The doors to the Great Hall burst open as Harry entered, Dumbledore a few steps behind him. The room, which had been filled with quick, hushed conversation, immediately went silent as the two stepped back in. Professor McGonagall had Demetra in front of the staff table, still stunned. Harry looked back over his shoulder at Dumbledore, who simply offered a smile. The two had talked about what they would do when they returned.

"Release her from the spell, Professor." Harry said.

"Release her?" McGonagall repeated. "I will do no such thing."

"It is quite alright, Minerva." Dumbledore said. "Please - remove the spell."

McGonagall gave Dumbledore an odd look before nodding slowly and turning to face Demetra. With a flick of her wand, the girl was freed. She stumbled briefly before quickly getting her bearings again.

Spotting Harry, she grinned and asked, "And what do you plan to do to me now? Attack me? These people should be thanking me for exposing to them the danger lurking in their midst."

"Who the hell do you think I am?" Harry growled, tiny lines beginning to sway near his irises. "Do you - or anyone else in this room - believe that I would befriend a vampire so ready to embrace the darkness?"

"All vampires live in darkness." Demetra said, straightening up. "It's a matter of time until they fall into it. Better to eradicate them before that happens than to let them join the rest of their filthy breed."

Teeth clenching, Harry had to force his other half to remain dormant a little longer. Though the lines in his eyes began to extend towards the outer edges, he remained in control. "You know nothing about him. How dare you judge him based on his kind as a whole!"

"His kind are a bunch of murderous creatures who survive by attacking other humans!" Demetra yelled.

"Ask him how often he drank blood before he forced himself to find an alternative!" Harry yelled back. "He receives a potion that quenches his bloodthirst. It makes it so he doesn't need to feed to subdue the Craving!"

"And yet it's always there, isn't it? Lingering and waiting for him to delay taking it just a bit too long. And then what, Potter? Even you couldn't take down a vampire who's lost all control!" Demetra said, laughing.

"If Leon lost control, I'd be the first person to attack to prevent him from harming anyone else." Harry stated. "I'm more than powerful enough to defeat him if it came down to it. I'm certainly more capable than you. I could wipe your existence from this planet and not even Albus Dumbledore himself could stop me!"

"I dare you to try." Smirked Demetra. "It's a long room. If the headmaster didn't stop you, if the staff didn't stop you, and if none of these people stopped you, I would stop you."

Eyes flaring bright green, Harry's entire body became engulfed in silver. A split-second later he was standing behind Demetra, pressed up against her back, one wand at her throat and the other at her heart. Hissing out a green mist, he growled in an unnatural, echoing voice, "Are you so sure about that?"

Nobody moved. Demetra, who had been so arrogant just seconds before, now stood stock still, her eyes wide and aimed downwards. McGonagall's mouth was hanging open. Her expression was similar to that worn by many of the students. And while most of the staff knew of the Patronus Armor, none had expected it to be invoked at Hogwarts. Not in front of everyone. Dumbledore, however, didn't seem phased in the least. In fact, his tone was pleasant as he began striding up the length of the room, his arms behind his back.

"You underestimate how strong Harry can be if pressed. You have done a terrible thing to one of the few people he truly cares about. Be glad I am here, Miss Aethon. Because though I am quite sure I could stop him, I am not sure I could do so before he attacked you. The two of us have reached an agreement over this, you see." Dumbledore explained, stepping up in front of Demetra and leaning over slightly to be on the same eye level. The pleasant tone of his voice was dropped completely as he continued, "And be grateful that Azkaban belongs to Voldemort, as I would ensure your permanent residence in it by day's end were it not. As it stands, you will be detained in the lowest dungeons while I call in the Minister and the head of the Aurors. Together, we will decide a suiting punishment for this heinous act of violence against one of my students."

"You cannot overrule the word of Iscariot." Demetra hissed.

"Iscariot does not govern this school. Nor does it govern wizarding Britain as a whole. You have lost your rights. You will not be given a trial for this. Just the opposite, in fact. You will sit in your cell, magically bound, until you are transported. What happens to you after that is out of my hands. I am sorry it has come to this. But you must understand one very important thing, Miss Aethon." Dumbledore said, standing back up straight.

"And what might that be?" She asked in a snarl.

"Whatever becomes of you is better than what would have happened had I allowed Harry to go through with his original intentions. He has given me his word that he will not seek you out after we lock you up. But as you can see - he has found a method of transporting himself within Hogwarts, despite its anti-apparition field. If he truly wanted to, he could end your life and no one would be able to prove it was him." Dumbledore said.

"Is that a threat?"

"No. It is a warning. Behave yourself, little girl. Behave yourself and be glad that we did not decide to steal the light from your eyes forever." Harry purred near Demetra's ear. "We could have done so and no one would have been able to stop us. We are growing in power and we will destroy everything Lord Voldemort has erected. And neither your people nor the vampires that have fallen under his control will get in our way. We will cleave his dark Citadel and submerge it back into the sea from whence it came. We will twist him out of space-time itself and separate his followers from their souls. We will destroy his Altered and render the Dementors extinct."

"How can you be so damned sure you'll win?" Demetra growled.

A disturbingly long grin split Harry's face as he hissed, "Because we are light and he is darkness. And darkness cannot exist so long as there is still a light shining. Our light cannot be extinguished. It will only grow stronger!"

"I believe that will be enough." Dumbledore said, suddenly. Glancing up at the staff table, he asked, "Severus, would you care to escort Miss Aethon to the dungeons with me? Harry, you may return to normal and go back to the hospital wing if you'd like."

Harry didn't move until Dumbledore had bound Demetra. Only then did he allow himself to let out a long breath. The silver glow faded away slowly as Dumbledore and Snape led Demetra out of the room. When his eyes opened again, they were normal once more. As he let his arms drop to his sides, his wands began twirling slowly. Glancing around the room, he cleared his throat before speaking again.

"Remember what you've seen here. All of you. Because if anyone attacks Leon again, they won't get off as easily as Demetra Aethon has. I've known about his condition since my third year here. In that time, he's only gotten close to missing his potion once. And even then, his willpower was more than strong enough to hold out until it was brought to him. If you don't feel comfortable at school with a vampire, then by all means write your parents and ask to be transferred elsewhere. But don't any of you think that attacking a friend of mine will go unpunished. Like Dumbledore said and as you all saw - I've found a way to circumvent the wards. I can find you wherever you go. Don't give me a reason to." Harry said. "If anyone wants me... I'll be upstairs with Leon and the girls."

Harry's hands quickly closed around his twirling wands and he tucked them away as he glided towards the still-open doors. Things had gone exactly to plan, though it had taken a bit of convincing on Dumbledore's part to get him to do it. The Armor wasn't quite his trump card, but it was related. He had invoked its power in front of the entire student body as well as the staff. No doubt word would spread by day's end of what Solieyu really was, what had transpired with Demetra, and of Harry's new abilities.

Glancing towards Draco and Pansy at the Slytherin table, then to Ginny and Hermione at the Gryffindor table, Harry smirked as he slipped out of the Great Hall, closing the doors behind him. Word would surely get back to Voldemort somehow. It was time for Harry to pull a few tricks that would leave the Dark Lord wondering what the hell was going on for a change.

When he arrived back in the hospital wing, he looked terrible. His hands were shaking almost uncontrollably and he was walking very slowly. It had taken too much power to cross the Great Hall. He had warned Dumbledore of that possibility. He was just glad his body was able to hold itself together until after he had left the room. Halfway up the stairs, his left leg gave out on him. Only his Seeker's reflexes had ensured that he grabbed the railing before tumbling backwards. It had only gotten worse from there, however.

"Harry!" Tonks cried, rushing over when she saw the state he was in. "What happened?!"

"The Armor happened." Harry said, chuckling weakly. He allowed Tonks to help him over to the bed next to Solieyu's. "Dumbledore and I both got our points across, though. That he would not stand for his students being attacked and that I could effectively teleport around the damn school. Put the fear of god into the Death Eaters' children so they won't try anything. They won't if they're smart, anyway. How's Leon?"

"Hasn't opened his eyes yet." Tonks said, holding onto Harry until he was fully seated. "Madam Pomfrey says his condition looks better already, though."

"Leon's stubborn, if nothing else. He isn't going to let something as silly as a vampire hunter's attack take him out." Harry laughed, laying back and groaning. "Leon, I must look like you feel."

"So what's to become of that girl?" Luna asked.

"Taken to the lowest dungeons until Dumbledore can get a hold of Scrimgeour and whoever the hell's currently in charge of the Aurors. They'll decide what to do from there. There's no point in a trial. In addition to the Ministry having more important things on their hands,
no one's gonna miss Demetra if she ups and vanishes. Obviously, we can't send her to Azkaban. I'm sure I'll find out what becomes of her. I'll pass on the info when I do." Harry said, closing his eyes.

"Hell of a way to kick off a new year here, huh?" Tonks asked, sitting next to Harry.

"Yeah. No new professors to cause trouble, hopefully, but then this happens. I think I would have rather dealt with another evil teacher." Harry muttered.

"So everyone's seen the Armor now, huh? What was the reaction?" Tonks asked.

"Shock. I know Hermione saw it back at Number Twelve, but I'm sure she's going to rail me with questions now that I've actually slid through the wards. It wasn't as easy as I'd hoped, by the way. I wasn't even sure I'd be able to do it. But Dumbledore convinced me to try. I'm still not sure it was the best plan to take, but damned if it didn't feel good to pull off. Now everyone in this school knows exactly who the hell they're dealing with. I told them that if they weren't comfortable going to the same school as a vampire, they were free to ask to be transferred. But if any of them tried anything funny to Leon, they'd do well to remember that I can get anywhere in the school in an instant... which is a bit of a lie, considering how badly just crossing the Great Hall messed me up. But they don't need to know that part." Harry said, opening his eyes and staring at the ceiling.

Hearing the doors opening again, Harry tilted his head back as the girls looked around. Ginny and Hermione were walking in next to Dumbledore. Hermione looked like she was talking his ear off. At around the same time, the door to Madam Pomfrey's office opened and the matron walked back into the room.

"Hey, Professor." Harry said, grinning at the headmaster.

"Hello, Harry." Dumbledore said, a smile of his own forming. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired. And shaky. I don't think I'm gonna be doing much the rest of the day. I should be good for Potions this evening so long as Professor Slughorn doesn't make us write anything." Harry said.

"I can't believe you did that." Ginny said, walking over. "You left quite a commotion when you left. Both times."

"Seems to be what I'm best at, yes." Harry said, sitting up slowly. Then, turning to give the evil eye to Hermione, he added, "I'll answer any questions you have tomorrow."

"Aww." Hermione said, pouting.

Harry laughed, which turned into a coughing fit. "Ohhh... right, no laughing until I recover."

"What, might I ask, did you do?" Madam Pomfrey asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Someone buy me a Pensieve for Christmas." Harry said. "It'd save a lot of time. Professor Dumbledore, could you field this one? I think I could use a nap."

"Of course, Harry. Will you be able to make it back downstairs?" Dumbledore asked.

"Actually, I was thinking about just sleeping right here if no one has any objections. I'd like to stick near Leon until he wakes up." Harry said.

"I think that could be arranged so long as your group doesn't get too noisy." Madam Pomfrey said, walking over to Solieyu to check up on him.

"Speaking of, where are our resident Slytherins?" Tonks asked.

"Malfoy and Pansy said they probably needed to remain with the rest of their House to help stomp down anyone who tried doing anything funny." Hermione said. "They did say they'd stop in later, though."

"Noted." Harry said, flopping back and closing his eyes again. "Ugh... head's spinning now. I can tell I'm going to have an awful headache soon."

"Then get in that bed properly and try getting some sleep." Madam Pomfrey said, glancing over. "And if you feel like your condition's getting worse, let me know. Understand? I won't have you falling ill due to whatever stunt you and Albus concocted."

Grinning, Harry slid off his shoes and scooted back onto the bed properly. He let out another groan as he laid back and stretched out. "Think I need to have a little chat with the other me about these side effects. I can't be laid out flat every time I try invoking the Armor or else I'm gonna be in bad shape most of the year. I dunno if we just missed something when we started working on the spell or what. But I shouldn't be this bad off..."

"You did push yourself quite hard, Harry." Dumbledore said. "And it was the first time you've tried moving over a distance while in that form. It is not surprising that it has had a negative effect on your body."

"I suppose. Still gonna talk it over with him, though." Harry murmured, sleep creeping into his voice. "Needta perfect this dumb thing this year... not gonna let Tom get away with whatever he wants..."

"He won't, Harry. Now rest. I should be leaving to get a hold of Rufus. Poppy, might I trouble you to use your fire to do so? It might be best if I remained near Mr. Reinhardt for awhile. I don't expect we'll have any trouble, but one never can be too vigilant." Dumbledore said.

"Of course." Madam Pomfrey said.

"Hey, Nym?" Harry murmured.

"Yeah?"

"If he wakes up, you wake me up. Doesn't matter if I've only been out five minutes." Harry said.

"Gotcha. Now go to sleep, jackass." Tonks said, leaning over and kissing Harry's cheek.

"'Kay." Harry murmured, giving in to the sleepiness that was washing over him.

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

"Harry! Haaaarryyyyy! Oi, get up, you big lump!"

Harry let out a low groan, cracking an eye open. "Who're you callin' a lump, wench?"

"You're the one who told me to wake you if Leon checked in." Tonks declared, hands on her hips. "So wake you up I have."

Harry blinked a few times, turning his head to the side. Solieyu was sitting up in bed and leaning back against the headboard. Luna was up on the bed as well, leaning against the vampire lightly.

"Hey." Harry said.

"Hey." Solieyu replied.

"How're you feeling?" Harry asked, pushing himself up.

"Like I was set on fire." Solieyu said. "I hear tale you had a bit of fun with my attacker afterwards. Shame I couldn't be around for it."

"Someone had to scare the crap out of her. Or at least everyone else at school." Harry said, smirking.

"Was it wise to do such a thing, though?" Solieyu asked.

"Meh. This isn't my trump card." Harry said, waving a dismissive hand. "No one but those at Number Twelve - plus you and Luna now - will know about my real plans for Voldemort and his new toys."

"Yes, but still..." Solieyu muttered, glancing down.

"No buts, Leon. I'll take care of business. It's what I do." Harry stated, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and leaning forward. "How long've you been up?"

"Long enough for Poppy to fuss over me for awhile." Solieyu said, dryly.

"A fun time was had by all then, huh? So, what'd she say?" Asked Harry.

"I'm free to go whenever I please. But I'll need to be careful of my face. She claims I might also feel a little weak. I've figured a way around this, but..." Solieyu trailed off, looking away. "It's a bit...embarrassing."

"Oh?" Tonks said, walking around to the other side of Solieyu's bed so he wouldn't have anywhere to look away. "Spill it!"

Sighing, Solieyu brought a hand up to rub the back of his neck. "I was thinking about changing forms. Now that everyone knows of my condition, I don't see any reason why I shouldn't be allowed that small comfort. It would lessen the pain around my face, as well. I can hold form as long as I need to. In fact, it might actually speed things up. I'm not positive, of course - I've never been injured quite like this. But when I tore up Aragog's lot a few years ago, the short time I remained in wolf form was enough to greatly reduce the number of injuries I'd sustained."

"Unnaturally quick healing, huh? Job perk?" Harry asked, smirking.

"You could call it that, yes." Solieyu said, nodding. "Anyway... Luna, if you wouldn't mind carrying me around..."

"You aren't changing into a wolf again, are you?" Tonks asked. "Bit big for her to carry, don'tcha think?"

"Nothing quite as large, no." Solieyu said, glancing to the blonde sitting next to him.

"Of course I wouldn't mind, Solieyu." Luna said, leaning over and kissing the vampire on a patch of uninjured cheek.

"So we can head out whenever? Leon, I'm sure you can take care of yourself just fine. And even if you couldn't, you'd still have all of us watching out for you. Just the same, it might be best if you camped out in the Pit tonight. Tonks and I can return to Ravenclaw Tower if need be. You, on the other hand, need a good, warm place to stay. No Nesting." Harry said, getting to his feet.

"I couldn't do that, Harry. If nothing else, though, I can rest out on the couch. That or just switch to wolf form and curl up in front of the fire. I used to do that a lot at home when I was younger. It's amazingly relaxing." Solieyu said, smiling wearily.

"If you're sure. But if you get to feeling any worse or anything, you're staying in the bedroom. Got it?"

"Got it."

"Madam Pomfrey in her office?" Harry asked.

"Yup." Tonks said. "Said she was gonna call Dumbledore and prepare a few more things for Leon. Gonna go let her know of our plans?"

"Yeah." Harry said, slipping his hands into his pockets as he headed for the matron's office. "Back in a sec, folks."

The door to Madam Pomfrey's office was cracked just slightly. As he drew near, he pulled a hand out and pushed the door open a little. "Madam Pomfrey? You terribly busy right now?"

Madam Pomfrey was behind her desk, a series of potion bottles strewn across it. She looked up when Harry spoke. "Not terribly, no. Just preparing a few things to help Mr. Reinhardt heal up faster."

"About that. We were thinking of escorting him to the Pit." Harry said. "I plan to make him stay down there the rest of the day, too."

"Yes, that will be fine. You can call me directly if need be. I believe Albus made sure our fireplaces were connected before he went about his business." Madam Pomfrey said. "Wait just a moment though, Mr. Potter. I'm almost done with this batch of potions."

"What all's there?" Harry asked, slipping into the room and leaning back against the wall.

"Mostly a series of painkillers, though there are several restorative draughts as well. The skin we fixed up will be tender for some time. I want everyone who's friends with him to help be on the lookout. Despite what you and Albus have done today, I have a bad feeling that someone might be foolish enough to attempt another attack on him. Nothing quite as drastic, mind you, but seared flesh, even when healed magically, still takes some time to return to normal. Especially for special cases as Mr. Reinhardt's. The burn was due to unnatural causes, and I'll admit to never having dealt with a problem such as this before. Through my personal research of vampires, as well as help from St. Mungo's, I was able to do what needed to be done. I'm just glad Albus had the sense of mind to do something to slow the burning down until we could heal him."

"So am I." Harry said. "And don't worry. If he leaves the Pit, he'll have an entourage escorting him around. I'm sure he'll get cranky about it. But until I can be sure no one's going to try anything stupid, he'll have to put up with it. Constant vigilance and whatnot."

As she began tucking potion bottles carefully into a small sack, she looked up. "And how are you feeling, Mr. Potter?"

"Better. Had enough time to replenish my magic reserves. Got pretty badly drained. I think I may need to talk to Dobby, one of the house elves here at the school, about how his kind get around the place so easily. If you'll pardon my French, it damn near tore me apart. It's not as easy as one would think, traveling as light itself. The wards here are disturbingly strong. At least, that's how they seemed to me. Maybe it was just nerves." Harry explained.

"The wards on Hogwarts are hundreds of years old. They do get replaced and fixed up every so often, but each refresh seems to make them stronger. Albus was a part of the last group to help fix the wards up. Perhaps you should speak to him about your trouble traveling between places?" Madam Pomfrey suggested.

"Maybe. I need to speak with him about something else anyway. I'll bring the subject up while I'm at it. Couldn't hurt, right?"

"Well," Madam Pomfrey said, getting up. "This is all he needs. I've marked all of the bottles with what's inside, should he need anything. I'd like Miss Lovegood to be the one to take care of them, however. She does seem to be quite good for the poor boy."

Harry took the sack from Madam Pomfrey, the two glanced out her office door. Tonks was looking highly amused as Luna tried to get rid of Solieyu's bed-hair.

"Yeah." Harry said. "She's really been a good girlfriend to him. Whether he wants to admit that she is or not. He's quite stubborn. I'm sure you're well aware of that, though."

"You have no idea." Madam Pomfrey said. "Well then, best be on your way. Keep an eye on him and, as I said, if anything should happen, contact me via fire."

"Right. Thanks, Madam Pomfrey!" Harry said, heading back into the hospital wing proper. "Okay, guys! We can go now!"

"Thank goodness. Was gettin' bored sittin' around." Tonks said, hopping to her feet.

"Luna, take these." Harry said, holding the bag of potions out. "Madam Pomfrey said she'd like you to monitor Leon's potion supply."

Luna smiled and took the sack, turning then to Solieyu. "Are you ready?"

"Yeah. Gimme a second. The transformation is still relatively new to me. Takes just a bit of time to get it going." Solieyu said, eyes sliding shut. For a few seconds, nothing happened. Then, Solieyu's body took on a faint, blue glow as it began to change. Then, all of a sudden, a tinny popping noise filled the air and Solieyu was gone.

"...Leon? Uh... was that supposed to happen, guys?" Harry asked, stepping closer.

"It's alright." Luna said, giggling quietly as she tugged the covers back. "He just didn't think about being covered up. Look, he's right there!"

As Luna tugged the covers back, Harry chuckled and Tonks let out an 'eww' - crawling around on the bed was a small, black bat. If bats could glare, this one certainly was. Solieyu flapped his wings a few times, getting used to the feeling, before taking off into the air.
He let himself fly around over the bed for a moment before flying down near Luna. Luna set the bag of potions on the bed long enough to scoop Solieyu out of the air.

"Now let's see... where would you be most comfortable?" She asked. "Ah, wait. I know!"

A few minutes later, Luna strolled out of the hospital wing carrying the sack of potions. Harry and Tonks followed close behind her, both trying to stifle their laughter. A tiny squeak coming from the top of Luna's head caused them both to crack up again. In her wisdom, Luna had decided the top of her head would be the best place for Solieyu's bat form to rest on their trip back to the Pit.

"Luna's got a bat in her belfry." Tonks giggled.

"People have said that for ages. Now I can prove it true." Chimed the blonde.

Snickering, Harry shook his head. "Man, what a hell of a first day, huh?"

"Yeah. And it's only halfway done. Gonna be fun when class time rolls around." Tonks said. "Leon, you don't get to argue - you're staying in the Pit."

"I'll leave Boris to guard him if he gets surly about it." Harry said.

"We'd better make sure Boris knows who this bat is." Tonks said, grinning.

"Now there's a train of thought I'd rather not have arisen. Eww." Harry said, making a face.

The trip back to the Pit occurred without much fanfare, though they did get a few odd looks from people. Luna got most of them, of course. Very few people had ever seen a girl so happy to have a bat in her hair. On their way down, they also ran across Dumbledore, who looked to have been coming up from the dungeons. After a brief exchange, with Harry saying he wanted to talk later about the Pit's guardian, amongst other things, everyone continued to where they were headed.

Giving the password as they walked down the stairs, Harry out of a relieved sigh upon entering. "We made it without trouble."

"Thank goodness. I've had enough excitement for one day." Tonks said.

"You think you've had fun?" Drawled Malfoy from one corner of the room. "Oughta hear what's been going on in the dungeons. The Slytherins were having kittens."

"Anyone try anything?" Harry asked.

"Nah. Pansy and Blaise are keeping an eye on the troublemakers, though. Said I should come down here and wait for news." Malfoy said. "So?"

Harry stepped aside and motioned towards the couch, where Luna was removing Solieyu from her hair. A moment later and the vampire had changed back to human form, wobbling slightly as he got his bearings. Malfoy cocked an eyebrow.

"You must have had an interesting trip back." Said the Slytherin.

"Mostly uneventful, surprisingly." Harry said. "Leon's doing alright. Bit shaky from his injuries, bit sore. Otherwise fine."

"Good to hear, I suppose. Well, now that I've received the news I was sent to wait for, I should go let Pansy and Blaise know. Pansy will probably want to come down and visit." Malfoy said.

"Alright. We aren't going anywhere. Not until class later, anyway." Harry said. "Seeya."

"Should I hunt down the Gryffindors while I'm at it?" Malfoy asked, getting up and heading to the door.

"You don't need to go out of your way. I can go fetch them. Nothing better to do, really." Harry said.

"Noted. Well then, I'll be off." Malfoy said. "Time to make sure no one's torn my precious dungeons up."

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

Two days later was when Solieyu first left the Pit. The burns on his face had almost healed completely. And while it was still faint, the image of the inverted cross could still be made out. Harry had given everyone a talking to before they left for the Great Hall. The Slytherins and Gryffindors would help keep an eye from their sides of the room while Harry's group would sit surrounding him, with Harry directly beside him and the girls on the opposite side. If anyone tried to do anything to Solieyu, Harry would be there to drag that person off into the light. At least, that was the story he'd use.

Harry had decided now was as good a time as any to begin wearing the cloak Sirius had given to him in his will. Throwing it on, he made sure his locket was in place before smirking at his friends and purring, "Let's go."

Harry kept to the front of the pack, staring down anyone who tried looking at them funny. Luna was between Harry and Solieyu. Tonks was behind Solieyu, while Hermione and Ginny were on either side. The two Slytherins stayed at the back of the group. Harry wanted Malfoy back there, at the very least. He was quite sure that Malfoy's power was second only to his own out of their number. He wanted Solieyu protected from all sides.

Solieyu, of course, initially protested such as escort, saying it would just make them stand out more. Harry had said that that was the point. He wanted to draw out any attackers as soon as possible, if there were to be any. Midway through their trip, Harry let his personality take a back seat, figuring his other side would make a more menacing presence at breakfast.

When they arrived, Harry opened the doors and stepped into the room, coming to a halt to glance around. It was pretty full already. And as the others started to come to a stop behind him and silence began to fall on the Great Hall, Harry cleared his throat and, in a voice that echoed just faintly, said, "If any of you are even thinking about attacking Leon, I'll find out. And Merlin help you if you try doing anything to him while I'm around. Behave yourselves, children, and give me no reason to do anything I'd regret."

Glancing over his shoulder, he nodded at the group, who split. "Come on, Leon. I know you don't need to eat, but let's try and have an enjoyable breakfast anyway, huh?"

"That would be the best thing to try, yes." Solieyu said, stepping past Harry and sitting towards the end of the table. Harry followed and sat next to him.

"Hn... I'll come out to play if I'm needed." Harry said, closing his eyes for a moment. "I should rest until then. No sense in wasting energy."

"How are your reserves?" Luna asked, glancing at the food and trying to decide what to take.

Opening his eyes and blinking a few times, Harry smiled. "Back to normal. But he's been very jumpy lately about being called forth unless we're training. Or unless another attack happens. I guess he's finding a bit of discipline and focus. I won't complain, of course. It's quite nice to not have to worry about going completely insane. Again."

"Agreed on that point." Tonks mumbled around a mouthful of toast.

"No offense, but it feels good to be out of the Pit." Solieyu stated, swirling his goblet of pumpkin juice lazily. "Bit of cabin fever setting in."

"I know the feeling. All too well." Harry said, his mind flashing back to the days he was locked up under the Dursleys' stairs. "..."

"Have many students left?" Solieyu asked. "I've been... curious."

"Dumbledore told me three have. One Hufflepuff, two Slytherin. No one we knew." Harry said, staring down at his plate of food. For some reason, he wasn't feeling hungry anymore. "It's lower than I thought, to be honest. This was a big thing. I honestly expected a bigger backlash."

"Probably scared of what you an' Dumbledore said and did that day." Tonks said, reaching for her goblet. "That or they trust you."

Harry snorted. "The day anyone but you guys trusts me is the day I streak through the Great Hall."

"I'd be all for that." Tonks said. "I'm sure Pansy would co-sign!"

"Quiet, you." Harry muttered, giving the currently green-haired girl a withering glare.

"If they don't trust you or aren't scared of you... maybe they feel safe because of you." Luna said.

"Safe? Because of me? No one's ever been safe because of me." Harry said.

"And yet you've fought the Dark Lord and survived on numerous occasions and have defended this school practically every year since you first arrived." Luna said. "Are you sure you know how the people here feel?"

"Good theory. But witches and wizards seem to be swayed by popular opinion. Especially the young ones. If the rumor mill is saying something, it must be true, no matter how insipid it is. My proclivity for saving their hides probably never enters their heads." Harry said,
grabbing his goblet and staring into it. "Being the good guy all the time? Very little reward. At least the company is top notch. If I had tried to go through all I've been through alone, I would have fallen a long time ago."

"I'm sorry." Solieyu said. "I didn't mean to upset you."

"No, no. It's just... there's a lot to get done this year. And more than usual riding on me succeeding. As far as I know, I'm the only one with the ability to potentially get rid of the Altered. If I fail, or if I can't succeed fast enough... think of how many more innocent people are going to suffer and die. None of you saw what we did that night. We... had to witness the entire ordeal, from start to finish. Every mutilated body, every child's scream, every ounce of blood sprayed across their homes... we saw it all. That we're even still sane is a miracle. If we can't do this..." Harry trailed off, swirling the juice in his goblet slowly.

"You'll do it. I know you will." Solieyu stated, turning to face Harry better.

"How can you be so sure?" Harry asked, glancing aside.

"Because you're strong." Solieyu said. "Stronger than anyone else in this room. As you said yourself - that you're even sane after witnessing the Altered's attack says a great deal of your strength."

"I've done just as bad as some of those things did." Harry said, closing his eyes. "Bellatrix, Terry... even that group of Death Eaters. I'm not strong, Leon. I'm weak."

"Everyone has a breaking point." Solieyu continued, putting a hand on Harry's shoulder. When Harry turned to look back at him, he went on. "When someone is pushed to the limits of his sanity, strange things can occur. For good, for evil, it all depends on how you wield it. But there lies an importance difference between you and Voldemort. You feel remorse for those you've killed. Despite knowing what kind of people they were and what would happen if they continued to live, you still regret having to end their lives. Why is that? It's because you're strong, Harry."

Harry laughed mirthlessly. "Because I'm strong." He repeated slowly. "I was out of control. It wasn't until after I'd mutilated Terry Boot that the other me began to realize things were bigger than the argument between us.

"It doesn't change the fact that you regret having to kill them." Solieyu stated. "Listen to me, Harry. There will come a time when you have to make a choice. In the heat of battle, when all you know seems to be falling apart around you, you will have to overcome your anger. You won't be able to lock it away or brush it aside. You will have to face it. You will have to acknowledge it and you will have to control it. From everything you've said, the other you just wants to be reintegrated before you reforge the Gauntlet and thus effectively chain him up alongside everything else you're keeping tucked away. But there's something I don't get."

"What?" Harry asked.

"You seem to have come to terms with what you've done. Why, then, is the other you still active? Why has he not already reintegrated with the rest of you?" Solieyu asked.

"We aren't sure. There seems to be a blockage in there somewhere. But neither of us can seem to figure out where. We are, effectively, stuck like this until we can work this out." Harry said.

"Maybe you just need a big enough push. Something to drive you over the edge again." Solieyu said, giving Harry's shoulder a squeeze. "Something to force the other you out and drive him to the point of madness again. If you ever sense something like that coming... don't try to fight it. Let it rise, but take control over it. Don't let it rampage mindlessly. If you can gain control in a situation like that, you'll probably merge again."

"I'll never allow a situation like that to arise again. That it happened with Terry was a mistake. I should have never given in to his taunts." Harry said.

"You were under tremendous stress. Death Eaters had just killed most of your remaining family. Then an old acquaintance shows up and blames you for his own trauma." Solieyu said.

"It didn't give me the right to let go." Harry growled, banging his fist on the table. "It didn't give me the right to torture him like I did..."

"And yet you did. And there's no changing the past. I think your blockage will clear when you accept this." Solieyu said. "Just think about it, alright? I won't claim to know what happened since I obviously wasn't there. I'm in no position to judge you one way or another. But I know you, Harry. When someone close to a person is in danger or killed, that person can often do things that seem superhuman. Given your magical capability, it's a wonder you didn't destroy your entire neighborhood."

"I dunno, Leon." Harry said. "It's just... I wonder, sometimes, whether I've got enough energy left to see this through to the end. I don't think anyone can understand just how exhausting this whole ordeal is. I haven't heard from Balthazar in a long time now. I don't know what that means. I assume the Soul is still in Azkaban, but what if it isn't? What if Voldemort didn't need it once he'd gotten the island airborne? What if he destroyed it? Then what? My entire plan rests on reforging the Gauntlet, Leon. The Philosopher's Stone I can at least consider options with. But there's only one conduit gem. Without that thing, it doesn't matter if I compile the rest of the components."

"If it happens, it happens. You'll think of something. You always do. And I think that's the main point here, Harry. You're very intelligent. You can alter your plans on the fly and think many steps in advance. If one door closes, you pick another and keep going." Solieyu said, going back to leaning against the table and nursing his goblet. "I, on the other hand, have remained useless for the majority of the things that have transpired since we met."

"Not a lot you could do about that, though." Harry said. "Things happen."

"I refuse to let 'things' get in the way. I promise you, Harry. I will be there with you whenever you decide it's time to try rescuing the Soul. Even if we have to go it alone, I'm done sitting back and being forced to watch things unfold. You won't walk that path alone as long as I'm alive." Solieyu declared, eyes hardening as he set his goblet roughly back on the table. "We'll stop Voldemort. We'll stop the rogue vampires. We'll show them exactly who they're dealing with. Because who else is going to if not us?"

Harry smiled crookedly. "And what happens if I can't protect you? Or anyone else who comes along?"

"You will." Solieyu said.

"How can you be so sure?" Harry asked.

"Because," Tonks said, piping up. "You're the bloody hero. You've said it enough that it's been burned into everyone's heads, you know. Why ain't it in your own?"

"I'm no hero." Harry said. "I've got marginally decent luck and enough good friends to help keep me going. Right. If you're going with me, then I guess I have to get stronger, huh? It wouldn't do if you were taken down by Altered, after all. Guess I'll have to suck it up one more time, at the very least."

"That's the spirit!" Solieyu said, grinning. "Now you're sounding a bit more back to normal. Feel better?"

"Yeah. How the hell did this conversation become about my insecurities?" Harry asked, brow creased.

"Magic." Luna said, blandly.

Harry snorted. "Very funny. When'd you pick up your boyfriend's dry wit?"

"Boyfriend?" Solieyu repeated.

"Must have rubbed off on her." Tonks said, winking at Harry.

"Hey now..." Solieyu said, raising his hands. "She..."

"Now now, don't be shy. We all know it. Stop being so daft and just admit it. If you're gonna sit there and make me admit I have a thing for protecting people, I'm gonna sit here and make you admit that you do, in fact, have a girlfriend. Thick prat." Harry said.

Solieyu groaned. "Luna... help me out, here!"

But Luna was simply smiling up at Solieyu. "It would be nice to hear."

"I'm not fond of any of you." Solieyu muttered darkly. "...Oh fine, very well. Yes, Luna and I are a couple. She's my girlfriend, despite my constant protests that I'm the worst possible boyfriend she could have ever decided upon."

"He's worried about having children." Luna stage whispered, leaning over towards Tonks.

"Already thinking about kids, huh? Leon, you devil, you never told us." Harry said, nudging Solieyu, who promptly slugged him in the arm.

"It isn't that!" Solieyu exclaimed, blushing brightly. "It's just... I know there's always the chance of passing on the curse. One night, Luna and I were talking about the future. And it just sort of came up. She asked how many kids I pictured us having when we got older. I responded truthfully - I didn't know if I was comfortable with the idea of trying. The last thing I want to do is cause more suffering."

"Ahh. A natural worry, I guess. You could always adopt, though." Tonks said.

"That's what I said." Luna murmured. "He's still thinking about it."

"Who would want a vampire for a father, adopted or not?" Solieyu asked, shrugging.

"I'd be more bothered by having a father as thick as you, personally." Harry said.

"Hey..."

"It's true. You don't have to worry about everything, you know." Harry said.

"Oh, take a page from your own book and shut up." Solieyu mumbled.

Though things picked up a bit after that, Harry still pushed the food around his plate. He still didn't feel right, despite getting a few things off his chest. By the time breakfast was over, the muscles in his shoulders felt like they were in knots. He was also starting to get a bit aggravated with the fact that something was wrong and he had no idea what it was.

"Well," Tonks said, patting her stomach and getting up. "I think that went well. The food was good, we all got to see a bit of amateur psychiatric work, and we know that Leon doesn't wanna risk the possibility of having little bats flying around his head all day."

"Wouldn't happen until their late teens. Shut up." Solieyu muttered.

"At least we got him to finally own up to being with Luna. Not that everyone who had eyes couldn't tell already." Harry said, forcing himself to act cheerful.

"So what should we do now?" Luna asked. "We have a few hours until Transfiguration."

"I think--" Harry began. But he didn't get to finish his sentence. At that moment, Tonks and Luna both let out warning cries. Solieyu spun around and was just able to fling himself towards Harry in order to avoid the goblet that had been flying towards his head. The goblet crashed onto the Ravenclaw table, sending pumpkin juice and food flying.

Harry made sure Solieyu was alright before rounding on the Slytherin table. "Draco, Pansy, who did it?!"

"The idiot up there." Malfoy said, motioning towards a younger-looking Slytherin further up the table.

"Sorry we couldn't get to him in time." Pansy said apologetically.

"You couldn't. But now I'm gonna." Harry growled, storming over. At the same time, at the staff table, Snape had gotten up. When Harry got to the scared-looking boy, who couldn't have been in more than in his third year, he wasn't alone.

"I believe I can handle Mr. Edgeworth, Potter. Any objections?" Snape asked, glaring down at the young boy.

"...Let me know what you do with him?" Harry asked.

"But of course. Now then... on your feet!" Snape barked. The boy, Remington Edgeworth, stood up so fast he nearly toppled over backwards. "MARCH!"

Harry stood aside as Snape followed behind Edgeworth. Despite a burning feeling in his gut, he felt that whatever Snape would do would last longer than what Harry had been planning on. Which, despite his anger, had been to simply flip the Armor on and scare the boy out of his mind. Walking back down the aisle, he stopped behind Pansy and Malfoy.

"Know him?" He asked.

"Smarmy pureblood with a god complex." Malfoy said. "We've been having issues with the twit for ages. He keeps trying to make everyone his year or below do things for him. This was, as they say, merely the straw that broke the camel's back."

"What do you think Snape's going to do?" Harry asked.

"If we're lucky, transfer him to Hufflepuff." Pansy stated.

"You'd think after having to clean the toilets by hand, he'd have smartened up." Malfoy said. "I think I'm going to have to help keep the rest of my Housemates in line. Perhaps reminding them of what I can do should they go out of line?"

"Perhaps." Harry said, smirking. "You are, after all, probably the second strongest person out of all the students."

"You realize I dislike being second." Malfoy said, looking over his shoulder and smirking right back at Harry.

"You're welcome to challenge the throne." Harry said, raising his eyebrows. "We could make an exhibition of it. If, that is, you wanted to be humiliated in front of the entire school."

"Oh lord." Pansy muttered under her breath.

"No need for that. I recognize your strength, Potter. Just because I dislike being second doesn't mean I can really do anything about it. You can, after all, break through the wards to travel anywhere. Nothing would keep you from shifting behind me like you did to Aethon." Malfoy said.

"That reminds me." Harry said. "I need to go talk to someone about that."

"Oh? Who?" Malfoy asked.

"An old employee of yours." Harry said, grinning as he walked back towards Tonks, Solieyu, and Luna.

"Is he...?" Malfoy began, glancing at Pansy.

"I do believe he is." Pansy said, nodding.

"I question his sanity sometimes." Malfoy said.

"'Sometimes'?" Pansy asked.

"He has his lucid moments." Malfoy said. "In any case, I'm sure it will prove... interesting."

"Always time for a good show, eh?"

"Exactly."

Harry was still grinning when he told Tonks and company, "Right, I'm off to see Dobby. I'll be in the training room for awhile, I reckon. Someone come get me when it's time for class?"

"Sure. Whatcha gonna ask Dobby about? Traveling around the school?" Tonks asked.

"Yup. They get around just fine. I felt like my arms were going to snap. I'm sure there's a way. And once I find it, it'll make things much easier." Harry said. He stopped abruptly as he turned towards the doors. "Oh! And go tell the Gryffindor girls that they shouldn't look so apologetic. If Draco and Pansy couldn't stop that guy, there's no way they could have. I can't stand seeing those two pout at me like that."

"Always the lady's man, eh, Potter?" Solieyu said, dryly.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that." Harry said.

"Going deaf in your old age too, grandpa?" Solieyu continued.

"I'd stay and argue about which of us looks more decrepit, but I have a house elf to see!" Harry declared, heading back towards the doors and gliding out through them, his deep blue cloak flapping behind him.

"Bet Snape taught him that." Tonks muttered. "Well, you heard the man. Let's go dump juice on the redhead and the bookworm."

"What will that accomplish?" Solieyu asked.

"They won't be depressed anymore." Luna stated, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Solieyu watched the girls head towards the Ravenclaw table. Casting a dark glance out the doors to the room, he muttered, "I'm surrounded by complete loons..." before rushing to catch up and stop one set of girls from dousing a second set in pumpkin juice.

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

Author's Notes: Happy New Year! ...Well, for you guys it will be! I'm finishing this chapter's final little bit at 5:24AM on Christmas Eve! I hope you've enjoyed your Giant-Sized Chapter and that you had a fun end of 2007 and a great start to 2008! I don't know if I'll finish the R-Series this year, but I'll surely be getting close. And there is a potential book 8 in the works, after all. We'll see how it goes.

So this chapter wasn't meant to be so big. In fact, the last FEW haven't. But damned if they haven't taken on a will of their own. I think I can safely state that Citadel threatens to trump Goblet for the longest book so far. I'm sure you lot aren't complaining. It's nice to have so much desire to write, too. I think I'm subconsciously making up for the two months of dead air when I was having computer issues.

In any case, next chapter we'll see some more fun stuff and finally jump forward a bit past the first week of school. I think. I need to start moving at more than one to two days' pace or we'll be here for ages! Good thing most of you probably won't see a lull in the happenings. But this chapter is as far as my book guide's currently written. So between when I finish writing these notes on Christmas Eve's morning and when you lot read it on January 1st or beyond, I'll be trying to collect all the important stuff that needs to occur in this book and write the next incarnation of the book guide. There shouldn't be any downtime between 10 and 11.

Until next time, kids. I hope you're all enjoying Citadel so far. I also hope no one thinks I'm going to give Harry uber godpowers without repercussions. You know me, kids. I like to make Harry suffer, after all!