This is one of my longest written Chapters so far. I decided to mash two Chapters into one seen as there wasn't a whole lot of action.

Next Chapter: Harry goes to Hogsmeade to meet up with Voldemort. What will happen?

Reviewers who have posted already know this but if you'd like a reply just post a review. I still appreciate reviews from people who have posted before also.

Please enjoy!

A week had passed since Harry's conversation with Draco in the Common Room and so far Harry had had no response from Voldemort. This was a good thing and a bad thing. As much as waiting for Voldemort's reply left Harry with his guts twisting, it was also accompanied with a strange sense of excitement.

The last few days hadn't been as easy as Harry had hoped they would. As certain as Harry was about the Gryffindor's loyalty to him, the change in his robes made it impossible for the friends to spend time in the Gryffindor Common room. Even in class Harry noticed the difference in the way his friends acted around him. Whenever Harry would enter the common room or join the house table at dinner, conversation around him would quickly halt. If he was in a better mood Harry might even try to experiment with this but with the way things were going, Harry didn't want to upset the precious few friends he had left.

If the Slytherin students were off guard the first time Ron and Hermione set font in the Common room, they were down and out uncomfortable now. The room always seemed to clear quickly when Harry entered with the Gryffindor friends. At least until that afternoon.

The Common room was all but empty apart from one or two stragglers that refused to be driven from their own Common room by the friends. Harry, Conor, Ron and Hermione sat quietly playing chess at the table were he Draco had previously been playing exploding snap, halfway through their third game and Ron's third victory one if the Slytherin's approached him.

It was the seventh year Slytherin prefect, Padhar Monchore.

"Potter, so far we've been pretty tolerant with you. Professor Snape said you'd need time to adjust but it's been a week now and something has to be said. We don't appreciate you bringing Gryffindor's in here. This is the Slytherin Common room after all".

Harry glared at Padhar but Ron and Hermione stood up, shocking him.

"No don't have to go!" Harry stood up "I'm a Slytherin and I invited you in".

Hermione smiled. "It's getting late and we have homework to do anyway" she said giving him a quick peck on the cheek. "Walk us out".

Padhar nodded and as if satisfied and turned away. Harry knew it was only right. He knew how uncomfortable the Gryffindor's had been at his presence and that he had no right to inflict that upon his fellow house mates even if they were Slytherin's.

Once out in the dark corridor, Harry was pulled to the side by Hermione, leaving a smirking Conor to entertain Ron.

Harry kissed Hermione lightly, pecking her lips tenderly until she opened her mouth, deciding to deepen the kiss. The corridor was quiet and apart from the odd chuckle from Ron and Conor around the corner, the only sound they could hear was the quiet puffs of their breathing. After a moment he withdrew his lips and lifted his fuzzy head to stare into her eyes. He felt dazed. Hazel lights danced back up at him as her hands went around his waist and Harry enclosed her in a bear hug to his chest.

"See? It's not so different is it?" Harry asked stroking her wild brown hair down her back in soft fluid strokes. It seemed wonderful just to hold her as he was. There was something about having her laxed against him this way that made him feel like they were the only two awake in the whole of the school.

When it finally came time to say goodnight, Harry had to pry his arms from her.

He and Conor entered the Common room again and Harry's eyes met the prefects from across the room. Harry knew Padhar had been right and gave him a brief nod and a wry smile. The Slytherin's eyes widened slightly and he returned the gesture, minus the smile.

Once up in his rooms Harry flopped onto his bed and let out a soft groan. It wasn't until he heard a chuckle, that Harry peeled open his eyes long enough to find Conor had followed him up and was now standing at the foot of his bed, grinning.

"What?" Harry asked. Conor's grin softened to a smile and he sat down beside Harry on he bed.

"She really is perfect for you Harry. I wish I'd found someone that made me look as dozy as that".

Conor ducked the swipe Harry sent to him and laughed but at that moment Hedwig flew in through the open window and landed on Harry's extended arm. Harry took the letter from her leg and left Conor stroking her as examined the letter.

Immediately he recognized the hand writing and felt the all too familiar feeling of his guts twist and his heart rate elevate.

He opened the letter and began to read.

Dear Harry

Lucius informs me that you yourself asked to change houses. Does this mean you've changed your mind, that you are ready to take your place by my side already?

I am proud of you Kiddo. I'm looking forward to seeing you soon. Send me word of your next Hogsmeade trip and I'll try to arrange something.

I hope school is going well for you this year with the reports in the witch weekly. I've heard you've made friends with a Conor Riddle? You must admit the name is ironic.

I hope you are keeping your head down and that you write back soon.

Love Dad

Harry felt a surge of panic, shock and guilt all at once. Voldemort had written Love Dad, that was new and Harry liked the idea of it but it was only because of a lie. A lie he'd have to put straight sooner rather than later.

"Who's it from?" came Conor's curious voice.

Harry looked at his young brother and sighed. "Dad". He groaned inwardly as the young boys eyes light up at the name.

"Really? What's it say?" he reached for the letter but Harry folded it and put it away in his pocket drawing a frown from Conor. "Harry? What's wrong?".

Harry looked to Conor thoughtfully. "You are not going to the first Hogsmeade trip are you?". He asked. Conor nodded and Harry bit his lip. "When is it?".

"This Saturday" Conor replied. "Harry just what's going on? You've gone white as the sheets".

Harry slapped himself mentally and forced a weak smile into play. "I won't lie to you, he thinks me moving into Slytherin is a sign that I'm going over to his side. He wants to meet me there".

Conor stood up wide eyed "Dad's going to meet us in Hogsmeade?!". He shot excitedly.

Harry shook his head "You are not going".

Conor's gaze hardened "What? Why not?".

"Conor promise me you won't" Harry said sternly. "If you sees you, he'll read your mind. He'll know!" Harry shot plainly and watched Conors wide round more.

"He can read minds?" the boy whispered. Harry nodded and took is hand pulling him to sit down next him again. Conor gave no resistance and slid down next to Harry who shifted around so he could lay on his big-brother voice.

"Conor look, I'm not putting Dad down or anything but I know him and you don't. He put me through weeks of torture to try to turn me. I don't want to see the same thing happen to you, please". Harry watched all the color drain from his brothers face.

"Harry he won't do that..." He argued but harry cut him short, the innocence of Conor's voice irritating him.

"Conor you just don't know him like I do. Please, you are my brother and I don't want to see you hurt. I'm begging you". Harry said.

Conor's shoulders dropped at hearing that and his eyes dulled. Harry saw his lips tremor and felt another stab of guilt. If Conor really wanted to meet Voldemort did Harry have the right to stop him? Yes. He knew that answer already, but it wouldn't make it any easier to do.

"I just want to meet him" The notes in Conor's voice were splintered, like the words were costing him and Harry reached into his pocket and picked out the letter.

"I heard you've made friends with a Conor Riddle" Conor froze as Harry quoted the letter. "you must admit the name is ironic". Harry saw a hint of uncertainty enter the boys green eyes and latched onto it.

"Please Conor, don't go. If he finds you, he'll take you away with him".

"What's so bad about that?" and Harry finally felt himself get angry at his brothers innocence.

"Don't you get it? He'll make you kill people, he might torture you! And if he does take you with him, I'll have to go too and I don't want to go back to that". Harry pleaded. It didn't work.

"Why would you have to?"

Harry smiled wryly. "Because I wouldn't let you face that on your own. You really have no idea. You can meet him later down the line, when you are old enough and have enough magical training to protect yourself".

Conor sighed, a sigh of defeat. Harry could have left the conversation there but be damned if was going to leave any disillusions in the boys mind. Harry wanted the reality of the situation to sink in.

He called his brother who reluctantly met him gaze.

"Conor, I'm scared of him still. If anything that should tell you enough. I'm scared for you, and I'm scared for me. I'm afraid of going back that, no, no scratch that I'm terrified". Harry admitted ignoring the niggling pain to his Gryffindor pride.

Conor's eyes watered. "Is he really that bad harry?".

Harry sighed and nodded honestly. "He can be. He's not all bad but can be and he very well might be to you". Harry let the silence linger on.

A sound of sniffing reached his ears ad Conor wiped a robed hand across his eyes. Harry felt him him. It's not that he wanted to upset his brother but Conor needed to know the truth about Voldemort. He needed to know he wasn't walking into a happy family scenario. He reached out and took Conor in a hug. The youth stiffened, in what Harry guessed as anger but soon softened against him.

"I just wanted to me him Harry" the voice came out as a whimper.

Harry nodded down at his little brother. "I know you do, and you will when you are ready. I'll be there right beside you. Until then you have me to look after you". The black haired boy nodded against him and straightened himself up.

"B-But you won't be here after next year and I'll still have to go back to the Kingsleys for the summer".

Harry shook his head as he thought about that. "I'll be here for at least another year right? And when I leave I'll be of age won't I?" Conor looked up at Harry in confusion "I'll be old enough to get a place of my own, and you can stay with me over the summer months. No more Dursleys and no more Kingsleys but you have to wait until then, that's the condition".

A smile tugged at Conor's lips "Well can I at least go and stay with Ron and Hermione?".

Harry had the sudden urge to act like Dobby and take random objects up to bang his head off, but the logical him could see that while it was a risk, it was a minimal risk. He reminded himself that he was directed to guide his younger brother, not to rule him and if he tried Harry might end up damning their relationship in the future.

Harry nodded "That a fair compromise I think".

The light that had returned to Conor's eyes beamed at him even in the darkening room. "Thanks Harry". Harry laid a hand on the thick crop of black hair and smiled tiredly.

"You're welcome. Now if you don't mind I'm worn out from convincing you. I need to get some sleep and figure out how I'm going to fix this with dad".

Conor chuckled and stood up. "Good night Hars". Harry smiled at the nickname and watched Conor leave.

Once he'd left Harry groaned loudly falling back onto his covers "Teenagers!".

"I heard that!" Harry winced.

Not long after Conor left Harry began to write his reply to Voldemort. He he'd only gotten as far as 'Dear Dad' when Draco strolled into the room and walked to his bed. Harry frowned him, feeling his temper rise.

"So I can't trust you then?". Draco spun around and gasped. His eyes flashed three times around the room before they locked onto Harry sitting in the dark of his four poster bed. Draco sighed and then frowned realizing he was being asked a question.

"What?"

Harry glared. "I told you the conversation was private and not to tell anyone, now you've gone and landed me in it!" Harry spat.

Draco's only reply was a shrug and Harry's jaw twitched angrily.

"Well someone had to tell him" Draco explained. Harry shook his head and turn away from the young Malfoy before getting back to his letter. Hedwig had fallen asleep on his bedside cabinet.

Harry began scratching away with the quill rapidly.

Dear Dad

I'm sorry but I haven't changed. I am still the way I was the last time we met. I'm sorry if that disappoints you, I feel lousy for it, trust me.

If you still want to meet up in Hogsmeade the trip is tomorrow at lunch time. Whether you come yourself or send somebody for you, you can find me at the Hogshead at twelve. If you are not there I'll understand.

I am keeping my head down. I still have the same old friends. Conor is ok but he's a bit too much of a Slythern for my liking. Yes the name is funny isn't it? Apparently his father works with Bill Weasley in Egypt, isn't that great? (That should throw him off the trail)

I'm still going out with Hermione and I really like her too.

Sirius is here, teaching at the school as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. It's a really nice change from the usual nutter Dumbledore likes to employ.

Ok, I would say write back but seen as tomorrow is Saturday I don't see the point. I'll hope to see you there.

I'm glad you wrote, I missed you.

Harry

Harry read the letter five times until he happy with it, then tied it to Hedwigs leg.

"Be fast won't you?" Hedwig's yellow eyes stared into his and she cooed softly as if in understanding. In moments she was gone out the window and Harry settled down to get as much sleep as his nerves would allow.

It wasn't much.

Post a review, get a clue ;)