Last chapter of book one! I will warn you now if you don't know already that I will not post any new chapters next week! I need a break really though I doubt I'll actually take one. I have book two completed and edited and starting the week after next week I will begin posting two chapters a week. My reason being that book three is actually not as long as I thought it would be and that I'm very nearly done writing it (I hope) I will also warn you now though that Book two start's out with a rather disturbing scene- or two! If you have not bothered to read my warnings up until now I suggest that you read them now. As of right now I have entitled the next book Harry Potter Book two: Struggle I hope that you all enjoy it see you soon!

Mistress Slytherin

PS. This chapter is actually very short thus the reason I'm posting two chapters this week.

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 11

A Year Ends

Harry sighed despondently as he climbed onto the train.

Perhaps keeping to himself that Voldemort was returning wasn't the best idea after all.

The man was taking his time in returning that much was for sure. All through out the exams Harry had half expected the man to make an appearance somehow. In order to keep Draco out of trouble with the headmaster, he Malfoy and Snape had agreed to keep their personal journey down to the hidden chambers a secret. In retribution for having stolen Harry's cloak and sending them all on what was assumed to be a wild goose chase, Draco had spent the rest of his semester with Harry in the store rooms cleaning out disgusting smelly things that made him sick on numerous occasions. Along with that punishment came the clear warning that if he ever decided to do something so stupid again due to boredom he could be sure to find himself back in the potions stores with Harry- permanently. Honestly Harry thought that having Draco down with him was more work than anything, but if the threat kept Draco out of trouble he wasn't going to argue with it.

"Come on Harry Move!" Draco said sounding slightly crabby. Late nights in the potions stores most certainly did not agree with Draco's need for beauty sleep. Harry sighed slightly and climbed on the train with one last look up at Hogwarts. Luckily, even if he did have to return to the Dursley's Malfoy had told him that he would be sending people over so that he could visit Ash during the summer which hopefully would keep Petunia from doing anything...harmful towards him.

Harry climbed the last few steps and made his way to an empty compartment where Draco, Crabb and Goyle stepped into after him. Draco had been giving him pointed looks since the incident with the stone but then- so had every one else. Dumbledore obviously knew that he'd been down there and more than once he'd come up to find his trunk ransacked, though the headmaster never directly asked him. But then neither had Snape or Malfoy who obviously didn't believe his story but for some reason let him be, probably because they knew that the 'shadow' as he had been calling it would have killed Draco if he hadn't taken the potion instead. That was twice now he'd saved Draco's life, he supposed that he was entitled to a few secrets after saving Draco twice.

"Oh yeah." Goyle said a few minuets into the ride. "Professor Snape said to give these to you guys." he said reaching into his pocket and pulling out a few very wrinkled envelopes. Draco sneered at his for a moment before his face brightened considerably.

"Our exam results!" Draco said excitedly. "They're supposed to be owled to us within the first week of summer break, he must have gotten them early for us!" He said prying his open with enthusiasm. Crabb and Goyle winced and glanced at each other far less excited as they stuffed theirs in their pocket. Harry slid his open as well and took a deep breath before opening it. He grinned at it pride shining through. He had scored the highest points possible on all his exams. Along with his grades there was a letter.

Dear Mister Potter,

Firstly, well done. It is not very often that Hogwarts receives a student as gifted and driven as yourself and I do not say that lightly. It is with great pleasure that I tell you that due to your obvious efforts your grades have shown that you are capable of continuing your next year at Hogwarts at a third-year level rather than a second-year, in fact all of your professors have recommended that you do so. I have already sent your letters of recommendation to the school board who will review your grades and decide whether or not the advancement should be accepted. I must also caution you however to continue studying over your summer break lest you find yourself in over your head.

Professor Snape

Harry grinned widely. "What?" Draco demanded leaning over to read his letter. "Huh? Third-year level? But that means we won't be in the same classes next year!" Draco said petulantly.

"We'll still be in the same dorms Draco it's not like we'll never see each other." Harry said still reeling from the compliments Snape had given him. Compliments! Him! He continued to smile as he tucked the letter back into the envelope carefully. Snape was right, he never gave compliments lightly and if he thought that Harry could continue on as a third-year he would be more than willing to do just that.

"But still you're always studying when you're not in class I swear they should have placed you in Ravenclaw!" Draco continued crossing his arms. Harry rolled his eyes.

"So what are you doing over the summer Draco?" He asked. Immediately Draco's petulance melted away and excitement took it's place.

"Mother is taking me to France-" And that was about all Harry heard before tuning his friend out, he'd already heard all about Draco's fabulous plans, but like always centering the conversation on Draco distracted the blond from any further pouting. For the remainder of the trip Harry simply stared out the window towards Hogwarts- towards his world where people like him lived. He wanted so much to live with them, it was as if a part of him was missing that he should have had, all those things that normal wizarding children grew up around were still so new to him. Harry sighed and pressed his cheek against the window. The closer they got to Kings cross station, the heavier his heart felt and the further it seemed to sink inside of him.

He didn't want to go back.

All too soon though the train was letting out a shrill whistle announcing their arrival and Harry stepped off with the other children. He tried to ignore it, the people that surrounded him, the families racing to embrace each other, the parents smoothing down hair and patting wrinkles out of travel worn clothing. He'd seen it all before, watched in longing as others were petted and loved and adored while he was left behind. It still stung though.

"Mister Potter." Lucius Malfoy said drawing Harry from his daze. Harry tilted his head at the man as Draco rushed by him and embraced his parents causing even Lucius to lose a bit of his decorum for a moment and smirk down at his son. Harry's heart constricted in his chest and he looked away.

"Oh dear, and Harry how are you!" Narcissa said smiling widely. Harry couldn't help but smile slightly back even though there was a gaping distance between them.

"I'm well Lady Malfoy thank you." He said as always feeling slightly shy in her presence.

"Well you have a wonderful summer Harry and make sure to owl us if you need anything." She said pointedly. Harry nodded slowly. Even here he would always feel like an outsider wouldn't he?

"I will madam, have a pleasant summer." He said waving as they turned away.

"Bye Harry!" Draco said his face lit up with bright innocence. Harry nodded and watched them fade into the crowd his arm and smile falling like weights were attached to them.

Slowly he moved through the crowd and past the barrier that separated his world from the muggle world. He cringed the moment he stepped through. Shouting, rude, horrid people.

Rushing, bustling- these were the people that had tried to destroy magic. Magic was beautiful, he knew by experience, Merlin if only they could see! But, he knew by experience that Muggles only saw what they wanted to see. Harry sighed and stuck his hands in his pockets to block out the cold as he made his way to the clock where he was told to wait for his aunt. Upon seeing no one there he sat down on the bench and shrugged his shoulders to keep warm.

An hour came and went.

Two hours came...and went.

Three hours came, and went.

Four hours came and went.

By the five hour mark Harry knew for certain that no one was coming. He was chilled to the bone. Stiffly he stood and made his way to the curbside. It was getting dark but luckily he'd thought ahead and made sure to have muggle money on hand. As Harry Potter slipped into the seat of the dingy musty cab, there was only one thought he could think...

He was not a freak

He was special

He was better than them

The Dursleys were wrong about nearly everything

Right was the opposite of what they said

He deserved better than this!

-fin-