The Lost Prince of Rivendell

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*Earth Summer 1992*

“You will be moving into Dudley’s second bedroom. You are responsible for cleaning it and keeping it clean. You will continue to do your normal chores in this house. No Freak coming here once a week is going to excuse you from your chores,” Uncle Vernon had started running down things for him as soon as they had gotten back to the house. Severus had kept his word. He had come here and threatened the Dursleys.

“Your normal rules still apply in this house. You do not sit on our furniture, you do not eat our food, you are not part of this family. You will remain out of sight when there is company. You will eat twice a day, once before we are up for the day. You will eat in the kitchen. The second time you eat will be at night after everyone has gone to bed. Once again, you will eat standing in the kitchen,” Vernon was not giving him a chance to respond but that was ok. Harry was just glad they were going to let him eat every day.

“Since I can no longer beat obedience into you, Freak, when you are being punished, you will be locked in your room and fed once a day through a cat flap. You will not be allowed out for any reason until I am satisfied that you have learned your lesson. You will keep your pigeon caged. I will not have the neighbors see it coming and going from our house,” At this point, Harry just hoped he shut up soon.

“To make sure you follow this rule, I will be putting bars on your window so that it cannot get out. I will not have you doing any Freaking things in this house either. The first time that you are caught I will lock your things up in the cupboard until you leave for your Freaky school again.”

“Now, go to your room. We ate out before we picked you up so there will be no supper tonight. I do not want to see you again until tomorrow morning for my breakfast. Oh, Dudley’s birthday is in three days. I expect this house to be spotless and ready for his special day,” Vernon said and then he walked away leaving Harry at the bottom of the stairs.

Harry carried his trunk up to Dudley’s second bedroom. It was the one he had stored all of his broken things in since he was little. His old twin size was in there as well. The headboard and footboard were broken but the frame was fine. Harry wouldn’t have to sleep on the floor.

There was a wobbly desk with a lamp that surprisingly worked when Harry plugged it in. There was also a small table that he could put next to the bed as an end table. Finally, there was a wardrobe that had the door hanging off its hinge and was missing a drawer.

That was the main furniture in the room. Harry sat his trunk on the bed since it was the only clear space in the room. Everything else was covered in broken electronics and broken toys. Harry had a lot of cleaning to do. He snuck downstairs when he knew the family was distracted by the TV and took a bunch of trash bags.

Harry separated the stuff in the room. Things that were definitely trash he bagged up and placed near the door to take out tomorrow. The rest he put in bags and very quietly put them in the attic. Petunia liked to donate to charity sometimes, it made her feel superior.

There were no sheets, pillows, or blankets in the room. So, Harry made his own. He folded and tucked two robes together until they resembled a pillow, and he used a throw blanket that he had snagged from Severus once as his blanket.

He set up Hedwig’s cage on the edge of the desk near the window and set Pretty’s den up at the bottom of the wardrobe. That way it was hidden if anyone came into the room. They might tolerate the owl, but they would try to kill Pretty. Then Harry would probably go to Azkaban for letting his snake kill three muggles.

Finally, Harry felt finished. He grabbed a book and laid down on the bed to read for a bit before he went to bed. Maybe, this summer wouldn’t be as bad as he thought it would be.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Dumbledore*

He wasn’t exactly happy about how things were currently working out with the boy. He didn’t go through all of the trouble of traveling to another dimension for the child to be willful and uncooperative.

The boy was meant to go to Gryffindor. He was meant to be compliant, beaten down, and moldable. He was meant to be so grateful to Dumbledore that he would do anything he was told to do without question.

Things had not gone the way they were supposed to at all. It wasn’t all lost yet but he was going to have to keep an eye on things. He needed to see if he could set things up so that the boy was so uncomfortable with the Slytherins that he asked to be resorted. Or as his guardian, he could demand he be resorted. But he didn’t want that little bit of information getting out right now.

It wasn’t a lost cause yet. The boy had gone alone to stop Quirrell from getting the stone. He had convinced the boy that Love had saved him. He was friends with the Ravenclaw Muggle-born and there was a budding friendship between Harry and Neville. The two of them may have enough influence on him to get him to act the way Albus wanted him to.

Maybe he should have the boy sent to the Weasleys for part of the summer. Say that it was because the Dursleys were going on a family vacation and Harry couldn’t spend the rest of the summer alone. That would get the boy close to the family most loyal to Albus.

Even if that incompetent youngest boy had messed things up, there were three other Weasleys at Hogwarts. Including their daughter. Albus was seriously contemplating trying to get a marriage contract between the two of them. It would give him control of the Potter fortune through the Weasleys. They were poor and the promise of money and status could go a long way toward making people compliant.

Albus sighed and sat back in his chair. He would send the boy to the Weasleys at the beginning of August. Then he would wait before doing anything or changing plans. He would see how this year went and then adjust things as needed. He wasn’t above using compulsion charms or dark magic to get what he wanted.

For the Great Good, of course.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry was sitting in his room. Though not by choice. He had quickly learned that since the Dursleys couldn’t beat or starve him they took great joy in hurting him in other ways.

Dudley had come into Harry’s room one day and broken the frame on the bed as well as ripping up one of the robes. Another time he had gotten the garbage and dumped it all over his room. The one that irritated Harry the most was the smell that he couldn’t get out of the room for a week before he realized it was coming from a rotten fish under the floor.

Petunia constantly made him recook things. It wasn’t done enough, or it was too done. Too much salt or the meat smelled spoiled. Since so much food was being wasted, Harry had to make more trips to the market. He had to walk to the Market at least two or three times a week now. It took him over an hour to walk to the market and an hour back in the heat.

She would come behind him when he cleaned and find ‘dust’ on things and make him do it again. The one that had shocked Harry the most had been when she had literally torn up her own garden just so that he would have to spend three days re-planting and fixing the entire thing.

Vernon was different. He was not home most of the time because of work. But he made sure to get up extra early so that Harry couldn’t have breakfast. The rule had been that Harry had to eat before everyone else was up. So, Harry got up earlier and so did Vernon. So, there were a lot of days that Harry went without that meal.

Then he would stay up much later than normal so Harry had to stay up even later in order to eat. It was torture just the same as if he was being beaten and starved. Every Sunday, without fail, Severus arrived at eight in the morning. He stayed to check on Harry and have tea with him in the backyard.

He would do his scans and was never happy with them. But technically there was nothing that he could do. The Dursleys were not breaking his rules. So, he started bringing food with him when he came. A care package to keep in his room that the Dursleys didn’t know about. So, he wasn’t going hungry.

Severus put a charm on Harry’s trunk so that it couldn’t be opened by anyone but Harry. So, Harry kept the food and potions in his trunk. Harry was so grateful for Severus. He wished every day that Severus would just come one day and take him away from here.

The worst part of his summer was the fact that he couldn’t write to his friends. He had at least expected to get some letters from them, but he had received nothing. It was as if, now that school was over, they didn’t care about him at all.

“I am taking you out today. Go and change into something appropriate for Diagon Alley,” Severus said when he arrived on July thirteenth. Harry brightened; they hadn’t gone anywhere before. Severus said it wasn’t safe. “Don’t forget your cloak.”

“Yes, Sir,” Harry said quickly and ran upstairs. He changed quickly and grabbed his wand and cloak before running back downstairs. Severus was waiting by the front door. The two of them walked down the road a way before slipping into an alley.

“Put your cloak on. We want to avoid attention. You can take it off in your account manager’s office,” Severus instructed. Harry nodded and did as he was told. He took hold of Severus’ arm when it was held out for him and then the two of them popped away.

Harry barely managed to stay on his feet when they stopped spinning. Severus pretended to adjust his robes while he waited for Harry to get it together and tap him on his arm that he was fine. Harry had to nearly sprint to keep up with the potion master. Severus was not strolling through the alley he was fast walking.

When they got to the bank, Severus headed for the first available teller. The goblin looked up after he finished counting some coins and sweeping them off the table into a bag.

“Name,” The goblin croaked out. He looked behind Severus and Harry would swear that the Goblin could see him.

“I am here on behalf of Heir Potter. We would like to see his account manager please,” Severus said politely. Harry was pretty sure he hadn’t heard Severus be that respectful to anyone. But then it did make sense to be polite to the people who handled your money.

“And does Heir Potter agree with that?” The goblin asked still looking at the empty space Harry was standing in. Harry nodded and the goblin nodded back. “Come with me then.”

They were led around the counter to a long ornate hallway. Harry was a bit distracted by the heads hanging along the hall. It was actually kind of cool. Each one had a name plate under them of what they were, who had killed them, and who had donated them. Most of the names were goblin.

There was a Werewolf head killed by Fleshgutter and donated by the same. A few different breeds of Dragons all killed by Goblins. A Griffin, Phoenix, Unicorn, Hydra, and a Minotaur. It was an impressive collection that they were clearly proud of. A throat cleared and he realized that Severus had already been led into a room and the Goblin was still standing in the hall watching him.

“Your collection is lovely. It’s so fascinating, I didn’t even know some of those things were real,” Harry prattled off as the Goblin followed him into the office. Severus was looking at him as if he were exasperated but the two Goblins just looked amused.

“I read about Hydras and Minotaur when I was in primary school. I thought they were mythical.” Severus reached out and pulled the cloak off Harry and gently flicked him on the nose.

“Hush, Child. You are rambling,” Severus said fondly. Or at least Harry thought it sounded fond. “Sit down.” Harry smiled up at Severus and took the seat in front of the desk. Severus draped the cloak over the back of his chair.

“Thank you for your kind words, Heir Potter. It is always nice when things you are proud of are appreciated,” The goblin behind the desk spoke up. Harry grinned.

“I recognize you. You are Griphook, right? You are the one who took me to my vault the first time,” Harry said happily. The goblin seemed a little shocked to have been remembered.

“That is correct, Heir Potter. Thank you for remembering. Most Wixen don’t take the time. Now before we do anything or discuss anything we must do an inheritance test. To prove that you are who you say you are and are not under any compulsions,” Griphook said and shot a pointed look at Severus.

“Hey, don’t accuse him of things like that. He would never do that. Severus is the only adult who has ever taken care of me,” Harry insisted. Severus placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it.

“It’s all right, Harry. You know I am marked. It makes many people suspicious. I am used to it,” Severus tried to soothe him, but that just made Harry angrier.

“It isn’t all right, Sev. You are a good man. You are risking your reputation and position as a spy to take care of me. You healed me and listened when I needed help. You made sure the Dursleys wouldn’t hurt me anymore. I won’t let people talk bad about you in front of me. I won't,” Harry argued.

“Oh, Harry,” Was all Severus said before he pulled the Harry into his arms. They pulled back when a throat cleared.

“I did not mean to offend you or your Protector, Heir Potter. I apologize to you both for the offense,” Griphook said sincerely. Harry nodded and sat back down in his chair.

“I am sorry as well, I didn’t mean to overreact,” Harry said with a slight blush. “We came in for me to get an inheritance test and I want a bloodline test done as well. I am curious about my mother’s side of the family.”

“Then we will do both. After the two tests are complete, we can discuss anything else you have concerns about,” Griphook told them. He laid two pieces of parchment on the desk as well as a needle. “The parchment on the right is for your Inheritance Test, five drops of blood are required. The parchment on the left is for the Bloodline Test, seven will take you back four generations.”

Harry took the needle and pricked his finger. He dropped five drops on the right parchment and seven on the left. He looked up at Griphook who nodded and held his hand out for the needle. Severus plucked it from his hand first and banished the blood from it before passing it over. Then Severus took Harry’s finger and healed it with a quick spell.

“How long do we have to wait?” Harry asked Griphook.

“About five minutes for the Inheritance test and about twenty for the Bloodline Test,” Griphook answered.

“You are the Potter account manager, correct?” Severus asked.

“I am,” Griphook answered simply.

“Did you also take care of Lily and James? You are not the Goblin that was present when their wills were witnessed and sealed,” Severus pointed out.

“No, I was not the manager then. I was appointed after their death by the Goblin King. The Goblin who took care of them went missing right after their deaths,” Griphook informed them.

“That’s pretty suspicious considering what we know,” Harry pointed out to Severus.

“Yes, it is,” Severus agreed. “Was there ever a will reading? For the life of me, I cannot remember being notified of one. I should have been. I was witness to the signing, and I was named in it.”

“I will look into it as soon we have confirmed that this is Harry Potter and that he isn’t under any compulsions,” Griphook stated. “Which should be any moment now.” True to his word, words began to appear on the page. Griphook picked it up before Harry could make out any of the words.

“This may be a shock to both of you,” Griphook said finally and passed the parchment over to them. Severus took it when Harry didn’t reach for it. He held the parchment out so that Harry could read it as well. Griphook was right. It didn’t make sense.

Birth Name: Elros Celeborn Peredhel
Adopted Name: Harrison James Potter

Birthday: Unknown
Age: 11

Birth Mother: Queen Celebrian Peredhel
Birth Father: King Elrond Peredhel

Adopted Mother: Lady Lilian Jane Potter nee Evans/Deceased
Adopted Father: Lord James Fleamont Potter/Deceased

Godfather: Sirius Orion Black
Remus John Lupin
Severus Tobias Snape
Godmother: Alice Gene Longbottom

Siblings: Unknown

Titles:
Birth: Unknown
Adopted: Potter
Peverell

Blocks/Spells/Potions:
Magical Core: 50% blocked
Creature Blood: 100% blocked
Secondary Gender: 100% blocked
Mores Praecipitem: Not Active
Sanguis Improbi: Active
Limitata Caecitas: Active

Harry looked up at Severus who seemed to be as shocked as Harry was. He didn’t belong to the Potters at all. He had a lot of questions. The goblin showed him the Bloodline test which only showed Elrond and Celebrian on it. Every other family member was unknown.

“How can his birthday be unknown? Magic is invoked when these are done,” Severus asked. Harry was glad he at least had enough thought to ask questions.

“Do you believe that this is the only dimension or timeline?” Griphook asked.

“I have studied works from people who believe that others exist. There are some very Black magic spells that are thought to open portals but have not been attempted as far as I know. Why?” Severus asked. Harry nodded but sat quietly.

“Good, then you at least have some knowledge. Goblins are very familiar with the belief of other dimensions. It is not just theory to us. I believe based on the answers on this Test that it is nearly guaranteed that he is not from here. His birthday and titles being unknown is the biggest clue. The fact that he has a Secondary Gender and Creature blood is another,” Griphook told them.

“How would James and Lily Potter have gotten their hands on child from another dimension?” Severus asked disbelievingly. Harry still had not said anything. He was pretty sure he was in shock.

“If I am being perfectly honest with you, I don’t think they did,” Griphook stated confidently. The Goblin pulled a stack of parchment out. “I believe that Albus Dumbledore may be responsible.”

“We suspect he is responsible for some really bad things that have to do with Harry. Why do you think so?” Severus asked him.

“The Potter’s wills were never read. That is why you were not notified of a reading. Dumbledore had them sealed. Because the wills were sealed, and no guardian was named, guardianship was automatically passed to him,” Griphook admitted to them. Harry wondered if that meant his real guardian could step in and take over without being contested.

“I will just say that Dumbledore is also suspected of being the reason the last Potter accountant disappeared. Eleven years ago, when he came here with the Potters about the adoption, he was so shrouded in Black Magic that Axeclaw reported it to our King so that the ‘Light Lord’ could be watched,” Griphook said pointedly.

“Black Magic? Albus was coated in Black Magic?” Severus asked shocked. Albus was supposed to be all that was Light in the world. Their ultimate defense against the Dark. Clearly, they had been right about not trusting him.

“Yes, Axeclaw left a detailed report about his encounters with the Potters before that night and then after. They were excited about the birth of their new baby and had come to us for the normal bloodwork to register the baby's magic in the event that something happened at birth. Like a kidnapping or death. The magic would be on file,” Griphook told them.

“So, that is another way that you can prove Harry is or is not the baby Lily was carrying?” Severus asked. Harry was worried. Would Severus still take care of him if he didn’t belong to Lily? If Harry wasn’t the son of his best friend?

“Yes but let me finish. They came in a few weeks later and were depressed. They were setting things in order and there was no mention of the baby. Then they were back a month later with, Albus Dumbledore and an infant. The report says they were acting very out of character and wouldn’t allow any blood tests or magical tests to be done on the baby. There was another part to the report that went missing at the same time as Axeclaw,” Griphook told them.

“Our King is the only one who knows what was on it. If you would wait but a moment I can see if he will grant us an audience to speak about it?” Griphook asked. Severus looked at Harry and then turned back to the Goblin.

“Yes, please. It will give me a moment to make sure that Harry is ok,” Severus stated. Once Griphook was gone. Severus stood from his chair and took a knee in front of Harry.

“Will you still want to take care of me? Will you still help me? Even though I am not Lily’s son?” Harry asked quietly.

“Harry, I am not doing this because you are Lily’s son. I am caring for you because you are a child and you need someone to look after you properly,” Severus told him, and Harry felt like crying. So, he was only doing what he would have done for any student in his position.

“Oh,” Harry said quickly. Severus, smart man that he was, realized what was wrong.

“Silly Child, at first it was because you were one of my Slytherins. Now, it is far more complicated than that. I find myself often wishing that you had been mine. Do you understand, Harry? There are many students in Slytherin who have a very bad home life. You are special to me, my Harry. The son my heart didn’t know it wanted,” Severus explained.

“You wish I was yours? You are taking care of me because you want me, not because I was Lily’s son?” Harry wanted clarified.

“Yes, and I know you may not feel the same…” Severus started but Harry cut him off by throwing himself into the spy’s arms. Harry was crying into his robes again.

“I saw you in the mirror,” Harry said quietly after a few minutes. “That mirror the stone was hidden in, the one that shows your heart’s desire. I saw you in it as my father.” Severus held him tighter.

“Harry, this cannot change things. I am still a spy, and it is more important now than ever that I maintain my position. If a war erupts and it is looking more and more like it will, I must be able to spy on the Dark Lord and Albus. Neither can be trusted. I need to be in a position to keep you safe from both sides. Do you understand?” Severus told him after Harry had calmed down.

“I know. I hate it, but I know. You are already doing more than anyone else has ever done for me. Just knowing that you want me, that you would take me if you could, means more than you know,” Harry answered.

Severus helped Harry stand and get back into his chair just as the door opened and Griphook came back in with a very large Goblin in a crown and four guards. The Goblin King took the seat on the other side of the desk and Griphook stood next to him. Two guards stayed at the door and the other two posted up behind the King.

“I am Silverfang, King of the Goblins. You wish to know about what occurred with James and Lily Potter when they came here after your birth,” Silverfang stated.

“Yes, your Highness,” Harry said respectfully. The Goblin King waved him off.

“Considering your Inheritance test, Little Prince, there is no need for titles between us. You may call me Silverfang,” The Goblin King answered. And wasn’t that something Harry hadn’t even attempted to think about? A Prince. Like an honest to God Prince. The son of a King and Queen.

“Was there an adoption?” Harry asked hesitantly.

“Yes, though since they refused to have any of your blood or magic measured and recorded, the adoption was only on paper. The reason you look like them is because of the Blood Glamour that was placed on you when you left here. Dumbledore refused to have the adoption made public and recorded a false birthdate,” Silverfang answered.

“Dumbledore refused?” Severus asked.

“That is correct. Axeclaw did not like the way the appointment had gone. Dumbledore spoke and the Potters acted. He said no blood, no magic, they said, no blood, no magic. He said, hide the fact that the baby is adopted, they did it. Axeclaw’s exact words were that Dumbledore was a puppeteer and they were his puppets,” Silverfang revealed to them.

“Is the magic different? The test done on the baby in Lily’s belly and mine? Is it different?” Harry asked quietly. He just wanted more confirmation. This was so hard to believe.

“Yes, Little Prince. It is different. You are not the child that Lily Potter carried in her womb. Though according to Axeclaw, on their next visit, they did not know it. They spoke as if she had given birth to you. When Axeclaw asked questions, she gave details about a birth that never happened. We believe that their memories had been tampered with, but they would not submit to testing,” Silverfang stated.

“So, there is absolutely no proof of Dumbledore doing anything wrong. The only thing Harry’s paperwork shows is that he was adopted. Which doesn’t help us at all,” Severus said frustratedly.

“That is correct. We know quite a lot of things but none of them help us get justice. Dumbledore is the Supreme Mugwump of the ICW, the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Lord of the Light, and the Headmaster of our most prestigious magical school. The power he holds makes it impossible to take him down without irrefutable proof,” Silverfang answered.

“So, he just gets to do whatever he wants because he is powerful? Sounds a lot like what Voldemort said at the end of last year. There is only power and those too weak to seek it,” Harry groaned. How was he supposed to get help or get away from the Dursleys if Dumbledore had enough power to keep him there and no one could fight him?

“Well, that isn’t completely true. We can unseal the wills and then go from there depending on what is said. The law is bendable if you know what to do. As the Heir, he can request to unseal the wills. If it was only him, it would have to go to court before we could grant it. But with you here, Lord Prince, as a witness to the signing and a potential Guardian fearing for his safety, your request can be processed without permission from the court or anyone,” Silverfang informed them with a smirk.

“But only for Lily Potter. You were not a witness for Lord Potter. But I believe that Lily’s will is the only one that you need,” Griphook added. The Goblin King nodded in agreement.

“Then, I would like to officially request the unsealing of Lily Potter’s will,” Harry said quickly. He didn’t want them to change their minds or find out something that would prevent them from helping. He looked over at Severus and the man patted his hand.

“I, Severus Snape, Lord of the First Ancient and Noble House of Prince, as Godfather and Witness, formally request the unsealing of Lady Lillian Potter’s will. I request this for fear of my Godson’s current living arrangements,” Severus stated confidently. Harry hadn’t known Severus was a Lord.

“It is a secret, Little Prince. The line has always operated from the Shadows. No one alive apart from you and those in this room even knows of the title's existence. I am the account manager for the Prince line. It was our first and oldest line,” Silverfang said with pride.

“Lady Lillian Potter’s will, My King,” Griphook stated and handed the will over. A few papers were signed to make it even more official and then they were filed away and the will was opened.

This is the Last Will and Testament of Lillian Jane Potter nee Evans Lady of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter.

I am writing this will with two witnesses and swear that I am of sound mind and sound body. I have undergone a cleansing to make sure that I am clear of all spells or compulsions that would influence my decisions.

In the event of my and my husband's demise, I want everything left to my son. He is to get everything. I want him afforded whatever protections can be given to him. Emancipation if he asks for it. Let him claim his titles. Whatever can be done. I want it done.

I am making this will without the knowledge of my Husband, Lord James Fleamont Potter. I have reason to believe that he is not of sound body and mind. A great misdeed has been done. My son Harry James Potter is not my son by birth. I was pregnant and in June of 1980 I miscarried my son.

I was advised to tell no one. I did not understand why but trusted the man giving the instruction. On July 30th, 1980, this man came to my home with a newly born boy. He would not tell us where he got the baby or anything about the parents. Only, that he was ours now.

Now, that I am of clear mind, I remember him using memory charms and compulsions to make us believe that the boy was born of my body. I do not know where or whom the boy was stolen from, but I hold out hope that I will live through this war and can work with the Goblins or ministry to find out the truth.

I cannot name Him. No matter how many times I have tried to name Him out loud or write His name down I cannot. There is some dark magic that prevents me from doing it. I cannot even tell my husband or closest friends to be wary of Him. I do not know what to do other than this.

I am naming my best friend Severus Tobias Snape as Harry’s Godfather. I know that you will take care of him, Severus. Help him, keep him safe from whatever plans He has for him. Help him find his true family. I know that you will do this for me.

In the event of my death, I want my son to go first to Severus Tobias Snape. On the condition that he has agreed to subject himself to a cleansing to ensure that he is not under the influence of Him.

If Severus is unable to take my son, I want Remus John Lupin to take guardianship of him. On the same condition that he is cleansed. Remus take my son and run. If James and I are dead and Severus is compromised, please take Harry and run. Empty the vaults and have it converted to muggle money. Disappear.

If for some unholy reason, neither of them are available to take my son, I want Sirius Orion Black to take guardianship of him. I am sorry Sirius that you were chosen last. But you know how I feel. You are immature and still a child yourself. Please don’t fail me, Sirius. Please, become the man that I know is in there somewhere. Use every bit of power that your name and ours give you and protect Harry.

If none of them are available, please use discretion. I would approve of The Weasley family, The Tonks family, and the Longbottom family. On the condition that whoever is considered must be cleansed first.

Under no circumstances, and I truly mean no circumstances is my son to go to my sister Petunia Dursley and her husband Vernon Dursley. They are horrible people and I fear for my son’s safety if he is ever placed with them.

Since I cannot name Him, I cannot state that I do not want Him to have my son. I hope that someone figures it out before it is too late.

Lillian Jane Potter nee Evans Lady of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter

Witnessed by: Axeclaw Potter account manager.
Severus Tobias Snape

“So, all he has to do is subject himself to a cleansing and he can be my guardian?” Harry asked.

“That is all,” Silverfang answered. Harry turned to Severus. He looked upset.

“I will gladly submit to the cleansing. I don’t remember the details in that will. I was here, I read it, I signed it. Yet, I do not remember it clearly. I only remember that there was a will and that I was a witness. I have clearly been tampered with to some extent,” Severus agreed.

“We can do it now. If you are prepared,” Griphook asked.

“I will do it now. While I am gone, discuss with him his options. Emancipation or whatever else he can do. I want to make sure that if something happens and I die before he is of age he does not have to revert back to Dumbledore and the Dursleys,” Severus stated. Harry smiled at the man.

“We will take care of it,” Silverfang stated. Another Goblin was called, and Severus was led from the room. Harry was left alone with the Goblins.

“So, what are my options?” Harry asked after a moment of silence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“So, I still have to go back to the Dursleys?” Harry asked with a sigh. It had been about an hour since Severus had come back from his cleansing. He had been angry. Dumbledore had messed with his mind as well.

Severus had known all of those years ago that Harry wasn’t Lily’s son. He was the one who had realized something was wrong with Lily when they had met up in secret to visit like they did once a week. Severus had forced Lily to go for a cleansing.

They were the ones who had decided that Severus should go do Dumbledore and pretend to spy for him so that they could keep a closer eye on the man. After Lily and James had died, Dumbledore hunted Severus down as well as the others after seeing the will and altered all of his memories.

Harry had been frustrated to know that he didn’t currently have any options to become ‘independent’ of his magical guardian. They were trying to find a way that Harry could fake emancipation without Dumbledore becoming aware of the switch in guardianship.

Emancipation was out of the question because he had to be fourteen before it could even be considered. He refused to marry anyone at twelve and Severus had looked like he was going to rip the Goblin King’s head off for suggesting it. Everything else would have to be done through a court hearing. Which was also out of the question.

They wanted Dumbledore as unaware as possible that things had changed so that he didn’t resort to something drastic.

“I am afraid so, Harry. But you already know that things are different. You are not being physically hurt and I am making sure that you have food. Albus is no longer your guardian. He cannot touch your money or you without consequences. If you really don’t want to go back there then we can work something else out,” Severus told him.

“No, it’s better now. You made sure that it was tolerable. I can stay there for now so that Dumbledore doesn’t know that we know some of his secrets. I can do it. Two more years and I can emancipate myself. Then there is nothing he can do about it,” Harry stated.

“I am giving you a necklace, Harry. It is a portkey that you will keep on you at all times. It is a Prince family heirloom and will bring you straight to me if it is touching your skin when you say the activation word. You are to use it when you find yourself in danger. Do you understand?” Severus asked Harry as he took a necklace that Silverfang handed him.

“Choose the activation word and hand it to your boy,” Silverfang instructed.

“Serpens Custos,” Severus said. Then he handed the necklace to Harry, who placed it around his neck.

“Serpent Guardian, very good choice,” Silverfang translated. Harry grinned at the Potion Master. He was such a Slytherin sometimes.

“Oh, is there a way that someone could take my mail or prevent me from getting it?” Harry asked. It didn’t seem farfetched that Dumbledore would take his mail to make him believe that his friends didn’t like him.

“Yes, there are wards and spells that can redirect your mail to someone else. Have you been having issues with your mail?” Griphook asked.

“I haven’t received anything from my friends all summer and I know that at least Draco would have written to me,” Harry insisted. Everyone else might not think about talking to him through the summer, but Draco was his best friend, and he wouldn’t be too busy to write to Harry.

“It is easy to work around spells or wards. Simply change the way the letter is addressed. The spell or ward is most likely tethered to your name. They are all addressed to Harry Potter. Simply have all of your important mail addressed to a different name,” Silverfang instructed.

“So, all I have to do is choose a different name for my letters and I will get them?” Harry said. “Do you think he would have put the same spell or ward on my real name?”

“No, if you were truly taken from another dimension like we think you are then there would be no one alive who knows that name. Only himself. Not even Lily and James knew your true name,” Griphook answered.

“If Lily knew your true name, she would have told me or put it in her will to help us find your true parents. If you want to use your true name, then I see no reason why you shouldn’t,” Severus assured him.

“Then that is what I want to do. Well, kind of. I won’t use my whole name just E.C. Peredhel should be fine,” Harry stated. “Now, I just have to find a way to let my friends know so that they can write me.”

“Write letters. I will pick them up from you next week and owl them off,” Severus told him simply.

“Perfect, thanks, Severus,” Harry said with a smile. “So, is that it then? Severus is my magical guardian. Dumbledore has no legal power over me or my accounts, right?”

“Yes, to all of those things, Little Prince,” Silverfang answered. “Now, is that everything that needs to be handled?”

“For Harry, yes. I would like to make an appointment to come back and see you soon,” Severus said to Silverfang.

“Official Prince business then,” The King stated.

“Yes, we will be going now. Need to get the brat back to muggle hell just in case the old man has someone watching the house,” Severus answered.

“Oh, one more thing, please. We know that Dumbledore is not above memory charms and other things like that. So, I would like to sign something or …. Or swear something, that says I have to get a test or cleansing any time I come in here for any reason. That way even if I am under a compulsion or spell I cannot refuse the cleansing,” Harry asked them.

“We can do that,” Griphook answered. And they did exactly that before Harry slipped his cloak back on and Severus took him back to the Dursleys.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On July 22nd Harry was sent to market for Petunia. He got everything that he needed and was on his way home when he came across Dudley and Piers. They were blocking his way, and he knew what was coming. He was honestly surprised it had taken them this long to get to this point.

“Oi, Piers our prey just stepped into our trap,” Dudley said with a grin.

“I think it has been far too long since we played a decent game of ‘Harry Hunting’. Don’t you agree boys?” Piers called out. Harry was not surprised to hear the calls of agreement from behind him. If Dudley and Piers were out and about then the rest of their gang was with them. Harry didn’t have to turn and look to know that four hulking boys would be blocking the path behind him.

“Nothing to say? No begging us not to?” Dudley taunted. Harry wasn’t going to beg. He wasn’t going to say anything. Nothing he said and nothing he did was going to keep him from getting his ass beat.

“If you think keeping quiet is going to keep us from playing with you then you are so wrong, Freak,” Piers added. Harry just set the basket of groceries down and rolled his shoulders. He was going to be in trouble for not bringing the food home, but he would rather that than be hurt. If he was fast enough, he might be able to avoid getting the beating they wanted to give him.

“Get him boys, don’t let him get away,” Dudley ordered. Harry turned his head to see what kind of escape route was available to him. There was an alley directly to his left. He made it look like he was going to run to the right and when the others dodged that way, he took off toward the alley.

Harry ran. He could hear the yells and taunts behind him as he ran. He turned a corner and kept going. Harry tripped over a bunch of garbage the next time he turned a corner and crashed to the ground. His ankle felt like he had at least twisted it.

By the time he got up and kept going, the voices and noise were louder. Which meant that they were closer. Harry would not stop running. He had suffered through worse pain than a sprained ankle. There was going to be another way out.

Except, there wasn’t a way out. He ran right into a dead end the next time he sprinted around a corner. He tried to back track, but Dudley and the others had already caught up to him. He looked around for fire escape ladders. Anything that he could use to get away. Somehow he had managed to trap himself in the worse place possible. Not even a window he could break and climb through.

“That was quite the attempt, Freak. But it looks like you took a wrong turn,” Dudley taunted him. Harry looked around and tried to figure out how he was going to get away, but there was just nothing. He was so screwed.

“Look, the Freak is trying to figure out how to get away,” Piers pointed out. The other boys laughed. Harry finally stopped looking and prepared himself for the beating that was coming. He could do this. He had taken a lot of beatings from these boys. This was a familiar type of pain that he could endure. Harry had proven that.

“Good, accept that this is happening,” Chris said with malice.

“Still not talking, Freak?” Dudley said with a cackle. “It won’t save you.” Then all six large boys moved at the same time. Harry didn’t stand a chance. Not that he stood still or anything. By the time they had gotten him pinned, he had made contact with at least three of them. Dudley was going to have a busted lip and a black eye.

After he was pinned, he didn’t have much left to do but accept the beating he was given. But he would not give them the satisfaction of hearing him scream or beg. So, he took his beating in silence. That just seemed to make them want to hurt him worse.

He was hurt badly. When they were finished pounding on him, they propped him up against the wall, held up between Chris and Sawyer, and he watched first in confusion and then in understanding as Piers punched Dudley a few times. He was going to tell the Dursleys that Harry had done it. Harry was going to be in so much trouble.

Harry was right. By the time he made it home, Dudley had already been home, with the groceries. Dudley had told Vernon and Petunia that he had offered to help with the groceries and that Harry had lost it. That he used his, Freak magic and beat up Dudley and his friends. The reason Harry was also beaten up was that they didn’t know how else to make him stop.

“How dare you use your Freak magic against my boy,” Vernon had screamed at him. He had grabbed Harry by his arm. An arm that Harry was pretty sure was already broken.

“I didn’t,” Harry cried out. He didn’t know why he said anything. He normally just took whatever they gave him, but for some reason, he couldn’t do it now.

“Are you calling my, Duddykins a liar?” Vernon spat in his face.

“Yes, your horrible son is a liar. I never used magic against him,” Harry gasped out as Vernon wrenched his arm backward.

“My son isn’t a liar, Freak. If you didn’t do that to him then who did? He didn’t do it to himself. I knew you wouldn’t be able to keep from doing your Freak magic to hurt my family. You are an abomination. Unwanted, unloved, and left with people who hate you because even the other Freaks don’t want you,” Vernon taunted him.

It was like something in Harry snapped. He cried out when Vernon backhanded him. When he did, everything breakable in the living room shattered all at once. This was the worst thing that could have happened. Vernon turned nearly purple in his rage. He began hitting Harry. Then he dragged him up the stairs by his hair.

“You have done it now, Freak. I don’t care what that greasy bastard threatened. I will not have you hurting my family. I will not be threatened in my own home,” Vernon yelled out. Then he proceeded to beat Harry even worse than he already was.

When he was done, Harry watched in helplessness as Vernon grabbed his locked trunk and pulled it out of the room. He was going to lock it in Harry’s cupboard. Then he heard the locks on the outside of the door lock into place. He didn’t know how long he would be locked in his room. He didn’t even know if he would live after getting beaten so badly twice in the same evening.

He didn’t have food or his potions or anything now that Vernon had taken his trunk. He also still had five days before Severus came back. Severus was going to be so mad.

Harry faded in and out of consciousness. He didn’t know how much time had passed since he had been locked inside. He knows he was fed two pieces of stale bread and a glass of water twice. He had been forced to use a bucket in the corner of his room to relieve himself as well.

Harry was startled by a very loud Crack noise. He looked up to see a very ugly House-elf in his room. The poor thing looked stressed. It was wringing its hands together and pulling on its ears.

“Mister Harry Potter, Sir. Looks awful. Young Master is being worried. No get letters no send letters. Sent Dobby to check,” the elf explained. Harry was barely following the conversation.

“Which family?” Harry managed to croak out.

“Malfoy, Mister Harry Potter sir. Dobby is being a Malfoy elf,” Dobby answered. Harry tried to smile but he didn’t think he managed it based on the look of pity the elf shot his way.

“Draco,” Harry breathed out happily. The elf started bobbing its head frantically. Perfect. “I am dying. I think, Dobby. I need help.”

“Dying, oh no,” Dobby squeaked out. Then before Harry could say anything else, the elf popped away. Harry sighed. That elf was a bit different than the other elves at Malfoy Manor. He hoped it told Draco something. Harry passed out again pretty soon after that. He was fed again and so he assumed another day had passed. He just didn’t know anymore.

The next time it was dark outside, Harry heard a noise downstairs that startled him. He crawled to the door and leaned against the wall next to it to listen. There were hushed voices of disgust and arguing. He couldn’t make out the voices or what was being said. Whoever it was, wasn’t the Dursleys.

“Are those locks on the door?” Harry heard a shocked whisper.

“If Harry is in that room, I swear to Merlin that I am going to burn this house to the ground with those muggles in it,” Draco. Harry nearly melted into the floor in relief. Draco had come. He was going to be ok.

“Harry,” He heard someone else whisper. “Are you in there?”

“Dr…. Draco,” Harry managed to call out.

“I am here, Harry. I need keys, Har. Where are they?” Draco asked through the door.

“Main room. The drawer next to his bed,” Harry managed to answer.

“Go get them,” Draco demanded, and someone made a noise and then soft footsteps walked away. “Harry, are you ok? Dobby said you are dying.”

“I don’t know. I’m hurt bad, Drake. Don’t leave me here, please,” Harry pleaded with his best friend.

“I won’t leave you, Harry. I swear it,” Draco soothed him. “We have you, Har.”

“Here, that Muggle is bigger around than Hagrid,” Harry recognized that voice now. Blaise. Blaise had come with Draco and at least one other person. Probably Theo.

Harry heard the jingle of keys and a few curses as they worked through the seven locks on the door. Finally, it creaked open and Harry sighed in relief.

“Merlin, Harry, you look horrible. I am telling my father about this. They won’t get away with this, Harry. I swear it,” Draco insisted.

“Where are your things, Har?” Theo asked him. He already had Hedwig’s cage in his arms. “We can’t find anything.”

“Pretty is in the wardrobe, Drake,” Harry told the blonde. The others didn’t know about the snake yet, but there was no way to avoid it now.

“There is a cage in the wardrobe. It has a snake in it. Get it and be careful, if she bites you, you will die,” Draco warned Blaise.

“Got it,” Blaise said somberly. No one was joking or smiling, and Harry thought it was weird. His friends, especially Blaise and Draco were always smiling, teasing, or playing around.

“Your trunk, Har, where is it?” Draco asked.

“Downstairs…he..he locked it in the cupboard under the stairs,” Harry gasped out. He was still hurting so badly. He wanted Severus. The potion master would know what to do.

“Can you stand?” Draco asked. Harry grimaced but nodded. He would do what he needed to do. He wouldn’t stay here any longer. Theo helped Draco get Harry on his feet. The smaller boy swayed and leaned heavily onto Draco who seemed to have grown a few inches in the last month.

“Shit, Harry. I don’t even know where to touch you,” Draco said. He sounded like he wanted to cry.

“It’s ok, Drake. I can take it. Hold me anywhere and we can worry about the pain later,” Harry insisted. They helped him down the stairs carefully. Theo pulled out a small kit and laid it down beside him. Harry watched fascinated as the twelve-year-old picked the lock on the cupboard door.

He reached in and pulled the trunk out. Harry was ashamed when the other boy looked around the cupboard that he knew showed signs of the fact that he lived in that small room. Theo looked back up at Harry, who buried his face in Draco’s chest. He didn’t want to see pity or disgust from one of his friends.

“Is that everything, Harry?” Draco asked him quietly. Harry nodded. “Then let’s get out of here.” Harry heard a bang and then someone yell. Vernon. He was coming. Harry whimpered and Draco held him tighter.

“What is going on here? More little Freaks? You won’t take him,” Vernon snarled from the top of the stairs.

“Go, go now,” Blaise called out. Draco nearly dragged Harry with him out the front door. Harry turned when he heard a yell of pain. Theo had thrown a knife at Vernon and stabbed him in the shoulder. Theo had a lot of secrets of his own. Harry would have never suspected the boy to be so good at picking locks or throwing knives.

“Get in, Draco and I will help Harry slide in next to you,” Blaise said, and Draco quickly slid into the car.

“You have a car?” Harry asked surprised. He whimpered when he was helped into it.

“We stole it,” Draco answered. Blaise jumped in the driver seat and Theo slid into the passenger seat. It was a jerky ride, but Harry was happy to make note of when they made their way out of the neighborhood.

He laid over on Draco and started crying. His friends had come for him. He wasn’t going to die now. Draco very carefully wrapped an arm around him and held him while he cried.

“Tell me that was a one-time thing,” Blaise demanded from the front seat. Harry shook his head and Draco cursed.

“Draco?” Theo asked. Draco shook his head at Theo. “Fuck, It wasn’t the first time, Blaise. That cupboard, Harry. There was a mattress in it, small toys, and a drawing that said Harry’s room.”

Harry nodded again.

“I.. I. it was my room for ten years. I did…didn’t get a real bedroom until this month,” Harry admitted finally.

“You slept in a cupboard under the stairs for ten years?” Blaise growled out. “How does something like this happen? Who did this to you?”

“Dum…Dumbledore,” Harry stuttered out. He would tell them nearly everything. Not his real name or anything about Severus but he would tell them what he could without putting anyone else in danger.

“I knew he was a shady old man. There is no way he is as “Light” as he claims to be,” Draco growled out.

“Secret, Drake. Too dangerous,” Harry managed to mumble out.

“We won’t say anything, Harry. It will be our secret. But you have to tell us everything,” Draco answered. Harry nodded.

“Not everything, ok? But most things,” Harry asked.

“Most things are just fine. We understand secrets, Harry. We are Slytherins after all,” Theo assured him. Harry sighed and leaned back into Draco more.

The car ride took hours. Harry passed out again at some point and didn’t wake up again until he was being carried by someone. He blinked open an eye and was surprised to see Severus. He sighed in relief and closed his eyes again. He was safe now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Severus*

The potion master had been enjoying a rare, lazy evening at his home in Spinner’s End. He was finished, for now, with his duties at the school and would be able to spend the rest of his summer as he pleased. Maybe he could even re-ward his home and bring Harry here for a day or two.

He would talk to the boy about it tomorrow when he visited. Severus smiled when he thought about asking Harry about it. He would never say no. Harry had started as an irritant. But he quickly became something so much more to Severus.

Harry was the son of his heart. He would burn the world and everyone in it to keep Harry safe. When the time came that Harry wanted to know where he came from, Severus would help and then he would follow the boy across dimensions. There was nothing for him in this world. Nothing but Harry.

Draco was his Godson, but Lucius had made it impossible to get close to him. Severus had tried when Draco was younger, but it had never been pleasant. Lucius was suspicious of Severus because he hadn’t served any time in Azkaban or even had a trial after the war.

Severus had begged Albus to be smart about things and let him at least have a fake trial, but he had refused. It had caused issues and may still cause issues when the Dark Lord returned. He needed them to trust him.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of car tires squealing from a quick stop. He heard trashcans tumble over and a car door slam. A moment later there was a banging on his front door.

“Professor Snape. Please Professor, if you are in there open the door. It’s Blaise Zabini, we need help,” His student yelled through the door. Severus stood quickly and made his way to the door and wrenched it open. He looked down at a very unkempt Blaise. He had never seen the boy look anything but perfectly put together.

“What has happened? How did you know where I live?” Severus asked quickly. Blaise pointed to the car.

“Harry,” Was all he managed to get out. Severus looked at the car sharply in time to see Draco and Theodore Nott helping a very hurt and barely conscious Harry out of the back of the car.

Severus nearly ran down his walkway and pulled his boy into his arms. Harry opened his eyes for a moment. He smiled up at Severus and then literally melted into his arms. Severus had to lean down to feel his breath pass between his lips. He thought the boy had died in his arms.

“We will see how bad the damage is and the three of you will explain what in the hell happened,” Severus said and hurried into the house. He didn’t know what happened but if it was those horrid muggles he was going to burn that house to the ground. After he tortured them for days.

Severus took Harry straight to the room across from his own. It was really the only other room in the house that had a bed. He laid his boy down and turned to look at the other three standing in the doorway. They didn’t look like they would leave the room without a fight. Especially his Godson.

“I would have your word that none of you will speak of anything that you learn while in this house,” Severus demanded.

“We have already given our vow of silence to Harry, but if you need one as well, we will give it,” Theo answered. Severus simply nodded and turned back to Harry.

“Tell me what happened,” Severus said as he started stripping the bloody torn clothes off Harry.

“We have been writing him all summer, but everything that we wrote to him just came back. It couldn’t be delivered. So, we waited to see if he would write to us. But he didn’t. I have been really worried, and I finally sent Dobby to check on him. Dobby came back and told us he was dying,” Draco explained.

“Where did the car come from,” Severus asked as he rolled Harry to get a look at his back. His boy looked really bad.

“I stole it,” Blaise admitted. “One of my mom’s husbands dealt a lot with muggles. He taught me how to drive. So, we rode our brooms to the town closest to my home and stole a car and a map.”

“So, you just showed up and took him. He already looked like this?” Severus asked them. He just wanted clarification that every wound was from the Dursleys.

“Yes, sir. There were seven locks on his door, a bucket in his corner to relieve himself in, and all of his things were locked in a cupboard under the stairs,” Theo said pointedly. “A cupboard that he admitted was his bedroom until a month ago.”

Severus didn’t answer that time. He had known about the locks and the cupboard already. There wasn’t anything that Harry hadn’t told him about living in that house.

“The stories are all fake aren’t they?” Draco nearly whispered. “He wasn’t treated like a prince, or spoiled, or loved, or any of those things, was he?”

“No, Draco he was not,” Severus simply said. He was looking over the diagnostic he had just done. The House-elf was right. Harry would have died if they hadn’t gotten him. He was hurt badly, bleeding internally, broken bones, and many other things.

“Do we get to kill them?” Theo asked. Severus didn’t need to look up at the twelve-year-old to know that he was serious. His father had been the Dark Lord’s first and most loyal follower. Severus knew for a fact that Theodore had been trained extensively already. Severus had no proof but had suspicions that the boy had already tortured and killed a few people on his father’s orders.

“Not yet,” Severus answered. It was good that Theo had given his loyalty to Harry. The Nott family was known for their loyalty. They never wavered once they gave it.

“You aren’t going to try and talk us out of it?” Blaise asked shocked. Severus looked up and indicated Harry. The three boys finally looked at Harry’s mangled and scared body. They looked horrified.

“They have been marked for death from the first moment I saw Harry’s scars. I know every detail of the abuse he suffered at their hands. They will not die quickly or painlessly,” Severus promised. “I will be the one to do it. You can have at them, only if I am unable to do it.”

“As long as they suffer,” Draco stated vehemently. “I knew something was wrong when you wouldn’t let Pomfrey change Harry in the infirmary. He woke up and panicked when he thought someone else had seen him.”

“Draco, in my potion room in the basement is my medical bag. Go and get it,” Severus instructed. “Blaise, a pan with warm water from the kitchen and Theodore grab dark rags and towels from the bathroom across the hall.” The three boys moved immediately to do as they were instructed.

“Sev,” Harry whispered up at him. “I’m dying.”

“No, My Child you are not. I have you now and you are going to be fine,” Severus insisted.

“I don’t want to go back,” Harry pleaded. Severus brushed hair from his forehead.

“I know and for now, you will not. I will pay the Dursleys a visit and make sure that they let anyone know who comes looking, that you are staying with a friend. You will not return this summer. We have the school year to figure something else out,” Severus assured him. “When you are feeling better, I want to know exactly what happened.”

“Ok. Thanks Dad,” Harry mumbled and then he seemed to pass out again. Severus worked very hard to hide how warm that simple word made him feel.

Just then the other three started trickling back into the room. Severus used the warm water and the rags to clean him of all of the dirt and blood. Then he used spells and creams to close his open wounds. He spelled a pain potion and bone strengthening potions straight into his stomach before he set the bones that were broken.

“Where does your father think you are?” Severus asked Draco.

“I told him that we were going to spend a few days at Blaise’s house,” Draco answered. “He won’t expect me home until tomorrow.”

“There are take-out menus on the kitchen counter. Go through them and decide what the three of you would like to have for dinner. You may stay here for the night, but you will go home tomorrow. Mr. Potter will remain here until he feels up to leaving and then he will spend the rest of the summer at your home,” Severus instructed.

Draco looked like he was going to protest but Blaise grabbed his arm and pulled him from the room. Once they were gone Severus bandaged Harry up and then he dressed him in some of his own pajamas that he shrunk down to fit him. He checked Harry’s vitals once more to make sure that he was ok and then headed out of the room.

“Everything here is muggle. I don’t know what any of this food is,” Severus heard Draco whine. Severus held in a chuckle at the antics of Pureblood children.

“Why does the Professor live in a muggle town?” Blaise asked.

“I don’t know. Maybe for protection, who would look for him here?” Theodore answered. Severus cleared his throat. The three boys jumped and turned toward him.

“If you are having an issue deciding what to eat, then I will just order a few different things and you can try some of each,” Severus offered. The boys looked relieved not to have to decide. Severus took the take-out menus from them and sat at the counter where the phone was. He wished the Wixen world would figure out phones and other things. It would make life so much easier.

“What is that?” He heard Theodore whisper to the others.

“I don’t know. It looks like the same concept of a fire call, but you don’t have to stick your head in fire,” Draco answered.

“That’s convenient. Is that a muggle thing? Why don’t we have those?” Blaise added.

“Clearly magic doesn’t affect it the way they say it does electrickcity,” Theodore pointed out. Severus hung up from his last call.

“Electricity. It’s called a telephone. There are a lot of muggle things that are far more convenient than the Wixen way,” Severus told them. “The food will be here in about forty-five minutes. The three of you will sleep down here tonight. The couch is a pull-out bed. It won’t be comfortable, but it is all I have to offer.”

“Thank you, Professor. For letting us stay to make sure Harry is ok,” Blaise answered.

“Why did you three bring him here?” Severus asked the question that had been bothering him. Malfoy Manor was so much closer to Surrey by car. Draco gave him an accusatory stare that he didn’t understand.

“Well, we were going to take him straight to Father. But when he passed out and started mumbling nonsense he kept asking for you. ‘Want Severus, need my Dad,’ he kept saying over and over again,” Draco stated. Severus nearly reached up to grab his chest where it suddenly ached.

“So, we changed our destination. We thought he was going to die and if he wanted you, professor, then we wanted him to be with you,” Theodore added.

“I didn’t know the two of you were so close. Care to explain?” Draco demanded. He didn’t like the fact that Harry had kept something like this from him. Severus was his Godfather after all, and Harry was his best friend.

“It is very complicated and dangerous information to have, Draco. Information that no one outside of those in this room know as well as very few goblins. If you want to know it as well, then you will have to take a vow to never reveal it to anyone. By word of mouth or written word. Do you understand?” Severus asked.

If he didn’t give them something, they may dig on their own or mention something to their parents. It wouldn’t be so bad if the Lady Zabini knew. She had always been neutral. But the Nott family and the Malfoy family were firm supporters of the Dark and if they had access to this information it could be really bad for Harry and Severus.

But the Dark wasn’t the only issue. The Light was just as big a problem. Especially Albus. He watched the three boys exchange looks and then turn to him resolved.

“We will take whatever vow you think necessary. Harry is our best friend, and we want to know what is going on with him. He clearly needs help, and he trusted you to give it,” Draco said.

“This is information that your father and Theodore’s father would torture for. You would be betraying your families just knowing this information at all. Is that something you are willing to do?” Severus asked. He needed to be sure that these boys understood.

“We are not our fathers,” Theodore stated firmly. “Just because our fathers chose a path does not mean that we have to choose the same path.”

Blaise nodded in agreement, but Draco seemed hesitant. Severus knew he would be. The only thing Draco had ever wanted was his Father’s approval. He wanted to be just like his Father. This was a hard decision for the young heir.

“I am willing to risk my father’s wrath for this. Harry is important to me,” Draco finally said. Severus was proud. So, he made them take the vow to never reveal any information they were given while it could be used to harm Harry or Severus.

Then, he told them nearly everything except that Harry was adopted and from another dimension. Anything connected to that knowledge was kept secret. Their food arrived sometime later, and Severus put some up for Harry. It had been something worth remembering watching those three try burgers, fries, pizza, and tacos for the first time.

“So, Dumbledore is as much a Dark Lord as The Dark Lord is,” Theodore pointed out when he had finished.

“Worse, in my opinion. The Dark Lord never hid his worst deeds from the world. He was honest about what he wanted and how he was willing to accomplish it. Albus is a liar and manipulator. He pretends to be this wonderful leader of the Light, but I think he is the Darkest Dark Lord we have ever known,” Severus answered.

“You expect bad things from the Dark Lord. You will never suspect the attack from the Leader of the Light,” Theodore added.

“Exactly,” Severus agreed. They heard a noise and looked up to see Harry struggling down the stairs. Draco hopped up and made it to him first. The blonde helped Harry the rest of the way and sat him on the couch between himself and Theodore.

“You should have called for help, Child,” Severus remanded. Harry blushed but smiled.

“I wanted to come down here with the rest of you. I have been locked in a room alone for nearly four days…I think. I don’t want to be alone,” Harry admitted. He was sure they had been discussing a lot of things down here.

“Still, someone would have helped you down the stairs. You could have fallen,” Draco added.

“I am sorry. Next time I will remember to ask for help,” Harry said with a cheeky grin.

“Please, let us try to avoid a next time,” Severus said with a groan. Harry gave him a look.

“Sure, let’s pretend that I have better luck than I actually do, Sev,” Harry said with a laugh. “I am starving.”

“We had Pizza, burgers, fries, and Tacos,” Draco said with glee.

“It was good. I have to say that Muggles may be terrible people, but they have good food and useful things,” Blaise added. Harry snorted and blushed.

“Is there any left? I actually haven’t tried any of those things before,” Harry admitted. He saw Severus swallow his response and head to the kitchen.

“Didn’t you live in the muggle world for ten years? How have you never tried them?” Draco asked shocked. Harry gave him a look and ducked his head.

“The Dursleys never let me go with them when they went out for food. And if they ordered in, I was only ever allowed to watch them eat. I was never allowed to eat with them. Even if I am the one who cooked it,” Harry admitted.

“Well, you can have them now,” Severus said as he walked back into the room with food.

“That is too much. I won’t be able to eat all of that,” Harry said sadly. It all smelled so good.

“Eat what you can, Child,” Severus answered. Harry nodded and ate while the others went back to talking.

When they were finished and Harry had told the others exactly what had happened, they were even more angry than they had been before. He knew if it wasn’t for Severus being a voice of reason, the other three would have gone to attack Dudley and his gang right away.

At some point, Harry must have fallen asleep because when he was roused awake he was lying down on the couch with his head in the blonde’s lap.

“I think it is time for bed, Har,” Draco told him. Severus stood and lifted Harry into his arms.

“Sev,” Harry said sleepily. “I can walk.” That was what came out of his mouth, but he burrowed closer to Severus. He was so light. He was nearly twelve and felt like he weighed nothing.

“Hush, Harry,” Severus said quietly. He turned to the other boys. “The couch pulls out into a bed. See if you can figure it out before I come back down.”

“Sev, can Draco stay with me? I don’t want to be alone,” Harry asked quietly.

“Draco, Harry wants you to stay with him upstairs,” Severus said over his shoulder. He heard someone throw something and then steps coming up the stairs behind them. “Since you are going to be in the room with him, I expect you to pay attention to him. Make sure he doesn’t spike a fever or anything else.”

“Yes, Sir. I will keep an eye on him,” Draco promised from behind him. Draco pulled the sheets back on the bed and moved out of the way so that Severus could lay Harry in them.

“Do you need something to sleep in?” Severus asked.

“Please,” Draco answered. Severus conjured him a pair of pajamas as well and shrunk them for him.

“I am going to make sure the boys downstairs are settled. If either of you needs anything, my room is across the hall and two doors down,” Severus instructed.

“Good night, Uncle Sev,” Draco said quietly. Severus paused. Draco hadn’t called him that in a long time. Not since his father started teaching him what it meant to be a true pureblood.

“Sleep well, Dragon,” Severus answered and then strode from the room. Draco changed into the pajamas and crawled into bed with Harry, who immediately scooted closer and pressed against him. Draco fell asleep listening to the sound of Harry’s breathing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Four days later, Harry was standing with Hedwig in one hand and his trunk in the other. Severus was going to apparate him to Malfoy Manor. The story for Lucius Malfoy was that Draco had invited Harry to come stay with them for the rest of the summer. That Severus had been chosen to escort him from the Dursley’s house to Malfoy Manor.

Severus walked him in and made small talk with Lucius for a few moments before Tinny popped up and took Harry’s things. They would be put back in the same room he had used last time.

“Run along, Mr. Potter. I believe Draco and the others are outback flying. There is a broom for you as well,” Lucius instructed. Harry smiled at the stoic man and then turned to Severus.

“Thank you, Professor, for escorting me here,” Harry said and smiled brightly at Severus where Lucius couldn’t see him.

“Go on, Potter,” Severus said without changing his expression. Harry nodded and then went straight to the back where the others were.

There was in fact a fourth broom for Harry to ride. It was a brand-new Nimbus 2001. The newest and fastest broom, currently on the market. It had a bow on it. Draco insisted that it was a birthday gift from Lucius and Narcissa.

“Purely to give you an advantage when you try out for the team this year. Draco will be trying out as well for a chaser position. Hopefully, we can get both of you on the team,” Lucius stated when Harry thanked him for it at dinner.

The next day was Harry’s twelfth birthday and he spent it with Draco, Blaise, and Theo. There was a last-minute party put together when the Malfoys had learned that Harry would be spending his birthday with them. Pansy, Marcus, Adrian, and Daphne also came. Harry had been surprised to learn that Daphne brought her younger sister, Astoria as well.

Draco had been polite to the younger girl but both of them seemed equally uncomfortable around the other. They talked to each other for just the amount of time that would be considered proper and then avoided each other like the plague. Other than that, it was really fun.

Harry had loved every minute of it. It was his first birthday party and the first time he had received birthday gifts other than Hedwig. When it was over, he was exhausted and happy to retire to his room with all of his new things.

Nothing exciting or noteworthy happened for the rest of the summer. Harry spent all of his time with Draco. Theo and Blaise also came over often to hang out when they weren’t busy with their families.

Before Harry knew it, most of August was done and it was time to go shopping for their school supplies. Harry was so ready for the summer to be over and for school to start back up, if for no other reason than he missed Severus. He had gotten so used to seeing the Potion Master once a week and talking to him that now it really sucked not to see him.

Not that they didn’t still talk to each other though. Severus wrote to Harry once a week and sent him his potions. Harry wrote Severus back and told him all about everything that had been going on.

“Ready?” Draco asked as he came bounding into Harry’s room. “Father and Mother are already downstairs waiting. Are you bringing Pretty?”

“Yes, I am ready and yes, I am taking Pretty. Let’s go so your parents don’t have to wait anymore,” Harry said. He pulled Draco off the bed and the two of them headed downstairs.

“Stay together and remember that you are both, Heirs to Ancient and Noble Houses, act accordingly,” Lucius instructed. Then Harry and Draco used the floo to come out at the main floo opening in Diagon Alley. Lucius and Narcissa followed them.

“I have a few things to tend to on Knockturn Alley. You boys go with Narcissa and get your new robes for the school year,” Lucius stated and then he strode off while Narcissa led them to Madame Malkins.

“My things from last year still fit. I haven’t grown. Do I really need to get new robes?” Harry asked as they entered the robe shop.

“Of course, you do. You cannot wear last year’s robes. Besides you have grown a little. You aren’t as skinny as you used to be,” Draco answered.

“That seems like a waste but ok,” Harry agreed reluctantly. They made small talk with the seamstresses while they were remeasured. Narcissa was a lot pickier than Draco had been about patterns and materials.

By the time they were finished and instructed to come back in a few hours, Lucius was finished with his business. They went to the Apothecary and the parchment and quill store. Finally, they headed to Flourish and Blotts.

“Why is it so packed?” Harry asked as he and Draco snuck up to the top floor. Draco pointed. There was a line of people as well as reporters all vying for the attention of a tall blonde git. The man was smiling, posing, and just acting like an attention-seeking prat. He was famous and he enjoyed it.

“Who is that?” Harry asked after a few moments of watching.

“Gilderoy Lockhart,” a voice answered from behind them. They both turned to see two identical red heads. Harry recalled seeing them at school. He was pretty sure they were Ronald Weasley’s older brothers.

“Our new Defense professor,” Said the opposite twin. Draco scoffed and Harry wrinkled his nose.

“That prat is going to teach us Defense?” Draco asked.
“He doesn’t look or sound like he is interested in anything but himself,” Harry added. The twins shrugged and moved up on either side of them.

“Mum is obsessed with him,” the twin next to Harry stated.

“He wrote a bunch of books about dueling monsters,” the twin next to Draco added.

“Never heard of him,” Draco answered. Harry nodded in agreement.

“Seems like an idiot,” Harry pointed out as the man started talking about taking down a Centaur that had gone rogue with Belladonna and a swordfight. “That is ridiculous. The only way to catch a Centaur off guard enough to hurt them is to get them drunk first. Centaurs have a weakness for wine.”

“When did you read about Centaurs?” Draco asked curiously. Harry shrugged.

“Mione gave me a book about magical creatures. It was in there,” Harry answered.

“Wow, pretty and smart,” the twin next to Draco said with a wink. Harry blushed and Draco frowned.

“Guess, you earned those top marks honestly after all,” The other twin stated.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Harry asked.

“Well, you see,” Draco’s twin started.

“Our dear brother,” Harry’s twin continued.

“Told everyone who would listen,” Draco’s twin again.

“That you cheated,” Harry’s twin finished.

“That is absolutely, shit,” Draco defended him quickly. “No one in our entire grade studied as much as Harry did. Except for Hermione. There is a running joke in Slytherin that he should have been a Ravenclaw.”

“It’s fine, Draco. It’s just jealousy coming from someone who was at the bottom of our year,” Harry said simply. The twins both snorted.

“Our brother is an idiot,” They said together.

“What are your names by the way? I can’t remember if I have ever heard you called anything other than the Twin Terrors of Gryffindor,” Harry asked them.

“Well, I am Fred,” Draco’s twin said.

“And I am George,” Harry’s twin added. Harry grinned at them when they smirked.

“Got it. So, the opposite then,” Harry teased. “I will remember.”

“If you do,” Fred said with a smile.

“You will be the only one,” George finished.

“As nice as it has been chatting with you, we have to go. It looks like my Father is about to get into it with yours,” Draco said. He pointed to the bottom of the stairs where Lucius was squaring off with a large red-haired man. Ron Weasley was standing next to him, and a small red-haired girl was standing in front of him.

There was a comment made that they couldn’t hear before the Weasley dad punched Lucius. Harry and Draco hurried down the stairs to stand next to Lucius.

“How Muggle of you,” Draco sneered. Lucius placed a hand on his shoulder and vanished the blood from his nose with a wave of his hand.

“What more could you expect from Blood Traitors? Come along boys. Lady Malfoy has already purchased your books,” Lucius snarked. There was a flash of camera light that none of them paid attention to.

“Wow, I knew you were sorted Slytherin, Harry. But I didn’t know you were hanging around Death Eaters. Well, unless you are a baby Death Eater in training now too,” Ron Weasley taunted. Harry just smiled at him without commenting. He had learned that the quickest way to make Weasley angry was to ignore him.

Harry turned with Draco when Lucius placed a hand on his shoulder as well. There was another flash of a camera going off. Harry was sure they would be in the paper tomorrow. He was also sure that it wouldn’t be in his favor. He grinned when he caught a flash of the twins waving at them before they walked out.

Well, maybe two of the Weasleys weren’t so bad. He might even make friends with them just to piss off Ronald and maybe it would get Dumbledore off his back at least a little. They left the bookstore and finished up their shopping before heading back to Malfoy Manor.

Harry received a letter from Severus a few days later letting him know that Dumbledore was mad and had gone to the Dursleys to ask questions about why he was with the Malfoys, and they had told the headmaster the exact story that Severus had planted.

Harry had used accidental magic and they had freaked out and demanded that he leave. Then they gave him permission to stay with the Malfoy family for the rest of the summer. He said that Dumbledore had been furious and had even asked Severus to start getting back in good with Lucius so that he could keep an eye on Harry.

The rest of the summer was just as uneventful as the first part of August. Harry and Draco got all of their summer assignments done and were ready to head back to school by the time they boarded the train September 1st.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I cannot believe what happened in class today. First the prat makes us take a quiz about himself. That has nothing to do with Defense. There is no way that it should be allowed. Then he released a cage full of feral Cornish Pixies and then left us to defend ourselves,” Harry exclaimed as he told Hermione about their class.

“Well, maybe he was just trying to get you all to use your heads to see what you have learned,” Hermione answered. Harry looked at her as if she had lost her mind.

“Oh, Mione. Don’t tell me that you are one of Lockhart’s fangirls. You are far too smart for that,” Harry exclaimed. Hermione blushed and ducked her head.

“He isn’t all that bad. I read his books and he has been in every Witch Weekly paper. He does have a lovely smile,” Hermione spouted off. Harry looked at her disgusted.

“Eww. I thought you had better judgment then that. Let’s stick to homework,” Harry teased the still blushing Ravenclaw.

“Oh, hush you,” Hermione said and swatted her hand at him. “He isn’t as bad as all that.”

“Agree to disagree,” Harry answered. Then the two of them started studying. They were interrupted about twenty minutes later.

“Hello, Harrykins,” Fred said with a smile as he sat next to Harry.

“Hello, Harrykins’ Ravenclaw,” George added and took the seat next to Hermione.

“Hiya, Fred,” Harry said looking directly at him and then turned to George. “George. Good to see you both. This is Hermione. What are you troublemakers up to?”

“I’m not Fred, he is,” Fred said with a wink. Harry just grinned and tapped him on the cheek.

“Lies. You have a spattering of freckles just here that George doesn’t have. That isn’t the only thing I have noticed different about the two of you so don’t think changing it will trick me,” Harry said pointedly.

“Our own mother cannot tell us apart,” George said with a shocked expression.

“To be honest, most of our family apart from our brother Bill, can’t,” Fred added.

“Well, that is just sad. It was actually really easy to spot the differences. You aren’t completely identical if you know what to look for,” Harry stated. The twins grinned at him and seemed to speak to each other without words.

“You just became our favorite brother,” They said together. Harry scrunched up his nose at them.

“As cool as the two of you are, and as nice as it would be to have brothers, I do not want to be a Weasley. No offence to the two of you,” Harry said as nicely as he could.

“We aren’t offended,” George responded.

“We don’t exactly fit in with our family,” Fred pointed out.

“Maybe we can be honorary Potters instead of you becoming a Weasley,” Georged added.

“Yeah, that sounds much better,” Fred said happily.

“Fred and George Potter, at your service,” They said together with a laugh.

“Oh, I think I like the two of you much better than your younger brother,” Hermione said. She was laughing so hard she was holding her side.

“I will happily accept the two of you as Potters,” Harry added.

“Any way, we heard you had an interesting class,” Fred inquired. Harry rolled his eyes.

“Tell us what happened,” George added.

“It was absolutely ridiculous. The man is a menace and a fraud. I don’t know what Dumbledore was thinking by hiring him,” Harry started. Then he told them everything that had happened in class.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Three days later, was their first Quidditch practice/tryout. Of course, Gryffindor had to start something with them. More specifically, Ronald Weasley, who wasn’t even on the team, had to start crap with them.

“Gryffindor has the pitch reserved for this morning,” Oliver Wood stated a bit annoyed. Marcus held up a note.

“We have a note,” Marcus answered and handed it over.

“You are training two new players?” Oliver asked.

“Yeah, our Seeker and one of our Chasers are in their final year. They dropped out because they wanted to concentrate on their grades,” Flint told him. The two captains were handling things just fine without any issues. That was when Ronald Weasley stuck his big nose in.

“I see Malfoy and Potter are your new players. What happened? Did Daddy Malfoy bribe the team to get them on it? Couldn’t join the team like everyone else by trying out, had to flaunt their money,” Ron taunted.

Harry just rolled his eyes. He had been told last year that he would be on the team. Marcus and the others had told him many times that he was an excellent Seeker. Draco was a really good player too. He couldn’t say for sure that Draco had gotten on the team without a bribe but that was his business and had nothing to do with Ronald.

Draco, however, couldn’t leave it be. The boy was so hot-tempered sometimes and Harry understood that was probably normal for teenage boys, but he had just lived through too much horror already to be drawn in by teenage taunts.

“What’s the matter, Blood Traitor? Jealous that your Father isn’t rich enough to buy your way onto the team? Wouldn’t that make you the only one in your family not good enough to play? All of your brothers made the team in second year, didn’t they? Even the bookworm played in his second year,” Draco made sure to really dig in the insults.

Harry was not surprised that Draco knew so much about the Weasley family. Draco liked to make sure that the people he bullied could be completely demolished when he wanted to. So, he did his research. Weasley turned every shade of red and then purple before he lifted his wand.

“EAT SLUGS,” Ron screamed and cast a spell at Draco with a wand that looked like it had been snapped in half and then taped back together.

Draco was fumbling with pulling his wand out and Harry reacted before he even thought about it. He cast a rebound spell he had read about over the summer and watched in fascination as Ronald started turning green before vomiting giant slugs.

It was also just his luck that McGonagall and Lockhart were passing by at just that moment. No matter how much he and his team protested that he was only defending Draco, he ended up with a detention anyway. A detention that he had to serve with Lockhart of all people. Ron would be polishing trophies under McGonagall’s supervision.

The Slytherins continued on to the pitch and ran through drills all day so that Harry and Draco could get familiar with them. Harry was pretty excited to play this year and so was Draco. They would be the only Second-years on the team.

Later that evening, at eight pm, Harry headed to Lockhart’s office. He was horrified to find out that Lockhart wanted him to help him sort and answer fan mail. Harry spent too many hours tuning out Lockhart while he rattled on and on about his accomplishments. The man never stopped talking about himself.

There was a sharp knock at the door before Severus came striding into the room looking irritated. Lockhart smiled at the Potion Master.

“What can I help you with, Severus?” He asked as if Severus wasn’t one of the most terrifying things in the castle when he looked like that.

“Care to tell me why you have kept my snake in detention past curfew?” Severus drawled out.

“Oh, dear. It looks like I did. Time flies when you are having fun I guess. Didn’t even feel like a detention did it, Harry?” Lockhart said with a smile. Then he raised his hand and rapped Harry on his shoulder a bit harder than he should have. Harry flinched when he raised his hand, but the man never noticed. Severus did.

“I would like to remind you that it is against school policy to keep students past curfew no matter what is going on,” Severus snapped back. Then he reached out calmly and pulled Harry to his feet. Harry immediately slipped behind Severus and out of reach of Lockhart.

“Also, do try to remember that not everyone is comfortable being touched so familiarly,” Severus threw over his shoulder as they walked out of the room.

“Thank you, that was the worst detention I have ever served, and I didn’t even deserve it,” Harry exclaimed.

“It is the only, detention you have ever served,” Severus said with a half-smile. Harry just shrugged.

“That wasn’t the point,” Harry argued. “Thanks for coming to get me. If I ever get detention again, will you make sure it isn’t with him please?”

Just then Harry heard a hissing voice echo through the hallway.

“Kill…. must kill…. So hungry,”

Harry stopped walking and Severus turned to see why. Harry held up a finger to his lips and Severus didn’t say anything, but he was instantly on alert.

“KILL…..KILL,”

The voice sounded like it was getting closer, and he could hear a scraping sound. He knew it was a snake. He had learned after talking with Pretty for a year how to recognize the hissing undertones and knew what the scraping of scales sounded like. He moved closer to Severus and continued to listen.

He cast a ‘Lumos’ and looked along the floors, walls, and ceiling. He couldn’t see anything. Then the scraping sound retreated down the hall and the hissing words disappeared with it.

He relaxed and dropped his wand.

“What did you hear?” Severus asked him. Harry smiled at the man. No accusations that he was crazy or anything else. He just knew Harry was reacting to something even if he couldn’t hear it.

“There was a snake, a very big one if the sound of the scraping was anything to go by. Did you hear anything at all?” Harry asked. Severus thought about it.

“I don’t think so, Harry. How do you know it was a snake based on the scraping sound?” Severus asked curiously as they started walking again.

“Oh, it was talking. Quite violently, I might add. Kept talking about being hungry and wanting to kill. I recognize the Parseltongue. But I don’t hear it anymore,” Harry told him.

“I didn’t see anything either,” Severus told him.

“I didn’t either. I looked for it, but I didn’t see it. So, for now it is just a voice I heard. It may not even be an actual snake, Sev. There are enough ghosts here that it could be something like that,” Harry offered.

“Maybe, we will keep an eye out. I may not be able to hear the thing speak but if it is big enough I might be able to see it if it makes itself known,” Severus stated.

“Thank you for believing me even though I don’t have proof,” Harry said after a few moments.

“I believe that we already discussed that, Child. I promised to always believe you when you told me things. That includes believing you when you tell me that you hear something,” Severus reminded him.

“You are literally my favorite human,” Harry said with a grin. Severus snorted and then ruffled his hair.

“You are my favorite human too, Child. Now go on up to bed. Draco is worried,” Severus said and left him at the common room door. Harry smiled and headed into the common room where Draco was waiting for him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Classes were normal for the next month. Harry spent all of his Sunday evenings with Severus just like last year. He was also still taking his potions every day. His health had been so bad, and Severus told him he was afraid that Harry might have to take them for the rest of his childhood in order to be healthy.

There were no more detentions with Lockhart and his classes continued to be awful. Harry had taken to self-studying. Quidditch practice took up a little more time than Harry liked from his studying, but he made it work.

The only thing that Harry found a bit annoying was the youngest Weasley. She was a bit of a stalker. Harry was constantly seeing her watching him. At meals, in the library, during practices, and even in random places. She was everywhere watching him all the time.

She also always had this black journal in her hands writing in it. It was weird and Harry wished she would leave him alone and stop watching him. He had brought it up with the twins one day and they had laughed. Apparently, she had a huge crush on him and was borderline obsessed.

He had asked the twins to let her know that he didn’t even think he liked girls or really anybody. So far, Harry hadn’t found that he was particularly favorable to anyone. Severus said it was normal they were only twelve after all. He and Severus had only discussed the voice once more and had forgotten about it. Harry hadn’t heard it again and there were no signs of it in the castle.

On Halloween night, things get interesting again for Harry. He is leaving the feast with Draco, Blaise, and Theodore. They were talking about Blaise’s thirteenth birthday that was coming up in a few days when he heard the voice again.

“Kill…Kill…smell blood…. Hungry…”

Harry stops and turns to the others. He hasn’t told anyone but Draco that he can talk to snakes, but he trusts Blaise and Theo.

“What is it Harry?” Draco asks concerned. Harry takes a deep breath and then turns to follow the voice.

“I.. um.. hear something. A voice,” Harry said vaguely. Draco and the others are following him closely.

“What kind of voice, Har? I don’t hear anything,” Draco replies. He doesn’t sound accusatory. He sounds just like Severus had. As if he has absolute faith in Harry.

“It’s a snake, Drake. A big one,” Harry answered. Draco puts a hand on his shoulder and stops him for a moment.

“What is it saying, Har? Why do you look worried?” Draco insists. It is like they have both forgotten the other two boys with them.

“We have to keep moving, Drake. He is fast. He is hungry and sounds a bit murderous. I heard him once before with Sev, after my detention with Lockhart,” Harry explained as he kept going.

“Lead the way, Har. We got your back,” Draco insisted. So, Harry kept following the scraping sound and the murderous words. They turned a corner and were standing in water. The sound of the snake was gone.

“It’s gone. I don’t hear it anymore,” Harry said annoyed. He felt a tug on his sleeve. He looked up to see Draco pointing. There on the wall was writing that looked to be in blood.

The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the Heir…..BEWARE

“Merlin, is that?” Blaise said. Harry looked just below the words. Hanging there was Mrs. Norris, Filches cat.

“We need to go. We are going to get….” Theo didn’t get to finish his sentence because Filch came around the corner.

“What are you lot doing…. MRS. NORRIS…WHAT HAVE YOUR HORRIBLE BOYS DONE,” Filch was screaming at them. Harry stepped back away from the man and closer to the other three. They were quickly joined by McGonagall, Severus, and Lockhart.

“Now, Argus…” McGonagall started. But Filch cut her off.

“I know it was them that done it. I will have them expelled for this. They’ve killed my cat,” Filch insisted.

“Do you have proof?” Severus asked as he stepped up to stand in front of his students.

“I have all of the proof I need. They were caught at the scene,” Filch said with a sob. About that time Dumbledore came around the corner. He took control and pulled the cat down. He ushered everyone to the closest teacher's office, which happened to be Lockhart’s.

“Not dead, Argus. She is only petrified,” Dumbledore said with a smile. Lockhart made some inane comment about how he knew the perfect spell to have prevented it if he had been there, but no one listened to him.

“There is no way that second-year students could have performed any spell or magic that would have caused this,” Severus pointed out.

“Quite true. I also know that Pomona has a fresh batch of Mandrakes in her greenhouse. Once they are mature we will be able to use them to brew the potion we need to set Mrs. Norris to rights,” Dumbledore insisted.

“I don’t believe that they didn’t do it. These Pureblood Slytherin brats know that I am a Squib. They know and they hate me for it. That is why they hurt my cat,” Filch insisted.

“Mr. Potter isn’t even a Pureblood, Argus,” McGonagall pointed out. “However, I would like to know what the four of you were doing so far from the Great Hall and your dorm.”

“We were quite full, from eating too much and were a bit uncomfortable,” Harry started.

“So, we decided to take a walk around the school,” Draco added.

“To work off some of the food before settling in for the night,” Blaise continued.

“We came upon Mrs. Norris only moments before Filch did,” Theo finished.

“I swear we had nothing to do with it,” Harry stated.

“Perhaps, Argus, it is simply a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time,” McGonagall offered.

“Well, I think that is enough excitement for one night. Argus, come with me. We will take Mrs. Norris to the infirmary to be cared for until she can be cured. Severus why don’t you escort your adventurous snakes back to their common room,” Dumbledore instructed.

Filch looked like he wanted to protest but did as he was told. Severus led Harry and the others out of the room and towards their common room.

“What happened?” Severus asked.

“I heard it again, Sev. The snake,” Harry told him honestly.

“It led you to the hall?” Severus asked. Harry nodded. “I had hoped it was something passing through the area. Be cautious from now on boys. If this was caused by the snake we could have issues.”

“We will be careful,” Draco answered. Harry and the others nodded. Then when they got to their room they parted ways and headed to bed. It had been a long night.

On, November 4th a few days later, Hermione asked their History Professor about the Chamber of Secrets. The man told them everything about the founders and Salazar being pissed that they were allowing muggle-born into the school. So, he left after creating a secret chamber that held a monster only he could control. He left if behind to kill all of the muggle-born students that came to the school.

So, naturally, that meant everyone turned against Slytherin House. Where else would the Heir of Slytherin be? Harry and Draco went back to the hallway with Hermione that day. She was curious about the water they said was all over the floor.

They followed the water and noticed a really weird line of spiders leading out a window. They watched for a few moments before they continued to follow the water. They ended up in a girls' bathroom that was haunted by a ghost. The ghost was called Moaning Myrtle and she was incredibly annoying.

“I heard a rumor about her. She often gets upset or something and floods this bathroom. That is obviously where the water came from,” Hermione told them.

“So, it might not have any connection to what happened,” Draco said with a sigh. Harry nodded and they headed back down to their dorm.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry and Draco were both excited and nervous. Today was their first Quidditch game and it was against Gryffindor. They ate their breakfast and left Blaise, Theo, and Pansy sitting at the breakfast table as they left to meet the team.

Everything was going really well. Harry was high over the stands watching for the snitch while his team worked hard to score. They were at 60 to 20 the last time Harry checked the score. It was in their favor right now. If he could just catch the snitch, they would win.

“There,” Harry said to himself. He caught sight of a flash of gold. He dove for it and began to give chase.

“HARRY,” He heard Draco yell and turned just in time to see a Bludger head straight for him. He dodged it and kept chasing the snitch but apparently, it wasn’t going to be that easy. The Bludger came for him again. He dodged again and called out for help.

“We got you, Harry,” Marcus said as he dropped down next to Harry and sent the Bludger flying in the opposite direction.

“Someone spelled it,” Pucey said from his other side.

“Concentrate on the Snitch, Potter. We have your back,” Selwyn said from directly behind him. Harry nodded and then grinned as he took off for the Snitch that once again flew into his line of sight.

He dipped and dove all across the field. Gryffindor tried to take advantage of their distraction, but they were not making any real headway. Selwyn, Marcus, and Pucey did a great job keeping the Bludger away from him.

Then he dove for the snitch. He was fast and quickly out flew his teammates in his pursuit of the snitch. He grabbed the snitch and pulled up just as his feet touched the ground. He pulled to a stop too suddenly and ended up rolling off his broom. He wasn’t hurt because he was only a foot off the ground.

Someone called his name again and he looked straight up to see the Bludger come straight for him. He dodged first to one side as it slammed into the ground and then the other. He was nearly hit with it three times before it finally caught his arm. He felt the bone shatter. A spell was shouted and the Bludger exploded into tiny pieces.

Then he was surrounded by his team, Severus, Hooch, and Lockhart. Severus reached for his arm and Harry grimaced.

“Broken,” Severus said with a scowl. “It was just a rogue Bludger. I didn’t detect any spells on it.” Harry nodded and then whimpered when Severus went to pull his sleeve back in front of everyone. The potion master stopped and looked at him apologetically. He had forgotten about the scars.

“I know a spell that can fix that,” Lockhart suddenly exclaimed. He reached for Harry who nearly folded himself into Severus’ arms to get away from the fraud.

“I would rather you didn’t,” Harry said firmly. Lockhart scoffed and reached for his arm again.

“Nonsense, I can fix it before you can say..” Lockhart was cut off when Severus gripped his arm.

“What did I tell you about touching people? Either myself or Poppy will tend to his arm. You are neither a master healer nor even a medic you will keep your wand to yourself. You are not qualified,” Severus spat out. Lockhart pulled his arm back and smiled.

“Of course, If that is what you both would prefer,” He said. Harry could see the anger in the man’s eyes as he stood with a smile and a bow.

“Will you do it?” Harry asked quietly. Severus nodded. He handed Harry three potions and then set his arm and put it in a sling. “Thank you.”

“You are welcome,” Severus answered.

“What about the game? Is it going to be rescheduled,” Oliver Wood called out. Harry grinned up at Marcus and opened his other hand. In it was the small golden snitch.

“No need, Wood. Our little trouble magnet caught the snitch while he was flying for his life,” Flint called out.

“That’s 230 points for Slytherin and forty points for Gryffindor. Slytherin takes the win,” Hooch announced with a sonorous charm. The Slytherin stands went wild with cheers and Severus let the team pull Harry to his feet and hefted him up on their shoulders carefully. There would be a celebration in Slytherin House tonight.

Celebrate they did and all of them were quite tired the next morning. Harry shared a look with Draco when they learned that the second attack, and the first human petrification had occurred in the early hours of the morning. A first-year boy in Gryffindor, Colin Creevy had been out sneaking around after curfew. No one knew why.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Things continued on for the rest of the month with no issues. Harry was always happier when it was quiet. No disembodied voices or petrified students. The little Weasley girl kept following him around, but he was getting better at ignoring her.

Theodore’s thirteenth birthday came and went without any hiccups. Just like with Blaise, they gathered in their dorm room and gave him gifts. The four of them, just spending time together.

It was also time to start preparing for their midterm exams. So, Harry was busy most of the time and quite happy about it. With Hermione’s help, he worked out a schedule. Practice, study, games, and of course, Sundays with Severus.

During their weekly visit, Severus informed Harry in casual conversation that someone had stolen potion ingredients from his storeroom. Harry thought that was brave and asked what ingredients. Severus said there were very few potions that would require those particular ingredients. Polyjuice potion was the main one that he could think of. Unless someone had just grabbed random things and it just happened to be those.

Harry didn’t think so. Ron, Seamus, and a girl their age in Gryffindor had all been acting a little weird. The three idiots might be really attempting to brew Polyjuice potion for some reason. Harry personally hoped they screwed it up.

Three days after that conversation, they were all required to join the dueling club for at least the first lesson. Lockhart had apparently decided he needed more attention than he was getting and asked Dumbledore if he could start one.

So here they all were, listening to the man drone on and on about himself once again. It was honestly sickening to see the girls and even some of the boys swoon over the idiot.

“Now, let me introduce my assistant, Professor Snape,” Lockhart finally stated when he was through talking about himself. Harry stifled a laugh along with Draco as the dour Potion Master made his way onto the dueling platform to stand opposite Lockhart.

“He has sportingly agreed to help me with a short demonstration,” Lockhart continued. “Now, I don’t want any of you youngsters to worry. You’ll still have your potion’s master when I am through with him. Never Fear.”

Now Harry and Draco were not the only ones having a hard time not laughing out loud. Harry and Draco knew that Severus was in fact a master dueler. If anyone was at risk of being hurt, it was Lockhart.

They took their places in the center of the dueling stage, drew their wands, and bowed. Then the two of them took ten paces away from each other, turned back to face each other and got ready. Lockhart counted down to three.

“Expelliarmus,” Severus called out. Lockhart was thrown completely backward on his ass and looked completely stunned for a moment before quickly getting up.

“Excellent idea to show them that, Professor Snape, but if you don’t mind my saying, it was pretty obvious what you were about to do. If I had wanted to stop you, it would have been all too easy,” Lockhart outright lied.

“Perhaps, it would be prudent to first teach the students to block unfriendly spells, Professor,” Severus offered mockingly in that deep voice of his.

“A most excellent, suggestion,” Lockhart agreed. “Let’s have a volunteer pair. Weasley, Finnigan, how about the two of you?”

“Finnigan has a terrible habit of blowing things up. You would be sending Weasley to the hospital wing covered in burns. Might I suggest someone from my own house? Malfoy?” Severus offered. Draco grinned and Harry laughed at his eagerness as he scrambled on stage at Severus’ instruction.

“Wands at the ready,” Lockhart instructed as Weasley and Draco faced off in the middle of the platform. Harry heard Draco taunt Weasley a few times before they began.

“On the count of three, cast your charms to disarm your opponent. Disarm only,” Lockhart instructed. Then he counted down. Draco being the little shit that he was, didn’t wait for three. Lockhart said two and Draco cast.

“Everte Statum,” Draco shouted and Weasley flew backward. Weasley jumped up and raised his own wand.

“Rictusempra,” He yelled, and Draco was thrown through the air and landed on his ass in front of Severus who grabbed him by the collar and lifted him back to his feet.

“I said only to disarm,” Lockhart attempted to get control of the situation. But neither boy was listening.

“Depulso,” Draco cast and once again sent Ron flying. The red head got up angrier than before.

“Serpensortia,” Weasley yelled, and a large, venomous snake erupted from the end of his wand and headed straight for Draco. Harry moved closer. Lockhart stepped forward.

“Have no fear, Mr. Malfoy. I will take care of that for you,” Lockhart preened. “Alarte Ascendare.” The snake was blasted into the air and came back down even angrier than before. It launched itself at Draco, who looked like he was frozen.

**Stop** Harry ordered. The snake paused and turned toward him.

*Speaker*The snake hissed and then turned back toward Draco.

**I said stop. He is mine. He did not conjure you or hurt you** Harry insisted. The snake paused again. Then he turned to Harry.

*Then who did? ** The snake demanded.

**The boy and man behind you did both things** Harry told. He didn’t give two shits if the other two were bitten but he would be damned if he let that snake bite Draco or Severus. The snake turned and headed back toward Weasley and Lockhart. Harry grabbed Draco and pulled him off the stage.

“Vipera Evanesca,” Severus cast, and the snake burned to ash. He gave Harry a look that made him realize exactly what he had done. He had just outed himself as a Parseltongue and sicked a snake on Weasley in front of the whole school. That was going to cause him even more trouble. He wouldn’t be surprised if people started to assume he was the heir of Slytherin.

“What are you playing at?” Weasley shouted. Harry looked up to see him staring straight at him. “He tried to kill me. You all saw it.”

“Oh, come now. Don’t be so dramatic Weasley. You are the one who conjured the snake after all,” Severus pointed out. Weasley just looked dumbfounded and then he glared at Harry. The dark-haired boy had a feeling that Draco wasn’t going to be Weasley’s target for a while.

They were dismissed from the dueling class after that. Harry and his group left quickly and headed back to their dorm.

The next day, Harry and Draco were following the spiders again. They had discovered a line of them once again fleeing out a window. When they turned to leave, they found Justin Finch-Fletchley and Nearly Headless Nick petrified in the corridor. The two of them barely got away before they were caught near the bodies.

The word spread quickly through the school that Harry was a Parseltongue. The only ones that seemed to be happy about it were the Slytherins. They started to treat him just a little differently. With more respect and more protection when he left the common room. The other three houses started to truly shun him. He had been hit with more than a few jinxes.

Three days later, Winter Break began. This year Draco stayed at Hogwarts with Harry. His mother and father had plans to go out of the country for Christmas for business.

Christmas Day was spent together and then with Severus just like Harry had the year before. He liked having Draco with them. It was all really fun until Severus was called away for an emergency.

They found out later that Weasley, Finnigan, and Lavender Brown had in fact, attempted to brew Polyjuice potion. They had gotten it very wrong and ended up in the infirmary. According to Lavender who told everything, they were trying to turn themselves into Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy to find out if Harry or Draco really was the Heir of Slytherin.

Harry thought they had gotten exactly what they deserved. Why did three second years think they could brew a potion as complex as Polyjuice on their own? Especially, to try and trick Harry and Draco into giving away secrets. According to Severus, they would be in the Infirmary for quite a while.

Winter Break ended on January 6th and Severus celebrated his 33rd birthday on the 9th. Well, Harry gave him a gift and Severus tried to act like he wasn’t affected.

January turned to February without any issues. Weasley, Finnigan, and Lavender were released from the hospital. Harry absorbed everything he learned and hoped that someone would figure out who or what was petrifying people and pets.

Severus had told Harry that if they couldn’t figure something out soon, they were probably going to shut the school down. The last time this happened was fifty years ago. A girl had died. Hermione, Harry, and Theo were trying to do research to figure it out, but so far they were getting nowhere.

Harry and Draco were walking around the third floor when Harry was knocked into by someone running out of the bathroom and down the hall quickly. He didn’t see who it was, but he was pretty sure he had seen red hair.

Then they heard wailing coming from the bathroom and knew that Moaning Myrtle was up to something in there. Then they saw water spilling out from under the door. So, they went in.

All of the faucets in the sinks were on and running except for one. The floor was covered in water, and it looked like maybe she had flooded the toilets as well. Harry spotted Myrtle sitting in a window crying.

“Myrtle?” Harry called quietly. Draco stood behind him just looking around. The ghost turned toward them sniffling.

“Come to throw things at me?” Myrtle asked quietly. Harry shook his head.

“Why would we throw things at you?” Harry asked her.

“Don’t ask me. Here I was minding my own business when someone thought it was funny to throw a book through my head,” Myrtle said as she floated down from the window.

“I mean it isn’t like it would hurt,” Draco mumbled to Harry. He wasn’t quiet enough. Myrtle heard him. She swooped down from the ceiling.

“Oh, SURE,” She yelled into Draco’s face. “Let’s all throw books at Myrtle. She can’t feel it. Ten points if you get it through her stomach,” She said and punched her hand through Draco’s stomach. “Fifty points if you can get it through her head,” She yelled and punched her hand through Draco’s face.

“Who threw it at you anyway?” Harry asked quickly to distract Myrtle from her assault. She turned toward Harry and her voice got quiet and demure again.

“I don’t know. I didn’t see them, I was just sitting in here, thinking about death and it fell through the top of my head,” She said with a pout and nodded her head. Then she floated away wailing once again.

Harry turned toward Draco and shrugged. The blonde looked a bit shell-shocked. Harry left him standing there and started checking the stalls. He found the black book and pulled it up out of the water. He and Draco quickly left after that and headed back to the dorm.

Once there, Draco said he was going to play chess with Blaise and Harry stayed behind in the room to look at the book. He was curious, it kind of looked like the book that the youngest Weasley had been carrying around and writing in all the time.

It was solid black and had the initials TMR embossed in gold on the bottom corner. He opened it up and was a bit shocked to realize it was blank. He saw a bottle of ink sitting on his desk and decided to maybe write in it. He dipped the quill into the ink and hovered it over the book while he decided what to write.

The choice was taken from him when a drop of ink collected on the tip of the quill before it simply dripped onto the page. Harry watched in fascination as the ink disappeared into the page as if soaked up. He turned a few pages but there was nothing. So, he decided to write.

My name is Harry Potter

He watched in fascination as the ink sank slowly into the page. Then, beautiful handwriting replaced it.

Hello Harry Potter, my name is Tom Riddle

Was the reply that he received. After a few moments, those words faded away as well. Harry dipped his quill in the ink again to reply.

Do you know about the Chamber of Secrets?

Harry decided to ask. It couldn’t hurt. That was their most unanswered question at the moment all the person on the other side could say was nothing. The words once again faded, and he waited for the person to write back.

Yes

Was the simple reply.

Can you tell me?

Harry asked back a bit excited.

No

Was his answer. Harry sighed heavily and sat back as the word faded away.

But I can show you!

Harry sat forward again. Show him? Like a pensieve? Severus had told him about them before.

Let me take you back fifty years ago!

Appeared on the page. Then the words disappeared, and the pages began to blow until they finally stopped on a page with June 13th in the top corner. The middle of the crease began to glow brightly, and Harry tried to put the book down or close it, but he couldn’t, he was sucked into the book.

When next he looked around it was as if he was standing in a world that was colored grey. He recognized the halls of Hogwarts. He walks until he comes to a set of stairs where a teenage boy was standing looking up.

“Excuse me, can you tell me what is happening here?” Harry asked. The boy showed no signs of even having heard him. “Are you Tom Riddle? Can you hear me?” The boy still didn’t respond.

Harry turned so that he could see up the stairs to see what had the boys attention. There was a group of men carrying a stretcher between them and a dead body covered up on it. Someone had died. There were teachers and officials around watching.

“Riddle,” Harry heard called as the people passed them with the stretcher. Harry and the boy, clearly Tom, turned toward the person who had called to him. “Come.” Harry nearly gaped at the man standing there. It was Dumbledore, though much younger.

“Professor,” Tom said and made his way up the stairs. Harry followed.

“It is not wise to be wandering the corridors so late at night,” Dumbledore admonished.

“Yes, sir. I know, but I had to see for myself if the rumors were true,” Tom answered. Harry liked that the boy didn’t seem cowed by Dumbledore at all.

“I am afraid they are, Tom. They are true,” Dumbledore revealed.

“About the school, as well? I don’t have a home to go back to. They wouldn’t really close Hogwarts would they?” Tom asked seemingly upset.

“I understand, Tom. But I am afraid that Headmaster Dippit may have no choice,” Dumbledore told him.

“What if it all stopped? If the person responsible was found, would they still close the school?” Tom asked suddenly. Dumbledore looked at him suspiciously.

“Is there…something you wish to tell me?” Dumbledore asked.

“No, Sir,” Tom answered innocently. “Nothing.” Dumbledore continued to look at him suspiciously.

“Very well then, off you go,” Dumbledore dismissed him.

“Goodnight, Sir,” Tom said and headed away from Dumbledore. Harry followed Tom Riddle. He had no interest in Dumbledore.

He followed Tom through the hallways and down into the dungeons before he stopped in front of a closed door and drew his wand. Harry watched all of it silently. Tom looked around and threw open the door.

“Evening, Hagrid,” Tom said loudly. Harry looked into the room surprised to see a younger version of the giant man slam a lid to a trunk closed quickly. “I am going to have to turn you in, Hagrid. I don’t think you meant for it to kill anyone but..”

“You can’t,” Hagrid exclaimed. “You don’t understand.”

“The dead girl’s parents will be here tomorrow. The least Hogwarts can do is make sure that the thing that killed their daughter is slaughtered.”

“It weren’t him,” Hagrid pleaded with Tom. “Aragog never killed no one. Not ever.”

“Monsters don’t make good pets, Hagrid,” Tom said, and Harry didn’t think he had ever agreed with anything more. It was not promising to see that Hagrid hadn’t changed his habits when it came to keeping monsters as pets. “Now, stand aside.”

“No,” Hagrid exclaimed.

“Stand aside, Hagrid,” Tom commanded.

“No,” Hagrid stood his ground. Then Tom cast a spell that blew up the trunk that Hagrid had been guarding. Harry watched in horror as a large dog-sized spider jumped from the box and scurried past them all. Tom cast another spell in an attempt to kill the giant spider, but it escaped.

Hagrid called for the spider and tried to go after it, but Tom turned his wand on Hagrid. The giant stopped trying to move forward.

“I can’t let you go. They will have your wand for this, Hagrid. You will be expelled,” Tom said. Harry watched as the half-giant slumped in defeat. Then he was pulled backward out of the memory and thrown back into his own reality.

Harry slammed the book closed and tucked it away so that there were no accidents. He wasn’t sure that he believed what had happened in the book. For one, he knew for a fact that he was hearing a snake of some kind.

Also, there were no spiders that Harry knew of that could petrify people. But he would get Hermione and Theo to help him study. He would also tell Severus about it tomorrow evening during their visit. They would figure it out.

Severus insisted that Harry give him the Diary once he found out what happened. Harry happily agreed to do it. He didn’t have it on him at the time so he told Severus he would give it to him the next morning at breakfast.

In hindsight, he probably shouldn’t have done it so publicly. Severus barely had the diary for a day before his office was broken into. It was trashed and the only thing missing was the diary. Whoever had abandoned it the first time had obviously seen Harry give it to the potion master during breakfast and had stolen it back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Then everything was quiet again for nearly three months. It was as if it had never happened. The only proof that something was going on was the hostility toward Slytherin was still high and the petrified bodies in the infirmary were still there as a reminder.

Quidditch games continued on without any more rogue Bludgers. Slytherin House won every game they played and despite the animosity, they were still in first place for the House Cup. Classes had gone smoothly and just as things seemed to be blowing over something horrible happened.

On Sunday, May 9th the Slytherin Vs. Ravenclaw match was cancelled and Harry was pulled to the side by Professor Flitwick. He was led away toward the school where Neville and McGonagall were already waiting. Both professors looked solemn.

“What has happened? Why was the match cancelled?” Harry asked curiously. Neville nodded and scooted closer to Harry. He was such a nervous boy and even though he was a whole head taller than Harry, he was seeking comfort. Harry and Neville had grown to be pretty good friends. Even if it was still mostly a secret.

“I am sorry to have to tell you boys this, but there has been another student petrification,” McGonagall informed them. Harry looked just as confused as Neville did for a moment. Why were they telling the two of them specifically? Then he understood.

“Hermione,” Harry whispered out. Neville looked down at him and then back to the Professors. “It’s Hermione, right? That is why you pulled Neville and I to the side. We are her closest friends.”

“I am afraid so Mr. Potter,” Flitwick admitted. Harry grasped Neville’s hand and started heading for the school. She would be in the infirmary with the others.

“Please, let my head of house know where I am,” Harry threw over his shoulder.

“Of course, Mr. Potter,” McGonagall answered. Though Harry and Neville were already halfway to the infirmary. He may not be as close to Hermione as he was to Draco, but he cherished every friend that he made. He had spent so many years devastated that Dudley wouldn’t let him have any friends.

When they arrived at the Infirmary, Pomfrey was just finishing up getting Hermione settled in a bed. Dumbledore was there and he looked supremely pleased to see Harry with Neville. Harry just ignored him as if he wasn’t there. The man was far too concerned with Harry’s life.

“Hey, Mione. I know you can’t answer, and you probably can’t hear me, but we just wanted you to know that we are here. Me and Neville are right here with you,” Harry told his bushy-haired friend.

“I have been helping Professor Sprout tend to the Mandrakes, Mione. They will be done before you know it and you will be back in time for finals. We will make sure of it,” Neville added.

Harry and Neville sat with Hermione for a few hours talking to her and each other. Then Draco showed up with Blaise and Theo. They sat for a few minutes and then forced Harry and Neville to leave Hermione so they could go to dinner.

“I think it is time to confront Hagrid and see what he knows,” Harry said during dinner.

“He won’t talk to us,” Draco said with a sneer. “That is why we always send Granger.”

“We can get him to talk. He is really simple. It won’t be that hard, I think,” Harry countered.

“He is rather stupid,” Draco agreed.

“Just the two of us,” Harry told him. “It will be easier that way.”

“All right, we will go after dinner,” Draco agreed. Harry nodded and then they finished eating. They waited about an hour after dinner before Harry draped his cloak around them and they headed for the hut that Hagrid lived in.

Draco stayed under the cloak to make it easier for Harry to get Hagrid to talk. It didn’t work. Hagrid was suspicious of Harry and gave nothing away. They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Harry slipped back under his cloak and was a bit surprised Dumbledore came in followed by Minister Fudge.

“Wha can I do fer ya, Headmaster?” Hagrid asked curiously. Dumbledore looked at him sadly.

“You know why we are here, Hagrid,” Fudge said and handed the parchment to the half-giant.

“Azkaban? Yer sendin me ta Azkaban? But I didn’t do anything,” Hagrid protested.

“It is happening again, Hagrid. Just like fifty years ago. The Chamber has been opened again. Come quietly, Hagrid. Do not fight or it will be worse for you,” Fudge stated. Hagrid looked up to Dumbledore.

“Now, surely Cornelius we can work something out. Hagrid didn’t do this,” Dumbledore tried to talk to the minister.

“I am afraid that it isn’t up to you,” Fudge answered.

“So, long as I am Headmaster…” Dumbledore started only to be cut off when none other than Lucius Malfoy stepped into the house.

“Well, then it is a good thing that you no longer are,” Lucius said he handed a parchment over to Dumbledore. “As of this evening, you are removed from your duties as Headmaster. You will find that it was signed by all twelve school governors. Effective immediately.”

“You can’t take the Headmaster,” Hagrid disagreed. “If ya take ‘im someone will surely die.”

There was a bit more arguing that ended with Dumbledore and Hagrid leaving.

“I would just like to say, that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it,” Dumbledore said right before he walked out of the door. Harry was pretty sure the Headmaster somehow knew that he and Draco were there.

“Well, I ….um would like to say that if anyone were…. a looking for answers they need only to follow the spiders,” Hagrid added before he too, left the house. Lucius looked around suspiciously but then he shrugged and left the room.

Harry and Draco waited to make sure everyone was gone before they headed back to their dorm room. So, Dumbledore was no longer Headmaster, and Hagrid was going to prison. Harry didn’t believe for a moment that Hagrid was actually the one who opened the chamber but maybe now something would happen.

Rules were changed and now no one could go anywhere unaccompanied by a teacher. It was a bit annoying, but it kept anything else from happening. Two weeks passed without incident. Harry talked with Severus who told him that the student who had died fifty years ago was actually Myrtle.

Harry and Draco decide to pay her another visit to see if they can get any information from her about her death. They were caught just as they were turning the corner toward the bathroom.

“What are you two doing up here?” McGonagall asked from behind them. “You are not supposed to be without an escort.”

“We were just going to see Hermione. I am sorry, Professor. We weren’t thinking about an escort just to go to the infirmary,” Harry said quickly.

“Then I will see you the rest of the way,” McGonagall offered. Harry nodded.

“Yes, Ma’am. Thank you,” Harry agreed. He and Draco followed the woman as she led them briskly down the hall. When they got to the infirmary she left them at the door and went on her way once they were inside.

Harry and Draco went and sat with Hermione. They might as well since it didn’t look like they would be getting to the bathroom now that McGonagall had caught them once. Harry reached out to hold Hermoine’s hand and felt something weird.

He pulled out a crumbled piece of paper. Draco got up and came over to him as Harry straightened it out. It was from a book in the library. She had actually torn out a page.

MONSTER MONSTROSITIES

Of the many fearsome beasts and monsters that roam our land, none is more deadly than the Basilisk. Capable of living for hundreds of years, instant death waits for any who meet this giant serpent’s eye. Spiders flee before it and the crowing of the rooster can kill it. The snake known as the King Of Serpents, may reach gigantic size and is born from hatching a chicken egg, only a fresh chicken egg, hatched from beneath a toad. Climactic conditions are vital to the procreation of this beast, requiring a damp environment for the gestation period and a graduate secretion of air particles surrounding the unhatched eggs. A full moon will encourage successful Basilisks, only if the lower hemisphere….

There was nothing else other than a quickly scribbled word. Pipes. Hermione had given them the answer to what the beast was and how it was getting around the school undetected. The only thing Harry didn’t understand was the petrification.

“I think she definitely figured it out. But I am confused, why isn’t anyone dead?” Draco asked. Harry grinned up at him.

“I was just thinking the exact same thing,” Harry answered. Then much quieter, “Maybe we should talk to, Sev about it.”

“Daddy’s boy,” Draco teased. Harry blushed and smacked Draco on the arm.

“Like you’re one to talk,” Harry teased right back. “Just wait till my father hears about this,” Harry mocked.

“Yeah, yeah,” Draco said with a laugh. “Come on. Let’s go tell our Godfather what we learned. Thanks, Granger,” Draco said and then patted her on the arm. Harry grinned then the two of them headed straight for Severus’ office.

They told him everything they had learned about the Basilisk among other things. Severus sat for a little while and thought things over. While he thought about it Harry and Draco talked about other clues.

Harry pointed out that he remembered Hagrid complaining about the death of all of his roosters. Draco pointed out all of the spiders fleeing the castle. They talked about how Harry was the only one who could hear it.

“I know why no one has died,” Severus said when there was a lull in the conversation. “No one has looked it directly in the eye. The cat saw it in the reflection of the water that had flooded the corridor.”

“Colin Creevy always had his camera up. I heard Pomfrey talking about how they had attempted to get the film developed. He must have seen it through his camera,” Harry added.

“Plus, Nearly Headless Nick is already dead so he couldn’t die again,” Draco pointed out. “Finch-Fletchley must have seen it through Nick.”

“That makes a lot of sense. And your friend, Granger was found with a mirror in her hand. She must have been using it to look around corners,” Severus informed them. That was everyone and all of them were very lucky to be alive.

“So, do we need to start looking around corners with mirrors?” Draco asked. Harry stifled a chuckle. “Well, we know that you don’t have to. You can hear it coming.”

“Sorry?” Harry said with a laugh. “It isn’t like I am ever anywhere without you, Drake.”

“Well, that’s true,” Draco said with a grin. “So should we follow the spiders, like Hagrid suggested?”

“Why? What purpose would it serve? We already know what the monster is, following the spiders would lead us away from it,” Severus answered. Harry nodded.

“He has a point,” Harry added.

“Yeah, I guess he does,” Draco agreed. “I heard someone mention they might close down the school?”

“They are talking about it. They want to stop it before someone else dies because of the monster again,” Severus admitted.

“So, we need to figure out who is controlling the monster and how,” Harry said quickly. He didn’t want to go back to the Dursleys ever, much less early. They all talked for a bit longer and Severus made the two of them promise not to run headfirst into trouble when they came across it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Five days later Professor Sprout announced during dinner that the Mandrakes were finally fully grown and ready to be cut for the potion to reverse the petrification. Everyone was so happy about it.

Harry had seen Ginny lurking around the dining hall looking suspicious or nervous. He wanted to talk to Neville and see if he noticed anything about what was going on with her. She had stopped following Harry around which had been a relief. But then she had started looking sickly, nervous, and suspicious.

Draco was with him of course and he had turned the corner when he heard raised voices coming from the corridor. He grabbed Draco and pulled him back around the corridor so that they could listen.

“Something must be done, Severus,” McGonagall stated firmly. “A student has been taken.”

“Well, Lockhart. Looks like it is your time to shine. Weren’t you just bragging yesterday that you had figured out where the Chamber was?” Severus’ deep, mocking, drawl was heard. Harry had to fight a snicker. Lockhart was a moron he had no idea where the Chamber was.

Harry and Draco knew exactly who to talk to about it. They just hadn’t managed to get back to the bathroom to talk to her.

“Yes, of course I was. I…. I will go and get the girl. I jus…just need to go to my office to prepare,” Lockhart stuttered out. He didn’t even see Draco and Harry when he whipped passed them heading for his office.

“Who was taken?” Flitwick asked.

“Ginerva Weasley,” Minerva answered. “The poor dear. I hope he can retrieve her.” Harry hears Severus snort.

“Come on,” Harry whispers. Draco nods and follows him.

“What is it?” Draco asks when they are far enough away.

“We need to talk to Myrtle. I think the Entrance to the Chamber is near or in that bathroom,” Harry answered. So, he pulls his invisibility cloak out of his bag and drapes it over the two of them. They make their way as quickly as possible to the bathroom where Myrtle waits.

“Hello, Harry,” She says in a flirty voice. Harry just ignores it while Draco snickers.

“Myrtle, it is very important. I need to know what happened when you died. Can you remember?” Harry asked her quickly.

“All I remember is hiding in the toilet because I was being picked on. I heard someone come into the bathroom and heard a boy talking and making weird noises. I came out of the stall to tell him to go away, and then...I died,” Myrtle told them.

“That’s it? You just died?” Draco asked. Myrtle nodded. “There was nothing else?”

“A pair of eyes,” Myrtle answered after a moment.

“Where did you see the eyes, Myrtle?” Harry asked. Myrtle pointed toward the sinks.

“Just there,” She said and then flew off wailing again. Harry and Draco went to the sinks. They looked around turning them on and off and found one that didn’t work. Harry felt around and found the emblem of the snake on the pipes.

“This is it,” Harry said. “I have a feeling no one will be able to get in without knowing Parseltongue. I have to go.”

“Let’s go get Severus and make sure that idiot Lockhart knows where to go,” Draco said. Harry gave him a look. “What? The man volunteered and he needs to follow through. Even if it is only to see him screw it up.”

“Severus first,” Harry agreed. So, they headed down to get Severus. They didn’t have to go far actually. Severus was heading toward Lockhart’s office.

“Hello, Professor. We were just coming to find you,” Draco said with a grin.

“Of course, you were. The two of you are definitely starting to become a little too adventurous,” Severus said with a smirk.

“I have to go, Sev,” Harry said quietly. Severus gave him a look that meant he was in trouble. “I have to. Do you know someone else who can speak Parseltongue? It is the only way to open the Chamber. Besides, I can maybe talk the Basilisk into not hurting you.”

“I... You will stay beside me the entire time. You will do what I say when I say. Do you understand?” Severus demanded.

“Yes, Sev. I understand,” Harry promised. Draco opened his mouth and Severus silenced him with a glare.

“You are not going. You will go straight back to the dorm room. It will be hard enough to look after one student while possibly fighting a Basilisk. You will not step out of your dorm until morning,” Severus commanded. Draco looked properly cowed.

“You better be careful, Harry. I mean it. Don’t come out of that Chamber covered in blood or in the infirmary,” Draco insisted.

“I will do my best, Drake. I promise. I don’t like being covered in blood or going to the infirmary. Plus, Sev will keep me safe,” Harry assured him. Harry hugged Draco tightly and then Draco left quickly.

Harry turned to Severus and nodded. He was ready. So, the two of them knocked and headed into the office. Harry was not surprised to see the man frantically packing.

“What are you doing?” Severus demanded. Lockhart looked up.

“I…uh was called away,” Lockhart said.

“Called away?” Harry repeated shocked.

“Yes, very…very urgent business. It cannot wait. I must go now,” Lockhart stuttered and continued to pack.

“And what happened to you knowing the way into the Chamber and rescuing the girl?” Severus asked.

“I am terribly sorry. I just cannot put off leaving. Lives at stake,” Lockhart insisted.

“There is a life at stake here,” Harry exclaimed. Severus pulled his wand out and Lockhart went to grab for his own, but it wasn’t in his holster. Harry saw it lying on the desk and snatched it up quickly before Lockhart could.

“You will be coming with us to the Chamber. You will do as you promised,” Severus ordered. “Harry, where to?”

“Third-floor girls’ bathroom. The one that Moaning Myrtle always floods,” Harry informed them. So, Severus forced Lockhart to lead the way. When they got there Severus kept his wand on Lockhart while Harry used Parseltongue to open the chamber.

There was a grinding sound like stone grinding against stone. The sink pulled back and the grating on the floor folded away until they were staring down into a dark tunnel.

“Well, there you are. You found it. You can let me go now,” Lockhart said and even attempted to turn and walk out. Severus stepped in his way.

“You will go first,” Severus instructed. Harry grinned at the whimper that escaped the man’s mouth. Lockhart refused to move so Severus backed him up with the wand until he was on the edge and Harry pushed him in.

“That was fun,” Harry said with a smile. “Probably a bit mean, but definitely fun.”

“You could maybe ask for stairs,” Severus asked. “I don’t see Salazar Slytherin sliding down a dirty tunnel. How would he even get back up?”

“That makes sense,” Harry agreed. So, he hissed the word for stairs. He wasn’t even surprised when they appeared. Severus was right, from everything he had heard about the Founder of Slytherin House, he would not have lowered himself to slide at all.

Severus and Harry quickly made their way down the stairs. Lockhart was pacing at the bottom. He was covered in filth and Harry was pretty glad Severus had suggested the stairs. The three of them walked through the path. Tall, crumbling ceilings and beautiful snake carvings.

“Oh, dear Merlin,” Lockhart exclaimed. “Is...is that a snakeskin?” Harry and Severus turned to see what Lockhart was talking about. Sure enough, there was a giant snakeskin. Harry was not happy to be down here looking for something big enough to have shed that.

Severus was distracted looking at the snakeskin and Harry turned just in time to see Lockhart pull a wand. He must have had a second hidden wand.

“Expelliarmus,” Lockhart yelled, and Severus’ wand flew from his hand. Lockhart seemed to be ignoring Harry as if he wasn’t a threat at all. Which was his first mistake. “You know, I have gotten incredibly good at memory charms. I have never done even one of the things that I have written about in my books. They were done by other people. People whom I erased and told the story as if it were mine.”

Lockhart was watching Severus hard. Severus was the biggest threat in the room and at least Lockhart was smart enough to know that. But that didn’t mean that Harry wasn’t still a threat. Harry drew his wand so that he was holding a wand in each hand. Lockhart’s in one and his own in the other. Lockhart would not hurt his dad.

“I think the story here will be quite simple. Though not a happy one. You see what happened was, the poor chit was taken by the monster and Harry Potter, who was secretly in love with her, followed me when I came to rescue her. His protective Head of House came looking for him. Unfortunately, the monster killed the poor dear and the potion master when it went for Harry. I, of course, stepped in and saved dear Harry Potter, who lost his mind at the sight of his dead girlfriend and Head of House,” Lockhart continued to monolog.

Harry was pretty sure that was the best and worst thing about the bad guys. They liked to talk. It was boring but gave them time to maneuver. By the time Lockhart threw the memory charm at Severus, Harry was already close enough to dive in front of him. He threw up the same rebound charm he had used against Weasley.

He and Severus watched in amazement as the memory charm backfired and threw Lockhart into a wall. The support beams crumbled, and the ceiling began to cave in. Severus threw Harry away from him when a large portion of the ceiling narrowly missed them. When the dust settled, Harry sat up and took a look around as he coughed to try and clear his lungs of the dust.

“HARRY,” He heard Severus yell for him. But it sounded far away and muffled. “HARRY, ANSWER ME.”

“SEV,” Harry called back. His head hurt and he reached up and winced when he touched a cut. His hand was bloody when he pulled it back. “ARE YOU OK?” Harry called out. He finally noticed the new rock wall that separated him from his protector. He leaned against the wall and pressed his ear to it.

“I’m ok, Harry,” Severus said a bit quieter. He had apparently, moved closer to the wall as well. “Are you hurt, Child?”

“Not really,” Harry answered. He heard Severus curse and didn’t try to fight the smile that crossed his face. Severus only cursed when he was exasperated or really mad.

“How bad, Child?” Severus asked after a few colorful words.

“I have a small cut or something on my head. There is a little blood. But only a little, and there is a gash on my leg, but I don’t know how bad it is. Draco is going to be mad,” Harry said with a small laugh.

“Rip the bottom of your robe and tie it around your leg to stop the bleeding. Make sure it is tight enough for pressure but not so tight that it cuts off your circulation. The head wound is probably fine. The head always bleeds badly even when the cut is small,” Severus instructed. Harry did as he was told.

“Ok, I’m done, Sev,” Harry told him.

“Good boy, Harry. Do you have at least one of those wands with you?” Severus asked. Harry looked around and found his wand lying where he had landed, and it was perfectly fine. Lockhart’s wand, on the other hand, was broken in a few pieces.

“Yeah, I have mine,” Harry answered. He looked around and saw a door. That was probably where he needed to go. They still had to get the youngest Weasley out of there. “Sev, don’t be mad ok? I gotta keep going. You need to get this rubble cleared away so that after I get Weasley we can get out of here.”

“Harry, listen to me. You are not a hero. You are a twelve-year-old boy. My twelve-year-old boy. Her life is not more important than yours. Do NOT engage that monster. At the first hint of noise or Parseltongue, you are to close your eyes and hide. If you can get the girl and get out without issue then do so. If not you come right back here to me,” Severus commanded.

“I’ll come back, Sev. I promise. I don’t have a death wish or a hero complex. You taught me better than that. Get this open for me, Sev,” Harry said then he walked away toward the last door that separated him from the Chamber.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry was sitting on the floor covered in blood and wounds. The Basilisk lay dead beside him and there was a huge scar on his arm where he had been impaled by a tooth. The scar was because a Phoenix had shown up and helped him fight the Basilisk.

It had all happened so fast that Harry was still in shock. Ginny dying on the floor, a nearly corporeal Tom Riddle taunting him, the revelation that Tom Marvolo Riddle was actually Lord Voldemort, running for his life from the giant Basilisk, and then finally pulling a sword from the sorting hat.

Said sword was lying next to the journal. The journal that was bleeding ink because Harry had stabbed it through with the fang he had pulled from his arm. It was all so fantastical and if Harry hadn’t just lived it himself he would never believe it. He heard a cough and looked down to see Weasley blinking open her eyes. She looked up at Harry and blushed.

“You saved me,” She said in a whisper. Harry just shrugged. He stood up with the journal clutched in one hand, the sorting hat rolled up under his arm, and the sword in his other hand. Weasley stood up as well. She tried to throw herself into his arms, but he held up the sword between them and she stopped.

“Please don’t touch me. We are not friends or even acquaintances. It makes me uncomfortable,” Harry informed her. The girl pouted. Harry just rolled his eyes and ignored her.

“I only…” Weasley started but Harry cut her off.

“I don’t care. I am hurt and I just want to get out of here,” Harry stated firmly. The girl tried to take the journal from his hand. He yanked it back. “I think you have caused enough trouble with this.”

“I was only trying to help. I was only going to take it so that you could put your arm over my shoulder and lean on me,” Weasley snapped. Harry rolled his eyes again.

“Thanks, but no thanks. I don’t need your help,” Harry answered. He had just made it to the exit when Severus came sprinting around the corner and stopped in front of him. He looked so relieved that Harry was alive until he actually took in the situation. He noticed the exact moment that Severus spotted the dead sixty-foot snake.

“Harrison James Potter, I told you NOT to engage the snake. What word in that sentence did you not understand? How badly are you hurt? Let me see you,” Severus said and moved to check Harry over.

“Professor?” Harry said just to remind the man that they had company. Company that Harry did not trust at all. “Can we get out of here first and then you can check me over? I don’t want to be in here anymore.”

“Of course, you are right, Mr. Potter. Let’s get the two of you out of here,” Severus said. He moved to take something from Harry, but he just shook his head no. If Severus helped him now, even just to take something from him, he would lose it. He was barely hanging on to his composure by a thread. This whole situation had been terrifying.

The three of them made their way carefully through the hole Severus made in the rubble. Lockhart was tied up and acting completely insane on the other side. Severus lifted the man to his feet and explained that the memory charm that backfired, had made him completely lose ALL of his memories.

Harry used Parseltongue to close both doors. He hoped that would keep anyone out of there. He remained quiet otherwise the whole way up. They headed straight to the infirmary. Harry was not surprised to see Pomfrey and Sprout there. He was surprised to see McGonagall there. Shouldn’t she have been more concerned about her missing student?

Weasley was fussed over by everyone in the room and when her family arrived it was utter chaos. Harry refused to let anyone tend to him but Severus. The diary, sword, and hat were taken by McGonagall. Harry told her everything that happened in the Chamber and then Severus made her leave so that he could tend to Harry in private.

As soon as the curtains were closed and spelled for privacy, Harry threw himself into Severus’ arms. The entire evening had been terrifying. Harry was overwhelmed and overstimulated. Severus wrapped his robes around Harry and tightened his arms so that Harry was surrounded by darkness and secure. His panic attack stopped way faster than it usually did. When he was calm enough to actually make out the words Severus was saying he almost started crying again.

“Hush now, My Harry. You are ok, now. I have you. I have you and I am going to take care of you. You are such a brave boy, Child. You are so safe and so loved, Son of my Heart,” Severus just kept mumbling wonderful things to him.

He didn’t even know if Severus knew just how sappy he sounded. He wondered if Severus would still say those things if he knew Harry was listening now and not panicking anymore.

“Better now, Child?” Severus asked and made Harry blush. So, he knew after all. Harry nodded and expected Severus to pull away from him, but he didn’t. He held him a few moments longer before releasing him.

“Thanks, Sev,” Harry said with a smile. Severus was the only adult in the world Harry felt safe enough to fall apart in front of.

“You are welcome, now let me look you over. Maybe we can get most of this healed up before Draco sees it and yells at us both,” Severus teased. Harry just let the man do what he needed to do and took the potions he was handed without protest. When it was all done Pomfrey refused to let Harry leave the infirmary and insisted that he at least stay overnight.

“Will you tell, Draco? He is probably a mess right now. He is going to be so cross with you for a while for sending him to his room instead of letting him help. He is going to blame every one of my injuries on you,” Harry pointed out.

“Yeah, I know. Your little guard dog is ridiculous,” Severus said with a snort. Harry grinned.

“Drake only thinks he is the guard dog. He is too soft and spoiled right now. Maybe he will grow out of it,” Harry said and grinned even wider when Severus gave a startled laugh.

“Merlin, Child. Lay down and rest now,” Severus said and then ruffled Harry’s hair before walking out of the room. Harry just smiled and then turned over and fell fast asleep. He was so exhausted.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry woke up to the feeling of a hand in his. He looked down and was not surprised to see only a hand in his. Draco had gotten his Invisibility Cloak. The blonde was completely covered except for his hand that was gripping Harry’s.

He pulled the cloak off and tugged on the sleeping blonde. Draco blinked up at him and smiled.

“Get up here, Drake. Don’t sleep like that,” Harry whispered. Draco just nodded and crawled up in the bed. He laid his head on Harry’s chest and wrapped his much larger body around Harry as if he needed it. Harry just wrapped his arms around the blond and carded his fingers through Draco’s hair as they both went back to sleep.

Harry woke up the next morning to an exasperated Pomfrey. She was looking at them and it looked like she was trying to decide if she wanted to be angry or coo at them. Harry smiled up at her.

“He worries,” Harry said with a simple shrug. Pomfrey just threw her hands up and turned to walk away.

“I will give you ten minutes to wake him and talk. Then I am going to make sure you are fine before releasing you. He can stay to walk you back to your dorm,” Pomfrey said. When she was gone, Harry poked Draco in the cheek.

“You can quit pretending to be asleep now,” Harry teased. Draco just opened his eyes and glared up at Harry. So now he was going to get his scolding.

“I thought I told you no blood and no hospital beds,” Draco glared. Harry pressed his cheek to Draco’s head and smiled. It was so nice to have someone worry.

“You did. I am sorry. In my defense, I tried really hard to avoid it. But I think trouble follows me around. You should be a bit nicer to me though. I slayed a sixty-foot Basilisk with a sword last night. I could definitely take you.”

Draco gave a startled noise. He pushed up so that he was looking down at Harry now.

“Excuse me? You did what now?” Draco exclaimed.

“I stabbed it through the mouth and up into its brain with a sword when it tried to eat me,” Harry repeated. Draco just collapsed again and buried his face in Harry’s chest.

“Being your friend is going to be the death of me. My heart can’t take the stress. How am I supposed to look after you when you run headfirst into battle with giants like a barbarian?” Draco whined.

“Who said I need looking after?” Harry laughed. Draco just gave him a look.

“In the hospital for days after facing the Dark Lord at the end of last year,” Draco held up a finger. “Had to be rescued from muggles who almost killed you,” Draco held up another finger. “Hexed because everyone thinks you are the Heir of Slytherin,” Another finger. “faced off with a sixty-foot snake that can kill you by looking at you,” Another finger.

“That isn’t even taking into account how clumsy you are, and…” Draco stopped talking because Harry covered his mouth with his hand.

“Ok, ok. I get it. I need looking after,” Harry agreed finally. “Now, get out of my bed before Pomfrey comes back and scolds us both.”

Harry was released pretty quickly after that. They went to the dorm room. Theo and Blaise joined them pretty quickly and the four of them spent the rest of the day together except when they had to go to lunch.

“Mr. Potter,” Harry turned when his name was called. He was sitting in the common room playing chess when Severus called for him.

“Yes, Professor?” Harry asked.

“Your presence is required in the Headmaster’s office. I will accompany you,” Severus informed him. Harry sighed and turned to Xavier Selwyn.

“Sorry, but I am apparently needed somewhere else. You win by default, Selwyn,” Harry said with a smirk.

“I will take it. A win is a win. It is the only way any of us can claim a win against you or your other half,” Selwyn said with a grin. Harry laughed and let someone else take his place across from Selwyn.

“Why do they need me in the headmaster’s office?” Harry asked Severus once they were out of the common room.

“I am not sure exactly. I think it has something to do with the Chamber and giving an official statement about what happened,” Severus answered.

“Can I ask you something?” Harry asked after a few minutes. Severus grunted to let him know that he was listening.

“I read in a book from Malfoy Manor on laws, that in Wixen society you keep what you kill, so to speak. Is that true?” Harry asked.

“For some things. For instance, if you murder a person you wouldn’t keep their vaults or anything. However, the same does not apply if it is an official and legal duel. If you are challenged and there are unbiased witnesses to the duel, then you would inherit their things,” Severus explained.

“Ok, what about monsters? Does the Basilisk belong to me, since I am the one that defeated it?” Harry asked what he really wanted to know. Severus looked at him and smirked.

“Yes, the Basilisk is your kill. So, you get to decide what to do with it,” Severus agreed. He looked a bit excited.

“You want to use it for potion ingredients,” Harry said with a smile.

“Of course, I do. Do you know how rare Basilisks are? It is nearly impossible to purchase parts. Even then, they are old and have been under stasis for a long time. I would pay you for it,” Severus stated.

“No, you wouldn’t. I wouldn’t allow you to pay for it. The head is going to the Goblins for their wall, then you can take what you want from it,” Harry informed him.

“You are going to make the Goblins very happy. Might I suggest that you let the Goblins sell off whatever you have left? We can negotiate with them so that they make a percentage of the sales. They will get you the best prices from the best sellers,” Severus suggested.

“That sounds good. We can do that. And I don’t have to worry about anyone getting to it before me since I closed the doors and only Parseltongue will open them,” Harry agreed. By this time, they had made it to the gargoyle statue that marked the entrance to the headmaster’s office.

“Sugar Quills,” Severus said and the two of them waited as the gargoyle turned and stairs appeared. The only person in the office when they arrived was Dumbledore. Harry was both surprised and not. The man had been removed from his position so why was he here?

“Ah, Severus, Harry. Thank you both for coming. Tea? Lemon Drop?” He asked Harry and Severus both declined.

“What can we do for you, Albus?” Severus asked.

“Well, I have only just returned. It appears that most of the Governors were under the impression that Lucius would harm their families or other such threats. He has been removed from his position on the school board,” Dumbledore explained.

Harry didn’t think the Malfoy home would be a very pleasant place to be for a little while. Lucius didn’t seem like the type to keep his anger to himself.

“That didn’t answer why we were asked to be here,” Severus countered.

“Right, I am simply curious about what occurred last night. Lockhart has been admitted to the Janus Thicky ward and McGonagall had the most fantastical story to tell. Ms. Weasley doesn’t have much recollection of what occurred in the Chamber, only waking up and knowing that you saved her. I simply want to hear what occurred from the two of you,” Dumbledore stated.

Harry and Severus told him everything that happened. There was no reason to leave anything out. There was nothing that happened down there that was a secret worth keeping. In fact, they figured it would actually help Dumbledore leave Harry alone. He had been the ‘Hero’ Dumbledore wanted.

“Ms. Weasley is quite enamored of you. She speaks very highly of you. Have you considered including her as one of your friends? Perhaps more?” Dumbledore stated after they were through with the Chamber talk. Harry just gave him a deadpan look.

“Ms. Weasley is a silly girl who has been stalking me since the school year started. I know for a fact that her brothers have told her to stop it. It makes me uncomfortable. I have no interest in ‘more’ with Ms. Weasley or anyone else right now,” Harry insisted. “It also makes me uncomfortable that you are once again so interested in who my friends are or aren’t.”

“I am merely trying to make small talk, Harry. I was only pointing it out because she is a good girl from a nice family. It isn’t unusual for families as old as the Potters and Weasleys to arrange marriages between their children at this age,” Dumbledore pointed out.

“Well, I have done a bit of reading about my family, as well as other old families. I do know about marriage contracts and betrothals. I also know that The Potters and The Weasleys do not participate in those practices,” Harry countered. He could see the look of anger on the old man’s face.

“I believe the boy has already mentioned that it makes him uncomfortable to talk about these things with you,” Severus stated when it looked like Dumbledore was going to argue back. “If that was everything? We really should get going, it is almost time for dinner.”

“Of course, thank you both for coming up here. Enjoy your dinner,” Dumbledore dismissed them. Harry stood up and the two of them left the headmaster’s office. Harry was glad to be away from him. The man was far too nosy. He was really glad that Severus was his Guardian now. Dumbledore had sounded like he was planning on trying to marry him to the youngest Weasley.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

End-of-year exams were canceled. Harry was disappointed but he was sure he was the only one. June 1st, all of the people who had been petrified were finally cured and able to join the rest of the school. Harry and Neville had insisted that Hermione spend the day with all of them outside together.

Apparently, Neville didn’t have the same issues as before about people knowing they were friends. Harry hoped that no one gave him too much crap about it. The twins promised to look after him around the other Gryffindors. That made Harry feel a little better.

June 5th was spent doing whatever Draco wanted to do. It was his 13th birthday after all. There was a new lightness to the school that had been missing most of the year. Without the threat of petrification and the monster being gone, everyone had calmed down. Even the rumors about Harry being the Heir of Slytherin had calmed down. Though, the new rumor was that he had single-handedly killed the Chamber monster. Which was true but Harry didn’t want the attention.

The last two weeks of school were spent reviewing work from the year. Since so many people missed so many things. And the Leaving Feast was once again decorated in Silver and Green. Slytherin, for the second year in a row had won the Quidditch Cup and the House Cup. Severus was very proud and the other teachers, including Dumbledore were a bit put out.

When it was time to head home, Severus made Harry the same promise. He would be at the Dursleys before Harry got off the train to feel out the situation. If it wasn’t safe for him to be there, then Severus would take him straight to the Malfoys.

Harry was a little surprised when he got off the train to find Vernon Dursley waiting for him. He had half expected and half hoped that the man would have refused to let Harry back into his home. Harry was sent straight to his room. He was told the same rules from last year applied. His window didn’t have bars, but his door still had seven locks on it.

He really hoped this summer was better than the last one.