I feel his presence; he does not leave the castle grounds anymore. And as such I no longer go hunting. I am drinking much more than before and I am more worried and anxious. My eyes search the walls and ceiling and every part of where I walk is scouted. I am starting to expect an attack. But there is another pair of eyes watching me, ones that see me in my sleep, ones I cannot hide from. My true enemy!

Lucrius Next

Hogwarts Great Hall 13:00 5th January

"Welcome back students," Dumbledore's voice rang out over the hall. "Could all the first year NEWt level students stay in the hall please." All the other students left he hall and Ginny shot Harry a glance but Harry had is mind set on other things. As Lucy left the hall Lucrius looked up and smiled from under his hood, she dropped a letter on his lap and shot him a quick smile before turning to her friends again. When all the other students had gone off to their next lessons Dumbledore again rose from his chair.

"As you all know you have your first NEWt papers in February." A series of groans went out across the hall and Ron had the expression as though he had forgotten about them.

"Now before we start giving you the set books and revision material we need you all to have decided on your next two subjects. This will lead you up until the final exams in June."

Professor McGonagall stood up and snapped her fingers and pieces of parchment appeared in front of each student, along with a quill and ink. Everyone set about writing down what they wished to do and as this was going on some house elves carrying large piles of books, racks of ingredients and new crystals and other assorted items. These were quickly distributed to all the students and most started to complain about how many there were. The pieces of parchment were collected and the students were dismissed to begin their studies. There were no more lessons in the courses they were now reading and researching. Lucrius had three potions to brew and forty-six charms to learn, but he was more worried about the written tests themselves. These would be three hours each and would test everything that he had learnt and several he had to revise himself. And so he sat down in his usual seat and dropped down his hood, he then opened his first book and began to read.

About an hour later he stretched, not because he needed to, because he felt he should, and got up picked up his books and walked into the dormitory. Harry followed him with his eyes and said,

"Ginny do you think there is something odd about him," with a movement of his hand that waved in Lucrius' general direction.

"Who Lucrius? Not really he seams nice to me." Came the reply,

"But haven't you noticed how he's always by himself and he hides in the shadows too much."

"He doesn't smile often either," came Ron's voice from another chair.

"I know what you mean but he's not done anything odd Harry?" came Hermionie's voice from behind a large book.

"He was playing quidditch in the middle of the night a few months ago but I don't know if that has anything to do with his skin condition. He also gets a lot of notes which seam to disappear." Said Harry.

"I think I still trust him." Said Ginny finally,

"Yeah I guess I should drop it," said Harry, "but watch him there is something wrong." Harry knew better than to argue for too long and as they all settled back to work, he continued to think about all the clues he had gathered.

Lucrius opened up the trunk at the end of his bed and put all the books in it, he then remembered the note that Lucy had given him and he snatched it out quickly.

"Damn why didn't I think about this earlier." He said,

"About what?" said an over inquisitive forth former,

"Just a letter I got," came the reply. The letter said,

"Meet me after my final class. I have potions last. See you then. Lucy." Lucrius smiled he hadn't missed anything and he decided to sleep before he went to see her.

Gryffindor Boys dormitory 5th January 15:30 PM

Two burning eyes punched through the thick black mist. They were red and fiery and pierced through him. Lucrius reeled back and tried to hold back his fear. He felt a presence that was not his own trying to control him. He retreated inside himself before gathering his thoughts and fighting back. His wand flicked up and small silver sparks shot out of the end of it. As the sparks hit the target he felt his mind at an overflow, he gained knowledge and feelings, and his mind started to give into the veil of darkness that was covering his mind. He clawed himself back and as he broke free of the prison of his unseen enemy's mind he screamed.

His enemy laughed, it was a deep, dark foreboding laugh that hissed as it rang out. And then the eyes turned to white fire and seamed to roar with victory,

"Do you not like what you find Lucirussss?" It hissed at him, Lucrius quivered with fear and tried to speak but words would not leave his lungs.

"You did well but I have you now. You know what I wantssss give it to me." The enemy was drawing in closer, "You cannot fight me you have no more weapons."

Lucrius delved deep inside of himself and somewhere deep in his blood his forefathers spoke out for him,

"Except for this one." They screamed, hundreds of different voices all called out of him and his enemy moved back slightly. Lucrius felt his mind sharpen and saw a pinpoint of light appear from between the centre of the eyes.

"No! Thissss cannot be." Screamed the eyes. Lucrius saw the point take up more of his vision and gradually the grip on his mind loosened.

At first all he could see was light glorious light, but soon he felt the cold sweat all over his body. He then noticed someone standing over him. It was one of the Gryffindor boys from first year leaning over him.

"Are you all right?" He asked, "You were making a lot of noise."

"I was having a nightmare." Lucrius replied "Now if you'll excuse me I have to get ready to meet someone." Lucrius decided it would be wise to have a shower before he went to meet Lucy and he decided it would also be a way to clear his mind. And so after gathering some clothes to wear he went off to the showers.

Twenty minutes later he was waiting at the bottom of the stairs to the dungeon, and as the pupils began to file out he noticed Lucy was behind talking to Snape. He walked over to find out what Snape was talking about.

"Ahh Mr. Next you know Miss Betts?" Asked Snape

"I do indeed Professor Snape."

"Well maybe you could show her how to do a Vinctari mesilanus potion. Miss Betts you will brew me one in detention. It ends when you finish."

"Thank you professor." Said Lucy, and she and Lucrius went off to the great hall to practice. When they arrived Lucrius mentioned,

"This is actually one I have to perform in my NEWTs so I know it quite well." They practised making the potion for about an hour before Lucy had to leave to get some homework done before her detention.

"Well I have to go." She said, "I had a good time though."

"Yeah me too." Replied Lucrius, "Are you free tomorrow?"

"Yes, well so far." They both laughed at this reply and Lucy walked over to Lucrius and gave him a quick hug before walking through the main door of the hall. In the Gryffindor common room Ginny looked up from her book with a smile on her face,

"Thanks Harry. You're so good at this."

Harry blushed, "I don't know I just understand it I guess."

"Well thanks anyway." Ginny smiled at him laughed and kissed him on the cheek before running out of the common room and into the girls' dormitory.