Disclaimer: Harry Potter does not belong to me. I make no profit off of writing what I write, and I do not intend to ever make profit from it.

AN: Here is the next chapter. Here we see the response Harry has to the grand population of sheeple in Hogwarts, and other things. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 12: Seriously?

Harry Potter looked around as people stared at him with expressions between shock, disgust, horror and, from a scant few, smugness. He frowned softly and scratched his head lightly, looking around and asking yet again.

"What?" He got a response in the form of a gryffindor second year.

"Y-You're a parselmouth! T-That means..." He gasped along with a good amount of the students around, and Harry frowned again, crossing his arms.

"What does it mean? That I can talk to snakes? What's the big deal?" He huffed and looked around, agitated and obviously confused. Second year Hufflepuff Zacharias Smith spoke up with a light crack in his pre-pubescent voice.

"I-It means you are the heir of slytherin! Y-You're the one who opened the Chamber of Secrets!" Everyone gasped, making Harry groan and rub his head in aggravation, looking at the surrounding students.

"Gods, you're all stupid! I opened the chamber, really? I'm out of here, this is ridiculous." He got off the platform and went towards Hermione, looking at her with a soft huff. "Coming, Hermione?"

Hermione was of two minds about this. First being that, well... Harry could talk to snakes. That was a dark trait. Very few people could talk to snakes and those in history who could were revered as dark lords. Then again... she had never been afraid of Harry. He had never hurt her. He had even protected her from a troll. They spent every moment they could with each other. Her second train of thought won over and she gave him a smile before taking his hand and giving him a reassuring squeeze. He let go of a sigh he didn't know he had been holding and they both left to their common room. Whispers and murmurings broke out behind them as they went back to the tower, the rumors and tall tales starting.

~RFC~

The next week went by quickly, yet at the same time it was bothersome as all hell. Harry could deal with rumors. He could deal with being stared at and whispered about, however people were starting to really piss him off. Why? They were talking about Hermione, that's why. She was being labeled as a dark lady, or a vampiress, the latest incarnation of Morgana herself. It was all bothersome, and Harry was getting sick and tired of it. He was walking to the great hall for lunch when he was stopped by 2nd year Puff Ernest Macmillan accompanied by a Gryffindor and a Claw. He crossed his arms and looked ready to snap, but decided to see what was up.

"Hey, Potter. Wanted to let you know something." The Hufflepuff smiled, voice soft, trying to come off as unthreatening as possible. "The three of us? We're purebloods. Just thought you'd be interested in that." They smiled and watched as Harry blinked before a scowl came across his face.

"What... for real? Why are you telling me this! I don't care! So what if you're purebloods, how do you even tell if blood is pure or not?" He huffed and moved around them, grumbling about idiots as he made his way to the great hall. It took him a few deep breaths and a seat next to Hermione before he caught on and groaned with a renewed snarl on his face, Hermione nibbling on some lunch and reading a book before looking at him.

"Whats wrong, Harry?" She put her book and sandwich down as Harry started collecting some things for his own meal.

"People still being stupid, Hermione, that's what. I just got told, in an oh-so-gracious manner, that three of our yearmates are purebloods. You know... because apparently I am targeting the 'unclean' as I am undoubtedly the hier of Slytherin." He huffed and she shook her head, frowning and giving him a hug which improved his mood.

"That's silly, Harry. You're as much the heir as I am. If you really were, would you be around me? I mean... you know what the purebloods call 'my kind'" She huffed and he returned the hug.

"I know, Hermione, it's still dumb." He grumbled and they continued with their lunch, getting looks and some still lingering whispers even after the week. After lunch the duo made their way out to the Quidditch pitch for the Ravenclaw-Slytherin game. While they were not real fans of the game, they were out there to support their house and it was a relatively nice day for a November so there was that as well. The only ones who sat near the pair were a few older Ravens and their odd friend Luna Lovegood. She always had an airy disposition about her and her candid expressions and words was always a nice change of pace for the seriousness of the rest of the claws.

"Hello Harry Potter. I am ever so glad that the wrackspurts have decided to leave you alone. I suspect they are all making other students brains fuzzy with all this heir nonsense." She giggled softly and looked at Harry. "How could you be the heir? You're much too nice, and besides, you're too tall. The heir obviously has to be smaller than you." She nodded, as if they explained everything and then turned to the game just in time to point out. "Oh, look, a bludger."

Harry turned just in time to dodge said iron ball of death as it was in line with his head. He watched it circle around and made its way towards him again. He was confused, obviously, but got up to dodge it better. He nearly yelped when it zoomed past him again and he watched as it turned yet again. This time, however, it was intercepted by one of the Slytherin beaters and whacked away. He went to sit back down, eyeing the ball as it was whacked around again but then growled as it started to change course and come his way once more.

Harry decided that if he was going to be chased by a bewitched bludger he'd at least get away from any innocent bystanders. He moved a little further down the bleachers and then turned in time to dodge again, this one barely avoiding his ear. He started to chant in the demonic tongue, a deep rumbling slew of words, as the bludger came back around. Black and red scales started to cover his arms from his fingers to his elbows as he readied for the ball again, getting into a stance and when it came back again he reached out as if catching an ordinary football. He yelled in pain as the arm that took the brunt of the force made a near sickening crunch as it turned out the spell had not been complete in time. He whimpered in pain and his other hand, completely changed, came down with an angry force and cracked the ball in half.

There was another small crack as even with his reinforced hand the ball was hard enough to still do some damage to his unmodified hand. He snarled softly and then hissed in pain again as his arms returned to normal, cradling his damaged limb as it was about this time that the professors came calling. They had been a good distance away so it had taken them some time to get there. Unfortunately for Harry it was Lockhart first on the scene.

"Mr. Potter! Are you alright? Here... let me look at it." Harry hissed as his arm was moved from its cradled position, snarling at the blonde ponce with contempt. "Yes... completely broken. I can fix that, don't you worry!" He took his wand out and Harry shook his head.

"No! Madam Pompfrey is on her way. Let her do-" He was cut off by the baffoon's words and waved wand.

"Brackium Emendo!" He touched Harry's arm with his wand and then the pain was gone... as were all the bones in his arm. Harry twitched, astonished at what just happened before he looked up at the smiling idiot.

"There we are! Ah.. It's not broken anymore. Not to worry... I am sure Madam Pompfrey can fix you right UP!" His last word was yelped out as he was tugged by his lapel by Harry's remaining good arm to be face to face with a snarling, very angry Harry Potter.

"Listen to me you overgrown peacock! If you come near me with that wand again, I will shove it so far up your arsehole that I will pick your brain! I told you to wait for Madam Pompfrey!" He let go with a soft push and grumbled as he stood up, hissing only lightly at his other arm was still in mild pain. He turned to the healer that approached with her bag just as the game was won by Slytherin via the snitch. The healer tsk'd softly as she saw the boneless arm of Harry and sighed.

"Goodness child... this is going to be a bit of work. I could have mended the arm in a jiffy... now it will take at least a day, maybe two." She shook her head and blinked when she heard the snarl directed at Lockhart. She started walking away with Harry and he started to tell her what went wrong, getting a bit of satisfaction when she sent a glare of her own at the blonde ponce before leaving the stands with her charge. Hermione was quick to follow, having been frozen in shock through this whole ordeal when Harry had suddenly rushed away from her to begin with.

~RFC~

Harry was not pleased that he was in the hospital wing. In fact he was downright pissed off. The only thing that kept him calm was Hermione keeping him company when not in class. The second night he was relaxing in his bed when the hospital wing doors opened and in walked Prof. McGonagall, Prof. Snape, Madam Pomfrey and the headmaster. He was not pretending to be asleep, but they were all too occupied with a 4th figure that was levitating behind them. Colin Creevy was deathly still, and his entire body had an off… stone colouring. Harry shook his head lightly and frowned. Another had been petrified. He concentrated and with a few muttered demonic words enhanced his hearing just a bit more to listen in. He had nothing else better to do, why not eavesdrop?

"...goodness. Another one. This time a child. This is ridiculous, Albus!" Dumbledore took the camera and opened it, getting a hiss of steam and some dust as it was opened.

"What does this mean, Albus?" Dumbledore frowned, not the slightest bit happy about this happening in his school.

"It means, my dear Poppy, that the writing on the walls is indeed true. I'd hoped it wouldn't happen again in my lifetime... but it seems that the Chamber of Secrets has been open once more." There was a collective gasp from the two women and a soft huff from the potions master. "I will make an announcement tomorrow. While it is unfortunate such a thing has happened, it is good that it comes so close to the holiday break. The students can all go home while we search the school. It would be safest I believe." There was a collective murmur of agreement before they went their separate ways. Madam Pomfrey closed off Colin's bed area before going to her office/quarters.

As he closed his eyes in an attempt to sleep after cutting off his little spell he heard a soft ~crack~ that was a telltale sign of elven apparition. He opened his eyes to see none other than Dobby sitting on the edge of his bed. Looking at Harry pitifully and frowning with his hands wringing the dirty pillowcase he wore.

"Harry Potter came back to school," he whispered miserably. "Dobby warned and warned Harry Potter. Ah sir, why didn't you heed Dobby? Why didn't Harry Potter go back home when he couldn't get on the train?" The high pitched, yet whispering voice of the overly-zealous house elf said.

"What are you ta-" He glared softly. He was starting to really not like this elf. "That was you? You little ba-" He took in a deep breath and snarled lightly. "You do realize I am friends with your master's son? What do you think is going to happen tomorrow when I see Draco?" The elf seemed to pale at that. Through his acts he didn't bother to think about that obvious fact. It made Harry nod to himself before he heard the elf speak again, this time with a more distraught tone.

"Mr. Harry Potter must not tell! Dobby only be wanting to help you! Harry Potter must go home! Dobby thought his Bludger would be enough to make-" He yelped as he felt the shadows around him grasp his arms and legs and then felt trembling anger from the young demon child.

"Your bludger!" He hissed and his eyes twitched, a fiery silver that radiated promises of pain. "Do you understand how much it hurts to have your arm regrown, you little shit!?" He was trying not to yell, but it was difficult. The elf tried to pop away but he was instead tugged closer to the angry pre-teen, the dangerous whispering mixed with literal heat from his voice.

"You listen to me, Dobby, and you listen well. You are either going to stop trying to get me to leave this school, or I am going to have to apologize to your master for ridding him of his elf, do you understand?" He hissed at the fearful look on the elf and then let him go. Glaring softly as the elf stumbled back a bit onto his butt and hands.

"D-Dobby will n-never stop! Harry Potter is in too much danger!" He yelped again and vanished with a soft ~crack~ just before a small fireball hit where he had just been. Harry grumbled and put the fire out, clenching a fist in anger as he felt the pins and needles of the skele-grow working on his arm. He was fuming softly, but he hoped this was his last night here. He took a few deep breaths and then closed his eyes, trying to will himself to sleep with a soft mumbling under his breath.

~RFC~

The next day Harry was free to go, and he was thankful for it as he was getting agitated by the stuffiness of the hospital wing. His first order of business was taken care of quickly, and he was glad to see and hear that Dobby had been ordered to leave him alone in all forms. He thanked Draco and was asked a favor to be repaid to attend the Malfoy yule ball. He told the boy he would ask his father, but most likely be able to attend. At dinner time, after the meal was set out and dessert was being enjoyed, Dumbledore stood up with a gentle clearing of his throat to get attention.

"Thank you for your attention, my students. It pains me greatly to say this, but this holiday break hogwarts will be closed for security reasons." There was a breaking out of murmurs and of course complaints, but it died down to a soft mumble when Dumbledore raised his hand for silence. "Last night, there was another unfortunate petrification. I would also like to mention that when it occurred, our own Mr. Potter was sleeping within the infirmary from his unfortunate incident. So it is with that knowledge that I request you leave him be." He smiled in his grandfatherly way, hoping this would help him get in some favor with the boy. The complaints from students over Lockhart and the like, not to mention other board issues, was taking up valuable planning time so he had to take what he could get.

"For added protection, from here until the holiday is upon us, no student is to be out alone. There are to be no groups lesser than five for increased safety." There were soft murmurs of agreement before the old man's eyes went to a hand raised by a certain Ravenclaw 2nd year. He smiled genially and spoke just the same.

"Yes, Ms. Granger, you have a question?" He gestured for her to stand and with a slight blush as all the attention was on her she did just that. She cleared her throat and spoke clearly and loudly, but she didn't yell.

"Pardon any disrespect, Headmaster, but isn't that... foolish?" She asked with just a slight bit of hesitation. Dumbledore raised an eyebrow and gesturing for her to continue.

"If one… or two students are out and they are petrified, while it is… bad, it's better than say five or.. even ten, right? Whatever is doing this would probably have no problem petrifying more than one student." There was another, louder murmur of agreement before she sat down. Dumbledore looked pensive for a moment before he spoke after silence was reined in.

"Ah, while that may seem true, Ms. Granger, and any who think that as well, it is not. There is no doubt someone or something is doing this, but there is always safety in numbers. Seeing a lone pair of students, or even one, is a lot less intimidating than five or even ten. I do thank you for a valuable question, 5 points to Ravenclaw for that." He smiled as she beamed softly and looked away, inwardly growling as he had thought to probe her thoughts a little too late. He would find another way. After a bit more on the subject dessert was taken away and they were all sent off to their rooms.

~RFC~

The last few days before yule break were pretty uneventful, it seemed that whatever, or whoever, was attacking students decided they wanted to enjoy the holidays as well. The carriages were full and the train was as well, it was not every holiday that everyone had to return home. A message was sent to every parent and guardian of those attending the school that there was going to be a re-doing of the wards so it had to remain empty of students. The Creevy family was exempt of this message, the parents of said family having been told exactly what was going on, but to avoid a wide spread panic the cover-story was made. How Dumbledore and McGonagall got them to agree to keep quiet was a secret in itself, but it was done.

Harry was not against leaving the school for the holiday, it was not like he had anything keeping him there anyway. Holidays were spent at home, as well as visiting friends and other places, and this year was no different. Christmas was spent on a beach in the Bahamas and boxing day was spent with the Grangers. Harry, Sirius, Remus, and Scorch went to the Malfoy ball and were surprised that it was not all stuck up pomp and circumstance. Sure, there were plenty of times where there was just a bit too much pure-blood propaganda, but for the most part it was an entertaining change of pace.

When they returned to the school they found out that there had been absolutely no progress on what was going on in the halls. Harry could only be amused at the thought of it all, even though he knew he was in danger as well. As the days turned into weeks Harry noticed something that was... clearly out of place, and it was concerning him. Hermione seemed to be a little less logical in her thinking. She seemed to be more compliant to the orders and actions of the professors and elders around her. Sure, respect was given where it was needed, but the fact that she had begun to second guess Harry and being more willing to listen to things like the poppycock that spewed from Lockhart's mouth... bothered the boy.

Harry was studying her in the library, staring intently as he thought. It was bothering him more and more as the days went by and it got more severe for her. She had even insisted on looking in the library for any type of creature that petrified. He had been insistent that it was not their place to do such things, but he could never deny her for long (and he got teased mercilessly for that by his godfathers and father). Harry then caught something that he couldn't believe he missed before. The fingers on Hermione's left hand were idly stroking a necklace she had on, like it was the most normal thing to do in the world. Harry growled softly, but it apparently wasn't soft enough as Hermione's attention snapped to him. He spoke before she could though.

"Hermione, where did you get that necklace?" He locked eyes with the offending jewelry and then looked into hers, seeing a slight... haze in them.

"This old thing? I've had it for years, Harry. I never take it off." She smiled softly and then went back to reading the book in front of her, as if it had the secrets to life. She snapped her attention back to him again as he didn't growl this time, he snarled. It was not a pleasant sound and she whimpered softly.

"Harry... stop that. You're scaring me." Harry immediately knew something was wrong with those words. He glared softly and then extended his hand.

"May I see the necklace, Hermione? I want to put an indestructible charm on it." He smiled softly, a friendly smile. "If it means so much to you, I want to make sure it's safe, right?"

He saw the warring choices in her eyes, and how difficult it was for her to make a decision. He hoped she would let the logical part of her mind win. He was waiting, hand extended; smiling kindly like the friend he was to her. She bit her lip, worrying it really, before her hands reached back and unclasped the chain. She took it off and then with a slightly slackened grip dangled it over his hand. She gasped in surprise and slight agitation when he snatched it from her grip. She was about to say something, no doubt scathing, when her hand went to her head and she groaned heavily. Harry caught her before she could slump off her chair and frowned. He could feel the charms on this necklace, they were heavy and powerful. He felt the urge to start researching things about petrification, and it made him growl in anger.

"Belial!" He hissed out and waited not a moment before his faithful canine appeared. He gave him the chain to hold with his maw and stroked his ears. "Take that to my room and wait till I call for you again." The dog nodded, whimpering lightly at the slackened female in his arms before flaming away. Harry picked up his friend in a bridal carry and walked with her to the infirmary. He didn't know who sent that necklace to her, but he had a suspicion. There were only so many people who could charm such a thing with such powerful spells. He shook his head and then laid his friend on one of the infirmary beds. As soon as he did that Madam Pomfrey came bustling out, wand in hand ready for whatever reason someone entered her ward.

"Mr. Diablos? What is wrong with Ms. Granger?" The hospital matron frowned as Harry told her about the necklace, even calling his dog to show her the offending item. She was surprised and appalled at such a thing, but there was little she could do. Harry had Belial take the necklace back home. He would talk with his father about it. For now, however, he would wait with his best friend. Hopefully there would be no permanent damage to her. His anger bubbled close to the surface, but he would stay in control for her. He didn't know why it affected him so much to see her on the infirmary bed like this. He admitted... she was a friend, a very good friend. Could all the teasing and jokes about them being a couple perhaps be closer to the truth than he thought? He'd have to talk to Hermione about it. Maybe she was having these thoughts as well... it was something different for him, but he wanted to figure it out, and he needed her to do it.

AN: Alright, that's the end to chapter 12! I have decided against using polls. I will instead, from now on, ask question/suggestion in AN's. I hope you guys liked the chapter. As always, read, review, and be Merry!