Chapter 1 – The greatest room of all

Everywhere he went, it was the same. The stares, the whispering, Harry had enough of it all. It was shaping up to be another miserable year, similar to his second year and the heir of Slytherin craze. Hero one year, pariah the next. It was worse this year than ever before. Rita's fabricated article only fueling the deal with scorn and detachment from other students. As a bonus, he completely lost Ron. The git wouldn't hear anything about that Harry hasn't entered himself and even fueled the tripe about Harry cheating. Snape was nastier than he was last year, probably because of Moody. Harry heard he wanted to teach DADA, but was passed once again. Harry shuddered just thinking about having Defense with Snape and was glad it didn't happen. Draco was the same ponce as always, no surprises there, but seeing the pins on so many of his classmates tanked Harry's mood. How did Draco convince everyone? It wasn't as if that slimehead was popular.

It was no longer Harry vs Draco, it felt like it was Harry vs nearly everyone. He could count the people who stood by him on one hand. Trelawney was picking on him more than usual with her death claims, too. Why hasn't he dropped this useless subject already? Arithmancy should be about math, right? He used to be decent at school stuff before Hogwarts happened, as he basically never studied at all and dragged his marks down on purpose by not handing any homework. Arithmancy would be harder to learn than the relative breeze that was Divination, but without added crap thrown on his face every time. This was the first time he actually wanted to get away from Hogwarts all together. He would even sleep on the floor in Dudley's room if he had to. It was that bad. Why couldn't he have a quiet year?

The only one that believed him was Hermione. Not even Fred and George looked completely convinced, despite their continued friendship. That meant that Hermione's support was severely limited and put her on a strain against other students. Despite her earlier support, it was becoming increasingly sporadic lately. Often she was not around, going on and about that iffy Spew, studying, talking about classes and stuff. It was as if everyone was pushing her away from Harry. They already weren't as close as they were in the third year when they worked well together and it was getting worse. With Harry's current conflict with Ron, they only grew more apart. Hermione's nagging to get his friendship with Ron back was also pissing him off. Like he should apologize when it was Ron's fault that he became so… gnarly. Why it should be always be him to make an effort? Let Ron do the first move.

He wasn't doing it and that's exactly what he told Hermione as well and it drew a wedge between them. Now Harry barely spoke with Hermione as well, at least on the personal level. He felt so alone, problems piling up, and no one was supporting him. Dumbledore, as usual, did a whole lot of nothing for him, apart of the useless flowery words flowing from his mouth. McGonagall wasn't there either, likely overworking herself, but that was hardly new. Even Sirius was too far away to be of any solid help. Also, Harry didn't want to put him in bigger danger by whining. It just sucked. There really wasn't anyone who truly cared. Except from Hedwig. Yet even she was giving him a cold shoulder now. He wasn't even sure what he did wrong this time to attract her ire. Probably because he hasn't sent a letter in a while. Should he write one? To Sirius? Not like he knew anyone else.

Harry moodily sat at the owlery, watching the other owls mingle and fly while his own was who knows where. What was he going to do? His mind reeled back to the fresh memory when he followed Hagrid. Dragons. Fucking fire-breathing dragons. And Ron had said nothing about it, despite Charlie being right there, hidden in the forest. Ron must have known about it, or at least have some idea. He was pissed. Before this day, Harry still hoped that he and Ron would patch things up, but this was the last straw. No, he would not get back together with Ron any time soon. If Ron stayed like he was, it would probably be never. Why should he even care about him? Sirius was about to give his advice, but thanks to Ron's I'll timed interruption, Harry still didn't know how to deal with the task.

*gurgle*

Harry's stomach suddenly growled. He was supposed to eat a long time ago, but wanted to avoid meeting other students at the feast. He was so not going to the Great Hall, even if he had to remain hungry. It was way past dinner. No food was waiting for him there, anyway.

"Fucking great. Where will I get something to eat now? Should have brought something back in Hogsmeade." grumbled Harry. But as he thought about it, wasn't there a kitchen with elves? Harry just recently suggested Hermione to ask Fred and George where it was, so maybe he should ask them instead. Not to free the elves as Hermione wished. He would help them if they genuinely wanted to, but he only ever interacted with one of them, well technically two, so he would reserve his judgment over their entire race for later when he knew more. It was as if he based his entire view of muggles from the Dursleys. Still, he gave up explaining this detail to Hermione. She was too stubborn and wouldn't listen.

Harry trudged back from the owlery under his invisibility cloak, going to his dormitory. Unfortunately, he was going to sleep hungry. Perfect. It was as if he was back at the Dursleys again.

"Fred, George. Do you have a minute?" asked Harry in the morning, immediately spotting the duo hunched over the table in the common room.

"Sure we do, Harry." answered one twin.

"What do you need?" asked the other as they moved as one and flanked Harry.

"Do you know where to find kitchens?" asked Harry.

"We do." answered both at the same time, the one on the left smirking. Harry was going to call him George. Was he one? Who knew? If he asked, he would hardly get the straight answer. Both Fred and George put Harry under their wings and moved out.

"So, where is it?" asked Harry after they met more people streaming toward the Great Hall.

"What? Harry, Harry, you don't want to have breakfast in this lovely environment?" asked Fred, pointing at the fuming Ron who passed by them without even good morning and looking and a gaggle of Slytherins moving on nearby wearing the badges, snickering at him.

"Yep." answered Harry. No reason to lie.

"Okay. I can't say I don't get it. We will help you out, man. But first, we will get somewhere private." whispered George as he guided them toward an ordinary wall, kicked 3 times on the stone and all of them turned up behind the wall itself in an empty corridor.

"Listen Harry, this is how you get in…" whispered George, placing a hand on his shoulder. Fred leaned over conspiratory and sometimes took over as they explained what to do and where to find it. Why were they still whispering? Harry wasn't sure, but wasn't raising his voice either. Secret passages had sometimes very specific and weird rules, after all. Harry couldn't believe why it took so long for him to ask. It would save him so much trouble, especially in the second year. Twins were awesome, unlike their brother.

Instead of going to the breakfast, Harry entered the hidden entrance to the kitchens, tickling the pear. What an odd thing to hear a pear giggle, but this was a full magical castle, hardly something extraordinary. What greeted him was a brief glimpse of an enormous room, similarly large as the Great Hall above it, but significantly reduced in height. Still comfortable enough for even Hagrid to stand in and maybe jump a bit to touch the ceiling, but that was about it. No sky high height, you could probably fly on a broom. It was all he could register in the somewhat cozy room. Before he knew it, something small hurtled toward him at great speed and screaming.

"Great Harry Potter, sir! Harry Potter is here!" squealed the familiar elf as he hugged his leg.

"D-Dobby?" asked Harry, unbelieving his eyes.

"It is Dobby, sir, it is!" answered the voice from down there. He barely saw his figure under several colorful hats and other pieces of clothing.

"Dobby has been hoping and hoping to see Harry Potter, sir, and Harry Potter has come to see him, sir!" Dobby let go of his leg and Harry could finally overlook the excitable elf. Dobby was tearing up with tears of happiness as he hopped around, like in a sugary rush.

Harry had no heart to say otherwise. He pointedly kept silence over him not knowing Dobby was there at all, and rather talked with Dobby about his new employment where he actually got paid and about Winky that was somehow there as well. It wasn't until later he asked about some food that left Harry amazed. The other elves filled the trays that automatically switched with the ones in the room above, filling up the ones in the Great Hall and sending empty back down. What an amazing piece of magic this switcheroo! Dobby prepared Harry's own plate personally in no time at all and Harry happily ate it all, content and with no one bothering him. Well, except Dobby, but he would have much more pleasant company than nearly everyone else. It was almost perfect. He should do this more often.

"Dobby. Do you know where to find any useful spells to beat down dragons?" asked Harry after finishing his meal. It was a long shot and Dobby likely knew nothing about it, but maybe… Harry hoped that despite the low odds, he knew something helpful.

"Dobby doesn't know any wizard's spells. My former mistress had a book with many useful dark spells in it, but I don't know how to get it now. Or any similar ones." spoke Dobby with his head down, ashamed. Harry was glad that he at least stopped his habit of hurting himself.

"Don't worry about it." said Harry and patted one of Dobby's hats. He hasn't expected much of anything, really.

"But Dobby knows a place, sir. It is known by us as the Come and Go Room, sir." said Dobby, brightening up. "It is a room that a person can only enter when they have real need of it. It is always equipped for the seeker's needs. Dobby has used it, sir." said the elf, with a guilty voice. "When Winky has been very drunk, I has hidden her in the Room, wizards knowing it as Room of Requirement. There were antidotes to butterbeer rush and a nice elf-sized bed…" muttered Dobby quietly. Harry didn't understand the rest.

"So you think I could find a book of spells or something in it?" asked Harry, full of hope. He wouldn't dig about Dobby's personal stuff, glad that he helped someone, but his thoughts abandoned his story about Winky quick. This room sounded so interesting.

"Yes, sir!" agreed Dobby, full of fervor. He was bobbing his head up and down so fast that Harry thought it might fall off.

"Dobby will take you there." agreed the little elf and before he knew it, Dobby dragged Harry outside and through the castle. It was a wonder that they have met nobody, but it was likely that all the people were simply still sleeping or at the Great Hall. Or was there something else?

They made it to the seventh floor in record pace, despite Dobby walking fast for an elf, but relatively slow for a human. He would have to ask about the route later. He was sure he didn't know at least one of the shortcuts used, seeing as he had to crawl just to get through one spot. Soon enough they stood by the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy and after a quick pacing left and right while muttering his need of a book of spells to deal with dragons, the door appeared where only the wall stood before.

Carefully peering inside, Harry looked at a cozy room with a couch, chair, desk, writing supplies, and a bookshelf with several books and more.

"Awesome!" exclaimed Harry, in awe at the magic. If he could, he would sleep in there as well.

As soon as he thought about it, a bed appeared at the corner of the room as well, leaving Harry stunned.

"See? Dobby knew it would be useful sir!" preened Dobby as Harry watched, amazed at the sight.

"Wow, I have no words. Thank you Dobby." said Harry and patted Dobby's head as he went listing through the first random book he picked up.

"Great Harry Potter, sir, is too kind." cried Dobby with crocodile tears and a wide smile. He was unable to keep his pose and popped away, saying nothing else.

Thinking nothing about Dobby's sudden disappearing act, Harry went into full research mode. This was a truly amazing find. He would have to do something for Dobby to repay him. When he was done with the task, of course.

Author's note:

I have hidden future relationships on purpose and I will not reveal anything, yet, until something happens in the story to warrant a tag. But… You can reveal it early, by yourself! How? By guessing it away in comments. Each and every girl in the cover that is currently covered will be revealed when 3 people guess correctly the girl and her corresponding number. Meaning, if you get the girl right, but on a wrong spot, it doesn't count. Every person commenting or reviewing can guess only 3 girls each chapter, not the whole crew… (I want this to last at least a few chapters, not get everything right immediately by a few people.)

For example:
2) Minerva McGonagall
10) Rosmerta
66) Molly W.

Obviously, this example is wrong on purpose as these numbers are not included in the cover image and these women will not feature in any romantic relationship with Harry.

The actual numbers are: 3,7,13,21,37,42,69,127. Order doesn't matter, none is better than the others, but I like it better than having them as 1,2,3,...

Tip for this chapter: One of them is a good, loyal girl, but will not have any kind of romantic bond with Harry, her love more familiar. Considering the shape, I think that one is obvious and the easiest to spot.

You have time until I post another chapter as I will consider only comments (Ao3) and reviews (fanfiction) on the current chapter before posting a new one. Backtracking everything would be too much pain later. Depending on how many readers contribute, it might be done quick or take some time, who knows. It's an experiment in a way. For the fanfiction users, the picture is the cover, AO3 will have it at the head of each chapter, updated.

See ya next chapter.