Guys this writers block is killing me! send help!

The next morning cane far to early for all of the teenage boys in Gryffindor tower. All of them except for one chestnut haired teen who had already made his way out of the shower and gotten dressed. In the common room he had come across a bewildered looking Hermione who stared at him.

"What are you doing up already? Usually somebody has to drag you and Ron from your beds." She laughed slightly.

"I just thought maybe I should take a page from your book and try to put more effort into my school work."

"You thought that?"

"Yes. Maybe I had a little nudge. But he is right. I can do better. Anyway, I'm off to breakfast. I'll see you there Mione." Harry chirped as he stepped through the portrait.

Once outside he squared his shoulders and set off down the winding staircase. At the bottom of the stairway there seemed to be a small path leading back behind the stairs. His curiosity took hold and he stepped towards the shadowed corner. As he stepped further into the darkness he came to directly under the base of the staircase and found himself staring at a mirror. The reflection itself didn't seem quite right. He reached out and brushed his fingers against the surface. Instead of being solid it felt watery under his touch. When he pulled his hand away a silvery liquid clung to his fingers and he shook his hand quickly to get it off. The substance slid from the floor back up to the mirror.

He went to touch it again when he heard the sounds of more students coming down for breakfast caught his ear. Casting another curious glance at the mirror he turned and made his way towards the stairway again. When he came back into the light he was just behind some second years who had been on their way to breakfast. He followed slowly behind them ignoring their glance back at him.

In the entryway he was ambushed by a rather colorful Fred and George. The two were vibrantly rainbow colored and he couldn't help but laugh. Luna floated over to his side from where she had been on her way into the great hall. The twins laughed and tossed him a few beans telling him to eat them before breakfast unless he wanted to be a walking rainbow. Harry just laughed as he was accustomed to their pranks. No doubt if he ate the beans he himself would be rainbow before he was done chewing. He waved his wand and vanished the beans before turning to Luna.

"The marbled kinklestump told me I might find you here." She said dreamily.

"Well here I am. What can I do for you Luna?" He asked.

"The serpent is looking for the lion. The snake and the eagle know about the serpents goals and the upcoming mission for the lion, the otter and the hawk will help. The dog will prove to be an enemy and will attack the cat. The raven will be your eyes outside. The Phoenix is unaware but will seek to control the Lion. Be wary of the dog."

Harry stared after her in slight surprise. He knew Luna was a seer and her odd behavior was nothing new to him. It was the first time she had spoken such a large piece of the future to him. He knew who the stag was. The stag would be him like his patronus. He didn't doubt the Phoenix was Dumbledore. The others he would have to figure part about the dog didn't sound good.

He shrugged the cold chill that had swept over him. The smell of food was enticing and he made his way into the hall and towards the Gryffindor table. As he took his seat he glanced up at the head table and frowned when he realized Tom wasn't there yet. He looked back down and began filling his plate with breakfast. He grabbed two pancakes, bacon, eggs, sausage, and poured himself a mug of coffee. Halfway through eating Ginny and Hermione joined him. Hermione smoked approvingly at his plate.

The door for the teachers entrance opened and Harry let out a breathe he hadn't realized he was holding as the man he was worried about stepped through the door. With eyes sweeping over the hall as he made his way to his seat the man cast a knowing smirk at Harry. Harry growled softly feeling the mans pleasure through their link. A tap on his shoulder drug him back into the conversation at the table. Hermione was going on about their schedules and how they would need to set up a study plan. The others seemed to be nodding or groaning as she carried on.

It wasn't long before Professor McGonagall was handing out timetables to the students. Harry groaned again as he looked at his schedule. He cursed himself under his breath. He had forgotten that he had signed up to take the double potions because he would need it to be an Auror.

"We have double potions first thing this morning. We better hurry so we aren't late." Hermione said decidedly.

The golden trio finished their breakfast in somewhat peace. Harry looked back at the head table one last time before standing to leave. He was met with a sight of Tom and Snape arguing in hushed whispers. With a small frown Harry followed Hermione and Ron as they made their way from the hall.

The descent down towards the dark corridor that held the potions classroom was a subdued one. The other sixth year students also seemed rather subdued in their usual rowdy behavior. Harry had noticed the lions cast his direction a few times. After the last year who could really blame them. As they made it through the door Ron and Hermione took their seats. Harry lingered for just a moment before sitting in the desk beside Ron.

"We made it before the dungeon bat did." Ron laughed carefully.

"Ronald. Don't talk about a professor that way!" Hermione chastised.

At that moment Snape came through the door with his robes billowing behind him. The silence in the room settled immediately as everyone turned their attention to the snarky professor. With a quick flourish of his wand, the chalk began writing the instructions for a potion on the blackboard in the front of the room.

"Today we will be brewing the draught of living death. You will pair up. And should you fail, I'm sure you're aware that this potion has the potential to be lethal." The man snarled.

As the class split into groups Harry turned to find not Neville or Ron standing beside him, but instead Draco. The blind offered him a twisted smirk as he set about setting up their cauldron. Harry gave him a slightly questioning look before turning back to the board. As he read the ingredients and directions again Malfoy made his way over to the ingredients cupboard. Checking through the list once more Harry set off to join the blonde. They together gathered their ingredients and began their work quietly. It didn't take long before the greasy haired potions master came to question them.

"Mister Malfoy, what are you doing?"

"Working professor." The blonde drawled.

"And Potter? Did you decide to take pity on us to ensure we do not all die painful deaths?"

"I merely thought it would be beneficial to attempt to become friendly with our once again famous celebrity." Draco smirked back at the man.

"I see. Try not to blow anything up."

With that the man swept back away to the front of the room. Harry stared at Draco before continuing to chop his herbs.

"Why did he not take points from you?" Harry whispered.

"He never takes points from us. Not publicly. He punishes is with detentions later that he sends to us by note into the common room."

"Why are you partnering with me?"

"Because I was genuine about the friendship offer. I won't sabotage your attempts at potions. Maybe Severus will see that you're not horrible and you can have a chance to be an auror." The elder teen answered carefully.

The remainder of the class continued in silence except for Neville and Seamus blowing up their cauldron. Harry noticed the other Slytherin giving him weird looks a few times. When the class was over he quickly bolted from the room. The staring had gotten on his nerves. Ron and Hermione caught up to him and they sat through an uneventful transfiguration and charms class before finally heading to lunch

At the head table Tom sat in his Brutus guise and shot him a warm smile. Harry couldn't help but smile back softly with a slight blush taking over his cheeks. The man WAS rather attractive, even in this form. A sharp nudge to his ribs called his attention away to Ginny.

"Who's caught your eye there mate?" Dean laughed softly.

"Oh. Nobody Dean I was just happy that things are going normally for the first day back."

"Have you seen that new Defense professor?" Lavender squealed to Pavarti and Padma.

Harry's attention caught them and several other students staring up towards the head table. Of course the man in question just smiled softly at the students before turning to his meal. Harry felt the twinge of satisfaction coming across their link and carefully reigned in his jealously. It wouldn't be a great idea to let everyone on to the fact that the man at the table had Harry's attentions also.

"We have defense right after lunch Mione. Do you think the teacher will be alright?"

"Well Professor Dumbledore seems to think so. What do you think Harry?" Hermione answered the redhead.

"Oh yeah. He's a nice guy. I've met him before but I don't recall where."

"Is he a good teacher?" Ginny asked.

"Yeah…idk. I've never had him teach me so I guess we will have to see." Harry answered nervously.

The chatter continued as Harry watched the man in question out of the corner of his eye.

"Yes my lion?"

"Merlin! Don't just sneak up on me like that Tom!"

"How can I sneak up on you when I'm in your mind?"

"Nevermind."

"What's wrong?"

"I just don't like how they're all talking about you."

"My lion, are you jealous?" Tom smirked in his mind.

Glamoured teal eyes settled on the dark haired teen sitting amongst the 5th year Gryffindors. A soft smile tugged at his lips as he watched the boy who had just slammed his mental barriers against him. The boy in question stood and made his way from the hall. Tom mentally groaned. He definitely hadn't meant to upset him.

He politely excused himself a few minutes after Harry had left and made his way towards his classroom to prepare for the upcoming class. He hoped Harry had gotten the idea to meet him there and be early for class. As he rounded the corner beside his quarters he smiled softly as he recognized the small form sitting huddled beside the door.

"I'm sorry." He hissed softly.

"It's not that. I didn't sleep well last night. And the staring in class hasn't helped."

"Come on. Let's take this inside."

The two dark haired wizards entered the classroom. The elder quickly cast a ward around the room and dropped his own glamours. He quickly pulled the smaller into his arms.

"Tell me."

"It's just the nightmares. And then everyone stares at me. They whisper behind my back. I just can't catch a break. It's only the first day back and I'm already stressed."

"I can think of some ways that would help that." Tom smirked before kissing the younger softly.

"I know you're not ready. I was merely suggesting. Calm down. Now seriously. I can help you block the memories away before you go to bed so that it doesn't bother you as much. Or if you'd rather to permanently lock them away I can help with that also."

"I can't do that. I need to get past it on my own." Harry shook his head.

"You're not alone Harry. You're mine. That means you'll always have me to look out for you."

Tom tucked his hand under Harry's chin. He tilted his head up and gazed into the green eyes of the younger teen before him. A push at his wards gave him enough time to recover his disguise and put a decent amount of space between himself and Harry before the door opened to admit a few of the 5th year Slytherins. They looked between him and Potter before taking their seats.

The rest of the students began trickling in and Tom watched from his seat on the edge of his own desk. Harry, who had yet to actually take his own seat finally slid off the desk top he was sitting on and intro he seat. As the last of the students slipped into the room Tom waved his hand and the door shut behind them.

"Welcome to defense against the dark arts. I've heard your past history of teachers have all been run off after a year. It would seem you do not have any proper handling in the field of dada. I will however seek to rectify this. If you have questions on my methods feel free to stay behind after class. I intend to have a more practical class. I have already spoken to the headmaster and he agrees with me. We will be having miniature duels and also we will be learning new spells in class based on your level of skill. Now for today I will be having you come up and cast spells individually at these dummies. Potter, you're supposed to be my best and brightest. Why don't you come and cast a Patronus charm for us?"

Harry shot him a slightly irritated look but stood and drew his wand. He mentally felt a nudge on his barriers and allowed them to relax slightly as Harry raised his arm. As he watched the younger move his wand in the movements for the spell he felt his own mind being drawn against Harry as a shield against the poor mental images that were likely still plaguing the boy. To his and undoubtedly Harry's own surprise, instead of the Stag he had heard rumors of, a gigantic lion and a Basillisk both shot from the boys wand.

The two corporeal forms both circled the boy before the lion turned and roared at the same time the basillisk hissed menacingly before they both vanished. Tom jumped quickly from his desk as Harry quickly crumpled to the ground. He caught him just before he would have dangerously cracked his head against the floor.

The class was in an uproar in and instant. He waved his hand and cast a silencing spell at the same time he also shouted for them all to shut up. The students stared at him with wide eyes as he dismissed them all and told the remainder of the golden trio to fetch the matron. Draco Malfoy remained in the room as Tom levitated Harry to a transfigured desk.

"Is he alright?" Draco asked.

"I'm not sure. Has he had a history of passing out?"

"No."

"Just stay back out of the way until we know what happened."

Tom himself prodded at Harry's mental barriers but felt nothing as he tried to contact Harry. He shook his head and sat once again on a desk beside the boy. After a few minutes the matron marched into the room.

"What happened to him?" She asked sharply.

"I asked Mister Potter to produce a Patronus charm. I think he simply fainted but I cannot wake him."

"Why would he have fainted?"

"His Patronus changed." Draco answered.

The other magical occupants of the room turned to stare at the blonde. Poppy shook her head and ran diagnostic charms on the unconscious teen. At the last spell suddenly it was deflected back away from the boy. Tom quickly flung his own hand to send both Poppy and the students back away from Harry. He managed to move himself out of the way fast enough to avoid being hit by a now angrily swishing tail. An angry roar came from Harry but it cut short as it seemed the teen realized what was going on.

"Damn." The now Chimera cursed.

"Language."

"Double damn."

"I assume you can handle this yourself now professor?"

"Of course Poppy. If you'd be so kind as to show the students to their next class and pass along the message that my classes for the day shall resume tomorrow."

"Of course Decimus." The matron cheerfully made her way from the room.

However, Hermione, Ron, and Draco continued to stare.

"Can you guys stop staring at me?" Harry asked in a small voice.

"You're a bloody Chimera Potter! And you didn't think to tell anyone you're a five-x rated creature." Draco spat angrily.

Teal eyes flashed dangerously. Hermione's hand trembled slightly and Ron backed up as the elder mans magic gathered around him dangerously.

"Ron, Herm, maybe you guys should go to Care. I'll catch up to you tonight?" Harry asked.

The two Gryffindors made their way quickly from the room and far away from the magic that was swirling angrily. Draco swallowed hard and quickly lowered his head. Tom growled to regain control of his magic. Turning his gaze back to Harry he arched an elegant eyebrow.

"Don't ask me. I don't know either."

Harry shook himself as he shifted back into his human form. He left his eyes and obviously his fangs as he did so.

"Sorry I didn't tell you Draco. I didn't expect for anything like this to happen."

"So you know that he's…you know…" Draco whispered.

"Yes. I know. And he knows that we've decided to be friends. Which is why he didn't hurt you a minute ago." Harry turned his gaze to their professor. "Any idea?"

"Stress most likely. Hence you fainted and lost control of your magic. What was that about?"

"My Patronus has always been a stag." Harry deadpanned.

"And now it's adjusted itself to your new form." Draco said.

"No. It's adjusted itself to my form and the form of my partner. It was just shocking. Nice to know you're a basillisk Tom." Harry chirped cheerfully.

"I'm not a basillisk Harry."

"You're not?" Harry questioned.

"I can change forms. Usually I prefer that one, but my main one is a dragon."

"Sweet Circe."

"Of course it is. You can't be anything if not complicated oh king of the skies." Harry smirked at the man.

"Hush. Draco, you will not tel anyone about this."

"No milord. Of course not."

"Good. Harry, come with me to my rooms."

With that the two wizards left a very confused Draco behind and made their way to the chambers of the dark lord. Once they entered through the portrait Tom changed forms and sat on his couch. Harry flung himself on the couch beside the man. They chose to both relax there in comfortable silence until dinner.