(I'm sorry, but I will need to go back and rewrite several chapters. I hope you can all understand for it will be important later on in the story. I already changed chapter 5 so I hope you can enjoy both this one and a new old one.)

Chapter 19: Old Faces, New Problems

Albus didn't get any sleep at all that night. He was haunted by images of the face of Colin Creevey's frozen face… looking at him with accusing eyes as if he couldn't believe that he allowed this to happen. It wasn't until the sun had risen did he give up on the idea of sleep and got ready for the day.

He yawned as he walked into his already, sunlit office where Dilys was in her frame waiting impatiently for him.

"Morning!" he called to her and all the others. Most called back with a shrill 'morning,' but Dilys didn't even bother. She was fidgeting slightly and seemed to be both cross and worried.

"Is there something the matter, Dilys?" he asked.

"Yes," she answered. "You aren't going to believe this Dumbledore, but a house-elf visited Potter in the middle of the night!"

Albus stared at her while the other portraits goggled, and Phineas called out, "A house-elf? But they never show themselves to the students unless they go to the kitchens!"

"Please explain," Albus instructed her.

"Well, I was doing what you said Dumbledore," she said. "I was keeping an eye on Harry all night. But then, not long before you and McGonagall came in with that boy, a house-elf appeared out of nowhere! I didn't recognize him. He wasn't a Hogwarts house-elf."

"How could you tell?" Everard interrupted.

"He was wearing a disgusting looking pillowcase!" she called, wrinkling her nose. "Anyway, he seemed to be trying to help take care of Harry because he was sponging his forehead and…"

"Oh GREAT!" Phineas yelled sarcastically. "ANOTHER Potter fan!"

"Will you all shut up and let me finish?" she shouted in frustration. "Anyway, Harry woke up and Dobby—that's the house-elf's name," she added to Albus who nodded, "Seemed to be… almost telling him off that he came back to school. He wanted Harry to go back home the moment that he missed the train."

"The train?" Albus repeated confused… until understanding dawned on him.

"Yes," Dilys said seeing the thoughtful look on his face. "Dobby was the one that sealed off the entrance and made them miss the train! He said that he hid and waited for Harry and prevented the barrier from letting him and Ronald through. He said that he was doing it to protect Harry."

"I always said that house-elves were nutters," Phineas called. "They're hell of good cooks! But they aren't too bright when it comes to common sense are they?"

"But why?" Albus asked her. "Why was he trying to stop Harry from coming back to school?"

"I really wouldn't mind that idea. Be a lot less trouble," Phineas said, earning himself a stern look from Dumbledore and the other paintings.

"This has something to do with the Chamber of Secrets doesn't it?" Albus asked, dreading the worse.

"Yes," Dilys replied sadly. "That elf is just desperate to get Harry out of here. And you want to know something else? HE was the one that jinxed that bludger! When I heard that I almost shouted at him."

"Dobby was responsible for that?" Albus repeated in surprise. "Well I'm impressed. It takes a lot to surprise me, but Dobby has succeeded. But I thought that you said that he was trying to protect Harry."

"You know that elves think differently than humans," Dilys answered shaking her head. "In his defense, Dobby said that he only wanted Harry so badly injured that he would be sent home."

"Well, he obviously doesn't know the skills of Madam Pomfrey," Albus said with a slight smile. "She's never failed yet."

"Yes," Dilys said. "But our worse fears are realized! Dobby just came right out and admitted to Harry that the Chamber is open again!"

Albus's eyes suddenly lit up and he asked, "Did Dobby say who was behind it?"

"No," Dilys said sadly.

Albus sighed, trying not to feel too disappointed and asked, "How did Harry react to all this?"

"Oh, he was very angry when he heard that Dobby was the one behind the barrier and the bludger. But he just couldn't seem to stay angry at the little elf for long. I don't blame him, he looked so pathetic that I couldn't seem to hold onto my anger either."

Albus nodded, putting that aside for later, "And the Chamber?"

"He asked Dobby about the Chamber and who was behind it. But Dobby didn't seem to be able to tell Harry much. But he did say that 'dark deeds were planned here.' He said that Harry shouldn't be here where it's happening and begged him to go back home."

"And what did Harry say to that?"

"What do you think he said?" Dilys asked, getting annoyed. "He told the elf no. But before anything else could happen, that's when you and McGonagall came in."

Albus went to his desk and thought long and hard about all this new information. Whoever was behind this, clearly was targeting—not only Muggleborns—but Harry as well. Which could only that it was indeed Voldemort who was behind this, the question is how is he doing this?

"But why would Potter be in danger?" Phineas asked bored. "I mean… isn't the kid a half-blood?"

"Yes," Albus replied. "But this isn't a matter of blood. This is a matter of revenge… the only question is how is this possible?"

None of the other portraits could make heads or tails of that commit.

*Several weeks later*

"Headmaster," Severus' voice ground out impatiently, "You do understand the problem we have now don't you?"

"Oh yes, Severus," Albus responded. "I'm just not myself today. I assure you, I find this new information troubling. Please humor me and explain exactly what happened at the Dueling Club this evening?"

"I already told you," his annoyed Potion's Master exclaimed. "That idiot Lockhart was trying to attempt to show off again and…"

But before he could go any further there was a loud knock on the door followed by the unmistakable shout of "Albus? Severus? Are you both in there? I want to talk to you about what happened at my Dueling Club!"

The eyes of both men twitched horribly at that voice and Severus let out an impatient snarl. "I'm still going to follow up on my idea to poison him."

"Come in, Lockhart. Come in," Albus called though he was wishing that the man would just go away. He had to bite his tongue to prevent himself from telling the man off. Lockhart strolled into the room as if it was his own office with a showy swish of his deep baby-blue robes and a beaming smile like he was expecting reporters to be in there.

"Evening Lockhart," Albus said, "From what I've heard, apparently your Dueling Club didn't turn out as well as you had hoped. Severus here was just about to tell me what happened. Now if you could just leave and…?"

Lockhart showed no signs that he had heard Dumbledore and barely noticed Severus as he pushed him aside. Albus privately thought that Lockhart would have to be both deaf and blind not to notice the mutinous look on Severus face.

"Yes, Dumbledore," Lockhart exclaimed with a glowing smile. "I just thought that maybe you would prefer to hear an explanation from me. I am known around the world for having a perfect memory."

"Funny," Severus growled thought his teeth. "When you were at school, you kept forgetting to look where you were going and ended up walking into the walls half the time."

Apparently, Lockhart didn't hear him. "It was rather shocking thing, after all, for anyone not experienced in such matters as I. But that is natural! After all, I have seen and done many impressive things don't you both agree?"

Seeing that Lockhart was about to go into a long story about some of his 'amazing' feats, he interrupted, "Yes, now why don't you both tell me what you each saw?"

"Of course, Headmaster," Severus said with a grimace. "Like I was telling you before, we were just getting over Lockhart's… ah… less than impressive performance and were just getting to teaching them something useful."

"Now, Severus," Lockhart said with that annoying smile. "I thought that we went over this. I just let you attack me to show the students…"

"I see," Albus said, wanting to get this conversation over and done with as soon as possible.

"As I was saying," Severus went on with a glare for Lockhart. "I thought it would be a good example to have a demonstration pair with Potter and Mr. Malfoy."

"You chose those two?" Albus asked shaking his head. "I'm surprised at you Severus. I thought that you would know better than to match them up."

Severus just shrugged and went on as if no one said anything. "During the duel, Mr. Malfoy seemed to feel that Potter's reckless and impulsive nature needed to be taught a lesson. So, by accident, he conjured a snake. Very extraordinary for a second year, and seemed to be trying to get Potter to stop."

This, Albus highly doubted… especially after what his portraits had reported to him. They told him from what they could see, Malfoy was the one playing dirty and it was Severus who told him to conjure the snake. But he let this all slide.

"Lockhart here," Severus continued, "Didn't vanish or remove the snake by normal means. All he managed to do was make it even angrier, and it started to go after Finch-Fletchley. So when I stepped forward to protect the students…"

"And that's when it happened!" Lockhart interrupted excitedly. Truthfully, Albus was surprised that Lockhart was able to keep quiet for that long. "You should've seen it Professor! I, of course, could've gotten rid of it in no time at all. But I thought that I should let Severus handle it. Didn't want to show him up of course!"

Severus began to finger his wand lovingly, as though longing to curse Lockhart where he stood.

"But just before he could… Harry Potter started talking to it!" Lockhart went on and on about how he knew many languages… but to find someone able to speak the one he couldn't…

Getting frustrated, Albus said shortly, "And you are both certain of this?"

"Well, yes," Lockhart said, sounding put out that he was interrupted. "It was creepy sounding… like he was letting out strangled hisses, but there's no doubt about it! Harry Potter can talk to snakes!"

He started to pace the room. "I wonder how everyone else will take to this? Once word gets out to the public that Potter has an evil ability… well that means that his reputation will go down. But I could have also…"

Albus stood up so suddenly, that the other two couldn't help put look up. Truthfully, Albus was surprised about this… but only a little bit. Harry was a Parselmouth… and if word of this got out… it would only cause even more problems for Harry, which he didn't need.

He also had a pretty good idea that Harry didn't even realize that he spoke another language. However, if he knew the trio as well as he thought he did, then his two friends already told him about it once the excitement was over.

"We will do nothing about this, Lockhart," Albus said sternly.

"But," he gasped looking like he had been denied a great treat, "Don't you think the rest of the world needs to know?"

"I'm sure that Potter is just milking all the extra attention for all it's worth," Severus hissed, sounding like a snake himself for a moment.

Albus put his hands up to silence them both. "We will do nothing," he repeated. "I strongly believe that Harry himself hasn't recognized what this means. He is just a young boy and I see no need to blow this out of proportion."

"Blow this out of proportion?" Lockhart repeated, clearly sounding disappointed that he wouldn't be able to go to the papers with the news that he had discovered that The Boy Who Lived could speak to snakes. "But Dumbledore…"

But Albus heard enough of this from Lockhart. He stared coldly at him and said, "That is final. We do nothing. You both make it sound like Harry has just committed murder or something terrible."

"But he was telling the snake to attack, Finch-Fletchley!" Lockhart said, desperate for any excuse to go to the papers.

"None of us know what Harry said to it," Albus said with a firm tone. "For all we know, he could've just been asking it what time it was. No, lay it aside gentlemen. This is nothing worth getting upset over. Now why don't you both return to your duties?"

Albus finished with such a hard look that not even Lockhart was foolish enough to question him. He looked dispirited for a brief moment before his smile returned to his face. "If you insist, Albus!" he said cheerfully. "I must return to answering my fan mail anyway."

He turned and bowed himself out of the room and cried out, "I'll be sure to tell you all about the fascinating conversations I had while I traveling abroad in other countries! Many people were amazed by my gift in languages!"

They both nodded, though they felt like they rather have each one of teeth pulled out before they willingly listen to one of Lockhart's stories. Once he was gone, Albus turned back to Severus and said, "I don't know how much more of him I can take."

"Neither can I, but we are you sure about this Dumbledore?" Severus said. "Potter is a Parselmouth… which means that's there no telling how many other dark abilities he could have."

"Severus…" Albus began.

"Don't you think that maybe he requires more supervision and control?" he asked, before adding hopefully, "And less privileges?"

"I already have a pair of eyes following him all the time," Albus said firmly. "And nothing I see shows that he has the slightest desire for the Dark Arts. For goodness sake, Severus. He's only a boy."

"An arrogant, attention-seeking…" Severus started off.

"Enough!" Albus said in a loud voice. "I know what I'm doing Severus. I appreciate your concerns. But I do wish that you stop comparing Harry to James. I've told you this before… Harry is NOT James. So you can stop treating him like James."

"You could've fooled me," Severus snarled. "You know the saying? Like father, like son!"

Albus shook his head. Severus was just downright determined to see James… not Harry. Yes, Harry looked like James… but no matter what he looks like he isn't his father. No, he acts much more like Lily did. Now if only Severus could see that.

"I will try to keep a closer eye on him," Albus assured him. "But I'm afraid any more than Harry will realize that he's being watched."

Snape just grunted. "I have to go and prepare my next class," he replied sourly.

Albus nodded, though he knew that the potions master was just saying that to get away from him. "Very well. Thank you again for the information. And please come to me should you suspect anything else."

Severus gave him a short nod and left without another word.

Once he was gone, Albus leaned back in his chair and waited for his portraits to report. Sure enough, a few minutes later, Dexter appeared and said. "Well, that could've gone better."

Albus looked at him and asked, "How is Harry faring?"

Dexter gave him a sad look and said, "The boy is upset. Naturally, but now he's beginning to think that he's connected to Salazar Slytherin."

"What's wrong with that?" called the lazy voice of Phineas who yawned. "If I were him I'd be thrilled!"

"Well, you aren't him," Albus said calmly. He turned back to Dexter and asked, "Is that all?"

"Granger and Weasley both told him about how the old snake could talk to snakes himself and Harry's upset about that. Now he thinks that he's Slytherin's descendent," Dexter explained. "He doesn't know how he talked to that snake today. From what it sounded like, his words came out in English to him. He didn't even realize that he spoke a different language."

"Did he by any chance say what he said to the snake?" Albus asked interested.

"Yes," Dexter answered. "He told the snake to back off. He was trying to get the snake to leave the kid alone."

Albus nodded, unsurprised. "Where is he now?"

"In his dormitory," he answered. "I think he wanted to be alone."

"I see," Albus said thoughtfully. "Well, I think we should do that. I doubt that Harry will be going anywhere tonight, so you don't need to worry about keeping an eye on him."

"If you insist," Dexter said agreeably as he settled back in his own painted chair and looked ready for a nap.

Albus smiled slightly before he went back to his thoughts. So, Harry could talk to snakes—just like Tom Riddle can. How was this possible? The only way that you could be born a Parselmouth is if it's in the family. Neither James, nor Lily could speak it. So where did it come from?

He sat there for the rest of the evening, staring at the opposite wall, coming up with theory after another… knowing that he wasn't the only person in the castle who wasn't going to be able to sleep that night.