Disclaimer: I own nothing other than the plot. The original concepts belong to JKR and Warner Brothers. Any concepts brought from other fictions are either coincidental or will be used in their own way, and no plagiarism is meant.

Adapting

Sunday

Ron and I had been kicked from the hospital wing by the matron when Snape walked in with the cauldron of restorative drought. I was anxious to see our friend back. Hagrid had returned before dinner, making a great number of people happy, and now the others would be returned.

It was a nerve wracking few minutes, where Ron told me twice to calm down. Since the chamber incident, I noticed my emotions being out of whack. I wasn't quick to anger, but I seemed to easily get happy, and sometimes stressed out, but less in an unmotivated, overwhelming way, and now more like I couldn't do anything but I wanted to and was trying to. Luckily the door opened, and Snape looked at me, though shockingly not with a look of hate or loathing that it typically was. "They are all awake and alright. You may go in and visit, but be mindful that they may be sore. Also detention Potter. Wednesday after classes. You were being impatient and rude."

With that, he walked away, leaving me irked, and yet I couldn't bother to waste time thinking about it as I ran into the room and to Hermione, pulling the poor girl into a hug, and earning an incredibly surprised yell of my name.

"Harry! What are you doing?" She asked, hugging me back.

"Thanking my best friend for saving my life and being the brightest witch ever!" I replied, letting her go. Ron just nodded and greeted her, something she didn't mind much.

"What happened Harry, is the school closing?" She asked, and when Madam Pomfrey huffed out a no, she glared at me. "Don't tell me you went and tried to kill the beast." I had the decency to look ashamed of myself.

"Harry Potter! How foolish could you be to go do something so reckless? Scratch that. Why did you?" I was shocked at the scolding, but then again, I deserved it. "Well it hurt you, then it was going after Ron's sister, and Ron and I decided to take matters into our own hands…" Her glare wasn't relenting, it was honestly unnerving.

We sat, and explained the whole story, from when she had been petrified to the chamber incident, though again, I left out the abuse, still not wanting it known.

"So you had dark magic in your scar, that being bitten somehow got rid of it? Now you can see clearly and you seem to have a clearer mind?" She asked.

I shrugged. "The headmaster has ideas of what it might have been, but refuses to tell me yet. He also doesn't know what effects it had on me and how I will change with it being gone. Though he did say my magic seems more powerful. That's why I will be seeing a healer next weekend." I replied indifferently.

"Why can't Madam Pomfrey take care of it?" She wondered aloud, said matron hearing her.

"Because I am not a specialized healer, and only capable of so much. The treatment needs is much more complicated than I can handle, or have knowledge of." After that, we fell into normal chatter, others having come in to visit their friends.

Soon enough, everyone was kicked out by the Matron, citing that they needed rest. All of them were sore and stiff, and weren't allowed to return to class until Wednesday, but there wasn't any irreversible harm, other than lost time. We headed back to the tower, and relaxed, mostly spending time reviewing.

Wednesday

Classes had been interesting, there was a lot of talk about the last week. Ginny had gone home for the week, or so Ron had said. She was unwell and needed time to rest and the adults were all in agreement that it would best be done at home. It had become public knowledge that she had been under the influence of a dark artifact, and the newspapers had been speculating where it had come from.

Of course, I was featured in several articles. It seemed the headmaster had included my involvement but kept the press from the school, or sending me all of the mail. He sent a message saying my mail was being sorted by house elves, and that anything important would be forwarded to me. Along with being at his office at nine in the morning on Saturday. Only certain parts were in the story, but otherwise it held the truth. I was nominated for the Order of Merlin, but it wasn't stated if I would get it or not, not that I cared.

The house elf had also told me they had rendered down the basilisk and it was being stored in preservation containers in the chamber, that they could bring to me when I was ready. They also said it was sorted depending on the ingredients, per what Ric had said. I would have to thank the old hat when I saw him. He was saving me a lot of time and money, or I would think it would cost a lot anyway.

I knocked on the Potions room door, and waited a moment before a voice rang out.

"Enter."

I walked in to see Snape sitting at his desk in the front of the class. Something seemed off with him though. It took a moment to realize he wasn't wearing his traditional black robes, but dark green, same as Slytherin house, only slightly darker than my eyes.

"Sit, Potter, we need to talk." He commanded, though lacking his normal venom.

Now traditionally, this would scare the daylights out of me, instead I was just on edge though. This was completely out of the norm for a detention, and set off alarm bells, as he was being out of character. I felt an itch in my head, and pushed it away, not noticing the shock on his face as I sat.

"Are you aware you just used occumulency?" He asked. What?

"I'm sorry sir, I'm not exactly sure what that is?"

"Occumulancy is the act of protecting your mind, organizing your thoughts to block intruders, who utilize legilimency, from accessing your thoughts and memories. I sometimes scan feelings one is giving off if I believe it will be helpful in tense situations. You repulsed the attempt with ease. It is possible you're naturally doing this, though how you developed the skill, I am not sure. Do take care to not mention it to anyone I do such a thing, as it is technically illegal to do so. Worry not, I do not do it with ill intentions, nor do I abuse the ability.." He said. Huh. He can teach. I said nothing as he sat back down, looking at me with something akin to uncertainty.

"Firstly, I wished to meet with you, this is not really a detention so relax, as I have a lot that needs to be said. You will sit and listen, and try not to interrupt too much. Are you aware that when an abused child is found, the staff is informed, especially if they could have emotional triggers?" I looked away, trying not to give away my discomfort at being here, before getting angry.

"What, did you call me down here to mock me for it like you do for everything else?" I spoke quietly.

He shook his head, seeming unnerved by the look I was giving him, "Of course not, Potter, I was abused as a child too. And you aren't the only child in the castle that has been. I wished to speak to something I discovered from that." I stared at him, mixed with shock that he would tell me, and questioning still why I was here, waiting for him to continue.

"First, while it pains me to apologize to a Potter, I am sorry for my treatment of you the past two years. I believed you were identical to your father. Not bothering to care about class, fooling around and flaunting your status to get past the rules and respect you should have shown. Had I known you were raised by the vile woman you have to be related to, I would have instead insisted on new living arrangements, something the headmaster is working on as we speak." He said neutrally, trying to gauge my reaction.

I didn't even know where to go with this. A dozen questions came into my mind as his words repeated themselves.

"You knew my aunt? What do you mean about my father? And you are apologizing? For what? The insults? The poor treatment? Or constantly putting down the work I was putting into this class?" I threw the words out, not even thinking about the consequences. His eyes narrowed at me as I spoke, and I didnt even care if I got a detention

"Do not forget manners, it is unacceptable, even if it is understandable. To answer your questions in reverse order, everything rude or demeaning I have done. Though I don't doubt that you could have done better if you had wanted, I had believed you had known more, and weren't as ignorant as you were raised to be. For that I am sorry." He watched my reaction as I calmed down.

"As for your father, he and I did not get along. He and I were constantly targeting each other, which started over on our first train here, because of a girl your father thought was cute. Said girl had been my best friend for nearly two years at the time, and he didn't like that a snake was so close to a Gryffindor, though it didn't help that myself and my housemates returned the effort. He too had a similar attitude, except he was a prankster, much more cocky and outgoing, and able to back up what he said. You are more quiet and withdrawn, but still capable if you so chose to be. Look at the basilisk for instance."

"He and his group of friends made me a target, and I in turn. The war didn't help any and in later years the light hexing turned into full on duels in the hallways. Even some more serious things happened."

"So my father was like the Weasley twins?" I asked. No one had discussed my parents much, except for Hagrid, who once said that my father and his friends could've given the twins a turn for their money. He never elaborated much though.

"Yes. I still don't like your father, and for the past two years I had taken out my pain on you as well. For that I am sorry. The sins of the father are not the sins of the son. As for knowing your aunt, she was the sister to the girl your father and I fought over." He went silent at this, turning to look at the shelves as I thought about it.

"You were friends with my mother?" I asked.

He reached into the desk, and after a moment and a few muttered words, pulled out a photo, of a slightly shorter haired boy, and a girl with bright red hair and green eyes. Him and my mother. The date on the photo was 1971.

"This is the summer before we got on the train to Hogwarts, when we were both eleven. Your mother and I had met at a park two years prior, when I saw her perform magic in front of her sister. After convincing her she was doing magic, we became close. She shielded me from my father many times by keeping me at her house. Her sister, only a year older, was spiteful and jealous when she found out she didn't have magic, after she failed to get a letter."

He stopped speaking for a moment, taking a deep breath before continuing, "We were close, even after I was sorted into Slytherin, and her into Gryffindor. She helped me get back at your father and his friends many times until pir fifth year. My house had been putting a lot of pressure on me, and in a moment of anger and embarrassment I said something to her that I never should have. Our friendship had ended, and though I never managed to make amends, I still protected her. There is more to what happened, but I am not ready to discuss it." He stopped again, turning away. I thought I had seen a tear, but chose to avoid mentioning it.

"As it was. I knew Petunia, a spiteful woman if I ever met one, especially with the fat lard, Herman or something, who was just like her. Had I known where you had been sent, I would've stopped the headmaster from ever allowing you in her care. She became worse in her ways after your mother came of age, after her sixth year, if I heard right. Turning nasty and calling her a freak. I am sure your mother will have a lot of words for her once she joins the land of the dead." He finished quietly.

If only he knew. I think my mother fully intends on ripping Petunia to pieces. Something I would never stop. I might not seek vengeance, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't enjoy watching her reap what she sows.

"I wished to apologize, that is all. Though I cannot be polite to you in normal situations, only when it is ever just us, I can promise to not be how I have been in class though, I intend to be better. If you would ever like stories, come see me." He smirked a little at seeing my aghast expression. "What? Never imagined I could be nice? I am trying to be a better person."

"Alright sir, I will keep that in mind." I replied, hoping to not lose points in his presence for the first time.

"Very well. You are dismissed. Maybe next time you will finish cleaning all of the dirty cauldrons." He spoke with a raised eyebrow. I smirked, getting his meaning.

"Maybe. Probably not. I cannot just do what I am told. I am a Potter after all." I spoke with faux arrogance. He shook his head before waving me away, and I left feeling better than I thought I would, finally getting to know something about my mother, and having the opportunity to learn more.

Ron and Hermione asked what I did in detention, and I gave them the cover he came up with, still not comfortable with explaining that. I knew I had two days to explain it, as leaving the grounds would raise a lot of questions. Not everyone needed to know. But Ron and Hermione, and maybe Neville.

Thursday

"Mr. Potter, please stay behind." Professor Flitwick called out. I watched as the class emptied, and Hermione sent me a questioning glance. I just nodded at her, and she left, following Ron down to lunch. Once the class was emptied, the professor flicked his wand, and the door snapped closed, and a few more waves, which seemingly did nothing, though I am sure it was for something. Wards maybe?

"Thank you Mr. Potter, for staying behind. Are you doing ok?" He asked, walking back to his desk, and sitting on his chair, which sat him higher up.

"Truthfully, it is the first time someone other than Hermione has asked all week, but she has more or less pestered me about it, knowing something is going on. To answer your question, not really. I am still overwhelmed." I replied, looking down. Despite feeling more confident, showing emotions was not my strong suit, and was something newer to me. Positive emotions had been easier to show, but showing the side I always hid away, not so much.

"Is there anything I can do which would help?" He asked, I simply shook my head though, it was just something that was going to take time. He seemed to understand though.

"I am always here for you. I must say, this week in class, you have done far better than you have before. I truly am starting to see your mothers brilliance show, seeing as I knew it was always there. Your grades were far too consistent with 's for me to not notice." I just nodded, wondering why he held me back.

"The headmaster has made me aware that you might be interested in dueling?" That caught my attention. It was something he suggested, and it did seem like something I would enjoy, quidditch except on the ground with wands instead of bludgers. I looked at him inquisitively, waiting to hear what he said.

"Well I can tell you are interested. I am sure you remember, but I am an eleven time world dueling champion, seven being solo wins, two in duos, and two in threes. The headmaster asked if you would be willing to start learning dueling. He believes you are powerful enough to start learning the spells, and are at the perfect age for the physical application." He knew he had my attention.

"Albus wishes to get your wand checked, to make sure it is still a match for you, before starting training on the spells and combat, which I understand is Saturday. And we do have exams coming up. If you would like to start learning to duel, we could do two lessons a week, with me giving you spells and texts to learn. Before you agree though, you should know this. Dodging training uses low powered stinging hexes, and as you get more experienced, more powerful hexes and then full on dueling. I must warn you though, I am a slave driver and will expect your best effort put into this. None of your slacking off, or putting in partial effort. I will have a workout schedule for you to follow, and I understand Madam Pomfrey has given you a diet with potions to take, so that would be a requirement, though your diet may need to be adjusted for the extra physical work."

He fell silent, giving me time to think about it. He was probably the most capable in the school to teach me, and on top of that, it gave me an incentive and excuse to work out and get into better physical shape. While I know my cardio is good from running from my cousin and the stairs in the school, my physical strength is lacking, and I could do with a more guided learning. Dueling itself sounded far more appeasing, though I did have a question.

"Does this also include learning how to fight with a sword?" I asked. He furrowed his brow, seemingly confused.

"No Mr. Potter, only with wands. Why do you ask about swords?"

"Well according to the sorting hat, and my single attempt at what it said, I am the owner of the Sword of Gryffindor, which is laced with Basilisk venom. It would be useful to learn how to wield it, as apparently it can not only be used as a sword, but also used as a focus for elemental magic. Or so the hat said. I didn't know any spells that were elemental except for Incindio, and at the time, it didn't seem like a great idea to test it." I replied.

The shock was evident on his face, so to prove it, I held my hand out, as I thought of the blade appearing in my hand. As it did, I wondered if I could do it in ways to make it look cool, or imposing and threatening. He held his hand out, and I carefully handed it to him, ensuring I didn't accidentally cut him. He looked it over three times before holding it out for me to take.

"Mr. Potter, I would be honored to teach you how to wield such a blade, though that would have to wait until later, and you could never use the blade as a weapon in a duel where you do not want the person to die." I of course knew that, and readily agreed to start learning from the part goblin.

He walked away for a moment, before reappearing with several books. "I would like you to read these then. The first is A beginners guide to dueling by Alexander Wilson, an Australian duelist, listing the rules for both U-18 leagues, and the adult leagues. It also lists the most basic spells and shields, along with suggestions for postures. The second is a book made with several champion duelists, called A Masters Guide to Dueling, and has mostly different suggestions, spells, and spell chains, which are useful in a fight. I would like these back, but you can use them until you are done with them. The third and fourth are both of my own personal collection, but I have two copies of, and you may keep. These I do not expect you to read yet, but contain spells to learn once you have mastered the basics. They are advanced spells, most not taught within these halls in classes." He stopped, letting me digest the information and glance at the four books he placed before me. Once I was done, I eyed the fifth book that was normal looking, no title on the cover on it.

"The fifth also belongs to you. Though this one does not have to do with dueling, and is something I found for you recently. It is something that belongs to your mother, who was my apprentice before her passing." He held it out, and I took it carefully. "This was her charms journal, and when I asked her about it, contained all of her notes from her second year on until her passing, and also has some of her own personal research and discoveries. I never looked through it, you need not worry about that. It is only right though that it be returned to you." He said.

I wasn't listening though, and had already opened it, looking at the hand writing, showing it was hers, and to not read it. I was beyond excited about this, as it was the first thing that I had that belonged to her.

"I believe that I may have other belongings of hers still here, though it would take me some time to find them. It is more likely you will find something at Gringotts of hers though, either in your family vault, or her own personal vault if there is still one." He said, and I nodded.

Neville had explained in private the sacred twenty eight and about what it meant to be an heir. Seven families had permanent hereditary seats, namely the Blacks, Bones, Greengrasses, Longbottoms, Potters, Peverells, and Selwyns. All of these had the status of Most Ancient and Most Noble and had seven votes. The Peverells merged with the Potters, though there was still a seat, giving the Potters a total of fourteen votes. The Blacks and Selwyns had no one in their seats, as they were either in Azkaban or dead. The others were still alive, if even barely. These families had all been around during the Wizard council in the time of Merlin, roughly fourteen hundred years ago. Following that, was the Ancient and Most noble, which each had three votes, and there being seven families. These seats did not change until there was no found heir after thirty years of being empty. Two of the seven had been gone since the last war, and it was unknown if an heir would be found. Then there were fourteen Ancient or Noble families, and these families each had one vote.

There were, of course, more seats now than when the council, and now Wizengamot, was formed, including twenty eight elected seats, each with a single vote, and the ministry department heads, who also had a single vote. The Chief Warlock also held three votes in the modern setting. There were rules and requirements with all of this, and until I had my family heir ring, I was still just a normal kid. As for the family vaults, each of the seven Most Ancient and Most Noble had family vaults in Gringotts, along with special services with the goblins and discounts on other services. It also turned out that I was more or less likely, stupid rich, with a few million gallons in my vault, and businesses bringing in even more.

I thanked the professor, before he sent me off, and told me to meet him Sunday at lunch in his office, and that we would eat and discuss my trip to Gringotts, along with starting my training. For now he just wanted me to take care of myself, and rest. So I headed down to lunch, having already missed a chunk of it. Luckily, it was a free period after so I was in no rush.

Friday

Class had gone well, thankfully. Transfiguration had been coming much easier since the chamber incident, though it seemed to confuse Hermione that I was doing so well, though she was also happy for me. She was still irked that she was allowed notes during the exams, due to being petrified, but she also understood after missing over a month of classes only weeks before school ended.

Potions was another confusing class, though for a completely different reason. Yesterday, there had been rumors that Snape had been in an odd mood, not favoring his own house, and not allowing them to sabotage others cauldrons. On top of that, there had been rumors his own house members had been given detention. Naturally, people were skeptical, especially for the second year Gryffindor class who included me. It wasn't until I entered the class, which had oddly moved from the Dungeons to the first floor, that I understood.

Professor Snape was actually teaching the class, correcting and preventing mistakes, being polite to students in all houses, and actually being a decent human being. Though we still lost points, it wasn't excessive and entirely unfair, even if it was still severely over strict, though nothing was better than Malfoy getting detention with his two bodyguards. Again, completely confusing. Neville was in such shock he didn't completely ruin a potion, and even though it wasn't passing better than an acceptable, it was at least submittable. So needless to say, Gryffindor house was praying to any who would hear, that this would be permanent. I wondered if it had to do with Snape and I talking, but wasn't about to ask.

It was that evening that mattered far more than the day. I dragged Hermione, Neville, and Ron off to a classroom so we could talk. I wasn't sure I was quite ready, but I knew it needed to be done.

"What's going on mate? You have never done this before." Ron asked.

"It is about the chamber incident, and what came of it afterwards. Hermione knows I haven't said anything, and Neville knows I didn't know about my heritage, but it is time to come clean with everything. Please let me speak everything, before asking any questions, and know that I might not choose to answer the questions. All I ask is you respect that, and swear not to tell anyone of this without my permission. I was confused when Neville pulled his wand out until he spoke.

"I, Neville Francis Longbottom, swear to keep Harry Potter's secrets that are revealed today, and not tell another person without his permission, or until he releases me from my oath, so mote it be." He spoke, a small light emanating from the end of his wand. Ron looked on in shock, and Hermione was confused. Once Neville explained what it was, did they both take one, though Ron was hesitant to.

"That wasn't quite what I meant Neville, I trusted you without the oaths, though it greatly relieves me to know you hold it that well." I spoke. Oaths would keep them from being forced to reveal certain information, or from being able to see the memories, without destroying their mind in the attempts. It was something he explained to me when he talked to me about vaults and my family.

"The reason I asked you all to talk was because something was revealed during the meeting after saving Ginny, that I was being… abused… by my relatives." Hermione had immediately understood, as she had asked questions about them before that I had told her I hadn't wanted to discuss. To her, everything made a lot more sense, and before I could react, she had leapt up and hugged me, far softer than normal.

Ron was confused until I started explaining it. Neville just went stone faced, trying to not show his emotions too much. I started explaining everything. From when I was four and was forced to learn to clean, five and six, learning to do lawn work and cooking. Getting beat for the slightest mistake, or the beating lasting longer if I cried. How the food I was served was the bare minimum, even if I cooked. Why I had such poor clothing, or that I never received medical care for any injuries I had gotten, that it was my magic that had healed my injuries. The constant degrading comment about being a worthless freak, about how no one would be friends with me because I was a burden. How until Hogwarts, I had never had friends, and until the end of our first year, I had never been hugged by someone that mattered to me.

At the end of it, my cheeks were wet, Hermione was still upset and hadn't let go of my arm, and Ron was trying to fake being relaxed, but he looked like he wanted to hit all of my family with the bars he ripped off my window, while letting the twins have free reign to prank them. Neville however, was beyond angry. He looked like he wanted to go face the Dursleys himself, and possibly even beat them all with his bare hands, not even using magic. He was also the first to speak

"Tell me you are never going back to those vermin ever again!" He asked, half yelling.

"Of course he isn't? Right, Harry?" Hermione asked. I nodded in agreement. "Dumbledore is going to have me stay at the castle over the summer, and take over guardianship until things have been sorted out, as my parent's will has yet to be read. I was asked if I wanted to stay at the burrow, but, no offense Ron, your house is a bit overwhelming for me."

Neville took several calming breaths, while Ron nodded in understanding. "It's ok mate, even for me, they are a bit much at times. Just know that you can always come and visit." He offered, and I knew that, as loved having me over to try to feed me as much as possible, not that I would ever turn away her famous cooking.

"Same with me Harry. Your mother was my godmother, and mine was yours, so I will always have room for you, even if Gran doesn't like it." He spoke, far more confident than he normally was. Hermione also said she would enjoy seeing me in the summer as well, and after only a few questions on less severe parts of it, we left, returning to the common room.

Overall, they took it far better than I had hoped, and were more supportive than I had imagined. They stayed close to me until it was time for bed, not being overly smothering, but also providing the assurance that they weren't abandoning me because of my bad childhood. Truthfully, I knew they would always be there, but it didn't stop the degrading comments my uncle had always made, telling me that I would never amount to anything, and that no one would want to be friends with a freak like me.

I went to bed that night, and for the first time, felt more relaxed than I had in a long time. It was an odd feeling, but one I would love to have for the rest of my life.

A/n: So several things to discuss, firstly being Snape. I am letting him sort of have a free pass for now, but there will still be consequences in the end. The other point being Neville. In the books, while he was always a background character, I believe he had more potential, capable of taking Ron's place as best friend. He was always more loyal, and always stood up for what was right. Both will be featured more through here than canon. Lastly is the school itself, and the environment changing, something to pay attention to in the future. Also, for some reason the uploads do not like Mr.- so I tried to edit them back in, though I may miss a few. No idea why, but is only those forms.