A/N this is the chapter that I start to slip from cannon in the previous books so bare with me if you notice something non cannon about what I say it was most likely deliberate so you are now forewarned. Also in this chapter some things happen that appear to be pre-slash but right now I don't think this will end up being a slash fic I am still undecided so for now it is just a friend comforting a friend. I also want to thank my reviewers I read every one of them I hope to reply to them by writing the story faster so you get a complete answer instead of bits and pieces. Now on with the story.

Chapter Three

Secrets revealed

The day after the death eater raid, Lucius and Severus woke the boys up early to start testing their magic ability. They used a device that measured magical potential and magical strength, the two boys shot spell after spell at it trying to get it to glow the brightest. Harry was stronger then Draco, but not by vary much. Harry needed to work on charms while Draco needed help with transfiguration. Both boys were so advanced in defense that they were ready to start learning whatever the two wizards wanted to teach no catching up required. To Draco's distinct dismay and Harry's delight they were going to be learning physical combat right along with magical defense.

There first actual lessons began with giving the boys an exam to see what practical knowledge they had. Like Severus had said it wouldn't matter how powerful they were if they didn't know what to use that power for.

Draco did well in all subjects giving him an even base to learn from. Harry however surprised everyone there, Severus had long suspected he had been holding back. Now with no distractions and new determination, he soon proved that he would have to help the two adult wizards with Draco to get him up to Harry's level.

There days were split in half mornings devoted to practical exercises, and afternoons were devoted to theory. It took a few days, and Harry suspected the use of an obscure potion he had read about, but the two boys were finally on the same level in most things and now could begin the serious training.

It was on a dull gray day a week after their training had started that Severus and Lucius suggested the two boys duel each other so the adults could get an idea of their styles and be able to teach them better. The rules were simple use any spell they knew except for immediately lethal ones, any blocking technique could be used, the first person disarmed or otherwise incapacitated would lose.

The two boys bowed low to each other and paced the required ten steps, and turned to face each other. They began the duel by testing each others style and dueling abilities using low-level spells aimed to test rather then cause harm. It soon became apparent that there spells had the same amount of power and force behind them but they had different blocking techniques, Draco liked to use shields and other magical methods while Harry combined magic and physical moves to avoid the spells. When they were able to get a good read on their opponent they settled down to some serious dueling and all else was forgotten. The two older wizards looked on in awe, Draco's shields were strong and effective, but Harry's movements were graceful and agile, his seeker agility lent his body to do amazing feats. The two fought on and on enjoying themselves immensely, Harry throwing disarming and stunning spells while Draco used slightly more dangerous spells like slashing and bombarding hexes. When it looked like the match would never end. Harry saw an opening and went for it, he threw three quick disarming spells followed by Impedimenta, and lastly a stunner. Draco's shield deflected the disarming spells but the Impediments hex broke it allowing the stunner to hit him. He went down fully thinking he had lost the match but something had happened when he was to busy to see. One of Harry's Expelliarmus spells had reflected back to him and Harry not expecting it didn't move in time, both boys ended up stunned or disarmed at the same moment. Their first duel had ended in a draw.

Lucius and Severus were speechless for a few moments giving Harry time to enervate Draco and tell him of the draw. By that time the older wizards had recovered some. "That was amazing you two, this proves that all we really need to work on is stamina and different spells. Draco you need to stand more relaxed if you had you would have been able to dodge the stunner, Harry you need to stay more alert that deflected spell should have been easy to avoid. Other then those little things wonderful job," Lucius told the two boys.

Harry figured now would be a good time to broach the subject that had been bothering him for awhile. "I Have a question for the two of you, I don't really expect you to agree but its worth asking." That immediately got the two older wizards on alert, "I would like to learn some more of the dark arts I have been studying the theory behind them earlier in the summer but that really doesn't do much with these particular spells. I know when I do come up against death eaters or Voldemort they will play dirty and use Dark Arts. I know how difficult it is to battle something you don't know. What do you think?"

The two pseudo death eaters were shocked at his suggestion and conversed quietly for a moment before Severus walked over to Harry and looked directly into his eyes. "We have agreed that what you have said makes sense but I am warning you now, the Dark Arts are very seductive even addicting if you delve to deeply to fast you could lose yourself. We will be teaching both of you one on one these things but we will have both of your oaths on this before we start. You must never attempt an unforgivable on another living being with the exception of Voldemort and even then only if there is no other option. The rest of the Dark Arts are spells the intention behind the magic is what classifies them as Dark. The Unforgivables are named that for a reason those three spells are the only true dark spells around. You must want to control or cause pain or kill with every fiber of your being in order to use them. Every time you use that much hatred in one spell you lose a part of yourself you'll become as soulless as any dementor victim and much more ruthless. Do you understand? Remember we will only teach this to you if we have your word, these spells must never be used in hatred as we have been trying to get you two to understand all magic is indefinitely Grey only the intention of the caster cause them to be Light or Dark. Do Not Use The Unforgivables."

Harry knew what to do as he had read about blood oaths before, he drew his dagger from its sheath then slowly pulled it across his palm, and he squeezed his hand into a fist and let the blood fall onto the earth. As the blood fell he spoke in a formal voice. "I Harry James Potter hereby pledge to never use an Unforgivable against any other bar Tom Marvolo Riddle, and to never use the Dark Arts with hatred in my heart, I acknowledge all magic herein to be Grey and neither Light nor Dark and will treat it thusly." As he finished his speech he uncurled his fist, which glowed a bright white light to seal the oath when the light left his hand the wound had healed leaving a scar as a reminder of his pledge. He looked to his side to see that Draco had taken the oath after talking to his father.

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The days after the duel and the blood oaths passed quickly the boys getting stronger in magic and muscle every day. Draco had a runner's body with lean sinewy muscles running down his arms and legs, his shoulders had filled out along with finely chiseled abs, he had grown a few inches and stood an even 6'3. The only words to describe Harry was power, the long days of strenuous exertion coupled with hearty meals had done wonders for the previously scrawny child. He had broad shoulders and firm abs, his arms and legs bulged faintly with strength, yet with all the muscle he was as agile as ever, he also subconsciously radiated magical power that when frustrated or proud grew so bright that he gave the older men headaches and setting his emerald eyes a flame. He had also grown some more and could look the formally towering potions master in the eye, taking away the advantage of height and making him much harder to intimidate. Altogether both boys were very striking looking and would grab just about anyone's attention.

The two boys had enjoyed their first duel so much they had sparring matches daily and were now so evenly matched it was a toss up who would win any given match. The first few duels were entirely wanded magic but as they grew more proficient with other means their matches soon incorporated both wanded and wandless magic staves sword and daggers. However something just wasn't adding up right to Severus as he watched the two boys practice, he had read the boys magic levels and knew while Draco was a force to be reckoned with Harry was much more powerful and should have been winning more matches then he was. The man had also noticed that Harry's original theory testing had shown him to be extremely knowledgeable he wasn't working up to that potential staying even with Draco, he knew that they needed to have a very serious discussion with Harry and soon or their efforts might be wasted.

He waited until their sparring was finished this time by Harry narrowly wining against Draco before approaching the two boys. "I think that is enough for today come you two its time we had a talk." He then led the boys into the Manor and one of his studies. He waited for Lucius to answer his summons before beginning and getting straight to the point. "Harry I have noticed something and Draco don't take offense, but Harry why in the world are you holding back in the very beginning you showed us that you could beat Draco at just about everything now your staying dead even with him." Draco far from being angry also added to Severus' statement.

"I had noticed that too, I came into this training fully expecting to be beaten, I didn't care I only worried about when the time came for Harry to surpass me that he would find someone who could challenge him." He looked Harry straight in the eyes. "I second my godfather's question why have you been holding back."

Harry during both speeches had tried to make himself as small as possible but with his new physic that wasn't very small, he debated about telling the truth for a split second before deciding to return there honesty with his own. He took a deep breath to center himself before starting to speak. "I have already told you that whenever I got better marks then Dudley I was punished and since Dudley is about as smart as a tree stump it was very difficult to keep beneath him, especially when I enjoyed learning." Noticing Snape's semi shocked expression he continued, "Oh don't look so surprised I love learning even your potions class but ill get to that in a bit. When I finally got to Hogwarts I was so used to hiding my intelligence I just did it out of habit, and the fact that I had never learned how to write an essay right I remained average.

Around Halloween when I felt relaxed enough to start trying harder I became friends with Hermione, I knew she loved being top at everything. I couldn't take that from her. She always looked so angry with me when I got something right I started hiding again. It didn't help that Ron has major jealousy issues. This past year after Krum took Hermione to the Yule Ball, Ron and Hermione talked it over and began seeing each other after the second task. Krum remained friends with Hermione though. After that they were too wrapped up in each other to notice me much, Ron never totally got over his jealousy and I began having trouble covering my knowledge from Hermione. The amount of times both of them have either turned there backs or done something else to discourage my Slytherin traits I am beginning to believe those friendships were set up to begin with, maybe not Hermione so much as Ron but something was going on.

I have been hiding myself for so long that I just kind of reverted to that again when I noticed I was stronger then Draco it is such second nature to me I hadn't even noticed I was doing it. Does that answer your question?" Harry asked although the last part was said out of curiosity not anything worse.

The other three in the room became shocked at just how deep the influences from his past effected Harry. Snape now knew most of Harry's problems could be traced back to the Dursleys or Dumbledore. Something Harry had said had caught his attention though, "Harry you said you enjoyed learning even potions class from what I saw you never did well. Care to explain?"

"Just because I don't show the knowledge doesn't mean I don't know it, I probably take better notes then Hermione but the other two never saw them, I reread all my text books in the summers after I got them out of the cupboard under the stairs. As for your potions class, haven't you ever wondered why even when my potion doesn't come out right it never does anything damaging. I paid a lot of attention to how exactly the ingredients worked together from there it is rather simple to change one or two ingredients so that the potion is ruined but the worst I ever get is some smoke. The last two years running I have actually been experimenting with the ingredients." Harry's explanation got Severus to think, and he realized Harry was right. He never did hurt anyone with his mistakes, he also realized they weren't mistakes at all but deliberate.

"Exactly what level are you able to brew correct potions at?" He asked.

Harry's reply was to faint for the others to hear. So Snape had to ask him to repeat himself. "I can do pretty much all 7th year potions and a few other high level ones."

Severus was speechless for a few moments, then pulled himself back together. "Where have you been practicing these?"

"In the same book that had the rules about resortings I found another interesting fact, the ministry can only trace magic if you use a wand or are a bound servant like Dobby in my second year. That's how I am able to practice wandless magic and potions at the Dursleys, I had to do it at night but most nights I can't sleep anyway. Most pureblood Manors are warded against underage magic showing through just like this one, I think that may have something to do with the different levels of Pureblood and Muggleborn, wizards. Purebloods get to practice while the Muggleborns don't." The last part was said like Harry was musing to himself then he snapped back to the conversation at hand. "At school I mainly used the invisibility cloak to find a place to practice I used abandoned classrooms until I came across a peculiar room on the Map I got from Fred and George. It could change to suit any need I made a potions lab or dueling chamber depending on what I was practicing."

Draco finally came out of shock and asked. "How on Earth were you able to do all this and hide it from everyone?"

Harry just smirked and said, "It's hard to find a snake in a lions den. No one in Gryffindor suspected me of lying when I said that I had detentions or wanted to go to bed early."

Draco was shocked silent but the silence was broken by Lucius who sat chuckling softly. "The Hat was definitely right about you. It would take a snake to be able to fool everyone even the headmaster and your right who would think to look for a snake amongst lions especially the Gryffindor Golden Boy." Harry had a look of intense dislike on his face as the older Malfoy called him a golden boy, but in the end he had to laugh to.

"Any other surprises we might want to know about?" Severus asked sarcastically not expecting an answer.

"Well one or two things actually," Harry answered and suddenly Harry wasn't there, but something else was. A large black wolf with a silver ruff sat where Harry was a second ago, then the wolf was gone and something else was curled up on a chair. Severus, Lucius, and Draco looked on with surprise at what the Gryffindor golden Boy had just become. Harry was now a very large king Cobra one of the only magical snakes that muggles knew about. It was magical for one very interesting reason, and Harry proved it to them.

"Didn't expect this one did you," Harry's voice ghosted to the three of them.

"Harry, do you think you could stretch out and let us see you?" Draco asked excitedly. He watched in wonder as the 6ft long snake slowly uncoiled and slithered forward. His body was pitch black with a silver underbelly and on his hood where cobras normally have an eye spot, this one had a silver lightning bolt just like Harry's scar.

The snake let them admire him before he changed back into a human. "Did you three know that every Parselmouth in history had a snake animagus form as well as a mundane form?" He said all this with a smirk that would rival Draco's.

"Imagine a Gryffindor as the Slytherin mascot I am definitely glad you were resorted." Draco sounded more excited then he had ever been around Harry. "Do you think you could teach me that along with Occlumency?"

"Of course I will try as long as it is alright with your father." Harry answered.

"I don't see why not," The older Malfoy said.

"Are you finally done surprising us or is their still more." Severus said. At this point he was prepared for just about anything.

"Their might be, but on this part I am not sure as it is just stating to manifest." Harry said.

"You might be starting to reach your magical maturity, is your birthday close by a chance and what exactly do you think is manifesting?" Lucius was the one to say this as he looked over the dark haired youth.

"My birthday is in exactly a week on the 31st, as to what is manifesting I can sense particularly strong emotions but it gets stronger everyday, the other is just a hunch as I haven't tried anything yet, but the day you rescued me my uncle set me on fire, I somehow put the fire out, I don't think I used a spell." Harry said trying to explain as best he could.

"Well it sounds like you share a gift with my son, Empaths are rare. You might have read about them but they are wizards who are extremely sensitive to emotions, once you have command of your power you can use it to project emotions on another. It is easier to project emotions to another Empath, but it has been done to Non-Empaths as well. As for putting out the fire, you could possibly be an elemental and I am not the expert on that." With that he shot a pointed look at Severus, who took up the conversation.

"I am a Fire elemental, I also have marginal control over its opposite water. It is possible to control all four, but it is extremely rare. From what I know of you I think you can, we will have to find your dominant element and work from their. If I were to guess I would say you are a dominant at Fire or Air."

They all expected Harry to be excited that he was so powerful, all they saw was a somewhat sorrowful look come across his face. "What's wrong Harry?" Draco asked his voice full of concern.

"I have always wanted to just be normal at some point in my life. I am thankful for the power because I know it will help me. Ron is always jealous of my fame but I would give every galleon I had and every once of fame I receive for a chance at a family like Ron has. I just wonder sometimes if the power is more fulfilling if you had someone to share your triumphs and your losses with. I try and tell Ron or even Hermione for that matter about something I discovered I can do or solved something that I had been puzzling over. Ron gets jealous about what I have accomplished and Hermione gets angry that she didn't do it first. They don't know that I am an animagus, they aren't even aware of a tenth of my true power. I will still train and fight and learn, I will protect anyone I can but when it is all said and done, when the plague that has been on this earth is removed and the media settles down I will have nothing left. I will always be left in the shadows, I read something that said something along the lines of the higher the pedestal the harder the fall. I know it is very true." Harry then felt a comforting touch on his mind and felt comfort and reassurance sent to him. He looked over at Draco and knew it was him it felt strange to have alien emotions being fed to him but he appreciated it all the same. He projected his thanks back, and at the others nod knew it had been received.

The adults were again shocked silent and were unaware of the interaction between the two teenagers. The two older wizards looked at each other both trying to come up with something to say. Lucius finally decided to forgo speaking and took the same method he used to calm his own son.

Harry stiffened as he felt himself drawn into a hug he tensed then realized he was safe then relaxed into the touch. As much as he was afraid of touch sometimes human contact was the one thing that could bring him back from the grips of despair or panic. He relished in the fatherly affection then carefully let go locking eyes with the steal gray ones of Lucius. "Thank you, how did you know what to do?" He asked most people were unaware that sometimes touch was needed even if it was usually shunned.

"My son is also an Empath and when he is surrounded by strong emotion he can over react. The only thing that worked was touch, I had to try it with you. Sometimes words are not enough. I hope you never have to hide from anyone ever again, you have seen more then most adults alive today, yet I can tell from your magic that you are still a complete Innocent. If you were anything else your magic would not be the white or gold that we have seen." Lucius explained gently, Draco nodding at what his father had said about him.

Then Severus spoke, "I know Draco has already mentioned some things about Slytherin house but I want to make sure you understand completely. The moment that Hat declares you one of our own you will never be harmed by any of us. Most Slytherins come from similar backgrounds as you did to a lesser degree, if you explain what has happened. Yes I know it would be difficult but once you say it once you will be protected wherever you go. Remember we do not abandon our own, we get enough ridicule and slander from the other houses that we band together to help each other. That is way we get the ones with all the ambition the house is set up to make sure each one of the members gets what they need to succeed. Being in Gryffindor has probably only been making your problems worse they are to rambunctious and loud not letting you heal." It is growing late why don't you and Draco go get some rest and start out fresh in the morning.

"Fine, Goodnight Professor," Harry said as he and Draco rose to leave.

"Oh, Harry my name is Severus use it," He Said with a small smile. Harry simply nodded.

The two boys walked out of the study and moved down the hall, then Draco asked Harry a question. "Are you still having nightmares?"

Harry looked at him and didn't speak he just nodded. "Then why don't you take the room next to mine, I will be able to feel it if your close enough I can help you through it." Draco said quietly.

"I don't want to be a burden you need sleep to" Harry said.

"Harry did you listen to nothing my father and godfather said. It is no burden I want to help you because I can and you need sleep too if I am there to help you we will both get the same amount of sleep a night which will probably be more then you are getting now, plus your fatigue effects me too. The curse of the Empath, at least now I can teach you something in return for what you have taught me. And Sev for sure will help you with the elements." Draco said adamantly.

"Hearing Draco out Harry finally caved. "Alright already you will but don't tell me I didn't warn you, and if I ever have a nightmare that you can't wake me from it is a vision and you will need to get your father or Severus."

"Deal, now ill show you to your room." Draco then continued walking with Harry stalking along behind him unconsciously mimicking Severus. Draco took note and wondered where tat could lead, both of them could use a family, he decided to wait and watch maybe something interesting would happen.

Draco led Harry to a room adjoining his own so he could get to Harry quickly if he was needed. He let Harry get settled first waiting for his emotions to settle down signaling sleep, then followed suit soon dead to the world as well.

A/N If you are wondering why someone who usually shunned touch can be calmed by contact with another person, it is actually a common occurrence. I know from my own experiences that it takes a lot to bring certain people out of a full blown panic attack the fastest way is through human contact. Too few people know this and instead distance themselves which only hurts worse.