Chapter 26

" Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, if you've a ready mind, Where those of wit and learning, Will always find their kind; Or perhaps in Slytherin You'll make your real friends, Those cunning folk use any means To achieve their ends"

HP1

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Merlin was the most famous wizard of all times. Everyone agreed on that. But there were many mysteries around him. He was sorted in the Slytherin house, but he believed that wizards had to leave peacefully with muggles. That was why he was Evelyn's favourite wizard.Since she was sick of playing games to tease Tom, she started to ignore Avery and any other boys who tried to make advances to her. And she focused on a new, ambitious goal. Tom had found the Chamber of Secrets, also thanks to her. She wanted to achieve something greater: finding Merlin's tomb. Or at least know what happened to him.There were many records around the greatest wizard of all times, but little was known about how he died and where he was buried. Legend said that Merlin turned very old and someday he simply disappeared. His magic was so powerful that he became magic and he vanished in an explosion of energy.Evelyn's uncle said that it was only a legend, that in the most ancient families of wizards it was said that Merlin disappeared because he fell trapped somewhere, maybe in the legendary Cursed Vaults.Tom didn't have much interest in those Cursed Vaults. Evelyn believed it was because he secretly feared the word "Cursed". But they believed they had found one of them when years earlier the key he had found in the library led them into a strange place that trapped them and almost killed them. They had called it the "Vault of Fear". She never forgot the pure fear she felt in there, but it was also the first time she felt truly attracted by Tom.She had no intention at all to find that Vault again. But there were other four Vaults and she hoped to find some hints about them, because she believed that if Merlin could have been trapped somewhere, it would have been in there. It was common knowledge that Merlin studied those Vaults in his life. But nobody knew if those Vaults won over him and trapped him in there.The Vaults were said to have been created by the Founders of Hogwarts. So Evelyn started to focus on the Founder's Tower. It was a secret tower that she found thanks to Tom. It was creepy for her to go back in there without him. But she wanted her own life goal.She visited the Tower whenever she had some free time, examinating the large study with old tomes of writings in ancient English. There were cobwebs and dust everywhere, so Evelyn couldn't stay long in that place without coughing.She avoided the latest Slug Party, she couldn't bear one glamour evening in the same room with a breathtaking Tom, who probably would have brought his Black girl out of spite.Evelyn enjoyed the company of the portraits of the founders. She felt small and insignificant amongst them, but at least she was paying tribute to them, while everyone else was too busy to stop and thank the memory of the founders for creating that wonderful castle that was their home.

Evelyn focused on Rowena Ravenclaw, a beautiful woman she had to portray in the latest school plays. The dusty painting was more loyal to the feature of the real Rowena. She wore the famous lost diadem, that looked like the one that once Helena Ravenclaw described to Evelyn. Evelyn felt so proud of being into her House. Her eyes noticed something she didn't notice before on the side of the woman in the painting. Some writing in an alphabeth unknown to her. Evelyn looked closer, when suddenly everything turned dark and she felt herself falling.

It didn't last long. She just had the time for a short scream when she felt her back hitting the ground.She blinked and watched around herself. She was in the open air. In front of her just a wall of stones. The sun was setting behind high mountains, but the sky was turning cloudy.The place was totally unfamiliar.She stood up hissing for the ache at her back and patted her uniform to clean it.Some noises alarmed. She looked for a place to hide, but there were only trees.Before she could understand where the menace was coming from, she saw a wand pointing against her. Her eyes widened in fear as she raised her hands to surrender. A wizard was scanning her, something was familiar in his feature, but before she could understand why, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her down the hill through the trees, while other noises of steps rushed around them.The wizard stopped only when they reached a safer place to hide, then he focused on Evelyn.She took out her wand to keep herself ready to any battle with the unknown enemies.The man frowned at her "So you are a witch? Why on earth didn't you use your wand before? I was about to obliviate you!".Evelyn felt bad for being scolded in that way by a stranger."And what is it that you're wearing?" He added nastily.She focused on his clothes, that looked very old fashioned."Are you a Scottish lass?" He kept talking. He also had an old fashioned accent.Evelyn shook her head."Then you can reply to me?" He insisted."I don't understand what's going on" she confessed scanning the man's feature to try to understand why he looked familiar."That's a bad thing" he smirked "You won't survive long if you can't understand something so obvious".Other noises distracted them. The man jumped out ready to attack, but he stopped.Another wizard came to meet him "Salazar, there's another group!".Evelyn froze at those words. Salazar? Nobody would ever name someone after the most famous Salazar in history, unless..."Seriously? Do you think it's the right time for having fun with females?" The other man snapped when he noticed her."Shut up, Godric. I came across her while I was doing my duty. She looks weird for being a spy, but she is a witch" Salazar said shooting her a mocking glance.Evelyn felt about to faint."She looks sick" Godric pointed out "Let's go back to the camp. The muggles won't fight much today. And you..." He pointed his wand against Evelyn "Need some less suspect clothes".He transfigurated her school uniform into a dark green dress. A very old fashioned dress. Medieval.Before she could clear her confused mind, Salazar pulled her up "No time for sleeping, dear. Let's run!".They ran throught the trees against, until they reached a glade with some huts.Evelyn felt a rush of energy around her as they walked through an invisible wall that was protecting the camp."So lost girl, who are you?" Salazar asked as soon as they were safe in the camp."Are you Salazar Slytherin?" She asked bewildered."I am" he said simply."The Salazar Slytherin? Of Hogwarts?" She insisted breathlessly."The one and the only" he smirked "Where are you from? I'm sure I've never seen you in my school"."I'm from England. I mean London"."And where did you learn magic? Do you know how to use your wand?"."Yes. I... studied privately with my family" that conversation was so mindblowing she windered what kind of dream she happened to be trapped into."I see. Well, what are you doing here?"."I was lost".He rolled his eyes "I saw that. But where were you going?"."I was looking for my mates" she invented "But what's going on here?".He stared at her amused "You ask so many questions but your answers are so confusing. I don't have time to deal with you. Come, maybe she knows how to make you speak properly".She followed him observing him.Evelyn couldn't believe it. She was used to hear that Slytherin had a monkey-like aspect but she realized he looked more like a snake, of course.

She imagined how envious Tom would be to know that she met his ancestor while he couldn't. But that reminded her that probably she was trapped in that past or whatever it was and she would never see Tom again. She wondered how the school would react to her missing, if somehow someone would blame Tom for it.Slytherin approached a hut and called. Moments later a woman came out and Evelyn immediately recognized her.Rowena Ravenclaw. Her diadem was shining on her head."I guess you know who she is" Salazar grinned at the girl "I suppose that you prefer speaking with another witch rather than with me"."What is a young girl like you doing here?" Rowena's cold voices made the smile of adoration on Evelyn's face fade "We don't have time for babysitting right now".Evelyn frowned at the word 'babysitting' "I don't mean to bother any of you. I'll be on my way as soon as possible".Rowena glanced at Salazar, who just shrugged "And what is your way?".Evelyn was speechless. She was speaking to Ravenclaw herself, there was no way to outsmart her. Only Tom would have been able to do that. Again thinking of Tom made her understand how deeply she was missing him. But she hoped that when she would wake up from that dream everything would be the same as before, with her hating seeing him together with the nasty Slytherin prefect."I will find it" Evelyn sighed. If it was a dream she was free to be insolent also to the Founders, who she always considered as Gods, but in that dream or hallucination she was starting to dislike their attitude."I guess it's a long way the one you are seeking" Rowena had the penetrating stare that reminded of Dumbledore's."I'm just an apprentice. So as all apprentices, my way has to be that long" Evelyn wished to use some of the famous quotes of Rowena, but her mind refused to recall any of them.Rowena gave a quick smile "You look quite confused. It's getting dark. You should take some rest here. Tomorrow Salazar will bring you to a safer place"."And where is it?" Evelyn asked stubbornly."Hogwarts, little one" Salazar patter her on the head like she was just a pet, then left the hut."Hungry? I have some soup left" Rowena moved to a little desk to get a bowl with a brown liquid and placed it into Evelyn's hand, who didn dare to refuse, although she didn't feel hungry.The hut wasn't large as she wished. It looked like they didn't use any spell to make it larger.Rowena pointed a corner with some hay "You can sleep there".Evelyn looked at her incredulous. They were treating her like a dog. There was not even a bathroom around. She hoped to ask for some water, but she only got some awful drink that tasted like a beer.Rowena bid goodnight and left her there alone in that hut, with only some small lights floating in the air to lit the place.Evelyn sat down on the hay, hating that weird kind of reality she ended up in.She wondered what was going on in her own world, in her time. She had warned Adele to set an alarm if she didn't see her coming back before the curfew unless Evelyn told her she would be back later.It was getting dark and Evelyn didn't know how to go back.She had to find that wall of stones and look for a portal to fall back into the right reality.But she also wanted to visit the young Hogwarts and understand what was going on between the Founders and whatever was menacing out there.So Evelyn decided to take some sleep. She felt exhausted and her confused mind was begging for some rest.She hoped to wake up in the right world.

But when she opened her eyes, she was always lying on the dirty hay. Her body sore for the unpleasant place.Salazar made a lot of noise to wake her up and ordered her to hurry.Evelyn obeyed and followed him in the open air. It was very early, the first lights in the sky were conquering the darkness of the night.It was cold and Evelyn hugged herself, her dress was too light to keep her warm."A long walk awaits us" Salazar said "The faster you walk the warmer you'll get".Evelyn glanced at the shoes she had. If she had her original comfortable shoes it would have been easier. Godric joined them in the march, although he was often busy running for inspecting the surroundings."What's going on?" Evelyn asked "Who are menacing us? Outlaws?".Salazar gave a warning look "Muggles"."Muggles?" She repeated thinking it was a joke."You wouldn't laugh if you understand what is going on" Salazar snapped "Hurry up, you are slow like a snail".She sighed frustrated and had to obey to keep his pace. He was taller and more used to that kind of walk. They were walking up a hill, but Evelyn couldn't see anything else but tall trees.She had plenty of questions, but Salazar was becoming irascible. Suddenly he led her to a dark tunnel, using his wand to light the way.The air turned colder and Evelyn wished she could use her magic. But she was out of Hogwarts and underage, she felt helpless like a muggle.The long tunnel became a narrow bridge that led to a stony building.Evelyn watched at it without the wonder the expeced to feel."You look disappointed" Salazar noticed."No. I'm just susprised" she lied. Hogwarts looked like any muggle castle, it had very little of the magnificence of the castle she was used to live in.Also inside it was very poor. And not large."What happened?" She asked shyly when she noticed that some parts of the castle were in ruin."Muggles, little one" he said angrily "By the way, you didn't tell me your name. That's rude"."Evelyn" she said hesitating."Evelyn what?" He insisted."Burke"."Related to...?"."I'm from London as I said. I have no close relatives here" she explained hurriedly "So, how could muggles attack here? It should be impossible. Does the Ministry know?"."The Mini-what?" He frowned at her.Evelyn gaped, ignoring if the Ministry already existed in that time."Nothing. I mean other wizards know about this problem?"."Yes, we are calling our most skilled friends from all over the world" he grimaced at his own words."But how is that possible that muggles are so powerful?".Salazar sighed heavily, then leaned against a wall and said "Because one of our students betrayed us. A mudblood. We expelled her and she paid us back by turning the muggles against us, revealing our secret"."How can a student be that powerful?"."Never underestimate magic in the hands of someone who can't manage it properly. You saw the damages. It took years to build this place and in a moment of distraction it was almost gone".The sadness in his voice was touching. Evelyn never heard of muggles attacking the Founders in her lessons of History of Magic. She always imagined the Founders' Era as a period of peace and creativity. She never heard of wars. Specially not with muggles.So she conclused that it was a unreal."You almost seem amused" Salazar attacked her."I just can't believe that one muggle could be a trouble to someone so powerful like you Founders"."I can't believe it either. Still, that's what's happening. And if you can't believe it, invent the story you prefer to be satisfied, but stop asking questions like that" his voice echoed in the halls, making Evelyn shiver.A witch appeared and Salazar focused on her "Oh, Helga. Please, take care of this little girl, I can't stand her anymore".Evelyn gazed in awe at Helga Hufflepuff, who smiled warmly. She looked kind like a mother."Hi, I'm Helga. And you are?".Evelyn shook her hand excited "I'm Evelyn"."So, Evelyn, are you hungry? Would you like to help me in the kitchens?"."Sure" Evelyn hoped for a better meal than her dinner.But when she stepped into the kitchens, they didn't look familiar as she expected. It was just a commom room with a fireplace, pots and cupboards. And no sign of house elves."You look starving. Would you enjoy some vegetables pie?" Helga showed that there wasn't much food. No desserts, no proper food.Evelyn agreed and devoured a piece of her pie, definitely a better meal than the soup, but she wondered if there was only vegetables as ingredients."Are there students here? I mean, I don't know how the schedules are now" Evelyn asked when her mouth was clean."Yes, some are still here. Most of them left because of our problems" Helga didn't look comfortable with the topic."Is it true that a muggle girl caused it all?" Evelyn asked a bit insolently."It is" Helga confirmed with sadness "And now groups of Scottish muggle warriors are constantly attacking our castle to take it by force"."I was used to believe that our magic is more powerful than muggles" Evelyn said carefully."We believed it too, until we witnessed what that angry girl can do. With that girl by their side, the muggles have their chance to win".Evelyn was speechless. That story was so unbelievable. "Isn't there any way to deal with that girl? To persuade her to forgive and come back with people like her, with magic?"."We tried. We kidnapped her to bring her back into the castle but look what she has done. That's when she went out of control and destroyed half of the castle" Helga talked like she was remembering a lost son.Evelyn pondered all the hints she had, when a loud shriek echoed, giving her goosebumps."That's the alarm" Helga said taking her wand out "Another muggle attack. You can stay here. It's safer"."I can help" staying alone was the latest thing she wanted to do "I can fight".Helga didn't argue and led her upstairs. They watched from an open window as a group of muggles started an assault to the castle. There were red headed men wearing skirts.That world was truly upside down.Evelyn would have laughed if that view of warriors in skirts charging the castle didn't scare her.In the corridors echoed the orders from the other Founders and wizards while behind the muggles appeared Rowena with her group of magicians.Evelyn wondered how the castle wasn't protected from muggles. Just few spells would stop a charge like that.Like replying to her mind, she saw Salazar casting a spell to stupefy the muggles, but as soon as they fell, another group appeared from another side of the castle, to replace them."Protect the doors!" Salazar shouted while casting other spells.Evelyn followed Helga downstairs while Rowena was backstabbing the new group of muggles, when another small army appeared.It was like the whole muggle world was rebelling to a bunch of wizards."Let's cast some protection spells to stop the new group from coming!" Evelyn suggested.Helga agreed, but she needed someone to stop the muggles who were already in the courtyart.Evelyn waved her wand to cast a sleeping spell. "Very good!" Helga exclaimed watching the muggles falling asleep."What if we try some Confundus spell? So the upcoming muggles couldn't find this battlefield?".Helga looked at her surprised "Where do you get these ideas? Are you a warrior?".Evelyn shrugged."Salazar! Take her up to our tower, she is a warrior!".Evelyn turned to see Slytherin approaching them. He nodded the girl to follow him and they ran upstairs.Panting, she watched the fields around the castle. Muggles were coming out everywhere.She focused on her task and casted the Confundus spell, so the warriors slowed down and took different direction."Remarkable" Salazar said and imitated her magic "But this is not over. They will come back, stronger and protected. The little bastard learns quickly, she will soon learn how to defeat us".Evelyn frowned at his negative comments "I am confident that Hogwarts won't fall"."Did you learn to fight at home?"."Yes. I like duelling" again memories of Tom and their illegal duelling lessons teased her."That's advanced for a little girl like you"."I am sixteen!" She complained.He didn't care "Well, I have students in their thirties who can barely perform a levitation spell".The castle was safe. Evelyn visited the castle, missing so many great rooms that she was so used to know. That time lacked of so many comforts that Evelyn felt the need to go back to her time, also just to use a decent bathroom.When she asked for some water, she was sent to fetch it from the well in the courtyard.

Later she joined the Founders for dinner.She had glanced at her reflection on a window and decided to use her little skill to change her appearance a bit.Salazar appeared right away."You never stop surprising me. I like golden hair" he added with a mocking smirk "Lady Evelyn"."Then I'll keep this colour" she said with a smile."Transfiguration?"."No, well, it's part of me" she confessed.His eyes narrowed "What do you mean?"."I'm a Metamorphomagus. Well, I can just change the colour of my hair..." She was abrutly pushed against the wall.Salazar pointed his wand against her neck "So you are a spy? She was weird too. And we accepted that. And she backstabbed us"."I'm not! It's just a trick I can do. I was born with it like I was born with magic!" She defended."Salazar, enough!" Rowena's voice echoed in the corridor "She's not a spy".Salazar released the girl "We already made a big mistake once. We can't be such big fools to let it happen again"."Evelyn can't be linked to her. She doesn't need a spy to destroy us. We saw how much powerful and dangerous she became. If Evelyn wants to help us, let her be. We can't deny that we need desperately any kind of help".Salazar made a bad face, he hated being reproached. But he didn't argue."Come" Rowena placed an arm around her shoulders and made her join the supper "You should forgive him. After what happened, we all turned suspicious. But I want to believe that you deserve our trust".Evelyn was speechless, she focused on the aspect of the Great Hall, that wasn't great at all.With the Founders there were some other wizards and witches of any age. Gloomy faces who barely glanced at Evelyn.Her heart missed the warmth of the hundreths of students who dined in the real Great Hall.Evelyn observed the Founders: Rowena had her legendary diadem, Helga was drinking from her precious cup, Godric had his powerful sword hanging from his side, Slytherin had a locket around his neck that was familiar to Evelyn. But mainly he had his black and gold ring in his finger. The same ring Tom had stolen from his uncle and turned into a horcrux.She had legends in front of her, but she wished also to find answers to her question from her present.She knew that Merlin was from that same era, she didn't know if he was already a student or he still had to be born. But whatever happened to him, it could have started from that period.Evelyn recalled that her main quest was finding Merlin's tomb. Instead her destiny threw her into a past that she never expected to witness.

In the following day the alarm announced that the muggles were coming for another assault.The Founders were gathered on a balcony, watching the new army approaching the castle.Slytherin was exposing some strategies, when his mate stopped him, staring at the muggles."She's with them" Godric announced gloomily.Evelyn scanned the group, wondering how the Founders could be scared of a girl.She finally spotted her coming out from the middle of the warriors, who formed a way for her and cheered her.Her head was covered under a hood, her brown dress looked poor."We have to attract her away from the castle" Salazar hissed after cursing under his breath. Evelyn saw fear on his face "She can destroy the whole castle if we stay here"."But who will protect the castle?" Rowena complained."Helga" he turned to the other witch "Can you stay?"."Fine. Evelyn will help me"."No" Salazar rested his sharp blue eyes into the girl's "She comes with us. We need someone skilled like her".Evelyn felt proud and frightened at the same time. She couldn't argue so she followed the three Founders out of the castle.The muggles soon noticed them and chased them, while a group of them focused on attacking the castle.

The muggles tried to fight the magic spells, when a loud shriek overwhelmed the noises of the battle.Evelyn stopped to turn towards the noise, goosebumps on her skin. She spotted some smoke flying up higher than the trees together with a strong wind."What is that?" She shouted, her shock growing as she saw the dark smoke spreading and turning the clear sky into a dark, stormy one "How can a student make that? Is that Dark Magic?"."She is Dark Magic" Rowena replied, then grabbed Evelyn by her shoulders "Find a safer place. If we stay together, it will be easier for her to defeat us. Don't forget that the spells protecting the castle must hold, no matter what".Evelyn obeyed, keeping her wand high to keep the spell that was protecting the castle under an invisible dome, but she felt totally vulnerable.The muggles were taking advantage of that weird dark phenomenon and turned bloodthirsty.Evelyn saw the warriors getting numerous and she knew she couldn't avoid them forever. She had only one wand and had to perform and keep different kind of magic at the same time.Some red lights exploded in front of her, creating an escape way for her.She saw Salazar fighting dozens of meters away."Evelyn!" Salazar barked "Leave! It will kill you! Go away!".Evelyn was turning mad, forced to hold the protecting spell and fight the muggles at the same time.Salazar's voice turned weaker while he kept attacking back the muggles. Evelyn was alone. Alone against bloodthirsty warriors, driven by some kind of magic she never witnessed before.The camp where she slept her first night in that place was destroyed. She looked for a place to hide and threw herself on the ground.Arrows flew around her and she believed it was over for her. She was going to die centuries before she would have born. It was a paradox.Usually in dreams she woke up when she was scared. But that nightmare didn't end.Evelyn tried some other spell, but she was too tired. She crouched down when amongst the rubbles she noticed a painting of a battle. But something was out of place.She noticed a Golden Snitch. There were already Golden Snitches in the Middle Ages? She leaned closer to watch and it happened. Everything turned dark and she felt falling, until she hit the floor with a loud thud.She looked around herself and noticed the portrait of the founders, older than she saw them in person.