Pain. That was all he could feel. But even through his suffering he could sense the innate wrongness of it. A body wasn't supposed to contain two souls after all. He was dying, and his magic reacted doing the only thing it could to keep him alive. It merged the two. Suddenly, the pain had left, as quickly as it had come, and he was left lying on the cold stone floor of the atrium. But the presence hadn't left.

No it was still there, mixed with his own. This time though, it wasn't wrong. In fact it felt right, somehow, like two halves had come together, leaving him feeling complete for the first time in a long time. Opening his eyes he saw Dumbledore watching him, concern and worry etched on his wrinkled face. Just as he opened his mouth to ask what had happened, his suffering came back, full force, once more. He convulsed under the throes of change, white hot fire coursing through his veins, his skin feeling like it was simply melting.

He was vaguely aware of screaming, people calling his name, different voices all clamoring for his attention. Couldn't it just end already? Hadn't he suffered enough? But then, the pain began to recede, slowly, yes, but it was, and that was what mattered. Grateful for the relief, he let go and fell into dark's soothing embrace.

…..Child…

….. Come on little one…

… Wake up now…..

…. Wake up Child…

When Harry awoke, it was to the sound of a voice calling for him. She wanted him to wake up, but he wasn't sure he wanted to. Everything hurt. His whole body felt sore and bruised, like he had been run over by a tank.

… Come on little one open your eyes now…

The hissing voice wouldn't leave him alone, so he decided to at least make an effort. Slowly, he raised his eyelids, revealing the tired, dulled eyes underneath. When they had finally fluttered opened, his gaze rested upon the one who had been talking before. The massive boa constrictor laying across his body, head raised so as to look down into his face. Nothing unusual, at least not to his sleep and pain muddled mind.

….. Oh hello Nagini…. You're quite pretty did you know?...

She laughed. It was odd, hearing a snake laugh but all the same she did. He wasn't sure how he knew it was a she, but he did. And the fact that this was Voldemort's snake, didn't quite register fully. He felt safe in her presence, she was comforting, almost motherly, and he felt he had known her for years. He was sure she could be trusted.

… Why thank you child… …. Now little one-

But whatever she was going to tell him was interrupted by a high pitched shriek, accompanied by the twinkle of shattering glass. Two heads turned together to see Madam Pomfrey, trembling in the doorway. Broken potion bottles were scattered across the floor at her feet, their contents swirling together on the tile.

" Oh hello Madam Pomfrey." He said almost dreamily. He was still quite tired after all.

"Mr. Potter! What is the meaning of this? How did this…. Thing….. Get in here? And what…. What… I don't understand…" She whimpered, stumbling backwards.

"Poppy? Are you alright?" The voice of Professor McGonagall called from down the hall, " We heard you scream and came to see what was wrong…"

Madam Pomfrey just kept staring at the snake lying across him and raised a shaking hand to point. He heard three pairs of footsteps hurrying down the hall towards the door. Professors McGonagall, Flitwick, and Snape appeared in the doorway next to their colleague.

"Why hello Professors. What's wrong with Madam Pomfrey?" He asked in his still vague and dreamy voice. McGonagall stayed crouched next to Pomfrey, trying to calm her, but the other two looked toward him. Eyes widening almost comically, they drew their wands, advancing slowly.

" Mr. Potter, I hope you are aware of the seven foot familiar of the Dark Lord that is currently lying on top of you." Snape spoke calmly, his silky voice betraying nothing, but he couldn't prevent Harry from seeing the immense panic and fear that lay hidden in his eyes. Both pairs of eyes were looking steadily at the snake, therefore not seeing the changes in him. Not that he knew there were any changes mind you.

" Well of course Professor. But don't worry she's fine. She won't do anything till I tell her."

"And why would she listen to you?" Professor Flitwick inquired. That made Harry think for a moment. Why would she listen to him? She was the Dark Lord's familiar, they didn't get along and have pleasant conversations.

…... Little one… don't think too hard about this… it is not the right time….. Everything will reveal itself in time do not worry, but your mind isss stilled fogged…. Tell your professors that you must sssleep… do not worry just go to sleep….. When you wake up everything will become clearer….

….. All right Nagini… all right…. That sounds good…. Ssssleep….

…...professorsss darling…..

… right… yeah… professorsss….

Turning toward his professors he saw that Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall had joined the group. They along with Professor Flitwick, were staring at him with fear and awe upon their faces. Professor Snape however had taken a few steps back, eyes bright with a mixture of fear, horror and panic, while the arm holding his wand aloft was trembling slightly.

"Well Professors, it's been a nice chat but I really need sleep now I think," He told them softly, his torso swaying slightly. Without another word he fell back against the mattress and was out like a light.

Once again Harry was woken by the sound of a voice, only this time, it was not Nagini, but Professor McGonagall's seemingly panicked voice.

"What are we going to do Albus? We don't know what's happened, what could have done this? Look at him ,Albus! He is not Harry Potter anymore, at least not in looks! That snake won't let us near enough to diagnose him and he's been sleeping for nearly three days and that's after he was sleeping for five when he first got here!"

Dumbledore sighed, but responded,"The best we can do, Minerva, is wait for him to wake up. And don't try to forcibly wake him. He just defeated the greatest Dark Lord of our time after all. He deserves the rest."

"What?!" she squawked, then quickly lowered her voice to a whisper, " Are you sure Albus? How?"

"I do not know Minerva. I am assuming at the moment that something happened when Voldemort tried to possess Harry. I believe his magic sensed his darkness and in the effort to push him out, destroyed him instead. But I cannot be sure until he wakes up."

… little one thatss enough…. Open your eyes now…..they won't be able to give you information until they get it…

…. Fine fine….

He eased his eyes open, and saw Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore watching him, concerned, at the foot of the bed. When they realized he was awake, they called in Poppy. She bustled in, carrying another tray of potion which she placed on the table, making sure to be nowhere near the serpent lounging on Harry.

"I'm going to perform some diagnostic spells on you Mr. Potter, give you what you need and then I think we all need to have a little… chat," she told him pulling out her wand and gazing down at him sternly.

"Of course Madam Pomfrey," he replied and turned his head, staring blankly at the white ceiling, waiting patiently while she cast her spells. After she had completed all the basic ones she looked at Dumbledore, who nodded, his normally twinkling blue eyes dull and full of anxiety and dread. She turned back to Harry, and, taking a deep breathe began a new spell, one she hadn't used before, or at least, not on him.

He could feel it, the magic penetrating deeper. It was a tingling feeling, burrowing deeper into his chest and seeming to catalogue what it saw. A light above his chest began to glow, a bright white, which slowly dimmed so they could see clearly again, though still glowing enough to fill the room. The white slowly faded showing a mix of two colors swirling together, one a dark violet, and another a dark forest green. Flecks of silver shone throughout, and he instinctively knew it was his aura.

He glanced over at his Professors. Madam Pomfrey seemed to be in a state of shock, McGonagall was looking between Dumbledore and the light, confused. Dumbledore, however had a strange mix of fear, sadness, and finally, resignation. He stepped forward placing an arm on Poppy's shoulder. She started looking around, but after seeing Dumbledore, calmed and waved her wand, cancelling the spell.

"Why were there two colors Professor?" he inquired, certain he knew the answer, but wanting to be sure.

"I believe," he started, gazing unseeingly somewhere above Harry's head, "That when Voldemort attempted to possess you, your magic somehow managed to merge your two souls, making you one person. I don't think your mind has had the chance to fully recognize this, but it is my theory that you will, over time, gain all of the extensive knowledge he has gained over the years."

"That was what I figured," Harry sighed. He turned to Nagini.

….Was this what you wanted to tell me before?...

…...Yes child….. Although it's naturally a bit more complicated, that is the general idea….. Oh before I forget… you might want to ask about the physical changes…. Best to get it out of the way…. I know they'll end up forgetting, and you'll find out somehow and go ballistic….

…. Right…. Thanks Nagini….

…...oh course child…..

He sat up and turned to the Professors.

" Do you think any of you could get me a mirror?" He asked looking between the three of them.

"O-of course , yes, yes, quite right you'll want to see the physical changes," stuttering, Madam Pomfrey conjured a floor length mirror next to the bed. " There doesn't seem to be anything wrong, so you may get out of the bed and see the full extent."

Smiling at her, he tossed the blankets back and swung his legs over the side of the bed, Nagini grumbling about being moved from her warm bed.

...oh shush you….

Looking down he noticed he was in a pair of pajamas. He wasn't really up to looking undignified so without really thinking about it, he wandlessly and silently transfigured them into black skinny jeans and a plain black tee-shirt, not noticing McGonagall and Pomfrey's shocked gasps or the widening of Dumbledore's eyes. With that finished he stood up, and walked over to the mirror. He immediately noticed the differences. Once unmanageable hair had grown down just past his shoulders, silky and straight. Where he once was among the shorter boys at 5'3", he was now somewhere around the 6' mark, his body lithe and supple, not the scrawny kid who stood there little more than a week ago.

His cheekbones were more pronounced now, his features elegant and aristocratic. One eye was still it's original bright killing curse green, but the other had turned a deep swirling violet. His soft lips were rosy, in contrast to the porcelain like skin. He sighed, turning back to face the professors.

"It was to be expected, I suppose," he said, and paid attention to the sound of his voice, silky, smooth, neither it nor his expression giving anything away. The picture of pure blooded sophistication and might. Nagini looked happier than she had in years, looking in adoration at him who she considered her snakeling, and at Dumbledore, enjoying the look of terror and panic at hearing that voice once more. They knew that he had hoped never to hear that voice again, and to have it come from his favorite pupil, well, that was even worse.

Just then the Hospital doors banged open, and in rushed Hermione, followed closely by Ron. She stopped, her eyes falling on the group next to the center bed. Confusion fell across her features, and she turned her head to Dumbledore.

"Professor Dumbledore," she stated, and though she was fighting to remain calm, he could hear the slight panic in her hurried words, " where is Harry? Is he alright? Can we see him?"

Harry chuckled. She looked at him, affronted.

"Sorry Hermione, I know I look different."

Both her and Ron stared at him in shock. They seemed frozen, staring at him in abject horror and confusion. Suddenly, Hermione ran forward and wrapped him in a hug rivaling Mrs. Weasley's. He stiffened immediately at the contact. She pulled back confused.

" I, I'm sorry Hermione. It was just, unexpected that's all." He stuttered still unsure what had caused that reaction. Then he remembered. The orphanage; the Dursley's. Those two together would make anyone wary of physical contact. Thinking about it made him shudder, something which did not escape Hermione's keen gaze.

"What is it Harry?"

"Hmm? Oh it's just I was remembering that's all. The orphanage, the Dursley's; that's all."

She was confused again.

" But Harry," she started,looking concernedly at him, " you never went to an orphanage. And what's with this new look? What's happened to you Harry you weren't like this before?"

"Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley," cut in Dumbledore, " I believe that we should take this to my office, where I- I mean we - can explain what has happened."

Hermione still looked concerned, and Ron very confused but they nodded and followed Dumbledore anyway. The other two adults waiting for Harry, who was picking up Nagini, who then, in turn, draped herself around his body. He noticed when Madam Pomfrey shuddered slightly at seeing the serpent, but said nothing. The fear of snakes wasn't uncommon after all.

When they reached Dumbledore's office, he said the password-Ginger Newts- and motioned them to go before him. Harry stepped up last and made him go up before him. He refused to have his back to anyone in such a confined space. The years of paranoia were catching up to him.

After they had all sat down, Ron and Hermione, looking towards him expectantly, Dumbledore began.

" You saw as Voldemort tried to possess Harry correct?" When they both nodded he continued, "well when that happened, he was dying, his body not able to contain both souls, so his magic reacted as well as it could, and the two were merged." Dumbledore stopped speaking, letting them take that in.

It was Ron who spoke first.

"So Harry... Isn't Harry anymore?" He asked slightly confused. Harry decided it was time to speak up.

"Not exactly. I mean I am, I'm just different now." He turned to Hermione, " I get his memories over time, which is why I was talking about an orphanage." Comprehension dawned in her brown eyes. Turning to Dumbledore, he asked,

"What are we doing about school? I think we should just tell them. It'll probably end up getting out somehow, and I don't particularly want a new identity."

"Yes," he agreed, nodding, " That would be fine. But there is a question of a resorting. You are not the same person you were, and I don't think you'll be able to stay in Gryffindor."

"What! But Harry's a Gryffindor! He got the sword and everything!"Ron shouted angrily.

"But Ronald, the sorting hat had wanted me in Slytherin, which was most likely because of the fact I was Tom's Horcrux, and now that I am in fact both Tom Riddle and Harry Potter, I would never make it in Gryffindor."

Ron stared at him, anger and for some reason betrayal on his features. The Headmaster started at the mention of the Horcrux, but Harry ignored him. He turned and grabbed the sorting hat, plopped down on his chair again, but before he placed it on his head Dumbledore spoke up,

"Harry would you mind having you and the hat speak out loud? I know we don't normally do things like that but I would like to see the hats reasoning on this."

He could see Dumbledore's reasoning, even if he was sure there was personal reasons in there as well, and nodded. Then he placed the hat on his head.

Well well well Mr. Potter, or is it Riddle? Merged souls hmm? Interesting…

"Yes yes it's very interesting I know. Maybe you could move on to actually sorting me?"

Yes of course Mr… Riddle… yes… Well it's a definite no for either Hufflepuff or Gryffindor, you have both loyalty and bravery of course but most of them would at least be in the Hospital Wing within a week... Let's see… You have the cleverness… A thirst for power and knowledge… But Ravenclaw isn't for you… Cunning, Ambition… That leaves only one… better be SLYTHERIN

He took the hat off and placed it back on it's shelf. His robes changed themselves accordingly, and now bore the Slytherin Serpent instead of the Gryffindor Lion. Garish red and gold changed to elegant green and silver. He turned on his heel and strode out of the room, robes billowing, leaving a frustrated Dumbledore, nonplussed Hermione, angry Ronald, slightly disappointed McGonagall, and interested but indifferent Pomfrey behind.

Hello all! I have other things I need to write but I have had this in my files for a while, so hopefully i can work on this one too, though updates are going to be terribly infrequent and i'm so sorry. I'm really trying to get He's Death's Master written right now so...

However, I do have a few chapters of this already written so yay!

Hope you liked it, leave me some reviews with what you liked and any suggestions you have.