Disclaimer:This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by J. K. Rowling. No money is being made.

A.N.: Idea for the first few chapters is based on eternal cosmo's 'the world without me'.

I did ask if I could use it and was given permission. That said, if you continue to read my story I hope that you don't expect my story to stay like 'the world without me', though the first chapters are similar, by chapter 10 it will have lost any similarities to it.

Chapter 4 – New Friends

The start of the year feast was unbearably long for Harry. Seeing Hermione sitting at the Ravenclaw table was strange. Ron was also different, even though he was a Gryffindor he appeared to be calmer, he didn't appear to have any confidence in himself and he barely spoke to his colleagues, he faded in to the background. As strange as it may seem the only consolation were the Slytherins, Draco apparently was still the Slytherin Prince and Crabbe and Goyle his body-guards, just like in his world. It was comforting to see that some things never changed.

When the feast finally ended Harry was free to leave. That night was the worst night he had since arriving. Seeing all those faces opened up wounds that weren't completely healed to begin with and the nightmares he had that night were more memories than anything else, he could still hear their screams, see their faces, he was certain that he would remember it till the day he died.

Not being able to go back to sleep he went to his living room where Umbra was sleeping on the couch. The snake had been a good company, she had started to recall all her memories and she was the only one to know the horrors that his world had suffered. Knowing that he wasn't the only one to remember, that he wasn't the only one to mourn for what they had lost helped him keep himself together. He wasn't alone and that, to him, made all the difference.

$ Another nightmare Harry? $

$ I'm sorry. I didn't want to wake you. $

$ It's alright. Let me curl around you and all will be forgiven. $

Harry laughed, Umbra always managed to lift his spirit. He let her curl around him and they spend a few moments enjoying each others company in silence.

$ You know Harry, I think I should always be with you.$

$ You know you can't. People are afraid of you. $

$ Yes, but if I'm not with you how will I keep you safe? How will I take care of you if I'm not with you? It's dangerous for you to be alone, with your luck you will be attacked sooner or later. $

$ Thank you for caring Umbra, but it is impossible for you to always be with me. $

$ I don't care! My place is at your side. You are my master. $

When Umbra said that, the wand that was in Harry's left arm holster shone briefly and Harry felt his arm burn.

"Fuck! What the...?"

He quickly took of his pajama shirt and his wand holster. His forearm was red and something black was appearing on it. It looked like little runes were forming on his forearm, but Harry had never seen runes with similar looks. When he focused he noticed that he was able to read the symbols. Now on his left forearm in black rune-like writings was the word: snake. And Harry instinctively knew what it was, the rune-like symbols were parseltongue in it's written form.

$ What is that Harry? $

$ I have no idea Umbra... $

Umbra always had been a rather curious snake, so she slid from one arm to the other and slithered over the mark. As soon as Umbra touched the mark Harry felt a wave of magic go through his body and in front of his eyes he saw Umbra merging with his skin. It was completely surreal, Umbra's body was slowly merging with Harry's skin, it started with her head and her body went next. When it stopped it looked like Harry had a tattoo of a snake that went from his shoulder almost to his wrist.

$ Umbra? $

$ It's warm here Harry. Can I stay here? $

$ But... Can you come back out? $

$ I think so, yes. Wait a second... $

Harry could see the Umbra tattoo moving, and her head started to appear in the same place where it had started to merge with his skin.

"Awesome..."

$ Does it hurt Harry? $

$ No, I don't feel anything. It's awesome. And I believe we solved our problem. Like that you can go with me everywhere, just like you wanted. $

$ That's right, and now I'm going to sleep. $

And Umbra merged back with his skin. Harry saw her moving around trying to find the position that pleased her the most and in a matter of seconds she was back asleep.

Harry had no idea what had just happened but he didn't really care. Umbra was happy and he couldn't truthfully say that he didn't feel better knowing that she was close to him, and closer than what she was was impossible. The presence of his familiar made him feel safe and so he gave in to his exhaustion and fell asleep.

When Harry woke the next morning it was way past breakfast time, grumbling for having slept for that long he went down to the kitchens to find something to eat.

Having nothing better to do he wandered the castle for a while, until he went by a part that seemed different. At first he couldn't put his finger on what appeared to be so different but then it hit him. He was on the second floor, in front of the girl's bathroom and the difference was that the bathroom didn't look like the one from his world. This one didn't look worn out, nor did this one appear to have a moody teenage ghost haunting it. Suddenly Harry had a brilliant idea. Well he was sure that Hermione would have called it a suicidal idea but that didn't really matter at the moment.

He went into the bathroom and looked for the sink with the snake engraved in it. Having found it he hissed.

$ Open. $

And just like in his world the entrance to the chamber of secrets opened. Without a second thought he slid down the pipe and went straight to the doors that led to the basilisk.

$ Don't look into it's eyes Umbra. Open. $

And with his eyes closed he walked into the chamber.

$ Who dares to disturb my sleep. $

$ I am sorry King of serpents, it wasn't my intention to disturb you. $

$ You speak human? Since I was put in this chamber a thousand years ago that I haven't seen another human that was able to speak our noble tongue. $

$ As far as I know, only myself and another human speak the noble tongue. $

$ I know who you speak of, the heir to my first master. The humans call him Voldemort. $

$ Yes, I know who he is. I'm surprised that he never came down here. $

The basilisk made a sound that could be considered laughing and said.

$ Oh, he tried, but I wasn't left here for the uses he wanted me for. He is only an heir because of the blood flowing trough his veins, nothing more, and that isn't enough to be allowed in to my chambers. You on the other hand, have no Slytherin blood in you and your soul is not from this world. Who are you? $

$ My name is Harry James Potter and this beautiful lady with me is named Umbra. $

For a few moments the basilisk didn't say anything and Harry started to think that maybe it wasn't the most brilliant idea he ever had.

$ Open you eyes Harry. $

$ No offense, but I rather like the fact that I'm alive. $

The basilisk laughed again.

$ I imagine that you do, do not worry, my eyes are shielded by a first eyelid, like that my eyes aren't deadly. $

Harry took a deep breath and opened his eyes. The basilisk was just as he remembered from his second year, beautiful and majestic. He still felt bad about killing it.

$ Don't mourn the death of my other self. You did not have a choice. Your Voldemort had enslaved it's mind. His death set him free and he was grateful. $

$ How come? $

$ Your wand, the one on your left arm, what is it made of? $

$ It's the fang that the other you bit me with, and the core is it's venom. $

$ Correct, but incomplete. His soul also joined you, not all of it of course, but he left a little bit of himself behind. That is what the engravings on your wand mean. He thanked you the only way he could. Of course he also left a little bit of himself in a certain egg. He did it to show you he was grateful. $

Harry felt undeserving of the gift the old basilisk had given him. However he promised himself he would always treasure it. His wand was far more than a wand to him, both of them were far more than mere tools. He wondered if the reason why his holly wand had changed and gained similar engravings was because Fawkes also left part of him behind. He would never be able to thank either of them for what they did for him.

The basilisk lowered it's head so that it was level with Harry's and licked a tear that Harry hadn't even noticed.

$ You might not be the blood heir, but you far more deserving than he ever was. $

Without warning the color of the basilisk's eyes changed and Harry saw his whole life go trough his mind in a matter of seconds, in that exact moment the basilisk bit his hand and Harry was certain that he would die. However he didn't feel any pain. Just as fast as it started it ended, leaving Harry rather dazed.

$ What the hell was that? $

$ I am sorry I did it so suddenly master. But after seeing your life, after seeing what happened... I feel honored to be your familiar. You are now an heir of Slytherin. $

$ What? $

$ My purpose isn't only to protect the chamber of secrets. My purpose is to help the heir of Slytherin to protect Hogwarts. You beat the heir of Slytherin in battle by law his title is yours. Even though you never went against him in this world, the right of conquest doesn't say that it only applies to the world in question, it just says that you have the right to claim it. The title is yours and what I did was the same as the other me did. I created a bond between us, but seeing as I am still alive I had to make you immune to my eyes and my venom. Your eyes will glow a little bit more than normal, but it will only be noticeable when you are channeling more magic. $

$ Oh, I don't know what to say. Thank you for giving me this honor. $

$ The honor is mine master. $

$ Don't call me master, I'm just Harry. What is your name? $

$ I don't have one Harry. $

$ That can't be, you have to have a name... Do you like any in particular? $

$ I never thought about it. I never needed a name. $

$ What about Letifer? $

$ I like it, it describes me rather well too. $

$ Letifer it is then, welcome to the family. $

$ Family? $

$ Of course, you, Umbra, Licentia, Hedwig and me, we are all family. $

$ Family... I like the sound of that. $

$ I will leave the doors open, you can go out hunting if you want to, but please keep hidden, at least for now, people are afraid of dark creatures. And if you could maintain that first eyelid over your eyes I would appreciate it. I really should be going now, I don't want them to go looking for me, but I'll come down here every chance I get. And Umbra can come whenever she wants so the two of you can speak, I can't talk to her in front of other people, they would freak out. At least like that you don't feel lonely. Is that alright? $

$ Of course Harry. I will go hunting now. I will see you later Harry, Umbra. $

$ Bye Letifer. $

As he was going back Harry thought that he had gone better than what he was expecting, much better than what he was expecting. He had a new familiar and if the worst came to pass he had someone who could help him protect Hogwarts, he would never again see his home destroyed.

The month that followed was completely uneventful for Harry, which was a fairly pleasant change compared to what Harry was used to.

Unfortunately he hadn't spent as much time as he wanted with Lily, James, Sirius and Remus. It was understandable, they were busy with classes, Harry was grateful that they spent as much time as they could with him. What did surprise him was that on the morning after the full moon his father, Sirius and Remus were all in the infirmary. Lily later told him that the wolf was particularly aggressive, which should not have happened with the wolfsbane. After some questions he found out that the potion was never invented in this world.

With that in mind Harry anxiously waited for the first Hogsmead weekend so that he could buy all the ingredients he would need for the potion. The weekend started quite well, his parents and godfathers had the weekend free so they could all spend it together. They started by showing Harry the village, it was a bit different for the one in his world but the may stores remained the same. Harry hadn't felt so relaxed in a long time. A weekend spent with family was something he never thought he would have, well at least not with his parents.

Sirius spend a lot of his time trying to slip him firewhisky but Lily always caught him. Throughout the day, while he was having fun with these people that were doing their best so that he felt at home, he couldn't help but wonder if he was betraying those that had died in his world. His Sirius spent more than a decade suffering for a crime he did not commit, his Moony spent more than a decade in solitude, mourning the loss of his pack, his parents never had the chance to walk trough Hogsmead with him and show him their favorite stores. He couldn't help but feel he was betraying them. Although he knew that these people would never take the place of his parents or godfathers he still loved them. Sure they were different, but he loved how this Sirius was so much more open, loved how this Sirius wasn't a broken man. He loved how Moony would be enjoying a quiet moment with him reading a book, and the next was turning his hair pink with a completely innocent face, he loved that this Moony hadn't lost that side of him to years of grief. And James and Lily, it made him so happy that he could hear their voices as more than a memory of the night they gave everything for him. They may not be the ones he had known in his world, but they were still his family, and now that he had them back he would do anything to keep them safe, no matter the cost.

They were already going back to the castle when Harry remembered that he hadn't bought the ingredients at the apothecary. Telling his parents and godfathers that he had forgotten something and that they should keep going that he wouldn't take long he went back to Hogsmead. At least that was the idea. He took far longer in the shop than what he had thought, the shopkeeper was busy with a client and when Harry was finally finished it was already night. And as luck would have it when he was leaving the shop he heard the first scream.

"They were seen! On the road to Hogwarts. They were seen!"

"Who was seen?" he asked the first person he was able to grab.

"The Death Eaters boy!"

"On the road to Hogwarts? Are the students all back?"

"I don't know. I think so, they never stay till this late..."

However Harry's luck struck again and coming from the road that lead to Hogwarts came a terrified scream. Before he could even think about it his body was moving, running in the direction of the scream. Suddenly he felt like laughing, if his Ron were there he would say that it was his 'saving people thing' taking over.

And then he saw them, three people, wearing masks and robes that he knew so well, surrounding a boy that looked no older than sixteen.

And just like that he was in combat mode, it was so fast that nobody would have believed that he spent more than a month doing nothing more than reading. Taking out his basilisk wand he started the attack.

"Lacero!"

And the agonizing screams of a Death Eater filled the night.

"Good evening gentlemen. Maybe it would be a good idea if you left."

Harry wouldn't have been able to say who was more shocked, the Death Eaters or the boy.

"You must have a death wish boy! Do you not know who we are?" asked a voice that he knew very well.

"Oh no... I know perfectly well who you are Lucius, I was just giving you the chance to save your own lives. Now you can't complain if you find yourself on death's door."

Now Harry could see them getting over their shock and starting getting angry.

"Crucio!"

"Come on Rabastan. That is really bad aim lad," Harry mocked him with a large smile on his face, "Now it's my turn..."

And Harry attacked, curses flew from his wand at an incredible speed leaving his opponents with little time to counter-attack and their third member was still on the ground, twitching from the pain, Harry used the opportunity to stun him, leaving him out of the fight for good. The other two Death Eaters used that little opening to move closer to each other, so they could have a stronger defense. Harry only smiled at them.

"Bad choice boys," muttered Harry, "Lacero!" and with a little alteration to the wand movement he changed the range of the spell hitting the two Death Eaters at the same time. Their screams filled the air, and Harry focused his attention on Lucius. Everything he had done was still fresh in his memory, and his screams were giving him a certain satisfaction. But by focusing his attention on Lucius, the curse became weaker on Rabastan's end and with some difficulty he was able to cast a spell.

"Diffindo!"

Harry almost wasn't able to doge the spell, and it still hit him on his right arm making him grunt in pain. But it was enough for the Death Eaters to activate their portkeys.

However Harry still had time to sent a bone crushing curse that hit Lucius on the side making him cry out in agony before they disappeared.

"Fuck," swore Harry looking around for the kid, having lost sight of him during the fight, he saw him standing by a tree, "Hey kid, you alright?"

"That was awesome! You kicked their asses."

Oh no, Harry thought his eyes going a little wide, he knew that voice.

"Ah, I'm Colin, Colin Creevey."

Apparently no matter the world nothing would keep Colin down for long.

"Harry... Look it's better if we go back to the castle."

Unfortunately for Harry, Colin spend every second of their ten minute walk to the castle chatting, Harry was ready to silence him when he saw the castle. For a few moments, when he saw the great doors of the castle he was rather happy, however when he saw the people waiting for them at the doors his happiness evaporated. Standing by the doors that lead out of the castle, looking like they were preparing themselves to go out searching for someone, Harry would bet everything he possessed that it was for Colin and him, were Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape, Mad-Eye, Frank Longbottom, James and Lily Potter, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. Containing a sigh Harry approached them.

"Mr. Creevey what were you doing? Do you know how late it is? We were preparing ourselves to go looking for you."

Harry had seen that look directed at him many times, and he found it rather astonishing that little Colin didn't even flinch from the glare McGonagall aimed at him, it was good to see that a little from the Colin from his world was present in this one as well.

"I'm sorry professor, I got distracted and when I was coming back I was attacked by Death Eat..."

The rest of Colin's sentence was lost. Almost everyone present started talking at the same time and it took Dumbledore a few moments to regain control.

"It's best if we escort Mr. Creevey to the infirmary immediately."

"Oh, no. It's not necessary Headmaster. I'm not hurt. Before they could do anything Harry showed up, dueled the three of them and they ran away. It was awesome. And they could only hit him with one spell and even that one almost missed."

In that moment Harry would have preferred the previous noise to the deafening silence that followed. After what seemed like an eternity Dumbledore spoke.

"Minerva, it's would be best if you lead Mr. Creevey to his common room. We will accompany Harry to the infirmary."

"There's no need... It's just a scratch. I've had worse."

"Harry you will go to the infirmary and that's the end of it."

"Yes mum."

And looking quite put out Harry followed them to the infirmary. They made the walk in silence, however Harry was sure that as soon as they were in safe territory the interrogation would begin, and truthfully he didn't have the patience for it at the moment.

As soon as he arrived he sat on a bet and just like he suspected the silence lasted five seconds.

"What were you thinking?" exclaimed James, looking a little out of it, "You could have been badly hurt."

"Three Harry! Three Death Eaters!"

"You could have died..."

And it continued in the same way for a few moments. Most of them were silent, still Lily, James, Sirius and Remus were making enough noise for all of them. They were so agitated that they didn't even let Poppy heal him. Finally Harry had enough.

"That's enough." Harry told them in a commanding voice that silenced them immediately, "It were only three Death Eaters. They didn't even offer much of a fight, considering who they were I was expecting better, maybe they were just caught of guard. At least I hope that was the reason."

He said that in such a calm and carefree voice that some of those present felt a little relieved, if it was like the boy said then they were probably new recruits which lessened the danger considerably. Dumbledore however had a calculating look in his eyes.

"Harry, you said that you were expecting more of a fight considering who they were, did you recognize them?"

Surprising them Harry laughed.

"Well I have no idea who one of them was, he didn't have the opportunity to say or do anything that would allow me to recognize him. The other two however were quite easy to identify, no matter the world Lucius and Rabastan are unmistakable."

"Excuse me?" Snape couldn't help the question that came out of his mouth. He only knew two Death Eaters with those names, and they were no new recruits.

"Yes professor Snape?"

"Do you mind repeating the names?"

"Lucius Malfoy and Rabastan Lestrange."

"And you are certain that it was them?"

"As I said, I just don't know who the third one was, considering how fast he went down he was probably a new recruit. But I am absolutely certain who the other two were."

"That is all very interesting and all, but I want to see my patient." exclaimed Poppy exasperated and practically forced the others out of her way.

They didn't seem to mind, their thoughts were on what Harry had told them. Every one of them know those names, a none of them would even think about saying that they didn't put on a good fight. They were some of the best in the Dark Lord's ranks. They were part of his Inner Circle, two of his lieutenants. They couldn't believe that a boy had gone against them and won, or at least forced them to retreat.

"Mr. Potter, you will have to take of your shirt, there is a lot of blood."

Those present focused on Harry again, and some of them knowing that Harry was injured were a bit relieved. It wasn't everybody that could go against the Dark Lord's Inner Circle, and knowing that a boy had done so was leaving a few of them quite nervous. Not that they wanted the boy hurt, but they still didn't know much about the boy and thinking that a seventeen year old had that much power and skill left them a bit uneasy.

"Oh, sorry about that Poppy, I forgot. You know, if you were my Poppy you would be glaring at me muttering about me being in your care again. Although this time I spent more than a month between visits." Harry joked while he took of his shirt.

"Oh Merlin, how are you not screaming in pain?"

"It's not so bad Poppy, I've had worse."

"Not so bad? It even nicked the bone!"

Now that the shirt was of they could clearly see the wound on Harry's right arm. It went from his shoulder to a little below his elbow and in some parts they could clearly see the bone and they all agreed with Poppy, how could he not be screaming in pain? Even Moody who was a veteran auror had seen grown men with smaller wounds than that scream in pain and there was the boy, siting on a bed, with a small smile and joking with Poppy. Moody couldn't help but feel a bit of respect for the boy.

Harry may have been joking but on the inside he was cursing his luck. There was a very good reason why he wasn't screaming and behaving like it was nothing. The truth was that as soon as he was hit he had numbed his arm, and had cast a spell to slow the blood flow. He had done it almost subconsciously, it was so ingrained in him from his training and later from the war that it became almost second nature. Still there was no way he would tell them that, he could only hope that they believed he had a high pain tolerance, which he did have, and not ask a lot of questions.

"Take of the rest of your shirt and your wand holsters."

Harry did what he was told without thinking about it and those present almost gaped. Umbra was on his left arm, and to them she looked like a giant tattoo. But that wasn't the only thing they noticed , on his torso was a scar that went from his left shoulder to his right hip. It was really thin but it had a sort of shine to it that made it peculiar, it seemed that it reflected light. And when Harry turned his back to them, so that Poppy could reach his shoulder better, almost every one of them took a step back. On Harry's back was a really realistic looking snake tattooed, it was quite large, taking up almost his whole back, it had brilliant green eyes, and those eyes were looking at them as if they were prey. To their surprise the snaked moved to the side a little and lowered it's head and a big phoenix, that looked a lot like Fawkes, appeared and landed on the snake. Both of the animals looked at them attentively and when they appeared to be satisfied they curled up together and appeared to go to sleep. It was a beautiful work of art, and the animals looked so life like that they half expected them to jump out of Harry's skin.

The first to react was Sirius.

"Those are some great tattoos."

"Hum? Ah, yes... Glad you like them."

"I do like them, but I've never seen a snake like that."

"It's a basilisk."

"And how do you know how a basilisk looks like? They are supposed to be extinct, it's been almost seven hundred years that one was seen." Snape asked, looking quite skeptical. He didn't know what it was but there was something about the boy, about the way he talked sometimes, or moved that reminded him of someone, he just couldn't quite remember who and it was frustrating him to no end.

"I know how a basilisk looks because the first time I saw one was when I was twelve."

Harry's answer left them gaping but before they could ask any questions Poppy poured some potions down Harry's throat and he was rapidly falling asleep.

"Now you can all leave and let my patient rest." Poppy practically ordered.

Knowing Poppy's temper they quickly obeyed, leaving the infirmary with more questions than answers.

Harry woke the next morning in the familiar environment of the infirmary, noticing that Poppy was nowhere to be seen, he quickly cleaned his shirt of the blood it had, repaired the cut, put it on and left without anyone noticing. He was congratulating himself for a successful escape when he came face to face with his parents.

"Harry, we were on our way to see you."

"Hello mum, I'm sorry that I worried you yesterday. But I'm really fine."

"Yes, I can see that. Come let's go have breakfast, you have to get your strength back."

Glad that they were not questioning him, he followed them to the Great Hall, as soon as he entered and heard Colin shout "Harry." he almost went back to the infirmary, almost.

"Hey Colin, everything alright?"

"Yes, come sit with us."

And Colin almost dragged him to the Gryffindor table, where he was quickly surrounded by familiar faces.

"Hello, I'm Ron. Thanks for saving Colin."

"It was nothing."

"Of course it was. I'm Dean. So how old are you?"

"I'm seventeen."

"Really? You're our age. You should go to classes with us."

"There's no need..."

"Of course there is, you're always with the teachers, it must get boring. The first class today is potions, then we have care of magical creatures, after that defense and then transfiguration."

Harry gave in, for a moment he could pretend. For a moment he could pretend that his nightmares were only that, that none of it was real. For a moment he could pretend that he was surrounded by his friends and that war and death were mere words. For a moment he could pretend.

On the head table Harry's behavior was being studied to the smallest detail, they were trying to decipher the mystery that was Harry Potter.

"He may go to classes today," Albus told them, "Keep your eyes open."

Harry went to the dungeons with the Gryffindors. Just like in his world they had most of their classes with the Slytherins.

As soon as Snape came in to the classroom he told them that they would be starting the polyjuice potion and that it would be a project for the rest of the month and their work would be evaluated not only on the finished product but also on each stage that their potion would be by the end of every class they had. That said he promptly told them to start working. After looking over the classroom he saw Harry with the students and told him.

"If you wish you could do a different potion. From what I was told you didn't complete your sixth year."

Some of the Slytherins laughed and Draco looked at him with disdain. It was such a normal behavior that Harry almost smiled.

"Thank you professor, but that won't be necessary. I know the Polyjuice potion quite well."

"And may I know how you know of the potion?"

"Oh? Ah, two friends and I brewed the Polyjuice potion in our second year for the first time."

"Are you saying that Polyjuice was part of the curriculum of the second year?" asked Snape incredulous.

"Merlin, no, nothing like that. My friends and I did the potion ourselves. The professors would never have allowed it if they had known."

Snape was astonished. Making Polyjuice potion as a second year! Why the hell would second years be making polyjuice in the first place? Snape spend the rest of the class observing Harry closely and he noticed that Harry hadn't looked at the instructions even once. Even so when at the end of the class he delivered the potion, Snape was certain that it was the by far the best of the class.

"You must be an excellent potion student." Snape told him and Harry couldn't help but laugh.

"Not really, it's my worst subject actually. But I had to learn some of them, and those that I know I can make them perfectly, I was lucky that polyjuice is one of them."

"Is that so? And what are the others?"

"Nothing special. Pepper-up, Dreamless sleep, Draught of Living Death, Veritaserum, Skel-Grow and a few more."

"Very well. You may go." Snape told him, making a mental note that he had to talk to the Headmaster during lunch.

Harry was with the other Gryffindors waiting for the professor of the Care of Magical Creatures. It was strange to have that class without Hagrid, and besides this was the only professor that he didn't know. He knew the man was named Mark Dracy but nothing more. After five more minutes the professor arrived and started the class. To Harry's surprise they were going to talk about hippogriffs and the professor had brought Buckbeak. At the beginning he was quite happy about it, but it became apparent that the professor had no idea what he was talking about, at least Harry thought so. He spend the whole time calling Buckbeak a creature, and telling them that they were violent beasts with no intelligence. With every insult Harry could see Buckbeak become more agitated until it attacked the professor. Panic spread trough the students and the professor was frozen in place, before it could get out of hand Harry intervened, he stepped in front of Buckbeak and bowed. After a few tens moments, where both the students and teacher held their breaths, Buckbeak bowed back and Harry moved closer to him, petting his neck, where his Buckbeak liked it.

"Hey boy, it's good seeing you again." Harry mutter under his breath.

Buckbeak just looked at him with big intelligent eyes and let Harry continue to pet him.

"Get away from it immediately. That beast is dangerous, didn't you see that it almost killed me?"

"Killed you? He didn't even touch you. Besides, it was your fault, you were the one insulting him."

"How could I have possible insulted the creature?"

"And you consider yourself a Care of Magical Creature professor? Completely ridiculous."

"Listen here boy..."

"My name is not boy. I believe we are at the end of class. Maybe it's best if you go back to the castle."

The professor sneered at him, let out a sound that could pass as a growl and marched back to the castle, some students following him. Harry didn't pay him any mind and continued to pet Buckbeak.

"I'm sorry about him Buckbeak. Some humans just aren't worth it, you know? Do you wanna go flying?"

Buckbeak turned around a little so that Harry could climb to his back.

"Great, let's go boy..."

And the next moment Buckbeak took of, beating his powerful wings, and Harry laughed enjoying the felling of freedom he had every time he was flying. If it were up to him he would spend all his time up in the sky, with no concerns, simply enjoying the freedom he felt, the peace it brought him.

"Did you see that?" asked Seamus his voice filled awe.

"He's flying on a hippogriff." exclaimed Ron looking at the sky shocked.

"That's so awesome. The guy must be a Gryffindor." Dean stated, he to looking at the sky.

Harry couldn't stay with Buckbeak very long, it was almost lunch time and he was quite hungry. Saying good-bye to Buckbeak he went to the Great Hall where he sat next to Sirius.

Unfortunately luck was not on his side, and that professor wanna be from care of magical creatures took a seat on his other side. Harry was doing his best to not pay attention to what he man was saying, but it was becoming harder by the minute. He was saying that they should execute the beast that had attacked him and Harry had no wish whatsoever to listen to his ranting. Unfortunately for Mark, Harry heard the last part of his ramblings.

"... I think they should all be put down. Half-breeds included, werewolfs are a danger to our society, they should round them up and put them down like rabid dogs."

So fast that they could hardly see his movements Harry had stood up, yanked Mark out of his chair and had his wand pointed between Mark's eyes. The entire great hall froze on the spot. When Harry spoke his voice was just a little above a whisper, but everybody in the hall could hear him clearly and nobody could stop the shiver that went down their spine.

"Give me a good reason why I shouldn't put you down like a rabid dog."

"What do you think you are doing?" screamed Mark, not taking his eyes of his wand, "I'm your professor, I demand respect. If you don't lower that wand right now, I'll make you spend great part of your life in Azkaban. I guaranty it."

Harry just smiled at him, and those that saw that smile felt their blood freeze.

"What do I think I'm doing? I believe it's quite obvious: I am threatening to put you down like a rabid dog. You are not, never were and never will be my professor. And my respect isn't something I give just because you demand it. And I guaranty you that I do not need my wand to deal with you. But I suppose I can indulge you, I can put this wand down..."

And with the same speed as before he put his phoenix wand away and took out the basilisk one. Everybody could feel the difference, the temperature dropped several degrees and a soft green light surrounded Harry, and those at the head table that were the closest to him could feel it's oppressing power.

"You shouldn't have asked me to put the other wand away. I'm still waiting for a good reason..."

"Harry, maybe you should calm down..."

"Sirius, if I weren't calm he would already be dead. Besides it would be better to remove him from the castle."

"Excuse me, but you do not have the authority to expel people from my castle."

"It is not your castle Dumbledore, and I didn't think you liked to have Death Eaters teaching your students."

"What do you mean?"

"Yes, what do I mean Mark?"

"You are crazy! Crazy. I'm going to send you to Azkaban..."

In the blink of an eye Harry had put his wand away, grabbed Mark's right arm and twisted him around so that Harry was at his back preventing him from moving. With his free hand he grabbed Mark's neck, with enough force to make it difficult for him to breathe but not enough force to choke him. He whispered in his ear, only those by the head table able to hear him, leaving most of them in cold sweat.

"I don't have a clue where you got the idea that Azkaban would be able to contain me, besides I already lived in hell on earth, I lived trough all my worst nightmares, trust me, Azkaban would be nothing more than a vacation for me." speaking louder he added, "Pull his sleeve up."

Sirius was the closest to them and he obeyed without a second thought. He didn't know why but he knew that disobeying would not be an option, he had no wish to have Harry's anger directed at him, even if he deep down knew that Harry would never hurt him, all his instincts were screaming at him to do what Harry had said.

And there, for them all to see was the Dark Mark.

"You are the one who should be put down like a dog." Harry sneered, his eyes blazing with anger. He knew that there was something wrong with the bastard he just wasn't able to put his finger on what, until he had touched him. As soon as he touched him he could feel Voldemort's magic, to weak and to close to be anything else but the Dark Mark. That was what had felt off to him, he could feel the familiar magic, but it was to weak for him to identify it.

"Alastor, please escort Mr. Dracy to the school gates."

"Wait a second, that's all you are going to do to him?"

"Being marked isn't illegal. If they are not caught red handed there is nothing we can do."

Harry couldn't contain his laughter. They were practically handing Tom the victory on a silver platter. Why don't they give themselves up while they're at it.

"Completely ridiculous. It isn't enough that you let him say shit like that but on top of that you let them walk around free."

"Having tattoos isn't a crime, otherwise you would be in trouble." Snape told him with his usual sneer.

Harry just smiled at him and replied, "Yes, but I didn't have to torture and kill a child to have mine." and with that turned his back on them and left the great hall.

The great hall was in turmoil. The events provoked by Harry had left them all shocked but not all for the same reasons.

Snape was shocked, a state that he found himself more often than he liked since Harry Potter arrived. The way the boy moved wasn't normal for a seventeen year old. Aside from that, he was sure that the boy would have killed Mark if he wasn't in the great hall, it was there in his eyes for all to see, the boy was a killer. He couldn't help but wonder what kind of world trained a seventeen year old to be a killer.

"Headmaster, today during class Potter said that he was a horrible potion students but that there were some potions that he knew how to make perfectly and that he would be able to do them almost blindfolded."

"And what potions are those?"

"Polyjuice, Pepper-up, Dreamless sleep, Draught of Living Death, Veritaserum, Skel-Grow and a few more he said," Snape informed him, well aware that everyone at the table was listening, "Those are not easy potions to make Albus, and Veritaserum? You can't brew it without Ministry permission and Polyjuice is also a controlled substance. Why would a seventeen year old boy need all that, and he had to be younger when he started to brew them, he only turned seventeen recently."

"That is a really good question Severus. James, Sirius he will be going to your class today, won't he?" seeing both men nod he asked, "What will the class be about?"

"We are going to talk about the Unforgivables, and show how the imperius curse works. Remus is going to assist us, he is the only one that can fight of the imperius even a little."

"Very well. Keep a close eye on Harry, see the reactions he has, it may reveal more about him."

When they were on their way to defense Remus joined them.

"I want it to be known that I don't agree with Albus." Remus declared looking at his friends.

"And do you think I agree?" James said looking fierce, "He is my son!"

"But you have to admit... Did you see the way he dealt with Mark? He appeared to be used to that kind of situation, used to be the one in control. He doesn't behave like a normal teenager, to be honest I want to know more about him."

James and Remus both agreed with Sirius, they just didn't believe that this was the best way to go about it.

When they arrived to their classroom Harry was already there reading a book. They did not have the chance to speak to him before the students started to arrive. Both the Slytherins and the Gryffindors stayed away from him. The Slytherins were looking at him with interest and had a calculating look in their eyes. The Gryffindors on the other hand were looking at him with fear and respect. However both houses shared the opinion that maybe it was best to keep a safe distance for the moment.

The three professors sighted and started the lesson.

Just like they were expecting the students were excited when they learned that they would be talking about the Unforgivables, but Harry didn't even look up from his book, but they could see he wasn't reading, he was just turning the pages looking a little bored, he didn't appear to be interest in the Unforgivables even the slightest bit.

The three friends shared a look and started talking about the curses. They began with the 'Cruciatus' and then the 'Avada Kedavra', leaving the 'Imperius' for last. The students thought that that was the less dangerous one, seeing that Sirius started to describe what some people had done while under the curse and many students paled, until someone asked the question they were waiting for.

"And is there no way to break the curse?"

"That is a very good question." James told the student with a small smile, "and yes there is a way to break it, but usually only one in a hundred people are able to."

"I bet that any pure-blood can break the curse." Draco Malfoy declared with is nose in the air sneering at the Gryffindor side of the room. All three professors noticed the small smile on Harry's face when he heard Draco. Not knowing what to make of it they continued.

"Are you sure Mr. Malfoy?" asked Sirius looking unusually somber.

"Of course, pure-bloods are naturally superior."

"Imperio."

The next moment Draco was going around the room doing pirouettes much to the Gryffindors delight.

"As you can see, your blood doesn't matter. What matters is your strength of will." having said that Sirius canceled the curse.

They spend a few more minutes showing the students what it was like to be under the curse, however none of them seemed to be able to even fight it a little. The class was almost over when they noticed Harry rocking back and forth on his chair with a bored look on his face and not appearing to be paying attention. All three had the same idea, Sirius pointed his wand and without warning cast the curse.

"Imperio."

The next moment Sirius flew trough the room and hit the blackboard with some force.

"Oh, fuck." Harry exclaimed and before anyone could react he was already rushing to Sirius's side. James quickly dismissed the students and joined him, followed by Remus.

"Sirius, I'm sorry, are you ok?"

"I'm fine kid, really."

"I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to. I really didn't mean to. I'm sorry."

And not giving them time to say anything Harry was out the door, leaving all three of them looking at the door he had just been trough.

"Maybe we should go after him." mutter James looking at his two friends.

They found him on the first floor by a balcony looking at the forest. Harry noticed their presence and turned to look at them.

"I'm sorry Padfoot, I would never hurt you, none of you. I would rather die than seeing something happening to you. I know that you are not them. You are not my Prongs, nor my Padfoot or my Moony. How could you be? You did not have their lives, but it is like I have a part of them back and I am not going to let anything happen to you. I'm not going to lose you again."

And for a reason they did not understand Harry whistled.

"Harry, it wasn't your fault."

"Sirius shouldn't have done that..."

"I was always impulsive, besides I'm alright, see?"

Harry smiled at them, turned his back to them and jumped of the balcony.

Time seemed to move in slow motion, the three of them saw Harry jump and felt their hearts stop, suddenly time moved at normal speed again and they rushed to the edge of the balcony, but before they made it a hippogriff flew by and to their astonishment Harry was on it's back.

"Go Buckbeak!"

They heard him scream and they saw the hippogriff go in to a dive and they heard Harry scream and laugh. After a few moments they were out of sight.

The friends let out a breath that they hadn't realized they had been holding.

"The kid will end up giving me a heart attack."

"But you have to admit James, the kid has style." Sirius told him, and he had a little smug smile on his face.

Remus couldn't help it, he laughed. It was true they didn't know anything about his previous life, they didn't know how strong he was, they didn't know what brought him to this world, but that didn't matter. What mattered was that he was there now, and that he was without a doubt their boy.

A.N.: Well Harry's temper is back and they are learning a bit more about him. Hope you liked it :)