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Beta read by the encouraging JediCandy.

Chapter Three – Slytherin Endurance.

It was starting to get dark outside and the miserable weather wasn't helping any either. For eleven years Tidus had been looking forward to taking his first journey on the Hogwarts Express and because of his former master it was not as much fun as he had hoped it would be. Two gentlemen, or a lady and a gentleman, periodically checked all the train compartments. Tidus didn't recognise them but reckoned they were something to do with Headmaster Dumbledore. They were kind enough looking, but for reasons he couldn't understand he didn't trust them. Poppy had told him repeatedly over the spring and summer that it was You-Know-Who's fault for his instinct not to trust.

The Dark Lord! Tidus thought bitterly. How dare he! How dare he ruin so many lives especially his. He was only ten when the Dark Lord had kidnapped him and turned him into adulthood, gave him his Dark Mark and forced him into doing his bidding. Tidus breathed in deeply as Poppy had taught him to do when he started to feel anxious about things. But he couldn't let it go, the hate and the anger were so deep within him that he even scared himself sometimes. He wondered what the other kids would say if he told them that by the age of ten he had cast all three of the Unforgivables. He hadn't told anyone else that he had, he had a feeling Professor Snape knew and maybe Headmaster Dumbledore but that was all.

He liked Professor Snape; he had come to see him a few times over the summer to check up on him. He was a little scary, and at first Tidus had thought the Dark Lord had sent Professor Snape to retrieve him but that didn't make sense because they were in Hogwarts when he had first seen him, in the Headmasters office no less. He knew Professor Snape was a Death Eater, he had given him the potion to drink that made him ten years older, but then after he had escaped, the Professor had given him the potion to reverse the effects of aging and restored him to his then natural age of ten. This had confused him greatly at first but Headmaster Dumbledore had told him that Professor Snape was a good guy and that he helped keep him informed of what the Dark Lord was up to. Tidus wasn't stupid, no matter how they sugar coated it Professor Snape was a spy for Headmaster Dumbledore. Professor Snape was betraying the Dark Lord! At first Tidus was angry for Snape's betrayal then realised that that was the brainwashing talking. Now he had had time to think about it he realised Professor Snape was brave to betray the Dark Lord like he was. If he were found out it would be instant death for him. Because of his bravery and his no nonsense attitude, Professor Snape had become a firm favourite of Tidus'.

Headmaster Dumbledore was another one Tidus had a lot of time for, the man was a childhood hero of his. He was strong and powerful and Tidus knew he must be special because his familiar was a Phoenix. He had meet Fawkes a few times in his life and he loved that bird. The first time he had meet Fawkes had been after he had sent an owl to the Headmaster asking if he could attend Hogwarts early because he couldn't wait until he was eleven. Fawkes had turned up a few days later with a nice reply saying that all good things come to those that wait and that he must be patient. His time for Hogwarts would come soon; the best part about the letter was that it had come with a few books and a bag of sweets called sherbet lemons. Tidus had fallen in love with them immediately. The next time had been when he had escaped from the Dark Lord and broke through the Hogwarts wards, not very well though because it had set off every alarm in the place. But Fawkes remembered him and greeted him, the Headmaster also remembered him, even though they had never meet he did remember the letter Tidus had sent a few years ago, Tidus was astounded by the man's memory. Headmaster Dumbledore had set him up in a safe house for the summer under the care of Poppy and her husband Michael. He had visited Tidus many times and he really liked the Headmaster and was grateful for all his help. He was also very grateful for all of Poppy's and Michael's help, without them he would have gone mad.

Tidus' feeling for his other 'saviour' were not so straightforward. Harry Potter! Potter was the one who had removed his Dark Mark form his left forearm. Yes, he was grateful, that would have been impossible to hide from the other kids but he could not get past the hatred his former master had installed in him about that 'Potter brat.' Truth be told, he had already lost faith in Potter before his master demanded he, too, must hate him. As a kid growing up he had been filled with stories of how Potter had saved them all from a fate worse then death by vanquishing the Dark Lord. After he had been kidnapped he realised that all the stories had been wrong, they had all been lied to, the Dark Lord was not dead, in fact he was very much alive! At first he had believed that Potter would come and rescue him and the others but that did not happen. Potter was not coming to rescue them, if he wanted out then he would have to do it himself. Poppy, Michael, Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor Snape had all told him it was brainwashing that made him hate and distrust Potter. Tidus wasn't so sure; he had lost faith in Harry Potter long before he was told to by anyone, including the Dark Lord.

***

"Severus." Harry whispered to the taller man, it was only an hour or so before the children were due to arrive and everyone was in the great hall getting things ready for their arrival. "Where am I supposed to sit?"

"Sorry?"

"Where am I supposed to sit? I thought the question was simple enough, not too obscure. Merlin, Sev, I'm starting to sound like you!" Harry continued to talk in a low voice because Draco was not to far away.

"Wherever you like, there are no name places."

"That's not what I meant and you know it, you are purposely being difficult."

Severus gave him his evil grin. "Can't help it, I never was a fan of the students returning. Every year I wait to hear that they all decided not to bother and returned home. Wishful thinking on my behalf."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Severus." Harry ground out between clenched teeth.

"At the head table, you are no longer a student. Any seat as long as it is not Albus' seat or the seat to his left or right as those are reserved for his deputy and his third."

"You and Minerva, right?"

"Halleluiah, he does have a brain."

"You are so going to pay for that one."

"Only make promises you plan to keep." Severus whispered in his ear.

Harry shivered a little at the close contact, he really needed to get that little reaction under control, but it was difficult, the man did strange things to Harry's senses. "Oh, I plan to keep that one."

"Unfortunately it will have to wait, tonight I have to deal with the new intake of Slytherin and the silly homesick tears that always arrive with them."

Harry hid his disappointment, he had only just got Severus back in the castle and he was going to have to wait to ravish him silly. "Voldemort is going down for that!"

"What?"

"Uhh?"

"What is the Dark Lord going down for, apart from the obvious?" Severus asked him.

"I didn't just say that out aloud did I?"

"It would appear so Potter. I think we should get Poppy to check you out for senility."

"Very funny, Sev. I was just grumbling about how I blame Voldemort for my not being able to ravish you silly tonight."

"Why? I was not aware the Dark Lord was starting at Hogwarts again tonight." Came the dry reply.

"What? No, what I meant was that we are unable to be open about our relationship because of him. And because of that I can't just come down and see you tonight in case a student sees me anywhere near you."

"Ah, if you had just been straight forward, Harry, this conversation would have ended five minutes ago."

"Trying to get rid of me?" Harry feigned a hurt look.

Severus gave him a truly wicked grin and leaned in close to him. "Why would I? When you have proven to be so much fun." The words whispered next to his ear made him whimper very quietly.

"Bastard." Harry looked at him and couldn't even hide the lust in his eyes.

"Indeed." With that he walked away towards Albus to discuss something or another.

"Come, Harry, sit by me." Harry turned and came face to face with Nikolai Miasnikov. "I do not know the others so well and if I do not understand something, if you do not mind you can help me out?"

"Of course, it would be a pleasure, Nikolai."

***

Tidus was glad the train journey was over, he had spoken to a few of the other kids on the train, but he found it hard to find common ground with any of them. All they wanted to talk about was chocolate frog cards and Quidditch like it was all there was in life. All he wanted in life was for the nightmares to stop. He had followed the half giant onto the boats and was totally speechless of the view of Hogwarts from the lake; it truly was beautiful. That sight alone had filled him with hope, hope for the future. Now he was in the antechamber awaiting entrance into the Great Hall for the sorting into houses. He could hear some of the nervous whispers of some of his fellow students, one kid, a boy, he thought, had said he had been told that you had to fight a dark beast and the type of victory you had would determine your house. Another claimed his brother had told him you had to duel Hogwarts most fearsome teacher, Professor Snape. Tidus smirked at that, he could just see Professor Snape enjoying hexing small children.

Before he knew it they were collected from the small dark room and lead into the hall. He had seen the hall before; when he had escaped the Dark Lord the Headmaster had given him a tour around Hogwarts. But the hall had not looked as magnificent as it did now. Hundreds of candles were floating above them. Ivy and ferns were hung from all the windows and around the tables giving it the feel of new forest, of new life. He vaguely remembered the dusty old hat that was sat on a stool at the front of the hall from Headmaster Dumbledore's office. He started with a jolt as the hat began to sing! Then Tidus watched with interest as the professor he remembered as McGonagall pulled out a large scroll and started to read names from it. She was only a few names in when he heard his name called out.

"Dolor, Tidus."

He stepped forward and noticed that Headmaster Dumbledore had looked up slightly as had Professor Snape when his name had been called out. Out of the corner of his eye he also saw Potter perk up at the sound of his name, he squashed down the negative feeling he had about him and sat down on the stool.

The hat was placed on his head. "Yes, I have been expecting you, Mister Dolor." A strange little voice said in his ear. "Don't worry. No one except you can hear me." That slightly worried Tidus, could this hat read his mind? "Yes, I can see all, but I will never tell."

"So, what can you tell about me?" Tidus challenged the hat.

It sniggered back in response. "A feisty one aren't you, then again it does take someone brave to point a wand at Harry Potter!" Tidus bristled at the mention of that name. "Not a fan I see. Gryffindor is the house of the brave but what you did was not bravery but a trained response. Though you were brave to escape from right under Riddle's nose like that."

"Riddle?"

"Ask Harry Potter for the answer to that riddle. No, I feel Gryffindor would bring out the worst in you. You would drown there. Hufflepuff, no, you would grow bored and that could be dangerous. Slytherin, maybe but you would be suited to Ravenclaw also, you have a sharp mind, Mister Dolor, eager to learn and prove yourself. But Slytherin has its merits for you too; you like and trust Professor Snape. My final decision has to be SLYTHERIN!" Tidus flinched a little bit when the last word was said so loud in his ear.

Tidus could hear a table cheering as the hat was removed and McGonagall pointed him in that direction, he guessed that was where he was to be sat. He glanced up at Dumbledore and saw him smiling back at him and Professor Snape gave him a curt nod. He could see Potter was a little surprised. That didn't bother him, though, he didn't care what Potter thought. He was far more concerned with what Dumbledore and Snape thought.

***

Severus had to admit, if only to himself, that he was a little shocked at hearing Tidus being sorted into Slytherin. Like Poppy, he had believed the boy would be sorted into Ravenclaw. He had a real thirst for knowledge and for purely selfish reasons he wanted the boy in Ravenclaw, Filius was much better at dealing with students who might have emotional problems. The boy had a strange attachment to him and it wasn't healthy for the boy or for his image as a hard-nosed bastard. He also knew without a doubt that the Dark Lord would hear of this through Draco and his little spying game. Though the information as such was not top secret or even sensitive, it would be just another thing he would have to deal with. Hopefully the Dark Lord would find the whole thing amusing, like he had the whole disappearance of the boy originally.

"Not too big of a shock, Severus?"

"No, Albus, I guess not." He whispered back in the same quiet tone.

"If anyone can help and protect him, it is you, Severus."

"Yes, look what happened last time I helped and protected a student." Came the quiet sardonic reply.

"And I have never seen you happier."

"Albus..."

"Now, now, Severus. You and Harry have a very different kind of bond."

"I'll give you that, Albus."

"You and Harry are made for each other my boy, I have never seen either of you so happy." Severus refrained from answering, he acted like it was because he didn't deem it worthy of answering but in fact he knew it to be the truth.

Realistically he should have expected this, the Dark Lord had tampered with the boy's magic, so the hat would sense the heir of Slytherin's presence in him. Even though Harry had managed to remove the Dark Mark, the very essence of it would be in his magical core. Severus realised he would have to keep the boy away from temptation and away from the junior Death Eaters.

***

Harry had noticed the surprise Severus had shown at hearing Tidus sorted into Slytherin. Not many people would have noticed it; he only did because he had put in years of "Snape watching," as he and Ron used to call it. He smiled as he remembered he was going to receive a fire call from Ron this evening to tell him all about his first day at Auror training. He was really looking forward to that. He was brought out of his musings when Albus stood up to address the students.

***

Luckily the first of September had been on a Wednesday so Harry did not have to wait too long until the first weekend. He planned to trap Severus in a locked room and not let him out until he had had his wicked way with the man, several times! He had been patient, well behaved and followed the rules of not going down into the dungeons for the first few days as Sev had a lot of Slytherin house duties to take care of. Harry had a physical ed. class to attend to with Severus and he was going to use this opportunity to take advantage. He walked up to the door or Sev's office and politely knocked.

"Enter." So Harry did.

"Professor Snape, I am here for our appointment."

"And on time, Mister Potter, wonders will never cease." Harry frowned at him. "Follow me." They went through the same secure corridors as they always did to get to the workout room. Once they were at the door to the room Harry grabbed Sev by the arm, turned him around and pushed his back against the door (there were only a few inches in height between them now) and brought their lips together fiercely. Harry forcefully ran his tongue along Sev's lips making Severus moan and part his mouth. Harry took full advantage of this opportunity and thrust his tongue inside the inviting mouth. He pushed his body flush against Sev's, giving out his own sigh of pleasure.

He had been dreaming about having this hard body under his hands for over a week now and he wasn't going to let it out of his grasp now. He ran his hands down forcefully over the t-shirt clad chest and pulled it up a little and dropped to his knees, nipping and licking the now exposed abdomen on his way down.

***

Harry said a cleaning charm to make them both presentable again and they both got up.

"I hope you have not expanded all your energy, Potter, we still have a lesson to get through."

"No problem, sir." Harry let out a hiss of pain and pressed the heal of his hand into his forehead.

"Harry?" Severus sounded concerned and he took a step towards Harry to help steady him.

"Its Vold..." Harry never got to finish his sentence because Severus stiffened and grasped his forearm. Harry looked at him with a little fear in his eyes. "Sev, he is happy about something, something important to him."

Severus gave him a strange look. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, go, but be careful." Harry pulled Sev in for a quick kiss. "Come back to me." He whispered.

Sev pulled him in for a fiery kiss, that made Harry want to hang on to him and never let him go. "It will be my first priority, Harry." With that he turned and left. It was getting harder for Harry to watch him go all the time back to that sadistic bastard.

***

After Severus had collected his uniform and cast another cleaning spell on himself to make sure he was completely Harry-essence free, he apparated to Riddle Manor. He went through the process of kneeling at his 'Masters' feet and took his place in the semi-circle and waited for the news of whatever had made the Dark Lord happy.

"My children," he started in his raspy serpentine voice that made Severus want to flinch in revulsion. "The time has come for me to take what is mine and deal a fatal blow to those idiots running our world into the ground. I have come up with a plan to rid us of the plague that is Cornelius Fudge." There was a general murmur of agreement throughout the room. Even Severus had to agree that this was not all bad news. "Severus, step forward." Severus did as he was told and hoped to nine hells that things were still going his way. "You should bask in the glory along with me, as it was you, my most loyal servant, that helped come up with some of the ideas for this plan. Now if only the rest of you could be as half as clever as Severus then my life would be a lot easier. Come, Severus, walk with me."

Severus again did as he was told, secretly laughing his ass off. The look Lucius had just sent him had been pure hatred and jealousy. Severus thought it was such a pity that such a brilliant man was in so deep, he might not have liked Lucius for many years but he could appreciate the fact that once, a long time ago, Lucius had been smart, good looking and magically very strong. Where as now he was a mere shadow of his former self, he was full of hatred and jealousy. Severus did not want this new position within the Dark Lord's ranks, he did not want to be the leading General, but he had had no choice, you just did not turn down a position given to you by the Dark Lord. If you did, you died in a very unpleasant way! Also the new level of information he was privy to was invaluable to Albus.

Severus knew how to play the game well and was almost two steps behind his master with his head slightly bowed down. "Severus, one of my new lackeys at the Ministry has passed on some rather interesting news to me. It seems as if Fudge is having a party at the Ministry in five days time to boost morale." Severus couldn't help it and let out a snort of derisive laughter. "Don't you think it would be a fun time to kill him, just after his little morale boosting party?"

"I can definitely appreciate the irony in that, my Lord."

"Yes, I did rather think you would enjoy that. It is so hard to find people who understand intelligent wit these days." Severus stayed silent, he wasn't sure if the Dark Lord had just paid him a compliment or not. He rather hoped he hadn't, the idea made him uncomfortable, he did not want to be friends with the Dark Lord; it would totally ruin his love life.

"Severus, you are a credit to Slytherin, my house is lucky to have you in its service. So many Slytherins these days are not making the required standard. Take the young Malfoy, if you will, he doesn't even know what side to stand for. Fool, thinking he can play one side off the other. Regardless of what Lucius says I do not trust that child! Enough about that." The Dark Lord said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Tell me, what has been happening at Hogwarts of late?"

Severus had been though everything with Albus a few days ago. They had decided what was safe and what was not, for the Dark Lord to know. Severus was meant to be his spy so therefore he had to hand over something to the Dark Lord or he would grow suspicious. They had learnt years ago that it was best to base all information in fact, so if he did have other spies there would be enough similarities in all stories that hopefully the smaller inconsistencies would be over looked.

"My Lord, as I mentioned before the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor has started."

"Yes, the Vampire. A friend of yours, am I correct?"

"You are, my Lord."

"His loyalties?"

"To himself. He has no political interests."

"Pity, he would have been an interesting ally to have."

"Indeed, my Lord, I have known him since I was a child, and even though he will not join us he will be of no help to Dumbledore. To him Dumbledore is but a mere child."

"That I would like to see, that meddling old fool put in his place by someone older and smarter then he is. What of Potter?"

"He remains at the castle, a virtual prisoner. The ungrateful brat has been complaining that he wants to go out shopping in Diagon Alley. Other than that he has not been up to much, I believe next week he is taking up some courses in business or some such nonsense. The tutors will come to the castle to teach him."

"He is not ours to worry about too much, Bella will see to Potter's downfall. Anything else of interest happening at the castle?"

"Your young escapee, Tidus Dolor, has come to Hogwarts."

"Really, what house was he sorted into?"

"Slytherin."

"Ha! The young fool thought he could escape me? I will no doubt see him at my side again some time in the future." The Dark Lord looked truly amused. "Anything else of note, Severus?"

"Soon I believe that old fool will bring in some reinforcements to the school, no doubt from that silly group he has. I truly believe he is starting to fear you, my Lord." Severus knew it was always good to pump up the evil git's ego a little it made him feel superior.

"Excellent, I am glad to see that old man worry for a change. Now on to my plans," They entered a small room with a map on a table that had been marked in red ink by a quill. "As you can see I have thought this though carefully, in five days time after he has left his silly little party he will travel along this road. This is where we will strike. I will have troops stationed here, here, here and here." Severus looked at the map and read the notes on the parchment he had been handed; he had forgotten what a great tactician the Dark Lord was, it was a good plan. But he needed to create a small hole in the net, an escape route that would not be noticed.

"If I may, my Lord?"

"Of course, Severus, if it were not for your suggestion I would still be focusing all my attention on Potter or low level office workers."

Severus frowned a little, that statement had its good points and its bad. He pointed to where one of the groups of Death Eaters would be stationed. "I would move this group to over there."

"I thought of that but I was worried I would create a hole in my attack force."

Shit! Severus wanted to scream. "Yes, you are correct, my Lord, but it is a small hole and it would tighten up the left flank a little."

"Yes, you do have a point. Fine we will move them." Severus had to sit through a further twenty minutes of strategy talk with the Dark Lord, he could only hope he could remember it all for Albus. "Now, Severus, let's go and inform the others of my plan to kill Fudge." Severus just bowed to hide the disgust on his face at the evil smile he was receiving from the Dark Lord. Severus knew he was the one responsible for offering up Fudge as a victim but he was prepared to live with the consequences if it meant the heat was off Harry for a while.

***

It was the following day and Severus was sat in Albus' office with an irate Fudge. "You expect me to take the word of this traitor?"

"Cornelius, I trust Severus with my life and this information he brings us is real."

"Rubbish! I will never take his word for anything and you are a fool for believing in him."

"Then you are a fool, Minister! The Dark Lord has decided that you are his next target and if you do not heed my words, then you will die!" Severus spat, he was feed up with always being the bad guy, nobody ever trusted his word.

"What Severus says is the truth, Cornelius, and you would be wise to listen."

"I have said it before and I will say it again, I do not trust him or his words!"

"Fine, then die!"

"Severus calm down. Cornelius, you must take this seriously, even if you do not trust us you must take extra security when you leave the party."

"I will do no such thing, You-Know-Who will not come after me, the Minister. All he is interested in is that Potter boy that you are protecting. I am half tempted to give the brat up and broker a deal!"

Severus saw red! "Hell, no!" He spat from anger and fear. "You will not offer up Harry Potter to the Dark Lord..."

"Why do you care, Snape? You have made it no secret that you despise the boy!"

"Minister," he ground out between clenched teeth. "I have risked MY life time and time again to save that boy and I have not done it for NOTHING! He is our best chance, you idiot!"

"Best chance?! Come off it, Snape. The boy has been hiding since he finished school. That boy is no Gryffindor!"

Severus decided he was going kill Fudge and save the Dark Lord the trouble. It wouldn't be that difficult, all he had to do was take out his wand and mutter the Unforgivable words. Hell, he had done it before and he knew if he had to, he could do it again. Harry may be many things but being a coward was not one of them and Severus would not stand for anyone calling him one. Even the Dark Lord didn't call Harry a coward! Severus reckoned Albus saw the murderous glint in his eye because he tried to diffuse the situation almost immediately.

"Cornelius, Harry is very brave regardless of his school house. He has faced Voldemort more times than even I have and lived to tell the tale. We have fulfilled our obligation towards you, we have told you of the danger and we have asked you to take steps to ensure your safety. It is your prerogative to take action or not. Good day, Cornelius." The tone was curt and very obviously dismissive.

"Very well, Albus. As you have said, it is my prerogative. Good day." Cornelius left the office trailed by two of his personal guard.

After a few moments of silence Severus spoke. "We are going to help him aren't we?"

"Of course, Severus. If he is to blind to accept any help, than we are obliged to do it for him."

"Just in case things don't go to plan, please tell me you have someone waiting in the wings to take over as Minister?"

"Oh yes, Severus, and I think even you shall be pleased by my choice." Severus raised an eyebrow in question. "We shall have to wait and see my boy, hopefully my choice shall never be needed, at least not be needed in the case of Cornelius' death. We shall place members of the Order in strategic places and hope that we have enough fire power to help Cornelius escape."

"That will not be easy, Albus, the Dark Lord has many troops on his side and an ever expanding child-army."

"I shall order everyone to use non-deadly curses and to take prisoners, so if any of the ones captured are the children we can hopefully turn them back to our side and give them back their childhoods."

"You are aware, Albus, that I will no doubt be expected to be at the Dark Lord's side?"

"I realise that, Severus, that is part of the reason no deadly curses will be cast."

"Lets just hope Fudge's Aurors are just as generous."

"Oh, I have a feeling they will be. Voldemort is not the only one with spies in the Ministry."

"Of that I have no doubt." Severus said with a smirk.

***

Harry was seated at the Head table next to Nikolai, as this had now become his permanent place. He still found it a little strange to be seated there when he was not a professor, but no one seemed to mind except Draco, of course. Then again, he minded everything Harry did. Harry had been a little shocked that after Severus had returned he had gone to visit Harry first as he had promised, stayed a little while, then he had gone to Albus. What surprised him even more was the fact that Severus had returned after his meeting with Albus and spent the night, after much grumbling about how this was the first time in his life, ever, that he had had to spend the night in a bed from the Gryffindor dorms. Harry had asked Albus if it was possible for him to have the bed that he had spent the last seven years in moved to his quarters, he had agreed.

They hadn't gotten up too much, but Harry didn't mind. It had been nice to cuddle up to and sleep next to him all night, they didn't often get the chance to do that. It was a good thing that they had managed to expel some of their sexual tension earlier in the day, Harry thought with a wry grin, otherwise he would have gotten no sleep at all last night.

"Harry," Nikolai murmured from beside him.

"Mmmm?"

"Are you aware that your hair has changed colour?"

"Uhh?"

Nikolai took out his wand and transfigured a spoon into a mirror and held it up for Harry to look in. Sure enough his hair had changed colour. It was now green with silver stripes and his fringe was all stripy, too. Vanity was not one of his major concerns in life, but he took pride in his hair, it had taken nearly two years to grow it into this desired style of shoulder length, feathered layers. He had only learnt how to control it a year ago, he narrowed his eyes and looked directly at a sniggering Draco and yelled. "Draco Malfoy, what have you done?" It had to be at that moment that Severus and Albus walked in. Severus looked as though he was trying not to laugh; the hall also went very quiet.

"Me, Potter? I haven't done anything to you." Draco drawled back.

"I'll get you for this, Malfoy!"

"Now I'm really scared!" Was his sarcastic reply.

Harry stood up from his chair and gave a very Severus glare at his former school bully. "Oh, you should be Malfoy, this is war!"

"I'm shaking in my boots, Potter."

Harry gave a very evil grin, he could get the twins on his side along with Ron, he reckoned Hermione would even be up for it; she was smart, clever and very devious when she wanted to be. "Oh, you will be Malfoy, you will be." Harry's grin got even more wicked when he saw the uncertain look flash across Draco's face. This could be fun, Harry thought.

Next Chapter: Fudge makes a fatal mistake and Harry remembers Salazar's words.

A really big thank you to everyone that has taken the time to drop me a review, they really do mean a lot to me.

AriadneElda – Thank you. It will be a few chapters time that Harry will find out all about the chamber. Glad you liked the joke about needing Harry's blood.

Athenakitty – Thank you as always – the first one on your list gets it next chapter…lol

Charmed88 – Thanks, glad you like Nikolai – you will find out all about him in time. Each chapter will have a little about him. You pretty much had the sound of it correct, just remember it's Russian and should sound harsh when spoken!

Abinikai – Thank you I am glad that you think I have managed to be a little original with the plot and keep people in character for the most part. I know my sentence structure needs work so I will definitely check out that book. Thanks again.

Pam Briggs – Thanks as always. Real life really can be a pain sometimes…lol I hope you liked Tidus in this chapter as he will be around for a while yet.

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