He didn't know how it happened, and quite frankly, he didn't care. It was best not to ask questions when you got what you wanted anyway. The most important thing was that he, Salazar Slytherin, was finally free of the infernal canvas that had held him back for so long...and he had unfinished business to tend to.

Standards had plummeted in these stone walls. His new freedom brought him the ability to finally do something about it. This time, he'd show the others what it meant to be worthy.

He ran his fingers through his long white beard, a smirk curling on his lips, as he turned away from the entrance hall and along the dungeon corridor. Much time had past since he'd last walked these halls, but the dungeons were his territory; no snide comments from the portraits followed him as he continued along the corridor.

There was much work to be done, but he knew where to start. His kind needed him. No more would they be held back by the shortcomings of others. He alone could help get them where they deserved to be.