Back! I apologize it took so long but with school and such... well, you get the idea.

Also, some thanks-

Dalou28- Salut! Je suis etudie francais un peu, aussi! Not much, but it's awesome. Thanks for reading. To answer your question about Hagrid and why he doesn't know that Serepious doesn't like rats, well, he does know that he doesn't have the regular eating habits of a snake and is just confused by it, that's all. Hope that clarifies it...

duj-Thanks for reviewing! You're probably right, a snake's body is too sinous for a leash, but that's why i established that this was a magical leash. This is Hagrid we're talking about, he teaches Care of Magical Creatures. You have to be prepared.

StoogegirlSilva- Thanks again! You never fail to review my fic! you're my favorite!!! Thanks for the typo alert, I have to start using spell check! Hope you got my message too, that would clarify many of your questions.

RhiannonVega -thanks for the review!!


Chapter 7: Saved by the Snake

Harry spent the next day focusing on ignoring Hermione, something that proved very difficult to achieve. On top of that, there was also avoiding tricky conversations with Ron, and trying to stay awake during classes. Nightmares kept him up and sleep deprived. That and the fact that Hermione caged a giant python next to his bed.

By now he was in potions, which he found explicably easy and serene. Without Snape constantly insulting him, the pressure was off. Once he completed his potion, without disturbances, he delivered it to the substitute, Professor Lynch.

"Very good, Mr. Potter. This looks about right," she commented, accepting his vial. Harry's mood lifted considerably, and he turned to rejoin Hermione and Ron. As he turned back, she added, "You know, you're mother was very excellent at potions, I'm told. Looks like you have some of her talent." Harry swallowed and smiled.

That was truly a first.

"Thanks," he said quietly and returned to his seat. Hermione was beaming at him, probably trying to make up for the other night. He accepted the gesture and whispered in her ear, "If she only really knew."

"No, Harry. I bet you're actually really good at potions, you just never had the chance to be until now!"

"She's right," Ron agreed. Harry smiled inwardly at his friends compliments. He reminded himself that he had to remember that they were all he had; he should never have taken them for granted.

"Thanks," he mumbled.

"Class dismissed," Professor Lynch announced, and they gathered their books. Gryffindors and Slytherins filed outside the classroom, and somewhere in the mix Harry found himself quickly being separated from Hermione and Ron by a group of rough Slytherins.

"I'll meet you later," Harry called as more Slytherins shoved him out of their way. He glared at Crabbe and Goyle as tey shouldered past him. "I'm going to the bathrooms." They nodded and were swept away in the current of gold and green. Harry quickly squeezed himself in the opposite direction-anything to get away from the crowd. For some reason, he was feeling quite claustrophobic and thought that some space would help.

The hall of the dungeon was emptying fast, no one liked to linger there. Harry lurched foward as someone banged into his shoulder, hard. The person strode ahead of him, then whirled around; it was Draco Malfoy. Harry felt his whole body tense as he braced himself. He learned from experience that being in the presence of Malfoy meant anything could happen.

"Well, well, Potter," he spat, a furious sneer on his face. Harry said nothing. "I bet you loved that, didn't you?" It all sounded terribly familliar.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Harry said stiffly. Inwardly he sighed.

"Now that Snape's gone, you're the favorite, huh? But I guess you're used to that kind of treatment. Expect it, don't you?" Oh, was that it?

He's jealous, Harry thought, amused but wary. Now that Snape's away he's no longer the favorite. No special treatment for any Slytherins, let alone him...

"Now that Snape's gone everyone is treated fairly," Harry stated edgily.

"Nothing's fair when the great and famous Potter has his way!" The sleek, blond boy snarled. " 'Looks like you have some of your mother's talent.' Looks to me like all you've got is her filthy mudblood blood!" White hot fury rose to the surface for Harry. Malfoy crossed the line. He whipped out his wand, but Malfoy was already a step ahead of him, he planned it from the beginning.

"Expelliarmus!" he shouted and Harry's wand flew from his hand. It was really unfair, he knew he would never be beated by Malfoy in a fair duel. Wandless, Harry stood there, fury still surging through his boiling blood. He eyed his wand, but didn't dive for it.

Malfoy looked gleeful. He smirked and took a step closer, raising his wand.

"So you're going to attack me, wandless?" asked Harry. "I guess it's the only was you can duel me while still having a chance." Malfoy scowled.

"I've finally got you where I want you, Potter," Malfoy said, and paused. For a few awkward seconds the two boys stood glaring at one another. Malfoy was clearly waiting for resistance.

"So?" Harry asked. Malfoy's face contorted in hate when he saw Harry wasn't going to make a move.

"You think you're so much better than everyone else, Potter!" Malfoy shouted, pointing his wand at him. "Because you have your mother's filthy mudblood! Stupe-" Harry hadn't flinched, but close his eyes and made a mad dash for his wand. Hopefully Malfoy would miss and Harry would regain his wand back. But Malfoy's words caught in his throat and Harry was on the ground, his hand closing over his wand. He opened his eyes, and a great black Serpent reared in front of him, turned towards Malfoy.

Harry could hardly trust his eyes. Serepious the snake was bearing it's frightening looking fangs at his arch-enemy, hissing a low, threatening warning. Malfoy turned even whiter and more pale than he normally was, if possible. He screamed and darted past them. If Harry wasn't so overcome with shock and anger, he would have laughed histerically.

The Snake turned to Harry, and their eyes met until Harry looked away.

"Thanks," he muttered. There was a muffled sound as the snake slid it's jet black, muscular body past him. When he looked back, he just saw it's tail disappear around the corner.

It saved him.

What was it doing in the dungeons anyway? The dungeons were bitterly cold, much too chilly for a cold-blooded reptile...

Was it following him?

Looking out for him?

Harry remembered all the moments where his life had been on the line, and he caught sight of a scaly black tail slipping out of sight.


Thats it! R&R

Random (or not) Side Story of the Day

Bad news...

I can't post a double chapter today!!!

I'm SO sorry! runs away crying I hate disappointing people!

Please dont throw flaming peanuts at me (