Disclaimer: Not mine, I only own some of the plot of this fanfic and Carya, some parts might be copied from the book (hopefully not very much. I tried to keep it to a minimum), you might notice that some people got into different houses than in the books by JKR; this has only minor reasons, but I need them to be where they are now

Author's Notes: This Chapter is dedicated to my most frequent reviewer: Shadow Adams.

Shadow has a wonderful story going as well. It can be found under StoryID 1427766

I can't post anything akin to links or the story is cut to less than 100 words growl

Next Chapter probably posted together with Chapter 06. I hope that is was not too long to wait. I had pretty much work to do and until the end of January I will most likely not get home from work until half past four in the afternoons.

Add that additional schoolwork and learning to that and you have quite a mess. The best ideas I had attacked while I was at work which is a pity. I often can't write them down in time before I forget most of it - hence that long time you have to wait.

And please people, I know that you just want to read a chapter but give me a little feedback every once in a while okay? I'd really appreciate that. And it doesn't hurt, you know? Even a 'I liked it' or an 'I think it's crap' is more than enough for me.

Chapter 07 - Defence and Potions or Talk to Draco and Secret Chambers

The food appeared on the tables and the welcoming feast began. After dinner the Slytherin's went down to their common room where a prefect told them the new password - 'Purity'. Harry, Ginny and Carya sat down in a corner of the common room and cast a strong silencing charm around them.

The kids doubted it would be strong enough if one of the older students or a Professor magically tried to overhear their conversation but it was strong enough to prevent any eavesdropping by chance. They talked about the train ride, the Dementors and most important - about Snuffles.

The twins were really worried for his safety now. They knew that he would try and get Peter out of Hogwarts. Even if he had to get past the Dementors and break in. And if he did then people might start to suspect Lupin to be involved. He and Sirius had been best friends in school afterall.

"I doubt that Snuffles will just lie low and wait for something to happen. He'll try and get the rat out of the castle by himself," Harry began.

"Right, I think he'd even risk breaking in. He did not really seem to be one of the patient kind of people," Ginny said thoughtful.

"Yes, and if he does that then someone might get hurt. Not necessarily one of our fellow students but think about this. Who of the staff does know him best?" Carya told them.

"Eh, I think Moony might be the one, or perhaps the headmaster, or even Snape," mentioned Harry.

"Well, Snape and Dumbledore might know him but I think that Moony could get problems if Snuffles tried to capture the rat by breaking into the castle even if he knows more secret passages than anyone else. Snuffles and Moony were best friends at school. The others could suspect Remus of helping Snuffles, don't you think?" the female Potter asked and the other two nodded.

Carya decided to owl - or better 'raven' - Sirius in the morning. Perhaps they could stop him before he did anything stupid and probably got himself caught in the process. It was already quite late and the children decided to retire for the night. They parted and left towards their respective dormitories. The twins snakes were hidden in their small baskets in the dorms. No one had seen the animals because of the obscuring charm Carya had placed on them before the car brought them to 'King's Cross Station'.

It was kind of a notice-me-not spell. Even if someone stood directly in front of them they wouldn't see unless they knew the snakes were there like Ginny and Hermione. Only a very powerful witch or wizard would be able to see them. Since the spell didn't fade away and they never left the dormitories, there was no real danger.

The four students had agreed to continue on their animagus training even if they weren't in the same house. Hermione would practise alone while the other three practised together as long as they hadn't found a safe room for practise. Within the next few days the would use Harry's invisibility cloak and the 'Marauder's Map' (which had been copied by Sirius so that Carya had one too) to find a quiet and abandoned classroom in which they could practise. And it had to be one that was located far away from any used classrooms, the teachers quarters or offices.

The next morning was quite different from dinner last night. Everyone had recovered and was chatting happily with his or her friends. The only thing that was still the same was Draco imitating a fainting Ron in front of the Slytherin's. And he played it quite funny too. The twins and Ginny couldn't help but laugh.

The Gryffindor's of course were already fuming with anger and planned their retaliation on their house rivals. Little did they know that while they could almost easily prank the whole Slytherin house it would be very difficult to pull a prank on the Potters or Ginny this year.

Those three had a few major advantages now. The completed 'Marauder's Map', a vast knowledge on pranks thanks to Sirius and the fact that they'd be hardly reachable because of their continued studying sessions and their secret animagus training.

When their head of house passed them their schedules Ginny and Draco who unwillingly had to sit near the other three let out a groan while Carya and Harry just sighed miserably. The still had half of their classes with the Gryffindor's - the same classes as last year.

"Well, so much for a really challenging potions class. We can't really do anything with THEM around no, can we?" said Carya sarcastic and just as loud to be heard at the Gryffindor table.

"If we at least had potions with Ravenclaw we could actually make some progress in the Art of Potionmaking," Harry added sneering.

The Gryffindor's didn't have any good comments for comeback so they for once kept quiet and settled on glaring and scowling at the Slytherin table. Carya smirked and looked over to Draco. He seemed ashamed of something and looked away. Luckily they had Potions first thing that morning. And Carya was even luckier to get partnered with Draco while Harry was partnered with Ginny.

Their Professor paired them up and assigned the potion the students had to brew during the double period. It wasn't a difficult one and they'd already covered a simpler version of it last year but every Slytherin would bet that half the Gryffindor's couldn't finish it.

Ron was once again partnered with Neville and that alone promised to be spectacular because Neville couldn't even boil water without causing an explosion or melting a cauldron. While they were preparing their ingredients Carya leaned over and whispered to Draco.

"Hey, we have to talk about your behaviour, Draco," she began and when Draco opened his mouth to reply something she stop him. "No, we definitely will talk. I think I know why you are avoiding us but we still have to talk about it! Meet us in the library shortly before lunch. The History of Magic section. No one ever goes there, except us of course. And don't even think about not coming, I know where you are sleeping ..." she said in a threatening tone and didn't make another attempt at talking to him the whole double period.

Instead she kept talking telepathically to Harry. They were talking about Professor Snape. He was looking at them oddly. As if he expected something to happen. They knew this kind of look from him. It was the same one he had in 'Diagon Alley' when he had helped them buy their supplies for their first year.

Draco's POV

Draco of course had other problems right now. He felt very uncomfortable. He was afraid, deathly afraid what his father might do if he found out. 'I like the twins. They are my friends, just like Hermione, even if she is a muggle-born witch. And then there is my Ginny. I don't care if the Weasleys are muggle-lovers. And besides, Ginny's a Slytherin.

Wait, did I really just think MY Ginny? Crap, I really like her. This will be one hell of a schoolyear. I hope Carya isn't going to hex me into oblivion. She certainly looked like it since we got here. But I can't risk to be friends with them. I just can't for their sake ... and for mine too.' Draco mused. He continued to throw glances at Carya but she seemed to ignore him completely.

She also seemed to share some silent jokes with her brother. 'Must be a twin thing or something like that. I wish I had a sister like Harry has. Life wouldn't be like it is right now if I had,' the young Malfoy thought miserably.

End Draco's POV

Severus Snape's POV

The Potions Professor looked at the Potter twins. He had been worried after Lupin's owl had arrived the evening before. He knew from experience what horrible effects a Dementor could have. The twins had been very pale and probably should've stayed in the infirmary for the night but they had told him they were alright.

Not that he had believed that. The children had been far too quiet and pale to be alright but at least they hadn't fainted like the Weasley boy.

'I wonder what happened on the train. Lupin wrote that they kind of spaced out for a minute or so. And they too seemed a bit wary about him. Do they know about Lupin or about Black. I doubt they do know more than what the 'Daily Prophet' wrote but with them you can never be sure.

Harry and Carya are the nosiest Slytherin's I've ever met. Always looking for trouble it seems. Just like last year. It's a miracle that they're on top of most classes. Even Minerva is unable to find anything wrong with their schoolwork.

I sincerely hope that they won't find out who Black really is. They might go and try something stupid. Damnit, I'm not supposed to care for or to be concerned about Potters children.'

'But they're Lily's too!' a little nagging voice from the back of his mind told him.

Severus Snape continued watching them and noticed that Carya was whispering something to Draco Malfoy. The boy was looking scared for the fraction of a second but he slipped under his cool mask immediately. Only his eyes widened a bit when the girl continued talking and narrowed her eyes at him.

'Something's going on there. If I think about it, they have been quite good friends last year. Until christmas that is. After that they were barely seen together. I bet Lucius has told his son to stay clear of the Potters and Miss Weasley. Well, that's not my problem ... Oh no, not again. If I didn't know that the boy was totally dense I'd bet he does that on purpose. Damned Longbottom! I swear that boy's already giving me headaches.'

"Simmering Longbottom, NOT boiling! Do you ever pay attention? It seems not. And you Weasley? Why weren't you paying attention to your lab partner and the potion. Twenty points from Gryffindor each and detention with Mister Filch tomorrow night!" I yelled at them.

'Serves them right. They should pay attention and not catch up on sleep in my class,' I thought angrily. "Clean up this mess and start over. You will not leave until you've finished this!" I added and Longbottom went even paler but Weasley's face was as red as a tomato now.

'How I wished he would retort something. Then I could take a few more points from those insufferable obnoxious Gryffindor's.'

He heard someone snicker on the Slytherin side of the classroom but ignored it. He was after all the only teacher who favoured them. So why not be a bit more lenient towards them than the others?

End Severus Snape's POV

They had already gotten homework on their first day of classes but it didn't really bother the four kids. As usual they met in the library and started working on the essays. After half an hour Carya saw Draco sitting at one of the tables in the History Section.

She excused herself and went over to him. Making sure no one else saw her. The talk with Draco wouldn't be really successful either. He'd keep telling that they couldn't be seen together because his father forbade it.

"I see you came here, Draco. Now would you tell me why you're avoiding us? I don't think you really believe in that almighty pureblood-nonsense many of your so-called friends are bragging on about, are you?" the girls asked.

"I ... that's none of your business!" he said rather forcefully but instantly regretted it when he saw the half concerned, half furious look in Carya's eyes. "I can't ... I'm not allowed to be friends with you. We can't be seen together. Please .... my father ..." he continued and Carya's face softened a bit.

"He forbade any contact with us, didn't he? And you fear him. You must have a very good reason to fear him if you do because you're one of the bravest Slytherin's I know of Draco. I do hope you get over your fear and decide to be yourself. Don't let someone else rule your life.

I must be difficult to pretend to be someone else but I think I understand. I still like you as a friend Draco, never forget that!" she replied and just wanted to leave when the other three came over.

"Why do you avoid us Draco? Aren't we friends anymore?" asked Ginny and you could see how badly this affected her.

She really looked hurt. Even Draco saw that but he couldn't change it, yet. Both the twins seemed to know that she was in love with Draco, hell, even a blind could see that. To Ginny's question if they were still friends he couldn't give a real answer.

"I don't know... I want to but ... I can't ... my father ... I'm sorry," he stuttered and ran away.

For a brief moment Carya could've sworn that Draco had tears in his eyes. She told the others what he'd said to her and what she knew. They decided to stay friends with him even if they couldn't fully trust him. They wouldn't allow anyone to destroy their friendship. All four of them believed that someday they'd have Draco back in their group.

The now inseparable friends soon realised that classes were just the same as last year. Only the topics were different. History of Magic was still as boring as ever. Herbology got more interesting due to new topics but mostly stayed the same, as well as Transfiguration.

Not even Potions had changed that much. Carya had gotten a reply from Sirius. And it didn't exactly take away her worries. It added to them. Apparently Sirius already was near Hogwarts. He was in great danger if he got caught.

The twins, Ginny and Hermione had researched the Dementors as the first thing in the library and what they found was NOT good, not at all. Especially the final and choice punishment of the Dementors - the 'Dementors Kiss'. The Dementor would suck your soul out of your body.

Without a soul you're still alive but you have no memories, no feelings, no identity any more. They decided that they'd never want to find out how someone looked or was like after this punishment. Fortunately the book they'd used didn't go into detail.

After their first week they'd already settled back into the routines at Hogwarts. They'd also found an abandoned classroom that was located deep in the dungeons but still far away from Snape's office and his rooms. That way their only worries were Filch and his damned cat. This could be easily avoided by doing three things:

Locking charms on the door because Filch is a squib and can't open them; anti-eavesdropping and silencing charms so that no one can hear them and tell that someone was in that room and last but not least - the 'Marauder's Map'. It would show them were Filch was at the moment so they wouldn't get caught.

Of course they didn't use the Map only for that purpose. They were roaming the school at night and trying every single secret passage the Map would show. They even found a normally hidden part of the castle which wouldn't appear on the other 'Marauders Map's because James was the only one who'd added this part to a certain extent.

It was a long corridor hidden behind a charmed wall. If you knew the password then you could walk right through it. Similar to the barrier at 'King's Cross' but still different. This was some kind of guardian wall. There were five rooms in that corridor. Some kind of classroom, a large bathroom, a small library with books they'd never seen before, a small kitchen of sorts and a bedroom that was as large as their dormitories.

What they didn't know was that this part wasn't even known to the headmaster. The most surprising thing were the portraits in the little library. They were of the founders. A portrait of Salazar already was guarding the Slytherin Common Room but this one was different. It seemed more alive for some odd reason.

The children decided to come here for training instead of the old classroom because it was more comfortable here.

"What do you think, should we move our training sessions here? I mean, we'd have everything in one corridor. It's like a damned house with kitchen, bedroom and all that," Ginny said excited.

"You're right Ginny. I too think it's a good idea. Hey, we still have three hours till dinner. Why don't we browse this library a bit?" Harry suggested and the girls nodded their heads in agreement.

They looked around and read some of the book spines. It seemed as if the books were from the founders time mostly. Only a few were of newer date but they were still over fifty years old. Suddenly Carya let out a surprised cry.

"What the hell? Harry, Ginny, Hermione! You won't believe what I just found out!" she yelled.

"What's wrong Carya?" asked Hermione.

"These books over here in this dark green shelf ... they are very, very old and most of them are written by Slytherin HIMSELF! But that isn't what I was so excited about. Do you remember the book about Potions I bought before first year? The small black one, Harry?" she told them and Harry nodded.

"It had no author written on it although it was a hand-written one. The handwriting in these books, the books Slytherin wrote, is just the same! My book was written by HIM! Can you believe that?" she shouted in excitement.

The others suddenly understood why she was so hyper right now. They all knew how much she loved Potions and to possess a book like that was more valuable than anything. Harry and Carya also found out that many of Slytherin's books were written in Parseltongue.

They both decided to have a look at them. Soon it was time for dinner and the four kids left their new hiding place. But first they changed the password. They'd found the instructions in the library and changed it to 'Marauder's Legacy'. They didn't tell Sirius about the rooms since they didn't know if he knew about them.

One night during their second week back they were already sneaking out onto the grounds to see where the passage under the Whomping Willow led to but they couldn't get in. It was too dangerous and neither of them was very keen of a confrontation with an angry tree.

The next day Carya wrote Sirius a letter and he explained that the passage lead to the Shrieking Shack where his friend Remus would stay during the full moon when they were at school. The four friends met in their secret rooms every night after dinner.

They would practise on focusing and clearing their minds until they all could do it in a second. Carya and Harry were already close to accomplishing it while Ginny still had some minor problems when it came to distractions from the outside.

Soon they would start their partial transformations and find out what kind of animal they were. Since the twins had gotten quite a few letters over the last schoolyear no one found it odd that those letters seemed to have become more frequent.

What not one of them knew was that most letters were from Sirius who always signed as Snuffles. When the friends discussed him they used this nickname too. Just in case someone overheard them.

It was the fourth week back at Hogwarts. They'd already gotten more Homework than last term and were currently sitting in the regular library. As usual they split up their work. Carya did everything involving Potions, Harry did Transfiguration, Hermione did History of Magic and Ginny did Charms.

Herbology was done by Ginny and Hermione and the twins worked on Defence against the Dark Arts. The four kids still vividly remembered their first lessons this year.

Flashback - Week One / Defence on Friday

(A/N: September 1st had been a Tuesday. Look into my timeline if anything's unclear.)

Their first experiences with Defence had been better than last year. Although after the Gryffindor's first Defence lesson Snape had been in a real sour mood for about a week and had even given two Slytherin students a detention.

He didn't go that far to deduct points from his own house, no, that particular pleasure was now reserved for Gryffindor. They lost more points than ever during Potions. Even more than all the three houses together in every other lesson.

The Slytherin's had found out about the reasons the day they had their first Defence lesson. Ginny overheard two Hufflepuff's talking about something involving Snape, a green dress, a big red handbag and a wizardhat with a stuffed vulture on top. She had stopped them and made them tell her the whole story.

Apparently Lupin had them practising on a boggart which would transform into your greatest fear once it got near you. Everyone knew that Neville was scared shitless when he so much as saw the Potions Master. So it was not really surprising that the boggart would use that form. What had been funny was the style they'd dealt with the boggart.

Neville had to imagine Snape in an outfit that wouldn't scare him. So Neville had imagined him in his grandmother's clothes and those had been said dress, handbag and hat. Snape was of course furious about that incident and punished the 'Gryffindorks' as the Slytherin's called them even more than before - especially Neville.

They too had fought against a boggart. Slytherin had Defence together with the Ravenclaw's. Unsurprisingly they weren't at all scared when Lupin told them to imagine their worst fear and how to make it look funny. Draco was fidgeting, he didn't want anyone to find out that he was scared of his father.

Hermione tried to imagine what exactly her worst fear was. Ginny knew what she feared and she didn't really know how to make it better. The hardest was for the twins. They had known what they'd have done with Voldemort. Actually it had been Carya's idea. It went along the lines of Neville's performance.

They both knew what Voldemort looked like because of their nightmares and that oh so lovely visit from that damned Dementor. So Carya had told her brother what she had in mind.

/Harry, I think I've an idea. Why don't we put him in a pink muggle dancing dress with white hearts all over it. Complete with skirt, shoes and as an addition with a red clowns nose in his face? That should be enough, shouldn't it?/ she told him.

They snickered at that thought but the idea wasn't long lived.

/Yeah but, well I don't really know if Voldie is what I fear most. I mean ... do you remember the train ride? It was horrible .../ said Harry.

At first they had thought about Voldemort but then they both realised that they feared the Dementors even more than the Dark Lord. But how to make a Dementor look less terrifying? That seemed impossible. Luckily they didn't get the chance to battle the boggart.

All who had answered a question to Lupin at the beginning of class when he'd asked about the theory for this practise, namely Harry, Carya, Hermione, Ginny and Draco, didn't get a go with that pesky little creature. But the friends could tell that hadn't been Lupin's only reason. He had just used it as an excuse for them not to participate.

The twins would ask him why sometime in the future. But their first and foremost desire right now was to find a defence against the Dementors like Lupin had done on the train. After hours in the library and help from Hermione and Ginny they'd found something - the Patronus Charm. It was already very advanced magic and not even many trained wizards got this right because they couldn't fulfil all the necessary requirements.

End Flashback - Week One / Defence on Friday

Please Read AND Review.

Thx ,

Carya

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