A/N: Thank you all for reviewing and the support, 24 favorites, 39 follows and over 1,000 views. I'm not sure if any got passed, but i apologize ahead of time for any grammatical errors.

Please Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, or anything related to the franchise.

Chapter 3

Hogwarts Days, Making Friends and Halloween

It was the morning after the sorting. William sat alone at the end of his house table, subtly looking towards his sister as she sat with an open book doing some last minute revision for class he suppose; eating and talking between intervals to her new acquaintances Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley. From the report he got from Sashet about what she had done after she left, Hermione had taken his advice and found a prefect who had quickly located the toad. After returning the toad to a boy, she was making her way back to his compartment when she stumbled upon a red-head attempting magic. From there, Sashet said that both Potter and his sister had been indoctrinated into the status quo that is Hogwarts Housing System. After he had been sorted and seated at his house table, he watched as the other first years got sorted; and watched as his plan became what Jacob would've called, FUBAR'd, in the form of Hermione being sorted into Gryffindor.

The rest of the feast had gone with him thinking deeply of ways to salvage his budding relationship with Hermione. So much, that he completely forgot to evaluate the minds of his peers and hardly gave thought to the Headmaster's warning of the third floor. He had followed his House as they went into the dungeons until they came upon a portrait of a snake; the entrance to his new home…Slytherin. He had listened to his Head of House, Severus Snape, speak but he only vaguely heard what he said. The most of that night that he paid attention to was when he had introducing himself to his dorm mate; Blaise Zabini, a black Italian boy around his height.

William sighed, turning away from his sister and onto a schedule that just appeared in front of him; he had Transfiguration with Gryffindor today…Oh joy. Deciding to head to class early, he got up and left the great hall. As he walked down the corridor of the first floor he realized he was losing focus; He had not taken notice of any of his other peers or checked their defenses; or even decided how he was going to tackle the problem of being a 'muggleborn' in Slytherin. William took a deep breath as he saw the transfiguration classroom. Though he wanted a relationship with his sister; his House would have to take priority first.

As he entered the class room, he noticed it had desks that could be occupied by three students and chairs on opposing sides of the room; it was a great analogy of Gryffindor and Slytherin. He noticed a tom cat sitting rigidly on the Professor's table in the center of the room. It stared at him, unblinking, and he stared back for a few minutes before smirking at the 'tom cat' and heading to the desks on the left side of the room. He sat quietly for the next few minutes, until he noticed his fellow Slytherin first years entering. He noticed Blaise enter on the right side of the blonde that was on the boat with him, Daphne Greengrass, heiress apparent of House Greengrass, if he remembered correctly, and on her left, the glasses-wearing Tracey Davis; a hierarchy perhaps? Next to enter was a blonde haired boy with a mousy nose and grey eyes who was wearing smug a look on his face; on his right was a girl, Pansy Parkinson, who had brown hair that reached the back of her neck and a face he would of considered cute if she didn't scrunch her face as if she smelt something pungent. Behind her and to the right was, Millicent Bulstrode, a girl who…was big…for her age. She had black hair and a heavy, jutting jaw. Following behind her were Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle and coming n some distance from the others, was Theodore Nott. Crabbe and Goyle he noted weren't very note worthy, except they looked like your stereotypical silent bobyguards, and Nott, was slightly taller than him, but definitely slimmer; his hair was black and lanky. As he observed them all, he had used his passive legilimency to brush against their minds to see what he could find. Greengrass and Zabini had seemed to notice, as they reacted and raised their defenses and looked towards him warily. If he was forceful, he could probably break them, but that would defeat the purpose; Malfoy and Parkinson seemed to have ridiculously weak shields as they were practically broadcasting their thoughts, something he would take advantage of during meals and classes; Bulstrode and Nott seemed to just start learning, as the shields weren't formed in places and were weak, while Crabbe and Goyle were open books to him. As they joined him on the left side, they sat at various seats around him, but they all seemed to giving him an arms breath, however Greengrass seemed to be watching him curiously.

The Gryffindors soon joined them, though he was not interested enough to take in their appearances, he scanned them and noted all their minds were unprotected; it did not bode well for the 'light' side if they were so liberal with their minds. He noted that when Hermione had entered, and upon noticing, gave him small, sad smile before joining the other Gryffindors. However, she sat at an isolated desk like him that was directly across from him. They all waited for their professor quietly due to the unnerving glare the tom cat would give a student who would start talking to his/her neighbor. This continued until a gong like bell sounded and the class room door slammed open as Weasley and Potter came running in panting.

"Look, we made it, we're not late", Weasley said, looking around for Mcgonagall.

The cat on the desk jumped, and turned into a human mid jump, Professor Mcgonagall, who then said sternly, "If you are not seated by the sound of the bell, then consider you late, Mr. Weasley."

"Sorry Professor. We got lost" Potter said nervously.

"Then perhaps I should transfigure both you and Mr. Weasley into a pocket watch and a map respectively, so you will both arrive on time and at the right place" she looked at their awestruck and horrified faces before saying, "Please take your seats next to Ms. Granger." She turned and walked to her desk as Weasley and Potter sat beside Hermione, who looked mildly irritated; from what he picked up from her mind, it was due to them holding up class instead of being late for it. He chuckled lightly.

The professor then started the class explaining the intricacy and dangerousness of transfiguration .After having them write down some theory for the first half of the period; she gave each of them a few matchsticks to transfigure into needles. William, since getting his wand and practicing a few transfigurations from the grimoire, and the exercises in the book he read recently, He could do this simply; however, he had to think of the repercussions. If he got this before the 'purebloods', they'd see him as a threat, which would more than likely cause his life in Slytherin to be rather troublesome. It would force him to defend himself in order to not be seen as weak among the other students in the house, who would then continue the abuse if he didn't, making both him and his House look weak and lack any presence of authority in the future. Or, he could be in the middle of the students who gets it, be deemed as average and continue as a fly on the wall for the time being until the right moment; and right now it would be better to be underestimated and under their radar. His choice in the matter, however, was taken from him when Professor Mcgonagall awarded Hermione ten points for being the first in turning the entire matchstick silver; to which had Hermione beaming.

He had to admit he felt proud of his sister to have done so well for a first attempt, but taking a subtle glance and readings of the Slytherins and their thoughts towards his sister, he cursed internally and muttered under his breath," Prodigious mudblood it is then…" he took the five matchsticks and lined them up in front of him, catching the eye of Mcgongall, he then waved his wand over them while making a show of muttering the spell; turning each matchstick into prefect needles with a small Slytherin emblem in relief.

"How did you do that?" he heard Davis say, amazed as the rest of the class.

He looked across at Hermione, who was paying keen attention, waiting for his explanation. He noticed the professor looked to also be waiting on what he would say. He looked back at Hermione and spoke, " Transfiguration, and I'm sure this may also be true for Charms, require you to both want the change to happen, intent, but also to see the end result of the change, visualization. So for this change to happen, you need to see the matchstick clearly visualize the change in your mind and will your magic to make it happen."

"Well said, Mr. Cunningham. Please write what Mr. Cunningham just said, for it is a simplified and effective explanation on how transfiguration works on a basic level. Take thirty points for a successful transfiguration and explanation of its execution for Slytherin." When she said that, many of the Gryffindors gave out groans while Hermione started writing furiously, Potter following suit and Weasley giving him a heated glare. The Slytherins while appreciative of the house points, only Greengrass and Zabini gave him any acknowledgement by way of a slightly nod, while Malfoy's group seemed to be seething, mainly Malfoy himself. By time class ended, only Hermione, Potter, Greengrass and Zabini had managed to completely change the matchstick; while the rest of the class were given it as homework.

As they left class and they were making their way down to lunch; Malfoy decided to speak when the Gryffindors were well out of earshot, "You think you're special, don't you mudblood." He said addressing William's back as he walked ahead of them.

William stopped and turned to look at them. He noticed Malfoy's group stood behind him, while Greengrass' group stood to the front and right of them. 'Neither supporting nor against me. But also stating the same to Malfoy; Just spectators to see how it will turn out.' After observing this, William looked at Malfoy directly and spoke," I don't understand, Mr. Malfoy. How does being able to understand a concept first and help my fellow Slytherins make me special?" he asked innocently.

"Watch how you speak when addressing your betters mudblood" Malfoy said, drawing his wand as Crabbe and Goyle moved forward.

He looked at him plainly. Political grandstanding was one thing, but it really defeated the purpose when done around people who have already taken sides and when there was no goal to it, except ego stroking. Seeing nothing to gain, but perhaps start the plan Hermione unintentionally started, William replied," To attack a fellow Slytherin in the open where other houses can see weakness in our house and use it against us, also with such a high possibility of being caught by a teacher? Are you sure you're wearing the right colors Mr. Malfoy? You're behaving very…Gryffindor." He noticed Tracey Davis of Greengrass' group fighting not to giggle.

If it was possible, Malfoy's face became the color of said house and leveled his wand at William, however an insipid voice spoke up," And what are you doing pointing your wand at a fellow house mate, Mr. Malfoy." They all turned to the right to see a man in complete black walking towards them. He had a hooked nose and black eyes with shoulder length greasy looking hair; Severus Snape, their Head of House.

"I was just showing the mudblood his place in house standing" Malfoy said looking smugly at William

"Be that as it may; I'm positive I spoke just last night about keeping internal house politics just that… Internal" Snape said, not once changing the monotone of his voice as he came to a stop between Malfoy and William. When Malfoy floundered, not able to give an answer, he spoke again," Present yourself at my office after dinner to speak about the methods you use in…educating others" He said the last part looking at William plainly, who had not changed his expression at all. "Now come all of you. I shall not miss my lunch due to your bickering" He said before turning and walking in the direction of the Great Hall.

William stood there as the others began walking past him. When Malfoy was passing he addressed him," Just wait mudblood. You'll get yours."

William sighed, and began walking after everyone had turned the corner,' Ok. A Head of House who favors those of good standing or approves of blood purity; and a pampered prince who believes himself untouchable within the house due to daddy's political capital…ok, just a minor hiccup.' He thought to himself.

The rest of the week was uneventful for William, with the exception of the moving forward of his plans of creating his own block of power; by him partnering with Hannah Abbott and Susan Bones, who had long red hair in a plait, which rested at the top of her back and a bubbly looking face. They were at first wary of him, especially Susan, but as class progressed, they became friendly with him and promised to partner with him in the future. History of Magic was going to be used to further his own studies when he realized that their professor, a ghost, was just repeating line for line what was in their books, and Astronomy didn't hold any interest to him. His Charms class was shared with the Ravenclaws; which meant he sat with Su Li, who due to her shy nature had taken to sitting alone whenever possible. They had a tentative relationship so far, but he was willing to make it work to see how he stood against some experienced in dueling. The classes that were currently held his interest were Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Seeing that his family's entire history had mainly been around it, He had use the better part of a month before coming to Hogwarts practicing from both his school book and a few tomes he found about them in his vault; plus he found it entertaining how a grown man seemed to have a strong vendetta against an eleven year old. What interested him about DADA, however, was not the subject or as he was realizing, the professor's lack of forming a concurrent sentence; it was the fact that since he had arrived at Hogwarts, Professor Quirrell, was the only professor his wand. His magic; was actively warning him about when he had entered his class. He was both curious and wary about what made this stuttering professor so dangerous.

Currently he was getting ready for bed with Zabini in the bathroom. He had just ordered Sashet to explore the castle, using the darkness and shadows to get around, to explore for anything of interest, the third floor included, and find an abandoned classroom for him to use as dueling room.

"Would you like me to Ward the room against intrusion" he heard Zabini speak as he exited the bathroom. William knew that he was going to be attacked, it wasn't a matter of if, but when. William had gained them a few more house points, and the attention of their professors since their first transfiguration class, and he knew Malfoy's ego wouldn't allow him to end the week without him paying for it. However, Zabini's offer of protection was unexpected. What did he want? Or is this Greengrass' work or Zabini's in order to have him owe a favor? Either way, he would not accept an offer he did not fully know the scope of what it entailed.

"Though the offer is well appreciated, it will be unnecessary Mr. Zabini." He replied diplomatically before continuing," though if I could make a suggestion? Ward your bed against sound? I'd rather not have you woken up due to a problem I myself created." He said getting into bed. Mind curious on what exactly is warding, and how it could be used if from what Zabini just said; had a facet in standalone protection spells. Zabini just looked at him and shook his head, however, just as he got into bed, he noticed how unnaturally cold it was.

While it looked for the entire world he was sleeping, William had long since learnt from the grimoire how to use his occlumency to let his body and mind rest and repair itself, while retaining awareness of the world. So when he felt the rushing of his magic and heard a building growl beginning to eminent from his wand; he awoke. From his bed, he watched as the dorm room's door slowly open and four dully lit wands made their way into room. He waited till he was certain it was only four, as they had closed the door behind them, and listened as they whispered about which bed was his. Deciding that waiting any longer would be considered not taking the situation seriously; he acted by using one of his families spells.

"Vinculis corpore horribilis," He intoned under his breath; capturing all four intruders in strong black chains that started to squeeze them tightly as they struggled." I wouldn't do that if I were you. Struggle to much and it could cause you to lose consciousness due to lack of oxygen" he said to them as he approached, summoning their wands from them using his left hand, while making a show of flourishing his wand in his right, then use one of their wands to create a strong light to recognize the now tied up, Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle and Nott.

Malfoy began shouting, "Let us go mudblood; when my fa-"was all he got to say before his tongue was glued to the roof of his mouth.

"Please be quiet Mr. Malfoy, my dorm mate is sleeping." Though William had noticed the slight opening of the four-poster beds curtains. Deciding to make a power play, he spoke," It's such a shame that before I managed to subdue you all; you had to hit my empty bed at the time with various dangerous spells like the 'severing charm', not before you, Mr. Malfoy, locked the door so I couldn't escape and had Goyle cast a 'silencing spell' on the inside of the sleeping Zabini's curtains." He said as he launched a 'Colloportus' at the door and 'Silencio' on the other three; the same number of curtains that cover Zabini's bed, then as he walked around his bed from each side, he cast 'Diffindo' from each of the wands,. "I then of course come out of the bathroom due to all the noise; seeing what was happening, managed to capture Goyle with a spell I learnt from a worried seventh year who had heard of your growing animosity towards me; but wishes to remain unnamed. Because of the suddenness and the darkness, you all began firing spells all over the room; hitting each other a few times, before I was able to get each of you with the same spell as I did Goyle" William then launched random first year spells that he had learnt from his school books and a few more 'severing charms' around the room, then casting at each of the three boys, causing Malfoy to moan painfully while Nott and Crabbe did so in silence, and leaving Goyle unharmed. As they laid there in pain, with the black chains occasionally giving a squeeze when they tried to get out, William spoke once more," Of course, not knowing the counter charm for the lock you, Mr. Malfoy had placed, and fearing for my safety, and that of my sleeping dorm mate; I brought you all to the middle of the room before falling asleep on my bed, succumbing to magical exhaustion and stress. Now you may wonder, 'why would i agree to tell the same story after seeing him doing all that himself…" He walked up to stand over them, emphasizing their helplessness and stared into their now fearful eyes," Well it's simple…you won't remember anything else but." William then infiltrated their minds, changing their memories of the event and putting subtle suggestions in their minds about him. After all…everyone likes making friends

It was currently September nineteenth with the early morning sun shining brightly outside and above from the bewitched ceiling. Harry Potter, an eleven year old with uncontrollable black hair and emerald green eyes hidden behind circular rimmed glasses, was thoroughly enjoying his time at Hogwarts. Though he had learnt there was much more to magic than just waving your wand and saying an incantation, it was several times better than living with the Dursleys. With thought said, the unbidden memories flooded his mind. Of growing up as their slave; living in their broom cupboard under the stairs for the better part of his life. The beatings and being called a freak; Dudley bullying him and keeping him from making friends. But not anymore; here he was just Harry Potter, albeit he was 'Harry Potter: The-Boy-Who-Lived', famous for defeating a Dark Lord who had killed his parents before trying to do the same to him; but he was still just Harry. From the day he entered the wizarding world, his life had changed for the better. He had friends! Ron, his first friend and best mate, was fun to be around and had taught him a lot about the wizarding world; things like quidditch, wizarding chess and about the houses in Hogwarts. He learnt about the things he missed growing up in the muggle world and how to enjoy the small things from him. His next friend, Hermione was…alright. She tended to be on their case about homework or studying. While he understood the importance of doing homework, did she really have to constantly tell them? Ron was right; did they really need to study and be a know-it-all like her, when they had classes to learn magic about? Sometimes she would try talking to him and Ron about the book she always seemed to carry around with her; however both Ron and her would start arguing before she got into what she wanted to say; till Ron started insulting her and causing her to leave. She also seemed to be in a silent competition with the Slytherin muggleborn in the classes that they shared with them. While Hermione would force herself to be recognized and seemed to be better with theory, the Slytherin only answered when asked, but was the first in class to get any and every spell they learnt so far.

Currently, they were having breakfast. Ron was eating his second helping, and Hermione had hardly eaten anything. He wanted to ask her what was wrong, but his Aunt Petunia had taught him to not ask questions. She continued like that until an owl flew down in front of her with a thick brown package in its beak and a letter on its leg. Hermione, having focused solely on the package, didn't see Ron take the letter off the owl and began reading it as bits of food came from his mouth occasionally:

Dear Hermione,

I hope my book has given you both an insightful and objective view of the wizarding world that we're now a part of; I'm looking forward to hear from you when you're done. However, the reason for the letter is due to what a little bird told me about what day it is and that you enjoy a good book.

Happy Birthday,

Your Friend.

"I didn't know you had a friend, Hermione." Ron asked before filling his mouth again, "Who is it?"

Hermione, who had been looking at a now uncovered brown leather bound book while biting her lip, finally seemed to register everything Ron had said, snapped out of it, grabbing the letter out of his hands.

"It's rude to read peoples mail, Ronald" she snapped at him.

"Geez, sooorry. Better? Now whose the friend? I thought you only had Harry and me as friends" Ron asked callously.

"For your information Ronald, I do have other friends. William and Su Li. I met them on the train." Hermione said indignantly.

"You're friends with a slimy Sltherin!?, Hermione they're evil. You-Know-Who was a Slytherin. Just look at Malfoy and Snape!" Ron said incredulously.

Harry wasn't sure about the other first year Slytherins, but Malfoy had been a pain since he met him on the train, and Snape seemed to have it out for him. But Slytherins evil over all? He was sure; especially if Voldermort was one.

"Who my friends are should be no concern of yours" Hermione stated defiantly.

It was late in the afternoon, during the free period they all had as first years, and they were making their way to the library with Hermione way ahead of both him and Ron after the fiasco that happened earlier. Harry along with his fellow Gryffindors made their way down to the quidditch pitch where the other Slytherin first years were waiting. As he approached he could hear Malfoy bragging about his past broom experience to the group around him. He looked around for Hermione's supposed Slytherin friend, and noticed he was standing slightly away from Malfoy's group and closer to the other Slytherins; He also noticed Hermione glancing towards him and biting her lip worriedly. The lesson hadn't gotten far, when Neville had lost control of his broom and fell at least three stories to the ground, breaking his wrist, and forcing Madam Hooch to bring him to the hospital wing and threaten them with expulsion if caught flying. He then noticed Malfoy had something in his hand; Neville's remembrall. After arguing with Draco for it and then chasing it down. He had been caught by Professor Mcgonagall while he was making the catch. At first he thought would be expelled and return to the Dursley's. But he was quickly informed of his new position as seeker on the Gryffindor quidditch team; as the youngest seeker in centuries and Malfoys subsequent demand for a duel later tonight.

Harry and Ron were currently following Hermione, trying to keep hidden as she walked further down the hall from him "How do you know where she'd be heading?" Harry asked his friend, ignoring Ron's grumbling about Hermione being a traitor.

"When Professor Mcgonagall was taking you away, I saw her talking to him; that filthy Slytherin. He said he would be in the library," Ron said, preoccupied with looking for Hermione as they entered the library after her, trying to be stealthy.

"Why are we following her anyway?" Harry asked.

"I want to know why she would talk to a slimy evil Slytherin, and what he wants from her and stop him. We're protecting her, Harry. He probably only wants to be friends with her so she can give him Gryffindor secrets or homework or something like that" Ron said vaguely.

'Gryffindor secrets', Harry thought bewildered, before saying, "Ron, I don't thi-"

"Look there she is", Ron said almost yelling, interrupting Harry.

Harry looked in the direction he was now walking to. There, in an isolated area away from other tables and surrounded on three sides by bookcases, was the Slytherin and a female Revanclaw, sitting down with a book between them, writing notes from it and Hermione approaching them. Harry had followed Ron as he walked behind some bookcases and came up to the one that was separating the area that Hermione was meeting the other two. When they had fully approached, they heard Hermione speaking nervously," Hello again William, Ms. Li…ummm, I'm sorry if I'm disturbing you…what are you researching?" she finished.

"Hello Hermione. At the moment, the cushioning charm. Why don't you have a seat." the Slytherin, William, Harry figured, spoke.

"Cushioning charm? Why are you looking that up? Can you teach me?" Harry could hear the curious and desire in Hermione's voice.

He heard William chuckle then spoke," Well, after seeing what happened to Mr. Longbottom, it occurred to me I didn't know a spell to avoid a similar fate, so I decided to find one that could possibly to momentum or prevent injuries from a fall. I like the policy of 'Having and not needing; Than needing and not Having'. Su here, after I told her what happened, decided to help me."

"I wanted to know too." Harry heard a small voice say, Su Li, he guessed.

"So, what is it you wanted to talk about Hermione," William spoke again.

"I wanted to return this…" Harry heard Hermione begin to ruffle through her book bag, before continuing," It was helpful. I'm surprised that the wizarding world is so… barbaric. And I wanted to say thank you for the book, but how did you know it was my birthday today?"

When Harry heard that, he felt a jolt of guilt go through him,' Was that why she was sad? But how could he have known, she didn't say anything to either him or Ron…at least he as far as he remembers. He heard William speaking in an amused voice again," I can't tell you all my secrets…at least until you put that book into good use"

"What book is it?" He heard Su Li asked shyly.

"'Occluding the Unoccluded'" Hermione had answered instantly with a bit of glee in her voice. "I read that Headmaster Dumbledore is a master occlumens, and that it helps with memory retention among other things…but there's something else I want to ask" Harry could hear the hesitance and nervousness in Hermione's voice again.

"Yes?" Harry heard William answered curiously.

"Are…I mean, can we still be friends? Even though you're a Slytherin and I'm a Gryffindor" Hermione asked nervously. Harry saw that Ron was moving away from him, red faced, to the other side of the bookcase.

"Ron, Stop!", Harry whispered, trying to grab Ron, but he had turned the corner of the case before he could.

"I have-"Harry heard William say before Ron's angry voice cut him off, "You bloody well can't! He's evil Hermione! I bet this was a plan by all the Slytherins so they can divide our house."

"Stop, Ron." Harry said again, coming around the corner.

"You followed me here! You both followed me!" Hermione said, her face looking between being mortified and angry.

"We were worried about you Hermione." Harry said trying to appeal to her.

"Hermione, you're Gryffindor! Gryffindor is your family! My dad says the muggle's have a saying that 'Blood is thicker than water' or something like that. Don't you see he's only pretending to want to be your friend; are going to choose him; somebody who is trying to separate you from us; somebody who is just like Malfoy and probably makes fun of you when they're alone…or are you going to choose family." Ron said shouting. The noise had attracted the attention of the librarian, and Harry could see her starting to make her way over to them.

"We need to leave, Madam Pince is coming." Harry said hoping that would diffuse the situation. He noticed William looking at the back of the still seated Hermione, who was struggling with either her angry or her choice as she stared straight at Ron with unshed tears in her eyes.

William sighed," It's best if you go with them Hermione. No need to make your stay at Hogwarts uncomfortable. Go with your friends." Hermione's head snapped around at him to look at him. Harry saw him give her a small smile.

Hermione got up sharply, took up her stuff and looked directly at Ron," I hate you Ronald Weasley" she said with so much venom, both Harry and Ron took a step back as she walked towards them, however, Harry realized she was just leaving, and got out of her way, watching as she practically ran out of the library.

"You stay away from her you filthy snake" Ron said to William before turning to leave and go after Hermione.

As Harry made to leave after them, he heard Su Li asked William a question, and his reply.

"Are you really alright with all that?"

"No. But he did have a point. Family sticks together…no matter what."

Spells were flying across an empty room, with the exception of the two occupants and the various bits and pieces of objects that were used as a weapon or will be in the future, they had been flying for the past twenty minutes when a voice made another incantation.

"Avis oppungo" William incanted under his breath; fifteen doves flew out of his wand and started at Su as a distraction, as he then incanted silently," Orbis pice oblino; Relashio; Stupefy." His first spell in his chain made the floor around and underneath Su turn into a circle of tar for about three feet, the other two were to forcefully disarm her and then stun her into unconsciousness. However Su Li had other plans.

She had been casting a 'blasting curse' from her cedar wand at the approaching birds, but then felt a restricted feeling at the bottom of her shoes. Seeing that William was casting some unknown spell at the spot she was at…she decide to leave her shoes and dived to side dodging a red beam, and over the black viscous liquid, then returned fire," Ignis lanceam."

A flame spear came racing towards William, and he reacted by casting silently," Fumus duo". As black smoke issued from his wand and began to coalesce into jet-like stream in front of him, he raised his wand vertically, causing the smoke to rise up with it; in a crude imitation of a column, he muttered aloud, " Fumus solidum"; the imitation began to give form as a solid black wall and the spear crashed into it, causing flames to rush pass him on either side. As he dispelled his construct, he noticed Su Li was no longer in front of him, or anywhere at all. That was until he felt a wand pressed against his back.

"You can't remain stationary when fighting. Even when dueling, you still have room to move on either side of the platform. If you had done that, you would have been able to simply avoid the spell instead of defending and not have lost sight of me." He heard Su as she kept the wand on him. "Yield" she said in a small, but strong voice, poking her wand to make her point clear.

William sighed," I yield."

It wasn't the first time he had said it. It was the end of October. Sashet had managed to come through with finding a secluded classroom on the sixth floor, in an unused passageway, a few days after the debacle that happened with Hermione. The tentative friendship had turned into a strong bond as they trained with each other late into the night till an hour or so after curfew or they would train before dawn every other day; and learned new spells from the library or taught each other what they knew, after they had agreed made an oath not to share what they learnt without permission of the other; to protect Su Li's dueling style, William had reasoned with her, but he knew she saw through it and agreed anyway, which did a lot in her earning his trust. With Su Li as a dueling partner and friend, it had opened new doors for him.

In terms of training, he had improved remarkably under Su Li's tutelage and had familiarized himself with his families dueling style in the practical sense. He could now use passive legilimens to batter his opponents shields, and if he breaks through; make them misinterpret information or know what they are going to do next, something that had benefited both of them, as Su Li's occlumency improved leaps and bounds in strength, and he became stronger and more versatile with his legilimency. He had also taken to using his ancestor, Belladonna's suggestion of using parseltongue to supplement his spells power and effectiveness; due to the imbued magic of the snake tongue. Though he could win by overwhelming Su with all this, including his wandless and water maniplulation magic, which he did use to get experience of using them in a real fight, he wanted to keep them as aces for the future and train in using his affinity for transfiguration as his day to day method of casting. Also it helped him see holes in his spell chains and his habit of staying in one place or moving in straight lines; a habit created from his fencing training, and something Su was beating out of him, happily even, if the small smile she'd give him when a 'stinging hex' land because he did not move.

Outside the ring, Su Li had been instrumental in his improved standing within Slytherin, though she didn't know it. Due to her, he had ingrained himself as a font of knowledge among the first years; he was particularly close to Padma Patil, one of the daughters of Patrick Patil who owned a large import company and Head of House Patil, an Ancient House in India; and Terry Boot, the heir to the Noble House of Boot. He also met Su Li's mentor, Penelope Clearwater, a muggleborn fifth year who was a part of Professor Flitwick's method of helping first year ravens settle in. She was brilliantly smart, with an affinity for Runes and Potions; he had not let an asset like her go to waste. After getting close to her by attending Su Li's meetings with her, he had told her about a book his mother had 'mistakenly' bought in Knockturn that spoke about Runes and offered it to her as a gift to her; after reading the cover, she had hugged him and promised to repay him somehow. He collected that promise two weeks later by having her tutor Marcus Flint, a fellow fifth year who was failing many courses; according to Sashet, and current captain of the quidditch team. The deal he made with Marcus for his tutelage was simple on his part; just deter students from his year and below from bothering him; passive protection in simple terms. Though he didn't need it, having a fifth year with the political pull that came with being captain in a house like Slytherin at his beck and call had changed him from being the loner mudblood to an isolated power; especially when others noticed Malfoy not bothering about him anymore, even with his growing influence. He had particular enjoyed making the budding, 'Slytherin Ice Queen'; break her mask due to the surprise of Marcus Flint having come up and sit with him when he was alone in the crowded common room and start discussing his next lesson with Penny, as she had forced him to call her.

"We should had back to the dorm's and get ready for the day," Su said softly, eyes shining with mirth at her win as she put her cedar wand away and walking to the door.

When she was gone, Sashet came out of his shadow and wrapped her ten foot, five inches wide body around him till her head rested lazily on his shoulder and he spoke to her, §did you manage to get through?§

§No pet. There is a light behind the door, and nothing in the room makes a shadow for me to get through§ Sashet replied. Sashet had been a key to his success. Not only had she spied on his opposition in Slytherin, like Ms. Greengrass, but she had found shortcuts and even told him about pranks that Weasley had managed to get his older brothers, the terror twins as they were called in his house, to pull on him and allowed him to avoid them unscathed. She had also taken to exploring the layout of the third floor. He didn't know what was hidden yet, but she had found out that the first rooms contained a large dog, some plants, annoying flying keys and black and white statues like the board game he had at home. From that he deduced from her telling him all that, was whatever was being protected had protection from probably each teacher. However, what he truly appreciated was her going out of her way to watch over Hermione for him, especially since she was beginning to use occlumency and had begun entering puberty; The stray thoughts that got pass her budding barrier about him were…faltering…but had convinced him to stay out…and maybe work on a plan to get her aware of her relations with him.

§It's alright.§ he said, using a finger to message underneath her bottom of her lower jaw. §What will you be doing today; I have no need for help at the moment.§

§Then I shall watch over my pet's sister today, after I have found my meal in the forest.§ Sashet said as she began slithering down his chest and sinking head first into his shadow, disappearing he knew not.

After sneaking his way down to the common room using the shortcuts Sashet found, and getting a shower, he waited in the common room while reading a book he had Penny borrowed from the library. He had continued his research into magical nuances and so far he could confirm that what Crow had said about names having power held true with Oaths. Depending on how a person phrased a sentence when making it, could give them a loophole out of it, affect them and their house for generations…or even tie the name to the oath itself. It was slim at best, but maybe he found a way to wrestle back some of his houses power back…it would only take the right circumstances and safeguards to ensure it works.

The rest of the day for William was uneventful; Charms class with the Ravenclaws was spent learning the 'levitation charm'. He found it mildly funny that many of the 'elites' were struggling with a spell he unintentionally rediscovered at the tender age of four and a couple months. History was spent basically on information gathering. It was mostly useless to him, but it was great practice in being subtle, and getting an overall understanding of his peers has helped greatly when it was time to choose his allies. As he sat in the library with Su during their free period after the last class of the day for Slytherins and Ravenclaws; the monotony was broken when Sashet broadcasted to him a feeling of sadness or of being upset, along with the image of Hermione in a bathroom crying heavily. William frowned at the limitation of the bond; while it had improved the pass few moments, all he could get from Sashet thus far were clearer feelings and snapshots of what she was seeing or from her mind. He saw Susan and Hannah walk in and called them over, before asking," Susan did something happen in your charms class today?"

"Wow, so it is true. News around Hogwarts does travel fast. It started with from what I saw, Hermione Granger correcting Ron Weasley's spell pronunciation for the levitation charm we were learning today. When lass finished, Ron said some mean things about her being a know-it-all and nobody wanting to be her friend unless they want something from her. Hermione heard him, and took off to a bathroom on the first floor, if what Parvati said is right." Susan replied. After thanking her, William sat seething inside. While he knew he couldn't always protect Hermione from things like this, he promised himself that he wouldn't let her go through the same things she did growing up.

He didn't notice, but Su Li had been watching him intently. She had learnt a lot about William over the few weeks by doing just that. While he shared with her some things; he hadn't explained where he got his knowledge, she knew he couldn't just be an average muggleborn just learning magic. The things he could do with and without a wand amazed her, and foretold of a very powerful wizard in the making. However, she was shrewd enough to see his motives from what he didn't share with her; his eyes always gave him up to her. She saw the calculating look he used when he manipulated everyone around him with some intent or purpose behind it, but always keeping them at arms distance so they couldn't do the same to him; it spoke of a long goal, but from how he acted, it was not for his benefit, at least not entirely. He had done the same with her at first, but his eyes were beginning to soften as they became close; it spoke of trust and a willingness let his guard down when they were alone. He had a way of gaining information; his eyes spaced out slightly every now and then, with that ever present feeling of awareness she picked up from him dropping when he did. And his eyes spoke of some connection with Hermione. First when they had met her, she had seen the look of recognition at her name and she watched as his eyes drank in her appearance like he would never see it again. As school progressed, she saw that his eyes held pride whenever she one up him in class and his eyes always seemed to find hers he was asked to explain a point, as if what he was saying was for only her benefit, and everyone else just happened to be there as he explained t to her. And on the day he told her to walk away from their potential friendship; she had seen the hidden pain behind those strong mental walls when she looked into his hazel eyes.

As she watched as his eyes held concern, if she reading him right, she spoke up softly to reassure him, "she just needs time to herself. When she's ready she'll come out." He looked at her, his eyes held surprise and she watched as it dimmed with him reinforcing his barrier.

"Yeah, I suppose you're right." William replied.

A short period of time passed as William and Su Li made their way through the castle and then into the Great Hall for the Halloween feast, in honor of the defeat of the deceased Dark Lord and heralding the era of peace. As William sat at his usual spot at the end of the Slytherin table, he looked across to where Hermione and her two friends usually sat. He saw Potter and Weasley sitting down together, but Hermione was still missing, probably still in the bathroom.

As the feast started; Sashet seemed to be getting more and more agitated over something she seemed to sensing, and with each feeling he received from her caused him to start becoming anxious; especially when his magic started to sending a pattern of vibrations from his wand, and the usually innate magic of Hogwarts was pressing done on him. When he couldn't take it anymore, he got up and began walking out the hall, relieving the pressure with every step. As he exited the hall and began following the direction that the pressure seemed to be letting up in, he saw out the corner of his eye as he climbed the staircase that led to the grand staircase, Professor Quirrell walking calmly from the direction of the dungeon, before becoming frantic as he approached the Great Hall and as William turned the corner, he heard him shouting, "Troll! Troll in the dungeon!"

William paused, then began to steadly walk in the direction that the pressure was leading him, was this why the school's magic was pressuring him? Was it because of the troll; But why him if it was warning him away from the dungeon and seem to be leading him down the first floor corridor. As he made another turn around a corner, he felt Sashet explode in agitation and some instinctual drive he couldn't interpret, as she sent him snapshots of a grey skinned behemoth from her perspective in Hermione's shadow! He understood then; Hogwarts had sense a student in danger, though he was appreciated it since it was Hermione in danger, why had he been alerted; shouldn't the headmaster be? Had Dumbledore been alerted?

As he came upon the open doorway of the girl's restroom, he smelt before he saw what it was that Sashet had seen. It was a huge troll, as tall as three of him if they stood on the other's shoulders and as wide as him if he lay horizontally; its skin was grey and lumped thickly in places, it wore some kind of loincloth around its waist and in its large right was a thick club as tall as him. In a second, William had taken in the destroyed stall and a crawling Hermione going underneath the others as the troll brought its club sweeping across them, partially burying her in wooden debris.

William snapped into action as he saw the troll was aiming its club to hit the barely visible Hermione, "Confringo" he silently casted, causing a orange bolt to zoom out of his wand and hit the troll's club making it explode outwards. As the troll stared dumbly at its empty and slightly burnt hand, William wandlessly swept the debris off Hermione, he shouted at her before casting again," Hermione! Get to the corner and try work your way here to the exit while I distract it; 'Lupifors oppungo'". The spell transfigured the various pieces of debris into five large wolves which then started to bite around the heels and legs of the troll in an attempt to bring it down.

As William saw Hermione reach the corner of the restroom near the sinks, she seemed to be paralyzed in fear as she finally had a good look of the troll. Seeing this, he started walking to block the trolls line of sight on her and continued to send spells at the troll, but noticed they were only leaving superficial injuries, while the wolves had taken small clunks out of the troll's skin; enraging it. Seeing that physical attacks worked better, he forced a large bit of his magic to wandlessly banish the troll, causing it to tumble down onto its back and allow the wolves to go for its neck and other now accessible areas to try pin and kill it.

"What are you doing here you slimy Slythe-, Bloody hell! It's the Troll" he heard a voice coming from the door. As he turned slightly to look, he saw Potter and Weasley at the entrance of the restroom." Don't you dare take another step inside!" he yelled at them.

"Where here for Hermione!" Potter shouted defiantly.

William thought furiously as he sent more wolves at the troll as it destroyed the original five and started to get back up; bleeding a fowl bluish-green blood in various areas it was bitten. Only physical attacks worked, so he would have to use transfiguration. His best transfiguration he could do at the moment were canines; he could transfigure spikes to slow it down and maybe a javelin, but he was going to kill it to ensure Hermione's safety, he would have to aim for the eyes; a tall order unless he got close, something he wasn't about to do. Coming up with a plan he called back," Weasley, come take Hermione out of here; Potter help me distract the troll."

While he hardly trusted the red head with his sister's care, he trusted his ability to run across a room and lead her out of it more than he trusted his capabilities with a wand. It surprised him greatly when he noticed Potter reaching for the ground and throwing porcelain at the troll's head, though it had landed, it did nothing to take its attention off of grapping one unfortunate wolf and ripping it in half causing it to revert back to the wooden pieces it originally was." Potter what you are doing isn't helping, cast spells!"

"I only know the levitation charm!" He shouted back.

As Weasley came up behind him and started to leading Hermione over to Potter, when they were halfway there he saw the troll catching sight of Hermione and began charging at her. 'Why was the bloody thing going after her?' he thought furiously as he began silently casting," Fumus Duo; Fumus Solidum; Flagellum Ignis" He launched a jet smoke horizontally across the troll's would be path to Hermione and transfiguring it to thin wall; blocking its view of Hermione as he sent a flaming whip at the troll and controlled its path till it wrapped around the troll's left forearm. As the flames burnt the troll it gave out a bellow and trashed its arm upwards; which would have sent William flying towards it if he had not stopped the spell in time. With the troll's attention fully on him, he noticed that Hermione was now at the entrance with Potter and Weasley. He started to transfigure more wolves to distract it and get out now that Hermione was safe.

"Harry! We have to help him!" he heard Hermione say.

"How Hermione!?" He heard Weasley snap as he conjured birds to attack the troll, and as they got close, transfigured him into daggers which barely dug into its thick skin.

"The back of its ankles are badly injured. Most of its skin is gone there; if we cast the 'gouging spell: Defodio' it should harm it" she replied.

"Alright. On three. One…Two…Three!" Potter shouted.

"Defodio" three voices shouted. William noticed that they had aimed at the troll's right leg; While Weasley's spell had only grazed it, Hermione's and Potter's were dead on, and the troll gave an anguished grunt and began collapsing to the right. With the three at the entrance view blocked, William launched another powerful wandless banishing spell at top left side of the troll, causing it to topple onto it's back.

As he approached the troll, he kept out of its arm distance as he transfigure a javelin out of the porcelain on the floor, and levitated above the right eye of the troll as it struggled against the wolves that were pinning it down. Just as a spell was leaving his lips, he saw five adults entering the restroom behind the slowly approaching Gryffindors.

"Deprimo". The spell caused the levitating javelin to suddenly launch downwards through the eye of the troll, causing it to be still forever.

"My boy…what have you done". He heard a sad, grandfatherly voice say to him.

A/N: There you have it. Wasn't really satisfied with how this chapter turned out, but let me know what you think about it and how I can improve.

- In terms of the spells used; I always thought the fights in canon were limited in terms of spells, so I'll be branching out with them, while using some of the favorites. But even mt imagination is limited, so please PM a few ideas for spells that could be in the grimoire or for overall use by other characters.