This story is dedicated to one of my close friends, Bec.

'Talking in Harry's mind'

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters whose names can be found in any of the Harry Potter books.

"Mr Potter," Filch sneered. "Your late, like father like son."

"Sorry sir," Harry apologized.

Filch sneered at Harry, "if I had it my way boy you would be spending the next week hanging upside-down by your thumbs in my office. Dumbledore doesn't give me that kind of power though, but if I catch you braking any rules I will see to it that you are properly punished, understood."

"Understood sir," Harry replied.

Narrowing his eyes at Harry for a second, Filch turned his attention back to the now fully assembled group.

"Follow me," he beckoned, leading the way out of the entrance hall and down towards Hagrid's hut.

Making their way towards Hagrid's hut, Harry could make out the black outline of Hagrid and Fang standing just outside the hut. As the group drew closer Harry saw Hagrid was armed with a crossbow, what they were doing was obviously dangerous.

"'bout time ya got 'ere." Hagrid said as the group stopped in-front of the hut. "I've been waiting for ya lot for over an hour now."

"You can thank Mr Potter for that," Filch sneered, "he was late, after all."

"Is that so Filch?" Hagrid asked.

"It is, in my opinion he should have to have a week of detentions with me to make up for his lateness."

"It's not up to you though, is it Filch? Your part in this is done, I'll be taking it form here."

"I'll be back in the morning," Filch sneered. "For whatever parts of them make it out alive." Turning on his heel Filch strode back up-towards the castle.

"What are we doing Hagrid?" Matt asked.

"We're going into the forest tonight," Hagrid replied.

"The forest?" Ron asked, "with spiders and who knows what else."

"Yeah but don't worry, you'll be with Fang or meself, nothings in there that we can't handle. I better tell you what we're doing tonight though, see I've been finding dead unicorns in the forest recently and this one has left his blood all over the path. We'll be looking 'or it and we're gonna put it out of it's misery, poor thing. We'll spilt into two groups, Ron and Hermione your with me, Harry, Matt you two with fang. If you find the unicorn send up green sparks, if you get into trouble send up red ones and I'll come and find you. Is that all clear."

"Yeah, got it, crystal," was murmured in chorus.

"Oh and one more thing, something, or someone is in this forest that shouldn't be, so never stray off the path. Yep that's all."

Choruses of "Yeah, got it, crystal," were heard again at this last statement.

"Lets get goin' then." Hagrid instructed, striding off down the path.

As the group came to a split in the path Harry, Matt and Fang took the left path while Ron, Hermione and Hagrid took the right.

"Doesn't this place creep you out?" Matt asked Harry as the pair walked down the path.

"Not really," Harry replied.

"Why not?"

"I've grown up in forests just like this." Harry replied, "night or day it doesn't really bother me." Rustling in the trees to the left of the path caught the pair's attention, drawing their wands, they waited. A creature leapt from the bushes.

"A kneazle," Harry sighed in relief, pocketing his wand and kneeing down to be on the same level as the kneazle.

"What's your name?" Harry asked, beckoning the kneazle forward.

"Quickpaw," the kneazle replied, rubbing his head against Harry's leg.

"That's a nice name," Harry said. "Quickpaw do you know where the hurt unicorn is?"

"Oh yes," the kneazle replied, "you don't want to go there though. My mum won't let me go but I know where it is. She says I'm just a kitten and that I shouldn't be doing such dangerous things, it's not fair."

"Can you tell me how to find the unicorn then?" Harry asked.

"Oh yes," Quickpaw replied. "Just keep following this path for about five minutes, it'll lead you straight there."

"Thanks Quickpaw," Harry told the kneazle giving him one more stroke before straightening up.

"No problem, just call," Quickpaw told Harry before darting off into the scrub.

"What was that?" Matt asked as Harry turned to face him. "You were talking to that kneazle like it could understand you."

"Yeah, I like to think they can," Harry said.

"All right, but your weird bother."

"You have no idea," Harry murmured under his breath.

"What?"

"Nothing." Shrugging Matt and Harry continued to follow the trail of unicorn blood.

"The bloods getting thicker," Harry stated, running his hand through the puddle on the ground. "We're getting close."

"Hurry up then," Matt called, a few meters in-front of Harry.

"Coming," Harry called, getting to his feet and jogging along after his brother who had started to walk away. Then suddenly Matt stopped and Harry almost ran into him.

"Why'd you stop?" Harry asked stepping out from behind Matt and gazing down at the clearing before them. The unicorn lay to the side, white mane flowing over its neck, over the unicorn crouched a creature, wearing a black cloak. His head bent, the creature was drinking the unicorn's blood.

"Monster," Harry whispered and charged into the clearing, Matt close on his tail.

Standing before the creature Matt called out, "Harry what is that?" This drew the creatures attention. Facing the boys, his mouth dripping with unicorn blood the creature flung himself forwards towards Harry. Harry threw his body to the forest floor, rolled and came up standing. Silently thanking for all the years he had spent in the forest doing just that, Matt wasn't so lucky. After missing Harry the creature swooped down on Matt and after shooting two binding spells at it and having no effect, Matt was scrambling back-wards and quickly running out of places to run to.

"Harry!" Aidan's voice echoed around Harry's head. "That creature fears fire, get angry."

"Angry." Harry growled out. "Fire, Aidan it's not working."

"Your not angry enough, think about the heat in your temper, channel that heat into the fire."

The creature was getting closer to Matt with each passing second.

"This isn't a good time for a lesson Aidan, I have to help Matt now!" Harry shouted.

"Think about what the creature did to that unicorn!" Aidan told Harry.

A wall of fire sprang up in front of Matt, protecting him from the creature. The shocked look on Matt's face almost made Harry lose the fire but a shriek of the creature brought him back to his task. Circling the creature with fire, Harry put all his anger and will-power into the heat of the flames. Shrieking the creature took off, fleeing the forest.

Dropping to the forest floor Harry breathed hard, trying not to pass out. After the dizzy spell past Harry shakily stood up and stumbled over to the unicorn before collapsing next to it, Matt sat down next to him.

"That was an adventure," Matt remarked.

"No kidding," Harry murmured.

The crunching of leaves broke the silence and a whole herd of unicorns emerged from the thicket. There were six in totally, four silver adults and two golden foals. The tallest adult moved forward towards the boys, bending down next to the injured unicorn he touched his horn to the wounds. A blinding, white light shone out at the touch and the boys covered their eyes. When they opened them again, the unicorn that had been hurt stood up in-front of them, bowing her head to the two boys she walked back into the herd. The unicorn that had healed the injured one reared, turning the herd around they charged back into the deeper parts of the forest.

Turning to each other, Matt and Harry said simultaneously, "amazing." Just then Hagrid, Ron and Hermione charged into the clearing.

"Fang found us, are you two alright?" Hagrid asked.

"Fine," Matt replied. "We found the unicorn, it's with its herd now."

"Really?" Hagrid asked.

"Yeah," Matt exclaimed, "it was" and Harry tuned out as Matt told the entire story of what had happened as the group made their way out of the forest. Letting Matt take the spot light came naturally and it was the easiest option, Harry never liked all that attention but Matt seemed to thrive on it.

"What I don't understand is how the fire was there." Hermione stated after Matt had finished.

"Well," Matt whispered mysteriously. "I'm not meant to tell anybody but I trust you guys."

The group leaned closer to Matt, eager to hear what the big secret was. "See when I was eight," Matt started, "Dumbledore tested my magic and it turns out I'm really powerful. I can do wandless magic and I have control of fire."

"Wow mate, that's awesome!" Ron exclaimed, clapping Matt on the back.

"I don't know much about elementals, I'll have to read up on it." Hermione told them, laughing at Hermione's immediate need to know everything on the subject Matt, Ron and Hermione started to make their way towards the castle. Leaving Harry and Hagrid standing at the forest edge.

"Good luck for your match this Saturday." Hagrid said.

"Thanks Hagrid," Harry replied smiling,

"I'll be watching."

"Thanks Hagrid, that means a lot," Harry replied.

"Well you better get going, no doubt your friend Neville will have stayed up waiting for the story."

"Yeah," Harry replied, starting to run up towards the castle.

"And Harry,"

"Yeah,"

"We're all here for you."

"Thanks Hagrid," Harry replied before turning around and running up towards the castle.

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"Harry can you pass the bacon?" Neville asked.

"Sure" Harry replied,

"Mr Potter." Spinning around Harry saw Dumbledore standing there. Turning away from Harry he faced Matt. "Your first lesson is at 5:00 p.m. Sunday night and the password is sherbet lemons. See you then." Dumbledore told Matt before striding away to the staff table.

"That was odd," Neville said as the post owls swooped in, "Dumbledore never just addresses a student like that."

"Hmm," Harry murmured, "well Matt is a special case. Hey Neville how you been doing on the leg-locker curse?"

"Not bad," Neville replied, spreading butter on his toast and taking a bite. "I just need someone to practice on." He looked hard at Harry.

"Alright,"Harry said, "I just hope I don't regret agreeing to this."

"Oh you will." Neville replied taking another bite of his toast.

Harry was about to reply when a owl dropped a letter in his bacon. Turning it over Harry saw his Dad's handwriting and ripped into the letter.

Dear Harry,

I heard from Matt what happened at detention, you had one hell of an adventure. Your mother is worried sick about you two. I just wrote this to wish you good luck in your first Quidditch game, play well son.

Dad

Looking up Harry saw Matt had a letter to but his was longer. Probably telling him how they proud they are about him saving me, Harry thought, totally jealous.

"Jealously doesn't suit you Harry. You have to work hard to get your parents attention, so stop pitying yourself, that is the first seed of evil." Aidan told Harry.

"I know your right Aidan," Harry agreed. "I just can't help it."

"I understand but don't let your jealously get the better of you. It is best that you learn this now then when you are in so deep you don't know how to let it go. Would you really like all the press Matt gets."

"NO!"

"See there are bad sides too,"

"thanks Aidan."

"No problem, but I think you should stop talking to me now. Neville is starting to get worried."

"Right," Harry said and turned his attention back to his friend.

"Hello, anyone home?" Neville rapped Harry's head.

"Ow, Neville stop it." Harry cried.

"Sorry Harry, but you just didn't seem to be with us on Earth."

"I was just getting my morals straight." Harry replied.

"Ooookkkk," Neville said, unsurely. "Back to the leg-locker curse, when are you going to practice that?"

"At break I think, history of magic is after that and Binns won't notice if we come in later." Harry suggested.

"Sounds good," Neville replied, "well, better get to charms."

"Lets go," Harry said, picking up his bag and following Neville out.

"Locomotor Mortis!" Neville shouted, pointing his wand at Harry. For the twenty-eighth time that day Harry felt his legs snap together putting him off balance and making him topple backwards so he landed on his bum.

"I think you've got it Neville, and I don't think my butt can take much more of this." Harry remarked, reversing the curse.

"Ok" Neville agreed brightly, helping Harry up. "You really think I've mastered it Harry?"

"For sure," Harry replied.

"Yes," hissed Neville jumping up in the air.

"Come on Neville," Harry called from outside the classroom. "History of magic awaits us."

"Lets go!" Neville said with fake enthusiasm.

"You're not going anywhere Longbottom." Malfoy stepped out from behind a suit of armor, Crabbe and Goyle backing him up.

"What do want Malfoy?" Neville asked sourly, turning around to face him.

"Want, I want you to get hurt."

"Well as much as a want to fulfill your every desire Malfoy, we've got history of magic so if you don't mind." Harry told Malfoy sarcastically, turning around and striding down the corridor, Neville behind him. Winking at each other, the pair waited for the curse they knew was coming and weren't disappointed. "Locomotor Mortis!" Malfoy shouted.

Spinning around Neville got hit with the curse and Harry already had shot off a body-binding curse at Crabbe who was charging at them. Trusting Neville to take care of himself Harry rounded on Goyle, who had fixed all his tiny brain power on hitting Harry. Bringing Goyle down with another body-binding curse, Harry's eyes landed on Neville and Malfoy. Neville was fighting hard, sending everything he had at Malfoy, leg-lockers and body bind curses flying from his wand at one per second. In minutes Neville had brought down Malfoy with a leg-locker.

"What do you want to do with them Harry?" Neville asked.

Minutes later the two boys were running down the corridors to class, leaving three Slytherins hanging by their underwear on the torches.

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"HARRY!" Neville shouted.

"Ahhhhhhh!" Harry screamed jumping out of bed. "What is it Neville?"

"Quidditch," Neville replied.

"What!" Harry yelled, pulling open his trunk and wrenching out his robes, before starting to hurriedly pull them on. "What time is it?"

"5:00" Neville replied.

"What?" Harry asked, stopping pulling on his shoes to gape at Neville.

"5:00" Neville repeated.

"You mean to say you woke me up at 5:00 in the morning?" Harry asked.

"Yep." Neville replied, "isn't it great?"

"Ahhh!" Harry lunged at his friend. "I'll get you!" He called racing out of the dorm after Neville.

"I still can't believe you got me up at 5:00 in the morning." Harry told Neville again at breakfast.

"I can't believe you fell for it, I mean it was dark outside for goodness sakes."

Harry growled.

"Ok, ok, letting it go." Neville insisted.

"No-one is up!" Harry gestured to the empty hall.

"Good morning Harry."

"Except him, why is he up? Morning Wood," Harry greeted, turning around on the brench to face the Gryffindor Quidditch captain.

"Jolly good Harry, up early I see, too excited to sleep?"

"Something like that," Harry said with clenched teeth.

"Well your up just in time, grab some toast you can help me inspect the pitch." Wood said enthusiastically.

"Oh joy," Harry said with fake enthusiasm, grabbing some toast he whispered to Neville on his way out. "Thanks soooo much Neville."

"No prob," Neville replied, continuing to munch his toast. "See you at the match."

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"Alright team this it," Wood started.

"The big one," Fred interrupted.

"The one we've all been waiting for," George continued.

"Shut it you two," Wood said loudly.

George leaned over and whispered to Harry as Wood continued to talk. "We learned Wood's speech by heart, we were on the team last year."

"All team, head out." Wood finished and the Gryffindor team headed for the pitch.

The Gryffindor team arrived on the pitch to thunderous applause, the Slytherin team stood waiting in the middle. Walking into the middle of the pitch both teams faced each other.

"Shake hands captains," Madam Hooch instructed. "Now I want a nice clean game from all of you, on my whistle." With a loud blast from Madam Hooch's whistle the game was off.

"And the Quaffle is taken by Alicia Spinnet," Harry didn't hear much else of the commentary, he was too busy searching the pitch for the snitch. Scanning the pitch Harry just barely avoided a Bludger that came pelting his way. Rolling his broom and watching the bludger fly over him, George Weasley racing after it Harry flipped right side up and continued to search for the snitch. Gliding around the pitch, Harry saw a flash of gold and dived after it. Realizing half-way through the dive that it was a reflection from Fred's wristwatch Harry changed direction, suddenly spiraling upwards and he watched as the Slytherin seeker plunged past him only just pulling out of the dive in time.

Half listening to the commentary Harry heard Lee suddenly shout out. "Was that the snitch?" Scanning the pitch hurriedly Harry saw a flash of gold whizzing along the ground. Diving after the snitch, Slytherin seeker no-where to be seen Harry gained ground fast, just then Slytherin captain, Marcus Flint, blocked him. Pulling his broom out suddenly to prevent a collision, Harry shot skywards.

"Fowl!" Cried the Gryffindor supporters.

"Fowl!" Echoed Madam Hooch, flying up to Marcus and giving Gryffindor a penalty shot. Angelina Spinnet easily put the Quaffle through the middle goal hoop and play continued with the score at 40-10 to Gryffindor.

Harry returned to his position fifty feet above the pitch, scanning the pitch for the snitch again Harry felt his broom buck suddenly.

"What?" Harry exclaimed out-loud as his broom gave another vicious buck.

"What the heck?" Harry said out-loud, trying to turn his broom downwards Harry found he couldn't control it. "What's happening?"

With another violent jerk Harry found himself hanging under his broom barely holding on.

"Someone is jinxing the broom, find them in the crowd." Aidan instructed Harry.

While Harry searched feverishly for the person jinxing his broom, Hagrid had spotted something wrong.

"Want does Harry think he's doing?" Hagrid asked staring through his binoculars.

Neville gazed up worriedly up at his friend.

"It looks like he can't control his broom." Matt sitting next to Hagrid exclaimed.

"How?" Neville asked, "did Flint do something to it?"

"Can't hav, can't nothin' interfere with a broomstick but dark magic." Hagrid told them, staring through his binoculars at Harry.

Above them Harry felt his broom lurch powerfully. "Harry find someone who's not blinking," Aidan told Harry.

Harry gaze flicked to Quirrel, his eyes fixed solely on Harry. As Harry's eyes made contact with Quirrel Harry felt his entire body burst into pain. Letting go of his broom Harry plummeted towards the ground. His broom now realized from Quirrel's control hung in the air.

"Accio!" Harry shouted and his broom shot forwards into his hand, ten feet from the ground. Harry pulled his broom under him and shot along the ground, only to see the snitch next to him and grab it. Tumbling to the ground his hand closed tightly around the gold ball Harry stood up, waving his hand in the air he called out.

"I got the snitch," and the game ended in complete confusion.

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"Well done Harry," Matt clapped Harry on the back. "That was an amazing dive you did."

"Yeah Harry that was amazing!" Ron agreed. "What was with that broomstick though?"

"Someone was jinxing it," Matt told everyone, "and I'll bet anything it was Snape."

"Snape?" Harry asked,

"Yeah your right mate," Ron agreed. "That's just like Snape.

"Harry!" Neville called running up to his friend through the crowd. "That was one of the coolest dive I've even seen."

"Thanks," Harry said.

"What was that spell you used to summon your broom?" Neville asked.

"Accio," Harry replied, "I'll teach you."

"Yes," Neville hissed "now I can finally summon my toad."

"You lost him again?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, oops," Neville replied. "So can you teach me now?"

"Yeah, sure, see you guys later." Harry called to Matt, Ron and Hermione as he and Neville raced off down the corridor.

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"What are you doing these holidays?" Neville asked at in the common room after dinner on Sunday night.

"I have to go home, Mum and Dad have to train Matt and I have to go too."

"You could come over to my place sometime if you want," Neville suggested.

"That'd be great Neville," Harry exclaimed.

Smiling Neville went back to his homework. Just then the portrait hole opened and Matt stepped through. Walking over to where Harry and Neville sat doing homework he collapsed into a chair.

"You guys seen Ron and Hermione?" Matt asked.

"Ron went to the kitchens and Hermione's in the library. How was the lesson with professor Dumbledore?" Harry asked.

"I was, ok" Matt said.

"What did you do?" Neville asked, turning away from his transfiguration essay to face Matt.

"Well first he had me do these breathing exercises for about an hour. Then he gave me a feather and told me to make it float without the incantation but still using my wand. I couldn't even get it to budge, it was so frustrating. That's about all we did and Dumbledore told me he didn't expect anything more, it took him three years to master what he can do. I have to do practice though which sucks."

"I'd love to be able to do wandless magic, won't you Harry?" Neville asked, "I mean you wouldn't need your wand in a duel it would give you such an advantage."

"Yeah that'd be cool," Harry agreed.

"Yeah well it's hard work to master," Matt argued.

"Oh well one can dream," Neville said.

"Yeah we can dream," Harry agreed.

"What you guys doing?" Matt asked, changing the subject.

"Homework," Neville replied.

"Really?" Matt asked, "what are you doing?"

"Transfiguration," Harry told Matt, turning back to his essay.

"Why are you doing it now, it's due Monday."

"Precisely," Harry said. "It's due Monday morning and it's now Sunday night you think it needs to be done."

"Not yet," Matt replied lazily. "I'll just copy off Hermione's."

"She lets you do that?" Harry asked.

"No," Matt replied, "but hey like you said a guy can dream."

"Well don't dream too long or you'll find yourself on the other end of Mcgonagall's tongue." Neville told Matt.

"Done," Harry said, finishing with a flourish.

"I've still got three feet to go," Neville moaned.

"You can copy min if you like," Harry offered.

"No I think I'll just finish it off now,"

"I'll copy yours," Matt volunteered.

"Not you," Harry hit Matt over the head with his homework.

"Ow," Matt whined.

"I think I'll get a early night," Harry announced, gathering up his things. "Night all."

"Night Harry," Matt and Neville called as Harry made his way towards the dorm.

Turning around Neville returned to his homework. A few minutes past with only the chat of the common room and Neville's pen scratching on parchment before Hermione walked into the common room. Sitting down in next to Matt, she sighed.

"Find anything?" Matt asked in a whisper. Neville stopped working on his homework to listen.

"Nothing," Hermione whispered back. "It's like Nicolas Flamel doesn't excise."

"He does though and he must be important because he has something hidden at Hogwarts and guarded by a three headed dog for goodness sakes, but what?"

"Do you have a library at home?" Hermione asked.

"Hermione this is no time to be thinking about books,"

"No," Hermione interrupted. "Your library might have something on him.

"Oh right, well I'll check the Potter library over the holidays then, that's huge it'll probably will have something on him." Matt whispered, then speaking normally he began to ask Hermione about her holidays.

Hurrying to finish off his homework Neville scribbled a few quick sentences, bidding goodnight to Hermione and Matt he hurried up to the dorm.

"Harry," Neville burst into the dorm room, "I just overheard Matt and Hermione talking about something hidden in the school and guarded by a three headed dog."

"Mmhhh that's nice Neville," Harry murmured, rolling over.

"Harry, wake up," Neville strode over to Harry's bed. "I'm gonna throw you off this bed if you don't get up." Neville warned.

Harry only reply was a grunt,

"I warned you," Neville said, "Wingardium Leviosa." Levitating Harry till he was about three feet off the floor Neville dropped him.

"Ahhh," Harry moaned sitting up fast.

"What was that for?" He asked,

"You didn't wake up," Neville replied, "anyway listen to this." Neville told Harry what he had just overheard.

"Your pulling my leg," Harry said,

"No really," Neville insisted.

"Serious?" Harry asked.

"Yeah,"

"wow," Harry remarked. "This is huge, it's like an adventure."

"Yeah, it is," Neville was starting to get excited. "What are we going to do?"

"Do?" Harry asked, just as excited, "we're going to find out all about Nicolas Flamel. Hey do you think the third floor corridor that's out of bounds is where the dog is?"

"Oh man," Neville exclaimed. "That's gotta be it."

Giving up on sleep totally Harry and Neville spent all the time till Matt and Ron came up to the dorm, talking about what the three-headed dog could be hiding and why it was hidden.

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