Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. However, I do own OC, non-canon and fictional magic.

A/N: Aww, y'all are the best reviewers and certainly keep me motivated. I legit am doing my best to make sure I don't go past a month in chapters. Real life + Christmas so a shorter chapter…otherwise enjoy!

Ch. XXVIII: Hogwarts and Hunches

Harry grinned at Lightfoot and watched as the Foal showed him around the stream and which rocks were best for skipping.

Something moved in the corner of the Gryffindor Seeker's eye and he immediately yanked the Foal behind him.

Silver serpentine pupils flicked behind Glamour Glasses* as he waited with baited breath.

"We need to head back," Harry muttered to the startled Foal.

Without another word, the young wizard took the Foal's small hand and led him away from the stream toward the adults.

"Kiddo?" Sirius asked sharply, with Séraphine and Firenze at his heels.

Both Black witch and wizard held their wands out in either direction with Firenze at the creating a protective triangle with Harry clutching the Foal warily.

"What is it?" The witch flung out her otherworldly senses.

I may not be full House-Witch but I'll be damned if I lose all my usefulness. She thought ruthlessly.

Nothing.

Frustrated, Firenze shook his head.

"We should head back," Sirius muttered, scowling.

Harry nodded and slowly knelt to Lightfoot.

"I didn't mean to startle you, mate." Harry said gentling his voice at the startled Foal. "I just thought something bad was going to happen. I can't shake the feeling something was watching us."

Lightfoot pouted and surprised Harry with a hug.

Gasping, Harry quickly returned the embrace.

It was not common knowledge but Harry adored affectionate hugs. He felt like a big brother much like he did with a certain Gobliness.

My first hug was Hermione and look what she's turned me into. He thought fondly. He dearly missed his friend and could not wait to reunite with her.

And hopefully Ron. He thought warily.

"Come Lightfoot." Firenze said softly, forcing the Foal to disengage with Harry.

Bowing his head in salute to Harry, the Centaur took Lightfoot's hand and cantered away toward their herd.

Séraphine murmured Dobby's name and together the new family Apparated to the castle.

Meanwhile, a certain Spider cursed vehemently under his breath.

"I was so close to seeing and hearing their plans." The blind boy scowled as he adjusted his eye wrappings around his dirty face. "Madame isn't going to like this."

It was not the boy's fault he was chosen for this arduous task. However, unlike Scorpion he was stealthy.

It isn't my fault for a bunch of things and this damnable Serpent gets everything.

Hatred flashed in his veins and sightless eyes and as bitter jealous rage pulsed around his shadowy magic lifting him into the air and depositing him at Aragog's former cluster.

The Acromantula swarmed the young man.

Spider smirked.

"Hello my friends," he said softly. "I fear Harry Potter has killed another of our brethren."

The cluster shook with several limbs shaking the trees from where they rested.

"We will get our revenge upon the Serpent," he crooned to his enraged arachnids. "For now I need you to feed and feel for me your findings on his whereabouts. Who his friends are for leverage, anything useful so I may lead him to us and exact our revenge."

"As you wish, Spiderlord." The current leader, whom Spider named Avignon, agreed. "Our spiderlings* just hatched and will assist in this noble endeavor."

"Thank you." Spider said softly, bowing his head a touch.

Internally screaming, the young man Willed himself to Madame Jocelyne's Orphanage.

One day I'll be free of this hellhole. I'll exact my revenge on the wizarding world for turning their back on me and taking my eyes and stealing me from my birthright. He vowed.

He forced his true thoughts into a deep corner of his mind where he would not allow its existence be known to Madame Jocelyne's legilimency.

"Spider, I'm waiting." The Dark Witch said, licking her lips as her scarlet eyes cut into the young man's face.

Brawny Scorpion kept his gaze lowered and finally released from the Dark Witch's clutches as he limped his way to his pallet in his dungeon.

Spider did not dare look at his cellmate.

I will get you for this, Potter.

Neville Longbottom bit his lip.

For the past week, the cowardly lion made a point to distract Ron or to sit by Hermione. He had even tried penning the comings-and-goings to Harry.

But it would only exacerbate Harry's illness. Neville thought dejectedly. The Longbottom Heir knew exactly how to tread with an ill person and did not want to disturb Harry's healing.

So, he did what he did best: be anxious and try to help Hermione.

The young witch smiled sadly at her humble friend. She appreciated his assistance no matter how small.

Gryffindor Tower had become increasingly toxic for her with Ron running his mouth and making up stories about her now that her one friend (aside from Neville) was not there to defend her or keep Ron in check.

She fingered the peacock quill in her bag for a moment and sighed.

Oh Harry, please come back. She thought woefully. I don't know how much more of this I can take.

Sirius sighed as glanced at his suddenly glowing watch.

"Sorry kiddo," he said miffed. "Duty calls at the office. Serena will remain with you here." He exchanged an annoyed look with his 'wife,' and held his godson to him once they were in the Kitchens.

"Take good care of him and Serena, Dobby." He commanded gruffly.

"You's got it, sir." The little House-Elf said firmly.

Sirius tapped his portkey watch and appeared in front of the Auror Department.

This is turning out to be jolly. He thought irritably as Dawlish shared a similarly disgusted look at his new partner.

References:

Glamour Glass: total AU. However, I'm sure wizards and witches used it for disguise or pranks. In this case, Harry actually doesn't need glasses anymore. However, his serpentine eyes would wreak havoc as 'Slytherin's Heir arises!'

Spiderlings/Aracnids: real words for baby spiders and their animal class.

Spiderlord: so, I decided in my world-building that the Gorgons (loosely based here in my AU) will be male and stolen from their birthrights. Voldemort took Harry and bequeathed his Serpentine capabilities such as Parseltongue. However, everything else is AU.

Scorpions and spiders are natural food to serpents (see National Geographic website for details) and are enemies to Man. So what happens when we have people with those particular capabilities in a nefarious situation? Stay tuned. Also, I'm not going into detail on what Spider and Scorpion have to do or how they were mistreated.

This is somewhat historically accurate based on my history buff moment regarding what happened to Marie-Antoinette's heir, Dauphin Louis-Charles de France, or Russia's Ivan VI. (Check it out in the article, "Russia's 'Man in the Iron Mask': Why was a royal baby sent to die in prison by Georgy Manaev) and decided to take this as homage to what happens when you've got an orphaned (royal or otherwise) stolen and used. Obviously, there's much to say regarding this 'orphanage.' Again, I'm trying to make this seamless as the Gorgon Arc. These characters will certain affect and influence on Harry and deserve to have their moments.