I have dying to update this for months. Honestly. I have had this whole chapter planned out and sections done for a while. There is more to this chapter, but I feel like you readers deserve something new to read while I get the rest of it. Maybe we can consider this a half chapter. I'll try to update soon and we can call it pax?

This chapter appears to be rather benign, but I leave pretty much a mammoth clue at the end. Something like an anvil to think about. . (: Hopefully it will make up for the months of notdates which are basically updates...but not.

It is my suggestion that you reread the last chapter to fully understand this one. This is only necessary because it has been so long since I updated, so either way, it pretty much comes down to me being so lazy.

I would beg and grovel for forgivness, but as you wouldn't be able to see it and I can't think of a smilie that would get that point across I shall happiliy refrain. Thank you to all readers who have stuck with the story. If you could see me I assure you, I would grovel.

Presenting chapter 25 and ½

Draco's POV 1996

The first way to assist him was to fix him with a penetrating stare. A stare that had frightened many men into decisiveness shone stunningly across the wooden desk but the boy sitting opposite him failed to notice it, choosing to watch his bird perch silently on it's golden frame, all coos and gleaming plumage rather than acknowledge the man before him.

"And you are quite sure that you saw nothing."

A petulant look.

"No sir." Malfoy lifted his head. Eyes squinted as if against invasion.

"Nothing."

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Two thoughts; each as nasty as the other played out their chilling theories in his head. A world where Harry Potter was everything he privately longed to be, or a world where Harry Potter had slipped into thin air underneath Albus Dumbledore's nose. Neither was pleasant as far as evening musings went and the precariousness of the situation Dumbledore had (Unwittingly?) placed him in caused a kind of anger to bubble up inside his chest. The kind that blossomed and swelled if it was not expelled. A hatred so strong it threatened to break solidly constructed objects– first years for instance.

Draco sat back on the leather couch before the fire and ran a hand through his hair doggedly as he eyed the eleven year old boy before him, the only other Slytherin still awake in the common room coldly. His little hands fidgeted nervously (loudly) and his eyes rapidly shifted in the corners as he became aware of Draco's attention. The fidgeting ceased and he soon gathered up his essays and went to bed.

Draco watched him go, his sharp eyes following the boy out of site toward his dorm. With a last thunk and clunk of a door Draco allowed himself to stretch. It was a very uncomfortable feeling- to feel obliged to fret over his enemy.

It was very uncomfortable, sitting there and fretting. His father had not yet responded and Draco was growing tired of the apprehension. For if it was true, Harry Potters very life might lay in his hands. Smirking nastily, Draco sunk back. Patience had never been his virtue. His father has always reminded him of this when he was younger and even now he found it very trying to sit still and do nothing. Especially when the stakes were so precariously high.

He closed his eyes and tried to recall all that he had seen. Tom Riddle, and boy called Lestrange– but surely that could be verified! And what else? Harry, a prefect (Draco grimaced), his grandfather who was as blonde as he was. These were all verifiable facts and surely the library kept some sort of record. That might do. Draco's eyes flickered toward the mantel where a large and oak framed clock sat ticking away the hours before morning when classes would recommence. His time was limited for research. 1:00 PM. The face read, he blinked rapidly and the weight on the couch shifted as he slid limberly to his feet.

Harry's POV 1945

"The Advertisement has finally hit paper." The clink of a spoon sinking to the bottom of a bowl coupled with the scraping of a bench followed this statement. Harry, who had been eating his bagel in a kind of earnest silence leaned over to peer at Lestrange.

"Advertisement?"A burly growl from Goyle. "What for?"

"For a new Santa yougreat hairy lug."

It was breakfast time. Lestrange was tepid as always engulfed in his paper, Harry chewing silently as Malfoy hunched over a bowl of something his eyes sagged with sleeplessness.

"But I thought Santa was a muggle. "Avery Crabbe's only friend whispered.

Harry looked up just in time to see the ends of Lestrange's paper droop half heartedly. "The advertisement for the new caretaker you moron."

Malfoy shook his head and drew his robes closer. "So they've done it then. Finally admitted that he isn't coming back. That Slytherin put an end to him?" He took a moment, his face seeming somehow much more alert with it's flush of smarmy righteousness, "Reckon they will start interviewing today?"

"Who knows." Gavivi yawned, shaking sugar on his porridge. "I think they will try to be as quick as they can."

"Why?" Asked Avery who had assimilated to a three-way conversation.

"Less attention focused on it that way." Lestrange muttered lowly as a group of Gryffindors passed close by their table. "The last caretaker didn't exactly retire did he?"

Harry did his best to make sure his facial expression never wavered. He wasn't sure what expression he was fighting to hide, but it seemed important to stifle it.

"Not at all." Malfoy was smiling nastily. "Filthy mudblood had it coming though. I wasn't surprised when the heir chose to attack him first. Pathetic menace of a man."

Harry turned his eyes on Malfoy, who he had been quite intentionally avoiding since the night before. He wondered idly why none of them had ever questioned Tom about it. Of course they all seemed to know that he was the heir of slytherin, but none of them seemed to know that it was not Tom who had attacked the caretaker. Malfoy caught his eye and Harry fought to hold his impassive profile even as he realized that the expression threatening to hold his face was a smirk.

"Done a nice job keeping it out of the papers though eh?" Lestrange had folded back up his portion of the newspaper and was finishing off his juice.

"Hushed up all of it," said Malfoy, his eyes still on Harry " Father says it's been unbelievable trying to get news."

"At least it means they have achieved something with all these meetings." Harry said, causing both Lestrange and Gavivi to look over at him, as though they had forgotten he was there in his silence.

Lestrange nodded vigorously, too readily agreeing Harry thought, and he was surprised to see Gavivi ascent as well.

"Always good to hear that Dippit has been doing something at least."Lestrange drawled watching Harry carefully as Malfoy opened his mouth. Lestrange gave Malfoy a pointed look as though reminding him of something and Harry watched in interest as Malfoy looked away, out across the grounds.

Harry watched this interaction with a sharp . Malfoy and Lestrange who rarely agreed on anything seemed to have made an agreement. Malfoys eyes ran off of Harry with the bitterness from the night before when Tom had snubbed him and Harry privately wondered if Lestrange and Malfoy hasn't discussed it together. Alone. In the dormitory without him. How very Slytherin.

But even as he thought it out, it seemed unlikely given Malfoys arrogance and Lestrange generally condescending thoughts. That he had confided his embarrassment in Lestrange was almost unheard of but there was something new in the looks they exchanged before that look was over.

"They haven't run anything on the attacks?" Harry asked wonderingly.

Lestrange shook his head slowly. "No, I don't think so. Nothing directly related at least."

"Bad publicity." Gavivi mumbled, reaching for the basket of apples in the middle of the table. Some where overhead the bell rang and the apple disappeared into his cloak.

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The Potions corridor was packed when the reached it. The doors behind them sealed shut. Harry cast an eye over the crowd for Tom who had been missing at breakfast.

"Damn." Gavivi sneered. "What's all this?"

Harry shrugged and tried to look over the heads of the moving crowd. All of whom were his age and a fair few of them just a head taller. He could just make out something on the door to the classroom.

"There something on the door." Harry said, keeping his voice low. "Gavivi, go check it out."

Harry hung back with Malfoy and Lestrange while Gavivi, slighter and shorter, slunk through the crowd. He was back moments later, his bag low on his shoulder. "Class is cancelled. Come on, lets go to the Library."

The four of them fought back into the stairway and into the great hall. Lestrange clinging to his books and sneering. "Why would class be cancelled. Wouldn't they just hire a substitute."

Gavivi shook his head and leaned in as the reached the hall. "Nah, another meeting. All the teachers are there."

Malfoy laughed. "So they have started interviewing." He was about to say something when a nasty leer slipped onto his face.

Harry's eyes searched the hall. They stopped on a women, chatting animatedly to a stopping Professor Bins. She was wearing a bright lime colored jacket and pencil skirt, with a pair of lurid pumps that matched her blonde hair. Her lips were very red and her grip on her quill seemed very tight. Harry was struck by that kind of strange nostalgia he had learned to forget. In between her choppy blonde bob and skirt there was a trace or something so undefinably Rita Skeeter that Harry stopped to look. Behind her was another man. A short, dirty man with a kind of forced purpose in his navy suit. In the door leading off the great hall Harry noticed the train of Dumbledores robes.

"Reporters?"

Harry heard the crunch of an apple and the audible sneer of Lestrange.

"It's just a caretaker. Please."

Harry watched as the women eyed them excitedly. Eyes trailing along his prefect badge.

"She looks like she is coming over here."

"Shut up." said Harry menacingly and silence fell but for Gavivi chewing, albeit nervously. "Lets head for the library. She won't follow."

Harry lead the way across the hall. The reporter followed them as far as the doorway where Harry could hear voices. Just beyond the door was Professors Dippit, Slughorn, Dumbledore and Tweedy. Attentive as always, Tom stood next to Slughorn, his handsome face sleek and interested.

As soon as Harry crossed the threshold the reporter was upon them and catching sight of Dippit seemed delighted. Tom looked form Harry to the reporter.

She puffed herself up. "Professor Dippit, how wonderful! I was told you be in a meeting all morning." She had a high sweet voice. A false hook on the end betrayed her unhappiness.

Professor Dippit looked back at her, clearly troubled. "Melinda, yes yes, We've been rather tied up. His eyes moved from Harry to Malfoy. "Been amusing yourself with the students I see."

She looked back at Harry, and Harry raised his eyebrows.

Some of our finest actually." Dippit continued. "That boy there." he gestured to Harry, "Is Harry Potter. Very talented. He's just been made prefect actually." He looked over at Tom. "Oh, and this Is Tom Riddle. Head of his class. We have high hopes for him." He beamed with a sort of pride.

Melinda seemed aggressively untouched. "I presume you are. Now Professor, if you have a minute I really would love to clear this up with the Press." She blinked innocently. "Plenty of confusion at the prophet about all this."

Professor Dippit seemed quite unsettled "Yes, Yes, I'll set you up with the Barmous, he should be."

"Oh no." Melinda batted at the air about her." Goodness, I have already been with the new caretaker, I was rather hoping that you would deign to give me just a itty bitty" she pressed her fingers together, "fragment of your time."

"Yes, Yes." He sounded wounded. 'This way, I'm sure I will be able to clear up any misunderstandings."

She giggled and followed him down the hallway. Behind Harry, the man in the blue suit who had been talking to melinda earlier had appeared looking confused. Professor Tweedy was rubbing his temples.

Professor Slughorn scooted forward. "This way Barmous, that's right." he pulled him into the circle and Harry watched him go. "We will soon have you settled out."

"Perhaps you might give him the tour Professor." Tom's suggestion did not go unheard.

"Aha yes!, of course of course, you'll be needing that if you want to make your first patrol tonight Barmous."

He seemed reluctant to leave however and Harry, Malfoy and the rest of Tom acquaintances were blocking his path quite well.

"If it's alright with you Horace, I think I shall see to Dippit, for now it would be best if these boys found the library."

Dumbledore had dismissed them. Harry went to leave but Slughorn made a startled motion. "Oh yes of course, but a moment with Mr. Potter and young Tom." He was bouncing on the balls of his feet and Harry made his way over to him slightly surprised.

"Boys, tonight is Mr. Barmous's first patrol. As the Slytherin prefects I think it would do nicely if you were to accompany him in this endeavor."

Tom nodded, his dark hair moving a fraction. "Of course professor, and I'm sure Harry won't mind."

Harry nodded his agreement catching Toms eye for just a fraction of a second. "We could stay with him, make sure he doesn't get lost."

"Brilliant!" Slughorn beamed, thumping Tom on the shoulder. Behind him Harry could feel Dumbledore eyes on them and strangely, he found he didn't care.' very good, Very good. I shall meet you in the entrance hall with Barmous around eight."

Harry nodded. Slughorn smiled, slapped his hand down harder and left them. "Have you been with them all morning?" Harry asked as Slughorn made his way toward Dumbledore.

"No." Tom was frowning. "I was only attempting to have a word with Slughorn."

Harry had hitched up his bag further as the made for the library. "But he was to busy hiring the new caretaker." Tom nodded, his face more contrived then natural. Harry continued. "You've met the new caretaker?"

Tom looked at him know. "Yes, much like the last I would imagine." Harry could help but feel the intensity of the gaze and was struck once again, with the fear of Tom knowing his own part in that murder. He couldn't have that, Harry suddenly realized and he was seized with a sudden determination.

"I only ask when I think about the suspicious death of Agustius the late."

Tom had stopped to fix his bag, but his eyes were smoother then ice. "Indeed," he paused for a moment as if to let Harry's fear solidify. "and what exactly are your suspicions?"

Harry shrugged, trying his best to reflect Toms cool face back at him in the mirror of his eyes. "What does it matter what my suspicions are, when you have undoubtedly solved the whole mystery ages ago."

Tom smirked, letting his head move to the side to maintain eye contact when Harry adjusted his own strap. "I confess I find it all rather puzzling Potter."

No he didn't. "Do you?"

"Indeed. I have my suspicions as I am sure every student in this school does, but I find some rather unsavory inconsistences in mine." He was smirking. It was cold and cruel. But it wasinvolved. It mattered on some level. He knew. He had to, he just didn't understand why.

"Unsavory?" Harry met his eyes. Tom knew. Tom knew. Tom knew he had killed the caretaker. In the days before death eaters, Harry realized, Tom might see him as something spectacular. Sixteen years in an orphanage. Eleven years in a cupboard. Tom would kill his family. Harry would kill the staff.

Tom's eyes were something like liquid, they took in twice of what Harry knew he was saying. They knew nervousness. They knew fear. They knew disgust. He could read harry like an open book and Harry could see why no one lied to Voldemort and lived. "The entire school knows it to be a crime of the heir of Slytherin."

"Ready excuse isn't it?" Tom asked.

Harry smiled and the relaxation of his muscles felt good. Tom did not appear to be ready to curse him. "If not the heir of Slytherin then who?"

Harry waited on a breath. Then Tom grinned. "And how." He let his eyes fall to Harry's badge for a moment as it was gleaming in the light then he continued down the hall, so Harry followed him. "Even the how has never been answered. Dumbledore himself never found his body."

Harry shrugged and meeting Tom's eyes he added. "Nor the heir for that matter."

They were nearing the library.

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Draco's POV

The library was deserted when he reached it and a silent as a crypt. A great sense of foreboding leaped into his chest when he reached the research section. An eerie kind of moonlight glowed upon the floor and first shelf and Draco, feeling safer using natural light dropped to his knees. He blew the dust off the top of a collection of prophet articles dated Feb- March of 1956. A brief wisp of panic sprung up in his chest when he considered that the articles might not go as far back as 1945. He was quickly calmed when he dusted a cover of a popular magazine from 1934.

With a determination that surpassed his dislike of the dust and grime, he pulled books off the shelf, taking very little care for their spines. When a particularly large volume parted ways with it's crusty cover Draco smirked as he imagined Madame Pince's reaction when she finally got around to noticing. He picked up the limp book, and smiling nastily, put it back on the shelf so that a flap hung sadly over the edge.

Chuckling coldly he continued his search, pulling out bundles of papers from 1945 and the adjoining years. Pausing to pull a section of twine off a fat stack, he began to pick apart the yellowing pages. He scanned the first page, and finding nothing more particularly potent then a sunken goblin urn of some kind, he tossed it aside. Various headlines caught his attention. He

placed those he found the most interesting to the side. The others he bent, crumbled and in other ways marred in unnecessary ways in his impatience.

When the sun began to creep through the cracks between the tree's of the forest in the distance, Draco had a tidy pile of pages with titles like Mayhem at Hogwarts; The Ministry Investigates

and Rumors at school Unfounded: Disregard. Beneath the nearest table, was a rubbish heap of other stories, unwanted and battered. Draco settled back against the wall and opened another page. Ministry officials recalled; Head of research last seen in forest; So was wolf. Draco raised and eyebrows, and smirking scanned the article.

The first page was a list of grievances. Ministry officials frightened, then put out, and one women who claimed to have been sabotaged. Draco was throughly nabbed when he saw it.

Among the recent claims of our government officials sings another voice. A cluster of voices to be more exact, louder and more pronounced than those of such bitter authority, the voices of the student body . Says Grodsiusius Malfoy, aged 16, "I've never felt safer, the rumors about our school are so ridiculous." When asked if these students feel as though a source of omnipotent danger has indeed found purchase within their school this year, Emeret Lestrange quips, "Yes, I'm so frightened I can barely stand to make curfew." Interjects his friend Harry Pooter, another handsome 16, " He really can't."

Draco paused, his nose wrinkled. Annoyance and disgust playing for first. Harry Pooter? It had to have been a miss print. Scowling he reached for another paper. Disappearance of caretaker sparks rumors of illicit contract. Draco flipped the page over and tossed it into the heap of unread articles. He looked at the next paper. Second Prefect Named; A new Hogwarts tradition? Draco pushed it aside without reading it, opting instead for the paper just underneath it. Hogwarts inquires after new caretaker; old one never coming back. Beneath it, there was a picture of the school and below that honors students, the head girl and boy, prefects...

Draco froze. His limbs help the paper before him, but his mind had left him. Then without warning, he dove after the forgotten papers, coming up with the paper he had thrown away so carelessly. Second Prefect named; A new Hogwarts tradition? Fingers shaking with anticipation and dread, he brought the paper into the light.

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The second half of this should be out soon, until then, reviews are my love.

Before I forget, anyone with Beta powers? I might be needing one pretty soon.

Questions and comments welcome so long as they are not on fire. (: