I give my deepest apologies that this took so long to come out. I got sick…. (runs and hides from reviewers and rotten tomatoes)

Announcement: Harry and Neville are not pared together, they are good friends and that is as far at it goes. The parings in this story as follows: Harry/Snape, Neville/Blaze, and Draco/OC. Sorry for any disappointments.

Thank you so much for everyone who reviewed:

Miki23: Yes I am still finding 3rd pirson vary difficult, but I am going to stick with it. I hope that you enjoy this chapter. There will be a lot more of Harry and Neville standing up do Dumbledore, it will probably happen every other chapter.

Heather: Yes, I agree. Dumbledore acting like a bastard fits him to a T. I'm glad that you like the story.

Irihi Safaia: Sorry that this took so long to come out, I hope that you are feeling better and if you're not then hopefully this will put a smile on your face and make you feel better.

Pure Black: The whole school is against Harry because they believe that he is a murderer and it is only a matter of time that he will go over to Voldemort. I'm glad that you liked that chapter.

Gryphonwing: Thank you! I'm glad that you think that this is getting better instead of worse. Don't worry Harry and Neville will be getting the training that they need, and from a teacher non the less (hint, hint)

Icklecassikins: I can tell that you are an original person and I'm happy that you are enjoying reading this. Yes, the person in the portrait is Salazar, as for what will happen next…. Well I guess you'll just have to read and find out.

Suzuki-chan: Well here is the next chapter, hope you like it.

Anux: Thank you, here is the next chapter hope you like it.

Rayz: There is no such thing as liking a story too much, I'm glad that you are liking it so much.

Shadowolfox: Yes, the snake eating the 'feather' is one of my favorite parts of the story so far. Harry and Neville will eventually start training, but it won't be alone, a teacher will be helping them. (hint, hint) As for the rape seen at the beginning of the story, I am sorry that it made you cry but it needed to be done for future things in the story.

Daughter of Darkness777: Lol, nothing wrong with sugar rushes. Harry and Neville are not yet Animagus yet, but they'll get there.

USA-Jeanette: Thank you vary much, I'm glad that you think that this is original, it's what I am trying for. You will find out in latter chapters what the justification Ron and Hermione had to abandon and betray Harry.

Xikum: All things will be answered… just not right now. I hope that you will stick with me to see if your questions are answered.

SensibkyTainted: Ummm… Harry and Neville are not 'paired' paired, there just good friends. As for Hassi, he is one of my favorite characters I'm glad that you think that I am not neglecting him. I also hate it when people abuse Harry and then have him turn around and be ok again. Harry will not be getting over the abuse for a wile, and you will find out soon the degree of abuse that Harry suffered. I hope that my story continues to inspire you.

Anonymous: Harry and Neville are not paired together, there just good friends. But even so I hope that you continue to like the story.

Super-girl-straight-from: I like complex, I'm glad that you think so.

Kitsuko: Hope that you enjoy this chapter.


Chapter 3

The rest of the week passed quietly. The Gryffindors ignored Harry and Neville, which was just how they preferred it. The replacement potion ingredients that Harry ordered by mail came and most nights he could be found making healing potions and anything else that he thought would come in handy.

Harry sat in the back in Potions Class, watching Neville in amusement as he added yet another ingredient. Harry had long since finished his potion and it was currently cooling.

Neville's potion was a sickly green compared to the dark blue that was Harry's. Neville added the last ingredient and a loud boom resonated through the room as the potion imploded in upon itself until all that was left was what looked like a small round marble about the size of a dime. Neville smiled in satisfaction before quickly hiding it before Snape swooped down,

"Mr. Longbottom! Your incompetence never ceases to astound me; 50 points from Gryffindor. Now will you care to explain how you managed to botch your potion, and even more importantly, how you managed keep you cauldron intact?" Snape's eyes flashed in anger while he exhibited his 'you are so dead' scowl.

"I-I…" Neville stuttered as he allowed his cheeks to turn red and cowered back in supposed fright.

"Another 50 points from Gryffindor for not answering your Professor. I suppose that it is too much to expect a correct potion from you when you seem incapable of a semi-intelligent sentence." Snape sneered down at the cauldron and then turned and growled out, "Turn in your finished potions!"

Harry sighed happy that the last class of the day was over. One of the last to leave the classroom Harry and Neville were the only ones in the hall as they walked down the corridor to the great hall.

They stopped suddenly when two figures stepped out from the shadows to stand before them. Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini stood blocking Harry and Neville's path.

Draco stepped forward his eyes seeking out Harry's as he cleared his throat, "Can we talk?"

Harry raised an eyebrow but nodded his head slightly and waited expectantly.

Draco glanced around the hall, "Somewhere a little more private?"

Harry glanced over at Neville who shrugged and nodded his head. "All right," said Harry as he turned and began to walk to their rooms.

The four were silent as they walked down the halls, their footsteps echoing off the walls. They stopped before the portrait of Salazar who was looking coldly down at them.

"Black Roses," Harry hissed out. Salazar raised his eyebrow before opening the door to allow them entrance. He waved the other three boys in and motioned vaguely in the direction of the couches that had been pulled in front of the fire.

Neville sat down across from Blaise as Harry called out loud. "Dobby? Can you please come here?"

There was a pop, as Dobby appeared a few feet from Harry, grinning. "What can Dobby be doing for Harry Potter, Sir?"

"Can you please bring us some supper with tea and a butterbeer for each of us?" He asked gesturing to the people seated by the fire.

Dobby quickly nodded and disappeared, happy to be doing his master's bidding.

Harry then turned to the door and placed wards around the whole room to keep people from eavesdropping and to alert him when someone came too near the door. Finished, Harry sat down on the couch facing Draco and leaned back.

Draco noticed that the whole time he was working; Harry had never let Draco completely out of his sight. They sat in a comfortable silence until another pop announced Dobby's return. They all sat up attentively as the house elf placed a platter overflowing with meat-pies, pastries, tea, and butterbeer on the table that was resting between the couches.

"Thank you, Dobby." Harry said quietly.

Dobby squealed and nodded his head vigorously before asking if there was anything else Dobby could do for Harry Potter, Sir. Harry shook his head 'no' and Dobby left with a pop. Harry's eyes had never left Draco's.

Draco nodded his head and stood up; his hands going to undo his robes. Harry raised his eyebrow as Draco removed his robes and placed them on the arm of the couch. Draco now stood only in black silk slacks and a white button down shirt with long sleeves. He then began to roll up the left sleeve of his shirt to expose an unblemished forearm.

Harry said nothing as Draco re-dressed. Whatever thoughts were going on in his head did not show, his eyes remained blank.

Draco sat down once again and looked at Harry. "I refused the Dark Mark last summer and was disowned by my father," He said quietly.

"Why are you telling me this?" asked Harry his voice just as quiet.

"I don't trust Dumbledore, never have, he's just too…" Draco trailed off not knowing how to finish.

"Manipulative," Supplied Neville.

Draco just nodded glancing down at the food for a few seconds.

"Help yourselves," supplied Harry, taking a meat-pie for himself off of the platter.

The two Slytherins nodded their thanks and grabbed some food while Neville passed out the butterbeer.

"So, what do you want from us?" asked Harry after he had swallowed his pie.

"A truce." Draco replied.

"Also a place for you to sit during meals." Blaze added thoughtfully.

Harry and Neville looked at one another. This time it was Neville who raised an eyebrow and smirked. Harry smirked back and nodded his head to Draco and Blaze. "Tomorrow's going to be fun." Harry stated as he extended his right hand toward the two Slytherins who were leaning forward.

Blaze laughed, nodding his own head, as Draco gripped Harry's hand and shook it firmly.

Harry reached the doors to the Great Hall with Draco to his left and Neville to right and Blaze to his right.

Neville smiled as Harry reached out to open the doors; "I can't wait to see Snape's face when I sit down at his table.

Harry laughed as he walked in instantly drawing the attention of everyone in the hall. Everyone was silent as they watched the strange group make their way over to the Slytherin table.

"A lot quieter then it usually is, wouldn't you say, Draco?" Asked Harry as they seated themselves at the Slytherin table, Harry facing Draco and Neville facing Blaze.

"Yes, Harry, I would." Draco agreed as his eyes scanned the Great Hall.

Slowly as Harry and his company began to eat the hall filled with whisperings.

Snape sat emotionlessly as he watched Harry and the others eating quietly. He glanced at his companion sitting next to him.

Thorn caught Snape's eye and shrugged. He didn't know what was going on either.

The four finished eating and silently stood up together before exiting the hall. The only sound anywhere near them was their footsteps echoing off stone walls as they made their way to their first class of the day: Defense Against the Dark Arts.

They walked in to the class, each going to their appointed seat, and sat down. They were about ten minutes early so the classroom was empty except for Harry, his friends, and the professor.

Harry took the time to observe the enigmatic man who currently sat at his desk reading a peace of paper. Harry had not been able to get any information on the new Professor because he had taken his rooms in the dungeon and the snakes did not like to report any information to him regarding those who lived in the dungeons. He had not asked why. All that he knew was that the man appeared to know Snape and was possibly even friends with him.

Harry realized there was something strange about the man that Harry could not place as he steadily gazed at the man. He did not flinch away when Thorn raised his eyes to meet Harry's.

Thorn nodded his head slightly before lowering his eyes once again to the paper.

Shifting his eyes, Harry looked about the room. It was filled with numerous items that could keep ones attention for hours. On the wall next to where Thorn was sitting there where shelves that held bones of two headed dragons, and snakes with heads at both ends of the body. There where also clear glass jars, filled with different colored liquids with strange masses floating in it. Upon closer inspection you found that many of the masses where different body parts taken from different creatures, including humans.

Opposite of that were more shelves that held many rare books. Harry owned most of the books displayed but there where some that he had never seen before. His hands nearly ached to get hold of them.

Sighing, Harry turned his attention to Hassi as people began to enter the room. His attention returned to Thorn who waited until everyone was seated before putting his paper down and rising to stand in front of the class.

"Today," Thorn began, "We will start the section on Dark Magic. While we are learning this section you will learn about many different spells and hopefully how to block some of them. You will also get to see a select few cast before your own eyes…" Thorn droned on but Harry blocked him out.

There was nothing new that Thorn could teach him of this subject. He got a crash course on the Dark Arts every other time that he went to sleep. Harry had found that the bond between him and Voldemort could not be blocked. Because of this, Voldemort would send visions of his Death Eater meetings to Harry. Harry knew every curse in the book.

Abruptly his mind was pulled back from his musings when he heard his name called. "Yes Sir?" He asked.

"You are not paying attention. Are you board perhaps?" Thorn questioned.

Harry remanded silent not knowing how he should answer the question.

Thorn looked at Harry for a few seconds, "Then perhaps you would care to explain to all of us what the curse Nedells does?"

Taking a deep breath Harry shrugged his shoulders, "Nedells is a high level spell that requires a lot of energy and concentration to cast; the spell is used to question or torture people. When cast upon a person, they will feel as if thousands of tiny invisible needles are piercing their skin- which is precisely what is happening. The needles will pierce the skin enough to cause bleeding. Rarely do people ever die from this spell since healers are usually there to stop the bleeding as soon as the spell is finished." Figuring that, that was enough information to get him out of trouble, Harry sat back in his chair to observe Thorn's reaction.

Thorn's face showed no emotion as he looked at Harry, before nodding his head. "10 points to Gryffindor."

The room was silent, many of its occupants staring at Harry in horror and fear.

The rest of the class went smoothly. Harry, lost in his own thoughts, ignored everything. Finally, the class came to an end and Harry with his three friends walked quietly to there next class, charms.

Professor Flitwick smiled widely at them all as they entered the bright room and sat down as a group at the back of the room. When every one was seated the Professor climbed onto of a stack of books that was stacked upon his desk, so that he could be seen.

"Today, we will be learning a new spell," Said Flitwick cheerfully. "The spell that we will be learning is an advanced form of Wingardium Leviosa. Does any one have any idea of the spell that I am talking about?"

As par for the course, Hermione's hand shot up into the air; Blaise's hand following more slowly.

"Ahh yes, Mr. Zabini?" Questioned Flitwick.

"The spell that you are describing is Leviosa Stachas." Blaise answered, smirking as he felt the glare that Hermione was sending his way.

"Vary good, Mr. Zabini! Now would you care to explain the spell?"

Nodding, Blaise answered, "Like Wingardium Leviosa the Leviosa Stachas spell will levitate an object. However, instead of you having to concentrate upon the object to keep it airborne, the object will stay in the air indefinitely."

"30 points to Slytherin, well done. Now that we know what the spell does I will show you the proper wand movement." As Flitwick said this he took out his own wand. Holding it easily by the base he pointed at a book and did an intricate wave while saying the words. Slowly the book rose into the air until stopping when the Professors attention left it.

"There! That is how it is done. Now it is your turn. Upon your desks you will find a feather, by the end of class I would like to see all of the feathers floating two feet above your desk."

Turning his attention to the feather in front of him, Harry took a deep breath and readied his wand. As the last syllable left his mouth, the feather did not raise into the air, instead there was a loud 'Crack' as his wand split down the middle from tip to bottom.

Staring in shock, Harry watched as a single reddish orange feather and a silver strand of silver hair fell onto the table.

"N-no worries, Harry!" stuttered Flitwick, "This is just an extravagant way of your wand telling you that you have out grown your wand and need another that is better able to channel your growing power."

Waving his wand a peace of paper appeared in Harry's hand, "Upon that peace of paper is the password to the Headmasters Office, please make your way to him," Explained Flitwick.

Nodding his head Harry grabbed his bag and walked out of the classroom, not happy about having to go see Dumbledore.

Harry reached the Gargoyle that lead up to the headmaster's office and glanced down at the paper that he had in his hand. "Gummy Bears," Harry stated and the gargoyle jumped aside allowing him entry.

After knocking a few times, Harry opened the door and walked into the room to see two pairs of eyes staring at him. Dumbledore sat behind his desk and Snape was seated across from him with a steaming cup of tea in his hands.

"Harry, my boy! Come in and take a seat. Tea? Lemon Drop?" exclaimed Dumbledore.

"No, thank you," answered Harry flatly as he sat down next to Snape.

"Well then, what brings you here?" asked Dumbledore as Snape continued to sit looking thoughtfully at Harry.

Harry silently set the feather and strand of hair down on the desk and then placed the two pieces of his wand down next to them.

"Well then," said Dumbledore his eyes twinkling, "It seems that you have outgrown your wand. If you would like, I can go down to Ollivanders and find you a wand that I am sure that would accept you…"

"No," interrupted Harry, "If it is all the same to you I would like to go myself to find my new wand."

The winkle in the eyes of the headmaster seemed to dim for a seconded before brightening again. "Of course, in fact I will send you now…" His eyes shifted over from Harry to Snape.

Sighing, Snape nodded his head, placed the cup of tea down upon the desk, and stood. "Come, Potter. I don't have all day." Harry hastily stood up and followed Snape over to the fire. The fire flared and Snape stated clearly, "Ollivanders." He disappeared into the fire, followed quickly by Harry.

Landing awkwardly, the only thing that saved Harry from falling face first onto the floor was a hand that caught his arm and steadied him. Harry's mind flashed back to the time when Vernon had caught his arm like Snape was holding him and pressed it down upon the stove when he had dropped a plate, accidentally shattering it.

Shaking his head to rid himself of the memories, Harry snatched his arm back and shakily thanked Snape. Nodding his head in acceptance, Snape stared at Harry with an unreadable expression before moving into the shop and calling for Ollivander.

"Hello, Mr. Potter." said Ollivander as he materialized out from behind one of the book cases holding countless numbers of wands.

"Hello, Mr. Ollivander." responded Harry as he handed the remains of his broken wand to the man.

Clicking his tongue, Ollivander took the wand from Harry as he explained, "During the teenage years of a Wizard's life their magic increases exponentially. This eventually leads to a time when the Wizard's wand can no longer channel the amount and intensity of the magic. Usually when this happens the wand shuts down and refuses to do anymore magic. But sometimes, in rare cases like this, the wand misjudges the amount of magic that it can handle and this is the result. Now come over here and we will find you a new wand."


Smoke escaped through the windows of the wand shop as yet another wand violently rejected Harry. Harry and Ollivander were covered in soot and singed in many places. Snape watched from across the shop, amusement evident on his face at the rare entertainment being provided for him.

"Alright," stated Ollivander exasperated, "We shall try something else."

Hassi hissed in relief as he watched Ollivander put everything up. The snake was fervently hoping that there would be no more explosions.

"Follow me, Mr. Potter." Ollivander said as he turned and began to walk toward the back of the shop. He led Harry and Snape between towering bookshelves until they reached a plain door.

"Now then, Mr. Potter, through that door you will find staffs. Staffs are like wands only they were created to channel the strongest magic known to man. You will need to go alone, do NOT touch anything that you are not compelled otherwise to do."

Harry nodded his head and reached out to open the door but stopped when Ollivander cleared his throat. Harry glanced over at him and saw that he was staring expectantly at Hassi.

Sighing Harry gripped Hassi and gently unwrapped him from his arm. "Hassi, you can not go into that room with me, the magics will not allow it. Who would you prefer holds you until I return?" asked Harry.

Hassi hissed in vexation before answering, "I would like the tall man that smells strangely to hold me until you return, I will not bite him."

Raising his eyebrows in surprise Harry turned to Snape, "He asks that you hold him until I'm back… he promised not to bite you."

Raising a single brow Snape extended his arm to take Hassi. Gently Harry placed Hassi upon his arm where Hassi climbed up to wrap around Snape's upper arm and rest his head upon his shoulder, the same position he used with Harry.

Turning away Harry opened the door and stepped into a near dark room. Closing the door Harry waited for his eyes to adjust to the dark. As he waited a whispering started that seemed to be coming from in his own mind. Startled Harry walked forward looking for where the sound could be coming from. The only things he could see in the room were staffs resting against the walls.

Harry continued forward until he stood before one of the staffs. The staff was taller than him by at least four inches and was made out of a dark mahogany wood. Of its own accord, his hand lifted to grasp the staff.

/About damn time/