Harry Potter: Return of the Death Walker

by WhiteDevilMGN

After a thousand Years of death and isolation Harry Potter will perform a ritual on his search of peace and slumber only to return back to when it all began. With knowledge and experience no ten year old should possess and his memories in a jumble Harry must ready himself and the world for the War that is to come. Further plot to be detailed inside. Lemon Multi:Harry

17. Chapter 17 :: A Blood Made Stage

Book I :: Chapter 17 :: A Blood Made Stage

Slipping out of a secret passage behind one of the statues on the first floor, Harry made his way into the Great Hall. Nearly out of breath from running and having just spent an hour forcing himself to stay awake in History of Magic, Harry was pushing both his mental and physical limit. As the safety of the Great Hall and its numerous eyes came into view, Harry felt a sigh of relief wash over him.

Entering through the double doors Harry walked over to the Slytherin table grateful to see it was mostly void of occupants. Unsurprising really when he considered most of his house was outside the Great Hall trying to chase him down.

Sitting down he poured some Pumpkin Juice for himself and was about to take a sip when he noticed the not so hidden grin on the faces of the few housemates that sprinkled the further ends of his table.

Harry grumbled internally as a brief passing of legilimency left him with a massive headache as the thoughts of all the students hit him like a troll's club. Even so, through the pain he was able to pick up the thoughts of his fellow classmates.

Letting out a sigh, Harry grumbled to himself, "So much for the cunning Slytherins." Put down his cup he poured a different one much to the chagrin of his classmates who were clearly pissed. Taking a much-needed gulp of the sweet beverage Harry let out a sigh. "If you're going to potion someone, work on your poker face first." Harry snarkily said in a low whisper.

Even though he complained, Harry was thankful for their inability to conceal their malice. It made avoiding their plots a whole lot easier.

Putting down the cup he got up and went over to the Gryffindor table. At least there he thought he would be able to eat in piece without fear of anything else being contaminated. He approached where Hermione usually sat and sitting down hoped she would sit with him when she arrived. Across from her usual spot Harry re-poured some pumpkin juice for himself and grinned upon seeing at the further growing disgruntled looks of the aforementioned housemates. With another sip he continued to alleviate himself of thirst with the much-needed beverage.

The warm sweet liquid was brisk and a welcome relief for his parched throat.

"What do you think you're doing sitting at our table?" Ron asked indigently.

Harry looked up only to see it was Ronald Weasley, once again, making a fuss about him.

"Really," Harry asked aloud, "It's been months since I started table swapping and you still can't remember the other times, I've answered you?"

Harry had to wonder what in the world he had done to call upon Ron Weasley's ire. Sure, he was loud, obnoxious, prejudice, and had the manners of a mountain goat with indigestion, but even so this level of distain wasn't born from nothing. Harry for his part wondered exactly what or who's image Ron Weasley was projection onto him. It couldn't have simply been him being Slytherin. That would be far too stupid to be true.

"Avoiding potion'd beverages." Harry muttered as he took another sip, trying not to let the red head bother him. He half expected Ron Weasley to continue to rant, perhaps even demand he leave the Gryffindor table and go back with the other 'slimy snakes' as he put it. However, when no retort followed Harry looked up to see Ron sporting a zipper for a mouth.

A quick glance towards the twins quickly answered Harry's questions of what and how. With a quick smile of thanks for the spontaneous human transfiguration, Harry went about eating dinner in peace. Ron Weasley frantically grasping at his mouth grew redder in anger as those who noticed his predicament laughed at his dilemma.

While some Gryffindor's were vividly opposed to Harry eating at their table most just ignored him and let him eat in peace. He apparently left enough of an impression on them which made them less aggressive to the Slytherin. A fact that had grown over the last few months.

The exact opposite could now be said in regards to his own house. Harry gave his house table a discrediting look as he gazed up and down its benches and once again noticed how almost half of his house was missing from dinner.

The fact that half the table was missing was not unusual nowadays. Ever since the holidays had ended, Slytherin house had essentially prioritized Harry as their number one target. He was now officially their primary target. As to why Harry had a possible cause that to him, didn't quite fit as motivation.

Between his public belittlement of the present state of Slytherin's house and his role on the Gryffindors Quidditch team, Harry was sure they sought to harm him to help restore their public image which had taken quite a hit. The practicality of such a plan aside, it would fit since their motivation to catch him grew instantly after his second match back during January.

With a five-hundred-point lead on top of the score from his previous game, Harry had practically guaranteed Gryffindor's placement in winning the Quidditch House Cup. The fact that Marcus Flint was the driving culprit behind the recent months push to 'catch him' only made this guess seem more accurate.

Their attempts to make him submit to their authority had become almost famous within the school in the last two or so months. With spring dawning and the end of the school year fast approaching, the frequency of the fifth- and sixth-years assaults were becoming more frequent and desperate with each passing day.

The seventh years use to participate with them but stopped participating in recent days.

Harry understood why most of the seventh years had given up. The reason was simple.

Punishing him was meaningless since their time at Hogwarts was almost over. Plus, with their NEWT's hanging over their heads, the symbol of defiance within their house was insignificant in comparison to their own ambitions.

All the same, the constant attacks and attempts to bully him were becoming a pain. Even exhausting at times. It was like Harry hunting all over again back on Privet Drive. The fun part was that they thought they could catch him, Harry Potter, on his home turf, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

While annoying, it wasn't troublesome for Harry. Hell, he thought of it like practice for when he would eventually have to fight against fully grown wizards and witches after his life.

The only thing that had bugged him was why the upper echelon of his house suddenly decided to participate and hunt him down upon their return from hols. It was confusing and illogical to say the least. The humiliating loss in Quidditch was one thing but that simply drew the majority of his house to join. The attempts at his wellbeing took a more dangerous turn after the Holidays ended. The spontaneousness of the situation and their actions still left Harry befuddled.

It wasn't until he bumped into Tracey Davis that he was informed of exactly how messed up the situation was and why they were so determined in the beginning.

She told him about the Slytherin tradition regarding first and second year students. How the seniors 'torment' the firsties during the first few weeks of their school year. How they did so to educate the new students to the way things worked in their house.

How they would tease, torment, mock, and humiliate the fresh blood of Slytherin in order to reinforce the concept of Rule via Power. How they sometimes literally burned the idea that the more Pureblood you were the higher up the totem pole you were. How the less pure you were the less human you were.

For Purebloods with little backing to their name, torture and humiliation were usually expected and usually was what they had to endured during their baptism into the house. A reminder not to get too smug or cocky and to always obey your betters as it were.

If you were half blood or worse less in their eyes, the lesson was far worse. If male you would be treated like a sandbag and if you were female, the outcome was unforgivable.

Harry at first was enraged that such a thing accused within the school's halls. The stone walls crumbled around him, the tiles cracking under his feat as his magic raged around him. He had to struggle to inhibit the black oily mist that was shivering out of his body, eager to destroy that which angered him.

Tracey while shocked and terrified by his display had explained that it was just how things were since magic removed all evidence of their atrocious actions leaving nothing to be done. It didn't help that their head of house did nothing to acknowledge the situation either, a fact that only made Harry more enraged.

"It's how the seniors and purebloods ingrain the concept of authority into our house." Tracey informed him. "Pureblood families regardless of year participate to maintain the state of the house. Even a few first years participate. Draco and his two flunkies supposedly participated in our year's inductions."

Harry was of two minds. With his emotional state in lockdown to stem the awakening of his Obscurus, his logical nature was all that was left. A nature that hated but understood the concept and agreed that it was effective. Do what we tell you and what we want and maybe you won't suffer as much next time was a very effect method of control if done properly.

Fear. It was a novel and basic method of control, something Harry's memories backed up with ample evidence. As much as he hated it, history proved its effective time and time again. It was even more effective since everything Harry had read and seen proved that wizards were more pliably and more submissive in their response to fear.

He also wasn't surprised to hear Draco was in on this too. The pale bastard was really starting to grate on Harry's nerves as well as his restraint. There was only so many times you could hear about his father before it started to grate on one's system.

Thus, thanks to Tracey Davis, Harry learned about the traditions of his house. How Pureblood torture followed by pliable and scared followers who ignored your evils so as to avoid being subjected to them thrived within his house. The icing on the rotten cake being since the teachers did nothing and word spread quickly between housemates, nothing was said, and nothing changed. The proverbial status quo. It had become a tradition, and Harry was quickly learning that Wizards held nothing else higher than their own traditions.

After speaking with her, Harry had one questions in his mind, "How had he gone through his whole semester and not noticed this?"

He of course knew how. So, focused on his own problems and interests he simply acquired tunnel vision. Pathetic really. So much for his constant vigilance. In his pursuit of magic, he had fallen into the habits of his waring days, were friends didn't really exist. While he observed his surroundings, those observations were limited to his immediate surroundings.

However, after her telling Harry's understanding of the situation made more sense.

Normally the first years stayed quiet and pliable. Most being too afraid to speak up and those that did punished with unequal cruelty.

Those of Noble and or Ancient decent, raised to act oblivious used runes they had been taught by their families and other protective family magics on their rooms to avoid being subjected to the so-called tradition. So long as they fell in line and didn't rock the boat, they would be left alone for the most part.

One of the reasons Tracy herself avoided being subjected to the attacks was because she was with her best friend, Daphne Greengrass. A well 'respected' Noble of ancient decent with wards that would burn your eyes out protecting them. No one dared touch Greengrass and as such Tracey was spared his houses cruelty.

According to Tracey, thanks to his own protections on his room, he had avoided the tradition that many others suffered. And because of how freely he moved about, he had managed to either avoid or prevent any of them from subjugating him. "For the first few weeks they couldn't find you and since you were so hard to track down the upper classmen decided to ignore you. This continued and by the end of the month most had given up since you didn't change the status quo." She had told him.

In response Harry had simple stated, "Until I joined Gryffindors Team and spoke out against my house." To which Tracey nodded.

Since Harry was a loner and didn't really interact with others – not to mention being Harry Bloody Potter – the house decided to ignore him instead of going through the effort of forcing his compliance.

At least they did up until the first Quidditch match. Ever since his outspoken and vocal speech against the status-quo Harry had made himself a target. Then he spoke again, mocking Draco publicly and broke one of the unspoken tenets of Slytherin house, 'House unity at surface value at all times.'

Roughly translated, don't do anything that would make us, your pureblood betters, look bad.

Harry had blatantly disregarded that rule. Might as well have thrown mud in their faces in public, mocking their ways and tradition. He was at that point a rebel.

Standing up or against your house in Slytherin was unsurprisingly frowned upon heavily and wasn't tolerated. And after sticking up for and around Hermione, Harry had apparently motivated the house or at least the upper echelon bigots into action to put him in his place.

It still left a month or two in question, but it made sense.

Tracy filled that problem in for him too. She told him how, in Slytherin fashion, they planned many schemes against him. All subtle and easily executable when no one was around. The only problem was they couldn't get him to trigger any of them. Most of their tactics he had avoided naturally or in passing all the way till the start of the Holidays. Now they simply didn't care about appearances, only results.

They were furious that they had yet to catch him, and without knowing it Harry had assaulted their pride numerous times without even trying.

Harry almost felt sorry for them.

Between sleeping in his trunk and the numerous secret passages he knew of, he had managed to dodge all their attempts to punish him, catch him, and bully him. And he didn't even know it. It was both sad and a bit pathetic really.

Now a good two months after Hols, their dignity and pride were in question by his fellow housemates and those in authority. The pureblood bigots were now becoming more desperate to put him down which meant they were becoming less and less subtle. Their need to uphold their image driving them into the corner of desperation.

In short, Slytherin was a pain to live in.

Harry could only imagine Salazar rolling in his grave, his house reduced to a feeding ground for bigots and haters. The very same type of people he spent his whole life fleeing from and then trying to protect the magically gifted from. It was a morbid thought.

"Harry, what are you doing here?"

Harry looked up to see Hermione sit down across form him. Her presences was a warm and comforting one.

"Nothing really, just tired of having to avoid getting caught up in my housemate's schemes."

Hermione rolled her eyes at this. "Again? How many times does this make it? Three times?"

"Five actually and that only since this morning. Their latest ambush was set up just outside of History of Magic. I think they were hoping Professor Binns would put me to sleep and make it easier to catch me." Harry replied taking another sip of his juice. "Didn't work."

Setting down his cup he continued. "Well its five attempts today that I know of anyway," Harry stated.

Hermione huffed and was about to say something, but Harry beat her to it.

"And no, unless they do something, the teachers won't do anything."

Harry's laugh sounded more like a repressed cough as Hermione frowned disapprovingly at him. She hated it when he beat her to the punch like that. It peeved her to no end. He didn't even use his legilimency to do it either. He simply knew her too well. Not that she knew he was a natural legilimens either.

"So, what about you? You look like you just found the answer to a question you've been pondering for a long time." Harry asked as he pulled some Pumpkin Pasties over to his plate. Her subtle features showed she was proud about something, like she just cracked a tough puzzle.

Hermione grinned proudly at herself, like the cat the finally ate the canary. Harry felt his stomach cartwheel slightly as she basked in her success. She looked the prettiest when she was thinking but her complexion upon success was no less attractive.

"I found out who Nicolas Flamel is." she declared proudly.

Harry struggled to keep his grin hidden. Part of him wanted to blurt out that he already knew but instead tried to keep the desire to shout to himself. Basking in her radiating happiness was far better than basking in his own arrogance. Leaning forward he hinted at a deeper interest in the topic as well as an interest in her discovery.

"Nicolas Flamel is the only known maker of the philosopher's stone." she continued reading his body language as eager interest.

Harry's shot open and held back a fake gasp. As she continued telling him what she had learned. Harry nodded encouragingly as she listed everything she learned. Harry had figured all of this out already but seeing her like this was a real treat. By the time she had finish he almost missed the bubbly atmosphere she was subtly giving off.

"Have you told anyone about this?" Harry asked.

"No but I think Ron and another Gryffindor know." She said quietly.

Harry stared at her inquisitively for a moment. "You told them." he accursed.

"Ugh. I didn't tell them." she denied.

"You expect me to believe they could figure this out on their own?" Harry argued.

Hermione shrunk a little in her seat. "Well I might have not noticed them looking over my shoulder as I found the answer." she mumbled.

Harry laughed at her which made her pout even more. Slapping him on the arm she proceeded to cross her arms in annoyance. Harry rubbed his shoulder as he reeled in his fit of laughter just enough to hear her grumble 'prat' under her breath.

"Yeah, but you wouldn't have me any other way." Harry said.

Looking over her shoulder Harry could see several Slytherin's growling at them along with most of the missing students who had been out Harry hunting. They joined the table at some point without his notice. His sudden change in mood pulled Hermione out of her grumblings and look to see what had Harry put out.

"They really have it in for you." she muttered in distain as she looked over at them. She was visibly upset that the teachers hadn't dealt with their shenanigans but in truth like Harry she understood that unless they were caught red handed the teachers wouldn't or rather couldn't do anything.

Turning back around she caught Harry in mid shift as he got ready to leave the Great Hall.

"Harry?"

"Sorry Hermione. I'm gonna head out before they can try something else. Got two hours to kill before curfew and the last thing I need is Draco haunting the dormitories before I get in." Harry explained as he flicked his thumb towards his housemates.

As he was about to leave Hermione grabbing her books and rushed to meet him at the double doors.

"Harry, how bout you join me in visiting Hagrid. He hasn't seen you in a while and he's been wondering how you've been." she asked.

Harry paused as he quickly thought about that.

He agreed it had been some time since he last visited. In fact, it had been some time since he really hung out with Hermione. With a smile her nodded which caused a pleased grin to stretch across her face.

As they walked outside the warm air nipped at their noses as the fresh scent of pine wafted from the distant trees of the forbidden forest. The lake off in the distance reflected the rising moon and shined a path towards Hagrid's hut for them as the sun set behind them.

"It's been a while hasn't it." Harry admitted.

"What has?"

Harry turned to peer at Hermione as she looked at him questioningly. "It's been awhile since we've just hung out like this. I've missed it." Harry admitted.

Hermione slightly flush nodded in agreement. "Well we would be together more if you didn't have to run away from your housemates all the time."

Harry chuckled, "Yeah they are annoying. I could just hex their bits off."

"Harry!"

"What?" Harry asked as Hermione glared at him. "Well I could." he replied sheepishly.

"Harry casting magic on students is against the rules." she chided.

Harry chuckled out loud. "And since when have you known me to follow the rules." This comment got him a slap to the arm and that only made Harry laugh more. Eventually Hermione's authoritative look and stern features crumbled, and she began to snicker as well. "Damn it Harry." She breathed out between her fit of giggles.

Harry peeked sideways at her and felt warm inside, happy even. That smile of hers was just like he remembered. Warm, wonderful, and so very beautiful. Harry truly loved her smile. Even though she was only twelve years old her smile was no different from the one he remembered when they fled into the French country side.

In his memories he wished she had smiled more. He had almost lost that smile with the death of her parents. Harry swore to himself he would protect her happiness, no matter what. That meant everything that made her happy. Her love of magic, her parents, even himself if that was required for her.

"You've changed."

Harry snapped out of his wonderings and looked at her confused. "Sorry was lost in thought. Did you say something?"

Hermione nodded, "You've changed. You're I don't know... happier, I think?"

Harry grinned. "I'm not surprised, I finally have my best friend at my side again."

Hermione stopped dead in her tracks. Tears threatened to appear as her eyes glistened in the moonlight. Harry turned and was about to panic fearing he said something wrong when she asked, "Do... do you really mean that?"

"Mean what?" Harry asked slightly confused.

"That I'm your friend?" she sputtered out tears threatening to breach her eyelids.

"Best friend," Harry corrected, "Why would you think I wasn't?"

Hermione trembled and began to let her tears fall. All her fears, guilts, and worries were close to bubbling over the surface of her mind.

"Because... all the other students hate me. They say things. There goes the teacher's pet. Prefect know-it-all Hermione. Goody-to-shoes... freakish. They've always said things. I don't fit in. I hurt you. I ignored you and left you. I didn't trust you and listened to others. My hair is all bushy and unappealing. I don't have perfect teeth and..." she stopped, flinching as Harry's fingers grazed her face drawing a tear away from her cheek.

She was hesitant but shakily looked up at Harry. He seemed older and his eyes more vibrant than ever to her amber ones. "Hermione, no one is perfect, least of all me. I feel happier around you since my faults don't matter when I'm with you. I'm not some hero, or some icon, with you I'm Harry. You were the first you know to just accept me like that. But more then anything, your someone I can just get along with. You're smart, independent and you always try to do what's right. Those are good traits and anyone who can't see them are blind. As for your hair and teeth I never noticed till you mentioned them just now."

Hermione sniffed as she felt the honesty in his words. She felt herself sinking into his bright emerald eyes the moon almost directly behind him giving him a lunar halo.

"What- what about now that you've noticed them?" she asked cautiously.

Harry smiled mischievously, "Hmmm, I wonder now?" her said teasingly as he turned around towards Hagrid's. A pranksters grin on his face.

"Harry tell me." Hermione shouted. As he picked up his pace, he could feel Hermione behind him.

"Tell me Harry." Harry began to laugh as Hermione gave chase demanding that he answer. By the time he was half way to Hagrid's Hermione was chasing him at a full sprint laughing and still demanding an answer.

When Harry reached Hagrid's hut, he knocked on the door three times and could hear Fang barking in response. When Hermione caught up, she was out of breath and before she could demand and answer from Harry, Hagrid had opened the door.

"'Arry, 'Ermione. 'Is good ta see ya. Come 'n, Come 'n." Hagrid cheerfully said herding them inside.

Looking around Harry felt the cabin felt a little hotter than normal, even with the spring time weather rolling in.

More importantly, what caught Harry's eye was the presence of Ron, Seamus, and Dean. The three of them all sitting around Hagrid's table. Unsurprisingly the latter two seemed very out of place and uninterested in their being inside the hut.

However, what caught Harry's attention and drew the most interest was the large oval shaped object in the cauldron over the fireplace.

"What is that? An egg?" Harry asked himself as he was drawn to the slightly shaking object. If Harry was going to guess he'd even wager that it was the egg of some horrific creature. His instincts were crying out to keep an eye on it.

The sudden shove from Ron as he pushed past Harry dragged him back to reality as he watched the trio leave the hut in a huff.

"What was that about?" Harry asked.

Hermione groaned at him. "You were day dreaming again Harry. They were complaining about you being here and when you ignored them, they started yelling and Hagrid suggested that they leave."

"Oh." Harry said blushing slightly.

He made is way over to sit down. "You sure they weren't just upset about you telling them to study for their exams?"

Hermione stared angrily at him. "We'll they are important, and they are coming up soon."

Harry nodded in agreement, "Yup, tens weeks in fact."

"I know right. We should already be preparing!" Hermione jumped up and shouted, "I mean I can't believe I haven't already started studying for it. If we fail, we won't go on to our second year."

Harry was having a hard time holding back his laughter. She clearly missed the sarcasm of his statement.

He chuckled at the very Hermione-ish obsessiveness over her studies. He found it fun and endearing although he also felt he should be more annoyed by it. Ignoring her obsessions Harry turned toward Hagrid who was fumbling with whatever was in the cauldron over his fireplace.

"So, Hagrid, was the trio in here asking about the Stone and Flamel?"

Hagrid fumbled the egg like object as he jumped out of his skin at the unexpected question. Harry suppressed a chuck as Hagrid scrambled to secure and catch the egg, knocking over all the clutter and nick-nacks that made up his hut. Harry turned and from Hermione's similar knowing look accurately guessed that the answer was a yes.

"Where did ya learn 'bout that!?" Hagrid asked. Harry simply pointed at Hermione assuming he was referring to the part about the stone.

"So what did you tell them, anything new?" Harry asked unimpeded by his aggressiveness. He smirked as Hermione shot him a glare of disapproval.

Hermione hid it well, but Harry could practically hear her chastising him for his shameless manipulations under her breath. Harry had to agree it was shameless but then again getting stuff out of Hagrid was easy even when you didn't try. It was a redeeming feature of his though not so redeeming when it involved secrets you wanted to be kept secret.

"First off I 'an't told em nothin. Not that I knew anything bout the other protections surrounding da stone. I don't even 'now 'ow ya learned 'bout Fluffy in da first place." he said. Harry laughed internally at that. Only Hagrid would give such a creature such a cute name. Pausing for a moment Harry wondered just how fluffy Fluffy was?

"So there are other protections surrounding the stone. Spells and enchantments." Hermione asked, her own curiosity getting the better of her.

"Yup, Don't know what they are but nobody's gonna get past fluffy. Not a soul know's 'ow, 'sept for me and Dumbledore." Hagrid said proudly before his face fell and he muttered, "I shouldn't 'ave said dat."

The sudden sound of something cracking and the sudden movement from the obvious egg in Hagrid's hands drew everyone's attention away from the soft interrogation. All eyes were drawn to the large egg as it shook aggressively.

"Hagrid... what is that?" Hermione asked hesitantly.

Harry felt he needed to ask but he already knew, hot as hell, surrounded by coals and cooked over a hot fire. Unless Hagrid was making the world's largest omelet, he was hatching it.

If its shape didn't give it away, then its movement certainly did. It was an egg and if Harry was correct it wasn't just any large jet-black egg. It was a dragon's egg. Harry had seen them before. Massive eggs kept warm by both fire and scales. He only watched a dragon hatch once before, the last dragon. The hatchling he bore witness too was also the last of its race. Their extinction would come a month after its birth and was kept alive in his own memories. If Harry had to guess he'd have sworn that this particular dragon was a Norwegian Ridgeback.

As Harry watch as the egg cracked and snapped as its inhabitant fought to break free.

No sooner had it been placed on the table for all to see, did a crusty leathery bat like appendage burst free from the egg shell sending shrapnel all over the hut. The rest of the baby dragon flopped out, its spiny and skinny black skin unrolled from the remnants of the egg that held it. It turned to glance at Harry and its orange eyes stared into his green ones. It stumbled precariously as it tried to find its footing.

He became certain of the creature's identity as being a Norwegian Ridgeback. Its appearance matched a few sketches he had found as well as the description given by a few books in the library in the castle.

"Hagrid is that... a Dragon?" Hermione asked a hint of worry in his voice.

"Yup. Isn't 'e beautiful." Hagrid replied tears in his eyes. As the dragon turned its head towards him Harry swore the tears grew bigger. "Oh look he know's his mommy."

"Hello Norbert."

"Norbert?" Harry asked looking at Hagrid.

"We'll he's gotta 'ave a name don' he?" Hagrid replied.

Harry thought about it. Norbert was a Hungarian name, derived from the Germanic elements meaning 'north' and 'bright'. Perhaps Hagrid had a thing for naming creatures, it certainly fit.

Harry and Hermione shared a look their thoughts in sync. 'Merlin he's planning on keeping it.' Harry wished he could swear aloud and not get punished for it. If it wasn't bad enough that Dumbledore was watching over his every move, his housemates hunting him down like Dudley did with ten times the effort and nothing to show for it, now Harry had to worry about someone learning Hagrid was raising an illegal dragon.

The fact that someone was trying to steal the philosopher's stone - which was currently hidden in his expanded trunk – would have added to his worries if not for the fact it was… hidden in his trunk. No reason to worry over something the bad guys don't know the location of.

It was well documented that dragons were untameable and Harry had memories of how wild dragons could be. While he would debate the untameable part, Harry knew that unlike himself, Hagrid, most likely didn't know of the methods that could bind a dragon to one's will. That was almost guaranteed seeing as the method was entirely blood magic by nature. Well almost entirely. And if he had to guess Hagrid's kind gentle heart wouldn't want to alter the nature of the poor dragons mind.

"Hagrid what are you planning on doing? Dragon rearing is illegal. Isn't it?" Harry asked.

"We'll it is, but I'm sure I can manage little ol'Norbert." Hagrid replied. Hermione gulped.

Hagrid did know how fast Dragons grow, right? As this thought crept into Harry and Hermione's head, images of a Norbert turtle with Hagrid's hut as the shell comically filled their thoughts. This image was broken when Hagrid suddenly jumped up causing them to jump in reflex wonder what was wrong.

"Hagrid what's..?"

"Someone was peeking through da curtains." Hagrid said.

Rushing towards the door Harry saw a small figure running towards the castle. It's pale blond hair giving away the spy's identity.

"Not good," Harry muttered. "Malfoy."

This was bad. Malfoy wasn't going to let a chance to hurt him and Hagrid slip away. If he informed anyone about the dragon and they found it, Hagrid would... no, Harry promptly stated cutting that though off. He wasn't going to think about that kind of future.

Harry could see the look of panic on Hermione as well while the color draining from Hagrid's face. Standing helplessly in the door way the three remained quiet. Each struggling internally to come up with a solution.

Eventually the tole for curfew rang and Hagrid hustled them out and back to the castle. Harry gave a glance towards Hermione. If her bottom lip was anything to go by, she was still racking her brain, trying to come up with a solution.

Much like himself, Hermione had grown to like Hagrid. It wasn't hard seeing as he was so kind hearted. While he was glad, she had come to like him as he had, he hadn't expected her to like him so much that her penchant for rules hadn't once taken hold of her thoughts. Instead of running to a teacher for help, here she was worrying over the problem on her own. Harry wasn't sure if he was proud or worried over what she would think up. All the same he agreed, something had to be done.

It wasn't until they reached the painting to Gryffindor house that she turned to face Harry.

Their eyes conversed silently their concern and worry for Hagrid. With a final goodnight Hermione left him and Harry stood there contemplating what he should do. With one last look towards the grounds Harry made up his mind. There was only one solution he could think of and if caught he didn't want Hermione to be implicated.

With a silent goodbye, Hermione vanished behind the portrait and Harry took off.

Without breaking stride in his thinking Harry made the reckless decision to perform blood magic.

To be precise, he would perform a blood binding ceremony. As he rushed into the room of requirement Harry was pleased to see the room provided him with all the needed materials and room for a full-grown dragon binding ritual. Heavy iron cast chains locked and bolted into the floors and five cast Iron Pillars stood ready and forebodingly. Harry was clearly pleased with the room upon seeing it. Hopefully the massive chains wouldn't be necessary but depending on the aggressiveness of the young dragon depending on how things turned out.

Looking around Harry felt a wave of unease. Everything he could ever need to succeed in the ritual was right there. It was unsettling that the school provided such a set up so easily as if it was only natural. Blood magic in and of itself was unsettling and there was always a price. Like all magics of its nature the risk that something could go wrong was very high. With blood magic it was almost always either too much blood being required or 'poor performance' in the casting of said magic.

Unlike some random student Harry had the advantage of already performing the dark magic during his less than golden years. Harry hoped that his dark success then could perhaps save Hagrid from being charge as a criminal. After all, if there was no evidence of a dragon being present than there was no risk of him being charged, nor his memories being read. Harry could bind the dragon and force it into hiding. This was the best option in Harry's mind. Not only could it be kept secret, but Hagrid wouldn't have to lose his new friend.

He always wanted a dragon, Harry wasn't about to steal that from him now that he could raise one.

Even if they killed Norbert it was unlikely that it would go unnoticed. Dragons magically tended to leave a mess and that was assuming the rodent-bat-like-reptile didn't torch Hagrid's hut as they tried it.

With the ritual it would benefit all. Not just 'Taming' the beast, but also ensuring it was loyal too.

Harry did possess lingering doubts of if it really was the best course of action, but time wasn't on his side and at the moment he wanted what was best for everyone. If they had more time, he could find someone who could take it off their hands without leaving a trail to follow. Sending it to a reserve where it could live naturally on its own would be best. Even then Hagrid could occasionally visit it and know that he was the one who raised it from an egg. He might not get to keep it, but that was still better then using blood magic himself. However, Malfoy was the one who caught them. Time was against them now.

If Malfoy didn't hesitate and the person, he wouldn't have long to work. At he'd have an hour to work before he was either call or summoned to tell his side if at all. If the ministry, which Harry prayed wouldn't get involved, he'd likely not have the time needed to set up the ritual.

It wasn't just human intervention Harry was stress for. Dragons grew quickly if what he read was accurate. That meant he had a week at best to set up the magic ritual before the dragon itself was too big transport around unnoticed. Although he'd been practicing the levitation charm to the point of mastery, harry wasn't sure he was currently magically capable of levitating something of that mass very far or for very long.

Time was very much against him and so he got straight to work.

Picking up some mercury Harry carefully poured it in a large circular formation. Once it was formed he then traced black powder in the shape of a triangle around the formation so it looked like a silver circle within a black triangle.

Finally picking up a ceremonial knife Harry cut a large gash into his left arm and winced as blood poured out from the wound. His red blood pooled on the floor. After a sizable amount was drawn Harry applied a salve to close the wound. Rapping it up with bandages Harry looked over his should and tapped the black powder three times. A spark erupted and the black powder lit up red resembling the lit glowing embers of a quelled fire.

For six days he did this. For six days the wound around his arm blackened and started spreading across his arm each time.

While worried, tired, drained, and feverish, for six days Harry concealed his condition with a careful application of makeup and acting. Six days he pooled his rapidly draining blood supply, a supply that when done properly would span over the course of a month not six days. So far, no inquisition had yet been formed to storm Hagrid's hut, no sign of anyone knowing of the dragon that lived there. As far as Harry could tell no one was wise to his actions or his plans.

With the last drop of blood splashed against the stone floor, the preparations were finally done. A day earlier then he could have hoped for to boot.

With that final drop of blood, the ritual stage was set. A massive seven-point pentagram formed from blood and mercury. The ritual circle glowed slightly, a lively bloody red. The black pillars surrounding the formula glowed lightly at the base where they connected to the ground, roots of blood etching up its foundation as the protruding black chains hung in wait.

Slightly faint from lack of sleep making blood replenishing potions, the fracturing black, rotting wound upon his arm, classes, and lack of blood, Harry rushed out of the room to grab his cloak.

With the site for the ritual done all that was left was to grab his cloak and bind, restrain, and steal a dragon from underneath Hagrid's nose without being caught by anyone else. After completing the ritual, he'd secretly tell Hagrid the location of Norbert once he relocated said dragon into the forest.

Easy.

Harry rolled his eyes at this plan as soon as that thought hit him.

Simple and easy not how he would define his plan, since blood magic was never simple. Easy, maybe, but simple, never. There was always too much risk and uncertainty for it to be simple.

However, so long as Hagrid and Hermione couldn't be implicated with it and both got off scot free, Harry would do what he thought was right. What he didn't expect was to grab his cloak and catch sight of Fred, George, Ron, and Hermione all outside Hagrid's hut with said dragon in a cage.

Staying underneath his cloak, Harry watched from a distance as the three boys hopped onto brooms, their bodies masked against the night sky with black cloaks. He watched as they flew skyward slowly, the dragons cage, moving this way and that from their uneven flying. Under the black tarp or cloth of some kind, the cage remained relatively hidden in the same way its flyers were concealed. Inside Harry could have sworn he saw a torn up and horribly eaten teddy bear with the dragon, probably Hagrid's idea he thought to himself.

The dragon was apparently asleep and was locked away and concealed underneath a black cloth as they flew up to the tallest tower. Harry sighed as he realized that they had a plan of their own. Harry looked down and saw Hermione rushing back to the castle passed him, completely unaware that he was there.

Harry both unsure and curious of what they were planning followed after them. Hermione's willingness confirmed some intelligence was behind their plan and Fred and George's involvement reassured Harry a bit more.

Along the way, Hermione and a hidden Harry encountered a disgruntled Draco being pulled down by an infuriated Professor McGonagall. Although the encounter was from around a corner it didn't hinder them from eavesdropping on the situation.

"In all my years, never have I heard such absurdity. A dragon of all things." she shouted in outrage. Harry had to stifle a laugh at the sight as McGonagall practically dragged Draco by the ear.

"But it's true, Potter and Granger are hiding a dragon. I'm telling you the-ahhh" Draco cried out as his ear received a sharp tug.

"Just wait till my Farther hears about this."

"Let us hope Mr. Malfoy, that he doesn't as I have not tolerance for such blatant rule breaking. Professor Snape might let you get away with this behavior. Make no mistake that I will not." McGonagall spat out.

That had to be one of the best sights he'd seen in his time here. Malfoy breaking the rules and getting a consequence for breaking them. Better still it was from him telling the truth and trying to uphold the rules like a hypocrite. Harry found it quite fitting and very entertaining. Similarly, if her grin was anything to go by, Hermione agree with his own sentiments. Harry watched with pride as, rulebook Hermione walked off grinning ear to ear at the pasty blonde's suffering, with not a hint of shame.

Curiosity getting the better of him and with a slight peek of legilimency, Harry could see a few of her encounters with the prat. A foul name here, a sneer there. Harry had to admit, the boy really knew how to strike at the doubts within someone. Especially Hermione's since she possessed quite a few about herself, particularly around how she looked.

Too bad for him, Harry grinned knowingly. None of them had an inkling of how hot and beautiful this girl really was nor how gorgeous she would look four years from now.

By the time they both reached the top of the astronomy tower Harry watched as Hermione rushed over to rejoin the group of boys she was with earlier. Fred, George, and Ron stood proudly and greeted her warmly. Hermione was the first to speak up upon rejoining them.

"You weren't seen were you? You musn't be spotted or Hagrid will..."

"We're fine Hermione." George said cutting her off.

"No one spotted us, even with Ron's horrid flying." Fred added.

"Hey!"

"Oh shut it, your were so unbalanced that the damn cage was rocking back in forth," Fred pointed out.

"Made it a right troublesome flight, that it did." George added.

"Oh piss off." Ron grumbled. "Unlike you two, I haven't gotten to fly around as often. Not to mention you too took the better brooms."

"Should have picked a better one then, shouldn't you." Fred teased causing Ron to glow red.

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief even as they bickered.

"What about you?" George asked returning the attention of the others back onto her.

Hermione smiled, "No one spotted me. We're good for now. Oh, and you might be pleased to know Professor McGonagall caught Malfoy trying to get us into trouble. He was spouting some nonsense about Harry and me hiding a dragon at Hagrid's." she said with a cheeky grin.

The Weasely's we're about to burst into fits of laughter at this but considering the clandestine nature of the mission managed to hold it in. "Well after tonight no one is going to be able to call you a goody-to-shoes if the dragon hits the wall." Fred chortle.

Hermione pouted in response, "No one is supposed to know about this if we follow your plan. You said your brother Charley is going to pick up the dragon, right? You're sure he'll be here?"

"Yup" Fred answered simply.

"How did he even know there was a dragon at Hogwarts, that's just weird." Ron added.

No clue my ditsy brother. You'd have to ask Ginny. Apparently, she floo'd him saying there was a dragon here." George said.

"How would Ginny know that?" Ron sputtered out.

"Maybe Harry did. He has been sending letters back and forth with her." George commented.

"That might be it… but wait! Harry was with me when we met Norbert, uh, Hagrid's dragon and back then both of us didn't know what we were going to do. I've been trying to talk to him after class, but he's always been in deep thought. I don't think Harry had any idea as to how to solve this problem and I'm pretty sure he didn't know your brother works at a dragon reserve. Plus, Ginny had to have sent the message a day or two ago for Charlie to be arriving tonight, right. I mean Romania is a fare distance away and we just made this plan up two days ago. The response even back a three hours ago saying they were already on their way. If he was involved, wouldn't he be here, or have started acting normally again?" Hermione contemplated.

"You can never know what those Slytherins are thinking Hermione. Mazes, their minds are. Plots within plots you know." Ron added much to Hermione's ire.

Fred sighed but had to agree. "Well I can totally see Harry planning something. He doesn't run off like that unless he's doing something important."

Ron beamed at his brother's words. George's words however caused him to frown slightly.

"So, Hermione's probably right. If Harry did tell Ginny, then he'd already know and would have been here to help us."

"But that doesn't explain how the hell Ginny knew!" Ron barked back. A true statement that the other three couldn't figure out.

Fred paused before adding his own idea. "What about Luna." He asked pointing out one possibility to his brother.

"Luna? Huh, that might be it." George agreed.

"Luna?" Hermione asked, but this was as far as Harry heard as his own mind had silenced the background noise of their speculations.

Before Harry could work out the complications of what was just said or what they were going to say, the sight of several wizards led by one particularly red-haired wizard came floating down drew all of his attention.

"Is this the dragon?" One of them asked caused everyone there to look up.

"Looks like it," another said with a whistle, "Damn, a Ridgeback. Good thing you insisted we come here Charley. Damn things grow fast as hell. This would be a right mess in another two weeks."

"Definitely a right mess if we waited three." Another added.

Looking at the dragons mouth the wizard's lips twitched, "Poisonous too. Check it out so young yet has her fangs fully grown in."

"Poisonous!?" Ron shouted his color draining as he looked at his finger. Harry could make out the signs of a bite wound. Most likely from the dragon Harry thought. His finger was a pulsating an unhealthy looking pink. The wound seemed to small to be a dragon's, but it was definitely looked quite unfriendly as it pulsated.

"You should get that tended to Ronald," Charley Weasley mentions spotting his finger wound.

As Charley's team roped up the Dragon the four students not including Harry watched as the dragon was dragged off and transported into the night sky.

With Ron cradling his fingers and his brothers directing him to the hospital wing, Hermione went her separate way towards Gryffindor tower. With the fear of the dragon behind her she felt and looked much happier. A part of her was looking forward to telling Harry about the happy ending.

Cautiously peaking around the corner, she came face to face with Snape.

"Well, well, well. What have we here? Ms. Granger. Out after hours are we?" He asked sarcastically. Hermione looked like a dementor just appeared and took all her joy away. Whipping off his cloak and thinking quickly he ripped off the bandages on his arm. Blood was beginning to leak out as Harry slowly turned the corner.

Looking up while holding his arm as he saw Snape he forced a relieved grin onto his face. Snape looked past Hermione and appeared even more pleased to see Harry there. Hermione turned around and couldn't help the look of shock and surprise at him being there.

"Oh good, Professor." Harry said making his voice sound as pained as he could make it. He was surprised how easy it was to do. 'Guess I lost more blood then I thought.' Harry pondered.

"Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger. And just what are you two doing about?" Snape demanded with an almost happy snear.

"Trying to make my way to safety. Hermione here was guiding me after I got attacked in the halls. She found me and offered to help. Get me to either Mcgonagall or Pomfrey."

Snape's eye twitched at his story. But the steadily growing flow of blood and the sickening black flesh did present a difficult argument to attack. Such things never stopped Snape before though. Even logic could be punished so long as something or someone broke a rule. However, what did stop him was the black wound which was clearly worsening on his arm. Whipping out his wand Snape motioned it over the wound and cast a healing spell. His eye twitched in annoyance when nothing happened.

Snape tried again.

Nothing.

Casting a detection spell of some kind Snape's eyes widened as he detected dark magic emanating from the wound. Very dark magic. Blood and Cursed magic.

Hesitantly Snape refocused his gaze on Hermione then back to Harry. "And why are you not instead heading to your Dormitory in the Dungeons?"

'What kind of stupid question was that!?' Harry would have shouted in his mind; however, everything was spinning too much for him to concretely come to a solid retort.

Harry stumbled a bit as he fought to remain standing. Without the ointment and bandages holding back the dark magic caused be the ceremonial blade Harry was now losing a lot of blood quickly. Blood he didn't exactly have either.

He was starting to get light headed and that certainly wasn't helping his balance, or focus. "Because I don't know who attacked me or how. Though I have no evidence I'm certain it was a Slytherin considering their latest behavior. Even if the teachers haven't done anything to stop it the whole school knows that my house has been trying to hunt me down for the last month."

Snape made a face that word make even contortionist jealous of. He knew full well that Harry was being hounded by his house and despite everything Harry had somehow avoided any trouble. Not so much even a toe was out of line. So much so that his house had abandoned the very principles of Slytherin to try and get the boy.

"Plus, this wound just feels… wrong. So, I was trying to make it to Pomfrey, but I collapsed slightly and ran into Hermione. She found me wounded and offered to help me get to the hospital wing without running into more trouble or Professor McGonagall, whoever we met first.

Harry was about to fumble when Hermione moved in to hold him up. The act did wonders to improve his argument.

Hermione looked at him carefully. He was pale and felt very weak and thin in her arms. She was not sure what to do. Just seconds ago, he looked fine, normal.

Of which, what exactly was going on? Snape had caught her out after hours and then Harry had appeared from nowhere and conjured a story that shined her in a noble and responsible light. If it wasn't for the fact that her emotions where running high and Harry was bleed in her arms now she would have questioned his presence there and why it was always him. Harry had saved her again just like before.

The cost however appeared to be too costly this time.

Harry had given her an excuse to her sneaky behavior and saved her from a teacher. Even spinning a tale and making it appear that she was helping a fellow student. The question in her mind besides his present health was how? How did he know that she was in trouble and arrive right on time to cover for her? And why was it always her? Why did he always arrive to save her?

This was like the troll all over again. Although Snape felt more terrifying then the troll ever did.

Harry however was using up all his strength just focusing his eyes on Snape. Focusing on drawing eye contact for as long as possible. That was all Harry could think about. So long as his eyes were directed at his, Snape wouldn't be able to read Hermione's thoughts and find out he was lying.

As Harry began to pass out from blood loss Snape moved aside and gestured towards the empty hall. Even he couldn't risk the boy dying because he held them up.

"Ten points from both of you. Start moving Miss Granger, now! You are to escort Potter to the Hospital Wing and wait there for McGonagall's arrival." His words cold and stinging Snape glared at them.

A quick glance at Harry made him bite back something as he spun around and started marching off.

The last thing Harry remembered seeing was the pained look of sorry hidden deep behind Snape's putrid black eyes and the firm yet comforting safe touch of his closest friend.