After a short break, we're back. This chapter contains the first 'lemony' part of the story. No, it's not sex, the characters are a bit young for that. But they are getting older and making experiences as they go. If you don't want to read those kinds of things, the Paragraph will be marked with: ! ! ! and end with ! ! !

Next chapter will take us to Peter's first on screen appearance.

Now it's still some time away. But the World cup is coming before long. Which means I've started to think about how to deal with Death Eaters. My question to you as the readers is this: How many potential executions do you want to see and how fucked up do we wanna get? Cause Information is power and sometimes for information torture is necessary. Meaning this story could go to very dark places, if we want it to.

Let me know what you think would you? PM or Review is fine. As always, thanks to those who have reviewed already we've recently cracked a 100! You guys are the bomb. Now on to the chapter...

Disclaimer: Nothings changed...

Presents and Apologies

End of the Year

There was a momentous feast in the Great Hall and a declaration of victory from Albus Dumbledore who returned that same night to the school. They applauded my brother for slaying Slytherins beast. They hailed him as their hero, just as I'd wanted them to. I of course, missed all of that.

Don't get me wrong.

I was awake at the time but just didn't feel like kissing up to the Potters or the people worshipping the ground they walk on. James and Sirius were sure to dance on one of the tables in the Hall praising Daniel and proclaiming him as the greatest thing to have ever walked the earth before passing out in a drunken stupor.

The second and perhaps much more important reason however was the letter I found on my night stand waiting for me after I opened my eyes.

Dear Mr. Black,

it is my pleasure to officially offer you the chance to apprentice to myself, and my wife. In the arts of Alchemy and Charms.

It seems in all the chaos that was your mothers illness, our lack of communication and the subsequent healing of yourself, we forgot to speak about your future prospects. Once more allow us both to apologise for our lack of timely intervention. As we've said before. Time just moves differently for us.

This letter is enchanted with a small Dimension pocket and carries 2 Books.

The first is my very own journal in my endeavours as an alchemist. You will find that at times my thoughts wander. But it should serve as an excellent start and should be an excellent supplementation of the knowledge you already have.

The second is Perenelle's guide to wards and charms, both of which she has frequently used to hide ourselves from the world. Nearly all of what you will find in the books is instrumental to any Mastery you might wish to take.

If you accept, simply state so to this letter, your magic and intent will see the books released and presented to you. If you changed your mind, simply refuse our offer and the letter will burn together with the copies of the above mentioned 2 books.

We'll be waiting for your answer,

Sincerely,

Nicholas and Perenelle.

There was no question or doubt about what I'd do. I'd been sure that after all the help they provided finding the cure they'd call us even. "I accept the proposal of an apprenticeship form Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel." I stated tapping my wand to the parchment. Instantly two large leather bound tomes appeared on my desk. They seemed fairly new and copied over form something that was most likely much older.

Reading these would be fun... but first! A shower. Then some food. I briefly wondered if the girls would join me for dinner if I asked or if they were already indulging themselves in the Great hall. After a small shrug I called: "Dobby?"

"Yes, Master Black Sir?" The elf asked dutifully with a bright smile on his face.

"I'm going to shower, please clean up while I'm out and have food prepared when I'm back. Ask the girls if they'd like to join me for dinner as well." The elf bowed and shimmered away, meanwhile after summoning a towel I went to do what I'd planned... which was to take a very long and hot shower. Maybe that way I'd get that sewage smell of my skin!

Meanwhile in the Great Hall, the school observed 4 young witches scrambling to their feet. Theo and Blaise found it hilarious while Hermione Granger simply huffed at their immaturity and remained seated with Gryffindor excusing herself to Dobby.

It wasn't before too long that Two Hufflepuffs and Slytherins slipped into an Alcove just outside of the Halls entrance. "Slytherin Retreat." Daphne whispered to the small stone serpents head. And watched as the entrance opened up.

"We really shouldn't!" Hannah complained blushing madly.

"Hannah, baby. I love you dearly. But if you want to tell me that you absolutely don't want to see a wet... steamy... Hadrian. Fresh out of the showers. I think we'll have to call off our friendship. It could just never work between us, you know?" Susan explained wiggling her eyebrows. Tracey and Daphne both laughed and eagerly went on. It wouldn't be the first time they saw him, still it was well worth it.

They found me just after I'd put on some sweat pants and was drying off my hair. "Hugs, dips!" Tracey yelled charging forward and surprising me. I blushed as she knocked into me and we both fell onto the bed while I was still half naked. "I'm so glad you're still doing some growing, it'll only get better." She purred grinning while tracing her right forefinger from my bellybutton up to my chest. She leaned up and then suddenly I was engaged in a passionate snogging session. Not that I minded.

"Mhh." She moaned contently. "Just so you know I'm going to do that more often now." I smiled as she wiggled off of me. I looked towards the others with care, after sitting up, Hannah was blushing something ferocious while both Susan and Daphne tried not to laugh too hard.

"Alright, I think Hannah should get to know you more closely now. Cause if I have to hear her moaning your name in our room one more night I'll do something drastic." Susan declared giving her best friend a light push which made her stumble right up to the bed.

"SUSAN! I...I'm not! I swear I'm not! I mean..."

"We're all sensible people here, it wouldn't be the first and it won't be the last time a wizard has more than one lover. You don't really think Nicholas or Perenelle, in all their nearly 700 years have never had other partners? Please. How boring would that get." Said Tracey hugging her dirt blonde best friend next to her tightly.

"Easy there, who said anything about lovers?" I asked blushing myself now.

"I did." Tracey declared.

"And me." Daphne agreed.

"I'll say it too if you like." Susan joined in confidently.

Something dawned on Hannah. This was perfect. He still owed her. "You still owe me for the Unicorn tears..." My eyes narrowed at her, she wasn't gonna call in that favour for a snog?

"So I want you to take this seriously, I mean us, all of us." Personally I thought that was very well played. Very Slytherin. Some people outside these four walls might have considered it black mail. I saw it for what it was. An attempt to make things easier. I opened my arms for her and Hannah sat down without another moments hesitation, she was still red as a tomato but at least she wasn't stuttering anymore.

"This is really nice." She mumbled making me grin. I do love to make a girl happy.

"How would you feel about having your first kiss now?" I asked daringly. She looked up with a beaming smile all of her own.

"I think I would feel very good about that."

"Yeah?" I asked leaning down.

"Absolutely."

Not that I want anyone to be jealous, but let me just say up yours Sirius. I've never had to two time a witch in my life, nor would I ever have to. Not that the guy would knew what responsibility and cunning was if it smacked him across the face.

Hannah was straddling my waist, engaged in furious snogging with yours truly, the audience was applauding and accompanying her with cat calls although the girl in my arms didn't seem to particularly care, nor did she in fact seem very interested in breathing anymore.

"Are we sure this is her first time?" Tracey asked with her arms behind her head leaning over to her dirt blonde best friend.

"Maybe it's natural talent?" Daphne suggested smiling.

"Or perhaps she's just been fantasizing about this moment ever since Hadrian there asked her to get naked for him and meet a Unicorn." Susan said.

"Ah!" Both girls made and nodded. "We'll go with yours."

Finally we separated and Hannah fanned herself with her hand. "Oh dear. That was..." She blushed but didn't say anymore.

"Since everybody seems to be getting their turn, Hannah dear... would you mind making some room?"

"Actually yes!" She stated jokingly but then got up anyway sighing heavily as though making a great sacrifice. "But it wouldn't be fair hogging him. So you and Daphne go ahead." The girls looked looked at each other for a moment and raised a brow.

"And go ahead... we. shall." Susan declared stepping up to Daphne before pulling her up close by her waist, out of Tracey's arms and into her own. I knew full well that all four of the girls had experience kissing their respective best friends. Daphne and Susan however were a first and not going to lie... it was extremely hot. Still is... as a matter of fact.

They parted and smiled at each. "Looks like he enjoyed that little display." I didn't even attempt to hide the bulging boner in my pants. It was perfectly natural after seeing something like that.

Instead I got up, walked up to them with all the confidence I had, snaked one arm around each of them and made sure that their first kisses with me weren't any less passionate than Hannah's or Tracey's.

"We should do that some more later." Susan moaned after we were finally finished. They all seemed quick to agree with her. This was going to be my life.

"Now... not that I don't appreciate a good soft porn as much as the next girl, but I was promised food and skipped dinner for it?" Tracey asked. Right, priorities and all. After I clapped my hands I said:

"Dobby, please serve dinner."

Naturally they made me recount what had happened in Slytherins chambers. How Daniel and I had been forced to work together and how I'd killed Vorla the Basilisk in the end.

"If I tell you a secret, can you keep it for now?" I asked looking intently at both Susan and Hannah.

"Anything." Hannah said taking her best friends hand. The secret wasn't overly dangerous, some of the Slytherins had figured it out, however... since I'd taken control and with Theo and Blaise policing... not that it had really been necessary thus far, it had become house law never to speak of it.

"I'm the true heir of Salazar Slytherin." I raised my right hand and showed of the family ring. Both girls gasped.

"That's how you knew all about his history!" The red head huffed as though I should have told her ages ago.

"That's not all, normally I keep him hidden. I was planning to reveal myself this year, it would have made gaining control of the house much easier but with the Basilisk attacks and me being away on family business I decided to leave that for later." I got up and held out my right hand for them to join me. Susan got up first while Hannah was a bit hesitant but followed soon after and took my left hand. I led them over to my desk, which they had both complimented me on on previous visits. I really figured they could handle it. We had established a strong friendship ever since that first dinner in first year. And if all that kissing was any indication I was heading for a really complicated relationship.

"Hannah, Susan... may I introduce you to my Ancestor. Lord Salazar Slytherin." The ward around the painting crumbled and revealed a smiling elder Gentleman with black slicked back hair, high cheekbones and a nicely trimmed beard. The serpent around his neck was of course Vorla the Basilisk before she aged and grew to be enormous.

"And what a pleasure it is to finally meet more of dear Hadrians friends." He bowed courtly before seating himself back on his chair.

Both girls stared for about a minute before turning back to me. "I really don't have anything to say to this. You have the portrait of a founder in your room like it's nothing special at all." I chuckled and shrugged at Susan. For her he was a founder. For me Salazar was nothing short of a second father. Helping with home work and questions of life and on very bad days... death.

"There are paintings of the others... at least there are supposed to be. Gryffindor was said to have private chambers somewhere similarly to Sal over here. Not sure about Helga, but Rowena made a secret room on the seventh floor I'm still looking for. Dobby says he could just tell me but where's the fun in that?" The wonder, the disbelief. I revelled in being able to do that to all those brilliant young girls. I've always loved showing them something new, to teach them something they hadn't known before. Usually of course that referred to some magical knowledge... but this worked too.

"You are an impossible show off." Daphne chuckled. I shrugged, only sometimes and only for them. I've always cared little for the rest of the castle. Only my friends and family truly count for anything in this world. Which of course wouldn't change the fact that I'd keep trying to protect the entire magical community from being killed by a psychotic terrorist.

"Maybe, but you like me just the way I am."

"I can't dispute that." She answered with a shrug of her own before grinning brightly.

"So what do you think Dumbledore is going to throw at us next year?" Hannah asked concernedly. I couldn't blame her, the 'safest place in Britain' was most certainly not living up to it's name.

"Maybe a vampire." Tracey offered excitedly.

"I vote werewolf." Susan added.

"You're all thinking too small people. This is Dumb'as'a'door we're talking about. He's utterly senile. Dark Arts will probably get taught by a Dementor!" Daphne said making us all laugh. We had no idea at the time how many of our innocent suggestion, were going to come true. Jinxed it.

"Master Hadrian, Sir?" I looked towards my loyal elf who immediately continued. "Your 'not' Account Manager be coming here Sir. He be requesting an audience with great Master, shall Dobby be letting him through, Sir?"

I smirked and nodded. "Please do, shimmer him into the secret passage and lead him here. I'll wait for him." Dobby bowed just as I finished and plopped off. I then turned to the girls. This might be extremely private or a simple matter of the Goblin coming to throw a Tantrum. "I trust you all, but this is business. If you wish to stay I'll require an oath of secrecy." None of them had any intention of leaving. Daphne and Tracey of course were first. Taking the oath immediately after I'd finished speaking. Susan and Tracey took only a moment longer.

It was time to make an impression. I turned the table, moved Slytherins chair, and then his portrait so he could settle his famous glare on the 'creature.'

Susan pulled a surprised Hannah to the side as both Daphne and Tracey took up position to my right and left respectively.

"Watch Tracey." Susan mumbled keeping her voice low. Daphne then tapped her wand to Tracey's robes which straightened them out quickly. It wasn't perfect but would do on such short notice. The dark haired girl then did the same for Daphne.

"Why Trace? I can learn more from..."

"Watch Tracey!" Susan hissed at her again, just then the pathway opened and revealed Dobby stepping out. Hannah did as instructed.

Susan had asked her for one reason, it wasn't because she could learn more about etiquette from the half blood girl, Susan wanted her best friend to watch Tracey because the change in her was the most visible. Tracey was always extremely relaxed, she cared little for clothing rules and more often than not had been wearing jeans under her robes. She was also a very expressive person. Someone skilled could easily read her face and body language all day and know exactly what she was thinking about them or whatever was going on at any specific given moment. That was the reason why Hannah's mouth fell open as the girl suddenly straightened her back and stood tall, she stiffened her entire body into a more... regal posture. One Hannah had in fact only ever seen from Amelia Bones when she'd visited her with Susan. If Daphne Greengrass and her so called 'Pure blood Pokerface' had ever scared her, than it was nothing to what it was like to see Tracey school her features into perfect neutral. Gone was the expressive girl they knew, enter the Heir Davis.

"Dobby be presenting Old Gryphook of Gringotts." The Goblin didn't flinch at all seeing only an illumated path towards myself at the desk and the girls behind me. Susan and Hannah had melted into the darkness of the room. He walked down towards us, holding a small suitcase in his left hand.

"Mr. Black. It's good to see you again." He said extending his right. I rose from the chair and we shook hands before I motioned towards another chair in front of me.

"Please sit. Can I get you anything?" A small smirk crossed the Goblins features before he gently shook his head.

"Thank you but that won't be necessary." My upbringing observed I seated myself as he turned to the two girls at my sides. "Miss Greengrass, Miss Davis. We have not yet done business together. I'm Gryphook, Accounts Manager of Gringotts." He then lowered his head for a greeting. Both girls did the same. And simply said: "Welcome to Hogwarts Gryphook." One after the other.

"Now... I must admit. You find me somewhat at a loss Gryphook, I'm sure we didn't have an appointment today. So why exactly are you here?"

"Regardless of you opinion on the matter Mr. Black. I remain your accounts manager, at least in an oversight capacity until such a time Crow Barchoke returns from his trip to Germany. In this capacity I've come before you with investment opportunities, as well as an idea to strengthen your hold on Vitesse brooms." My expression revealed nothing, but I'd decided to keep him on as my manager weeks earlier. He'd come through for me when my mother had become sick. I remember my debts. And the least I owed him was a chance.

"Go on." I said leaning back into my chair. Gryphook looked to both girls at my side and to the portrait behind me. His business face never slipped either.

He pulled 4 folders from his suitcase and spread them on my desk.

"I've gone over distributors suppliers, and I've found multiple options available to us, so we may save money and open up new markets." I opened the first, he'd found other available suppliers some small, some big. Just as well as distributors that might enable us to strong arm the ones we had in France to see to it that our conditions for buying from them became much better. It looked good at first glance.

"You'll leave this with me, I'll contact you with my decision." He gave me a nod and pointed to the second folder.

"I believe after the Vitesse presentation, you at least thought about pursuing something similar. So this is an idea that might need some more investment than just a few thousand Galleons but I believe it would be well worth it." My initial stipend had easily tripled and was still climbing thanks to the great success Vitesse had been. I went over the idea, it was similar to mine albeit much better thought through. A hotel in the sky, able to anchor in specific cities and remain there for a period of time before travelling on. Amenities depending on the Galleons people were ready to pay for their rooms. It was all very good. Wizards had no concept of Hotels until now. Small Inns, yes. But not Hotels. If we got this running for the upcoming Quidditch World Championship we could make a pretty penny. But that meant extra investments for quick but high Quality work.

My eyes rested on him for a moment before I put the folder back down. "How much?" He sighed.

"Sadly more than we have right now. Selling of our shares for Nimbus is inevitable, the public remains behind them for loyalties sake, but I've spoken to some of my contacts. The company will crash and burn in less than a few weeks. The Nimbus 2002 was designed as a next Generation broom, but can't keep up with the Vitesse Silverlight. With that we have the capital to start. It's highly risky but can work." While he seemed confident, a hotel the size of which he'd outlined would not just swallow my stipend but nearly the entire Black fortune. And while I might have been able to convince my mother to help out. I just didn't really want to. She was entitled to her relaxed life with all the luxuries she ever wanted. I wasn't going to be the one to take them away.

"The last two..." Gryphook continued opening them both. "Are opportunities that only recently became available. The first is for a restaurant whose owner was involved in an orphan slave trading skandal a week ago. It's location is promising and with the right investment it could be grown to be nothing less than a Dragon shitting out gold nuggets." He'd cursed... that meant this was a sure thing.

"The other is for a Dragon Reserve in Romania, they can't afford the upkeep and most of the handlers seem to be incompetent. They are repeatedly hurt by the dragons in their care and then afforded horrendous sums from the insurance company. Both would cost much less than the hotel, the returns especially with the world championship on the Horizon would of course also be much lower." I looked them over, I knew well enough Daphne was looking too. She'd been brought up to run Greengrass Imports as well as the Greengrass Apothecary. Which of course meant she'd dealt with Goblins before herself.

The numbers all looked good and if I got the Dragons to understand that we were trying to keep them save from the influence of the outer world. They may be much more accommodating to us... than to others. To communicate however I'd need to finally get a grip on Legilimensy. Used in harmony with Parseltongue the skill would allow me to speak to Dragons just as Myrddin Wyllt had done in his time.

It was after nearly an hour of remaining seated in total silence when I finally let out a sigh. "Alright Gryphook." I threw him the first folder. "Trim our business for optimization, but understand that I don't want people to get fired, we've had great success and it wouldn't do for the companies image to suffer now of all times. In fact I plan to pay out a hefty Christmas bonus for all the good work our employees have done." The Goblin then gave a nod of understanding, leaning back in his own chair, making no move to go for the folder.

"The second... I wish we could, but right now I feel as though it's too great a risk, so instead of the hotel option I want you to follow up the Reserve and Restaurant. Screen all employees for anything shady on the side. I believe it would be wise to clean house before we take over anything, then look at any potentials we may have to hire after the fact. Send me the files of skilled people I should be looking at." I got up and the light in the room slowly brightened up. Susan and Hannah were sitting on the bed watching the exchange with smiles.

"For now... I'll re-establish our partnership. You say this can work, make it happen." The Goblin smirked and pulled the folders closer.

"You won't regret it, I shall give you nothing but my best work." Good, but I needed him to understand that his family honour depended on it.

"Make sure you do, if your numbers are wrong and I loose money because of you, I'll not only drag your name through the mud, but that of your entire family. You get paid a lot of gold for you help Gryphook, make sure it's worth my time and money or I'll look for someone who can." He jumped from his seat looking satisfied, as I stood as well. We shook hands civilly. For now this would do, we wouldn't have the relationship I'd had with his father any time soon. But he seemed to be taking this as a chance to proof himself. And no... he wouldn't fail me.

"May our business flourish, Gryphook." I told him my eyes flashing.

"And may our partnership do the same." He answered before nodding once more to all the ladies this time. "Miss Bones, and Miss Abbott. I can see Hadrian has good friends." I did see the glint in the Goblins eyes at the word 'friends.'

The passage closed and left us all relaxing. Tracey groaned behind me. "I think my legs died." I grinned and quickly walked over to pick her up. She squealed and blushed. "So eh... this is how a lot of my dreams start. What now?" She asked seductively.

"Now I'll carry you to the bed..." Her eyes widened and the blush deepened. There it was in her eyes, thoughts running amok. "I'll massage the sleepiness right out of you."

Disappointed? Maybe, but it wasn't a no and I certainly wasn't afraid to touch her. If she knew what my dreams about her usually had in them... well.

The others just laughed at the tomato head their friend now sported while I was working up and down her legs.

"He seemed... relaxed." Hannah noted.

"Gryphook you mean?" She nodded having grown up with all the 'Don't mess with a Goblin' prejudice. Then again, there's truth in there too. "Well there's really only a few things you should consider when speaking to a Goblin. The two things to remember are family and honour. Never threaten the first and always display the other. Show respect by remembering their names, it makes them feel important and if you find a Goblin tell your friends about him. Getting recommended is a huge honour for a Goblin and they won't forget it." Daphne chuckled.

"That's why you allowed us to stay." She was quick as always.

"Gryphook was thrust upon me by his father. Who, as is Goblin tradition handed off a Key account to his son, which means Barchoke is preparing to retire. I have no doubt that his son Gryphook is skilled, that he knows his finances and law. But for one, I would have done Barchoke a huge dishonour had I simply accepted his son without fighting for the Goblin who'd served my family for years. For the other, a Goblin who likes you, even if just a little, even if you don't even know it. Will generally save you quite a bit of money. So not having known much about Gryphook I threw what you might consider a tantrum. Then there's the fact that Gryphook has only just been named 'Old' therefore entering the adult circles of Gringotts while his father is a Goblin Crow. Recognized for services for the bank. Which means further prestige for my family that Gryphook just couldn't provide."

"So why are you letting him stay on?" Tracey asked moaning from my hands moving up and down her shaved legs.

"Because clan Faulhurst, has been taking care of Potter vaults all the way back to Ignotus Peverell. And just like all his forefathers, Gryphook will make sure I have no reason to deny him his post. Sometimes... traditions are a powerful ally." The girls smiled before all joining Tracey and myself in bed. We spent the night there, together and save. It was a first for Hannah and Susan. Not so for Daphne and Tracey. They'd done this before, and would continue to do so. I closed my eyes and embraced the darkness. With what I'd seen this year... I would need to rethink my stance on the Animagus transformation. Regardless of what mine was or the pain I would have to suffer to attain it, if Dumbledore was to let more creatures into the castle then a bit of extra protection wouldn't hurt. I was sure that my life might depend on it.

Weeks later...

Baby steps, or so we thought, so I thought at least. While over the next few days I began to read through more ways to attain my animal form, the girls had visibly relaxed now that the 'monster of Slytherin' was not an issue anymore. Tracey refused to sleep anywhere else for the rest of the week and I heard Daphne telling her: "Don't do anything you would regret." Which made me blush. Although I knew we were walking towards the end goal. I'd seen others in my year look at girls. Draco specifically seemed to be unable to get his eyes of my Sapphire eyed angel. I mean really, what kind of a chance did he think was going to have with Daphne? None, that's what.

When the 23rd of May rolled around it was time for Tracey's birthday, well not really since we usually had a party some time in the break. But that year she turned up in my room, wearing the usual long shirt she slept in. The only difference was she locked my door.

We'd of course offered our best wishes in the morning, and given her our gifts. I for one had given her a Goblin made blade. Not a dagger like I had. But something to use in Potions... or for protection if it was necessary. She would from then on always wear it and it's sheath on the belt of her skirts and jeans.

"Are you sleeping here again?" I asked her looking up from the desk, it was when I noted her moving her wand over the lock and taking a deep breath.

"Yes and no. Yes I'll sleep here but no that's not all I'm here for." The way she was blushing it wasn't hard to put 1 and 1 together. I sighed and put my Thunderbird feather Quill to the side. I'd been doing some studying into Alchemy just then. Can't all be about the Animagus transformation.

I turned the chair and faced her, holding out my hand which she took. Tracey then found herself pulled towards me and decided to straddle my waist facing me.

"We kissed at the end of our first year and we've grown closer since then. You know I want this too, but it's not that simple. We aren't Muggles, this..." I waved my hand between us. "Is supposed to be magical. The greatest experience of your life. How many young witches give that up because they don't know any better?" She groaned at me.

"But I want to. I can't stop thinking about it and to be honest it's starting to be a problem. I'm running around school horny nearly all day. Who here in this school can say their boyfriend has slain a 1000 year old Basilisk? I'm not a Veela Hadrian but damn if that isn't a turn on." I cupped her cheek and gently kissed her. It wasn't like I didn't understand her. We were all pubescent teens. And I've had certain dreams about nearly all my closest female friends. Some of which are outside my normal circle of girls. Like Padma or Sue. Had a dream about Pansy once. Apropos Pansy I needed to get her out of that contract delusion of belonging to Draco stat.

"If we do this, your magic and mine will never recognise our first time. There'll be no rush, no bond of any kind. It's too soon, our cores are still too unstable. Mine more so than yours because I have the bad habit of casting higher level spells even though my 'magical core' isn't read for them." Naturally there is no such thing as a magical core. Just as well as there isn't truly a 'soul' either. Dementors suck out your very essence. Magic, emotions, everything that makes you, you. They leave behind an empty husk.

The term 'magical core' is similar in that regard, it's a term used for something that has no name. Hell... it's hard to actually prove it exists. Deep mediation leads you a ball of energy. Different coloured lights sometimes. But there's never been a study. I sort of get it. What would be the point? Still... shouldn't that be what the unspeakables do? The core is... it's energy everyone has. Energy that fluctuates under certain conditions. And energy that settles to be stagnant when left alone or settles into a comfortable growing rhythm by learning new magic and exorcising that magic regularly. But I'm getting off track. The point is a childs magic is highly unstable, that's why teaching magic is done very carefully and most spell practice starts after the eleventh birthday when the 'core' settles sufficiently. Exorcise and some strain is good but too much can permanently disrupt the energy and therefore your spell casting. You wouldn't turn into a squib but you might find yourself unable to cast certain higher level spells.

The Black Obsidian spell I'd used against the Basilisk for example, was in fact, highly dangerous not only to the serpent but also to me. Which was why I took potions afterwards to make sure no problems could even come up.

The reason this related to the black haired beauty that was pouting on my lap is easily explained. When two magicals share their first time, they will also share some of their magic. While both man and woman could force that sort of sharing later in their relationship it would take enormous amounts of magic on both sides to do what automatically happens during a first time. It's easier for the wizard but the witch will feel it most when her hymen is broken. Instead of feeling the pain, she will feel the rush of magic, a magic that would also then heal her and make her first time as enjoyable for her as it could be.

There are those in the castle... older students. Who don't care. I count among them both males and females of Slytherin but also other houses. It's part of the reason why I don't understand why a subject like Muggle studies exists when the school refuses to teach something like Pure blood studies. Got to love the hypocrites calling out favouritism when they're really not all that different. The dark hates the light and the light hates the dark. Few of either side can really see the neutral.

"I'll do another ritual to help my magic get settled, just give me until Christmas, please?" Without the ritual I'd done for my mother... I doubt I would have been able to cast the Obsidian curse without some serious backlash.

She seemed disappointed, but I wasn't about to take that from her or from anyone for that matter. "It's not that I don't want to." She smiled and leaned in to kiss me. Wrapping her legs around me, which really was a feat since the chair wasn't all that big. While kissing her was great and I loved the way she tasted of treacle tart. It was still highly uncomfortable. Alright, so apparently she had decided if we couldn't have sex she'd instead drive me nuts. Two people could play that game. She'd pulled my robes and the shirt I had on off by the time we'd reached the bed where I put her down as gently as I could.

"At least... at least go further okay? Fine we have to stop before going all the way. But I trust you, and you're really being an ass by just continuously saying no. It really grinds on a girls confidence, you know?" I looked at her like she was insane. Not to boast but Daphne and Tracey were two of the best looking girls before we ever entered Hogwarts and that was before baby fat had started to give way to curves. Hannah was the tallest of them but hadn't filled out curve wise while Daphne hadn't completely lost all that above mentioned baby fat. Which in fact annoyed her to no end. Susan, at least judging by what I'd seen thus far, had grown a rather decent chest while remaining small. She would later explain to me that the disproportions of her body didn't matter to her much. Case and point... none of the problems were still there by the time our 6th year came around. And at that point, believe me. I'd made very sure they knew for absolute certain that I found no faults with their bodies.

Where was I? Ah yes, my first time being allowed to worship Tracey's body.

! ! !

My left hand lead the way to her front, although protected by a shirt I felt the beginning mound of her breast and stopped to look at her for a moment. Getting her permission only to be sure. She smiled at me brightly. "Don't forget my kisses." She said and so I leaned down. I was surprised when she suddenly opened her mouth but didn't dare to go back on this now. My first french attempt admittedly it wasn't a complete bust. But there was still grounds for improvement.

I squeezed her left breast, before gently rubbing my thumb over the nipple. She let out a gasp. Somehow in all of that I'd lost my pants, and was no in nothing more than my trunks. Tracey seemed to derive great pleasure from rubbing her hands over my stomach and chuckle.

"You are in form." She complimented. I smiled, I was. I'd kept up with my training. I captured her mouth again as my right now traveled down to between her legs. My head immediately became red as a tomato when I realised there was nothing there. She'd come in nothing more than her nightgown.

I felt her entire body tremble as I traced my finger downwards to her wet entrance. Wasting no more time, I inserted a finger as gently as I could making Tracey buck her hips. "Hadrian!" She yelled. I stopped for a moment and looked into her dark eyes, magic was swimming there, waiting to be connected. Seems like she'd matured faster than I had. She was more than ready to share the night. In my defense, she's nearly a year older than me!

I used the thumb of my right to give her clit a good little wiggle when I suddenly felt her nails dig into my back. "Do that more, please?" She all but begged and so I did. I moved my fingers around, continued playing with the powerful little button of pleasure all women have. Tracey started panting up against me, her breathing becoming ragged.

"I'm coming! Oh please don't stop!" What can I say? I'm an asshole. So of course I stopped. The girl looked at me like I'd committed a most grievous betrayal. So I kissed her again. "No instant gratification babe. Only a full blown, out of control orgasm will do for your first time. And let's just say... I've gotten some great tips. But you'll have to let me go." And so she did, eager for me to do what ever it was I'd planned. I pulled her shirt of off her. And kissed my way down from her neck, over both breasts, removed her hand from her clit as she tried to chat and grinned upwards before I spread her legs.

"H-hadrian?" She suddenly stuttered now finally understanding what I was about to do.

"Just lean back and enjoy." I know it's not fair but the fact remains... every last guy out there is second rate, when it comes to going down on a woman, when competing with a Parselmouth. We can move our tongues in ways you couldn't possible fathom. And that's exactly what Tracey Davis learned that day.

She moaned and called my name repeatedly for about a minute or two before all the previous stimulation and my Parseltongue got to her and allowed Trace to reach her climax and the ecstasy that came with it. She'd done it with Daphne of course. But I was different. It's always a little different being intimate with alternating partners. As I said before. No one can beat the vibrations of a Parselmouth.

For a moment, she lost complete control of herself and the whole castle felt the out pour of accidental magic as candles suddenly flared up violently and windows rattled ominously. It only took a moment before it faded and ended, in my opinion all too quickly... I think Trace would agree. I'd done that... me.

Yeah, just in case this hasn't been made clear enough, I was extremely proud of myself there.

I held her tight for a good 30 minutes as her breathing steadied. "Just so you understand, I don't care whether my feelings ever change. But no one else will ever be allowed to do that to me." She vowed kissing my jaw. "And since you tried, I'll do it too." With a saucy grin on her lips she moved down over my stomach and pulled off the last of my clothing. And no I'm not hung like a horse, this isn't a damn porn movie.

I'll admit I enjoyed her on me. Oral feels great. But I don't enjoy watching her do it. I've never enjoyed feeling like I was somehow degrading her, so the moral of this story... as it was a learning experience, was that I wouldn't want her or anyone really doing this for me. Especially since she didn't particularly seem to enjoy herself. I released myself into her hand which she quickly wiped. "That needs more training. Wouldn't you agree?" I sighed in defeat but took a moment to look at the naked girl in my bed.

! ! !

"I love you Trace, I hope you know that." She grinned.

"We wouldn't be here if I didn't." She answered raising her Aspen wand happily. With a graceful swing of her wrist we were both cleaned up. "So eh... can I still stay here?" I smiled and gathered her in my arms, it was terrible but the thought that I might soon be allowed to do this kind of thing not just with her but 3 others as well was... unbelievable.

"I have two conditions. 1: You wear one of my shorts so I can be sure nothing happens during the night. 2..." I looked at her and pursed my lips. I didn't want her to cover up, she was stunning... and this was all for me. It was clear she wouldn't be a fan of that idea herself. But we weren't old enough, and while I basically controlled the house that had slipped because of how often I'd been gone. That would fix itself the coming year but for now, I didn't want to put our rumours that might hurt her as a half blood. A reputation as an 'easy' girl would only lead to a lot... and I mean a lot, of bloodshed. No ones gets to say that about her or any of my friends. "Well, Blaise and Theo sometimes get in here to wake me up. So you should probably wear a shirt. We wouldn't want anyone poking their head in and finding us naked in the bed. If he heard Snape would probably completely loose his faculties." I said with my chin resting on her head. Letting out a long relaxing breath she held me tighter for a moment.

"I'll take one of your shorts and a shirt then. How about the Quidditch Jersey you never got to wear for a game?" She asked pulling away before wiggling her eyebrows at me again. I couldn't help myself but laugh as I walked over the closet and pulled out clothes for both of us. Naturally she got the Jersey, suited her better than it ever did me to be honest.

"Hadrian?" Tracey had snuggled back up to me after getting dressed, with her head resting on my left shoulder.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you, that was better than what I expected." Daringly I wrapped my arm around her and squezzed and right breast.

"It was very nice, wasn't it?" She chuckled and allowed my hand to remain there, a spot it wouldn't move from for most of the night. At some point we changed positions and later awoke with me spooning her.

Some time later...

The year then ended relatively quickly. Tracey and the girls seemed to be around each other often and I had a feeling I knew what exactly they were talking about. Daphne came to snog me half to death 3 days after Traceys birthday and spent the night. Hannah pulled me behind a shelf in the Library and Susan dragged me off to behind a painting on the fourth floor. These were just extremely long snogging sessions, with freely wandering hands. They didn't get naked and didn't expect me to either. We felt each other up as our relationship was naturally moving to a stronger and more personal level.

3 days before the end of the year Susan found a sobbing first year Ravenclaw not far from the tower. Luna Lovegood. I'd heard about her, although had never really interacted with her. A few times I'd seen her interact with Ginny Weasley from the Lions den who she seemed to get along with just fine. I observed how my girl walked up to her and sat beside the confused light haired girl.

"What's the matter?" Susan asked kindly pulling the girl closer by the shoulder. This seemed to confuse her even more. I understand. Susan has a sort of a... how should I put this, motherly vibe? About her and it was throwing the girl off.

"Nargles..." I could see Susan's eyes narrowing at the girl. Lovegood was strange, often using rare and sometimes non existing creatures for wild stories of fancy.
"What did the... 'Nargles' do?" Suze pushed forward.

"They went off to play with my things. And I can't find them. They... they took a picture of my mother."

From her eyes it was clear that her mother was not amongst the living anymore.

"I'll help you get your things back. When the Nargles do anything else to you, you should tell someone." The girl shook her head in obvious fright. She'd been bullied. I knew for a fact that Flitwick was a no nonsense guy in that area and the only reason he hadn't come down on all the pureblood bigotry in the past centuries was Dumbledores insistence in: 'Children will be Children'

"Tipsy!" Susan called clearly and with small popp her personal elf appeared.

"Yes, Mistress?"

"Please help Luna find her things and return them to her school trunk. Make sure to make a list of the locations of where you found all her belongings and bring it to me." Loved the girl, had to. Like she'd read my mind. The beaming smile from Luna in that moment and her next words of:

"Does that mean you're going to be my friend?" Broke something in me I didn't know existed.

"Yes Luna, I'll be your friend, but for now, you should go back to sleep." The girl threw herself over Susan and hugged her tightly.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you." She walked of towards the tower, I watched her and turned to my side to where Lutain was looking up at me.

'Make sure she gets to her room safe.'

'I will... make way.. nananana...' I rolled my eyes at him and stepped into the corridor.

"Suze!" She turned and grinned. And before she could answered I swept her from her feet and engaged in passionate snogging.

"Now..." She said moaning into my mouth. "Not that I minded that... at all, please tell me what I did so I can do it more often." I pinned her up against the wall kissing her neck. Her taking care of Luna had really turned me on. I was just cupping her ass and contemplating moving my hand up front when I heard someone clear his throat behind us.

"Mr. Black, Miss Bones... might I suggest moving this... meeting. To a more private location?" There was Professor Flitwick with his arms crossed behind his small back, wearing a midnight blue robe. Beside him was an asian girl. I think 2 years above us? By the name of Cho Chang.

"Yes, Sir. Please accept my apologies this was rather... spontaneous." He smiled warmly at both of us while had Cho blushed at the state of our clothes.

"Now the reason for me disturbing you, is I have a question if you wouldn't mind?" Susan straightened out immediately.

"No sir, what is it?"

"You see one of my Ravens seems to have gone missing, Miss Chang insists she left her in this corridor but..." So she'd helped the girl. Which meant this Chang girl was instantly on my potential allies list.

"We saw her Sir." I admitted. "Susan sent her elf Tipsy to retrieve the girls belongings and create a list of where she found them. We just sent Luna back to her dorm." Cho groaned.

"The entrance is spelt closed to her." She argued. I cocked a brow at that. That was some high level charms work to block an enchantment inside the castle like that. Kudos to whoever pulled it off. Better hope I never find out.

"Not for long, now let's go Miss Chang. I wish to have words with my house. A good night to you two, ah... before I forget. I've left your houseelf with a short list of 3 books about duelling tactics and useful spells. I hope they will help you." I bowed to the man as he then quickly moved away with Cho, who as I would later learn was close to Cedric Diggory from Hufflepuff. Ernie seemed to have filled in a select few about how I had 'assisted' in the cleaning of the castle. Cho seemed to come to the conclusion that if I could help the savior with a murderous monster. She could do something for an underclassmen. It's good when these things work out.

Susan then pulled my robe. "Empty classroom, now." She commanded pulling me along. Her self control was spend and so I spent the next hour making out and going down on her. She insisted... I swear...

The next morning Ravenclaw lost quite a few points for the bullying of one of it's younger students. New Prefects would be chosen and Flitwick promised anyone trying shit like that again a demonstration of his duelling abilities. Maybe he'd make a training session out of it?

Naturally Gryffindor won the house cup, I mean at this point who had a chance? With Twinkles handing out 1000 Points whenever Daniel as much as looked heroic. The obvious favouritism made me sick.

The Train ride back was pretty uneventful, Draco went looking for my brother as always. While the 5 of us talked about summer plans. Looked like we'd spent most of it together.

In a few weeks we'd be going for a 2 weeks vacation to visit Fleur in France who'd invited us (seemingly her only friends) to spend some time in her families summer home at one of the beaches. And afterwards was a trip to Romania and my new Dragon Reserve. Good times. But first I was going to do a small ritual on the Summer Solstice only a few days after we returned from Hogwarts. I'd promised Tracey to do something to help my magic settle, and I would.