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he Slytherin's walked into their common room, only to freeze when they saw Harry Potter casually sitting in one of their chairs. They collectively gulped as they recalled what happened the last time Harry had come here.
"What are you doing here?!" Malfoy demanded
"Waiting for someone" Harry answered, as he slowly looked around the room "Ah, there he is" Harry stood up and walked towards a portrait
"What are you on about?" Theodore Nott said
"Shush" Harry replied as he walked up to a portrait of Salazar Slytherin, the wizard in the portrait never talked to anyone and he was rarely found in his portrait. In fact he spent most of his time elsewhere, not that anybody knew where. The Slytherin's never really saw more than a few glimpses of him throughout the year. "Salazar Slytherin" Harry stopped in front of the potrait
"What makes you think he's going to talk to you?!" Malfoy sneered, any further reply was cut off by the sound of hissing. They blinked as they realised the hissing was coming from Harry and that Salazar looked like he could understand it
"He's a parslemouth!" One Slytherin blurted out as the rest paled, realising that this powerful wizard was not only capable of beating them at the age of eleven but he also possessed the great ability that made the dark lord and Salazar Slytherin famous
"It is a pleasure to meet you" Harry said in parsletounge
"Likewise" Salazar replied in the same language
"I saw you...last time I was here. I saw you out of the corner of my eye"
"I was watching you" Salazar admitted "I was very impressed. Power, speed, you have it all"
"I wanted to ask you something" Harry replied "do you have anywhere special where I can learn more magic?"
"Why?" Salazar didn't react beyond a slight raising of his eyebrow
"Because Voldemort is still alive and he will come after me sooner or later" Harry replied "I need to be ready for when he comes"
"The last boy I helped BECAME Voldemort and he never attacked a whole common room in his first year" Salazar replied
"He didn't need to be kept busy so he doesn't get rid of all of his boredom, frustration and anger on the nearest idiots" Harry argued "he was an ass who wanted to rule the world. Me, I just want two things."
"And those would be?"
"The first is to be left alone so I can have peace and quiet"
"And the second?"
"To be the best, that way I can protect the few I don't want to leave" Harry said seriously, Salazar remained silent for a few seconds
"Your face" He said after a while "does it hurt?"
"No, not anymore" Harry shook his head
"Can it be healed?"
"No, it can't" Harry shook his head again
"If you could, would you?"
"No" Harry answered immediately
"Why not?" Salazar's voice was curious
"I hate looking like this" Harry gestured to his face "I hate the judgment, the pity and the fear when they see me. I hate the fact that my face is ingrained into the heads of everyone when I want nothing more to stay in the background and not be noticed. But it helps, it lets me see people for who they are. It brings out the real them, I can see who is scared of me and I can see who isn't. This...is me now. I might get over other people judging me but I wouldn't change it. I am me, I will not be anyone else." The other students watched as both Harry and Salazar became quiet and stared at each other intensely, the Slytherin's were amazed to see the boy-who-lived engaging in a staring contest with one of the Hogwarts founders.
"Very well" Salazar sighed, being the first to break eye contact "I will help you, but if you make me regret this...then I will never forgive you"
"Thank you" Harry said sincerely, Harry and Salazar continued conversing for another minute or so before Harry gave Salazar a short bow and turned only to be greeted with gobsmacked members of Slytherin house. "What?" Harry challenged and most of them looked away
"W...What did he say?" Daphne Greengrass asked nervously
"That's between me and him" Harry replied "excuse me" Harry said as he began making his way past, most of the Slytherin's moved out of the way, except for Malfoy
"Hold it Potter, what did you and Salazar Slytherin talk about?!" He demanded
"None of your business, now move, I won't ask again" Harry replied with a warning in his voice, one that Malfoy didn't hear
"Don't talk to me like that! You're going to tell me Potter or I'll..." Harry waved his arm and Malfoy went flying before crashing into a wall
"Idiots like that are why Salazar is no longer impressed with his house" Harry added to the Slytherin's before walking out
"Ah Mr Potter" Professor Slughorn said as Harry and Delphi arrived in his class. Harry looked at Slughorn, he was the new potions teacher, he was definitely older than Snape. Harry had heard rumours saying that the man was a brilliant teacher who had originally taught Snape and his own mother "I am Professor Horace Slughorn, it's a pleasure to meet you"
"Thank you" Harry nodded, he wouldn't return the compliment until he was sure that the man deserved it.
"You are very welcome, I know this is unusual but could you see me after class? I have something I want to talk to you about" Slughorn asked hopefully
"Fine" Harry sighed, deciding to just deal with it now instead of later
"Thank you" Slughorn smiled and soon the class started.
The students were all rather pleased with Slughorns lesson, the man seemed to take a joy in teaching. He didn't discriminate between others, he'd gladly helped and unlike Snape he was intelligent enough to teach the potions safety and basics first before even suggesting they start on potions that could explode. Harry was rather pleased that the man was a competent teacher who could actually teach. At the end of the lesson Delphi walked outside and waited for Harry as he walked towards Slughorn.
"You wanted to talk to me sir?" Harry said
"Yes, there are a few things I wanted to talk to you about" Slughorn nodded "Firstly I am sorry about that incident you had with Severus Snape, I used to teach him. He was never who I intended to take over. That was actually your mother, she was my best student and taken away long before she deserved."
"Thank you" Harry nodded appreciatively
"The second thing I wanted to talk about is...well, if you don't mind, I'd like to be a bit blunt"
"I'd encourage it if anything" Harry replied "it's much simpler for me than listening to people dance around subjects"
"Yes, well firstly, I know you're likely tired of this but I wanted to ask about your face. Firstly, does it hurt? Because if it does then I can supply pain relief potions"
"No, it's fine" Harry said
"If you're sure, secondly I wanted to admit that I've not much experience with this sort of thing, therefore I'd like to ask you what you would prefer. Is this something you don't mind discussing? Do you wish me to ignore it and never speak of it? Each person is different and I really would rather hear your thoughts on it"
"I can forgive an occasional mention like once every few months but it's not something I'd like to hear everyday" Harry replied
"Very well, the last thing I wanted to talk to you about was your mother and your class performance" Slughorn let out a short sigh "your mother was one of the best students I've ever had the pleasure of teaching. A muggleborn she might have been in the eyes of the uneducated but for those who knew her, she was not only a brilliant person but someone you would be delighted to call your friend. Her intelligence made Ravenclaw's envious, I am not expecting you to live up to her and become exactly like her. However, all I do request is that you try your best in class.
I've talked with Professor Flitwick and he recommended me to see how well you do and if I feel you are doing suitably then I should promote you to harder and more advanced work. Will that interest you?"
"Yes" Harry barely managed to keep the shock off of his face "thank you sir" he added sincerely
"You are very welcome, now off you go" Slughorn gestured to the door
"Bye sir" Harry gave him a short nod before walking out
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