''You know who we can ask?'' Harry said, suddenly realizing something as he went through the Hogwarts records.
Draco quirked a brow, not looking up, but indicating that he was listening.
''Hagrid, remember? Dumbledore mentioned him.''
''I though you said the oaf didn't do it?''
''I don't, but he was there, he might remember certain things, weird things that happened that we have taken notice to so far.''
Draco shrugged, ''Fine, I could use some air.''
''I di'n't do it then or now.'' Hagrid said firmly, before Harry could explain the entire situation.
''We're not saying that you did. We just want to know if you noticed anything weird or even suspected someone back then.''
''Oh...well... them sp'ders, they were runnin' ou' of the castle like mad.'' Hagrid said as he scratched his beard
''Why did they throw you out Hagrid? I mean, they had to have had something to blame you on.''
Hagrid looked uncomfortable, and then muttered after a while, ''Well, I was keepin' a pet of sorts... 'e was completely 'armless I tell ya.''
Draco cut in, ''What was it? A snake?''
''A snake?! No... no, it was a spider. Very large one...I let him go once Tom came bargin' in that day.'' Hagrid said, looking sadder by the moment.
Suddenly Draco recognized the name, ''Tom? As in the Head boy?''
''Yea' dats 'im all right. If you ask me, Tom was a bit too shifty for my likin'...''
Harry caught on, ''Sometimes when you remember things that happened in the past, you realize things now that you didn't think of back then... Do you think Tom acted a bit... strange?''
'' 'snot jest a bit. 'swas a lot. 'ed disappear for 'ours and no one could ever find him. Bit strange if you ask me, him being 'ead Boy an' all...''
Draco and Harry turned to each other, ''Okay, so lets look into this Tom Riddle and see why he set up Hagrid and how he's doing it now.''
Harry then looked back up at Hagrid, ''Thanks Hagrid, you've been a big help.''
''Welcome... uhhh...''
''Harry Potter.'' Harry called back as he headed towards the castle
''You're welcome 'arry.''
''Tom... Tom... Tom...'' Draco muttered as he looked through the school records.
So far, they had only gotten that Tom came to Hogwarts sixty years ago and he was Head Boy.
''Ah... gentlemen.'' Albus suddenly said out of nowhere causing Harry and Draco to jump. Albus waved a soothing hand, ''I apologize for startling you, but I do believe the both of you have missed dinner.''
Harry quickly checked his watch, ''Oh, I guess we lost track of time...''
At the thought of food, the two boys suddenly realized how hungry they both really were.
Albus noticed the pile of books stack around the table, all turned to pages with the word Tom on it.
Albus looked up at them, ''So, what are you searching for?''
''Uh...'' Harry hesitated and looked back at Draco, but Draco just shrugged.
Then Harry said, ''Tom Riddle.''
Dumbledore's eyes flew up in surprise at this, ''And why pray ask are you looking for him?''
A sinking worry feeling started to form in Albus's stomach, had the boys, at such a young age already been seduced so quickly?...
''Hagrid mentioned that Tom reported him and that's why he got expelled. But it doesn't really make sense because everyone knows that spiders can't petrify people, only paralyze. So we think Tom might have... framed him? So now, we're trying to look for books on Tom, to find out why he did it.''
The worry dissipated from Albus's stomach and he smiled congenially at the two boys, ''Why we discuss this in my office. Over some dinner? I'll have house elves bring out some sandwiches''
After Harry and Draco had gotten some food in their stomach (Harry had made sure the tray didn't pass through the headmaster's hands, pretending that he was so hungry that he had rushed to the tray just to get a hold of a sandwich), they felt much better than before and not as exhausted. The Headmaster had patiently waited for them to finish before saying anything.
''Now Harry, Draco... What I tell you should be kept in the strictest of confidences.''
The two Slytherins nodded.
''The person you are looking for is a former student of ours. He was made head boy the same year as the Chamber of Secrets was opened for the first time. His name was Tom Marvolo Riddle.''
''Hagrid thinks he opened it.''
''I wouldn't doubt that.'' Dumbledore replied.
''So, who is this Tom, can you contact him or something? And ask him...?''
''Unfortunately, I can't. I'm not sure he's alive.''
''Then how is he doing this?''
''Tom was a very powerful wizard Harry. Perhaps he left something behind...?''
Harry nodded and kept note of that.
Then, as they were going to continue talking, the grandfather clock in Dumbledore's office rang 11 o' clock.
''You boys better get back to your dorms.''
The two of them nodded and started out of the Headmaster's office.
Even looking back, Albus still wasn't sure why he said this, but in his heart the felt that the boys were already so close and letting them go without the most vital information may cause a lot of harm.
''And by the way, be careful. The both of you... Tom's future alias was Lord Voldemort.''
''But people are still in danger!'' Harry shouted as he ran after Draco
Upon hearing that trying to stop the basilisk was against the Dark Lord's orders, Draco had vehemently insisted that they stop their research.
''It only goes after Mudbloods! God knows they deserve it! Damn Granger too!''
''You can't mean-''
''I mean every word of it.'' Draco replied with a deadly serious expression on his face. Then he narrowed his eyes, ''Sometimes I wonder if you belong in our house, I mean, with you making friends with that mudblood and her mudblood loving weasel.''
Harry froze, gaping at Draco. A part of him felt like he had been punched in the gut at those words. Another part was shaking with dread. What if Draco turned the house against him? He could do it... The rest of the house still trusted him more than Harry, despite the fact that Harry had gotten at little closer.
Draco smirked, ''If you know what's good for you, you'd stop your research. This is meant to happen, Potter. This is only the first step of ridding ourselves of the mudbloods and muggles. WE are the superior ones.''
Harry must have been stupid or something, he blamed his comment on his father's genes, ''And you think this basilisk can tell the difference between a muggle born and pure-blood?''
''The Dark Lord's powers are great. I'm sure he took precautions.''
''I can't believe how blind you are. You're practically willing to jump off a bridge for him!'' Harry replied sharply in a barely controlled whisper.
Draco's eyes narrowed, ''If it further helps his campaign. I would be honored... Well, at least now we know who not to recruit.''
With that Draco turned around and headed back to the dorm room.
For the rest of the night, Harry sat in the common room staring blankly at the fire.
And at the prompting of the dark thoughts, the creature in his mind awoke once more after a brief period of dormancy.
At first nothing terrible happened, Draco would shoot him dirty looks whenever they came across each other. Then it started. One by one, the Slytherins started to look at him funny. Harry never figured out what Draco had told them, but he was pretty sure that it was a pretty powerful rumor.
Eventually, Harry's life became a living hell. Now, Harry found himself always pulling the curtains around his bed closed and casting as many shielding charms as he could think of. But sometimes they weren't even enough and if the house was insistent on making him miserable that night, they would break through the charms and Harry would either find himself outside in the snow the next morning, soaking wet on the shower floor, covered in itching power, or other pranks that intended to rob him of any rest.
He found himself staying awake a lot of times in the common room, too scared to sleep, and too exhausted to move.
He was sure he was going to pass out one of these days.
A few times, he had stolen Pepper Up potion from Madam Pomfrey's storage, although he didn't mean to. But he really needed it.
Not only was he scared of sleeping, he was scared of eating. Last time, he had to be sent to the hospital for an overdone tongue engorgement charm put into his pumpkin juice. So now he made sure to sit at the end of Slytherin table, away from most of the house when he took his meals.
Harry pushed his food around. It was like he was half-living. He was doing badly in all of his classes because he couldn't concentrate. He had over-boiled a potion last week and he felt horrible as he saw the disappointment in his tutor's eyes. Snape had gone on a huge tirade about how worthless he was. McGonagall had lectured him after class yesterday for failing his Transfiguration exam.
Harry had sort of hoped someone would notice his failing condition. But with the winter hols coming up and the basilisk incidents, everyone was too wrapped up in plans of presents, going home to play, and fearing being petrified to take any notice to anything else. Moreover, the teachers had created a dueling club that would be starting today, which was why his own Head of House was hardly ever around.
Harry allowed for his fork to flop over and sink into the mashed potatoes. He really couldn't eat... He just... wanted to get some peaceful sleep.
For once Harry couldn't wait to go home.
Harry really didn't feel like participating, but he still did. He was paired off with another second year Hufflepuff, much to his relief.
The other boy was only throwing mediocre hexes like the Jelly Legs Jinx and the same pimple inducing hex Hermione had thrown at Draco on the train.
And although Harry usually didn't have any problems creating shields, he could practically feel himself drain as he cast a very simple shielding spell. As it neared the end of the first student practicing round, Harry didn't send up a shield in time and the Hufflepuff boy had sent a Hurling Hex.
But as the hex neared, it suddenly collided with something invisible and bounced right off.
Harry made a face and muttered tiredly, ''What on earth?''
Harry squinted his eyes and stared at the space in front of him, trying to make out what had just happened...but Lockhart was already calling the students to the stage so that he could do a demonstration with Snape.
Harry shook his head, forgetting about the little incident, he figured he was too tired and probably hallucinating, and headed over. He eventually found himself standing in the front of the middle of the stage.
The professors dueled, and naturally, Lockhart landed on his arse with a single blow. The corner of Harry's mouth twitched as he watched the pretentious professor struggle to get up and retrieve his wand.
Lockhart said a few words that Harry wasn't much paying attention to and then he called up Hermione and Neville to go do a dueling demonstration. Snape made a comment about how Neville would be sending Hermione to the hospital in a matchbox, so he dismissed Neville and called Draco up to go duel her.
Harry winced, thinking that Draco would kill Hermione. But it looked like Draco was guardedly watching Hermione's fist.
Snape started to count and of course Draco cheated and sent a hex on 2, but Hermione was ready and murmured 'Protego' and countered with a 'Silencio'.
Draco's hand quickly flew to his throat in horror, unable to say any of his hexes.
Professor Snape took a step forward and waved his wand at Draco with a somewhat unpleasant expression on his face, ''Finite Incantatum. Now continue.''
Draco gritted his teeth in anger at Hermione for humiliating him in front of so many students. He quickly darted his wand out and shouted, ''Serpensortia!''
A long, frightening looking snake appeared from the head of Draco's wand and flew out towards Hermione and started to move towards her. Lockhart quickly walked in front of her and said in an overconfident voice, ''Its all right children. No need to be afraid. I'll take care of this.''
Lockhart muttered a nonsensical spell, causing the snake to fly out into the air and land back down in the middle of the stage. It was more confused than ever and now spitting mad. It was also facing Harry.
Harry could just make out Hermione calling, ''Oh my god! Harry!''
The snake was hissing unhappily... and then it seemed to make sense... it was saying, ''Where am I?... Some fool just sent me into the air and now I'm bruised!... I ought to bite him!''
The snake was now facing Harry, ''Are you the one who did this to me?!''
Harry unknowingly spoke to it, ''No.''
''Then who did?''
''The boy and man that you're sitting in between.''
''Good, now I shall bite the man,'' The snake said, rearing his head back, getting ready to turn and bite Lockhart.
Although Harry really wouldn't have minded, he still called out, ''Wait. Stop!''
The snake stopped and lingered, ''Why?''
But before Harry could answer, Snape had already called out an erasure spell and got rid of the snake. Almost as if breaking out of his trance, Harry looked up at Snape, who was staring at him with a mixture of wonder and horror.
''What?'' Harry asked as he took a step back and then noticed the rest of the students were also staring at him.
Later, when Harry finally made it back to his dorm, he crawled into bed, hoping to get some sleep before someone came in and...
''Well well well...'' Harry heard Draco say right outside of his curtains. Harry winced and buried himself in his blankets. He had forgotten to put up protection charms.
Draco flung open the curtains and stalked over to Harry, ''Now what was that Potter? Never tell me that you were a Parseltongue? I wonder...what else you've lied about.''
''Go away Draco.'' Harry murmured into his pillow, 'Please just let me sleep...'
''I don't think so, Potty. What are you hiding?'' Draco growled as he stalked over and grabbed a hold of Harry's arm, trying to haul him off of the bed.
''No!'' Harry screamed and tried to shove at Draco, but he was too weak and managed to painfully fall onto the ground.
''Get up Potter!'' Draco yelled as he dragged Harry's arm upwards.
But Harry was limp and unmoving. Draco quickly took a step back, thinking he had injured the dark haired boy, ''Potter?''
Draco crouched down to check on Harry, ''Potter, this isn't funny. Get up.''
When suddenly Harry's arm shot out and tightened around Draco's throat. Harry suddenly seemed to have more energy than he had had all month and he easily stood up. Draco looked up and nearly screamed. Harry was staring at him with a malicious grin on his face and completely white eyes.
Draco then could feel himself choke on this grip as Harry lifted him off of his feet and let him dangle in the air. Draco's hand quickly flew up to his neck and tried to pry himself from the iron grip, but to no avail.
Harry's grin suddenly disappeared and turned into a snarl. He then opened his mouth and spoke in a distorted inhuman voice, ''I would appreciate it if you didn't cause any further harm to my host. You're lucky that he's too weak right now to cast any of your silly little Wizard spells. Or else I'd cast one of your pathetic silencing spells on the room, rip your heart from your chest, and devour it while it's still steaming in my hands.''
Draco wanted to cry and flee. He made some more choking sounds as his legs dangled helplessly.
Harry grinned again, ''You know, I could just snap your neck right here. Would you like that? It would certainly hurt less than if I were to tear you heart out. Mind you, once I grow strong enough to take over this body while he's at full mental and physical capacity, I can torture you in much worse ways. Not that I don't have you to thank for my sudden boost in power. I mean the stupid little moron is practically wallowing in sorrow. Absolutely delicious.''
''Harry...'' Draco choked out, ''Please wake .. up... Let... me ... go...''
''No.'' The creature in Harry said, then a sort of ghostly figure floated above Harry's body until it was floating right in front of Draco's face. It looked like a human skull without eyes, and its face was elongated, with teeth that looked like they belonged to an angler fish.
Draco let out a pathetic sob as he trembled.
''Now listen closely little boy, you will call off your little wenches. If I find you causing any further harm to my host, I will not hesitate to kill you in your sleep. He may be against it (the ghostly monstrous creature looked back at Harry's possessed figure), but there's nothing he can do to stop me.'' It finished with a wicked laugh and then slowly floated back into Harry's body.
Harry then lifelessly collapsed to the ground, letting go of Draco at the same time. Draco quickly backed up until his knees hit the edge of his bed.
After a moment, he realized that he should probably take Harry to the hospital wing. But Harry was stirring already.
''No...'' Harry whimpered as he backed away from Draco, ''Can't you just leave me alone?''
''I'm sorry!'' Draco quickly gasped from where he sat.
Harry looked up, ''What?''
''I said I'm sorry, I'll tell the others to back off.'' Draco replied quickly.
Harry made a face, ''Wha... I don't get what's going on...''
''It's nothing!'' Draco said quickly, realizing that Harry wasn't even aware of what had just transpired only a moment ago.
'...but there's nothing he can do to stop me.' The creature's words echoed in Draco's mind.
Draco shivered, ''Look, I'm really sorry about what happened last month. I wasn't right in the head or something. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.''
Harry made a face and then blearily climbed back onto his bed, ''You'll tell them...to back off?''
''Yeah. They won't bother you anymore. I didn't realize what I doing. I wasn't thinking, just...'' Draco wanted to say 'Don't hurt me.', but he quickly caught himself and finished, ''...get some sleep.''
Harry nodded tiredly, not bothering to think that Draco's sudden behavior change was weird.
That night, for once the roles seemed to be switched around. Harry slept peacefully, while Draco lay awake staring fearfully at Harry all night long.
A/N: (rantings, not really important) sorry about my slower updates, but I've just gotten this huge #$&# C assignment to program, problem is, I have to learn C on the fly...so, yeah... I 'should' have an easier time over the summer..As long as my mom doesn't call me up and suggest to add more summer school classes. Geez, at this rate, I'll be able to graduate in 3 years... that is if I'm suicidal enough to take two compiler classes at once... ick.
Draco quirked a brow, not looking up, but indicating that he was listening.
''Hagrid, remember? Dumbledore mentioned him.''
''I though you said the oaf didn't do it?''
''I don't, but he was there, he might remember certain things, weird things that happened that we have taken notice to so far.''
Draco shrugged, ''Fine, I could use some air.''
''I di'n't do it then or now.'' Hagrid said firmly, before Harry could explain the entire situation.
''We're not saying that you did. We just want to know if you noticed anything weird or even suspected someone back then.''
''Oh...well... them sp'ders, they were runnin' ou' of the castle like mad.'' Hagrid said as he scratched his beard
''Why did they throw you out Hagrid? I mean, they had to have had something to blame you on.''
Hagrid looked uncomfortable, and then muttered after a while, ''Well, I was keepin' a pet of sorts... 'e was completely 'armless I tell ya.''
Draco cut in, ''What was it? A snake?''
''A snake?! No... no, it was a spider. Very large one...I let him go once Tom came bargin' in that day.'' Hagrid said, looking sadder by the moment.
Suddenly Draco recognized the name, ''Tom? As in the Head boy?''
''Yea' dats 'im all right. If you ask me, Tom was a bit too shifty for my likin'...''
Harry caught on, ''Sometimes when you remember things that happened in the past, you realize things now that you didn't think of back then... Do you think Tom acted a bit... strange?''
'' 'snot jest a bit. 'swas a lot. 'ed disappear for 'ours and no one could ever find him. Bit strange if you ask me, him being 'ead Boy an' all...''
Draco and Harry turned to each other, ''Okay, so lets look into this Tom Riddle and see why he set up Hagrid and how he's doing it now.''
Harry then looked back up at Hagrid, ''Thanks Hagrid, you've been a big help.''
''Welcome... uhhh...''
''Harry Potter.'' Harry called back as he headed towards the castle
''You're welcome 'arry.''
''Tom... Tom... Tom...'' Draco muttered as he looked through the school records.
So far, they had only gotten that Tom came to Hogwarts sixty years ago and he was Head Boy.
''Ah... gentlemen.'' Albus suddenly said out of nowhere causing Harry and Draco to jump. Albus waved a soothing hand, ''I apologize for startling you, but I do believe the both of you have missed dinner.''
Harry quickly checked his watch, ''Oh, I guess we lost track of time...''
At the thought of food, the two boys suddenly realized how hungry they both really were.
Albus noticed the pile of books stack around the table, all turned to pages with the word Tom on it.
Albus looked up at them, ''So, what are you searching for?''
''Uh...'' Harry hesitated and looked back at Draco, but Draco just shrugged.
Then Harry said, ''Tom Riddle.''
Dumbledore's eyes flew up in surprise at this, ''And why pray ask are you looking for him?''
A sinking worry feeling started to form in Albus's stomach, had the boys, at such a young age already been seduced so quickly?...
''Hagrid mentioned that Tom reported him and that's why he got expelled. But it doesn't really make sense because everyone knows that spiders can't petrify people, only paralyze. So we think Tom might have... framed him? So now, we're trying to look for books on Tom, to find out why he did it.''
The worry dissipated from Albus's stomach and he smiled congenially at the two boys, ''Why we discuss this in my office. Over some dinner? I'll have house elves bring out some sandwiches''
After Harry and Draco had gotten some food in their stomach (Harry had made sure the tray didn't pass through the headmaster's hands, pretending that he was so hungry that he had rushed to the tray just to get a hold of a sandwich), they felt much better than before and not as exhausted. The Headmaster had patiently waited for them to finish before saying anything.
''Now Harry, Draco... What I tell you should be kept in the strictest of confidences.''
The two Slytherins nodded.
''The person you are looking for is a former student of ours. He was made head boy the same year as the Chamber of Secrets was opened for the first time. His name was Tom Marvolo Riddle.''
''Hagrid thinks he opened it.''
''I wouldn't doubt that.'' Dumbledore replied.
''So, who is this Tom, can you contact him or something? And ask him...?''
''Unfortunately, I can't. I'm not sure he's alive.''
''Then how is he doing this?''
''Tom was a very powerful wizard Harry. Perhaps he left something behind...?''
Harry nodded and kept note of that.
Then, as they were going to continue talking, the grandfather clock in Dumbledore's office rang 11 o' clock.
''You boys better get back to your dorms.''
The two of them nodded and started out of the Headmaster's office.
Even looking back, Albus still wasn't sure why he said this, but in his heart the felt that the boys were already so close and letting them go without the most vital information may cause a lot of harm.
''And by the way, be careful. The both of you... Tom's future alias was Lord Voldemort.''
''But people are still in danger!'' Harry shouted as he ran after Draco
Upon hearing that trying to stop the basilisk was against the Dark Lord's orders, Draco had vehemently insisted that they stop their research.
''It only goes after Mudbloods! God knows they deserve it! Damn Granger too!''
''You can't mean-''
''I mean every word of it.'' Draco replied with a deadly serious expression on his face. Then he narrowed his eyes, ''Sometimes I wonder if you belong in our house, I mean, with you making friends with that mudblood and her mudblood loving weasel.''
Harry froze, gaping at Draco. A part of him felt like he had been punched in the gut at those words. Another part was shaking with dread. What if Draco turned the house against him? He could do it... The rest of the house still trusted him more than Harry, despite the fact that Harry had gotten at little closer.
Draco smirked, ''If you know what's good for you, you'd stop your research. This is meant to happen, Potter. This is only the first step of ridding ourselves of the mudbloods and muggles. WE are the superior ones.''
Harry must have been stupid or something, he blamed his comment on his father's genes, ''And you think this basilisk can tell the difference between a muggle born and pure-blood?''
''The Dark Lord's powers are great. I'm sure he took precautions.''
''I can't believe how blind you are. You're practically willing to jump off a bridge for him!'' Harry replied sharply in a barely controlled whisper.
Draco's eyes narrowed, ''If it further helps his campaign. I would be honored... Well, at least now we know who not to recruit.''
With that Draco turned around and headed back to the dorm room.
For the rest of the night, Harry sat in the common room staring blankly at the fire.
And at the prompting of the dark thoughts, the creature in his mind awoke once more after a brief period of dormancy.
At first nothing terrible happened, Draco would shoot him dirty looks whenever they came across each other. Then it started. One by one, the Slytherins started to look at him funny. Harry never figured out what Draco had told them, but he was pretty sure that it was a pretty powerful rumor.
Eventually, Harry's life became a living hell. Now, Harry found himself always pulling the curtains around his bed closed and casting as many shielding charms as he could think of. But sometimes they weren't even enough and if the house was insistent on making him miserable that night, they would break through the charms and Harry would either find himself outside in the snow the next morning, soaking wet on the shower floor, covered in itching power, or other pranks that intended to rob him of any rest.
He found himself staying awake a lot of times in the common room, too scared to sleep, and too exhausted to move.
He was sure he was going to pass out one of these days.
A few times, he had stolen Pepper Up potion from Madam Pomfrey's storage, although he didn't mean to. But he really needed it.
Not only was he scared of sleeping, he was scared of eating. Last time, he had to be sent to the hospital for an overdone tongue engorgement charm put into his pumpkin juice. So now he made sure to sit at the end of Slytherin table, away from most of the house when he took his meals.
Harry pushed his food around. It was like he was half-living. He was doing badly in all of his classes because he couldn't concentrate. He had over-boiled a potion last week and he felt horrible as he saw the disappointment in his tutor's eyes. Snape had gone on a huge tirade about how worthless he was. McGonagall had lectured him after class yesterday for failing his Transfiguration exam.
Harry had sort of hoped someone would notice his failing condition. But with the winter hols coming up and the basilisk incidents, everyone was too wrapped up in plans of presents, going home to play, and fearing being petrified to take any notice to anything else. Moreover, the teachers had created a dueling club that would be starting today, which was why his own Head of House was hardly ever around.
Harry allowed for his fork to flop over and sink into the mashed potatoes. He really couldn't eat... He just... wanted to get some peaceful sleep.
For once Harry couldn't wait to go home.
Harry really didn't feel like participating, but he still did. He was paired off with another second year Hufflepuff, much to his relief.
The other boy was only throwing mediocre hexes like the Jelly Legs Jinx and the same pimple inducing hex Hermione had thrown at Draco on the train.
And although Harry usually didn't have any problems creating shields, he could practically feel himself drain as he cast a very simple shielding spell. As it neared the end of the first student practicing round, Harry didn't send up a shield in time and the Hufflepuff boy had sent a Hurling Hex.
But as the hex neared, it suddenly collided with something invisible and bounced right off.
Harry made a face and muttered tiredly, ''What on earth?''
Harry squinted his eyes and stared at the space in front of him, trying to make out what had just happened...but Lockhart was already calling the students to the stage so that he could do a demonstration with Snape.
Harry shook his head, forgetting about the little incident, he figured he was too tired and probably hallucinating, and headed over. He eventually found himself standing in the front of the middle of the stage.
The professors dueled, and naturally, Lockhart landed on his arse with a single blow. The corner of Harry's mouth twitched as he watched the pretentious professor struggle to get up and retrieve his wand.
Lockhart said a few words that Harry wasn't much paying attention to and then he called up Hermione and Neville to go do a dueling demonstration. Snape made a comment about how Neville would be sending Hermione to the hospital in a matchbox, so he dismissed Neville and called Draco up to go duel her.
Harry winced, thinking that Draco would kill Hermione. But it looked like Draco was guardedly watching Hermione's fist.
Snape started to count and of course Draco cheated and sent a hex on 2, but Hermione was ready and murmured 'Protego' and countered with a 'Silencio'.
Draco's hand quickly flew to his throat in horror, unable to say any of his hexes.
Professor Snape took a step forward and waved his wand at Draco with a somewhat unpleasant expression on his face, ''Finite Incantatum. Now continue.''
Draco gritted his teeth in anger at Hermione for humiliating him in front of so many students. He quickly darted his wand out and shouted, ''Serpensortia!''
A long, frightening looking snake appeared from the head of Draco's wand and flew out towards Hermione and started to move towards her. Lockhart quickly walked in front of her and said in an overconfident voice, ''Its all right children. No need to be afraid. I'll take care of this.''
Lockhart muttered a nonsensical spell, causing the snake to fly out into the air and land back down in the middle of the stage. It was more confused than ever and now spitting mad. It was also facing Harry.
Harry could just make out Hermione calling, ''Oh my god! Harry!''
The snake was hissing unhappily... and then it seemed to make sense... it was saying, ''Where am I?... Some fool just sent me into the air and now I'm bruised!... I ought to bite him!''
The snake was now facing Harry, ''Are you the one who did this to me?!''
Harry unknowingly spoke to it, ''No.''
''Then who did?''
''The boy and man that you're sitting in between.''
''Good, now I shall bite the man,'' The snake said, rearing his head back, getting ready to turn and bite Lockhart.
Although Harry really wouldn't have minded, he still called out, ''Wait. Stop!''
The snake stopped and lingered, ''Why?''
But before Harry could answer, Snape had already called out an erasure spell and got rid of the snake. Almost as if breaking out of his trance, Harry looked up at Snape, who was staring at him with a mixture of wonder and horror.
''What?'' Harry asked as he took a step back and then noticed the rest of the students were also staring at him.
Later, when Harry finally made it back to his dorm, he crawled into bed, hoping to get some sleep before someone came in and...
''Well well well...'' Harry heard Draco say right outside of his curtains. Harry winced and buried himself in his blankets. He had forgotten to put up protection charms.
Draco flung open the curtains and stalked over to Harry, ''Now what was that Potter? Never tell me that you were a Parseltongue? I wonder...what else you've lied about.''
''Go away Draco.'' Harry murmured into his pillow, 'Please just let me sleep...'
''I don't think so, Potty. What are you hiding?'' Draco growled as he stalked over and grabbed a hold of Harry's arm, trying to haul him off of the bed.
''No!'' Harry screamed and tried to shove at Draco, but he was too weak and managed to painfully fall onto the ground.
''Get up Potter!'' Draco yelled as he dragged Harry's arm upwards.
But Harry was limp and unmoving. Draco quickly took a step back, thinking he had injured the dark haired boy, ''Potter?''
Draco crouched down to check on Harry, ''Potter, this isn't funny. Get up.''
When suddenly Harry's arm shot out and tightened around Draco's throat. Harry suddenly seemed to have more energy than he had had all month and he easily stood up. Draco looked up and nearly screamed. Harry was staring at him with a malicious grin on his face and completely white eyes.
Draco then could feel himself choke on this grip as Harry lifted him off of his feet and let him dangle in the air. Draco's hand quickly flew up to his neck and tried to pry himself from the iron grip, but to no avail.
Harry's grin suddenly disappeared and turned into a snarl. He then opened his mouth and spoke in a distorted inhuman voice, ''I would appreciate it if you didn't cause any further harm to my host. You're lucky that he's too weak right now to cast any of your silly little Wizard spells. Or else I'd cast one of your pathetic silencing spells on the room, rip your heart from your chest, and devour it while it's still steaming in my hands.''
Draco wanted to cry and flee. He made some more choking sounds as his legs dangled helplessly.
Harry grinned again, ''You know, I could just snap your neck right here. Would you like that? It would certainly hurt less than if I were to tear you heart out. Mind you, once I grow strong enough to take over this body while he's at full mental and physical capacity, I can torture you in much worse ways. Not that I don't have you to thank for my sudden boost in power. I mean the stupid little moron is practically wallowing in sorrow. Absolutely delicious.''
''Harry...'' Draco choked out, ''Please wake .. up... Let... me ... go...''
''No.'' The creature in Harry said, then a sort of ghostly figure floated above Harry's body until it was floating right in front of Draco's face. It looked like a human skull without eyes, and its face was elongated, with teeth that looked like they belonged to an angler fish.
Draco let out a pathetic sob as he trembled.
''Now listen closely little boy, you will call off your little wenches. If I find you causing any further harm to my host, I will not hesitate to kill you in your sleep. He may be against it (the ghostly monstrous creature looked back at Harry's possessed figure), but there's nothing he can do to stop me.'' It finished with a wicked laugh and then slowly floated back into Harry's body.
Harry then lifelessly collapsed to the ground, letting go of Draco at the same time. Draco quickly backed up until his knees hit the edge of his bed.
After a moment, he realized that he should probably take Harry to the hospital wing. But Harry was stirring already.
''No...'' Harry whimpered as he backed away from Draco, ''Can't you just leave me alone?''
''I'm sorry!'' Draco quickly gasped from where he sat.
Harry looked up, ''What?''
''I said I'm sorry, I'll tell the others to back off.'' Draco replied quickly.
Harry made a face, ''Wha... I don't get what's going on...''
''It's nothing!'' Draco said quickly, realizing that Harry wasn't even aware of what had just transpired only a moment ago.
'...but there's nothing he can do to stop me.' The creature's words echoed in Draco's mind.
Draco shivered, ''Look, I'm really sorry about what happened last month. I wasn't right in the head or something. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.''
Harry made a face and then blearily climbed back onto his bed, ''You'll tell them...to back off?''
''Yeah. They won't bother you anymore. I didn't realize what I doing. I wasn't thinking, just...'' Draco wanted to say 'Don't hurt me.', but he quickly caught himself and finished, ''...get some sleep.''
Harry nodded tiredly, not bothering to think that Draco's sudden behavior change was weird.
That night, for once the roles seemed to be switched around. Harry slept peacefully, while Draco lay awake staring fearfully at Harry all night long.
A/N: (rantings, not really important) sorry about my slower updates, but I've just gotten this huge #$&# C assignment to program, problem is, I have to learn C on the fly...so, yeah... I 'should' have an easier time over the summer..As long as my mom doesn't call me up and suggest to add more summer school classes. Geez, at this rate, I'll be able to graduate in 3 years... that is if I'm suicidal enough to take two compiler classes at once... ick.