Don't you all worry! Sven will change from being his usual push-over self and this is just the start. I won't be beating on him the entire story. Give it time though, and do enjoy this chapter!

McGonagall left me alone in the office and I sighed, sinking into a chair in exhaustion. This is it. I haven't even made it a full year. Not even half a year and I've been dragged into this office twice for things I didn't even do. Even if he believes I had nothing to do with it, I'm still going to walk out of here in more danger than before. I'm now a threat to all houses and the ghosts too. I felt a bit disheartened at that. Will the ghosts and portraits abandon me as well?

My eyes drifted to the old, red and gold bird perched nearby. Poor thing. Looks ready to die, doesn't it? My thoughts drifted back to my own body back before Cain had found me. The way my ribs stuck out and my wrists were so thin they looked about ready to snap. Cain hadn't been wrong when he found me.

"You look like a starved rat… but there's fire in you. You've not given up. You've been smart." He smirked dangerously, showing large canines as he crouched before my hunched, snarling form. "You're a smart kid. Powerful to have hidden and survived like this." Then, he outstretched his hand. "Let's go. I'll show you how to use that power and really live."

I looked up at the ceiling. When did I turn away from that? This place isn't so different from the coven. So, when did I stop trying to survive properly? I shouldn't be afraid of them. Any of them. I only need to worry about myself and even then—

"You're strong, you know. Stronger than you think. You could so easily fight them if you wanted to, but you choose not to and that takes courage and cunning." Cain offered a rabbit that I hastily took and bit into. "We'll make a proper lad of you yet."

There was a rush of noise then and I jolted upright, startled by the old bird suddenly bursting into flames and more so by Harry abruptly bursting into the office with a shout.

"It wasn't him, professor!"

I blinked at Harry in surprise only to whip around at the light chuckle from Dumbledore himself as he stepped into the room.

"I didn't say it was, Harry."

I lifted my hand then, earning a curious look from the older man before I gestured to the empty perch. "Your bird just… caught fire."

He simply smiled. "About time, too. He's been looking dreadful for days. I've been telling him to get a move on." He chuckled at the stunned look on Harry's face and my own disbelieving one. "Fawkes is a phoenix. Phoenixes burst into flame when it is time for them to die and are reborn from the ashes. Watch him."

I got up and looked over at the dish under the perch along with Harry to see a small red-feathered chick wriggle it's way out of the ashes.

"It's a shame you had to see him on a Burning Day," Dumbledore hummed, sitting behind his desk. "He's really very handsome most of the time, with wonderful red and gold plumage. Fascinating creatures, phoenixes. They can carry immensely heavy loads, their tears have healing powers, and they make highly faithful pets."

Harry seemed to be so focused on the bird that he'd forgotten that he'd burst into the office to defend me.

"Sir?" I spoke up instead. "Why did McGonagall bring me here if you know I didn't petrify those people?"

Harry remembered then what he'd been doing and stopped staring at the bird. "That's right, professor. He was with me and with Hagrid just before then. He couldn't have hurt them!"

"Yes, well, I don't believe any student here could have done such a thing, Harry. It would take an immense amount of magical power and while I believe you both are quite capable students, I don't believe even the professors here could have accomplished petrifying a ghost."

Harry deflated, now looking rather awkward for bursting in. "Oh…"

"If you've settled down now, you're free to go, Harry. I only wish to discuss a few private matters with Sven, so there is no need for you to worry about him being punished."

Harry hesitated but nodded, giving me a glance before shuffling out. Stuck before Dumbledore once more, I waited rather impatiently for what he wanted to discuss.

"I heard you and Harry had a rather interesting duel."

I immediately flushed and sank in the chair a bit. "Yes."

He chuckled. "I don't mean to sound upset about it, Sven. I was simply curious. I don't believe any first years or even second years have been taught a shielding spell. Yet, you were able to manage one multiple times."

I looked away awkwardly. "Professor Lockhart doesn't really teach us about the dark arts. So… I was looking at spells from library books."

He raised a brow. "You taught yourself? That can be quite dangerous if you don't know what you're doing."

I hastily tried to explain. "Just the shielding spell! I wouldn't dare—" I winced, hearing a headmaster in one of the portraits clear their throat at my loud shout. "I-I knew they were dangerous and I… didn't want to learn anything that would hurt someone. At least that way I could defend myself."

"I see," he hummed, steeping his hands in front of him as he eyed me. "Are there any other things you've been… learning on your own?"

I hesitated once more.

"I've heard you caused quite the trouble when running around the castle. Filch was having a rather difficult time catching some mice a while back that kept turning into marbles and tripping him."

I cringed. I knew I should've trained them to come back to me. But how does he know all this? My gaze drifted to the portraits. Could he be using them like I do? Oh, that's just mean. Everything they're helping me with is reported right back to him, isn't it? Shit.

"Well, I will always encourage self-teaching so long as it's done safely," Dumbledore mused, easing some of my anxiety. "You've been doing well, I hope, with your other condition? Hagrid mentioned being concerned earlier about a rooster."

"I'm fine," I dutifully reported back, knowing I was doing far better now than before.

Harry not being upset and Luna knowing what I was had started to give me a small reminder of what I could do and should be doing regarding my hunger. I didn't want to lose control again.

"Very well. Ah, the only other thing would be your housemates."

My blood ran cold. "What?"

He raised a brow. "Did you honestly believe I would do nothing while you were being so aggressively pursued?"

I didn't want to admit that yes, yes I did believe that, but I didn't have to. The man sighed softly.

"I tolerate minor bullying as it tends to work itself out in some form or fashion. However, when it is bad enough to concern multiple members of staff and interfere with your studies as well as the studies of others."

"Professor, I—"

"It won't be anything drastic," he stopped me with a hand up to silence my arguments. "However I hope to deter some of the people you may be dealing with, especially given the circumstances regarding those who've been petrified. An announcement will go out in the morning about them, warning students to take care to travel in groups and only be escorted by teachers between classes. Curfew will be changed to after supper as well, and a brief explanation will be given as to the nature of the person behind this being very highly skilled in magic, subtly writing you off since you are only in your first year."

"But Professor—"

"And," he continued, shooting me a look over his spectacles, "I have spoken with Professor Snape. He has agreed to hand out detentions or dock house points to those found tormenting anyone based on false rumors or various other unreasonable excuses. The Slytherin house included."

I slowly closed my mouth. That won't stop them. They'll just do it where they can't get caught. The common room still won't be safe. Dumbledore knew this as well and sighed softly.

"This is all I can do for the moment. Also, I will not fault you should, say, something slightly dangerous happen in self-defense to those attempting to break these rules. So long as no one has proof of who may have done these things."

I peeked up slightly at that. He's saying I can fight back. I can fight back without fear of expulsion. If they beat me up saying I attacked them, then I can claim self-defense and they're the ones who will get in trouble. He's finally giving me an out. I can finally breathe.

"As it is, those Weasley brothers cause absolute mayhem yet, no one can catch them in the act and it's quite entertaining," he chuckled, resting his chin on his hand. "So, with that said, you are free to go, Sven. I expect to see more improvement in your studies."

I nodded, still a bit blown away by what had just happened, but stood and left—standing outside in the corridor for just a moment to let it sink in. As it did, I brought a hand up to hide the wild grin that had stretched across my face. I am finally free.

The announcement Dumbledore had put in place was mostly useless, I soon discovered. Given that it was right before the Christmas break, everyone was too busy running from the school to really pay much attention to it. Still, Malfoy had spotted it and scoffed, spitting a foul comment at me about how I shouldn't consider myself safe because of it. I didn't mind though. I was actually happy for once.

That being said, once everyone had gone for the holiday, it was just Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle in the Slytherin house and, as I soon found out, the Gryffindor trio as well. I'd bumped into them a few times during my wandering of the school and offered a small smile and wave when I passed. They seemed rather relieved that I was in a better mood but I turned my attention to the ghosts and portraits lately.

"You're sure the ghosts are doing okay?"

The Bloody Baron sighed loudly, arms folded over his chest. "Yes. They're worried, like everyone else, but they hold no ill will towards you. You and Sir Nicholas were close, yes?"

I nodded.

"Then, don't worry. We're not daft. We know that no child could have done this, and I'm still patrolling the halls for signs of who did."

I rubbed the back of my neck only to shiver as his hand brushed over the top of my head in a friendly pat.

"Be cautious yourself, boy. Don't relax just because your tormentors are gone for the holidays. I might successfully scare you."

I cracked a small smile at that and nodded. "I'll be careful, Baron."

He hummed with a grunt and drifted off.

Christmas was fast approaching and, as expected, my first present was a rather rude awakening from Malfoy. Falling asleep in the common room had been a bad decision obviously, but I'd been exhausted after everything that had happened lately and I wrongly assumed I'd have a reprieve given that a majority of the Slytherins were gone for the holidays. It took a while to get out of the dungeon with him, Crabbe, and Goyle doing everything in their abilities to trip me up. Needless to say, they were not thrilled that I was now fighting back. Crabbe was now sporting vibrant red hair and Goyle with vibrant green, whereas Malfoy was firing back curses as many as he could given the new reindeer horns protruding from his head.

It was my first taste of freedom though, and I was thoroughly enjoying it as I rushed through the corridors with a grin on my face. Portraits clapped and whistled along the way as the three Slytherins chased after me, only making me more giddy when I easily outran and escaped them in the corridors. Warmth filled my chest and a noise escaped me that I'd never made before, making me bring the back of my hand up to cover my mouth as I realized that I'd just laughed.

I've never had a reason to laugh before. My whole life has only ever just been surviving, making it by. This is… new.

"Ah… I should get my gifts while they're out of the dungeons."

I slipped out of my hiding spot, ensured no one was around and ducked back downstairs to the dungeons. Getting the gifts was easily done though I fidgeted awkwardly with some of them. I… I've never done this before. Will they like them? I'd already sent a gift to Luna with one of the school owls, still wondering if she would like the leather bracelet I'd made. Even more than her though, the other gifts I'd come up with were for people I suddenly felt like I barely knew. Harry and I had only just become friends. Hermione was someone who I only knew through our study sessions and occasional meetings, and Hagrid was a caretaker whose tastes were rather odd. The only reason I even thought to give anyone gifts was because Luna mentioned something.

I didn't even know it was a thing until then. I could still see the confused expression on her face as she attempted to explain Christmas to me in the library about a week ago. The coven never had anything like this. Maybe the higher class but… I shook the thought off for now, slipping into a corridor in the dungeon and spotting the one person I had the hardest time figuring out a gift for heading my way.

The Blood Baron slid in front of me as I stepped around the corner and I let out a yelp, falling back and acting startled. He paused, hovering over me for a second before a large grin came over his face and he bellowed out a deep laugh.

"Haha! I've done it! Frightened you this time, Rydell! Now, the whole castle will know just who still runs this school." He turned and floated down the hall, shouting back at me. "Merry Christmas, young man!"

I picked myself up, glad I could make his morning. "Merry Christmas to you too, Baron."

From there, I went in search of Hagrid, assuming he'd be out in his hut. I knocked and he answered looking rather surprised.

"Sven! I didn' expect ya. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Hagrid," I greeted as well.

"Ya want ta come in?" He offered, but I shook my head.

"No. I only dropped by for a moment. Luna said Christmas is about giving gifts." I searched through my robe pockets, and then my coat pockets before finding it. "Here."

He held out his large hand and stared in surprise at the small wooden figure of a dragon.

"It's not very good," I admitted as he carefully held the figure. "I haven't been able to practice as much with… schoolwork."

"Not good? Sven, it's amazin'! You're really good! Ya got the tail shape an' everything!"

I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly before he suddenly perked up.

"Ah! Wait right there. I got ya somethin' myself."

I was stunned, having not expected a gift in return and he soon stepped out and draped something soft around my neck.

"There ya go. It's nothin' much but I wasn't sure you'd be able ta get out of the castle to get somethin' warmer."

I lightly touched the dark red fabric, a question coming to mind. "Why red?" I glanced up at him. "I'm a Slytherin, so wouldn't green be better?"

He scratched at his beard. "Well, I thought about that, but you're not like them and… well, it matches your eyes, I think."

I wasn't sure what to say to that, tipping my head slightly and looking at the red scarf once more before bowing my head. "Thank you for the gift, Hagrid."

Hagrid grinned, patting my head with a heavy hand. "Now, you're supposed ta say Merry Christmas, Sven!"

I cracked a hint of a smile too. "Merry Christmas then, Hagrid."

The rest of the day was mostly spent avoiding Malfoy while in search of the trio of Gryffindors. After a while, I settled for waiting until dinner when those who were left would gather for Christmas. I assumed that catching them after would be the best time to offer my gifts, but upon stepping in, my plans were changed.

The Great Hall was decorated extravagantly. Large pine trees lined the walls covered in unmelting snow, streamers of plants were strung across the ceiling, and enchanted snow drifted down—vanishing before it got close enough to touch. What changed my plans though, was the voice that called out to me.

"Sven!" Hermione stood, waving a hand for me to come over to the Gryffindor table.

I stood there awkwardly, seeing how the few other Gryffindors were complaining about her sudden plans. A quick glance at the Slytherin table revealed Malfoy looking rather sour and his glare almost daring me to try it. There were only a few others from the other houses scattered around and even they eyed me in uncertainty. While it wasn't uncommon for people to sit at other house tables during breakfast or lunch, dinner—and feasts especially—were the moments when people stayed with their houses. Hermione arguing with the red-headed twins at her table only seemed natural to me. Yet, a part of me wanted to take a chance.

There's only a few people here. It shouldn't be a big deal… So, why does it feel like I'm breaking some all-important rule I don't know about. The thought of breaking a rule had my eyes turning to Dumbledore at the head table. Said man was smiling pleasantly with some eggnog, head slightly tilted as though he were waiting to see what I'd do. A few of the other teachers were watching as well. McGonagall seemed a bit surprised by Hermione's offer and Snape looked downright livid. Hagrid looked pleased though, but his cheeks were already tinted red like Professor Flitwicks, so I could only assume the joyous mood was because of the alcohol in their drinks and not what was happening down below.

I don't want to sit by Draco though. Just her offer is going to make him pester me and I'd rather be stared at than attacked at dinner. So, with a soft sigh, I wandered over to the Gryffindor table, hearing Hermione's argument with the others clearer with every step.

"He's not like the others!"

"You don't know that."

"Yeah, all the Slytherins are snakes."

"Literally."

"And figuratively," the twins chided.

"And what about Harry?"

"Yeah. I'm sure Harry doesn't want to deal with him."

Harry rubbed the back of his neck. "Um, actually, I-I don't really mind."

"What!"

"Harry, did you get some of the spiked eggnog without telling us?"

"No! I'm just saying that Sven is… is nice. Right, Ron?"

Ron, who had his mouth full, swallowed. "Sorry, what?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Just let him sit here. There's no point in everyone sitting separately anyway. Would it kill you to be nice?"

"Maybe."

"Yeah, you never know. I could suffocate on my turkey while…"

Their eyes locked onto me as I stood just behind Hermione, who realized this and turned with a smile.

"Hi, Sven. Merry Christmas."

I bowed my head. "Merry Christmas, Hermione." I turned towards the others. "Harry."

Harry cracked a smile. "Hi, Sven. How is your Christmas?"

"It's… good," I mused, realizing that it actually wasn't too bad. "It's a strange holiday."

"A strange—"

"Have you never enjoyed Christmas before?" The twins suddenly questioned and I hesitantly shook my head.

Their mouths dropped open and the twins grabbed hold of one another, speaking softer but not enough that we couldn't hear them.

"You hear that Fred?"

"Yeah, George."

"He's never had a proper Christmas."

"That can't be right."

"But he looks like he's telling the truth."

They both turned towards me, eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Sit."

I hesitated as Ron's mouth dropped open and the potatoes on his fork fell back to his plate. I slowly took a seat though, feeling the stares digging into the back of my head from the others in the room, but none more fierce than theirs.

"You really have no idea what Christmas is?"

I shook my head. "Luna told me about it last week."

"Looney Luna?"

"That chick from Ravenclaw?"

I frowned slightly. "Her name is Luna," I pressed and their hands went up in surrender.

"Then, as payment for being allowed to sit at our table…"

"...how about you answer a few things?"

"Fred, George!" Hermione complained, but they ignored her.

"Are you really friends with the Bloody Baron?"

I blinked, having expected something worse. "Possibly? I never really…" I tilted my head, trying to think.

Are we friends? He's a ghost but he's helped me out a few times and isn't that what friends do?

"I suppose we might be."

"That is so cool," Fred grinned, nudging George. "Hey, you saw Malfoy earlier, right?"

George nodded. "Yeah. Hey, do you know who jinxed him?"

"Someone jinxed Malfoy?" Harry said in surprise, earning dual nods.

"Oh, yeah! His lackeys had red and green hair."

"And he had reindeer antlers!"

"We died laughing!"

"Dropped some Christmas lights on him in the hall."

"Sang some carols."

"The whole bit." They grinned, before I lifted my hand.

"I did."

Silence settled over the table before Fred stuck a finger in his ear and wiggled it.

"I'm sorry. Did I hear that right, George?"

George tipped his head and hit it a few times, as though getting water out of his ears. "Yeah. Weird. Sounded like he said he's the one who jinxed them."

"I did," I repeated. "I jinxed him, Crabbe, and Goyle this morning when they tried to wake me in a rather unpleasant way."

Even Hermione and Harry were gaping now.

"B-But you said you wouldn't ever fight back!" Hermione yelped, though she looked almost thrilled. "Sven, you actually stood up for yourself!"

I tugged on my ear which had begun to feel a little warm. "I-I, um… I just found out that fighting back might not be so bad… is all."

Fred and George grinned.

"You know what this means?"

I looked at the two in confusion.

"You are now an honorary member of our squad."

I blinked. "Squad?"

They nodded. "You're our 'in.'"

"Our comrade to arms."

"You stick with us…"

"...and you're going to know all the tricks…"

"...to keep those Slytherins off your back."

"We'll teach you everything we know."

"And then some."

"Because anyone who can jinx Malfoy and his gang…"

"...is definitely a friend of ours."

I was rather stunned by this strange turn of events. I had expected ridicule, maybe a few pranks. Instead, I'd somehow gained two more friends. Friends from Gryffindor. I looked over at Hermione—who was smiling, as though happy for me—and Harry, who just shrugged. Neither seemed entirely surprised by their actions, so I settled in and simply accepted it.

Noticing then that my food had appeared, I dug into the turkey and downed my goblet quickly; having not noticed my hunger until then.

"That's a nice scarf, Sven," Hermione noted, drawing my gaze away from my meal and to her.

"Hagrid gave it to me as a gift."

"That was nice of him!"

I nodded, setting down my utensils and digging in my coat to hand her what I'd made. She stared in surprise at the leather-bound notebook and quill.

"Sven, is this—"

"A gift," I hummed, pulling out something for Harry too and even sliding something to Ron, who took it hesitantly.

"Woah! This is really neat!" Harry gaped, twisting the gold-colored gemstone that was carved and had silver wire twisted around it, outstretched to look like wings.

"I knew you liked Quidditch," I explained. "I find gemstones all the time. Luna said you play the Seeker and chase after a Snitch. I… had to look up what it looked like…"

"It's really cool! Thanks, Sven. Here."

Again, I was surprised to get a gift back but accepted the black quill curiously.

"I thought it suited you," he chirped.

"Ah! I got you something too!" Hermione said, handing me a book that immediately piqued my interest.

"It's for the dark arts," I noted, flipping through it briefly. "It will be handy. Thank you."

She nodded. "You said you were having trouble with Professor Lockhart's lessons. I thought that would help."

"Hold on," Ron said then, eyeing his gift of a carved wooden knight on a horse. "I understand them getting gifts, but… why'd you get me something? We're not friends. I-I didn't even get you anything."

I hesitated, trying to think of how to respond. "I think… because you are not a bad person."

He looked surprised as I went on.

"You are friends with Harry and Hermione, who are kind, and you don't try to jinx me like others do. I was told that sometimes I should take the first step and not wait for others. So, a gift… for Christmas."

"That was really sweet, Sven," Hermione hummed. "Who told you that?"

"Luna," I stated proudly. "I'm not… great at dealing with people. She helps me understand better."

"Um…"

I looked back at Ron, who was red to the tips of his ears.

"T-Thanks, Sven… For the gift. I-I… I suppose we could be friends, if you want."

Another. I've made another friend. That warm feeling filled my chest again and I couldn't help but grin once more.

Harry and Ron, disguised as Crabbe and Goyle thanks to Hermione's Polyjuice potion, slipped down to the dungeons, hoping they could find the entrance by following another Slytherin. They'd already bumped into a Ravenclaw in the corridor but now that they were in the dungeon, they hadn't seen anyone. Not until they bumped into Percy.

"What are you doing down here?" Ron questioned, earning a frown from Percy.

"That is none of your business. It's Crabbe, isn't it?"

"Wh—Oh, yeah."

"Well, get off to your dormitories," Percy huffed. "It's not safe to go wandering around dark corridors these days."

"You are," Ron pointed out.

"I am a prefect. Nothing's about to attack me." Percy puffed up proudly just as another person entered the corridor with a wicked grin on his face.

"There you are," Malfoy hummed, looking at them. "Have you two been pigging out in the Great Hall all this time? I've been looking for you; I want to show you something really funny." He spotted Percy then. "And what're you doing down here, Weasley?"

Percy shouted in outrage. "You want to show a bit more respect to a school prefect! I don't like your attitude!"

Malfoy rolled his eyes before gesturing for Harry and Ron to follow him.

"That Peter Weasley—"

"Percy," Ron corrected.

"Whatever. I've noticed him sneaking around a lot lately. And I bet I know what he's up to. He thinks he's going to catch Slytherin's heir single handed." He scoffed, stopping before a stone wall. "What's the password again?"

Harry panicked for a moment. "Uh…"

"Oh, yeah! Pureblood."

They stepped into the common room and Harry and Ron glanced around at the dim green lights and high-backed chairs. A small group was over by the fireplace laughing and Malfoy grinned.

"Serves him right, thinking he can just get away with doing something stupid like that while we're around. Wait here. I've got to go get that thing I wanted to show you. My father's just sent it to me. Have some fun with the Mudblood if you want."

Malfoy stepped out and Harry exchanged a look with Ron before turning to the group of Slytherins messing with something on the ground. Harry had a bad feeling and hesitantly approached the group, despite Ron hissing at him to stay put. What he found made him fill with anger and hurt. Sven was lying on the ground sporting a split lip and a dark bruising around his right eye. Evidence of multiple jinxes were present as well, with boils running up one arm and a burn or a rash spreading across his neck and his ears a vibrant blue. Thick ropes from a binding spell prevented his escape and as Harry approached, Sven glared heatedly and spat a glob of blood onto the ground. Harry drew his wand hating that Sven stiffened in preparation for another attack, and he undid the binding spell.

Sven wasted no time in drawing his wand, rolling over and aiming it at Harry defensively. The other Slytherins backed off a few steps, some reaching for their wands as well, when Malfoy returned.

"Oh, you really want to start something, Rydell?" He sneered, drawing his own wand as Harry hesitated in what to do.

Sven, though, pushed himself to his feet, wrapping a hand gingerly around his ribs and keeping his wand raised as he faced Malfoy—the other Slytherins backing off for the moment.

"Don't know why you bother fighting back now," Malfoy scoffed. "As if that little notice will scare us. Even Snape knows that Slytherins take care of themselves, and if you want to go and make us look weak by playing around with the Gryffindors, then you've got another thing coming. Stupify!"

Harry's eyes went wide as the spell shot out and was easily blocked by Sven, who fired off a spell of his own and dove past Malfoy as he struggled to unstick his shoes from the floor. Sven was gone in a second, out of the common room and long gone by the time Malfoy freed himself and he huffed, straightening his robes.

"Damn Mudblood. If he's smart, he'll never come back. Here." Malfoy handed Ron what he'd gone to get. "We'll deal with him later. This will give you a laugh."

It was a newspaper clipping about Ron's father getting in trouble for their stunt with his flying car, and Malfoy's father attempting to get him sacked.

"Well? Don't you think it's funny?"

"Haha," Harry weakly laughed.

"Arthur Weasley loves Muggles so much he should snap his wand in half and go and join them. You'd never know the Weasleys were pure bloods, the way they behave."

Ron was struggling to hold back his anger and as they continued to listen to Malfoy complain, it was growing harder to hold back an outburst. Then, the topic they were hoping to get answers for.

"Saint Potter, the Mudbloods' friend. He's another one with no proper wizard feeling, or he wouldn't go around with that jumped up Granger Mudblood. And people think he's Slytherin's heir! I wish I knew who it is," Malfoy huffed. "I could help them."

Harry quickly tried to get answers. "You must have some idea who's behind it all…"

"You know I haven't, Goyle, how many times do I have to tell you?" Malfoy snapped. "And Father won't tell me anything about the last time the Chamber was opened either. Of course, it was fifty years ago, so it was before his time, but he knows all about it, and he says that it was all kept quiet and it'll look suspicious if I know too much about it. But I know one thing—last time the Chamber of Secrets was opened, a Mudblood died. So I bet it's a matter of time before one of them's killed this time… I hope it's Granger."

Harry, seeing that Ron was quickly losing his temper, continued to try and get answers so they could leave, "D'you know if the person who opened the Chamber last time was caught?"

"Oh, yeah… whoever it was expelled. They're probably still in Azkaban."

"Azkaban?" Harry questioned.

"Azkaban—the wizard prison, Goyle," Malfoy sighed, looking at him in disbelief. "Honestly, if you were any slower, you'd be going backward. Father says to keep my head down and let the Heir of Slytherin get on with it. He says the school needs ridding of all the Mudblood filth, but not to get mixed up in it. When I told him about that Mudblood Sven, he looked about ready to come down here and try to get him kicked out. I told him I could handle it. Put that rat in his place."

Curious, Harry spoke up. "Is he? A Mudblood, I mean."

Malfoy shrugged. "Don't know. He's not a pureblood, anyway. My father would know and he couldn't find anything. The idiot himself doesn't even know. The way he acts so friendly with those moronic Gryffindors says enough though. Can you believe he thinks he can fight back just because the headmaster put up some notice about how 'no student could have petrified people' and that heads of house will be taking action against students assaulting others. What nonsense. He's smart too, which is annoying. Can't find him half the time and the second you do, you can't catch him. Only time we get a chance is if we ambush him or just before lights out." Malfoy snorted. "Rumor is that he got in trouble for wandering after curfew so he has to stay in here at night. Don't know where he was sneaking off to before."

Harry grit his teeth, hands clenching tightly at his side, having only had a small idea of the troubles Sven was dealing with. He had no idea that this was why Sven was so quiet and skittish.

"Hey, did you hear? The Ministry of Magic raided our manor last week." Malfoy said, and Harry forced himself to look mildly surprised. "Yeah. Luckily, they didn't find much. Father's got some very valuable Dark Arts stuff. But luckily, we've got our own secret chamber under the drawing room floor—"

"Ho!" Ron blurted out, grateful for the possible lead he could offer his father, but earning an odd look from Malfoy.

Ron had flushed though, his hair quickly starting to turn red as well. Seeing that they were returning to their old selves, they hastily bid a retreat with an excuse about stomach medicine and hurried back to tell Hermione everything they'd discovered.

The break ended far too quickly and with the return of the students came the return of the rumors. Hermione had ended up in the infirmary and I'd heard from Moaning Myrtle that it was just a potion gone wrong. Still, rumors of my sitting at the Gryffindor table had spread as well, earning hesitant glances from everyone and visits from Fred and George. Their friendship was one of my more valuable ones, given that they would prank students if they heard they'd attempted to mess with me and my being friends with them earned a slight bit of respect from the other houses. My own house, on the other hand, was as nasty as ever but the twins helped once again.

There was apparently a secret room on the seventh floor that would change into whatever you needed it too. They mentioned using it as a hiding place from Filch once before but had heard from other students that it's appearance changed based on need. So, given that I'd been forced to stay in the common room in the evenings, I took the chance to try the room out instead. I was mildly surprised to step into a nice bedroom—one that my cat took immediate liking to—and soon moved my things into it for further use.

The room was interesting in the way it would offer me anything I might need—a bath, books, a study space, a place to practice spells and even a place to work on potions. I considered letting others know but chose to keep it secret for now. It was a safe haven I could use regularly and if any of the Slytherins found it, I wouldn't have anywhere else to go. I did take Luna there on occasion though. She was the only one I trusted enough to keep it secret.

With the room though, I finally felt like I was progressing. My schooling was going better than ever and I would go over the potions lessons on my own since my partner still tended to want me to keep my hands off. It gave me more time to learn and review, but it gave me more time to rest as well. I hadn't had decent sleep since I'd gotten to Hogwarts with the constant attacks during the day and then getting banned from leaving at night. Now, I could rest safely during the day and study whatever I needed at night.

I didn't want it to be a permanent thing though. I studied up more on defensive spells, on dark arts, on dueling and pranks. Fred and George helped with that last one, but I wanted to be able to step back into Hogwarts next year and not have this happen again. I needed a reputation. One that would keep me safe from my own house as well as others, and this was the start of that. The only problem was the people getting attacked and the lack of what may have been causing it. I'd not really had time to think about it as much as others, but it still bothered me. That, and the scent of blood I smelled drifting down a corridor.

I quickly stepped around the corner only to slam into someone who yelped and fell back to the ground. I blinked in surprise at Ginny, who was teary-eyed and pale before realizing that I may have hurt her in our collision and hastily tried to make amends.

"Are you okay, Ginny?" I asked, offering a hand up. "Are you hurt?"

She pawed at her eyes, shaking her head before reluctantly taking my hand and standing before jerking away.

"I'm sorry," I apologized, still looking her over for injuries. "Are you certain you're not hurt? I-I don't know my own strength and—" I paused, catching the whiff of blood again, only stronger.

"I'm fine," she sniffled, drying her tears as best she could only for me to grab her arm.

She stiffened as I leaned in, inhaling with a frown as my hunger stirred in the back of my mind. I'm not imagining it. She smells like—

"—blood."

She pulled away then, and slapped me hard across the face. I blinked, startled at the sudden pain before realizing that I may have done something not appropriate. I went to apologize again but she was already running off, leaving me to stand there and question why that scent seemed so familiar. I pondered it for only a minute more, before grimacing and bringing a hand up to rub at my jaw. My teeth were beginning to ache and I was mildly frustrated that the smell had been strong enough to make my hunger known. But why did she smell like blood? I didn't see any on her. Did she wash some off? Was it a small spot on her robes? But… she doesn't seem the type to hurt some—

"That wasn't human blood," I realized, trying to hold onto the scent a little longer but with her having retreated so quickly, it was gone. Animal. One I know. One I've smelled recently. Rats? Mice? No. That's not right. Something else.

Then, it clicked, drawing my gaze to where she'd run off.

"Rooster."

I took off in a run, attempting to track her back down. Hagrid's been losing roosters. Something's been killing them. Why would Ginny—I grimaced as water splashed around my ankles, pulling to a stop to find the source. Wailing was coming from the nearby bathroom and one glance at the corridor informed me that I was by Moaning Myrtle, and I wasn't the only one.

"Sven, what are you doing here?"

Harry and Ron hurried up and I glanced over my shoulder where Ginny had gone before begrudgingly keeping what I'd discovered to myself. It wouldn't do for rumors to go around about her.

"I was… following something. Do you know what happened with Myrtle?"

They shook their heads.

"We just got here," Harry explained. "We saw Filch yelling and thought someone had been attacked."

"Oh…" I looked to the bathroom before heading in, having them follow.

Myrtle's wailing got louder, echoing off the stalls before I opened the stall she was in, surprising her.

"Hi, Myrtle," I greeted. "Are you okay?"

The ghost wailed and threw herself at me, making me shiver as she passed right through me in her attempt to hug me. Realizing she'd failed, she simply turned around as I did.

"Sven! They're so cruel! So terrible! How could they do such a thing as throwing a book at me!"

"A book?" I questioned and she nodded as the others behind me exchanged looks.

"Here I am, minding my own business, and someone thinks it's funny to throw a book at me."

"But it can't hurt you if someone throws something at you. I mean, it'd just go right through you, wouldn't it?" Harry noted and Myrtle got in his face to shriek at him.

"Let's all throw books at Myrtle, because she can't feel it! Ten points if you can get it through her stomach! Fifty points if it goes through her head! Well, ha, ha, ha! What a lovely game, I don't think!"

Trying to calm her down a bit, I cut in. "Did you see who?"

She turned to me, lightening up immediately. "I don't know… I was just sitting in the U bend, thinking about death, and it fell right through the top of my head. It's over there, it got washed out."

Harry started for it but Ron stopped him, saying something about it being dangerous. I hardly minded though. It was a book and if it was dangerous then the person who had it first would've been noticed. So, I stepped past them and picked it up, flipping through it and shaking it out by the spine before looking at the other two.

"It's blank."

"What?"

"You're joking."

I handed it over. "Belonged to T.M. Riddle. That's the only thing on it."

"Hang on," Ron said, tapping at the name on the page. "I know that name… T.M. Riddle got an award for special services to the school fifty years ago."

Harry shot him a disbelieving look. "How on earth d'you know that?"

"Because Filch made me polish his shield about fifty times in detention," Ron grumbled. "That was the one I burped slugs all over. If you'd wiped slime off a name for an hour, you'd remember it, too."

Growing uninterested in the book, I looked back to Myrtle.

"If you remember anything, could you let me know?"

"Oh, of course!" She purred, having taken a liking to me since Luna and I were two of the few people who could handle her well.

I nodded, slipping out and choosing to put the book to the back of my mind in order to focus on what Ginny could have been doing by killing Hagrid's roosters.