finally getting a proper look at the two older wizards. His gulp of alarm had a satisfied smirk spreading across Voldemort's face.

"Freddie, I don't think we're in the Burrow any more." George said quietly, even as both boys tried to shove Harry behind them.

"Would you die to protect Potter?" Voldemort asked, an evil smirk still dominating his features even as the twins exchanged a startled glance before slowly nodding, eyes narrowing. "Good. Certain information has come to light which obliges me to cease my attempts to kill him and instead protect him. Severus is already bound to that task but there are places and situations that he can not easily infiltrate to keep the brat safe in. If you want to leave this room alive you will both swear an unbreakable vow to protect him to the best of your abilities and swear your undying loyalty to either me or to Potter. Know this though, Potter is under my authority from now on. It is my right to punish him even as it is now my responsibility to protect him. Is that understood? You will not interfere between us unless it is clear that I am trying to kill him."

"Oi! Leave them alone! Guys, you don't have to do that." Harry protested, as he tried to shove aside the twins so that he could protect them rather than the other way around. He didn't noticed the startled looks on their faces or the evil smirks that came over their faces. Both Voldemort and Snape, however, did and those expressions sent chills of fear down the dreaded Potion Master's spine, making him forcibly stop the instinctive flinch.

"We take it that..." Fred began their dual speech patterns.

"You are the Dark Lord?" George continued, their smirks still firmly in place. At Voldemort's intrigued nod of acknowledgement they continued.

"Then there really..." Fred.

"Is no choice. Not that..." George.

"There ever really was..." Fred.

"One. We choose our little..." George.

"Harrykins. He already has..." Fred.

"Our loyalty, even over..." George.

"Our family and friends." They finished together, maniacal grins in place, even as they turned folding themselves into a half kneeling half bowing position on either side of Harry, heads half bowed, eyes and faces suddenly dead serious as they met Harry's startled gaze.

"We pledge our loyalty and service to Harry James Potter, regardless of name, rank, or status. We pledge to serve him to the best of our abilities, to remain always faithful, to protect him to the best of our abilities even should it cost us our magic and our lives. Our pledge remains even against those of our own blood and kin. We pledge to hold his welfare above our own to our dying breath and beyond. So Mote It be." The twins practically chanted, power swirling in the air around them and resonating in their voices, their eyes glowing with the force of what magic they had summoned as witness to their pledge.

"I... I..." Harry stammered.

"Accept the pledge Potter." Snape ordered quietly from his position at the new table. "They went beyond what the Dark Lord requested and rejecting it will have some nasty consequences. The menaces took a rather large risk in making the oath in such a fashion at all. Allow the words to flow from you, don't think, and for gods sake don't try to force it."

Harry took a deep breath before nodding to himself and meeting their eyes as they patiently waited for his decision.

"I accept not because you were required, not because of what you offer, not because you have proven yourselves to be my brothers, comrades, and friends but because it is the true wish of your hearts. Should it be anything else I ask you to withdraw your oaths and there will be no harm to either party." Harry said carefully, the words flowing from his mouth like a river, power resonating with each syllable he spoke. The twins simply smirked at him and bowed their heads the rest of the way, confident in their acceptance. This time when Harry spoke there was a quiver of gratitude, awe, slight fear, and shock running alongside the raw magic in his voice. "Very well, I accept your oath and give you one in return. I pledge to protect you to the best of my ability. I pledge to stand at your side and answer should you call for aid. I pledge to assist in what endeavors you take up that I may. I pledge to never intentionally place you and yours in danger, unless there is no alternative. I pledge to honor you and your oath to the best of my abilities for the rest of my days. So Mote It Be."

"So Mote It Be." Voldemort and Snape echoed, sealing the vows the three had spoken. The magic rang through their bones and painlessly burned a small lightning bolt into the hollow of the throat of each twin, marking them as Harry's sworn liegemen.

"This is a nightmare. It has to be." Snape muttered a moment later, glancing between the still kneeling twins and the smirking Dark Lord.

"Afraid not." Gryffindor chimed in, amusement liberally lacing his voice. "But think of it this way, since you are also pledged to protect Harry, they can't afford to move against you unless you prove yourself to be a threat to my Heir. Pledged to protect my Heir and sworn to serve Sal's Heir. Just be glad that you aren't torn between them any more." Snape just growled at the cloth image of the red and gold clad founder.

"Uh, why aren't the two of you bothered about... this?" Harry asked his friends quietly.

"Harry, Harry, Harry, there's a simple reason why." Fred said in amusement shaking his head in mock sadness, as they both switched to siting cross-legged in front of him on the bed.

"We're half dark! Or I guess you could say grey." George informed him, in slight bemusement.

"We're not entirely light, and we've been trying to figure out a way to show you that we follow you, no matter what." Fred informed him with a grin.

"Mum might be a bit of a tough sell if you decide to use dark magic regularly but mostly our family will side with you." George pointed out. "Ginny has a crush on you, mum and dad consider you to be another Weasley, Ron's a prat at times but you're his best mate."

"Might have some trouble with Percy but he's a git. Bill and Charlie wont care one way or the other, and if you wind up killing and torturing you'll have to explain it to mum." Fred explained. "If you have a good enough reason for it and point it out to mum, she'll practically do it for you and fuss over you after to make sure you're okay."

"Lupin decided that you're his cub and werewolves are really loyal to their pack. There aren't all that many who wouldn't stand with you if you decided to side with Mister Dark Lord over there, even if some of us would eventually want an explanation." George admitted. "We don't need one but mum, Hermione, Mr. Black, and Professor Lupin will want one. I don't think we can convince Professor Dumbledore that this is a good thing and Percy is a bit of a wash along with Mad-eye Moody but..."

"Harrykins you have to understand." Fred said shifting to a more serious expression with his brother following suit.

"The oath we just gave? We really do mean it." George told him as Fred nodded.

"The Death Munchers probably have to give a similar promise. Harry, the Death Eaters belong to Voldemort in the same way we belong to you now." Fred explained.

"Every word of the oath? We mean it. To our dying breath we are yours and the only reason we didn't swear our bloodline to you, our children, is that we knew you'd object." George said softly.

"If we thought you'd have accepted we would have sworn not only ourselves but our children to your service, Harry." Fred told him solemnly before breaking out into a grin and declaring cheekily. "Our husband or wife would have to make the oath on their own."

"I'm not sure that I really understand but I meant what I promised. I will stand by you and I will do my best to honor the oaths, yours and mine." Harry told them seriously.

"We know." Fred said simply.

"That's one of the reasons we were happy to make the oath." George informed him before both twins jumped up off the bed and mock bowed to him.

"My lord." Both twins said mockingly mid-bow. Harry was amused at their antics and didn't notice that while their voices were irreverent their body language said something entirely different, a fact that neither Slytherin missed.

"Menaces." Snape muttered half-heartedly.

"To true." They agreed, turning as one to face the disgruntled potions master and pretended to act like mechanized toy soldiers, much to Harry's amusement.