Neal meets Salazar Slytherin

While Voldemort was busy scolding the death eaters for not trying to look for him, Neal started to walk aimlessly in a white space. He doesn't know where he was or what it was. The only thing he was on his mind is whether he was dead or whether he was in some kind of dream state.

Being a Christian, he does believe in heaven and hell but the place around him doesn't appear to be either of them.

After several minutes of aimlessly walking, Neal sat down and let out a sigh, "I wonder if there's someone who can give an answer. With Uncle Edward and Aunt Dulcie in a tough situation, I wonder how Tracey would cope with another loss.

I wonder what would happen to Harry, now. He wasn't strong enough to face the death eaters.

I wonder what grandfather and uncle would do, from now onwards. Will they try to take revenge or will they just forget it and proceed with their hiding.

Will my friends miss me?

Will Dumbledore bring justice to my death?

Will my wand fall into wrong hands?

If only I knew that I would face this situation, I would have at least met Sister Anne."

There were a lot of thoughts going on in Neal's mind because there was too much time on his hands, right now.

As he just lies on the floor and closed his eyes, all of a sudden, a frail high pitch voice was heard nearby. "Stop lying down there, kid."

Neal abruptly opened his eyes and turned towards the source of the voice.

There was a man in green robes standing about a few meters away. He was old, have a long thin white beard that fell almost to the bottom of his sweeping robes, his hair was short with half bald on the front.

In one glance, Neal recognized him. He saw this man's portrait in the castle.

He immediately stood up on his feet with a look of confusion on his face. He asked, "Is this an illusion or am I seeing Salazar Slytherin?"

The old man with a stoic expression replied to him, "Well, this isn't an illusion but it isn't real either."

"Huh?" Neal didn't understand his words. "What do you mean by that? Before that, can you tell me where am I? Is this Heaven or Hell?"

"Neither," Salazar Slytherin shook his head as he crossed his hands behind, "this is your so-called mindscape where your magic core lies and where your magic power comes from."

"Mindscape? Magic core?" Neal never heard of such terms before. He stared around and saw nothing but a blank.

"So, um, everything is happening inside my head? So, this is an illusion?" Neal put the words together and asked in a simpler manner while walking forward.

After walking four steps, Neal stopped and furrowed his brows.

For some reason, Neal felt the distance between them didn't appear to be changed when the old man was only a couple of meters away. As a smart kid, he at least understood that he cannot go near to his ancestor.

Salazar Slytherin shook his head, "Wrong question. Just because it is happening in your head doesn't mean it's an illusion. Now, ask the correct question."

For a second, Neal felt like Dumbledore is talking to him. This old headmaster also talks in mysterious ways and often confuses the listeners with his wits.

Taking a deep breath, Neal asked, "Am I alive or dead? And if this isn't an illusion, what are you doing in my mindscape?

"Now, that's a correct question." Salazar Slytherin nodded in satisfaction. He then answered, "No, you did not die. You are alive or should I say, you are forced to be kept alive. I can't go onto details because of the restriction upon me.

And for your other question, I was forcefully dragged from the spirit realm, which is actually a rest stop before reincarnation, although I should say I'm watching you for a while. To be precise, from the moment, you awakened my wand.

Anyway, I'm here with a message from Origin. You have heard that from your uncle, didn't you?"

Neal nodded, "the source of magic."

Salazar Slytherin continued, "Since you are my direct descendant and share many qualities similar to mine, although you aren't cunning enough.

Anyway, Origin wanted me to teach you and make you a fine wizard for a long time.

Of course, you aren't the only one. There were a few gifted people like you, born far away. They were also being trained at the moment. Don't ask me the reasons. I can't say even if I want to.

Originally, I was tasked to start teaching you from the moment you unknowingly magic for the first time but you were too young then, not that you were any old right now.

Since you are getting stronger on your own by each day, I never felt the need to groom you, but now that you were hit by the killing curse, I was forced to appear here. Honestly, that wizard who created the spell needed to be applauded.

Back when I was alive a millennia ago, there weren't so many spells. These days, even an 11-year-old kid can float an inanimate object. In my times, magic was quite crude.

The outcome of the battle would always depend on who had strong magic power. And most of them were naturally purebloods. In fact, if not for purebloods, it would have been difficult to control those savage Vikings.

Anyway, coming to the matter, Peverell's descendent over there seemed to be in a troublesome situation. I need you to get back and save him. That boy is destined to unite the deathly hallows and become the master of death.

Despite not being a naturally gifted child, he still has a lot of potential, although it is a pity that he's a Gryffindor. If he wasn't so reckless, he's well suited to be in my house."

Neal stared at him blankly. He felt like this ancestor is weird. He gives half-information and expects the listener not to be curious about the other half, then, suddenly adds a comment to his statements.

Still, he was happy to know that he wasn't dead, at the very least. That is enough.

Salazar Slytherin then continued, "In a moment, I'll be sending your consciousness back to the real world. Don't get hit again and be smart in your attack. If I should recommend, then, go with big distraction and escape. Neither Origin nor I would like reckless fools who throw away their lives easier."

Before Neal get to speak anything, Salazar Slytherin raised his hand. A blinding flash of light escaped from his palms before Neal's surroundings changed as he slowly opened his eyes while continuing to lie down.

*Hissss*

His eyes met with the eyes of the giant snake, which for some reason, was staring at him from a bit of distance.

The snake suddenly leaped at him, opening its mouth. Neal rolled right away.

"Hmm?" Voldemort who was torturing Harry momentarily distracted by the sudden movement of Neal. The death eaters also captured the scene. More than half of them were taken aback.

Regulus Black was the one who was shocked the most because he used the killing curse against Neal just so to prove his loyalty.