WOOOOOOOOOOT! I have successfully completed book 2! I have already sent it to my beta and it has been returned to me! Better yet I have already completed chapters 1 & 2 of Book 3! So you can expect a smooth transition from book 1 to book 2 though please don't forget that I still plan on allowing a week's grace period between the two (unless I get a ton of reviews- yeah I just bribed you all). Also, I'm still trying to decide whether to simply give you the last two chapters next week or to space them out since the last chapter is pretty short...Let me know what you think!

On a side note, I have not actually decided on a specific pairing as of yet, I keep feeling that Harry is too fractured to end up with one person- that is all I am saying for now because I'm still not certain where his romantic life will lead (I'm on book 3 you guys, he's thirteen! I don't plan on adding anything serious until he's at least seventeen-I think...)

As for the dragon...well what can I say I felt like Harry needed a friend, besides Ash will probably play an important part in books to come- not that I'm giving anything away...But I promise that I don't intend on going all Dragon lord on you!

Lets see...I think I've addressed everything, enjoy!

Hope you enjoy!

Mistress Slytherin

There will eventually be homosexual situations:

consider this your warning,

If homosexual situations are not your cup of tea

Than I suggest you turn back now.

I don't want to hear people's biased opinions because honestly, I don't give a crap

Now, for some additional warnings:

ABUSE

VIOLENCE

BAD LANGUAGE

HOMOSEXUAL MALE/MALE RELATIONSHIPS IN FURTHER BOOKS

Mistress Slytherin

Chapter 9

Draco's Insatiable Curiosity

Harry's return to Hogwarts was really rather unremarkable, a simple floo to Snape's quarters where he was then drilled extensively on the books he was meant to be memorizing. If Harry weren't so sure that Snape was simply a very cruel task master he would probably assume that the man might have actually missed having him around. His satisfied smirk when Harry completed the rather long list (two large tomes worth) told him that the man was making sure that he hadn't slacked off during his stint in the forest.

Malfoy's raised eyebrows however, made it worth the hour and a half long recitation and the glint in his eyes made receiving the third of the large tomes a bit less bitter. The man was certain to take interest in him now, with the glowing report his tutor would have given him he was sure to get what he wanted. Knowledge, power, prestige these were things that Malfoy had at his finger tips and Harry would be a fool not to reach out and grasp what he could of the power the man offered. Harry offered his thanks to the man once more before returning to the Slytherin dorms.

"Harry!" Draco hollered from where he'd been slumped in one of the common room chairs. Crabb and Goyle's visible wince told him volumes about how unmanageable the blond had been in his absence. Draco was suddenly in front of him eyes glittering strangely. Harry narrowed his gaze.

"What is it?" he sighed knowing that the boy was up to something and it was probably better for him to know just what he was getting involved in. Draco grinned and dragged him over to the couch where papers and books were strewn about.

"Dumbledore's hidden something in the castle." Draco said his eyes wide. "We overheard the half-giant talking about it to Filch and Crabb managed to find out that the Weasel is trying to get it." He said pressing several pages worth of notes into his hands. Harry frowned and began reading them. They were surprisingly...detailed ...intelligent...He sighed slightly. It wasn't the first time Draco had caught him off guard like this. The boy was wicked smart when he wanted to be, with parents like Lucius and Narcissa he would have to be, but his spoiled attitude and childish nature threw even Harry off at times making him wonder if it was intentional. He frowned as his eyes scanned the notes.

"So let me get this straight." He said a slight thrill of fear slipping through him. "The headmaster has hidden the philosopher's stone here in Hogwarts after removing it from his vault in Gringotts?" He said vaguely remembering the man stopping at his own vault when they were at Gringotts. Now that he thought about it...someone had attempted to rob it that same night! He frowned as bits and pieces began to fall into place. The troll- a diversion? A guardian? The Mirror of Erised... the figure in the forest...

"The Mirror will be moved to a new home tomorrow, Harry, and I ask you not to go looking for it again. If you ever do run across it, you will now be prepared."

His eyes dropped back down to the parchments widening as he realized that Dumbledore was giving him a clue, a hint- the man wanted Harry to find it. But why? What was the philosophers' stone?

"The ancient study of alchemy is concerned with making the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary substance with astonishing powers. The Stone will transform any metal into pure gold. It also produces the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker immortal. The only stone known to be made successfully was made by one Nicholas Flamel-" Harry frowned deeply.

"Flamel was once Dumbledore's teacher, they've worked together for years." Draco pointed out before laughing slightly. "Weasel wont get it though, I will." He said grinning. Harry frowned.

"Draco I think there might be more to this than what you think, this could be dangerous."

He warned but Draco would have none of it.

"That's why I'm borrowing this!" He said holding up Harry's invisibility cloak. Harry felt a thrill of anger rush through him but before he could do anything Draco was slipping the cloak on and exiting the common room. Harry Snarled his magic lashing out in his anger as he rushed towards the portrait only to be faced with an empty and silent corridor. How dare he! How dare he!

"Potter?" Malfoy's voice cut through him and he turned slowly his eyes glowing with magical rage as they lighted on Snape and Malfoy.

"Your son." He hissed. "Just took my invisibility cloak an heirloom from my father." He bit out. "I have half a mind to let him walk right into his death!" He snapped his magic sizzling out around him. He took a deep steadying breath and opened the portrait door.

"Crabb Goyle show Snape and Malfoy the notes!" He growled before turning around.

"Potter?" Snape called out.

"Not now Snape, I have to go save your idiot godson!" He sneered before breaking into a full run. He had an idea where Draco would be, actually he had an idea where everything would be and he didn't like that he was walking right into it. But he'd promised to keep Draco safe and if only for the small kindnesses Lucius and Narcissa had shown him he would do this. His feet ached as he ran through corridors and up several flights of stairs.

Curfew wasn't for another half an hour but it was already dark outside and the moment

Harry stepped into he third floor corridor he knew he'd stepped into the right place. The torches were out on this floor, only lit where Draco must have passed by moments previously allowing him to see the thick layer of dust and cobwebs that covered everything. Panting he approached a large wooden door where he could hear music playing softly. Quietly he pressed the door open just in time to watch Draco push aside a large paw. Harry's eyes widened at the sight of the three headed monstrosity that lay sleeping lulled by the soft music being played by a harp in the corner. A creak drew his gaze back to Draco who was grinning at him as he slipped past the trap door.

"Draco you idiot." He hissed to himself. The music suddenly stopped and Harry had no choice but to rush forward and dive into the hole as the dogs began to awaken. For a moment he was flying in complete darkness half expecting to crash into the floor and break his neck but a moment later he landed with a thump on something far less damaging though he could tell that he'd bruised in several places.

"Um hi Harry?" Draco said from off to the side. Harry narrowed his eyes and gasped as something curled around his leg.

"What the-" He started only to be cut off as Draco let out a yelp.

"Er...I think it's a plant." Draco said lighting the tip of his wand. Sure enough they were surrounded by large thick vines that were beginning to wrap around them. Harry felt himself twitch slightly.

"Your father is going to kill you if I don't." he managed before pressing his lips together.

"Do you have any idea what plant this is?" He asked trying unsuccessfully to pull the vine off his leg.

"Wait my father is here?" Draco said his face falling. Harry smirked.

"Yup, ran into him before chasing after you." He said casting a severing charm at the vine only to have it regrow.

"He's going to kill me." Draco said sounding very afraid. Harry snorted.

"I doubt it." He said before casting a few more charms at the vines but to no avail. Finally with a frustrated hiss he cast a reducto at the center of the blasted thing making it explode violently. The vines wrapped around them loosened suddenly making them fall. Harry was nearly satisfied to note that Draco screamed like a girl. Harry winced as he sat up and glanced around the darkened room for Draco who was already standing up his silver eyes glinting at the sight of the tunnel-like passageway.

"Through here." Draco hissed beckoning him forward. Harry grunted as he stood certain that he would be black and blue by the next day.

"Draco lets just wait for your father and Snape?" He pleaded but Draco was already slipping down the passage way and Harry realized that he had no choice but to follow him. "Draco-" he started when he finally caught up to the blond but Draco held up a hand.

"Hear that?" He whispered. Sure enough a small clinking sound could be heard growing louder as they made their way down the shadowed passageway.

"Sounds like chains." Harry said with a frown. Really he didn't want to go any further, every step felt like he was walking closer and closer to a trap. Who's trap exactly was beyond him.

"Look a door!" Draco said before rushing forwards. Harry frowned at the torchlit doorway and noted that the clinking sounds seemed to be coming from behind it. Images of the troll catching that girl off guard had him rushing to keep up with Draco who was already pressing the door open. "Birds?" Draco said stepping into the room. Harry frowned and looked up at what appeared to be hundreds of glittering flapping birds zooming about. He frowned as one caught the light.

"Look again Draco, those aren't birds, their keys." Harry said looking around his eyes catching on the opposite door.

"Keys?" Draco said tilting his head to the side. "huh." Harry frowned and moved towards the broomsticks.

"I think we're supposed to catch one." he said glancing back at the door. Draco gaped at him.

"Catch one? There are hundreds of them Potter!" He hissed. Harry rolled his eyes and pointed at the lock.

"It's a big one, old fashioned and probably silver you see? It probably looks similar to the design on the door handle." He said pointing at the silver arches. Draco nodded.

"Alright." he said grabbing a broom. Harry let out a shout as the keys suddenly zoomed about faster some of them straight out attacking them. He gasped as his arm ripped open and blood poured out. Hissing he grabbed a broom and jumped on noting that Draco was too busy batting away at the keys to actually be looking for one. Harry ignored the pain though and focused on looking for what he needed to find. "There!" Draco hissed pointing up and to the right. "The one with the blue wings- one of them is damaged!" He bit out before batting at the keys. Harry's eyes darted around the room until he found the small damaged key and flew towards it grabbing it quickly.

"Hurry! Get to the door! He called out as the keys attacked in earnest. Draco shouted something out but Harry didn't hear it, instead he was flying towards the door stumbling to put the key into the key hole and unlock the door. Draco stumbled into him pushing them through and landing them in a heap of untidy limbs.

"Merlin that was wicked!" Draco said grinning. Harry growled and shoved the boy off him only to gape at the sight ahead of them. A giant chessboard surrounded by broken pieces sat between them and the next door.

"I don't suppose you know how to play?" Harry said glancing at Draco who looked at him as if he were the oddest thing he'd ever seen.

"You mean you don't?" he said in shock. Harry rolled his eyes and Draco shook his head.

"Mudbloods don't do much do they?" He asked putting his hands on his hips. "Remind me to teach you once we're out of here, every heir knows how to play chess." He said with a wave of his hand before taking his place on the board. "Right then, you stand there." Harry not knowing quite what was going on let Draco direct him and then the other pieces. It was quite brutal really, to watch the pieces destroy each other, and Harry was hardly sure much of the time just who was winning. Eventually though Draco howled in glee. "Check mate!" He hollered before climbing down from his spot and grabbing him.

"You mean we can't go back now? Oh silly me!" Harry said crossly as he was dragged through doorways. Harry was hit with an all too familiar smell and had to duck to the side to vomit as he caught sight of a very bloody very dead troll.

"Come on! Weasley's already gotten through!" Draco hissed pinching his nose. Harry twitched visibly before following; he highly doubted that Ron Weasley of all people had defeated a full grown mountain troll. Harry gasped when the doorway behind them was suddenly covered in flames- purple flames which meant that they were enchanted. Snape had shown him something like these once and Harry was nearly unsurprised to see countless vials, bottles goblets and glasses arrayed on several tables. Draco lifted a scroll and read aloud.

(a/n I took the riddle directly from the book as well as a few lines so don't hate me this is my disclaimer!)

"Danger lies before you, while safety lies behind,

Two of us will help you, which ever you would find,

One among us seven will let you move ahead,

Another will transport the drinker back instead,

Two among our number hold only nettle wine,

Three of us are killers, waiting bidden in line.

Choose, unless you wish to stay here forevermore,

To help you in your choice, we give you these clues four:

First, however slyly the poison tries to hide

You will always find some on nettle wine's left side;

Second, different are those who stand at either end,

But if you would move onward, neither is your friend;

Third, as you see clearly, all are different size,

Neither dwarf nor giant holds death in their insides;

Fourth, the second left and the second on the right

Are twins once you taste them, though different at first sight."

Draco looked at it blankly for a moment before turning hopelessly towards Harry who sighed.

"You really want to do this don't you?" he muttered only to wince as he was faced with

Draco's wide pleading eyes. Harry sighed and shrugged. "Alright if you're sure." he said giving up. Draco would do what he wanted whether Harry helped or not, and it was probably best for him to help Draco rather than have him screw this up and drink a poison accidentally. Harry scanned the lines again. Thoughtfully he began walking in front of the rows and rows of bottles. His mind whirring as he went. He'd already figured out the riddle in truth, but...He glanced back at Draco. He knew for sure that whatever was on the other side of that door, it most certainly wasn't Ron Weasley. A memory of the shadowed figure came to mind and he shuddered.

"What? What is it?" Draco demanded petulantly. Harry swallowed thickly making up his mind. Slowly he pointed at the smallest bottle.

"I think that this is the bottle that will get us through the door." he said pressing his lips together. Draco moved forward and frowned.

"But that's tiny there's hardly a mouthful in it!" he said. Harry nodded his head.

"I have a theory...you see, I could be wrong and that could be a poison." He said dreading the lie as it passed his lips. Draco paled. "But if it is the potion we need than it should refill its self once one of us is through that door." Lie, he highly doubted that the potion would refill it's self, he knew that particular vial after having to clean so many of them.

He moved his hand towards another vial. "That one will get us back I'm sure of it what

I'm thinking is, what if I took the potion, if it is a poison you could get us back before I die, if not then you can drink the potion when it refills it's self." He said dropping his hand. Draco frowned and glanced back down at the parchment his eyes confused as he tried to puzzle it out.

"But...you could die." Draco said frowning deeply. Harry winced. He sure could if he was right about what was on the other side of that door.

"Yeah but if I let you take it and it is a poison your dad will kill me." he said dryly. Draco winced but slowly nodded. Harry grasped the vial in his hand and knocked it back with a single gulp. He hissed as his blood seemed to literally run cold and paused before opening the door. "Draco." he said quietly. Draco gazed at him in fear. "Tell your father that I think it's the shadow." he said before stepping through the door.