Harry Potter and the Forgotten Oracle

Chapter One: The Foe of the Founder.

A lavish sunset was beginning to fade behind the rolling mountains as rays of light cascaded through wall-high windows set on the sixth floor of a magnificent castle. A woman, who had been gazing over the grounds, turned away and took a seat upon the chintz lounge in front of her. She picked up a delicate bejewelled comb and brushed it through her long raven hair, sweeping it out of her face. There was a sudden crack, and she turned to see a small house elf standing at the door obediently.

‘What is it Lushy?’ she said richly, placing her comb on a small table and standing up, her woven silk robes rippling softly to the floor.

‘Your meeting is about to begin Miss’ the house elf squeaked, bowing low to the floor.

‘Thankyou Lushy, tell them I am on my way, will you?’ she said as she walked towards a highly polished wooden desk which stood in one of the corners of the room. She ruffled through pieces of parchment for a few seconds, murmured something to herself and then pulling a wand from her pocket, with a quick jab the paper disappeared. She turned and followed the house-elf out of the door hesitated, picking up a antique hand mirror, quickly inspecting herself before embarking down the long halls, humming to her self. A slight bursting noise in front of her made her stop and look up. She smiled to herself as she waited beside a painting, of a rather dumpy woman with curly blonde hair, wearing a golden dress. Seconds later the painting became barren and seconds later, the same woman strolled out of the painting, wearing heavy grey robes.

‘Good evening Helga, shall we walk together?’

‘Of course Rowena, do you still have any idea why he called this meeting?’ the chubby blonde woman said, walking very quickly to keep up with the other woman, who was taking much longer strides. Rowena simply shook her head, the same thought seeming to plague her.

‘I’m not sure, but no doubt he has his reasons. Godric, I assume that he will be present also?’

‘I think so, he had to go to the Ministry for something, Knacktoe still asking for him endlessly, but I am sure he will be back, it…­­it seemed quite urgent wouldn’t you agree?’ This time Rowena did not answer, merely shrugging as they stopped in front of a gargoyle.  

‘Hoggy Woggy Hogwarts’ Helga muttered very reluctantly. She nodded to Rowena, and the two of them headed into a large oval shaped room. The room in itself was magnificent, in had hard polished wood floors, a large oak desk in the middle of the room, and roof high windows. An ornate chandelier was set over the room throwing ominous light over towering bookcases which covered all of the walls. There was movement from a small room to the left and seconds later a broad wizard with deep gold robes on paced into the room. He was a tall, burly man who had dark eyes, and several small scars on his face, remnants of past triumphs. The man held himself with much esteem and gestured warmly to two chairs which appeared instantly. Both Rowena and Helga took their seats looking across at the man.

‘I trust that your trip was a safe one, Godric? Helga asked politely.

‘It was thankyou, a little longer then I would have like, but there you are, ah I believe Salazar is here!’ he said and he rose from his chair. Seconds later, the door creaked open and a man with a long pointed black beard wearing brilliant green robes entered the room. His eyes scanned the room and seemed to linger on Rowena; however no one seemed to notice.

‘Have a seat, Salazar’ Gryffindor said, raising his wand.

‘Let me Gryffindor’ Salazar said, drawing his wand, a chair popping out of thin air and falling with a small thud beside Helga. A moment of silence past before Godric, after having settled in his chair again and resting his hands on the desk looked enquiringly at Salazar.

‘Now Salazar, why is it that you called this most urgent meeting? I must say that I am quite curious?’ he said, an air of intrigue in his voice. Helga also made a noise of assent whilst Rowena nodded silently. Salazar seemed to hesitate before he began to speak, intentionally looking at no one in particular.

‘I was teaching third year transfiguration again this afternoon and we revised all that had been taught this term. It seems to me that there are some ah… particular…students that do not seem to be able to keep up with the standard that we have so far demanded within this school, my friends.’

‘Moses Veltley?’ Helga said a knowing look on her face. ‘He managed to turn my cauldron into a flyswat today.’ She chuckled ‘of course he was very apologetic as usual!’

‘Precisely’ Salazar nodded ‘but I was surprised to note that it was not only him, the boy has always been dull. However other students- in my opinion also lacked a grasp of what has been taught to them’ Salazar opened his mouth once more and seemed to waver and then continued, pulling a list from inside his cloak and flaunting it in front of him. ‘Moria Banksweep, Gilligan Jamison, Majory Schofield, Delilah Handyblossom and Higgeth Dollynog’ he said sleekly, placing the list delicately in front of him.

‘So what are you saying we do Salazar? Of course there are weaker students in all the years, I personally see it as something inevitable’ Godric retorted, his eyebrows narrowed.

‘Perhaps remedial lessons for some of the students, if it is a concern of yours Salazar, I would be more than happy to supervise them’ Helga said kindly.

‘Yes, well you see that’s not exactly what I meant Helga’ Salazar said coyly, an ugly look starting to form on his harsh face.

‘Well then Salazar what is it that you propose? I don’t think any of us understand you!’ Godric asked a look of utmost bewilderment on his face, looking around at the other two.

‘No, I think I do’ said Rowena, who to this point had not spoken. She stood up and threw a very calculating look at Salazar.

‘You do?’ Helga said surprised

‘You do!’ Salazar leered

‘Yes, and it was my understanding that we had decided democratically on this issue Slytherin!’ she said fiercely. She looked at Helga and Godric for support. Helga looked from Ravenclaw to Slytherin, whereas Gryffindor, a look of dawning on his face said nothing.

‘Dollynog? Schofield? Handyblossom? I assume their lack of skill and their common parentage is not coincidental Slytherin’ Ravenclaw demanded.

‘You have reached that conclusion too have you Rowena’ Salazar spat also standing up. ‘I have said it before Godric, muggleborns have far too much difficulty adapting to magic, the different braches are far too complicated, and many still struggle to transfigure dodoes when they leave! If something is not done, then it will not be long befo-’

‘I see no evidence that magical talent is indicative of blood Salazar’ Gryffindor said coldly ‘We have had this conversation before, and nothing has changed. Why only last year Posy Evergreen, a muggleborn was inducted into the newly formed Auror Office. Need I remind you that one of us is of no magical descendants’ he said firmly, leaving a ringing silence before them. Rowena took a sharp intake and looked across at Salazar, an almost frightened look on her face.

‘Yes we are well aware of it’ Salazar said looking furiously at Rowena ‘and may I also suggest that she is by the weakest of the four’ he said his eyes not leaving Rowena.

‘Enough!’ screamed Helga standing up and marching across to stand next to Rowena.  ‘We have been through this Salazar; Rowena herself is a clear example that blood has nothing to do with talent.’ She raged, stamping her foot.

‘Well then, we shall prove that theory shall we? Yes!’ he said, his eyes now displaying a wild, ecstatic glee as he set forth upon her.

‘SLYTHERIN!’ Godric roared as he too started to move around the desk, his hand darting to the pockets in his robes. Instantly Slytherin raised his wand into the air and with a terrific bang, the massive chandelier from the middle of the room fell with a crash to the floor. Chards of glass and jewels shattered and sprawled across the floor, throwing the room into the darkness. As the dust and smoke began to fade, there was another hiss that rung through the room.

‘Crucio!’ there was a snap of light and the next second Ravenclaw fell to the ground twitching, a piercing scream sliced the air, and her eyes wrenched open as her body seemed to contract up in to itself as she writhed back and forth in agony.

‘What has happened to her? Was she hit by the chandelier? Rowena look at me!’ Helga said desperately, as she threw herself to the ground as Rowena continued to thrash about, and it was then that Godric who had also crouched next to Rowena look at Salazar. He was standing there, his wand pointed directly at Rowena’s heart, his eyes keen on her, and a repulsive smirk playing across his features. He seemed not to notice Godric take out his own wand and with a streak of silver light Salazar was launched across the room bashing against a bookcase, knocking heavy books down onto him. Godric stood up and advanced on him menacingly. Waving his wand in one sweeping motion, the books covering Salazar rose above him and he was levitated into the air, before falling unsteadily onto his feet, leaning heavily against the now empty bookcase. Helga, who had now stood, joined Godric also had her wand pointed at Salazar, directly at his heart. 

‘What was that, Salazar’ Helga said quietly, her wand still pointed at Salazar’s chest. ‘What did you do to Rowena?’

‘Well it is not obvious, what do you think happened to her?’ Salazar smirked, his eyes darting from the door to the window.

‘No curse should purvey such pain Slytherin, such is unforgivable!’ Godric said, his face livid, his hands shaking.

‘Unforgivable!’ Slytherin laughed mercilessly ‘No, Godric justifiable! The Cruciatus curse is definitely needed for punishment; in deed I deem it crucial to wizarding law enforcement!’

‘And just what was it that needed punishing Salazar?’ Helga gritted through her teeth.

‘The practising of magic by those unworthy and those willing to support such besmirching of magic!’ Slytherin roared, and raising his wand immediately, Helga was blown across the room, crashing head on into the desk and sliding across it unconscious. However, before Helga had even hit the ground, there was a roar of fury and Godric waved his wand, shooting a red bolt of light straight at Slytherin. Slytherin spun on the spot and appeared inches to the left, sneering at Godric.

‘You merely try and disarm me fool? I, Salazar Slytherin, greatest wizard of the age!’ he said, sending purple flames hurtling towards Gryffindor. Gryffindor waved his wand once more, and several books soared across the room, dispersing the flames, sending the books to ashes. ‘Enough!’ Gryffindor shouted sending a jet of blue light, which ricocheted off a bookcase and blew a hole in the floor. ‘You are not the greatest Salazar, indeed your failure to appreciate that there is more to magic than power is your downfall.’ He said now walking towards Salazar.

‘Indeed’ Salazar said and in one fluid motion, a gigantic serpent burst from the tip of his wand and hurtled towards Godric, coiling around him instantly. Gryffindor struggled for a moment and then fell backwards to the ground. ‘If power is nothing Gryffindor, then why are you all tied up?’ he said sneering. ‘Join me, Godric, together we can extend the boundaries of magic, take it to places it has never been before, we shall decide what magic becomes.’ Slytherin leaned in closely to Gryffindor, there eyes mere inches apart. Gryffindor struggled as the snakes grip around him tightened ‘Never Salazar, I’d rather die then help create such a world with you’ he said through laboured breaths.

‘That can be arranged’ Slytherin said icily, eyeing the tip of his wand. Suddenly there was a burst of fire from above him, and a brilliant swan-like bird appeared. Immediately, the snake uncoiled as Gryffindor vanished only to materialise on the desk.

‘Fawkes!’ Slytherin hissed, glaring at the phoenix as it began swooping violently at him. As Slytherin aimed curses and hexes continuously towards the bird, Gryffindor brandished his wand and with a burst of white light, the serpent which was reared, ready to strike erupted into flames circling Slytherin.

‘Your reign is over Salazar.’ And with that, thick cords shot from Godric’s wand tying him completely and fastening him to the wall as the flames that surrounded him died.

‘Godric’ Salazar said with an air of arrogance, though his face was pale. ‘You don’t understand, the art of sorcery will be lost. Purity in magic is essential, magic needs you and I, we must rid all infection, we must destroy mudbloods!’ he said wildly, fighting against his bindings. 

‘The only thing magic needs to be rid of is you Salazar.’

‘Never perform magic again Salazar’ Godric spat, his whole body radiating a terrible fury ‘Never return, never make contact with us again, you are no longer welcome in our world’ and with a sudden snap, Salazar’s wand fell to the ground in splinters.

‘Or else what?’ Slytherin wheezed, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

‘Or else you will be excommunicated from magic’ he said coldly, his eyes darting to the splinters of wood on the ground. ‘I will now escort you to the Ministry Slytherin. Your time is over.’ He then led Slytherin out of the room, jabbing him in the back with his wand as the door snapped closed behind them.

Helga crawled over to Ravenclaw and helped her steady herself.

‘Are you alright Rowena’ she said as she took one of her arms ‘what happened’

‘I was cursed, but I am not aware of the spell. Slytherin must have developed it.!’

‘A curse causing so much agony is unforgivable’ she said mortified, her eyes glistening ‘The ministry needs to be informed. But initially we will get you to the infirmary; Madam Pockley will be able to help you’

‘I am sure she will, but will happen to Salazar, he was a friend, why has he changed, what happened to him’ Ravenclaw said heavily, wincing as she began to walk.

‘I am not sure, but he is definitely looking into branches of magic we have tried to fight for too long. We can only hope he is able to help himself, or I am sure we will rectify the situation’ Helga said grimly.

‘And if he doesn’t? That is what concerns me? If this is just the beginning?’

***

Months passed and the sunlight that filtered the corridors of Hogwarts disappeared and was replaced by snow which smattered the windows. Cold drafts rushed through the classrooms and the corridors darkened as little light shone through. In an attempt to avoid tarnishing Hogwarts growing reputation, the true reason for Slytherin’s departure had never been revealed, instead many were set to believe that he had taken time to travel and research ancient and abstract forms of magic. On one particular day, Ravenclaw faced her windows as she studied the frozen icicles that clung to the portico in front of her. It was a small cough from behind her that snapped her from her daydream and turned her blood as cold as the icicle in front of her. Wheeling around slowly, her sight caught glimpse of the fireplace in which roaring green flames surrounded the head of a hard-jawed man.

‘Minister?’ she asked enquiringly, drawing herself up and moving quickly across the room to the hearth of the fireplace. It was not until she crouched next to the fireplace that the green flames illuminated his face that she saw his eyes wide, a terrified desperation swathing his features. ‘What has happened? What is wrong?’

‘It’s Slytherin, he has escaped! The three aurors who were guarding his dungeon have been killed. I do not know how, I have never seen anything like it. You need to warn Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, if the three of you get on to him, we may be able to stop him before he gets too far, let them know. I need to go and let the other aurors know.’

And with a small pop, the man disappeared from the fire, and the flames lulled and crackled merrily once more. Ravenclaw stood up and spun round, her eyes scanning her office rapidly. She hurried over to her desk breathing heavily. Suddenly there was a bang on her door, and it burst off open, banging loudly against the wall. There in the frame of the doorway, stood Godric his wand held aloft his eyes raging. He stepped slowly into the room, his eyes darting over his surroundings. Then apparently satisfied that the room was safe, he lowered his wand and moved quickly over to the desk, in which Ravenclaw was now standing behind, her wand pointed directly at Godric.

‘G-Godric, I just heard from the Minister. It’s hi-’

‘I know Rowena; I was at the Ministry myself and was told by one of the goblins. I came here straight away’ he said heavily. He all of the sudden looked very tired and took a seat at the desk. Rowena nodded and slowly sunk into a chair opposite him.

‘There is no denying it anymore Rowena; Salazar will not stop until you are…I mean to say, until he has g-’

‘Until he has destroyed me’ she said quietly. Godric said nothing, instead sat quietly studying the snow falling delicately in the outside window.

‘Perhaps it is time you went into hiding? The Fidelius charm could be effective, I would be more than happy to be th-’

‘I will not be driven into hiding Godric. I expect that is what Salazar would want at the very least’

‘Well perhaps it is a small price to pay for your well being Rowena’

‘Hiding justifies cowardliness Godric. Using the Fidelius Charm is an insult to all muggleborns, I am just as talented as Slytherin and I will not back down.’

‘Well it seems I can not convince you Rowena, however let it be known that I am not satisfied with the current arrangements. I must go; I have to accompany the aurors to one of the last places Slytherin was said to have gone before he was captured. Goodnight Rowena’ Gryffindor said miserably and left the room. Ravenclaw sat at her desk and absent mindedly picked up a bejewelled comb and begun to brushing her hair, it was at that moment that she became stiff, and hurried across the room to a small cherry wood box, which was carved intricately, an eagle with outstretched wings adorning the top part of it. Clicking an intricate key, the box snapped open and from within she pulled out a broach, which was a cluster of pearls and opals, slowly a determined look on her face she walked slowly back to her desk and delicately placed the hair piece onto the desk. She stared blankly at the hair broach for several seconds and then hurried over to one of the immense bookshelves. She searched the bookshelf for momentarily, her slender fingers brushing across the handsome, leather-bound books. Then she paused and slowly but steadily she pulled a narrow peacock blue book, and quickly set it upon a bookstand. Slowly taking a deep breath, hey eyes closed she withdrew her wand, muttering as the pages of the book flipped open.

***