Chapter 2
The Slytherins had taken to constantly having someone in the common room. Each one watched to see if they could see how Harry was getting into the common room when he wasn't coming from any of the dorms. Even the seventh years were perplexed and some of the students had sent letters to their family to see if they knew of any secret passages/rooms in the Slytherin house. However, there was no hint anywhere on that front.
Pansy, Theo, Greg, and Vince were in the common room before breakfast started, making sure that they hadn't missed any rumors or gossip, ancient or recent, about hidden chambers associated with Slytherin.
"The only reference I've found is the Chamber of Secrets from second year. It was also mentioned fifty odd years ago. And there have been rumors about it since Slytherin split from the school."
"Yes, Pansy we are aware of this. We are looking for something besides that." Draco huffed annoyed.
"But the Chamber of Secrets ties into one of your questions," came the comment from the chair by the fire as the group started and turned to stare at Harry.
"When did you get here?" demanded Pansy.
"I've been here awhile. It's quite amusing that you refuse to just give in and ask what you want to know."
"How does the Chamber of Secrets figure into everything else?"
"That's for you to figure out. I'm off to breakfast."
Blaise looked at the group as Harry left. "Has anyone thought about what they are going to offer up for the information?"
"Not yet but I'm starting to consider it." Theo replied.
"Why are you considering it Theo, it's Potter." Draco scoffed.
"Exactly it's Potter, who can get into the common room without the password. Can come and go without seeing him. Who knows something about Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets. He has a secret where something happened to him that not even a phoenix could hear. He managed to rattle me and I've been raised around and groomed to be a perfect Slytherin. Is that the Potter you are thinking about or are you mistaking him for the Gryffindor he played? He is no Gryffindor. If anything he is more of a Slytherin than all of us. I know what I'm going to offer him for the information."
By this point other Slytherin's had gathered and one of the upper years commented, "Blaise is right. We need to start considering what the information is worth and whether or not we are going to keep trying to figure it out."
The students left for breakfast as they were walking Theo dropped back to walk with Blaise, "So what are you offering for the information?"
Blaise merely smirked and walked into the Great Hall, "that's for me to know."
Breakfast proceeded as normal and as a group the students headed for Defense. They were looking forward to the lesson because thus far the Professor had proven to be decent at the subject.
As the class settled into their seats the teacher stood up from his desk, "Okay class today we're going to deviate a bit from the syllabus and discuss demons. Normally this isn't covered at all in school. It's usually only mentioned in dark arts books and theoretical classes beyond the standard schooling. However, with everything that is happening in the world I'd rather cover this and know that you know what to do in case you ever come across a demon."
By this point all the students were whispering excitedly with each other. Of all the topics to be covered this was the most exciting.
The teacher threw an exasperated look at the students. "However, if you can't be quiet I'm sure I can come up with enough questions for a quiz if you wish." With a smirk at how quickly the students quieted, "now as I was about to say there are different types of demons, from benign to extremely dangerous. Who can name some different demons?"
"Succubus."
"Incubus."
"Yes those are the two most well known. Does anyone know of any others?"
"Kyubbi, king of the biju." Was Harry's addition.
The teacher started at Harry's answer. "Well, well, well. That was not a response I expected. Wherever, did you hear of the Kyubbi?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you sir. But lets just say I've heard of him."
"That is most interesting. What do you know of the biju?"
"Nothing I just heard the name. What is Kyubbi?"
"Well unlike the more well known demons, like the incubus, succubus, and even vampire, which only usually interact with people on a one to one basis and who's power, varies based on age. As a demon ages it becomes more powerful. That is why most wizards avoid dealing with demons. They are very unpredictable and often lack morals. Demons enjoy playing with and even killing people simply because for them it is fun."
"Now there is a class of demons who are animal based. Their primary form is an animal, if their age and power are great enough they can assume a human form. But for this class of demons their power in nature based. There is a caste system with the most powerful being the ones in charge. They are known as the biju."
"The biju consist of nine demons each one more powerful than the last, from Shukaku, the one tailed tanuki to Kyubbi, the nine tailed kitsune. The biju are actually believed to be legend because they haven't been seen in a very long time and the only records of them are in ancient Japanese scrolls which describe them."
"For your homework you are to select a class of demon and research it; strengths, weaknesses, and everything you can find about it. This can be done in groups no larger than three. The essay will be due in a week. Good luck."
With that the students began to break up into groups. Harry was sitting off to the side of the classroom reading a book. He figured that he'd do the essay by himself since the Slytherin's were still wary of him. So he was surprised when he saw Blaise standing in front of him.
"Since you already know something about Kyubbi we're going to do our essay over it."
"Him."
"Excuse me?"
"Kyubbi is not an it."
"And you know this how?"
A smirk was his answer.
"I also wanted to talk to you about the question you raised the other day. About the question you raised the other day. About what we'd be willing to give you for answers. Well I know what I'll give you." By this point the rest of the Slytherin's were trying to listen in.
Harry looked around, "not here and not now. I'll come and get you when I've got time." With that Harry turned and left as the teacher had dismissed them.
Since he had a free period before lunch he went to find Dobby, he had a question. Eventually he found Dobby in the kitchen.
"Harry Potter sir has come to see Dobby! Harry Potter sir is greatest wizard!" The elf exclaimed as he practically vibrated in place from joy.
"Dobby I have a question for you. Do you know anywhere here where I can study undisturbed where no one can find me?"
Dobby's ears drooped, "Dobby is not knowing. Dobby is bad elf. Dobby failed Harry Potter sir." He moaned as he began viciously twisting his ears.
"Dobby stop…" however, he never got to finish as another elf spoke up.
"Tweak is knowing a room. The come and go room. Would do even more that master wizard asks. Tweak show?"
Harry looked at the small elf. It was more like a wizened old man than elf. Obviously Tweak had been at Hogwarts awhile. "That would be wonderful Tweak. Thank you."
Tweak blushed, making his skin mottle, at the thanks.
"Dobby is right master wizard is great wizard. Now whens we gets to the room master wizard walks back forth until door appears. Yous understand?"
"Yes, Tweak."
So Harry and Tweak arrived in front of a blank stretch of wall. Remembering what Tweak had said, he paced back and forth thinking of a room where he could do his research and try to find out more about the dreams he kept having. After his third pass a door appeared on the wall. Harry opened it, to a room that surpassed his expectations, with bookshelves overflowing with books, a table to work out, comfortable chairs, and a couch to rest on. There was even a small potions set up in one corner.
Tweak had followed Harry into the room.
"The castle likes sir. Castle will let master wizard leave castle without leaving room. If needing come back call come and go room Hogwarts."
"Tweak what about the books?"
"Books is real. When pulled off shelf book becomes real. Not real outside room."
"Thank you Tweak this is so much more than I was looking for."
"Room helps master wizard beat bad wizard. Elveses know, elveses help when time." With that Tweak snapped his gnarled fingers and popped back to the kitchen.
Harry was surprised at the elf's parting comment.
