LONE WOLF

Chapter 10

A/N: I would like to begin by appreciating my reviewers. You guys are just amazing. Atleast have managed to gain some approval from some of you. A lone guest called my writing fabulous...ohh this is awesome.

Well no time for babbling, Harry plans on acquiring allies and our favourite dark Lord once again makes an appearance...this story can't get any better...or can't it?

"normal speech"

§§perseltongue§§

Chapter 10

Harry found himself in the common room. He was seated at the the sofa near the fireplace while he watched the flames. He wondered how Voldermot had been able to recover that first to be able to posses someone. (He was sure it was Him)As it had initially taken him 11years. He pulled out the Marauder's map after making sure that no one was watching and activated it. He looked at the map but with many students it was hard to spot a particular person. He tapped his wand on it and muttered "Tom Riddle " and the map zoomed to the Gryffindor common room but he still could not see any sign of Voldermot.

Just as he put it back the two girls came and sat down on either side of him.

"Harry what are you doing you seem to be pretty occupied.."asked Tracy as she put her hands near the fire. The dungeons were a cold place and Harry always wondered who felt it was a good idea to have students here but that was a mystery for another time.

"Nothing really I was about to turn in and get some sleep" Harry replied in a monotone.

Before Tracy could complain Daphne butted in and asked.

"Harry what do you think about what just happened "

Harry frowned a little bit. He didn't want to share about his thoughts but he knew that if he was to have allies there were times when he would have to share information. Much as he didn't like it he knew it was necessary, so shrugging he answered..

"I am not very sure myself but I do have my suspicions" since he had told them about last year he felt he should let them come to their own conclusions.

"Of you have.." Tracy said with a roll of her eyes as if it was the most obvious thing"though myself I can't think of anyone capable of freezing a ghost . That seems to be very complicated magic.."

"Yeah it most definitely is and no Hogwarts student is capable of that." said Harry.

"The dark Lord " Daphne whispered catching on with what Harry was thinking.

"That is possible but how was he able to recover so fast"asked Tracy now more attentive.

"Those are my thoughts exactly but we can't be sure if realy it's him yet"answered Harry.

The girls nodded each thinking that this situation was better off left to those capable of figuring it out unless the dark Lord decided to come for them himself.

Tracy stood up with a yawn and said"well I am sure you will figure it out Harry,but right now my pretty bed is waiting. Guess I'll see you in the morning" and with that she left.

Daphne and Harry sat in a bit of confortable silence after that. Daphne was wondering why Harry had decided to confide in them. Usually he is always quiet and kept his thoughts to himself and only spoke where necessary. But coming out to speak his mind like he had just done was most likely for a reason and wondered what he was doing. She knew he was very sure It was the dark Lord behind this if the cold glint in his eyes was any indication though why he just didn't say that was beyond her. Unless he wanted them to connect the dots by themselves. She would do exactly that, for some reason she knew this was something vital and she did not want to fail Harry. But right now she needed some sleep.

"Well Harry I am as well going to get some sleep hope we can get something tomorrow "

Harry gave her a nod and she followed her friend to the girls wing. By this time he was the only one remaining in the common room. He pulled out the map and when he repeated his actions this time the map zoomed to the Gryffindor girls room but atill rhwre was no sighn of Tom Riddle. However what was clear was that whatever this was, it had something to do with Ginevra Weasley.

Albus Dumbledore didn't know whether to to be happy or afraid. The Chamber of Secrets had been opened. Again. Last time Tom had opened the chamber and had killed a student. This time he was not sure what the dark Lord was planning. He had of course known the moment the Horcrux was brought to Hogwarts but had left it be to see how events play out.

After today's events now he wasn't sure. He still didn't know who took the stone though He was sure that wasn't Tom. His chance at testing Harry had been missed last year but with Tom releasing the basilik in the school,Albus saw another second chance of seeing the extent of humanity or his father's Gryffindor nature that remained in the boy. He just hoped that Moly's did not end up dead..but if it so happened he was sure Molly would understand that it was for "the greater good"

Two weeks after the Halloween incident found Harry in the great hall standing with the rest of second year students for duelling lessons. Apparently Lockhart had asked Dumbledore to begin duelling lessons to help the students to learn how to defend themselves from whatever had petrified Mrs Norris. The two weeks had been greatly productive for Harry. He had started on conjuration which he realised was much more difficult and draining than Transfiguraton during his training.

However he had somehow found a short cut to conjuration as instead of conjuring something out of thin air,he would manipulate the air particles or moisture in the atmosphere and turn them into what he wanted. This way, whatever he created was not only more lasting anf less draining but it was also easier to transfigure into something else during abatle or duel. This idea had come into his mind out of no where and when he tried it, it came to him like he had done it before but had forgotten how to do it and had to start from the beginning. This he filed it away as one of the few things he would need to talk to Nicholas Flamel about.

His dueling practice had become more destructive or impressive depending on one's perspective. The dueling dummies he conjured always lasted a few minutes and even the room he used was beginning to feel the brunt. He had therefore asked the houseelves if they knew of anywhere he could practice from and they had told him that they would try to look around but up to now they hadn't found anything had also planned on involving the girls after finding a more suitable training area but for now he would have to continue alone.

Harry had also confirmed that somehow Tom was Possessing Ginny Weasley but this was different fro last year as it was only temporary. Sometimes he could see the dark Lord's name overriding the girl's but it was always in unclear ink though it was becoming more clear by the day while Ginny's name was fading a little. Harry assumed that Tom was trying to take over the body of the girl and the girl seemed unaware of it. He was brought back to the present by clapping of hands.

"Alright everyone gather around." Said Lockhart looking very excited. "Welcome to the Hogwarts dueling club..."He paused for dramatic effect" a club I myself requested so that I can share with you my extensive knowledge in protecting yourself." He finished with a toothy grin.

"I know things will be very complex at the beginning, but with time you will be to learn something eventually." The man continued flashing his charming smile.

"Now if one of you is willing to step forward I can give you a simple demonstration before our lesson starts" Lockhart finished with a flash of white teeth making the girls sigh collectively.

Harry felt that this was a chance which could help in getting allies as many people were attracted to power. Therefore with a charming smile of his own (which made a disillusioned Dumbledore shiver slightly at the familiar smile) as well as making some of the girls blush,and Daphne was most definitely not one of them, Harry stepped forward onto the platform.

Lockhart looked ready to protest but he recovered and said.

"Now I want you to watch very clearly. I will of course go easy on Mr. Potter here but I hope you learn something. Now we bow..."and the man bowed with Harry imitating him on the other side of the platform."and we begin"

"STUPEFY" Lockhart shouted.

Harry stepped nimbly stepped away his wand held loosely in his hand. Three more stunning spells and a disarming spell, Lockhart was getting frustrated and his spells were now missing by a mile. Harry decided to do something.

"ALARTE ASCENDARE,CALVARIO,AGUMENTI,EXPERIUMUS,STUPEFY"

All them were was non verbally and in quick succession and so fast his hand was a blur and all of them hit their target. Lockhart yelped when he was suddenly pulled upwards and while in the process of ascending he felt his hair falling where he had just been. When the force pulling him stopped ,he was hit with a jet of cold water drenching his robs. As he started his descent his wand flew out of his hand into Harry's and the stunning spell knocked unconscious and his body was flung off the platform and he landed in a heap with dripping robes and a bald head.

All this happened in less than a minute where Harry calmly watched his hand already tucked back to its holster. When Lockhart landed he bowed and turned swiftly and left the hall with everyone still gaping at Lockharts wet form.

Not a second after the doors closed they finaly snapped out of it and burst into laughter. Even Dumbledore had a smile seeing that even though Harry acted as the opposite of James Potter, the boy was still his father's son.

The girls when they left the great hall found Harry seated by the lake watching the giant squid.

"Oh Harry that was hilarious...you should have seen the fool's face when he was revived" Tracy gushed sitting on Harry's left.

Daphne also had a smile on her face. It had been clearly fun.

"Indeed It was. I have to admit I never imagined you having a sense of humour."

Harry gave his attempt at a smile which he had improved at since the incident with the mirror,

"Well that was not my intention realy but I happy that you enjoyed it" Harry answered with a shrug still watching the lake.

"Awww is Harry making his attempt at flirting.."Tracy drawled her eyes shinning with amusement. Daphne giggled at that ,something very much out of character for the ice queen and Harry rose an eyebrow at that but was his only reaction.

Tracy huffed at her failed attempt at making Harry blush but she smiled and just leaned against him with Daphne leaning on him from the other side. Something which made him very uncomfortable but he left the girls be. As much as he didn't want to get so close to the girls, he didn't want to be like Voldermot. So he sat there as the beginnings of winter manifested themselves on the Hogwarts grounds.

Two days after his duel with Lockhart if it could be called that, Harry was walking with the girls back to the common room after dinner and he heard a voice..

§§Killl...rip...tear..apart..§§

Harry immideately stopped making Tracy walk right into him from behind.

"What the hell. ..."she started but stopped at Harry's look.

"Wait."

Harry said as he pulled out the Marauder's map and activated it. Sure enough a very prominent Tom Riddle with a faded Ginevra Weasley was coming from a girl's bathroom a head of them just around the corner and a dot labelled Justin Fletcher.

Before the girls asked about the piece of parchment a scream was heard ahead. Tracy made to run run but a firm grip from Harry stopped her. After a minute several voices were heard and Harry followed with two very confused girls following him. When they reached a small crowd had gathered at a place flooded with water and what looked like a dead body at the centre. They came near as Dumbledore said.

"I am afraid I have no idea what happened but is still alive though unresponsive."

He said this while looking at Harry as if he expected Harry to say or do something. However Harry saw the Gryffindors looking at him suspiciously and he knew what the fool was trying to do. However only Gryffindors were buying it. Harry made eye contact with his Slytherin classmates who easily caught on with the headmaster's intentions and as one they all turned and left for their common room.

On reaching the common room, a very shaken Tracy sank down at their designated sofa near the fire place along with an equally shaken Daphne but she was better at hiding it. They both looked at Harry for an explanation who was silent for a few seconds considering what to tell them. He was almost 100% sure of what had happened but without proof he could simply point them in the right direction.

"While we were walking..I heard something." Harry started very carefully." I was only me who could hear it and I knew that it was connected to Halloween one way or another." He looked at them to see if they had gotten a hint but saw only blank expressions. Calmly,he continued

"I have a..er..map which shows the position of everyone in Hogwarts. He had not wanted to reveal that this early but it was the easiest way of explaining and atleast answered one the girls' questions.

"When I checked on the Map I saw my suspect around the corner as well as Fletcher and had to wait to see what would happen. When I heard the scream I knew I was right."

The girls nodded in understanding while Tracy became white with horror knowing that she almost ran straight into the dark Lord and it was only Harry holding her which saved her.

The three were quiet for a while and then something Harry had said earlier hit Daphne like lightning and she gasped aloud.

"Are ..you..a..a. perselmouth Harry?"

Tracy gasped as well having come to the same conclusion. Harry simply nodded.

"That is why you stopped...you heard the dark Lord saying something in perseltongue..?."Tracy asked.

Harry shook his head "no it wasn't Him I heard. It was a creature or to be specific a snake"

"You mean to say it was a snake that did that.?"asked Daphne clearly surprised.

Harry nodded but did not elaborate as he stood up. On hind sight he should have explained to them so they know what they were up against but instead they felt that he wanted them to find out themselves which would lead to disastrous outcomes.

By Christmas life at Hogwarts was very different to what it always was during the holidays. Most of the students had gone back home during the holidays and Harry been surprised when Tracy and Daphne also remained claiming they wanted to keep him company. Harry however they were up to something though he still felt a little warm that they would do that even though it was an excuse for something else.

Three more students had been petrified. Granger, Collin Creevy and a Clearwater. All these were never on good terms with Harry and the rumours of Harry being responsible were gaining ground but still people were finding it hard to believe as there was no way they could connect them together. If only they knew that he was parselmouth. The girls had taken the revelation in full stride going a head to swear an unbreakable vow despite Harry not asking for them.

For his part Harry spent most of the time training and researching as much as possible about bassiliks knowing that it was only a matter of time before Voldermot sent the beast after him. Little did he know that he would meet it sooner than he had anticipated.

It was on New years eve and Harry was coming from the forbidden forest where he had just acquired his first two allies. Harry had been walking in the forest which was one of the ways he was able to clear his head and contemplate about the future. Therefore as always he was walking in the moonlight enjoying the breeze despite it still being cold, when he heard giggling. It was so out of place in the forest that Harry decided to investigate which wasn't what he would normally do in such a place. Sliding his wand in his hand, Harry saw a clearing ahead which a had a girl who seemed to be glowing in the moon light. She was leaning on a Thestral while it covered her in its skeletal wing. Harry watched the scene with awe not daring to I interrupt such a beautiful sight.

He didn't know how long he stood there watching the odly beautiful girl but he was later snapped out of it by a melodious voice saying

"You can come and join us Harry Potter...no need to keep peeping. Snakes like moving aroynd here you know.." It took a moment for Harry to realise that the girl was talking to him and seeing this she giggled again.

Harry stepped into the clearing and noticed the girl was shivering a little due to the cold and he cast a warming charm on her and she looked at him with those big silvery eyes full of gratitude. Harry wondered why something as simple as that could make her so greatful but he broke off when she spoke next with far away look.

"You will be a great wizard Harry Potter. The greatest of them all." She gave him a brilliant smile and bowed at him." I just hope that you will allow me by side through it all" and she added of course along with my friend here" she patted the Thestral.

Harry looked on flabbergasted for a second but Luna spoke up just as he opened his mouth. "Go Harry, your friends need you..and good luck." She came forward and gave him a hug which he did not flinch from and she pushed him gently towards the castle.

The moment he left the clearing Luna's words registered and he quickened his pace. It never occurred to him at any time to question her. He instinctively knew that she was telling the truth. He walked straight to the hospital wing and without preamble he pushed open the door. Inside he found Dumbledore and the rest of Hogwarts staff looking over at two beds holding the petrified forms of Tracy and Daphne with looks of surprise.

"Care to explain what happened here Harry.." Harry heard Dumbledore but he didn't bother them to answer he turned to professor Snape and asked in a deceptively calm voice.

"Where were they found?"

"Abandoned bathroom on the second floor " Snape answered automatically. The way the boy had looked him had reminded him of his former master that he had been compelled to answer truthfully even without thinking.

Harry nodded and answered ..

"Thank you Severus"

And with that he turned and walked out of the hospital wing leaving a white Severus Snape. He could have sworn that those few moments he had just been addressing the dark Lord and it took all his control not to add "my Lord".

Dumbledore looked at boy as he left the hospital wing. Just as Severus he could have sworn that it was Tom Riddle who just exited the hospital wing. The calm face which was in stark contrast with those cold green eyes that glowed slightly had shaken him. He knrw the boy was going to confront Tom. And just had to wait and see how things would play out. If Harry died,a budding dark Lord would have been prevented and if he survived...then the more reason to watch him more carefully from now on.

Unaware of what was going on in the headmaster's head, Harry made his way to the bathroom in question. He found an open sink with stairs leading into darkness. Harry sent a ball of light before following the stairs. It would seem like Voldermot had brought his arrogant self along for the fight. Descending slowly, wand still in its holster, Harry saw bones and shedded skin of a very big snake. He reached another open door which led to a larger chamber. He saw the pale form of the Weaselate lying on floor like her life force was being sucked. His eyes then went to a life size statue of Salazar Slytherin and casually leaning on it wasn't Voldermot but a boy of about sixteen with handsome aristocratic features. Seeing Harry, smirked. A smirk Harry was so used to seeing. One he always saw in the mirror whenever he smiled at himself.

"Very good of you to join us Harry"

A/N: Wow look at that ...it's a cliffy...oh I have always wanted to right one of those and there we go. Anyway off with another one and next we shall witnesses the fight of the strongest wizards of their lot.