All bow down and give thanks and praises to the great fragonknight01 who is the best bate in the world!

There are realy no warnings for this chapter. Below are my thank yous:

Raven's Light: OHHHHHHH! Jumps up and down and glomps you. You are my first reviewer! I hope that I updated soon enough for you and that you like the chapter.

Kate: I'm glad that you like the story and I have gotten a wonderful beta editor so that hopefully you will be able to enjoy the story that much more.

Icklecassikins: I love your name, its definitely original. Thank you for the offer for being my bate I really appreciate it. I'm happy that you like how I am writing it, I don't have much experience in writing third person.

Switch: I'm sorry that you are not enjoying this vary much but I hope that you will stick with me as I go along, hopfully you will find that it gets better. I will definitely think about your suggestions and am glad that I have someone that is not sure about the story, it keeps me on my tows.

Medusa The Ancient Sake: The reason that Ron and Hermione where burning the things was 1. To show how different things are 2. To piss off Harry 3. Because I thought if fit for what I am going to be doing in later chapters. I have a wonderful bate now so hopefully you will find that the spelling and grammar is better and that the story flows better.

Pure Black: Wile I will not give you the complete plot I will tell you that Harry is not going so dark as to join Voldemort. Ron and Hermione are acting this way because I always have enjoyed reading stories in witch Harry is betrayed by his closes friends and wanted to write one myself.

Maximum Poofy: I have a friend that would absolutely LOVE your name! I agree with you, I love stories where Harry is betrayed, and I'm glad that it made you shiver, it's nice that I can provoke such things .

SpikesWoman77: YAYA does happy dance you like the chapter, hope this one was put out soon enough for you.

Tree potter: The new teacher smirks you get to find out about him in the third or forth chapter…. Ummm….. not sure witch one…..Well anyway you'll find out where Harry and Neville will stay in this chapter. You'll like who the man in the portrait is smirk

Daughterofdeath: Ok! I added a new chapter, thanks for reviewing.

Blubb-blubb: Well I am sorry to say that it will get a little cliché in the third chapter…. Harry and Neville become friends with Draco and Blaze…. But I think I did it where its not too bad… I hope…

Geyphenwing: Thank you for the offer of bate, it means a lot to me. I'm soooo happy that you're hooked and hope that I update soon enough for you so that I don't leave you out to dry (no pun intended…. Or is it all puns intended?) Even though you are not my bate feel free to suggest any ideas that you get, I can never get enough.

Scrychance: Happy that you love it, I aim to please bows

Volume: Thank you, I'm glad that you like the chapters. I present to you drums in the back ground the next chapter.

Super-girl-straight-from: Smile I give to you the next chapter. Glad that you like it.

Chaosgoddess: Oh don't worry it gets better, just wait for the masquerade… dreamy gaze .

Miki23: Yah, I'm sorry about witching perspectives on you before, this is my first time writing in third person and I get a little confusing every now and then.

Irihi Safaia: Harry, get into trouble! No never! Lol, don't worry there is plenty of trouble that he gets into, all so that we keep you entertained.

Rini: You will be happy to know that this chapter had bean bated. I'm glad that you are interested in the story and hope that you will stay with me.

And with out further ado...

Chapter 2:

His hands still shaking with adrenaline, Harry made his way to a stone gargoyle that stood guarding the entrance to the Headmaster's office. They reached it and Neville, still in a daze, rammed into Harry and almost sent them both crashing to the floor.

"Sorry." Neville whispered as he righted himself as he looked around for the first time and noticed where they were. "Harry, why are we standing beside the Headmaster's gargoyle?"

Harry looked at him then checked up and down the hall to make sure that no one was there before answering. "We can't stay in the Gryffindor tower anymore."

Neville nodded his head in agreement, "But you know that Dumbledore will not give us our own rooms."

At this Harry's lips pulled into a smirk that could rival Snape's. "I think that I might be able to convince him." He said gesturing to Hassi, who was wrapped snugly around his arm.

Neville's eyes widened in realization and he whispered, barely above a breath, "How much do you have?"

"Enough," was his only answer as Harry turned to face the gargoyle. He gazed at it for a second then looked down to Hassi, "What's the password?"

Hassi looked back at him and answered without hesitating. "Liquorice Sticks."

Harry nodded his head in thanks and said, "Liquorice Sticks." He smirked at Neville as the gargoyle slid aside, allowing them to step onto the rotating stairway.

Harry made his way up to a wooden door and entered, not waiting for an answer to his knock. Neville following confidently behind him.

"Ah, Harry, my boy," Said the man that clamed the job of Head Master of Hogwarts. He sat behind his desk, seemingly unaffected by the abrupt entrance of two students. His eyes twinkling as they always seemed to do. "Lemon Drop?" He asked as Harry and Neville sat down in the chairs seated across form Dumbledore.

Harry ignored the question and proceeded straight to the point. He did not want to remain in the presence of the man who betrayed him any longer then necessary. "Neville and I believe that it is no longer safe fore us to reside in the Gryffindor dormitory due to the incident that occurred there just a few minutes ago. I am sure that you are aware of it by now."

"A simple prank." Dumbledore answered, "I see no reason to remove you from the dorms for a simple harmless prank that was only a little out of hand."

"Yes, of course. You would see it that way, wouldn't you? The safety of the students is not high on your list of priorities, right?" Harry questioned.

"I assure you, Harry, I do not know what you are talking about." Dumbledore answered. His voice only slightly more formal than before.

"Don't you?" Harry questioned. "After all, 'students in this castle are expendable for the greater good of the people' don't you agree?"

The twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes disappeared as he looked at Harry. "Are you trying to blackmail me, Mr. Potter? For I assure you that…"

Harry quickly interrupted him before he could really start to rant. "No, not trying to blackmail, I am protecting the interests of the students here at Hogwarts." As he spoke, he opened his robes and took a simple recording device out of a pocket that he had sown there two years prier. The recording device was one of two; one was used to record messages, the other was used to play things back. Both machines were magically enhanced to never run out of power. Harry held the device that would play things back and smiled as he hit the play button.

The voices of Dumbledore and McGonagall filled the room. "But, Albus, we must do everything in our power to protect the children." Her voice was sharp and high pitched, with a panicked note to it. She sounded slightly desperate, as if the two teachers had been fighting fore awhile.

"No." Dumbledore answered back, his voice calm and firm. "The children in the orphanages and the students in this castle are expendable for the greater good of the people."

A loud click as Harry turned off the device was the last sound heard for some time. Dumbledore merely looked at Harry, his face perfectly blank. Neville looked at Dumbledore in disgust and a touch of loathing.

"There's more where that came from and copies of everything stored in safe places. Unless you want this recording to somehow reach the press I suggest you find comfortable secure rooms for Neville and I"

Dumbledore narrowed his eyes before nodding his agreement. His twinkle was back as he said, "At the bottom of the stairs you will find a house elf waiting. He will show you to your new rooms."

Neville stood quickly, eager to get out of the office.

Harry followed more slowly. He stopped as he reached to door and looked back at the man that had betrayed him, "You wanted me strong and hard, and now I am. I hope you like what you got." He turned and walked down the stairs, trying to ignore the looks that Neville kept directing at him. His expression only changed to a smile when he saw Dobby waiting of them at the bottom of the stairwell.

"Hello, Dobby." Harry said, his smile still gracing his lips.

Dobby squeaked and pulled at his ears happily "Hello! Mr. Harry Potter, Sir! Dobby is to be showing you and Mr. Longbottom Neville, Sir to theirs new rooms, Sir!"

Harry just nodded his understanding. His smile widened as he followed Dobby through the twisting halls of the castle toward the dungeons. The air became cold and stale as they went deeper and deeper until finally stopping outside a portrait of a tall man with dark black hair laced with silver who was scowling down upon the three.

Dobby shifted from foot to foot nervously before squeaking out in a higher pitched voice then before. "Dobby has been showing Sirs to theirs rooms. So now Dobby be going back to kitchens." There was a small pop and he was gone leaving the two young men standing out side the room

The man in the portrait glared at the two for awhile before drawling out, "Well?"

Harry looked to Neville who looked back and shrugged. Nodding as if they had come to agreement about something, Harry turned back to face the portrait. "The password for now will be…. Black roses. If that is acceptable to you?" The man just nodded and then looked down as a snake climbed up the man's leg only to wrap himself on the man's arm; much like Hassi was currently doing.

Harry's eyes widened as he realized just who this man was. He forced himself to say nothing to him except to state the password: "Black Roses," thus allowing the portrait to swing open.

The two stepped into the room, their eyes wide as they surveyed their surroundings. They were standing in a room that rivaled the Gryffindor common room. There was a large fireplace with three large stuffed comfortable looking chairs surrounding it, a deep plush carpet that ones feet sank into, and a table and chairs that would be ideal for homework or a game of chess.

Along the further wall were two doors that led to two full master bedrooms, complete with bathrooms. At the base of each bed their trunks had been placed. Both boys were exhausted from their day and quickly separated to their private room, undressed, and fell into bed. Neville quickly fell into a deep sleep, while Harry endured a fitful one.

The next morning the two left their rooms, ready for another day, Hassi attached firmly to Harry's arm. The dark circles under Harry's eyes did not go unnoticed by Neville but Harry evaded any questions directed his way when questioned.

Harry and Neville entered the Great Hall and ignored the glares that they were receiving from the Gryffindors. They sat down in the same spot as the night before at the Gryffindor table and commenced eating.

When he was comfortably seated, Neville poured a glass of orange juice and put eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, and hash browns onto his plate. Harry poured some water and grabbed two piece of toast which he began to eat mechanically.

"Harry?" said Neville as he watched Harry eat.

"Yes?" Harry answered trying to seem innocent.

"You didn't have any supper last night." Neville pointed out in a slightly agitated voice.

"Yes…" Harry prompted giving up on all pretence of being innocent and switched to his menacing look as he tried to get Neville to shut up.

Neville ignored the look and glared, "That would mean that you haven't eaten in over twenty-four hours."

Harry pretended to look at a nonexistent watch on his wrist and exclaimed, "Wow, look at that. You are right." before taking another bite of his toast.

"Harry," Neville growled out his eyes narrowing. "Don't make me channel my Grandmother here. You know how scary she is."

Harry sighed and grabbed some eggs and put them on his plate. Even with Neville's threat hanging over his head, he was only capable of eating about half of it.

As they finished Professor McGonagall came by to pass out the timetables to the students. She smiled at Harry and Neville as she handed their pieces of paper to them before whispering, "Please see me after are class today." before going back down the table to answer a question for a first year.

Harry and Neville looked at one another and then shrugged, they would find out more later. Harry glanced down at the paper and groaned loudly as he saw what was first on the list. "Double Potions first thing. That's it! The fates officially don't like me."

Neville sighed as he looked at his own schedule; "They never liked you before so why should they start now?"

Together they stood up and began to make their way to the dungeons a good five minutes early to avoid any confrontations for as long as possible. They entered into the classroom and were met with the glare of the Professor. "Well wonders never crease," Snape drawled, "Not only are you on time Mr. Potter but early as well."

Harry just shrugged his shoulders and started to head for his customary seat in the far back of the room with Neville following on behind when he was stopped.

"Mr. Potter I'm not finished yet." Harry turned and found Snape with his customary sneer gone.

Harry made his way back to Snape as Neville made his way to the back of the room and sat down at the desk.

Harry stopped in front of Snape and looked up at him expectantly.

"I am not in the habit of allowing poisonous snakes into my class room, Mr. Potter." Said Snape, his voice low as he glanced down at the snake around Harry's arm.

"Hassi will not hurt anyone while he is in this castle Professor." Said Harry who had taken an instinctive step back from Snape, almost expecting for Hassi to be taken from him by force, like Vernon would.

Snape just raised his eyebrow at this and nodded. His sneer returned as other students began to enter the room. He turned his back to them.

Harry again made his way to the table that Neville was sitting at; this time he was not stopped. He sat down and opened his bag to remove pen, paper and his books. With Snape in the room, it did not take long for everyone to ready themselves for class to begin..

"I would hope that the rules of this class have made their way into the thick sculls that most of you possess." As Snape spoke his gaze wandered about the room, never once focusing on Harry.

He immediately began to wonder what was going on. Prior to today, Snape's beginning of year comments had always been directed straight at him. His thoughts were interrupted as Snape continued, "We will do a fairly simple potion today. Although it is time consuming, you will probably finish just as class ends, you will work alone." He gestured and the information about the potion appeared along with what ingredients they would need and the instructions.

Being in the back, Harry and Neville were the first two to get the ingredients that they needed. Silently they set up their cauldrons and began to work. As Snape had said, it was not really that complicated. The potion only needed twelve ingredients, but it was the timing that was imperative. Some of the ingredients needed to be added extremely quickly and stirred together with only a few seconds hesitation while others had a lot of time in-between to let it all steep.

Harry finished stirring in the cactus needles and sat down to relax while waiting for when he would need to put the catnip in. Neville turned to him, also waiting on his potion with a smirk. "You know, Harry, I've been thinking. I've bean doing too well in potions and people are starting to talk."

Harry nodded his head. He had already given up on trying to get Neville to do better in his classes.

"I'm thinking that once a week I will mess-up my potion. I'm going to make it interesting though. I don't want to do the normal 'melting of the cauldron'. I want to actually experiment and find the best ways to explode my cauldron. You know, find out what makes the loudest boom and what makes the most toxic fumes. What do you think?"

Harry returned Neville's smirk as he added the catnip and turned the burner down to let the potion cool. "I think that Snape will be having conniption fits by Christmas. Go for it."

Neville smiled and added his own catnip just as Snape announced, "Time is up, bottle and label your potions."

Harry and Neville quickly bottled their potions and left them on Snape's desk and started on the long trek up the stairs to Transfiguration. The halls were loud and crowded with people who where constantly 'accidentally' bumping into Harry and Neville, trying to trip them.

Everyday was a battle of wills for Harry to keep his calm and not to panic and to breathe slowly and steady. Thankfully, the two entered the Advanced Transfiguration class without mishap and grabbed their seats at the back of the room.

"Welcome back to another year in Transfiguration. Now will you all please turn in your essays that were assigned at the end of last year?" The sound of rustling paper filled the room as the students turn in their essays on turning inanimate objects into living breathing animals.

"Good" Professor McGonagall continued, "We will now start on the practical portion of this assignment. On each desk you will find a feather. I should like for all of you to transfigure that feather into a mouse."

Upon hearing this Harry looked down to Hassi and said, "Do not eat that!" while pointing at the feather.

Hassi just looked at him not answering.

Seconds later a polite cough interrupted him from saying anything further. He lifted his eyes to that of the professors. "The staff has been informed that you now have a familiar. I'm sure that I do not need to impart the importance of keeping your familiar… under control."

Harry sighed and hoped that he would not have to do this in every class, "Hassi only wishes to observe my classes, he will not attack anyone."

McGonagall nodded her head and turned away.

Turning his attention back to the feather he waved his wand while reciting the proper incantation and smiled at the white mouse staring back at him. He turned his attention to Neville and did not notice the snake silently detaching himself from his arm.

Neville finished with his own feather and turned to Harry to only glance at him in confusion. "Harry, where is your mouse?"

Harry glanced down at the table seeing not a white mouse but a content looking snake resting on the table. Snickering could be heard in the background as Harry groaned and put his hand to his eyes to massage them.

"Shut up," Harry growled at Neville, who was trying to keep himself from laughing outright, then turned his attention to Hassi. "Hassi? Did you eat the mouse that was on this table?"

The snake turned his content eyes to Harry and answered sleepily, "Yes."

"I told you not to eat the mouse." Harry said trying to be reasonable.

"No," answered Hassi just as reasonably, "You said do not eat the feather, you said nothing of the mouse."

Harry just starred at the snake not knowing how to reply not noticing as McGonagall come over to check on Harry and Nevilles progress.

"Mr. Potter care to explain where your mouse is?" her voice called out, attracting the attention of everyone in the room instantly.

Harry looked up into her eyes and then glanced at Hassi who now appeared to be sleeping and then back to McGonagall. "Hassi decided to have a… snack," he replied quietly.

The room was silent except for the muffled laughing of Neville as the professor turned a sharp eye to Harry. "Mr. Potter if you can not keep your familiar from eating your project then how do you propose to keep him from attacking someone?"

Harry looked up at her calmly and answered, "I told him not to eat the feather not the mouse."

"Mr. Potter, they are the same thing."

"Yes," Harry agreed, "but try to explain that to a snake. To them, things are what they are and nothing else."

The class was now silent, Neville finally being able to control his laughing. "Very well Mr. Potter." was the only response but he did get another feather which he quickly changed into a white mouse.

The time for switching classes came soon after and Harry and Neville made sure to take longer then necessary to pack up their books. After the classroom had emptied, leaving the two alone with McGonagall, two young men and a snake made their way up to her desk. "You asked to see us, Professor?" Harry asked.

"Yes, boys. How would you like some very private Animagus training?"

"What's the catch?" Harry questioned his eyes narrowed dangerously.

Taken aback by the tone of Harry's voice she answered without thinking, "There is no catch, Harry. Dumbledore just wants you to have another way of escaping from things if the need arises."

Harry did not answer no automatically, this not being just his choice. He would do it if Neville wished to.

"No, thank you." Neville said in a clipped voice after seeing that Harry was not going to answer. Before she could inquire about their rejection of Dumbledore's offer, he turned and walked out of the class, Harry following behind him with a thoughtful look on his face.