Chapter 22: The secret room -22
As I descended the long curved stairs I inspected the Diadem or more accurately the Horcrux. Yes, I could get rid of it right now but, why ruin someone's hard work?
This Horcrux seems to be still young, usually, the longer a Horcrux stays alive the more foul the corruption.
Picking the Diadem to make a Horcrux out of is rather telling of a person's character. Tom Riddle is bold and takes delight in making a founder's artifact 'his own'.
From what I've learned about him, Tom seems to think he is a descendant of Salazar Slytherin. He probably takes great pride in this misconception.
His obvious gift of parseltongue must fuel his ego. And with the time period he grew up in he's probably afraid of death but can't admit it aloud.
I wouldn't be surprised if he's made more than one Horcrux. I'd even wager the others he made are also Hogwarts Founder artifacts.
If everything I have learned and hypothesized about this child is right then, Tom Riddle will most likely be that catalyst to a much bigger war than he could even imagine.
Since I'm in Britain my enemies are probably spreading their influence to other parts of the world.
I'm sure even Nicolas can feel it, the electric cry of magic running through the world.
I will make sure this war is the last.
If I die trying then so be it, I do not fear loss but the thought of them winning fuels me with unbridled rage unlike any other.
***
Finally reaching the end of the daunting stairs my eyes locked onto the blue glowing crystal in the middle of the room.
Setting the Horcrux on the last stair step I walk forward slowly, my hand inching upward.
Making contact with the crystal I wide smile appeared on my face. I could still feel the slow rhythmic beating of Hogwart's heart.
"Soon my friend," I mumbled softly
I could feel the beating quicken, how long has it been since Hogwarts was last awakened?
So many years.
I can't do it now or even in the next couple of years, the main reason is that when Hogwarts awakens the whole world will know.
Contrary to popular belief Hogwarts wasn't just made by the four founders Rowena, Godric, Salazar, and Helga. They were the ones that stayed to man the 'school'. Although no one could deny they did much of the planning and work.
No Hogwarts was made by thousands of brilliant witches and wizards. Any witch or wizard that was able to help during that time came and helped.
Even if they were across the world.
The reason for this was simple, fearing the invasion of Demons, Gods, Angels, and more entities. We, humans, decided to build a war fortress unlike any other.
Also during that time if I can remember the nonmagical were killing any who had even the tiniest bit of magical blood in them.
Hogwarts helped many, and in the future, it will help again.
I can still remember Camelot, it was supposed to be an even greater Hogwarts but Merlin and Arthur were swayed by ideas of peace and grandeur.
They never lived through what I had, they took the old war as a story used to scare children.
They thought of themselves as Revolutionaries. They had no idea how much damage their words caused.
Soon people began to forget the dangers of the beings being held back by the veil. Cracks were already forming in the veil at this time letting Gods, Demons, Angels, and more descend into the human world for a short period of time.
Luckily some people still held fear of the monsters that were swaying the masses. I was barely able to close the cracks and kill Merlin before I died.
The next time I was born history was rewritten. And people hardly knew the dangers behind the veil.
They called them myths.
***
I left the heart of Hogwarts with heavy steps, I didn't realize how much would come back to me just by seeing it.
Before I left I implanted my magic into the heart at a slightly different rhythm than the slow beats.
This way I can activate Hogwarts remotely with just a snap of my fingers. As I reached the top of the stairs I stopped.
The past teaches us the future that is true.
But if you focus too much on the past you will miss the present. That is even truer. I cannot lose focus. Too many things are happening right now. The best I can do is hope my plans are still in motion and focus on teaching at Hogwarts.
These children might not know it but they hold the future in their palms. It's time to truly focus on nurturing their talents.
*Narrator pov*
"Merlin's saggy balls this is embarrassing I can't do it," James Potter said to his friends while hiding in the library
"We need the help," Remus replied you could visibly see how embarrassed he was
"Let's just ask a Gryffindor," Sirius chimed in trying to sway his friends
"We can't!" James said a little louder than a whisper
Stiles quickly covered James's mouth while making a shushing motion, "Why can't we?"
Prying Stiles's hand from his mouth James quickly spoke, "Because we lost so many points already if they learn we are about to fail potions what do you think will happen?"
"Laughing stock," Sirius said glumly
Sirius continued in a pained voice, "Merlin's tits we have to do it," it was as if he was about to do the most painful thing in the world
Quietly as to not disturb the librarian the group inched closer to a small table in the corner of the library.
A lone student could be seen at the table studying diligently.
James thought It would be smart to be the one to talk, "Hey Snape," he said as they reached the table
Severus Snape quickly flung from his chair and whipped out his wand like a soldier who had PTSD.
"Calm down mate!" Sirius said ducking behind a bookshelf for cover
"We just want to talk," James said hastily not pulling out his wand because it would just raise hostilities
"What do you want," Severus sneered
James laughed awkwardly, "Well you see, we where uh wondering if uhh," James struggled to get the words out
"If you could help us with potions!" Remus interrupted timely
"What?" Severus lowered his wand with a dumbfounded expression
"None of us can figure out these bloody potions, we will fail at this rate. Your the best in our grade please help us," Stiles said softly though he didn't look as tired as usual
"No," Severus sneered
"We will do anything you want just please help us and maybe um not tell anyone yknow?" Remus said awkwardly
Severus seriously considered the possibility he was in an illusion or maybe the oh-so-smart marauders were spiked with some type of potion.
"Get an older year Gryffindor to help you," Severus said with his classic sneer
It was like he was born to sneer.
"We can't, we already lost our house so many points. If we tell them where about to fail potions they will never let us rest," James said irritably
If someone fails the core class midterms in your house, points are deducted because you didn't show enough 'teamwork'. Finals were different, if you failed nothing happened to your house but shame.
Realizing this Severus smiled evilly.
The Marauders were totally screwed.
_end-
A/N:Patre on: patreon.com/Boogie324
In HP Merlin was born sometime around 993 AD. The majority of modern historians agree that the religion practiced by the ancient Greeks(and other Gods as well) had been extinguished by the 9th century AD. Wizards believed in them for much longer though (in my story). Some still do and as you could tell many divination spells use gods names. The gods are not 'granting' the success of the divination. Their name is just needed for the spell. Hoped this cleared up any confusion.