Hey it is another chapter up! Thanks to everyone who has been reading and especially those who have been reviewing (seriously though, I jest, I take no favorites). There are just a few short chapters left before things start to change in this story and I'm really enjoying plotting it all out! Hope you enjoy!

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Harry was swimming, everything around him was warm like bath water. He could hear voices just above him, unrecognizable and unimportant. He wanted to tell them to go away, to be quiet but he was too heavy as though he had swallowed rocks and sank to the bottom of the prefects bathroom pool. Just thinking about it made him feel as though he were suffocating, dimly Harry fought against his robes that had bundled up about him and slowly the room came into was lying in the hospital wing, there were no robes after all it was the sheets that had drawn up tightly over him. Disoriented and hot Harry struggled to sit upright- what was he doing here?The library, he had definitely been there and with Cronk. That was when his scar had begun to hurt. Harry closed his eyes finding even the memory made him feel dizzy with remembered pain. His scar had flared to life and he had felt it, white hot jubilation, before he had fainted. The voices at the end of the hall had stopped. Professor Dippit had noticed that he was awake and had swept to the bottom of his bed leaving Dumbledore staring grimly after him by the door. Harry's eyes remained on Dumbledore until professor Dippit reached him. Harry made a motion to sit up but Dippit dismissed it with a flick of his hand, " Goodness no boy, don't sit up for me, you may have sustained a head trauma!" Harry blinked at him, for a moment flabbergasted, still searching in vain with his eyes for his wand.

"Harry, there is no need to excite yourself, we are just here to make sure that you are all right."

Harry felt a jolt of annoyance at the patronizing expression on Dippit's face. He would have traded a sack of his own galleons for this man to go away while he was so disoriented. Wishing he had something more clever to say, Harry bit back his dislike and lied through his teeth, "Thank you professor, I appreciate it." Resisting the urge to run his had across his scar Harry settled back into his pillows, "What happened, how did I get here?"

Professor Dippit gave him a sympathetic if wearied look, as though he didn't much like standing by a sick bed. "Mr. Riddle found you and informed Mrs. Twittlebud. She is the of course, the matron nurse on duty here."

Harry nodded feeling somewhat pleased that Tom hadn't simply left him there to die. He would have to thank him later. Harry looked back at professor Dippit who was still staring at him with that expression of mingled concern and unease and Harry realized he really ought to offer an explanation. "I'm sorry professor. I was up so late last night studying, I must have dozed off, slid out of my chair and hit my head on the floor." He paused and pretended to look embarrassed feeling as though he were laying it on thick. To his surprise professor Dippit didn't seem to think so at all. "I see, well, there is no need to be ashamed Harry, I'm sure you were not our library's the first victim of drowsiness." He paused for a benign smile. "It is only lucky that Mr. Riddle found you! I must make a note to award him five house points when I see him next. Surely you won't disagree Harry!"

Harry grinned awkwardly before asking what was really on his mind, "Well, you know, I'm feeling just fine, would it be ok for me to go back to the common room and er, take a nap?"

Professor Dippit looked as though he was of half a mind to say no but Dumbledore, who had been silently watching them stepped in, "As Harry here does not look as though he is in any immediate danger of collapse, why don't we send him to bed Armando?"

Dippit considered this briefly, "Right then, toddle off to bed Mr. Potter and mind you, no studying!" Harry took great care when he stood to disguise the lasting dizziness he still felt, knowing that the modern Dumbledore knowing more about his scar would most certainly would have held him in the hospital wing for a day before releasing him. Because he most certainly had not fallen asleep. He hadn't passed out because his head had hit the floor either.

"Thank you professor." The moment Harry was out of the door and alone in the corridor he let the plastered smile slip from his face. He felt shivery and suddenly afraid. He had never been so alone, without anyone to consult about his scar. With a sinking feeling Harry recalled that Tom had found him. Surely wouldn't buy the falling asleep and hitting his head story?

"Catalyst." The portrait hole admitted him into the common room. The fire was crackling and clusters of students had gathered to finish essays, the babble of talk was low and soothing. Harry was so happy to be out of the common room that he felt almost as though he had come home. It was his first pang of loyalty for the Slytherin space and it surprised him. Perhaps his rightful house was Gryffindor but hadn't the hat wanted him here, in the dungeons from the start? For a moment Harry imaged what his life might have been like if he had been sorted into Slytherin instead in his first year but found that he couldn't. There was too much bad blood between himself and those modern day Slytherins. But here, where no one knew his name? He could be at home here.

Harry threw himself into an armchair by the fire, and slung his bag onto the floor. He wasn't sure how long he sat there, staring into the flames, feeling both lousy and ill. The last thing he remembered was closing his eye, just to rest them before sleep took him.

At some point he began to dream. He was watching a show and on the stage, rather than actors there stood a row of seals performing elaborate tricks. Each seal balanced a ball with professor Dippit's face on it. High up above the stage and framed by the red velvet cushions was Dumbledore, looking down with that same grim expression. He awoke, disturbed.

The common room was silent and the fire low. He wondered how long he had slept. Standing up, he just noticed Tom sitting in a chair in the far corner. He looked up as though he had sensed Harry watching him and offered a hollow smile and murmured softly, "I wondered when you were going to wake up."

Harry rubbed his sore back wishing he hadn't slept for so long sitting up. He could feel Tom's gaze and he remembered that if it hadn't have been for Tom, he might still be out cold on the library floor. "Thanks, for earlier," he started 's mouth twitched in the direction of a smile. Harry had the distinct feeling that Tom had been expecting this, had perhaps had even known that he would falter uncomfortably. It was a little unnerving. Harry swallowed hard, willing himself to remember that Voldemort was only sixteen. Dangerous certainly, but not yet that slit eyed monster he would become.

"Did you expect me to leave you there?" Tom's eyes were bright as though he found this nearly amusing.

Harry chose not to answer this honestly and smirked instead. In fact the sleep had not left him drowsy but alert and he felt perhaps emboldened by the low fire light, as though he had been removed from the rest of the world. "Tom?" Tom looked back up from his reading, a finger holding his place, "You probably figured out who killed the snake."

Tom blinked in surprise and muttered calmly and softly" I have my suspicions."

Harry had expected this. "Who was it?"

Tom hesitated, his dark eyes unfathomable, "I couldn't say for sure of course," he closed the book in his lap, "I have your word you won't repeat it to anyone?"

It was as though the blood had ceased it course through Harry's body and he was trapped in that dark handsome stare, "Of course not."

Tom smiled in a mournful sort of way, "If I had to fathom a guess, I would say it was Grodisius Malfoy."

Harry felt his happiness fade away. Malfoy? Who always seemed so terrified of Tom? Harry hardly knew what to think except that Tom was lying to him. His excitement was replaced by resentment. "If you don't want to tell me you can just say so."

Tom's pale face flickered for a moment before he laughed, perhaps the most open laugh Harry had heard yet. "You seemed convinced enough."

Harry grinned, suddenly aware they were alone in the common room, "Yeah, convincing until the end.

Tom sat back, surveying him in that intent way he did when Harry was impertinent. "Where did I loose you?"

"I believed you until Grodsisius Malfoy, the rest was all very good but Malfoy's a coward."

Tom shrugged noiselessly. "You are a fast observer Harry."

Harry didn't know what to say to this so he persisted. "If it wasn't Malfoy who was it? I wasn't lying when I promised not to tell."

Tom took him in for a moment, "I suppose you would believe me even less if I told you it was Morgana Myrtle?" Tom was watching him, "You may not remember but you met her on your first day trying to find your way to class."

Harry blanched. He couldn't mean Moaning Myrtle? Suddenly as though watching a film he recalled the stuttering girl he had stopped for a course schedule on his first day. Was it possible that he had simply not recognized her, smiling and whole and no longer transparent?

Harry tried to picture the moping girl he knew killing animals and found it made very little sense" Why?" he asked aloud.

Tom smiled somewhat appreciatively but did not speak. Harry looked up at him vaguely angry and annoyed that Tom wasn't telling him what he wanted to know. Tom smiled, obviously reading the look of disbelief in his eyes and his smile became a smirk. "Just trust me Harry."

Harry rubbed his nose, trying not appear bothered, "Did you ever go to Slughorn? Tell him about it?"

"Yes, I mentioned it to him." Harry nodded, somehow sure if he asked Slughorn he would know nothing about it. Still, it seemed to him that whoever had killed the snake might have known something about the chamber of secrets. Harry broke out of his chain of though. He would have to ask Slughorn about it the next day. Tom seemed to have noticed that Harry had fallen into thought because he called Harry back by saying. " Don't think about it Harry, the situation is under control I promise you."

Harry gave a small nod, "Ok, I wont think about it again."

Despite this promise, that night as Harry was falling asleep he spent a long time staring at the top of his four poster, thinking of ways he might be able to have a private conversation alone with Slughorn the next day.

The next morning dawned, cold and windy. The sky was a bitter, fall blue. Not for the first time he was roused by a loud and angry commotion in the dormitory. This was not so out of the ordinary and Harry was coming to rely upon it as something of an alarm clock. Most of the other boys in his dorm seemed to feel the same way. Nobody ever bothered to tell Malfoy not to pick on red headed boy, and Harry had learned to just ignore it. Pulling back his hangings he saw the rest of the boys in his year pulling back their own blankets and hangings. Every bed had opened except from one.

Tom's bed had already been vacated. He was always up later and up earlier. Harry didn't know how he did it but it spoke of his need to avoid detection and the price of sleep it must be costing him was high.

Harry didn't think about this though, as he had other things on his mind. He had made up his mind to talk to Slughorn, to talk him into telling him about the night that the snake disappeared. He had the whole of potions first period to work out a way.

Harry dragged himself out of bed and dressed hastily. He sat in the great hall tense and anxious formulating the beginning of his plan when his eyes trailed off to a girl sitting quietly, reading her text book, only her glasses and hair visible. Feeling sick Harry stood and decided that he would go to the classroom early, perhaps that would inspire a plan.

Harry reached the classroom, the first to stand in line outside it's doors. Only subconsciously aware of what he was doing Harry withdrew his wand and opened the door. He let them fall shut behind him. The classroom was empty, yet lit and ready for the students that would be arriving any moment. Harry moved quickly to Slughorn's office door and was about to knock when he heard voices from inside.

"Of course, you passed with flying colors on your last test. I think that it is hardly necessary that you worry about this one." Harry turned to wait outside, disappointed. He would have to approach Slughorn later. In Slughorn's office another voice began to protest and Harry stopped.

"But professor, you know how important it is that I keep my grades up." Harry turned around to face the door disbelievingly. The voice was smooth and charming and Harry laughed to himself. He highly doubted Tom had ever been in any danger of letting his grades slip. What on earth was he doing?

" Tom really, what a perfectionist." Professor Slughorn chuckled indulgently. Harry had the sudden image of Slughorn heavy handedly patting Tom on the shoulder. As though he could see through walls he watched Tom smile back modestly.

"Nothing you have to say, professor is unnecessary. You don't have to be a perfectionist to think so," came Tom's voice quietly. Once again it was eerie how convincing his lies were, preying on Slughorn's ego.

"Oh Tom, you'll go places you know." Slughorn chortled, "Go on know, you should be outside when the rest of your class gets here." Harry heard a chair slide back and footsteps approaching. Harry wrenched himself away from the door prepared to run back when Tom spoke again.

" Oh professor, may I ask you a favor?" Harry stopped,, sure he ought to go back outside but knowing that Tom was likely about to give away the real reason for his visit. Harry turned prepared to sprint when an idea hit him. It was simple and risky, yet what better way to cover up his eavesdropping. "Yes Tom?"

Harry reached out and knocked on the door three times.

The voices halted as he knocked on the door. Harry heard the footsteps and a draft tousled his hair as the door was opened.. Slughorn stood blocking the majority of the doorway and upon recognizing Harry's face began to grin. He opened the door wider and said loudly, " Harry! how good to see you, come in, come in now."

Harry was thankful for the loud and dominant welcome and stepped inside." Tom's look of surprise was immediately replaced by a clam but searching one. So calm it was almost as though he had been expecting him to show up. In fact it made sense. Tom might have come down to be in professor Slughorn's office so that when Harry came, he would be there to stop him form discovering anything. Harry hadn't been very clever the night before in hiding his curiosity. Professor Slughorn had turned and was shuffling around behind his desk, past the fezzes, shelves of potions and various tacky ornaments and knickknacks. His office reminded Harry of a somewhat careless version of Dumbledore's modern headmaster office.

" What was it you wanted Harry?"

Harry took a deep breath praying his luck would carry. "Oh it's nothing really, I just figured as I've been here a week now I might come in an ask how I am keeping up."

He tried his hardest not to wince and to his great surprise professor Slughorn nodded appreciatively and smiled widely.

"Now Harry," Professor Slughorn wagged his finger in his direction, "you are one of my better students." Harry smiled wearily and was surprised to find that Slughorn was biting his lip and looking apparently overwhelmed. He looked to Tom and then to Harry. "You two boys! You are the only students who have approached me about actual schoolwork since the incident with that snake!"

Tom smirked moving fluidly to Harry's side, "I'm sure if Harry has any trouble with school work he will come to me."

Harry grinned as openly as he could " Of course I would." He and Tom exchanged looks mirthless gratitude. He took the moment to ask nonchalantly. " So, people have been asking you about what happened that night?"

Professor Slughorn nodded solemnly. "Of course, disturbing thing like that, and it was such a beautiful snake. Cost me more than I care to admit."

Tom shook his head. " I just don't understand who would do such a thing."

Harry followed suit by signing, "You don't have any idea who might have done it?"

Slughorn shook his head." I was at dinner when it happened and then Lestrange asked me to walk with him early, he wanted to talk to me about something." Harry saw Tom's eyes flicker curiously. "I only heard when you did what had happened. A break in, in my very own office."

Tom stroked the desk before him, "Quite an invasion of your personal pace professor, I wonder, what time did you come back from dinner?" Tom had that same controlled look he seemed to exhibit when he wanted ton know something rather badly. Harry wondered what this news about Lestrange could possibly mean to him.

Professor Slughorn opened his wobbly mouth to respond when there was a crashing sound that wrung through the room next door, vibrating through the stone walls. Harry jumped, Slughorn rose to his feet and opened the door. He stuck his head out and immediately began to yell at a student who had come early and had misplaced their cauldron, causing it to collide with the hard cold floor.

Harry leaned toward Tom and without wasting a minute began to whisper. " What was that?"

Tom stared at him, " A student I would imagine."

"No, that bit about Slughorn and Lestrange, did it mean something to you?" The irony that he was now working with Tom to discover secrets was not lost on him.

Tom shrugged, " I don't see a way to get him to tell us anything right know. There isn't enough time."

Frustrated Harry looked about the room to watch Slughorn when a bottle caught his eye. The idea was ludicrous, foolish even.

"What if we could find out today?"

Tom scoffed, "Slughorn has a way of forcing you to find the perfect moment."

"Then lets make one." Harry still hadn't torn his eyes off the wall.

Tom was watching him now perplexed and somewhat skeptical, "How?"

"I've just had a very bad idea."

Harry was staring at the bookshelf in front of him. Tom followed his focused gaze toward the shelf. The front row was filled with red and clear potions. There was a tag in faded and lovely manuscript.

Amorentia

Love Potion

Tom snorted, "That is a bad idea Harry." Even as Harry watched he felt Tom's eyes slip from his face to the half finished cup of coffee on Slughorn' desk, unprotected and almost blatantly calling to them and watched him a small half jeering smirk form.

Slughorn had left the office to help tidy the mess in his classroom. "Why?" Harry asked, unable to count how many reasons the idea was terrible.

Tom was staring at the cup, "It's reckless."

It was but Harry was filled with an impatience to make ground, to begin discovering. He had already been trapped in a time that wasn't his own for nearly a week and who knew how long it would take to discover what the meant intended for him to find if he didn't start taking risks/ ""He would never know if we only put in a little."

Tom's face was unfathomable as he looked back toward the shelf. "We use your hair."

Harry felt his stomach flip.

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Ok so a little disturbing maybe but I figure I may as well start adding some fun to these next few chapters because pretty soon this story is going to the dark side. J Next chapter up by Wednesday. As always I love to read your reviews!