Whispers in the Night

Disclaimer: I'm just playing in JKR's sandbox and make no money from this. Please enjoy the story and feel free to leave comments and critiques, it's the only way to get better at this. I'm writing this story for my own enjoyment.

Content Warning: This story will contain mentions of abuse and scenes containing but not limited to swearing, violence, smut and other Adult Content.

Chapter Two: What Was That?

"Hello again, Tom."

Here he was again, staring into the handsome face of a man that should be dead. Around them, pale green fire flickered and brightened the dark chamber. Statues and monoliths covered in snakes barely caught his attention as he entered the chamber of secrets. He felt the anger, the terror, and the anticipation of the meeting all at once. This feeling inside him, this convoluted mixture of emotions poured out of him as he looked at the visage of a man that had turned into the monster that killed his parents.

And Harry had trusted him with his darkest secrets.

"I'm sorry we had to meet again under such circumstances, Harry," said the calm, charismatic visage of Tom Riddle. He was tall, his short chestnut hair the cap of a handsome face, his cheekbones and jaw sharp and strong, aristocratic in the extreme as he stood in ghostly, immaculate robes. "It's unfortunate that you refused my offer. We could have been great together."

"What would make us great, Tom?" Harry asked, his wand at the ready. "The domination of others? Our potential discoveries in magic? Or the will to find what we have searched for all these years?"

"Power is necessary, Harry. Without power we cannot create the world we should have had all along. Without control we cannot shape the future that needs to be." Tom paced slowly, his eyes firmly set on Harry's own as he walked to and fro. "We are better than everyone else and we need to show them that."

"You could have been better in so many ways, Tom," Harry managed to whisper with a shake of his head. "You could have been greater than Dumbledore and you threw it away in the name of power. Is this really who you want to be? You'll take a life to fuel your own?" Harry asked coldly. "You're better than this, Tom. You can find another way. Coexist in their mind, not just kill them. That way you'll both live until you find another way, together."

"Is that an offer?" An intrigued Tom asked him as he stepped forward.

"No," Harry responded sadly as he shifted back a few feet. "No, it isn't. I'm afraid I can't do that, not without betraying my parents. I know who you are, what you'll become if you don't change... You could stop all of this now and no-one ever has to know. Let Ginny go. Return her magic and exist in the Diary. This can all be just a memory, Tom."

"Then I, like you, am afraid I must decline," Riddle said as he stepped forward, an edge in his voice and Ginny's wand in hand. "I am Lord Voldemort, Harry. My own name supplied the means to make my new one, as you figured out." Tom cast a spell and his name wrote itself in the air in bright purple fire until it shifted into his new moniker. "And you, a mere child, stole it from me. I will not have my life stolen from me again, Harry. Not by this little girl, not by your mother's love, not by Dumbledore, and certainly not by you.

"I will not remain a memory to be forgotten forever," Tom asserted, his eyes glowing a deep red in the dark chamber.

"Nor will I, Tom. But there are better ways than this. We can still find what we're looking for."

"Are you so sure, Harry?!" the shade barked at him. "Are you so sure that world exists?! You've seen what I've seen! You know what the mundane world is like. Is the wizarding world really any better?!"

"It has to be," Harry pledged as wisps of magic began to waver around his wand. "Otherwise everything we've suffered through has been for nothing."

There was no answer from the shade, just the deep glow of red eyes as they took hold on the handsome face of Tom Riddle. A hiss was the only indication the basilisk had been summoned, and hell returned to his nightmare. Harry ran and cast spell after spell, each one just as useless as the last as he tried to avoid the deadly glare of the petrifying beast. Only when all seemed lost was he found by Fawkes and given a chance to survive. Harry stabbed the King of a Serpents through the mouth only to have the venom seep into him as he ripped his arm out of the gaping maw of his enemy, a fang firmly lodged through his arm.

Tom looked torn in that moment of victory as he stared at Harry. A satisfied glee had filled him, and yet while Harry saw it, he felt something else in that gaze as well. Something that unsettled him as much as it comforted him.

"We both hoped for a better world than the one we came from," Tom nearly whispered as he stood over Harry. "Neither of us will ever live to see that naive dream come alive. Goodbye, Harry.

"Avada-"

"No!"

Harry thrashed in bed as he relived the final moments in the chamber. While the nightmare might be over the memory wasn't, and he struggled to hold himself still as he forced his way from under the covers and curled up on the corner of his bed against the wall. Heaving, panting breaths left Harry as he tried to calm himself, as he tried to remember where he was and what he had to look forward to. A cold sweat made him shiver as the brisk wind flit through the open window, but Harry welcomed it.

Cold. He could feel the cold. He was still alive. A long, shuddering breath escaped his lips as he wiped away the quiet tears and moved to the edge of his bed.

"My name is Harry James Potter," he assured himself. "I'm Fifteen and starting my third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry... I lost my parents on Halloween 1981 to a man named Lord Voldemort... I... survived the Dursleys..." Harry managed as he continued, unsure if even survived was the right word at this very moment. "I killed a corrupted Professor Quirrel in self-defense to save the philosopher's stone, and I slayed the basilisk of Slytherin controlled by a memory of Tom Riddle..."

He ran the words through his mind and whispered them past his lips again and again until he was sure he was alive as he went through his morning routine. As soon as he was dressed in his uniform for school he whispered a goodbye to Hedwig as she prepared to fly off to meet him at Hogwarts. She was one of the few truly pure things in his life and Harry couldn't help but smile as he felt the last of her feathers part from his hand as she took flight. He watched her soar away from Diagon Alley before he grabbed his trunk and made his way to bar of the tavern.

"Morning Tom," Harry said to the kind barkeeper. The name almost tasted bitter on his tongue but he knew this was a completely different man than the one from his so-called "adventures" at Hogwarts. He offered a smile to the older gentleman and sighed in relief as he settled in.

"G'Mornin', Harry! The usual?"

"Please," he answered softly. "Seems I'm the only one up this early."

"Bah, the Weasleys will be just fine waking up soon anyway. I'd send you on ahead but young William said he wanted to escort you today himself."

Harry smiled at that. Over the past few weeks Bill had become a good friend to the young wizard. Sure the man had plenty of work to do but he had spared time for dinner most nights, and when that didn't work Bill would bring in some Florean Fortescue's ice cream for a late dessert when he didn't have a date. Harry couldn't help but feel a connection to the scion of the Weasley family as he prepared his cup of morning tea and poured out some coffee for Bill.

"Prepare for the devil and he shall appear," Bill said with a grin as he took the seat on Harry's left at the bar. "Thanks for the coffee."

"Don't mention it. I have plenty to thank you for after all of your help these past weeks," Harry welcomed as he gave a thankful nod to Tom for the breakfast he set down in front of them both. "It's the least I can do."

"It's the least that anyone can do for you, Harry," Bill replied solemnly. The wistful smile on the man's face brought a small, shy one from Harry in return. After a few pleasantries the two made sure Harry had everything he needed for Hogwarts and for retrieving the basilisk. Bill looked a little longer at all of the books in Harry's trunk but shrugged off his thoughts with a grin as they latched it shut and continued to eat their breakfast.

"Two Galleons says Ron's the last one to be ready," Bill offered as they heard the Weasley family moving around upstairs.

"Two on the Twins," Harry stated as they both set their money on the counter and let Tom watch over it as they ate. While they finished their breakfast they watched the stairs and waited to see who would win. Both had decent picks for who would be the last to be ready but Harry felt confident. Betting with Bill had become commonplace ever since he had bet the older Weasley that Bill couldn't get a date with the brunette attendant at the bookshop by the time Harry paid for a few books.

Harry had lost that one, quite badly actually. Bill had walked over, flirted with her a bit then asked her out on a date. She'd given him her floo address and kissed him on the cheek before ringing Harry up no more than three minutes later. He'd lost five galleons on that bet, though he had earned it back during their time people watching. It was fun, something Harry had never really done with anyone before and he shared it with the eldest brother of his best mate. He'd often asked himself one question, and even asked it of himself now as they watched Percy struggle getting his badge in just the right spot in his chest.

Is this what it's like to have a brother?

"Harry!"

It was all the warning he was given before he caught a brunette bullet in his arms and was squeezed so tight he was sure she was afraid to let go of him. Hermione had arrived just last night and he had been asleep by then. Harry quickly wrapped his arms around her and held his best friend tight. Of course, as he felt the cushion of her chest press to his own he could barely hide the blush that set in.

Hermione beamed proudly back at him as she pulled away enough to get a good look at him. Her chocolate gaze looked him up and down and Harry quickly returned the favor. She was a growing girl, and lord help him he certainly noticed the development of her female attributes. Still, she was his friend, and only his friend. Harry forced himself to think those words but couldn't help feeling drawn to her in some way. He had, after all, spent hours at her bedside while she was petrified.

"Your notes absolutely saved me this summer. I'm all caught up on everything from last year and McGonagall is allowing me to take extra classes. Oh how are you? I heard about what happened with your family. Really, Harry, did you have to blow her up?"

The raised eyebrow and cocked hip sent a chuckle through Harry before he focused his gaze on her own. "I'm glad the notes worked out. I'm doing alright, thank you very much. However, I only regret that dear, sweet, delicate aunt Marge didn't end up going the way of the Hindenburg," Harry said with cheerful sarcasm as he sat back on his stool next to a chortling Bill.

Hermione huffed but smiled all the same. Her eyes wandered again and Harry could see that she noticed he was a boy just as much as he had noticed she was a girl. The slight pink in her cheeks was fought down when she realized he'd caught her but she shrugged and sat next to him. Her own breakfast arrived a minute later as she finished making herself tea.

"Have you finally decided which classes you're going to take?" His wavy-haired friend asked casually. That was something else Harry noticed about her. Bushy-haired no longer applied to his bookworm best friend. Her hair fell in more pronounced waves but it was far more elegant than before.

"That I did, with a little help from Bill," Harry answered with a grin.

"Bill helped you? Oh! Please tell me you want to become a curse-breaker!" Hermione nearly squealed with excitement. "That means you'll have some of the same classes as I do."

Harry chuckled as he remained silent, zipping his lips closed with a smug smile as he leaned against the counter. Hermione huffed once more but offered him a grin of her own as she continued to eat. She discussed how the conversation with her parents went about last year and Harry could only laugh until she swat his arm. He calmed down shortly after though his grin remained as she spoke of her summer in France at length.

"Visit any beaches?" Harry finally cut in. "I knew you would visit all of the cathedrals and museums but did my dear Hermione Granger actually take time to relax on a French beach?"

The saucy grin that slipped across her lips drew Harry's gaze as she leaned in to whisper to him. "Oh I did... A topless one too."

Harry's mouth went dry and beside him Bill had to stifle his laughter at the teen's current predicament. The idea of Hermione at a topless beach. He glanced down at her for a moment and instantly regretted it as he watched Hermione's grin widen in victory.

"T-topless huh? Well I umm... Erm... I-I bet that was fun... Must have seen a lot of pretty girls there... Not that you aren't pretty! I mean you are! Most definitely! And I'm sure you'd look better topless but-"

"Harry. Harry! Stop, it's okay, you've made enough of a fool of yourself," Hermione sighed with a rather pleased grin. "Thank you for saying it though. Maybe someday I'll let you see pictures."

Harry groaned in defeat and buried his face in his hands as Hermione actually giggled next to him. Rarely did his friend ever giggle but he found it suited her in that moment. "Mischievous minx. I swear I'm not coming within a mile of this conversation again after this."

Harry swore he saw Bill mouth "Don't bet on it," but couldn't be sure. Instead his attention was brought to a jingle of coins as Hermione tapped the galleons and Tom slapped her hand lightly with one of his own.

"No touching the betting money. These two have yet to see who comes down last."

"Seriously?" Hermione asked, her mouth agape as she turned on Harry and Bill. "You two are betting who is the last one ready? Harry James Potter don't you dare even think about betting on anything at Hogwarts!"

"It's harmless, Hermione!" Harry placated with hands raised defensively. "I've played poker with everyone in the house and you never really get upset. Bill and I have been doing this for weeks now. I think I'm actually ahead at the moment."

"By four galleons," Bill chipped in with an exaggerated frown before he offered a wry grin.

"Besides it's not like there's much to bet on at school anyways. Well, besides quidditch and how long it takes before Snape docks me ten points in a single class."

"That's not a bad bet actually," Bill chimed as he watched the stairs. "Loser buys lunch next time? I say Snape docks you within two minutes if rumors from Ron and the twins are true. You want the over or under?"

"Harry Potter, don't you even think about it!" Hermione growled next to him.

"Snape's crafty but I think it would take more than two minutes," Harry managed to say as he avoided Hermione's gaze. "I'll take the over." The slap to his arm from Hermione made Harry laugh as he caught her hand and smirked as he rubbed gently circles in her palm. "It's harmless, Hermione. Besides, free lunch! I'll even bring you along."

Hermione gnawed gently at her lower lip and Harry couldn't help but find it an attractive look on her. He fought down his hormones as Hermione sighed and agreed before she too began to speculate on who would be down last. Ginny, Arthur and Molly came down a short while later and both Bill and Harry avidly paid more attention. It was very likely that whichever Weasley came down next sealed victory for the other party.

The heavy thumping of a trunk drowned out any vocal identity before the tall, gangly form of Ron Weasley rounded the landing and Harry clapped his hands in victory.

"Dammit Ron! You couldn't just wait a few more minutes?" Bill pouted as Harry took his winnings and stuffed them in his pocket before Ron could notice.

"Nah, breakfast!" The redhead said as he took a seat at the table the other Weasleys had occupied and began to pile food onto his plate.

Harry sighed happily as he watched the banter between the family wind up. As the twins came down and started chortling, the teen could only guess they had done something. As Percy passed him, however, he had to quickly stifle any chuckles as he read the badge. Apparently the twins had managed to make it so everyone else saw "giving head boy" while Percy couldn't see anything wrong with it. Hermione was scowling but at a gesture from Harry she couldn't help but snicker either as she joined in the conversation with everyone. Harry had to admit, it was good seeing the Weasleys act like a family, despite the ache that gnawed away at him.

Questions about what could have been, what was, and what could be stormed through the gates of his mind and begged to be asked aloud. As subtly as he could manage he finished off his tea and focused on making another cup. He never let the Weasleys see his discomfort if he could help it. Despite the fact they were Ron's family and treated Harry like he was a part of it, he knew he wasn't. They would always be Ron's family, not his. Despite adding sugar to his tea, the bitter taste left in his mouth from those thoughts sullied any enjoyment he might have taken in the moment.

One look at the time later and Harry jolted upright.

"Time to go, Weasleys!" Harry called out suddenly.

Time had slipped them by as they took in the moment and Harry hated the fact he was nearly late for the train yet again. Thankfully they could use the floo and with a parting thanks to Tom the Barkeep for all of his hospitality Harry left the Leaky Cauldron and appeared on Platform 9 and 3/4's. Right behind him was Bill, and following him Hermione and the rest of the Weasleys. While the family began their goodbyes Harry took a few steps forward out of the way and leaned against the wall.

Big, red and gleaming, there really was no other way to describe the Hogwarts express. Well, besides perhaps outdated and quaint, but Harry figured Wizards and Witches rather enjoyed the older luxuries of life. Then again, old families controlled most of the government and businesses, so it wasn't much of a surprise the wizarding world didn't advance with the muggle one. Harry really had no opinion on which world was better, he just hoped that he proved Riddle wrong and that the magical world truly was the place they had longed to find after what they had gone through.

"Have a good year, Harry!" Molly proclaimed as she caught him in a tight, squeezing hug. He felt his breath leave him and instantly Harry tensed, uncomfortable with the tight grip the woman had on him until he returned the hug and awkwardly smiled as best he could manage. "You'll stay out of trouble won't you?" she mothered him sternly.

"Thanks Mrs. Weasley," Harry managed with the same awkward smile. "I'll be sure to go to the twins if I ever intend to get up to no good."

The disapproving look on Molly's face was matched in intensity by the wide grins Bill and the twins sported behind her back. The twins even took it a step further and wiped a fake tear from their eyes as they saluted Harry. As if she could see out of the back of her head the Weasley matriarch spun around and began warning the two off of any mischief while Bill approached Harry. Unlike his mother, the eldest Weasley son slowly took Harry into a firm, brotherly hug.

"Owl me sometime. I'd like to hear your perspective on the classes you're taking this year," Bill told him as they parted. "Even if you have question about classes or just in general feel free to owl me. I'll answer as quickly as my schedule allows. I'll be especially quick on any questions you have on the opposite sex, of course."

"Bill!" Harry cried out with a flush in his cheeks as the man laughed. Harry couldn't help but smile just the same. "Thanks... Really. If I need anything I'll be sure to send Hedwig."

Harry quickly grabbed his trunk, turned about and quickly followed in the wake of his friends. In the corner of his eye, however, he caught another red headed pair saying goodbye that were watching him. He almost smiled at them until he noticed just who it was that peered at him with such bright grey eyes. He swallowed down a lump of pain and anger and coldly walk past them without another glance. Little did he know as he stalked off that they had seen his interactions with the Weasleys and looked on in worry after him.

As soon as he caught up with the Twins, Ron and Hermione he offered a smile and followed them onto the train. While the twins sped off to join their friends, Harry, Ron and Hermione quickly joined a sleeping older man in his compartment. A flash of red hair and grey eyes caused Harry to usher them in more quickly and shut the door, his eyes cold as the grey-eyed girl passed them by, an unreadable expression on her face as she hurried further up the train.

"What was that?" Ron asked as he finished putting everyone's trunks up.

"What was what?" Harry wondered casually as he sat down, a deck of cards he had bought in Diagon Alley in his hands.

"Oh I don't know, the bit where you were avoiding a certain busty redhead from our year," Ron quipped as he stared at Harry. "There a reason you're trying to stay away from Bones?"

"Could be," Harry answered in a clipped tone. "Ask her."

"I'm asking you, Harry," Ron pressed as he leaned forward I his seat. "I'm your best mate and Hermione's been hanging around long enough to at least be a friend," the brunette quickly swat the redhead on the arm with a playful scowl. "I just want to know what's bothering my friend."

"You can talk to us, Harry," Hermione urged as she too leaned forward. "We just want to make sure you're alright."

"I'm fine," Harry insisted as he took out the deck of cards and began looking through them. "She just... puts me on edge, alright? Can we drop it now? I'd rather think about something other than Susan Bones."

"Don't know why you would want that, Bones is quite the catch, especially with her-" Ron managed to say before Hermione once again swat his arm. "Bloody hell, would you stop that?!"

"No," she said as she swat his arm once more. "And that's to remind you not to use bad language."

Harry nearly chuckled at the bi-play between his friends while he went through the cards. Little difference between this set and those found in the muggle world, except that the face cards actually moved and appeared to be of more historic figures from Wizarding society. Harry rather enjoyed the idea of researching just who might be on each card as he began to shuffle them. Before he had been whisked away to Hogwarts, Harry had become rather good at card games, especially since it was a way to earn money at school when the teachers weren't looking. He had survived more than one summer earning money that way.

Eventually he rejoined the conversation, speculating on just how good of a teacher the haggard looking man sitting with them would be. He didn't look too old in his face, but the greying hair and somewhat shaken appearance made him appear older than he was, at least to Harry. The teen wondered if that would be him in later life if he didn't find a way to escape all of the troubles he had to deal with. When the trolley stopped by Harry was quick to load up on snacks for everyone, especially chocolate. As he slipped the extras in his trunk so Ron couldn't get to them, Harry chuckled at the playful pout his friend sported.

"Keep looking like that and your face will get stuck that way."

"Why are you buying so much? I mean it's not like we can't go to Hogsmeade this year," Ron said as he bit off the head of his second chocolate frog.

"You two can," Harry noted as he sat down. "I can't. The Dursleys didn't sign my form and I've already asked McGonagall about being able to go when I arranged my classes. She said I can't go. So enjoy it for me while you're there."

Harry counted down in his head as he leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. As soon as he reached zero Ron had finally broken.

"But that's not right! Why should you be unable to go because the muggles won't sign your form? Just have her sign it. She'd take better care of you if the bars on your window last year were any indication."

"Harry-"

"Drop it," he told them both softly as he opened his eyes to look at both of his friends. "I can't go, end of story. There's no point trying to fight for it now because it's already over with. If I ever want to see it for myself I'll just use the knight bus over summer break again."

"Wait, so you run away and stay at the alley and the Dursleys expect you to go back to them?" Hermione spoke up.

"It's not them that expects me to go back to the Dursleys. Just drop it. Fighting it won't work anyways. I've tried that and failed already."

Both of his friends looked ready to argue until the train screeched to a halt and all three braced against falling onto the floor. All of them looked around to make sure they were all okay before the lights began to flicker and a cold began to set in.

"What was that?!" Ron gasped as he backed away from the window. "Something's out there."

"No..." Harry murmured as he began to hear whispers. "Something isn't out there..." He shivered as he fought the whispers down and rubbed his arms, the cold reached to him more quickly than it seemed to go to his friends. "It's already in here."

Ron and Hermione whirled to look at him before they heard noise at the end of the carriage. Doors practically screeched open in protest from the cold as whatever it was made its way deeper. All the while Harry held himself tight and clenched his jaw so much it hurt. The cold seeped into his bones and refused to let go, all the while the whispers in the back of his mind were getting louder.

"Not Harry, please! Kill me! Take me instead! Just don't hurt Harry!"

"Stand aside! Avada Kedavra!"

"No," Harry whispered as he fought with himself.

"Boy! Get in here you worthless freak! You've got work to do!"

"That's it! I've had it with your freakishness! I'm finally going to snuff it right out of you!"

"No, please," he breathed as he crushed his arms against his body and shook his head.

"You should have died with your parents!"

"No!"

As the door slid open the whispers grew louder, harder to put out of mind. In fact they were no longer just whispers. A vision of each moment passed through his mind and somewhere there was screaming. Flashes of green light and victorious laughter. Angry rants, searing hot iron and unforgiving belts. Grey eyes that should have known better.

"NO!"

The brief vision of a man with his hands wreathed in blue flames stood before him until fire erupted from the compartment somewhere and bathed the hooded figure beyond the man in flames. Ungodly screams pierced Harry as the visions intensified. Harry couldn't help but succumb as he heard the same screams over and over again, all pleading his name as he fell to the floor.

Bleary images of beige and brown were all Harry could see as he woke up. He buried his face in the cushioned form beneath him until he heard a squeak and realized just what had happened. Suddenly he tried to force himself up until he groaned as his aches and pains cried out at the injustice of the world. But at least the cold is gone.

"What was that?" Harry choked out as he slowly managed to sit up with a blushing Hermione's help.

"That, Harry, was a Dementor, the guardians of Azkaban," growled the haggard looking man as he put some chocolate in Harry's hand. "They're the worst sort of creature imaginable, and we subject only our worst prisoners to them," the wizard explained. "The Ministry thinks that by securing the borders of the school that all our world's children attend with them he'll keep out a single fugitive... Fools, all of them. Eat the chocolate, I need to go have a talk with the conductor."

Harry nodded absently as he looked down at the chocolate before he turned to Hermione. "The new professor?"

"Remus Lupin," she confirmed with a nod. Her concern was touching, especially when she moved closer to him and gently set a hand on his free one in an attempt to help.

"I heard... Screaming..."

"There was no screaming, Harry... Not until you screamed at it anyways."

Harry looked at her as if she was lying until he saw the truth of it in her concerned expression. With a sigh he looked across to Ron who looked as if he had just faced down an Acromantula again.

"What happened?"

"The dementors boarded the express. Dad said they weren't going to do that. Dumbledore's going to be furious when he finds out," Ron said quickly as he chewed on some of his own chocolate. "It opened the door and it was instantly drawn to you. There was... Well I don't know but it looked like a mist went from you to it until Lupin stepped forward. It was brilliant!"

Ron brightened for a moment at the mention of the professor. "He had his hands covered in flame somehow and then all of a sudden the fire was everywhere. You were screaming and then there was this... Screech before the Dementor flew off as fast as could be."

Harry nodded quietly as he dug into his own chocolate. Even as the chunk melted in his mouth the cold that seeped into his mind and bones seemed to melt with it. Lupin was right, chocolate really did help. Harry glanced at Hermione for confirmation and when she nodded her head he knew that was the best explanation he was going to get.

"If I never have to face another Dementor again it will be too soon."

Both of Harry friends were quick to agree and move on. Again he heard the stories of their summers but he didn't particularly mind. He knew what they were doing and he was glad of it. At one point he had been tempted to comment on Hermione's beach going habits but one look from her told him that was not something she wanted to share again so soon. Despite how flirtatious she had been about it he assumed she was also somewhat embarrassed. Though why she would be embarrassed in front of himself and Ron, he wasn't sure, but that was women for you.

Or teenagers in general.

He managed a small chuckle as Ron retold the story of Fred and George trying to lock Percy inside of an old tomb only to be stopped by Bill and Mrs. Weasley. The eccentric family had its moments but Harry was glad to call them friends. The rest of the trip thankfully remained uneventful, although Harry was disappointed that the professor hadn't come back. He had questions he wanted to ask but he supposed they could wait for now. Instead as he trudged out into the rain when they reached the station he saw Neville and ushered him over.

"Get a carriage with us. Better than trying to find one on your own!" Harry called over the patter of rain as they made their way to a carriage.

"Thanks Harry!" Neville shouted over the rain. "Good summer?"

"Spent half of it living over the Leaky Cauldron, so pretty good by my standards." Neville offered a smile at that and followed Harry, Ron and Hermione to the nearest carriage. As they set their trunks on the rack Harry walked up to the front and whispered to the leathery beasts that pulled the wagons. He gently ran his hand over the smooth flesh of the beast and let it nuzzle into his hand with a smile. Looking back at his friends he saw both Ron and Hermione looking concerned, while Neville offered only a solemn look of understanding.

The shyest boy in Gryffindor could see them too. Harry wondered why but shrugged it off as he entered the carriage and let his friends calm down as he said he was just tired from their encounter with a Dementor. That seemed to calm them both down somewhat, though Harry could see Hermione worrying her lip as she watched him from the corner of her eye. As soon as the carriage stopped Harry helped everyone get their trunks out and up the steps as they set them out for the house elves to take up to their dorms.

Harry had figured that out last year when he had learned a bit more about the creatures after he met Dobby. He hoped the excitable elf wouldn't make an appearance this year and so far he seemed to be in luck. Unfortunately the feast wasn't off to a great start. Laughter rang clear through the hall from the Slytherin table as Malfoy faked being scared before fainting. For a moment Harry was prepared to hex him before he walked up and appraised the scene for himself.

"Well at least he's pale enough to pull it off," Harry commented easily as he stood near two of the Slytherin girls from his year. "It needs work, Draco. Try a little harder next time, maybe Snape will give you points for actually managing to mock me when you get it right."

Although none of the Slytherins laughed, Harry could see a scant few looks of amusement cross the faces of those Slytherins nearest him. The Italian, Zabini, hid a smirk behind his goblet as the two girls in front of him shook ever so slightly, as if containing their snickers.

"At least I didn't faint when confronted with dementors, Potter," Draco shot back as he sat up properly. "I at least acted like a proper wizard in the face of danger. Where was your Gryffindor courage, Golden Boy? I don't think you're worthy of your oh so noble and courageous house after that performance."

Harry grinned despite his desire to hex Malfoy. He could hear the twins holding Ron back and could clearly tell Hermione was tapping her foot in anxious worry as she watched the scene unfold. Harry debated actually saying something that might get him in trouble, but settled for something that might make people think twice about him. The smirk of victory began to fade from Malfoy's face the longer Harry held the grin, which only made Harry that much more committed to his course of action.

"You're right, I'm probably not as well suited to Gryffindor as others are," he said loud enough for a number of people to turn their heads in disbelief and look at him from various tables. "After all, the Sorting Hat wanted to put me in Slytherin. The only reason I told it not to put me in the house of the cunning and ambitious was because I met you first."

A murmur emerged from the spectators as Harry turned away, a smirk of his own plastered across his face as he took a seat across from the twins, Ginny and Ron while he was between Hermione and Neville. All six of them were looking at him with wide-eyes stares while others in their house murmured uncertainly around them.

"Did I forget to mention that to you lot before just now?"

The six nods he was met with caused a slight blush to rise in his cheeks before he shrugged it off. Ginny looked worried while Hermione was intrigued. Ron looked like he had eaten something a little too ripe while the twins hid their own approving nods before they shook their heads quickly. Of course those two wouldn't mind, it took both cunning and ambition to play pranks and not get caught by anyone. A glance at Neville showed him some uncertainty but little else besides mild curiosity.

Thankfully he was saved any further explanation with the sorting of new first years. Some, Harry noticed, were actually taller than him. Not for the first nor last time did he curse the Dursleys. If he had been treated properly he wouldn't be undersized for his age. Still, he clapped along with everyone else whenever someone was sorted into Gryffindor. In fact he was the only one clapping for every student that got sorted. Those around him looked at him strangely but he just offered a shrug in return and continued on.

The action had not gone unnoticed by the staff, nor by the Slytherins and a few others among the other houses. Harry cheered inwardly as he got everyone to start wondering just what he was up to and gratefully began to pile his plate full of food once it arrived.

"You were going to be put in Slytherin?" Ron asked incredulously. Although it was probably safer to say accused.

"So were your brothers," Harry said as he gestured to the twins. "Percy too I bet considering he wants to be the best wizard he can and enter the ministry."

"How could you say that?!" Ron asked, suddenly serious.

"He's right, though," Fred managed to chip in as he cut up some chicken. "George and I nearly were put into Slytherin. We asked for Gryffindor instead because we knew we'd get along with people better in this house. Ain't that right George?"

"Too right, brother mine!" The other twin jumped in exuberantly. "Besides, could you imagine us wearing green? Yuck."

"Nasty color. We'd look like Christmas trees."

"Definitely not our style. We're glad to be Gryffindors."

While Harry was amused at the twins antics he knew the subject wasn't about to be dropped by the increasingly upset youngest male Weasley.

"But there's no way Harry could be a slimy snake," Ron uttered disgustedly. "I mean, you're nothing like any of them."

"Do you actually know any of them," Harry asked before he added, "aside from Malfoy?"

"Crabbe, Goyle, Bulstrode and Parkinson," he countered instantly as if he'd just won the argument.

"What about Davis, Nott, Zabini, Moon, Greengrass and the Carrow twins?"

"I don't need to know them to know they're probably just like the rest of Slytherin house. They cheat, Harry. They spread rumors about you and make fun of us all the time. It's not right. There's no way you could be like them."

Ron was truly adamant about this. Harry, on the other hand, new far better what it would mean to be a Slytherin. What Malfoy professed a Slytherin to be was a far cry from what Riddle had made it. In fact, Riddle had once had a truer view of Slytherin than anyone else in the house. Resourcefulness, cunning, ambition, unity, survival, all of that together was what Slytherin house should have stood for instead of blood purity and bigotry. Harry knew he fit well into Gryffindor, but that didn't stop him from recognizing the traits he had that belonged to other houses.

"Fine, Ron, I'm nothing like them," Harry admitted dryly. Ron didn't seem to notice the obvious sarcasm, but by the time he did it was already too late. "I mean it's not like I figured out a diary was possessing your sister or anything. Or that I joined the quidditch team in my first year. Or that I figured out how to keep us alive long enough for the Ford Anglia to find us. Or that I tricked Lucius Malfoy into freeing his own house elf. Or even surviving on my own when I ran away from my relatives this summer. No, there's absolutely nothing cunning, resourceful or ambitious about me."

Sniggers erupted from the Slytherin and Gryffindor tables alike. Harry was glad to see both houses laughing together for once. In fact the only ones remotely unhappy with the development were Ron and Malfoy from what Harry could see. He knew with one look that he had not really managed to get through to Ron. It seemed, however, that after that little bit of laughter Ron called it quits and began to mutilate his food as much as he ate it.

With a sigh Harry glanced at Hermione. She offered a shrug in response and sighed along with him. Neville, however, discretely pat Harry on the back, light enough that it didn't startle him, but strong enough that it offered the necessary sentiment. With a thankful smile to the shy Gryffindor the table fell into the usual rhythm of discussing the summer and recent events. Harry, for his part, was glad for a return to Hogwarts normalcy.

Although he would gladly do without someone, or something, trying to kill him this year.

The usual start of term announcements, along with a note about the dementors, was given by Dumbledore before they were allowed to take their leave. Harry was surprised Madame Pomfrey hadn't confronted him but by the look on Professor Lupin's face she had bigger fish to fry than him. Ron remained rather distant and frankly Harry couldn't be bothered to try and convince him everything was fine at the moment. Right now all he wanted was to get into his bed and crash if he could.

Sleep, however, didn't come quickly. Thirty minutes after he changed and settled into bed Harry was still wide awake. Seamus and Ron were already sawing down forests while Dean had somehow managed to push one leg out from under his blanket already. Neville's quiet breathing, however, told Harry that he wasn't the only one stuck awake tonight. Slowly he shifted to sit upright and looked at the bed across from his own.

"Neville?" Harry asked in a whisper.

"Yeah Harry?"

"Can't sleep either?"

Neville shook his head as he too sat up. "No, not with knowing the dementors are out there."

"I know the feeling," responded Harry softly. "They... Unsettle me. I... Heard things, Nev. I saw things I only visit in my nightmares anymore."

"You and I aren't like everyone else, Harry. We've both heard or seen things no-one else has. We're orphans," Neville tacked on as if to explain. "Bones is too now that I think of it."

"I know... I don't feel like talking about Bones though," Harry whispered, an edge in his voice he wished wasn't there.

"I know, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought her up..." Harry heard Neville sigh into the night before the shy boy spoke again. "Do you... Do you mind if I ask about it? What you heard?"

"I heard her, Nev," Harry whispered, a crack in his voice ruining any composure he once had. "My mum, I mean. I can clearly remember my mother's voice for the first time in fifteen years and I'm hearing her final moments as she begged for my life... All thanks to those monsters that torture me with it. I'm disgusted with myself for feeling thankful for it."

"I know what you mean," Neville sniffled in return. "I hear my mum and dad begging for us all to be left alone... And the cackling laughter of the woman responsible for putting them in the mental ward of St. Mungo's."

"Lestrange right?" The stiff nod was all Harry needed to know nothing more should be said about her. Instead the two war orphans sat there quietly with their own thoughts for a few moments. "At least we know they loved us now though, don't we?"

The small smile in the moonlight he received in return brought one to Harry's face as well. "Yeah... We do. You know, I'm kinda glad we can talk like this."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked, confused.

"You and me, we've been talking like this since first year. I never said anything, but thanks. It's helped, you know? It's kinda nice sharing something with you that nobody else does," Neville finished with a smile.

"I know what you mean." Harry nodded along and offered his own smile. "I'd never share these thoughts with Ron. No offense to him but he's just not the right sort to discuss this kind of stuff with you know?" Neville snorted with amusement and Harry couldn't help but chuckle. "Couldn't share this with Hermione either. I'm sure she'd understand but I don't think I'd handle her way of discussing problems very well when it came to this sort of thing."

"I get it," Neville said. "I feel the same way. I'm just glad we've been able to become such good friends outside of your little golden trio."

"Ugh, I swear whoever came up with that nickname is dead."

Neville grinned and shrugged. "See you in the morning?"

"Yeah, yeah I think so. Sleep well, Nev."