The Second Year: Part One.

- One -

"How wonderful to finally see you again, Harry Potter".

Draco watched on in wonder, 'well this is going to be... interesting', he thought.

Harry strode forwards. He had grown so very much, as a person and as a wizard. Draco couldn't help but feel slightly jealous of the power Harry commanded in everything he did.

"Riddle's Diary. A... friend, yes, I shall call him a friend - and a rather interesting one at that - wishes for me to acquire the diary", Harry uttered, he did not need to say more as Lucius' face gave it all away.

Absolutely mortified, if not mildly amused, Lucius considered the implications of Harry Potter's request. Draco saw his father trying his hardest to remain calm and unmoved but, despite Draco's lengthy explaination, he was still shocked at the very notion of The Dark Lord and Harry Potter becoming allies.

After some time, Lucius ran his finger over the books of an unassuming bookshelf - discreetly placed in a missable alcove - which drew so little attention that even Draco had never noticed it. He seemed to finally find what he wanted as he withdrew a surprisingly plain, suprisingly muggle, notebook.

Handing the book over to Harry, he aired the question that had burned at him since he beginning of this, "What do you hope to achieve Potter?".

Harry paused, and then he smiled. His childish features lit up as he replied, "I do not know, Sir".

Draco looked into those sparkling emerald eyes, determined to see behind the façade, but there was nothing insincere about Harry's vague statement. He seemed amused, Draco could not have explained the expression that graced the boy's face in any other way.

Harry bowed slightly, accepting the diary, and he smirked. Harry Potter was a boy playing an adult's game, and he was winning.

"Professor Snape said That Lockheart was a fraudulent git, but I could never have imagined this!", squealed Draco under the cloak, as Harry's hand was hastily pressed against his mouth.

The two boys contemplated the scene they had just witinessed. As eager as they were to put Severus Snape's teachings to the test, they had not yet discovered anything even remotely interesting, until now.

The image of a bold first year, with pale skin and beautiful ash blonde hair, flickered at the front of Harry's mind. The way she had floated to the front of the room, and the way she had confronted Lockheart - maintaining a perfectly glazed look whilst doing so. It really impressed Harry. Her perception was beyond that of any normal first year, but that Ravenclaw was not normal: she was powerful; she was special.

"He obliviated her, Harry! My father will hear about this!", Draco loudly whispered as soon as Harry had removed his hand. Lockheart had left the classroom, shortly after the Ravenclaw, so now they were free to plan how they could use this interesting information.

"No Draco, I think we should tell Sev... Professor Snape", Harry said confidently, a smirk snuck it's way across his face, "I imagine he can help us use this".

- Two -

Severus Snape's private rooms were surprisingly nice. Though the rumours of it being cold and dark and full of torture devices were ridiculous, they weren't exactly unfounded - due to various rumours started by the Gryffindors, circulated by the rest, and encouraged by the Slytherins.

Harry would have quite liked to have reassured Gryffindor students that Severus made his guests sit on a Judas Cradle, but he had now learnt that there were more subtle and effective ways to torture and humiliate.

"I knew you would discover the truth, but I didn't expect you to do so before Hallowe'en. Well done boys", said Severus, almost smiling.

"I knew this was a test!", exclaimed Harry. He did not sound angry, he was just excited.

"Did you?!", questioned Draco eagerly, "How?!".

Harry laughed, "Isn't it obvious?". He laughed further at the bemused expression on Draco's face, "Professor Snape wouldn't send us off to do anything dangerous: he isn't Dumbledore!".

- Three -

The Slytherin dorms were silent. It was far past both Harry and Draco's bedtime, but they had much bigger things to worry about - were they caught.

The diary was sat upon the pillow, the two boys stared at it in awe. The curtains were drawn and they had finally found the time to test the diary.

Harry held a quill under the soft glow of Draco's lumos, he wrote, 'Hello, Tom Riddle, I am Harry Potter'.

The two boys waited, at first they exchanged subtle glances of confusion. Had the book not worked? But then the page changed: 'Hello, Potter, I would rather you refrain from calling me such a name. My current title is more', the ink paused, as if the book were thinking, before continuing 'appropriate'.

Harry decided against any pretence of stupidity, now what he thought had been proven correct, he hastily replied, 'what would you ask of me? Of us '?

The book replied simply, 'A test'.

Draco eyed Harry nervously, he was very scared of the kind of test The Dark Lord would set, but he was even more scared for Harry's sake. What came next was something Draco would have never anticipated:

'Find the Chamber Of Secrets. Use your wit, charms and talents to do so. I will crown you my heir - should you succeed'.

Author's Note: I was a little bit ill last week, and then I thought that I should update once a week. I didn't expect to take so long, so I am sorry. I shall be updating every Saturday evening (if I can) (GMT 0), once I start school again it may have to change to fortnightly updates though.

I hope you guys enjoyed this and I really appreciate everyone who takes the time to read what I write. Thank you!