Strange Potter

"Ready?"

Luna nodded back. "Okay."

The Mirror Dimension was technically somewhere he was supposed to clear with Doc or Wong before he entered but sometimes he followed the better to ask forgiveness over permission.

He portaled in and closed it behind him. With Luna on the other side watching, he began to cast. 

Her sight was getting more defined. Weeks of learning how to focus her eyes and interpret what she was seeing were slowly clearing the fog of what she thought were magical creatures. Now she saw the spells he did and the magic that he was making. She didn't see him though. Only spells.

She followed a floating arrow of red to show that she did see it to the far end of the room that Harry had 'cleared' for them to practice.

"Seeing clearer?" Harry asked when he stepped back out of the dimension.

"Yes." Luna skipped back. "Arrows, birds, and that funny dog thing."

"That was Padfoot. Sirius thought it was pretty cool when I created what his dog form looks like. It was the first time he'd seen it from the outside perspective."

"Hmm, what's it like living with Stubby Boardman?"

"Who?"

'A lead singer of the popular singing group The Hobgoblins, who retired from public life after being struck in the ear by a turnip at a concert in Little Norton Church Hall. You don't have to hide it. I know he's been living under the name Sirius Black since then."

"That is not at all true."

"Really? Are you sure?" 

Harry should be used to these conversations by now. "Sirius is talented in many ways but singing? Definitely not one of them. Unless you need someone to scare away wild animals, then he's perfect for that."

Luna looked disappointed as she sat in one of the seats. "Hmm, I thought he was."

"Sorry to disappoint."

"This is fun and confusing." Luna quickly changed the topic back to what they were doing. "It's funny seeing things that nobody else can."

"Hey, you can do something I can't," Harry spoke. "You can see into the dimensions. I have to be in them, other than Astral."

"I want to go into them! Imagine all the creatures in them!"

"I don't have to imagine. I've seen some of them."

"Are they exciting?"

"That's one word for it. Some are bloody terrifying."

Luna looked a little startled by that. "Will I see them too?"

"Hopefully not. I think you are limited in what you can see so you should be okay. If not then I'll just have to give them a reason to stay away from you." 

Luna smiled at that. "Thank you for being my friend."

"Hey us odd ones have to stick together." Harry grinned as he made his hand glow.

Luna smiled back, but as they started to leave she asked. "Are you sure about Sirius Balck not being Stubby Boardman?"

"I'm like 99% sure he's not."

"So there's a chance." Luna tilted her head.

"So you finally did it," Sirius smirked from the doorway.

Remus was in too good a mood. "She said yes."

"My little Remus." Sirius wiped his eyes. "All grown up and settling down."

"Sod off."

"James, Me, and now you. To be honest, it's about bloody time."

"So you keep saying," Remus mumbled.

"Hey, I think she's earned it sticking with you all these years." He pulled up a drink and poured two glasses. "You both deserve it, Remus. I mean it. You're good together."

"I'm not good enough for her."

"And I'm not good enough for Nat. We both managed to find women way above our league. Well just slightly above mine."

"Alright, I'll need to work on a head-shrinking charm after that pile of dragon dung." 

Sirius chuckled and handed him his glass. "Any date set?"

"We're going over a few. We need it to be over the summer so Harry can be involved without having to skip school. I have to have my best man available."

Remus reached for the glass but Sirius pulled it back with a glare. "Do you want to run that by me again?"

"Oh, I didn't tell you?" 

"Oh haha. Not your best prank."

"Who says I'm joking?"

"Well, there goes your chance to use MY cabin lake view for the ceremony."

"That's fine. Wanda can have it done in Buckingham Palace if she wants."

Remus grinned and Sirius scowled back.

"You know you're the best man." Remus chuckled.

"Smart move." 

"Did you get the missive from Fudge? He wants a big question and answers session about the cure."

"Yeah, I got it. I'll be thrilled when Tony gets the thing ready for distribution. I'm tired of getting owls from that man."

"He is the minister. Do you think he'll stop? You are the closest person he knows that is close to Stephen. He will always try it buddy up to you."

Sirius sighed. "I guess it's better for me than Lucius. What day is he trying?"

"The week after the moon."

"Probably wants to be seen working with as many future 'upstanding' members that benefitted from the cure."

"That was my thought too. He's reaching out to all the werewolves that have sent letters to Saint Mongo's about the cure. It's bloody hypocritical. How many of them wanted to kill all of us before? Now, we're victims when it works for them."

Sirius gave a slight grin. Before Remus hated his disease. Now he's cured but still sees himself as one of them. But for the first time, it wasn't for a sense of pity. No, he was angry and annoyed. His people had suffered and only now did anyone of power care.

"I'm going to call Tony and Bruce to make sure they know."

Remus lost some of his anger when he saw the cell phone. "My little Sirius. Finally not  afraid of those scary devices."

"Bite me mate."

"I can do that now. Not that I would, I'm just saying."

"Then how about piss off? Go help your fiancee with your wedding while I deal with the Minister and him patting himself on the back."

Fiancee? That still feels eccentric but in a good way. But wife...that one is the one that will be the best.

"What have we learned about the Goblin Rebellions from these incidents?" Professor Beaumont asked as she finished her lecture.

For the first time in Hogwarts history, everyone was awake during the Goblin Rebellions. Hermione shot her hand up.

"Miss. Granger."

"There was no real guilty party. Both sides were at fault and handled that affair horribly."

"I agree but what could have been done differently from both sides?"

Harry raised his hand.

"Mr. Potter."

"The Goblins weren't wrong for defending their village, however, the execution of the survivors was too far. I do understand why they did it though. I wouldn't have trusted the Ministry to see justice done after one of their own was behind it."

"They slaughtered wizards!" One of the Slytherins shouted.

"After they attacked their village."

"And why did they attack?" Beaumont asked. She didn't take points because she wanted them to engage and defend their understanding of what they learned.

"Payback," Neville said. "Quite a few families lost a lot of money due to some underhanded work of the Goblins. Officially they were supposed to arrest the ones responsible, but instead attacked their unarmed children."

"So who is to blame? If those Goblins hadn't stolen those families' money, then there wouldn't have been an attack. But if the wizards had done what they came for then perhaps things would have gone differently. It's difficult to say. Remember this was during the terror of Yardley Platt, the Goblin Killer. Who was not being stopped as quickly as possible if he was attacking a wizard's village."

Professor Beaumont cast some lights over her table. "One small spark." She cast a line that went up. "Can cause another and another until." A firework charm blasted in the air. "Rebellion was inevitable the only thing unanswered was when."

"She is good," Neville whispered to Harry who agreed.

"Professor?" Hermione raised her hand.

"Yes. Miss. Granger?"

"Do you know anything about the Chamber of Secrets?"

"Ah, there it is." The woman stopped a count-down charm behind her desk. "You are the first class to wait until after the lecture." She smirked. "I imagine all of you are curious about what is known about the fabled Chamber of Secrets?"

All the students nodded.

"I unfortunately only know of the legend. Normally I only work with facts but in this case, I will tell what is alleged to be. *The story goes that Slytherin had built a hidden chamber in the castle, of which the other founders knew nothing. Slytherin, according to the legend, sealed the Chamber of Secrets so that none would be able to open it until his true heir arrived at the school. The heir alone would be able to unseal the Chamber of Secrets, unleash the horror within, and use it to purge the school of all who were unworthy to study magic.*"

"Unworthy?"

"As you were told, Salazar was a man who believed in purity. It was one of his biggest points of conflict with the other founders. He wished to keep the school clean of those he saw as a threat. What did he fear?"

This time Susan raised her hand. 

"Miss. Bones."

"Non-magicals."

'Why?"

"He saw what some had done to witches and wizards. Burings, hangings, drowning, and torture. To him letting their children in was a gateway to the dangers of Hogwarts and all its students being targeted."

"But why would that be?" She asked. "We have magic. What did he fear?"

"Numbers. If the truth about magic was revealed to the masses then non-magicals would be united for the first time. A great enemy that could control or kill them all."

"20 points to Hufflepuff."

"Even if I can understand that fear it was still horrid to think of 'cleansing' people for simply being born," Hermione said.

"It is indeed Miss. Granger. Salazar was a man of his time. What we can see as horrible now was what he saw as right, unfortunately, some still believe as he did. It doesn't excuse the beliefs but history is about understanding both sides. Even if you disagree or are appalled by it."

"What was the horror within?" Harry asked.

"No one knows, but knowing Salazar it was something powerful, dangerous, and driven. Just like him."

"Has the Chamber even been opened in the past?" Neville asked.

"Rumors were that someone did indeed open the Chamber eighty years ago. However, no proof of this exists." She answered. "That is all the time we have please read your chapters before the next lesson. I expect one and a half foot, minimum, page essay of what difference and similarities between the Rebellions and the witch hunts." She looked directly at Hermione. "Two feet is the maximum I will accept."

Hermione blushed but nodded.

As they all left Neville asked. "Are we going to check out that dueling club?"

"Yeah! I hope Professor Flitwick is the one running it."

"Didn't he say he retired from that?" Hermione asked.

"Maybe he changed his mind."

"I hope so." Neville was hoping to see the man work in person. His father always loved to tell the tale of the small man's fighting skills.

"Can everyone see me?" Lockhart asked with his smile going.

Unfortunately. All three of the Gryffindors thought at the same time.

A dueling demonstration sounded like a blast. Harry's hope that Flitwick was going to be the tutor was dashed when it was Lockhart and Snape standing on the platform.

Hmm. Maybe Snape will be of use here. It would be a first.

"Professor Dumbledore has permitted me to start this little dueling club, to train you all up, in case you ever need to defend yourselves, as I myself have done on countless occasions. For full details, see my published works."

Hermione only grew more furious at that. She wasted a lot of her parent's money on this frauds books! 

Harry was almost feeling heat radiation from the girl's anger. Maybe showing her was a bad idea. Even with her Occlumency, she is having a hard time controlling her emotions right now. Note to self Hermione has no forgiveness for people who ruin books.

"Now Professor Snape has been generous enough to agree to assist me with this club. We will now demonstrate the proper form of a duel, but do not fret I will leave your potion professor in one piece." Lockhart jest.

Snape was not laughing, but neither was any of the students.

The two men faced each other. It was the first time Harry saw Snape show any minuscule decorum when he followed proper form and bowed. 

It was soon obvious why when he quickly sent the fraud across the room before Lockhart could even fathom what happened.

Sirius was right. Snape is good with a wand, but then again look who he's up against. 

"Ah. Yes very well done Professor." Lockhart dusted himself off. "Now as I just demonstrated that is the desired effect of the disarming spell. No wand no more threat. Unless facing a powerful wizard or witch who has mastered wandless magic. I could demonstrate that for you but let's instead allow you to use what was just taught." Lockhart picked two of the students. "Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley."

"Weasley barely knows which end to hold his wand." Snape interrupted. "I recommend a replacement, Malfoy!"

Hermione saw the hate that Ron had for Snape at that etched on his face. Sure she did not like the redhead but no teacher should demean a student like that ever.

 Harry's right. He is a bully and an arse. Great now he has me cursing in my head.

Harry stood up on the platform and Malfoy climbed up as well, after a quick word from his head of house.

"I know you did it, Potter." Draco hissed across from him.

"Did what?"

"I know you cursed me!"

"Did I now?" Harry grinned back at the boy. 

"You will pay." Draco held his wand up. "Scared?"

Harry started laughing. After a few deep belly laughs he stop when he saw the furious look on Draco's face. "Wait are you trying to be serious? Malfoy, I've had indigestion scarier than you." He pulled his wand up.

Draco growled. They did the bow and stepped back. He didn't wait for a count and shouted. "Expelliarmus!!" 

Harry stepped to the side before the spell hit and fired. "Expelliarmus!"

Draco flew back. His anger grew when he saw Potter just smirking at him. He shot up and shouted  "Serpensortia!"

A large black snake shot out of the blonde's wand and landed a few feet from Harry. It hissed and coiled.

The wizard and the snake followed each other's movements, but the venomous animal made no show to try to strike at him. It almost seemed afraid to.

"I said disarming charms only!" Snape pushed down Draco's wand. "Don't move Potter I'll get it."

The snake turned its attention from Harry to the boy closest to the platform. 

Justin backed into the crown around him as the snake jumped towards him, but it stopped mid-strike. 

Harry grabbed the animal by the tail and spun it around. He held his head between his fingers as it hissed at him. "Easy. Don't think about it."

Only Hermione and Neville were looking at Harry's eyes as they did a brief show of red.

The snake calmed down some then wrapped itself around his arm tightly, but Harry held his head still not trusting the animal to not attempt to bite him.

"Hermione. Can you conjure a pillowcase? Now please!"

Hermione whipped out her wand and a large empty pillow case was held out and she reluctantly moved towards the venomous snake and her daft of a best friend.

Harry lowered his arm into the case while holding the snake's head. 

Let go of my arm before I turn you into a belt!!

Harry may not be able to speak to snakes but the animal did recognize whatever dark ability in the boy was a danger. It unwrapped itself and Harry released the head.

With a quick movement, he tied the case shut and held it out from himself. "Bloody hell that was close." He breathed.

"For someone so smart you can be daft sometimes. Grabbing a venomous snake." Hermione whispered with a huff.

"How did you do that?!" Justin asked.

"Too many nature shows." Harry shrugged back.

"Ten points from Gryffindor for disobeying instructions." Snape let his pettiness out. Brat can't obey simple instructions. 

Hey, you might have saved someone's life. How dare you?! Merlin, grow up you pathetic coward, but if you were capable of that you wouldn't have that mark on your arm. Or be constantly insulting your dead friends, equally dead husband that your master murdered!

"Potter, thank you," Justin said after he stepped off the platform.

"It's no problem." Harry shrugged.

"You could have been bit."

"He was coming for you not me, but I would not recommend doing what I did. I kinda got lucky grabbing it."

"Very lucky. That's the most dangerous way to handle one unless you have experience." Hermione said.

"What are you going to do with it?" Justin motioned to the pillowcase.

"Let him go down by the forest. He should be able to find plenty of prey that he can eat." 

It wasn't the snake's fault Malfoy did what Malfoys do. Cheat.

"Why didn't you just let Snape vanish it?"

"Two reasons. One it wasn't the snake's fault. Two I wasn't sure Snape wouldn't 'accidentally hit me." He whispered.

Justine couldn't find any fault with that logic.

"What was that all about?" Neville asked as the groups left. Even if they learned something there was a limit to how much Lockhart and Snape someone could stand. "Why did Malfoy do something so stupid?"

"You answered your own question," Hermione said. "He's barmy."

"Or desperate. He's lost a lot of the battles with me so he wanted to scare me some." Harry went towards the stairs. "That was an advanced spell. Probably wanted to show off too."

"You would know about that," Hermione said.

"Don't you have to answer every question in class?" Blaise asked.

"He's got you there."

"Being able to answer questions and reading ahead is very different from snake handling."

"Or troll fighting," Susan added.

"Broom diving," Neville said.

"Forbidden Corridor." That was all Blaise had to say.

"I get it." Harry huffed back.

"I think it's fun." Luna appeared. "Maybe you are a descendent of Godric?"

"Where did you come from?!" Susan asked startled.

"Behind you." Luna tilted her head at the girl. "I was busy with my Transfiguration essay so I was late to the dueling club. Is Justin Finch-Fletchley inflected with Wrackspurts? I saw him leave and his head was shaking."

"No, he was almost snake food. Come on let's get to the edge of the forest while this guy is still docile. I'll fill you in." Harry offered.

Turns out that Dumbledore did not like what he heard happened in the dueling club. Malfoy ended up losing a hundred points for endangering the students. 

But he still was about to be on the team. The team that was currently set to go head to head with Gryffindor.

"They might have better brooms but we're better flyers. So if you lose to them it's entirely your fault." Wood spoke.

"Great pep talk."

"One for the ages." 

"I'm with the twins here." Harry agreed. 

"Potter. Are you ready? Malfoy won't hold back out there. You can expect him to play dirty."

"If he played fair I would be shocked."

The teams mounted their brooms and flew above the field.

"Lucius bought his son's way on the team?" Remus asked when they took their seats in the audience.

"If Draco was any good he wouldn't need daddy's help," Regulus said.

Sirius had heard about Dracos team and their brooms. Ideas were forming to have some fun with it, but that was for later.

"Harry will win," Hermione said. "Even on an older model, he's still leagues ahead of Malfoy."

"Want to bet on how long until Draco tries something underhanded?" Neville asked.

"Hmm, what are you betting?" The blonde Ravenclaw sitting next to Hermione asked.

"A knut?"

"Would corks work? I have a lot of them."

"What would I do with corks?"

"So many things! I have a list." Luna handed the list to the very confused boy before her eyes went back to the game.

Hermione shook her head. I have some odd friends. She found Harry flying high. Good ones, but odd.

Harry was high looking for his target when the blonde flew across from him.

"You're losing today Potter."

"Less talk more action Draco." Harry scuffed. "Good luck sending a snake after me up here."

Draco was seething. He wanted to best Potter just to prove he was nothing, but at this point, he would settle for making the last of his family fall to a painful stop. Not kill but close. 

A Bludger suddenly shot up between them. Then did a u-turn back to the two. It beamed directly for Harry.

"Shite! Again?!" Harry took off.

Draco laughed as Harry was being chased by the ball. When he saw the snitch he took off after it.

The family saw the same thing. Harry being chased by the Bludger.

"Really?!" Natasha growled. "Wanda!"

Harry fly towards us. I'll take care of it.

Got it.

Hermione went wide-eyed as once again Harry was being chased by the rogue ball. She looked over to Snape on instinct, even if she knew now he wasn't responsible last time, he wasn't trying anything. He was unmoved at all.

"He's coming this way!" Neville shouted.

Harry flew straight to the stands and pulled up at the last second. 

The Bludger stopped and was fired back to the field where it landed deep in the ground.

Wanda lowered her glowing hands.

Thanks.

You're welcome.

"Why is Harry a Bludger magnet?" Luna asked.

"Danger chases him."

"Or he chases it," Regulus said. "Harry! The ferrets getting close! Don't let him beat you!!"

Harry saw Draco flying right behind the snitch and shot across the field after the two.

Draco's broom was faster but what if made up for in speed it lost in mobility. The 2000 could take quick turns. 

Harry knew this and had used it. When he caught up to them he was counting on the ball's sporadic nature to come in.

When it did a flying mid-turn back to the field he did too. Draco had to swing wider and now Harry was slightly ahead.

They raced back down the side of the stands with Draco near the wall. 

I should. No, I'm not going to, but I want to.

Down on the pitch going to the stands, Colin had his camera ready but the two blew past him before he could take the shot. "Wow..."

Draco pulled ahead and reached for the ball as Harry did. Now they were both only hairs away.

On the ground, the Bludger shot back up through the dirt and flew back at him again. Draco swerved away from it causing him to have to do a wide u-turn.

Harry ignored the danger and made a grab for the snitch just as the ball slammed into him.

Both went down. The ball was forced to the ground again with red magic that held it firm this time.

Harry spun around in a corkscrew and crash landed on the ground, hard. He didn't move for a few seconds.

Until he sat up slowly while holding his arm. He had the golden snitch in his hand.

"Potter has the Snitch! Gryffindor wins!!"

His family and friends rushed onto the field after the announcement of the winning team.

Draco was upset but he had a grin on his face at Harry's broken arm. The rest of the teams and Professors were crowding around.

"Harry." Wanda pushed through and knelt to him. "How bad is it?"

"It's broken." I can't bloody fix it with everyone looking.

"I can fix that in a jiffy my boy." Lockhart came down and held his wand at the arm.

"Oh no. Not you."

"The boys are obviously delirious with pain. Now hold still."

Harry acted and slapped the man's hand away causing the spell to fly off.

Directly into Draco's leg.

The blonde screamed as all the bones in his leg disappeared and he fell to the ground.

"You are an idiot!" Harry shouted.

"Bloody moron. When my father hears of this!!!"

Lockhart gulped as he realized who his spell had hit. Lucius was not a forgiving man. "Ah... yes, well, that can sometimes happen. It was meant for a broken bone so I can hardly be responsible."

Fast thinking. Now let the professional do the job. "Hold still." Wanda held his arm gently. The glow from her fingers caused some of the bystanders to back up.

Harry sighed in relief as the bone reset and the pain faded. "Thanks, Wanda."

Everyone may have stepped back when Wanda did her magic except for Neville and Hermione. They were the only ones that were not afraid of her.

Wanda could tell all the others were all still very uncomfortable with her and her abilities.

Sorry about them. Wild rumors run around about you.

Like?

Secretly ruling the world, making a pact with Satan, keeping the Chudley Cannons on a losing streak. That last one was the redhead over there. I shut him up about that.

"Can...can you fix my leg?" Malfoy asked.

Wanda came over. "Repairing bones is easy. I'm afraid I don't have any experience with growing them. It would be best if your healer did it. I would hate to put some in the wrong place."

Draco went a little paler at that.

"But..." Wanda held his leg. Draco tried to pull back but she held firm. "There. You should be able to go through the regrowth without any pain."

"Ah."

"You're welcome."

"They should have been brought straight to me!" Madam Pomfrey thundered. "I can mend bones with a flick." She grabbed a potion for Draco. "Regrowing them though. You are in for a long and painful night Mr. Malfoy."

"It was the useless Professor Lockhart! He did it!"

"For once he's right," Harry said from the bed he was forced to sit at.

"Don't disrespect Professors in my presence. Now I heard your arm was broke Mr. Potter."

"Wanda took care of it." He smiled at his fellow chaos caster.

"I will inspect the work." Poppy said. "You should have been brought to me immediately. Mending bones with that magic..."

"I have done it before. On Harry more than once." Wanda glared slightly.

"It's true." Harry jumped in. "Sometimes my earlier flying may have been not as graceful as it is now."

"Fancy way of saying you fell a lot," Hermione said.

"Not a lot. Just a few times." Harry defended.

"What about the time you tried to jump from broom to broom?" Neville asked.

"Hey! I pulled that off."

"And broke both your ankles," Wanda said.

"You are never going to let that go!"

"You were warned but didn't listen," Wanda smirked. "How long did Nat take away your broom after that?"

"Three months," Harry mumbled.

"Or the time you raced Tony?"

"I did pretty well that day considering he had a rocket on his feet!"

"Except for the dislocated shoulder." Wanda reminded him.

"Ahh!" Harry laid back on the bed. "Everyone a critic."

"How many times are we going to have these meetings?" 

"Believe me, Mrs. Black I do not wish to have them as frequently as we do," Dumbledore said.

"This is the second time someone cursed him while flying Dumbledore," Sirius spoke. "At least tell me you are doing something about it."

"I tested the Bludger myself." The old wizard said. "Unfortunately Miss. Maximoffs own, unusual, magic made it difficult. I did determine that no one in the stands was casting at the time."

"How did you come to that?"

"After the first time this happened with Harry, I devised a new spell. I cast it over all the stands before each game." He pulled out a pocket watch. "If this begins to heat then the spell with detect it and point me to the culprit. There was no detection."

"Maybe you made a mistake," Wanda argued.

"It's possible, but I was very meticulous. I was hoping to avoid any more situations like this."

"So it wasn't anyone in the stands. Still, someone tried."

"I am afraid I don't have anything more to add. If anyone has some suggestions I welcome them."

"Harry could not play," Wanda spoke.

LIKE HELL I COULDN'T!!

They didn't eavesdrop on each other often due to mutual respect but since they were talking about him he decided to keep an ear open.

Don't curse at me. I'm thinking of your safety.

Those who sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither.

Ben Franklin didn't have someone trying to hurt him all the time.

He also didn't have an awesome 'aunt' who is watching his back so her beloved nephew could keep doing what he loves.

I can feel the puppy eyes from here.

Well, you do have a thing for dogs.

Quite you.

While Wanda and Harry argued. Sirius spoke.

"He will never go for that."

"That's true." Natasha sighed. "Harry would lose an arm before he gave up Quidditch."

"He would, unfortunately." Wanda sighed too. 

"Hopefully your display will dispel any more attempts." Dumbledore was still very uneasy around the witch. Her magic was very wrong and concerning.

He got a clean bill of health and Harry said goodbye to his family before they left. He was about to turn in when he heard.

"Harry Potter should not have come!!"

"Dobby?" 

"Why didn't Harry Potter listen?! You should be home. The barrier didn't work. Now the game." The elf held his head.

"You shut the portal? You sent that Bludger after me?! You could have killed me!"

"No not kill. Only scare! Harry Potter needs to be safe! Dobby thought you would be taken out of Hogwarts if your family saw you in danger! Dobby wanted to protect you!"

"Dobby," Harry growled. "I am getting fed up with you! First, you steal my mail, lock down the station, and now this! Why can't you just tell me what is going on?! I can stop it!"

"Dobby can't!!"

"Dobby." Harry rubbed his head. "You want to protect me. Right?"

Dobby nodded his head enthusiastically. "Dobby must protect Harry Potter!"

"If I leave then my friends and a lot of other people will still be in danger right?"

Dobby looked saddened but nodded back.

"Is that what you want me to be? A selfish coward? You risk your family hurting you because you know it's not right. My friends are here. I have just as much right to risk my life to protect them. I can not leave them in danger just because it's the easy thing to do."

Dobby's big eyes grew softer. Tears began to fall down them. "Harry Potter is so selfless. Bad Dobby!!" He slammed his head on the wall.

He froze again as Harry floated him up to eye level.

"Dobby I need you to trust me. I know it's hard but I will do everything to stop this and I might be able to help you." He let him back down.

"You would help Dobby? Dobby knew you were a great wizard!"

"It's easy to see you masters are cruel. You want to be free of them."

Dobby held his pillowcase. "‘Tis a mark of the house-elf’s enslavement, sir. Dobby can only be freed if his masters present him with clothes, sir. The family is careful not to pass Dobby even a sock, sir, for then he would be free to leave their house forever."*

"I don't know how but I promise you I will do everything in my power to help free you."

"Harry Potter is so nice. Dobby's masters will never give him clothes."

"Hold on to hope Dobby." Harry knelt to the smaller guy. "I give you my word. I will find a way, but I need to be here. Please understand."

Dobby didn't understand how but the kind words of the great wizard in front of him filled his chest with the most dangerous feeling. Hope. "Dobby understands."

"Good. Thank you." Harry smiled at him. "I appreciate the 'help'. I help my friends so I will help you too."

"You call Dobby a friend?"

"Do you want to be?"

Dobby broke down in tears. "Dobby would be happy to call Harry Potter his friend."

"Just Harry." Harry patted the small elf's shoulder. "You might want to get out of here and keep your head down around your family. Oh and if you could keep this." He motioned to his red hand. "Between us, I would appreciate it."

"Dobby will." His big ears flopped up and down as he nodded then popped away.

Harry sighed. One less problem now. He went up to his bed and climbed in.

I wonder how Bad Faiths nights going? Might as well go see it. Bloody lucky it's not me laying in that bed.

His astral form flew out and down to the hospital room.

 He was disappointed when he got there and found Malfoy asleep.

Wanda's spell worked too well.

He started to fly out of the room when the doors opened.

He saw McGonagall and Dumbledore rush in. With several others. They were carrying a stretcher with someone on it. He flew above them to see who.

Colin? What the bloody hell?

"Place the boy here." His head of house told them as she motioned to the bed. "They found him like this. I think he's been petrified."

"His camera." Dumbledore pulled it. "Perhaps he was able to take a photo of his attacker." He opened the film camera and a puff of smoke came from within.

"What can this mean, Albus?"

"It means there are students who are in great danger." The old wizard replied as he realized the full situation. There were only a few things that could do this to magical film.

"What should I tell the staff?"

"The truth? Tell them Hogwarts is no longer safe. It is as we feared, the Chamber of Secrets has indeed been opened again."

How could you know that? The film was destroyed. This is what Dobby was warning me about. Students now? Oh, Doc is going to lose it.

Harry flew back to his body and went to tell the man.

Dumbledore was contemplating this development. Someone had indeed opened the Chamber. 

Young Colin was lucky to have his camera. If my suspicions are correct it was the only thing that saved his life. But who was behind it?

The portraits had provided nothing. Both attacks were strategically placed in a few areas that were not covered. Hogwarts was a large castle and some lesser traveled spots were excluded for practical reasons.

Mrs. Norris and now Colin. Has Tom found a way in? No. If he was truly here he would have used the monster for far more devious purposes, but who is behind this?

"So a student is attacked and your response is to sit?" A voice said behind him.

Merlin can the man not leave well enough alone? "Dr. Strange."

"Headmaster. I hear there is a new statue in the school's medical wing. Oddly child shaped."

Harry. Why can't you just trust me? Do you have to go running to him for every minor event? How did you even hear of this? Unless that cloak. I wish I had more time to put proper spells on it. Now I'll be more mindful of what I say and where I say it.

"This is hardly the time for jokes Doctor. A student is indeed in Madam Pomfrey's care. He is unharmed merely petrified. We already have the needed ingredients for the potion to cure him."

"So why is he still petrified?"

"The Mandrakes are not mature enough to use. Fear not in a few months the boy will be fit as a fiddle again."

"Months!" Stephen looked at him like he had lost all his senses." Do you expect a family to just wait while their son is frozen? Or for the child to lose months of his life? Why have you not bought matured ones?"

"Mandrakes are only harvested at certain times and it is not a common plant."

"So no other school or shop in the world would have more mature ones available?"

"I don't appreciate what you are implying."

"I don't care." Stephen pulled open a portal and found McGonagall with Sprout. 

She was telling her of the development when the portal opened. It was still a bit of a shock but the women were getting used to it.

"Pomona. Professor McGonagall. Would you both please join us?" Stephen asked.

Dumbledore noticed the friendlier term that Strange used with Sprout. Why would they be on more casual terms?

Part of Sprout's deal with Nicholas was that she was to keep their work private until the final product. She agreed as long as it didn't interfere with her teaching. 

"Has there been an effort to find Mandrakes already mature enough?"

Sprout spoke. "I did reach out to some herbalists who might have been able to provide some. Unfortunately, the only one who had mature ones had just used them for an experimental potion he was brewing. The others didn't plant any this year, unfortunate as it is to hear."

"Well, there are other options. Will you show me to these plants?"

Sprout escorted Stephen to the greenhouse with Dumbledore and McGonagall with them.

"How many do you need mature right now to develop the cure for both the boy and cat?" He asked when they arrived at the greenhouse.

"Given the weight and size of the two, one would be enough for them."

Strange nodded before the necklace he wore opened. A green light glowed from it as he formed a green circle around his wrist.

The professors watched stunned as the leaves of the mandrake seems to grow and darkened.

Stephen stopped the stone after a few seconds. "Are these aged to your needs now?"

Spout came out of her shook and examined the plants. "Yes Dr. Strange. They are perfect."

"I may not know what spell you used but I recognize time manipulation. That is a very dangerous thing to do." Dumbledore spoke.

"It was my danger to risk." Strange stared back. "Shouldn't you inform your potion master his skills are required?"

Once again Severus Snape was in a foul mood, not that he understood what a good mood was. The only positive was the potion was difficult to brew and it allowed him to enjoy the skill he knew he would always be the superior in.

When it was finished he delivered it to the medcial wing. He kept his opinion to himself when he found Strange waiting with the others.

Madam Pomfrey took the potion from him and administered it to Colin first.

It was not long before the young boy began to regain himself. During that time she was giving Mrs. Norris her portion as well.

Colin groaned and blinked as he awoke.

"Mr. Creevey, how are you?" McGonagall asked.

Colin sat up slowly. "Professor? What happened?"

"You were attacked and petrified," McGonagall told him. "How do you feel?"

"Stiff. What happened to me? I had my camera taking some photos and then there were these big yellow eyes!!" He remembered.

"Eyes?" Strange asked.

"You're...you're Dr. Strange!!"

"I am. Mr. Creevey do you remember anything about the attack?"

"No. Just those eyes. They were really big and yellow. Then everything went black."

"Thank you. You should rest for a while. I will bring your parents here as soon as I finish my talk with the Headmaster."

The door burst open and an old squib rushed into the room.

Filch had been called and when he found Mrs. Norris stirring the man was showing emotions besides hate and anger. He took his cat into his arms and the feline purred against him.

"Dr. Strange...thank you for getting this done so soon." The old caretaker said in a strained voice.

"You are welcome but they did the work." He motioned to Snape and Sprout. He then whispered. "I understand your emotions were high because of how much your cat means to you but Harry's mom wanted me to pass a message."

Filch's face went stiff then he was sweating in fear as Strange finished whispering something only he could hear.

"Remember that the next time you ever think of threatening the boy's life."

"...I understand." The man took his cat and left quickly.

"So what are you planning to do about this?"

Strange sat across from Dumbledore in his office.

"I have searched the school many times for the Chamber. Unfortunately, I have yet to be able to locate it."

"That was not what I asked. A student nearly died yesterday, only luck saved him."

"We will take steps to ensure the safety of the students. A professor will escort them from class to class and ask the ghost to assist as well."

"Who opened it last time?"

"The culprit was never found. After the death of the young girl they never attempted to open the Chamber again."

"But you had a suspect. Who was it?"

Dumbledore sighed slightly. "Tom was a student at the time."

"Tom Riddle. Voldemort." Strange rubbed his head. "I don't suppose anyone is wearing a turban right now?"

"If only it were that easy."

Stephen racked his brain. "You don't have enough faculty for the number of students you have. So I will assist."

"We can handle the situation fine thank you."

"I wasn't asking. For the next two months, I will have some of my wizards stationed in the school, along with various spells to help monitor the hallways. Once the students leave for the winter break I will personally go over the entire school from top to bottom." He didn't want to force the kids out without informing their parents or guardians. Another month of supervised schooling should be safe enough.

And with all the students gone it will allow me to examine the school without any potential casualties. 

"You do not have the authority to force your order into my school."

"It's not yours." Strange glared back. "Be happy I am not shutting it down right now. I do not care about the reputation of this institute or what the ministry will think. The safety of the students is all I care about. After this incident, I'm sure Fudge will be happy to know something is being done. If he has a problem with it then you are both welcome to come up with a new plan, but if it involves sitting and waiting then my way is the way it will be handled."

"And of the children, who are unable to go home? Do you wish to put them up while you invade the castle?"

"Give me the list of the ones staying and I will put them up in that inn at Diagon Alley. Full expenses will be covered."

"A generous proposal. I see I have no choice so I of course will accommodate."

"Another thing." Stephen brought up. "The student that died when the Chamber was opened. What was her name?"

"Myrtle Elizabeth Warren." He never forgot that name. The poor girl's death. 

"Thank you. You can expect some of my sorcerers to be here within the next few hours, and if you think I'm a pain wait until you meet the man who will be in charge of them." He was looking forward to Albus and Wong talking.