Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. All characters belong to J.K. Rowling.

A/N: I got some suggestions for who should ultimately end up with Riddle's journal so I will be adding that in. Thanks for the great idea and the awesome reviews! Makes me happy! =)

Classes and lunch were the same as breakfast, Harry was stared at and was talked about among the students. Many of the Gryffindor's commented on his appearance, asking if he really was still Harry. Several slytherins would sneer at him when they past him in the hallways and the rest of the houses looked at him suspiciously. To top it off, Harry got a note from Professor McGonagall that his detention was after dinner with Professor Lockhart. A perfect end to a perfect day, Harry thought sarcastically.

After his last class, Harry gratefully escaped to his own room in his quarters. His dad was not there yet so Harry pulled out his books and began his homework. He was actually grateful to be here, even if it was punishment. No one would stare and talk about him here.

Twenty minutes later Severus found Harry in his room, dutifully doing his homework. He leaned against the doorway. "How was your day?" He asked, though he thought he knew. He had seen how the students had acted at breakfast and lunch. Several of his slytherins had earned themselves detentions for comments he had heard as well as their disrespectful attitude towards him.

"Awful." Harry muttered.

Severus sighed. "We knew this would not be easy." He reminded his son. "The gossip will die down eventually. Has anyone actually said anything to you about being my son?"

"Just if it was true and if I was really Harry." Harry looked up at his dad, his eyes weary and sad. "Percy still has the same attitude as well. Oh, and my detention is after dinner with Lockhart."

Severus scowled. Lockhart, really? He sighed. "You earned the detention. You are lucky you were given only one." He gazed at his son in concern. "You have not eaten much today." He had watched Harry through breakfast and lunch and had had to restrain himself from going down to the Gryffindor table and making Harry eat. He had not wanted to embarrass his son.

"I wasn't really hungry." Harry said, fiddling with his parchment.

Severus frowned. "Is it because of the gossip? Or because of your detention?"

Harry shook his head. "Not really." He chewed on his bottom lip. "Are you still mad at me?" He blurted out.

Severus looked surprised. "Didn't we go over this last night? I told you I forgave you remember?"

"But are you still mad? " Harry pressed. "Mrs. Weasley sent Ron a howler even though she had already lectured and punished him last night. So I thought maybe you were still mad too."

Ahh, Severus thought. He shook his head. "I am not angry any longer. I believe you know what you did was wrong and once your punishment is over we will not talk of it anymore. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are very upset because Ron was already punished for taking the car during the summer. That is likely why Mrs. Weasley sent the howler. She wants to make sure Ron learns his lesson this time."

Harry relaxed. He had forgotten that Ron had already been in trouble for flying the car. It would make sense that his parents were even more upset at him. "Oh."

"Is that why you could not eat? You thought I was still angry?" Severus demanded to know. "Did you think I would send you a howler after all or add more punishments?"

"I wasn't sure." Harry said honestly. "I don't know what having a parent is like you know? I wasn't sure what to expect."

Severus was quiet for a moment, silently berating himself for not reassuring his son this morning that things were fine between them. He had been very angry last night but did not feel that way any longer. He knew his son understood what he did was wrong. "I believe I told you that I would not starve you as punishment. I also meant that you are not to starve yourself as punishment as well."

"I wasn't." Harry frowned. "At least I don't think I was."

"Do you have a lot of homework?" Severus asked, summoning a plate of fruit and biscuits for Harry. The plate landed right next to Harry along with a glass of milk and Harry looked at it in surprise.

After checking that Harry only had a couple of chapters to read, he told him to eat his snack and meet him in the sitting room when he was done with his reading. "What about the essay I still have to write for you?" Harry asked, taking a bite of an apple.

"You may start on that tomorrow." Severus said. Inwardly he was rolling his eyes at himself. Merlin, I am going soft, he thought ruefully. "After you are done with your reading we will play some chess before dinner."

Harry's eyes brightened which made Severus want to smile. He had truly hated seeing Harry looking so miserable all day.

"Thanks Dad." Harry offered him a smile.

Father and son played several games of chess before heading to the great hall for dinner. Before they entered Severus stopped Harry with a hand on his shoulder. "You will eat a decent amount." He told him in mock sternness.

Harry nodded. "Yes sir." He couldn't help but grin.

"If anyone bothers you, you will tell me." Severus continued. "Some of the gossip we will just have to wait out but if anyone bullies or harasses you I want to know about it."

Harry nodded, although it was not like he would go running to his dad for every little problem. He was twelve after all!

Harry and Severus walked into the great hall together and the whispering grew loud. Severus glared at those who dared to stare at them and then gave his son's shoulder a quick squeeze before heading up to the head table.

"You look better than you did earlier Harry." Hermione said, looking at Harry closely.

"Yeah, I had a better afternoon." Harry said as he filled his plate. He looked up at his dad and gestured to his plate with a cheeky grin. His dad rolled his eyes yet looked pleased.

"I was so bored in the tower." Ron complained as he filled his plate with roast beef. "Especially since someone wouldn't play chess or exploding snap with me." He looked pointedly at Hermione.

Hermione huffed. "We had homework to do Ron. Plus you have those lines to write." She reminded him.

Ron groaned. "Blimey, I forgot about those. I'll have to start on them tonight." He looked at Harry. "Were you working on your essay today?"

Harry shook his head. "No, Dad said I could start it tomorrow. I just did my homework and then he and I played some chess."

Ron and Hermione and Neville, who was sitting close enough to overhear, stared at him. "You are grounded but your dad played chess with you?" Ron asked in disbelief. "Professor Snape?"

"Wow." Neville said, looking shocked. It was hard to believe the professor who scared the daylights out of him was so fatherly. And to Harry of all people!

Hermione smiled. "I think that is very nice Harry." She was thrilled that Harry had a father who was looking out for him. Professor Snape must have noticed Harry's dejected mood and wanted to cheer him up.

Ron made a face. "I can't believe I am starting to wish Snape had grounded me instead of my own parents."

Harry laughed. "Well, that was just today. Tomorrow I have to start on my essay. And worst of all, my detention is with Lockhart."

"What's wrong with Professor Lockhart?" Hermione asked, as she like the rest of the female students was completely taken with the handsome professor.

"Um, he's a git?" Ron answered.

Hermione huffed. "He is not. He has led a very interesting life. I'm sure he will teach us a lot."

Ron and Harry snickered. "Then what was the point of that quiz he gave us? The questions were all about his favorite color and hair products!" Harry shook his head. The class had been a waste of time. They had not even opened up their defense books.

"It was the first day! He probably just wanted everyone to relax or something." Hermione insisted with a flush to her face. She glared at her friends as they laughed.

Harry noticed the glare and decided to placate her. "Maybe he will get better." He said even though he didn't believe it. He sighed as he noticed dinner was over. "I guess I'll see how he is for detention. You don't he will give me a quiz on his like and dislikes of robe material do you?"

Ron laughed. "Don't worry mate. No matter what, my detention will be worse. It's with Filch!"

"Ew, good luck." Harry said as he made his way to the defense room offering his dad a wave as well.

"Good evening Mr. Potter!" Professor Lockhart beamed as Harry walked into the classroom.

"Snape." Harry corrected him tiredly. He had done the same think in his class.

"Ah, well Harry that is one of the things I wanted to talk to you about." Professor Lockhart nodded at the chair by his desk and handed Harry a pile of letters. "My fan mail. I need help answering them, I simply have too many!"

Harry inwardly groaned as he started on his pile. He would rather scrub cauldrons.

"Now Harry, as a fellow celebrity I feel the need to give you some advice." Professor Lockhart said as he signed his name with a flourish on the fan mail. "First of all, your name. Harry Potter is known throughout the Wizarding world! Harry Snape is not. You must think of your fans."

Harry opened his mouth to protest that he didn't want any fans but Professor Lockhart simply continued. "As for your stunt with the flying car, well yes it was attention getting but you are still young. You want to start small and build up! Remember this, celebrity is as celebrity does!"

Harry gritted his teeth and concentrated on answering the fan mail. He wanted to snap at the so called professor but figured it would not be worth risking another detention. They worked in mostly silence for the rest of the detention except for when Lockhart would read a letter from one of his fans out loud. Suddenly Harry looked up. "Did you hear that?"

Professor Lockhart barely looked at him. "Hmm?"

"Did you hear that noise? It almost sounded like a voice. Sort of." Harry concentrated harder but the noise had stopped.

Professor Lockhart was looking around nervously. "I don't hear anything." He said. He checked the time and laughed. "Oops, it's time for your curfew. Time sure does fly when you are having fun! Have a good night Mr. Potter!"

"Snape." Harry said shortly and quickly left the room. He shook his head as he walked to the Gryffindor common room. What that man was doing teaching, he did not know. As he walked down the hallway, he noticed water on the floor. He frowned as he walked further and there was a large puddle. He slowly looked up and saw Filch's cat Mrs. Norris hanging by her tail. "Merlin." He breathed. She was stiff as a board. His eyes widened further when he saw writing on the wall. The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the heir beware.

"What the-"Harry whispered but was interrupted by Mr. Filch walking towards him.

"Ha! Causing more trouble boy? You're supposed to be in your dorm." Mr. Filch sounded very pleased. "Looks like another visit to your head of-"He stopped when he noticed his cat. "Mrs. Norris?" He croaked. He turned on Harry. "What did you do to her? You killed my cat!"

Harry took a step back, his eyes wide with fear at the enraged look on Filch's face. "No, I just found her like this! I didn't hurt her!"

"Liar!" Filch grabbed Harry by his shoulder and began shaking him.

"Argus let Mr. Snape go!" Professor McGonagall had spotted them and was hurrying over. "We do not manhandle students!"

"He killed my cat!" Mr. Filch was sobbing by now.

Harry wrenched himself away, his shoulder throbbing. "I didn't touch her!" He protested, hoping McGonagall believed him.

Professor McGonagall had paled when seeing Mrs. Norris and the message written on the wall. She waved her wand and several mists that were in the shape of cats took off in different directions. "I've sent for the headmaster and other Professors." She said calmly, though her eyes looked worried.

It only took a couple of minutes before the Headmaster, Madame Pomphrey, Professor Flitwick, and his Dad joined them.

"Harry?" Severus immediately went over to his son, his eyes quickly scoping the cat and message. He took a deep breath and looked down at Harry. "What happened? Why are you not in your dorm?"

"Because he killed my cat!" Mr. Filch yelled, glaring hatefully at Harry.

"I did not!" Harry practically yelled back. He was confused about what was going on, worried that no one would believe him, and his shoulder hurt.

"Harry would not hurt Mrs. Norris." Severus said firmly, glaring back at Filch.

"Then what is he doing here?" Filch asked snidely.

"My fault, I'm afraid." Professor Lockhart walked up to them. "Sorry it took me so long. Harry only just left my office where he was serving detention a few minutes ago." He looked sadly at the cat still hanging there. "Such a shame I wasn't here sooner. I know I could have saved her."

"She is not dead Argus." Dumbledore said, finally speaking up. He had been studying the cat. "She is only petrified."

"Just as I thought." Professor Lockhart nodded.

Severus rolled his eyes. "How did this happen?" He directed at Dumbledore as they stared at the wall.

"I do not know." Dumbledore sounded worried. "Did anyone see anything?"

"Ask the boy! He was the only one here! He had to have done it!" Argus insisted.

"No second year student could have done this." Dumbledore said firmly.

Professor McGonagall was glaring at Filch. "And even if you are upset Argus, you have no right to hurt a student!"

"You hurt my son?" The look on Severus's face was frightening and Filch began backing away.

"I thought he had killed my cat." Filch mumbled, hiding behind Dumbledore.

"Where are you hurt?" Severus looked Harry over and noticed he was holding his shoulder. "Let me see."

"Allow me Severus." Poppy waved her wand over Harry and frowned. "It is sprained. Lucky it wasn't dislocated." She shot Filch a disapproving look.

Severus made to lunge at Filch but Dumbledore stopped him. "Severus, I will talk to him. He won't hurt Harry again." He said quietly but firmly. "We need to clean this wall before the other students see and start to panic. I also would like to have a staff meeting in half an hour. I will speak to Professor Sprout about her mandrakes and then Professor Snape can make the potion that will revive Mrs. Norris." He looked at Filch. "Come with me so we can talk Argus." He glanced at Professor Flitwick. "Filius, could you take the cat to Professor Kettleborn?"

"Of course Headmaster." Professor Flitwick gently got down Mrs. Norris and hurried away.

"Severus I can tend to Harry in the infirmary." Poppy offered but Severus shook his head.

"I will take care of him." Severus said and led Harry to their quarters.

"Sit on the sofa." Severus ordered as soon as they had entered. He summoned a healing potion and handed it to Harry. "Drink the whole thing. You will likely feel a little drowsy but as it is time for bed that works in your favor."

Harry drank the potion, grimacing slightly at the taste and handed the vial back to his dad who banished it. "You believe me right? I didn't hurt Mrs. Norris or write that message."

"Calm down Harry, of course I believe you." Severus said, gently feeling Harry's shoulder. "Does it still hurt?"

"No, it feels fine now." Harry said, starting to feel sleepy. "Thank you Dad."

Severus ran a quick diagnostic to make sure the arm was healed. "You do not need to thank me. You deserve to be healed son." He tucked his wand back up his sleeve, satisfied that the arm was healed. "Can you tell me what happened?"

"I was leaving Lockhart's office after answering his fan mail…so boring…heard something, a voice? Lockhart didn't hear it…" Harry was mumbling as his eyes began to close. He had already been tired and with the potion he took he was quickly succumbing to sleep. "Walked to the tower, saw…norris…message…Filch yelled at me..shook me."

Severus caught Harry as he slumped over, fast asleep. He carried his son to bed, transfigured his clothes to pajamas and tucked him in. "Goodnight son." He whispered before heading back to the sitting room. He didn't know what to make of what Harry had been saying. He had heard a voice of some sort? He would have to question him further tomorrow. As for being shaken by Filch…Severus's eyes darkened. How dare that man lay a finger on Harry? Albus may talk to Filch about his behavior but so would Severus. He would make sure Filch never even thought about hurting Harry or any other student again.

Severus quickly cast a tempus and saw that he needed to get to the staff meeting. He called for a house-elf.

"How is Roxie be helping Professor Snape?" An earnest looking house-elf immediately popped in and asked.

"My son Harry is asleep and I need to go to a staff meeting. Would you please stay here and if he wakes up tell him where I am? Also if he needs me, let me know right away." Severus said.

"Of course Professor Snape! Roxie will be happy to do so!" Roxie beamed.

"Thank you. I shouldn't be long." Severus said and left for the meeting.

"Until we know what we are dealing with, I want a new rule put temporarily in place that students are not to walk the halls alone. I would like you professors as well as the prefects to escort them to their classes." Dumbledore told his staff, his face grave.

"What do you think is going on Albus?" Minerva asked worriedly.

Dumbledore sighed. "I do not yet know. I am hoping this is a prank to scare the students and that the chamber has not been opened, if it indeed does exist."

"The castle has been searched many times in the past and no such chamber has been found correct?" Professor Flitwick asked.

"No, no evidence of it has been found." Dumbledore said though his eyes remained concerned.

"What about Mrs. Norris? Who could have done such a thing to her?" Poppy asked. "Will she be able to recover?"

"Yes, Professor Sprout has fresh mandrakes that will be ready soon and Severus, I will need you to make the mandrake restorative draught potion."

"I could make it for you Headmaster." Lockhart volunteered. "It would be quite easy for me, I assure you."

"I believe only one of us is the potion's master at this school." Severus interjected with a glower in Lockhart's direction. He turned his attention to Dumbledore. "I would like to know what is being done with Mr. Filch." His tone was like ice.

"I would too; he was completely out of line." Minerva agreed.

"What happened?" Professor Sprout asked.

"He shook Mr. Snape's arm and sprained his shoulder." Poppy answered. "Severus, is he all right?"

"Yes, I gave him a healing potion with a little dreamless sleep in it. A house elf is keeping an eye on him for me." Severus said, still staring at the headmaster.

"I have spoken to Argus that no matter what, he is not to physically hurt a student ever again." Dumbledore said seriously. "I also told him that he is to steer clear from Harry from now on. On that note if Harry should receive detention from any of you it is not to be with Argus."

Severus nodded though he was still upset that Filch was still being allowed to stay at Hogwarts. "And if Filch does not obey these new stipulations?"

Dumbledore sighed a little. "I told him he would have to leave the school, which upset him tremendously. He considers Hogwarts his home."

"I don't care! The student's safety is more important than his feelings." Severus huffed.

"He is aware of the conditions." Dumbledore said. He cast a tempus. "It is late. Thank you for coming and have a good sleep. And remember to keep your eyes and ears open."

Severus considered staying and mentioning that Harry may have heard something before the attack. But since Harry had been under the influence of the potion he had given him, Severus decided to wait. He would question Harry in the morning.

Severus returned to his quarters and thanked Roxie, who told him that Harry was still asleep and had not woken up. He quietly went to Harry's room and watched his son for a moment, who was breathing steadily in his sleep. Trouble did indeed seem to find his son. Even though he knew Minerva would instruct her Gryffindor about not being alone as he would his Slytherins he would also talk to Harry about the new rule. If there was a chamber somewhere in the castle, he did not want Harry mixed up in it.

TBC: