Twins: A Different Life (Book one)

Thirteen

Two weeks, Harry decided, was really too short of a time. His last days with Founders would be something he cherished forever, and nothing would ever change that. They made sure he had the greatest time of his life. Rowena helped him finish and perfect his masking spell and its incantation, and he had fun showing it off to an impressed Salazar, although he did get a scolding of a lifetime for scaring the Slytherin Lord out of his wits. The scolding didn't do much though, as Harry was too busy howling with laughter at the undignified sound that left the man and in the end Salazar bribed Harry with a Basilisk armour that was charmed to adapt to Harry's size and agility to keep quiet about the incident.

Salazar later found out that Godric had been testing the spell with Harry, so had witnessed the entire incident first hand, and had no problem with telling the ladies all about it, he had even gone as far as sharing the memory with them so they could get full force of the hilarity. Harry had been forced to walk around doing a fair impression of Medusa, it was an absolute nightmare listening to the snakes go on and on constantly. He thanked his stars however, Godric was still baying a week later.

The final evening's dinner was the grandest affair Harry had ever seen, the Great Hall was decked out as its finest and the elves had prepared a feast that lady magic would have been proud of. They spoke and sang, they laughed and they cried up until the early hours when Harry finally collapsed, completely worn out, in Salazar's waiting arms.

His trunk was packed and he was dressed in his finest robes, Aressa was put in his trunk, which had an undetectable extension charm on it, so there was a piece of grassland for her to wander around. It was harder than Harry could have ever imagined, standing before the four Founders knowing it would be the last time he would ever physically see them, and he just broke down. He cried, clutching Salazar in a grip of iron, until he was out of tears. The adults couldn't hold back their own emotions, parting from their family.

"I know it is difficult, Snakelet," Salazar said softly, rubbing his hand over the boy's shoulder, "But you are strong and you are going to show everyone what a mistake they made."

"We'll miss you just as much, but we know that you'll be doing so well," Rowena told him.

"You'll do us proud," Godric agreed.

"You'll finally get to see your Godfather and Uncle again," Helga reminded him, smiling through her own tears, "You've missed them so much."

That seemed to finally calm the boy down. He drew back and wiped his eyes with his hands, his missing etiquette being ignored this once.

"I do get to see them again," Harry repeated, "I've been looking forward to that."

"You will have the opportunity to rebuild strong bonds with your Godfather again," Salazar pointed out, "I believe they will be overjoyed at the prospect."

I hope so, it's been so long."

"Do not doubt the bond, Harry." Merlin told him, from his place in the corner. He had kept out of the proceedings, his position in regards to Harry was different. While he could not promise to see the boy again, it could not be said that he wouldn't.

"I know, I shouldn't. I guess I am just nervous." He admitted.

"As soon as you see them it'll all go away,"Godric assured.

"Those bonds will serve you well, Harry," Rowena told him, "And I believe it will be best if you focus on those instead of ours."

"What do you mean?"

"I do not think it wise that you put all your efforts into finding our portraits, when you should be building up your relationships with your Godfather and Uncle." She said gently, holding up a hand to stop his protests. "Should you come across us, then let it be a joy. But you are part of our lines now, you will have access to all of our earthly belongings and there will be a portrait of us in each of our vaults, as well as a joint frame for us to converse. You will speak to us again, never doubt. But we cannot be there for you like your true family, and I would hate for those relationships to be permanently damaged because you held on to us."