"At different stages in our lives, the signs of love may vary: dependence, attraction, contentment, worry, loyalty, grief, but at heart the source is always the same. Human beings have the rare capacity to connect with each other, against all odds."
-- Michael Dorris

Disclaimer- Everything related to the Harry potter books, are not mine. So power-hungry lawyers, go A-way"

An hour later I got up again, sighing loudly. I walked to the restroom, and looked in the mirror, to see if I still looked like crap. I looked better; I figured if I got something to eat it would help me regain my strength, enough to last tonight. Professor Amstone was certainly a surprise, I wished with all my might that I could get a time turner and say "No." the time he asked me if I wanted to train with him.

But I figured that he would just give me a whole bunch of detentions to do his little experiment on me. So I wished with all my might that he was torn apart by hippogriff, maybe I could ask a certain friend for a favor.

If that wish couldn't be granted, by some selfish deity, maybe a smaller one could, like erase all my memories! I shivered unconsciously thinking about all those memories that bombarded my mind. Something inside of me told me to tell Sirius or Remus, the voice sounded vaguely like Remus' ever-patient voice. I pushed the voice as far as it could go, I can deal with this, it's just the first day, and I'll probably build endurance for it or something. The little voice seemed to be scolding me, and telling me it will only get worse, I guess I didn't push it far enough, I thought dryly.

I sighed, and brushed my hair, only mildly taming it, I blinked my eyes a bit, trying to get rid of that sickly look it seemed to emanate. They still were bloodshot, but not as noticeable, and they still had a slightly haunted look. I shook my head, feeling like I was getting lost in my eyes. I ran outside my dorm, the portrait opened, and saw Sirius still standing there, he looked only faintly pleased with my appearance and ordered me to eat a lot, and get some sleep tonight. I agreed and headed downstairs, the phoenix fires look exhausted; I envied them for being able to do something productive. Food was strewn all over the table, I wasn't that hungry, but I could feel Remus' eyes on me, he may not be as over-protective as Sirius is, but he still had that wolf side of him, and wolves tend to be a little over-protective. That and, I believe his threat is still looming over my head.

I saw Ron and Hermione talking, or rather bickering about something and I walked over to the table, sitting down quietly, filling my plate with food. I took a few bites listening to them argue about how quidditch can be educational. Surprisingly it was Hermione arguing on how quidditch can be educational, and Ron not wanting to hear that his only enjoyment can even be slightly related to school. I snorted at this, and they both turned their heads simultaneously.

"Harry!" they both said together.

"Last time I checked, yeah." I said, smirking faintly. Ron rolled his eyes, and Hermione seemed to be examining me. She was about to open her mouth but I cut her off.

"I'm fine Hermione, really!' I said, smiling to prove that I was feeling okay. She looked apprehensive, but let it go. Ron started stuffing food in his mouth,

"So Harry, how was training with All-powerful Amstone." He said, I mentally, snorted, and gave a forced smile.

"Oh it was okay, I don't know if I'm very good at it." I said, shrugging.

"Well, it's only the first day, I'm sure you'll get better," Hermione pointed out, I nodded slightly, trying not to show my discomfort in discussing things like this.

"He's not pushing you too hard, because you look horrible this morning." She asked, looking at me with worry. I shook my head vigorously.

"No, I just had a hard time sleeping." I said mildly. Ron drew closer,

"It's not about you-know-who, is it?" he asked, barely above a whisper. I shook my head, wondering why he doesn't just call him Voldemort. Ron looked relieved, and Hermione was still staring at me, mainly at my eyes, I looked away, I was never one for staring, And definitely hated being stared at. I looked at the teacher's table, Sirius wasn't there, probably hanging around somewhere, Remus wasn't staring at me anymore, more like talking to professor Amstone. Remus was laughing at something He said, and it made my blood boil, but I kept my mouth shut. Remus was still casting glances at me, so I turned around and started eating, trying to hide my anger and great dislike for professor Amstone.

After classes, I was worn out, I was doing okay in my classes, but having a lot of power like I usually do, it wasn't my best, I was more like an average student. I was trying to keep all my powers quiet, it wouldn't do well if a few Slytherins ran to their deatheater parents to tell the tales of my immense power. All day, Hermione and Ron were casting fretful glances at me; I tried to ignore it as much as I could.

Lunch was draining also, all the questions on why I wasn't at training were getting annoying. Plus both Sirius and Remus' eyes were boring into my back. Some days I liked having them around, but most days I was irritated by it, wondering what it was like to have you're guardians at home, and you send them letters every day, my letters would probably be filled with lies.

The only highlight of my day was the fact that I didn't have bloody DADA today; I don't think I could face Professor Amstone in front of students, and him trying to act like he's a handsome, experienced, nice, auror. It would make me throw up, just thinking about makes me want to. I told Ron and Hermione after classes that I would meet them at dinner; I'm guessing they figured that I was going to get some rest, for they agreed whole-heartedly.

Actually I was heading to the library, to find out how to do a masking charm, to change my appearance, I've heard people do that, so I thought it would work perfectly and stop all the questions of my sickly appearance. I walked to the library, and nodded to Mrs. Pince, who guarded the library like a hawk. The library was very big, and only a few students were here, mainly Ravenclaws. Thankfully, Ravenclaws were not the nosy type, they let you do your business and you let them do theirs, just don't bother them, I didn't mind this, to say the least.

I went to "C"; this section was fairly large, on the account that there are many books on charms. I walked through the aisle, seeing many books, there was even a book on cats, it was furry and it purred when you touched it. I was a little freaked out by that and quickly moved from the book.

I finally got to the charms section, hmmmm…… "Charms for beginners", "Advance Charms", "Newt study guide for Charms," Aha! This might work, "From the Ugly Duckling to Prince charming: Charm Your Appearance for Beginners. I took it out, it was slightly big, but I guessed it might work, the pun was completely stupid, I almost laughed because it was so stupid. While I pulled it out, a small book fell onto the floor. I was grateful it wasn't a big book, because madam Pince would skin me alive with the racket, a book that size would cause. I crouched down, and set my book aside, I picked up the small book. It was red, with a green snake engraved on the side, it seemed very old. I read the front, it read "Charming snakes" it seemed very interesting. I grabbed it and my other book, and checked it out. Madam Pince gave me an odd look, at my strange collection to check out, but I chose to ignore it.

I stuffed the books in my book bag and headed to my dorm, it was still a few hours till dinner, and I might as well catch up on my studies, for I most likely won't be able to do them tonight. I closed my eyes tightly at the thought of tonight, and opened them, blinking rapidly. It wasn't the best subject I like to think about. I shook my head out of my gloomy thoughts and walked to my dorm.

After a few hours of studying, I headed for dinner. I had only just finished my potions essay, Professor Snape, the git, gave me an extra foot of parchment to do, just because. Or his excuse, my potion was dark green when it should have been olive, and I pointed out that a lot of people's were purple; than he took points off for impertinence. Slimy, evil, overgrown, bat! I mean seriously, he would give me detention for breathing too loud, come to think of it, I think he took off points for that, when I ran all the way to the dungeons, a second early. I think he was disappointed that he couldn't take off points for me being late.

"Is something wrong, mate?" asked Ron, I shook out of my thoughts to realize, I had made it to the entrance hall. I look at Ron perplexed.

"You looked a bit angry." He pointed out, I snorted,

"Yeah, I was thinking about Professor Snape." I said, Ron's face immediately turned from concerned to angry, as he said every bad thing he could think of, to curse Snape, I smirked, and dragged him into the great hall. Ron stopped when he saw Hermione looking disapprovingly at him.

It was that time again; I was slowly heading to Bloody Amstone office, trying to muster enough of bravery to walk all the way there. I was playing a game called, "it could be worse," gradually, it got harder to find what could be worse than spending hour upon hours with an artificial dementors, and a Professor trying to get revenge.

Finally I reached the door, I was a few minutes late but I'm sure professor Amstone won't mind. I stared at the door, Merlin was this difficult. Hmmm…what could be worse than this, maybe Sirius and Remus finding out, yes maybe that. I opened the door, to find professor Amstone right in the doorway, looking down on me. Though I wasn't short, I was never tall, and it seemed the whole sixth year towered over me, counting some of the girls. I wondered, where the "short" genes, came form.

"Your late." He said coldly, yeah by a few minutes, I thought dryly. I pushed pass him, and sat on a seat. I glared at him,

"Better late than never." I said cheekily, He turned around sharply to me, his eyes piercing,

"Speak to me with respect, I am your professor, I will not tolerate your cheek." He said severely. I raised an eyebrow, and stared at my nails,

"Well you're not teaching me, so I figured; you're not a professor as of right now, are you?" I said, looking up at him steadily, giving him a chesire grin. He stepped closer to me, till his face was only an inch from mine.

"I still have authority, and I'm sure you will not like an extra hour of training, would you?" he said menacingly, I met his glance with steady eyes, but I knew without a doubt an extra hour was not my definition of "Fun." I kept silent; he smirked, and walked to his desk.

"That's what I thought." He said, I rolled my eyes.

"Whatever you say, bloody arse-stone." I mumbled, he whirled around, with a deep frown, OH CRAP, he heard that, me and my mumbling, I mentally berated myself. Before I could think I had a stinging feeling on my face, an ache in my mouth, and a metal taste on my tongue. I yelled out in surprise, and my eyes widened slightly. That bloody idiot, he hit me, hard enough to leave a bloody mark, now it will be even harder to cover this up. I blinked, as my vision cleared, he had an evil smirk on his face.

"As I said before, I will not tolerate insolence, or I will treat you as I treat criminals." He said, threateningly. "Now, let's start already, I'm tired of these games," he said, hastily taking the helmet, and putting it on my head. He said the spell and it started.

My mind went black and I fell into the abyss of my nightmares and horrors, I felt myself shaking, as I was stuck into the evil machinations of a bitter Professor. I would more likely than not, throw up by watching my parents die over and over, the screams, rang in my ears like a never-ending song.

The visions and faces, the pain and death, crying and screaming, all of it, tore me slowly up inside. It seemed like years had past till it was taken off. I found the room overly bright, I was on my knees, crying to myself; trying to shake off the images of the life of the boy who lived. After a few minute, my cries stopped, but I felt pain in my face, I touched my face to feel scars, and a bit of blood. It seemed like I was clawing my face, I realized with horror. That was new.

"I added an extra hour, for the comment you said, earlier, it's getting late you should head to your dorm, remember our deal, don't tell anyone." He said, I so wanted to curse him into oblivion, but all I did was, wipe my face, and got up slowly. I shakily headed to the door. The extra hour made it ten times worse, I didn't know how mush longer I could go.

My cheek still ached, my face stung from the self-inflicted scars, and my throat was soar as usual. I headed to my dorm; it took me about 20 minutes longer than usual, from the few rest stops, and avoiding Snape. Really, is he a vampire or something, or does he have a spell on me that tells when I'm in the halls? I had to avoid him, it was mandatory, because, being even weaker than yesterday; and a large bruise on my face, and a million nail marks, would not keep my well-hidden secret, hidden anymore.

I got to my dorms, and grabbed my book bag. I headed out again, leaving the fat lady a little disgruntled. I arrived at moaning myrtles bathroom, I'm sure this would be the perfect place to practice. I had to keep a sharp eye, because I knew there were guards lurking all around Hogwarts, and Sirius would have my head if he found me.

I entered and found moaning myrtle not there, probably a boy in the prefect bathroom, I thought, laughing quietly at the mental image. I sat down in front of the mirror and opened my book bag, taking out the large book. I opened it, and some dust flew out, I looked through the index, I found a chapter called, "Masking the truth" and I figured, that would help. I turned to the page, and watch the picture so a guy with a whole bunch of scar on his face, he closed his eyes, pointed his wand on his head and the scars disappeared. Yeah I thing this is what I'm looking for. I strummed through it till I found the directions.

In order to place the masking spell on your face you'll need a wand. Take the wand and place the point at the temple of your head. Close your eyes and imagine an image of your face masked. It would be good to imagine every detail, not imaging a nose perhaps, would result in strange glances from wizard and muggles alike. Now after you are fully confident in your, mental image, say the incantation, which is "Dissimulo" (meaning to hide, disguise, or conceal). To remove charm, say the incantation "Finite Incantum"

I shrugged, it seemed easy enough, I would guess that I'm pretty good with mental images. I took a deep breath, trying to collect all the energy I had left, I stood up and looked in the mirror, I looked like crap, to put it bluntly. The haunted look was more noticeable, I was a pale, very pale, ghastly pale. I had a very large bruise across my face that stood out like a red fire truck in a black and white movie. I was shaking more noticeably and I had black rings around my eyes, ten long scars told the tale of my horrors, as they stuck on my face. I wiped my face some, getting all the blood off, This wouldn't do at all, I had to make a change, not too noticeable, that it would be obvious that I had used a charm just enough.

I pointed my wand at my temple, and imagined myself the day I said the pledge to the phoenix, I had a slight tan, but not too noticeable, I looked well-rested, and well-fed, my eyes were shining brightly with determination, I was well toned out. I thought hard on that picture, and said "Dissimulo" It felt like the charm that Moody put on me, the summer before my fifth year. It was like and egg yolk slithering down my face, but it stopped at my neck. I opened my eyes and looked in the mirror, I looked perfectly fine. Just how I had imagined, I still felt like crap, and I still had the haunted images, but at least no one will know.

I started to stuff the book in my bag, when I saw the other book I had gotten. I thought I would look through it real quick, it's not like I'm going to sleep anytime soon, My face scrunched with disgust at the thought of sleeping, that's like asking my nightmares to come out and play! I took the book out, and opened it, I found with great disappointment that it was in a different language. How in the world is someone supposed to read this?

The words looked weird, long and sleek, curling at the tips; they had a slimy shine to them. It was almost snake like. I tried to pronounce the words; I was startled to find me speaking in parsel tongue, and I had no idea what I was saying. I tried it a bit more, curious if I would start understanding it, I stopped after I finished about a page, I put the book in my bag, picked it up, only to drop as I turned around, not drop it out of clumsiness, but out of surprise. For the minute I turned around I found a heck of a load of snakes behind me. Differing in color and sizes, I gasped in surprise and fear. An extremely large snake, what I presumed was a boa constrictor, approached me and bowed, well as much as a snake can bow.

"Greetingssss ssssnake lord, you have finally arrived." Said the snake, I looked at him bewildered.

"What! Ssssnake lord? I'm not the ssnake lord!" I said, they all hissed and bowed.

The boa constrictor shook its head, and smiled, kind of.

"You have read the ancient book of the ssssnake lord, and the book only ssshowsss to the one it wantssss to choosssse assss the sssnake lord. It has chossssen you and we are forever in your sssservice." The snake said, I opened my mouth to decline but I thought, better me than Voldemort.

"I will accept the title; you all will fight in the war againssst Voldemort, won't you?" I asked, they all hissed in agreement. I smiled appreciatively.

"We will protect you, my lord. Take this ssssnake as your protection." It said, a small snake, slithered to me, I bent forward, as it slithered up my arm, and wrapped around my forearm. I talked to them for about an hour, and learned a lot about snakes, and more about parsel tongue. The time came to leave; so I thanked them and promised to meet them every week. I went to my dorm to another sleepless night, I had a long night, but I'm sure this will be a long school year.

A/N: okaaay! Finally got that one done, the next on will be done really soon, Because It's the chapter where Harry gets found out! I'll have fun writing that one, I already have the outline of it! The snakes will play a big part in the war, but I won't show them that much through out the fic. I hoped y'all enjoyed it, and if you guys did not here of my other new fic called "The things we lived for" please check it out! And please R/R this story! That would be great.

P.S. I won't be answering the reviews, because apparently it's against the rules, so I thank everyone who did review! You all are great! If you have any Q's, I'll answer them, but that's all! Thanks again:)