POTTER RESURGENCE

Chapter 6

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to J K ROWLING.

-PRPRPRPR-

Harry glared at the house-elf and it wilted under his gaze. It's ears pressed themselves on its head but even then, its bulbous eyes did not weaver from Harry's. Hardwin felt equal parts sorry and impressed for the dirty elf as Harry's gaze wasn't something he would wish to experience at any one point.

Suddenly, Harry's wand reappeared in his hand and Hardwin held his breath, afraid Harry was going to murder the sorry-looking elf. He flinched along with Dobby when his brother slashed the wand in Dobby's direction.

"Go!" Harry barked and the elf blinked at him in confusion.

"Dobby is alive?" The elf squeaked studying his body as if to make sure he wasn't a ghost. "You spared Dobby's life!"

"GO!" Harry barked again and the elf disappeared with a pop. Harry handed the vial that had led to Dobby's capture to Hardwin. "Drink this, we need to get out of here."

Hardwin waved his boneless arm. "I need to have this fixed before I can leave, Harry."

"That's what the potion is for." Harry snapped. "It's something I came up with and I believe it can heal most injuries faster than the normal potions."

Hardwin studied the potion curiously. "So I'm your test subject?"

"Yes." He answered impatiently. "Now take the potion, I don't want to be here any longer."

Trusting his brother, he downed the potion in his mouth. It wasn't as foul tasting as most potions he had taken, neither was it the best tasting potion he had tasted either. Looking at his arm, he did not see any immediate changes, neither did he feel the telltale pain of a bone growing back.

"So, about Dobby." Hardwin started. "I honestly thought you were going to kill him."

"Contrary to what everyone seems to believe, I'm not sone Dark Lord in training." Harry said with a twitch of his lips and Hardwin snorted. "Despite his methods, Dobby was only looking out for you and I trust that I made my point clear to him that his help isn't necessary."

"But still_"

"He practically worships the ground you walk on, so I decided to spare him for you." Harry interrupted. "It pays off to have a minion that would do anything for you."

Hardwin opened his mouth to argue that he didn't want a minion before he thought of the uses of having a loyal house-elf at your beck and call and he grinned. "I see your point."

"Good." Harry said, standing up. "But first we'll need to free him from his abusive master."

"How do you plan to do that?" Hardwin asked curiously. "Not to mention we have no idea who his master is."

"Just leave all that to me." Harry answered. "Well, come on. Let's go!"

"But my arm_ whoa!" Hardwin breathed looking at his fully healed arm. "But how? I didn't even feel anything! And it happened so fast!"

Harry grinned at him. "Magic. Now let's get out of here."

-PRPRPRPR-

"What is taking so long?!"

"Hold your socks woman!" Hardwin grinned at Hermione. "We came here two hours early, it has only been one hour since we arrived."

While it was one hour before the Dueling Club was scheduled to start, a large number of the students had already gathered in the Great hall. Hardwin couldn't tell how many had come to learn duelling or to see Lockhart but it was quite the turn up.

Students from all houses were there though searching for his brother, Hardwin realized he was missing, as were the rest of the Second year Slytherins. As if summoned by his thoughts, the group of students entered the great hall and Harry's emerald eyes went straight to his own and he left his group.

"Oh, Harry came too!" Neville smiled. "Perhaps this will be more interesting than I had initially thought."

"Somehow, I don't see Harry taking part in this." Hardwin shook his head. Harry wasn't one to show off, not when it didn't benefit him or house Potter. "Wotcha Harry!"

Harry looked at him like he was insane for a moment, shook his head and turned to his left and looked at Ron's sister.

"Hello Ginny." Harry greeted the short redhead and Hardwin raised an eyebrow at him. Harry rarely called anyone by their first name unless he is mocking them. "You've been growing paler by the day, are you ok?"

"I'm fine, Harry." The girl said shyly and Hardwin gaped. He hadn't thought these two knew each other, let alone being on first name basis.

"Well, you should see Madam Pomfrey just to be sure, alright?" Harry told her and she nodded before blushing furiously when she saw everyone staring at them. Harry turned to the rest of the Gryffindors and smiled charmingly. "So, how are you doing, little lions."

"What are you doing here, you snake." Ron sneered. "And why were you talking to my sister."

"Oh, Robert!" Harry greeted the redhead. "What are you doing here?!"

"Wha..." Ron was caught off with Harry's cheer before he recovered. "My name is Ron you idiot!"

"Of course, nice to meet you Robb." Harry answered turning to the other Gryffindors, the girls to be exact. "Hermione! You're looking real lovely today."

Hermione just gave him an unimpressed look.

"Oh, frosty much?" He grinned at her, ignoring Ron's protests. "So, Ms. Brown, looking forward to the lesson?"

Lavender giggled with Parvati, not even bothering to answer. Seeing that he wasn't about to have a conversation, Harry sighed and stood next to Hardwin. "Are you going to participate?"

"Of course!" He answered. "I can't wait to wipe the floor with Malfoy. What about you?"

Harry shook his head. "Nope, I'll leave the showcasing to you, brother."

"Scared, Potter?"

"Well, not all of us are brave lions, Rogers."

"My name is Ron! I thought you snakes are supposed to be smart."

"Clearly." Harry observed dryly, not bothering to point out that Ron wasn't smart enough to realize that he was getting his name wrong on purpose.

When Lockhart finally arrived with Snape in tow, it became painfully obvious to Hardwin that the man had probably never been into a meaningful duel or fight. Well that or he was the world's best actor.

Snape didn't even put any effort in disarming the blonde! He therefore stopped paying attention and observed the students in the hall untill he felt his brother stiffen beside him.

"How about the two Potters." Snape was saying, his dark eyes trained on the two of them.

"Brilliant idea, Severus!" Lockhart exclaimed. "Yes, wonderful idea indeed. Well, hop onto the stage already."

None of the Potters moved.

"I'm going to have to decline, Professor." Harry started politely. "But I never raise my wand against my brother, under whatever circumstances."

"Come now, young Potter." Lockhart said benevolently. "Don't you wish to shine brighter than your brother, to step out of his shadow even for a moment when you defeat him in a duel?"

"I'm perfectly fine with where I stand when it comes to Hardwin, Professor." He replied just as politely as before. "Not to mention I probably wouldn't be much of a challenge against the boy-who-lived, may I suggest more than two opponents, preferably in a higher class..."

"I think you're onto something, Harry." Lockhart smiled. "What do you say, Severus, what better way to test the boy-who-lived's prowess than against those assumed to be better than him?"

"The idea has merit." Snape said before a glint appeared in his eyes as he turned them to the group of Slytherins. "Let's see, Flint, Pucey and Warrington, get up here!"

The three fourth-years stepped onto the platform, each with a disturbing look in their eyes. Hardwin glanced at Harry who just nodded, time to send a message to everyone. He nodded back and stepped onto the platform as well on the opposite side.

While the Slytherins got into their Dueling stances, Hardwin just stood with his wand in hand. Snape looked at the two teams to make sure they were ready before speaking.

"The duel ends when the other team yields, BEGIN!"

Lockhart who had been about to start talking to Hardwin yelped and leaped off the platform when the three Slytherins immediately started casting at Snape's shout. Hardwin had been ready though and a shimmering shield appeared before him absorbed the spells without effort.

Spell after spell splashed harmlessly on the shield while Hardwin held it without any visible effort. He almost looked bored even as the spells kept increasing in strength and lethality but they could not affect the shield. Harry however could see his brother's eyes, they were trained on the three Slytherins who were growing increasingly frustrated.

His emeralds were unusually sharp, waiting for an opening and when it presented itself, he wasted no time in siezing it. The Slytherins didn't let up their casting hoping for Hardwin to get drained from maintaining the shield.

One thing they didn't know however was that Hardwin was a child of prophecy destined to be Voldemort's equal, his magical reserves at this point trumped each one of the three despite being older than him. At this rate, he could hold the shield for over an hour before it shattered, though that was not what he was aiming for.

Flint who was on the right, out of frustration and anger stopped casting for a split second and that was all Hardwin needed. He flicked his wand and the shield flew towards the surprised Slytherins while at the same time he dived under the approaching spells.

While Warrington and Pucey dived to the side to escape the shimmering shield that was hurtling towards them, Flint had nowhere to run and it smashed into him like a physical shield. There were sounds of bones cracking while he flew off the stage and over the heads of the gathered students onto the floor unmoving.

Meanwhile, Hardwin had landed with a roll and just the other two reached down, he completed his dive with his wand pointed at Pucey's position and a ridiculously powered stunner erupted from his wand. The dark-haired boy's eyes widened when he looked up and saw the stunner but was helpless to do anything.

The stunner slammed into his chest and pushed him off the platform unconscious. Hardwin hadn't even paused, sure of the spell's success and had already trained his wand on the next opponent the moment the stunner left it.

Warrington was faster than the other two and managed to dodge the stunner and hastily conjured a shield to block the disarming charm that had followed swiftly after. He didn't account for the power in the charm though as the spell shattered the shield leaving him open for the stunner that followed and he collapsed like a puppet whose strings have been cut.

Hardwin walked over to the unconscious fourth year student and picked his wand. He revived him but before he could regain his bearings shot into the air untill he reached the great Hall's ceiling.

"Do you yield?!" Hardwin shouted at the bewildered student. Warrington didn't answer fast enough and he cancelled the spell holding him in place and the boy dropped from the ceiling. There were gasps from the students before he stopped again, halfway to the floor. "Well?"

"I yield, damnit, just let me down!"

Hardwin gently set him down and threw him his wand. He bowed mockingly at Snape and hopped off the platform to the cheer of Gryffindors. He walked back to his brother and grinned at him. "How did I do, brother?"

Harry mirrored his grin and those who watched the exchange shuddered. "Brilliantly, brother."

-PRPRPRPR-

Harry let his senses free as he studied the magical cores of the students in the compartment with him on their way to London. After Dobby's sneaking on them in the hospital wing, he had been working on his magic sensing and it was coming along nicely.

The fact that Dobby had been able to conceal himself and listen to them for Merlin knows how long had sent his paranoia in high drive. He had thought of what house-elves were capable of and what they could be used for if the wizards wanted.

He had decided he didn't want to be a victim of something like that and had started practicing sensing magic. He had spent the time since that day in the hospital wing to hone his magical senses and he had to admit things were coming along nicely.

At this point if he concertanted enough, he tell the intent behind the magic. However, he could feel any foreign magic around him even without concentrating at all, it had become second nature to him and he could do it in his sleep. He wondered why few wizards honed their senses given how useful the little trick was.

"So, Potter." Zabini started, drawing him out if his trance. "What do you think about the Heir?"

There was no question on which heir he was talking about. Two students had been petrified since Halloween, Collin Creevey and Justin Finch-Fletchly and and because of that the Hogwarts Express was nearly as packed as it usually was at the beginning of the school year.

"I highly doubt Salazar decided to build a school with the others wanting only a particular group of students." Harry said after a moment. "This Heir believes that Slytherin hated muggleborns but I disagree and didn't want them at Hogwarts but disagree."

"So you think this person is the one who personally hates muggleborns rather than Slytherin himself?" Greengrass asked.

"Exactly." "Harry agreed. "In any case, so long as he doesn't attack me or mine, I'm perfectly fine with leaving him to his hobbies."

"Are you saying that if you found the Heir in the act of petrifying someone you would do nothing?" Tracey asked and Harry nodded.

"Well, not nothing perse, I would notify a professor and probably the DMLE too but I wouldn't interfere." Seeing the looks the others gave him, Harry shrugged without a care in the world. "I'm no hero, I prefer to leave that to my brother and if you even thought for a moment that I'm one, then you know absolutely nothing about me."

And it was the truth, Harry didn't have any reason to fight the Heir of Slytherin unless it benefitted him in some way and this point if he managed to beat the Heir, it would only bring unwanted attention to him and nothing else. He wasn't do stupid however that he won't be facing the Heir at some point.

Knowing Hardwin, it was only a matter of time before the idiot stormed the chamber of secrets and Harry would have no option but to follow and keep him alive. It didn't mean he looked forward to it, he was prepared for a confrontation at a moment's notice though.

-PRPRPRPR-

"Harry, have you seen the paper?!" Hardwin asked as he barged into Harry's bedroom.

Harry looked up from the business proposal he had received from George that he had been reading through. The business had kicked off early November and given that they hadn't been aiming for profit but rather popularity, they hadn't been short of customers given the approaching winter.

Now, Peverell Investments was a fully fledged company and was running smoothly. It's active branch that worked in Construction and Maintenance had a little bit of popularity as it worked mostly for the benefit of the masses with it's unusually low prices.

They weren't making losses really given that Harry had an unlimited supply of gold. They now had quite the amount on their account as he had been working every single day at Hogwarts to create more gold. It had even become easier when he found out that the elixir of life replenished his magic almost immediately.

"Harry!"

"Uhm." He hummed in answer, not even looking at him. "Yeah, I saw it."

"What do you think?" He asked. "I thought the Potters were the last descendants of House Peverell?"

"Direct descendants." Harry corrected. "We are direct descendants of Ignotous Peverell but Antioch and Cadmus also have descendants. I believe the Gaunts can claim to be direct descendants as well though they died off not long ago. Even the Dumbledores have some link but the Potters have the strongest."

Hardwin blinked at the impromptu history lesson before shaking his head. "Nevermind that, what the hell do they mean by this?"

"Exactly what it says." He wrote a few notes in his journal. "What has got you all worked up?"

"Goblins are buying ancient tomes on 'lost magics' on behalf of house Peverell!" He exclaimed. "I think that's enough ground to be worked up even without the fact that we are supposed to be the last Peverells."

Harry paused for a second before closing the book and turned around in his chair to look at his brother. Hardwin was starting to fidget from Harry's penetrating gaze when he finally gestured for him to sit on the bed.

"The philosopher's Stone, what do you think happened to it?"

Hardwin looked at Harry for moment wondering what the stone had anything to do about it before he furrowed his brow trying to remember the events of early that year. "Wasn't it destroyed along with the mirror?"

"And how did you come to that conclusion?"

"Well, before I passed out, it was still in the mirror and Dumbledore told me the mirror was destroyed." He shrugged. "When you didn't say anything otherwise, I assumed it had been destroyed."

"And what did I tell you about assumptions?"

"Not important right now!" Hardwin blushed. "What's important is the Stone and what it has anything to do with all this."

"Well, my assuming brother..." Harry drawled. "The Stone has everything to do with this because I have the Stone and the goblins are buying those tomes on my behalf."

"What!? Why?"

Harry didn't answer right away but got from his desk and walked over to the wall sized window. The curtains were drawn and he had an unobstructed view of the Manor grounds covered in snow.

"Our father lies in the Department of mysteries and no one has any idea what he is suffering from." Harry started softly. "If we are to get him out of there, we are going to need everything we can get our hands on. Be it physical or magical and I will do everything in my power to make sure our family is complete."

"Even if it stops a six hundred-year-old-man and his wife from extending their lives?"

"Yes." Harry replied without hesitation. He turned around and looked at his brother. "You very well know what the Stone can do. From its healing properties to the potential of having an unlimited supply of gold without touching the Potter fortune."

Hardwin stared at his brother. "Harry...the path you're treading, it's dangerous, people will die, you will be hated, make powerful enemies."

"And I'm willing to follow it still if it means our family is whole again."

"And what happens after." Hardwin asked. "What will you do when our father is hale again, our family is insanely rich and nothing stands in our way?"

Harry's lips stretched in a small smile. "When that time comes, then I'll try to live my life for myself. But untill then, my life and every single thing I do is for house Potter and right now House Potter means you, mom and dad."

Hardwin walked over to Harry and smiled at him. "I trust you, Harry and I'll always stand by your side, whatever decision you make, you can always count on me, brother."

"I know, brother." Hardwin replied before he paused. "Why Peverell though?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why are you buying books for 'House Peverell' rather than Potter?"

"Well..." Harry started. "We are the last direct descendants of House Peverell and I feel it's our responsibility to make sure their forgotten legacy continues."

"You mean you're going to re-establish house of Peverell as it's Lord?"

"Exactly, which makes sure the heir of house Potter and it's Lord when I take over my Lordship."

"What! But I don't know the first thing about being a Lord!"

"Well, you won't be becoming one untill you're seventeen so you have time or learn." Harry shrugged. "Not to mention if our father comes back, you won't be taking the position untill his death so no worries."

"I hate you, Harry."

"I know."

-PRPRPRPR-

HOGWARTS EXPRESS

"Potter, I need to talk to you." Harry looked up from the book he had been reading, it was one the very few tomes the Goblins had bought for him as families weren't as enthusiastic in selling their books as he had initially expected.

He was of the hope that the answer to James Potter's cure was lost to time and maybe some family had it in one of their old tomes. That was why he was buying only old books. Books that are likely to contain forgotten magics as it was clear that none of the advanced magic used by the Wizarding world now was of any help.

Actually, Harry was beginning to think that the cure wasn't in the magical world at all but he needed to cover his bases. Only when he was sure that he wouldn't find it would he begin to seek from other sources. But he will find the cure for his father, even if it meant rediscovering the resting place of Atlantis itself.

"Of course!" Hardwin who had been seated across Harry exclaimed happily and dropped the book Harry had forced him to read. "Thank you Daphne, and please take as much time as you want!"

And with that, he practically ran out of the compartment giving Harry a victorious grin. Daphne watched the Gryffindor seeker with a bemused expression. "What's with him?"

"I would advise against trying to understand the workings of my brother's mind." Harry picked up the discarded book and went back to his seat. "Come on in, Hardwin may have told you to take your time but I'd rather finish what I'm reading before we reach Hogsmeade."

Daphne entered and delicately sat down opposite Harry. The girl was a pretty one, and given a few years, Harry had no doubt she will be breaking a number of hearts. Her beauty however was dangerous to some extent as she will be having attention from a lot of males. And not always the good kind.

She was also one of the oldest students in their year, born at the end of September along with Hermione. She along with Susan Bones had already started... blossoming and he knew she was already catching the eyes of some of the older students.

"I need your help." The blonde stared without preamble and Harry quirked an eyebrow. She took a deep breath and her blue eyes stared right at Harry's emeralds. "I think I've been obliviated."

"Ok." Harry said. "And what do you expect me to do with this information?"

"I need your help to be sure and if so, to help me find the one responsible." She answered firmly.

"And... somehow you decided that it was me that could help you?" Harry asked and the girl nodded. "May I ask why."

"I can't go to an adult without any proof, I would only look like a fool if it turned out that I was wrong." Daphne said. "As for particularly seeking for you,I know you're well-versed in the mental arts and despite not acknowledging it, you Harry Potter are the head of our year and we are supposed to come to you incase we have any problems."

"I see." Harry said before pinning the girl with a stare. "I'll try to help you in any way I can but, I expect something in return for my time."

"Naturally." The girl smiled a little. Seeing the effort she was putting in, it was obvious it wasn't something she did very often. "If it turns out I was obliviated, and you are able to find out and deal with the culprit, House Greengrass will owe you five unconditional favors you could call in at any point."

Had Harry been someone else, they would have choked on their spit, as it happened, his eyes narrowed just a tiny bit in surprise. Five favours from such a powerful house was nothing to scoff at, it showed how serious the girl was about the situation.

Harry didn't consider ignorance on Daphne's part about what she was offering. She was a pureblood heir who has been taught the workings of the magical world from the moment she took her first breath, so Daphne knew exactly what she was offering. It showed that she was very convinced about the obliviation and Harry would be insulting her if he even considered otherwise.

"I, Harry James Potter accept the terms of our agreement." There was no flash of light to signify a bond or anything but deep down in their cores, magic recognised it. The moment Harry completed his end of the deal_find proof of the obliviation, find the culprit, and deal with them_ House Greengrass will be unable to deny him his favours.

It wasn't stated how he dealt with the culprit and Harry wasn't sure if it was intentional on Daphne's part.

"Tell me then, what made you think you were obliviated in the first place?" Harry asked and her blue eyes stared right at his own.

"Why don't you take a look and see for yourself." Harry raised an eyebrow at that and she continued. "I know you are proficient in leglimency, so why don't you take a look and judge for yourself."

"You mean you suspect that I'm a leglimens and are hoping to prove your suspicions by showing me your memories?" Harry asked as he slowly slipped into her mind to garner her surface thoughts as he didn't need a wand for this.

"If that's how you wish to see it, then by all means do." Daphne replied. "So, will you?"

Harry flicked his wrist to summon his wand. "If that's what you wish, Leglimens!"

He didn't need to open another probe, he simply fed the earlier one with power and started viewing the memory that was prominent on her mind. It was detention with Lockhart, two days before the break for the Christmas holidays. The memory was flawless, everything was normal, she arrived on time and he told her to start answering his fanmail.

For two hours, she sat there deligently as she ignored his ramblings about his archivements and when the time came to a stop, he thanked her profusely and she left. By all intents and purposes, it was just a typical detention with Lockhart if what Hardwin had told him was anything to go by.

What stood out for Harry though was the quality of the memory. It was too clear, the girl remembered that night with perfect clarity, like it had happened last night or earlier that day. He highly doubted any one other than him would have spotted the difference as he had only been able to see it because of the similarities with his own memories.

It meant that whoever had obliviated the girl was very well-versed in the art and very good at covering their tracks. Slipping out of her mind, Harry sighed.

"Well?" Daphne demanded and Harry just nodded. Her hands clenched at the information. "Did you find out who and which memory was taken?"

"The true memory of your detention with Lockhart was taken from the moment you knocked on the door to the moment you left and another one was implanted."

"But...it doesn't seem any different!"

"I know." Harry said. "The person who did it is very good, almost impossibly so. If you take time to go over the memory again, you will find that it's more vivid than the others especially given that it happened weeks ago."

The girl closed her eyes and after a few seconds, she opened them and Harry could see a silver of worry in her impressive mask. "I...I see what you mean. What do we do?"

"Leave it to me." Harry told her. "I promise you, by the end of next week, I'll have found the culprit and dealt with them in the way they deserve."

Daphne nodded and stood up. She stared at Harry for a moment. "Thank you, Harry Potter."

"Any time, Ms. Greengrass." Harry replied. "What's a little favor here and there between housemates? Besides, the reward is pretty impressive, I wouldn't be much of a Slytherin if I let it go."

Daphne left and Harry leaned back to think. Something had happened during the detention, if the detention had been there in the first place. While Lockhart was the first suspect, the skill the person used was too great for someone with Lockhart's general incompetence. It seemed the first week of school was going to be very busy for him.

Pulling out his journal, Harry thought back on the plans he had for when he finally found a cure for James Potter and the meeting he had just had with Daphne. He opened the book and looked at the prospective channels he will be taking and added one more on the list even as his lips stretched into a smile in anticipation of the challenge ahead.

-PRPRPRPR-

Hadrian opened the compartment door and peered in. He grinned when he saw Hermione, Neville and some blonde girl in Ravenclaw robes reading the Quibbler upside-down.

"Hey guys!" He greeted as he entered and sat down next to Neville across the girls.

"Hardwin! What took you so long?"

"I just escaped from Harry." He grinned. "He was forcing me to read some book about being a Lord."

"Why would you need to read about being a Lord?" Hermione asked. "I thought Harry was the heir."

"Well, not for long." Hardwin admitted before glancing at the blonde girl pointedly.

"Oh, sorry." Hermione blushed and hurried to introduce the firstie. "Uhm, this is a friend of mine, Luna, Luna Lovegood. And Luna this is_"

"Hardwin Potter, the brother to Harry Potter, I know." Her voice was soft, almost airy and her large eyes honestly creeped him out.

"Oh, you're aunt Pandora's girl." Hardwin said, just realizing why she had looked familiar as she used to visit with her mom before she had died. Pandora had been Lily's friend. "Sorry about your mother."

"You shouldn't, I don't think mommy had any issues with her death or she would have told me." The girl replied with a shrug.

"Right." He replied in confusion. "So...how is your father?"

"He is doing great I'm sure, though I haven't seen him in a while eversince he left on his hunting trip." She said.

"But, where did you stay during Christmas?"

"With the Weasleys of course."

"Right...of course, how could I not know something so obvious." He tried to keep the sarcasm out of his voice but failed miserably.

"I always knew Harry was the smarter between the two of you, so don't worry yourself too much." Luna either missed the sarcasm or just disregarded it completely.

"Thanks I guess." He glanced helplessly at his friends who were barely keeping themselves from laughing. "Uhm, well enjoy your reading then."

"It's not really fun." The girl said. "I just enjoy the arithmetic puzzles, do you think you can help?"

"Err, I though Harry was the smart one." Hardwin blurted out and immediately regretted the words. "Sorry I_"

"You're right!" The girl exclaimed as she stood up and headed for the door. "I'll go find him right away!"

And with that, she literally skipped out of the compartment leaving it very silent. "That...was weird."

"Luna is a bit eccentric but she is a nice girl if you look past the weirdness." Hermione said. "She's also very lonely, her eccentricities push her apart from her housemates."

"And now I feel like a jerk." Hardwin sighed.

"Come now, don't be too hard on yourself." Neville counseled him though the glint in his eye didn't make him very comfortable. "You're not particularly smart, we wouldn't want you hurting yourself due to over thinking."

"Oh, bugger off."

"Language!" Hermione barked and the two laughed at her and she huffed in annoyance. "Children! The both of you are just like five-year-old children."

"Anyway, Harry told me to keep an eye on the youngest Weasley." Hardwin said once their laughter had subsided.

"Ginny?" Hermione looked up. "Why would he be interested in her?"

"No idea." He shrugged. "All I know is that Harry does everything for a reason."

"Or six." Neville pipped. "I wouldn't be surprised if he wears specific pyjamas for specific reasons."

"You don't think it has something to do with the Chamber, do you?"

"Doubt it." Hermione shook her head. "The Weasleys are probably the furthest purebloods from Slytherin's line. Besides, Harry was pretty clear on wanting the three of us away from the chamber as much as possible."

"Then why would he want you to look into her?" Neville asked and Hardwin shrugged again.

"I'm sure whatever his reasons are, he will tell me when he wants me to know." He reached into the pockets of his robes and withdrew a chess board. He tapped it with his finger and it enlarged back to normal. "Fancy a game of chess?"

The rest of the train ride was uneventful, Luna didn't come back and the trio only saw her again walking with Harry towards the carriages. It was obvious the two were getting along well as the blonde was chattering non-stop while Harry listened with what appeared to be his full attention.

"Why am I not surprised?" Hardwin commented and Hermione smiled to herself.

"Harry is pretty eccentric in his own way and I suspected Luna would be someone that fascinated him just like I did last year." She saw Harry help Luna into the carriage as she smiled serenely. "She needs someone to look out for her way more than I ever could and Harry may be just the person."

"Harry as a babysitter?" Neville snickered with Hardwin. "I never thought I would see the day."

"Children!" Hermione huffed and stomped away from them.

They climbed into one carriage and the trio kept joking and laughing, mostly at the expense of Hermione. Their happiness and laughter lasted untill they reached the castle when they felt the gloom around it. The holiday cheer and being with family had made them forget what they had left behind at the Castle.

The gloom and tension, the fear of the Heir of Slytherin that seemed to physical hung over their heads seemed to have doubled. The three sat down on the somber Gryffindor table and Hardwin immediately noted the tension between the Gryffindors who had stayed at the castle and the Slytherins. Something had happened during the break.

"Hey, Dean, what's happening?" He asked and the boy leaned forward to whisper.

"War." He said ominously. "War between Gryffindor and Slytherin."

"What?" Hermione asked with furrowed eyebrows. "What do you mean 'war'?"

"And where is Ron?" Neville added. "He is not someone I would expect to arrive late for the feast."

"Ron was petrified on Christmas." Dean said and the three gasped in horror. "From then, there has been a cold war between the two houses. Fights break out all the time in the hallways, the hospital wing is always having patients and it's only a matter of time before everything blows over."

Looking around, Hardwin could see that the information he had just received was spreading to those who had gone home. He could almost visibility see the tensions increase as those who had been home resolved to help their housemates.

His eyes seeked Harry out and the two shared a meaningful look, it just a matter of time indeed.

-PRPRPRPR-

Hi guys, Happy New Year to you all, sorry it took so long. Next chapter should conclude second year and cover part of the summer if not all of it.

The chapters will probably get longer and more detailed in fourth year.