Snake started hissing and the large mouth opened.

The basilisk started to slither out, Dumbledore heard loud hissing and quickly waved with his wand towards roosters. They crowed instantly and the hissing changed and started to sound like desperate screaming. It lasted a few seconds and then the hissing stopped. He heard a loud thump on the floor. Dumbledore waited for a minute and than opened his eyes and came from behind the pillar and stopped with his mouth opened.

He stood there gaping at the King of serpents. The snake was at least 50 feet long! He realized that he had severely underestimated young Harry. That a twelve-year-old had slain such a creature was unimaginable. He always thought that Harry was exaggerating and that the snake wasn't that huge. How could he survived this? And Harry was pretty calm in his office then. How could somebody be calm after this?!

Dumbledore suddenly understood that he wasn't. He only suppressed his feelings. Because of that during the summer he exploded at Marge Dursley. It wasn't just accidental magic, he realized.

He shook his head and pulled a Sorting hat from his pocket. He didn't know if the hat will give him the sword, but it was worth a try. Before he could say anything to the hat, large shining sword with rubies appeared. Apparently the hat decided that he is in need. He took the sword and came to basilisk's large opened moutgh. Two drops of venom fell on the sword, which slightly glowed and absorbed the venom. Dumbledore took also two fangs, just in case the sword mysteriously disappeared or he would need it to negotiations with goblins, should he not find a solution for Hufflepuff cup.

He called Fawkes once again and left. He will render the corpse over the summer holidays. As he entered his office, he saw the vanishing cabinet in the corner. Apparently the house-elfs found it and took it here. Now he just have to buy part two from Borgin and Burkes.

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Golden boy or the Boy-who-lived for some finished his laugh-inducing potion. He was fairly satisfied with his work, because his potion has exactly the colour and smell which was described in his book. He started to fill his bottle for grading when his potion vanished. What the?!..

"Fifty points from Gryffindor for cheating Potter!" Said Snape with satisfied smirk.

Harry was enraged. "I didn't cheat!" he said calmly but inside he was raging. What is wrong with that man?

Snape sneered at him. "Oh yes, you didn't cheat Potter. You are arrogant as your father you little, insolent br..." he stopped at the voice behind him.

"Severus, that's enough!" It was Dumbledore. "Class dismissed." He announced to the delight of students, who quickly packed their things and left the cold dungeon.

But Snape didn't gave up. "Headmaster, Potter clearly cheated. It isn't possible that after all his disasters last year he suddenly make a perfect potion!"

Dumbledore shook his head. This man was really blinded by hate. "I was here all the time Severus and Mr. Potter did exactly according to instructions." He paused and looked at Snape with disappointment. "You gave me no option but to place you under probation. Every point and detention will be revisited and if you will continue with this behavior, I will have no other option but to fire you. I am really disappointed with you Severus." And he left.

As Harry entered the Great hall, he noticed that no points were missing from Gryffindor. It was odd, but he definitely didn't complain.

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Unused classroom, third floor

Harry and Hermione were with Professor Flitwick in the large chamber, where the Mirror of Erised was last year. It was their first special lesson. Filius Flitwick was cheerful as usual. Miss Granger was the best student in second year and her last year exam results were the best in about 10 years. As for Mr. Potter, his theory work wasn't good, but his spell work was usually at good level. All in all, he was happy for this opportunity to teach somebody his personal style.

"So, children, this is your first lesson." He started with squeaky voice. "Professor Dumbledore surely told you, that best students were traditionally given a special tutoring, however, our lessons will be slightly different than standard tutoring. As you may know, I was once a dueling champion and Professor Dumbledore asked me to train you in this discipline." Flitwick drew his wand.

Harry and Hermione were excited. Both started thinking about the dueling tournament at the end of year. "We have about an hour, so let's start. Mr. Potter, you will go first." Said Flitwick and Harry looked at him confused.

"What should I do, sir?" He asked.

"Dodge!" shouted Flitwick in his squeaky voice and started to fire hexes at him with insane speed. Harry was surprised and first five hexes hit him. Fortunately for him, Flitwick was casting only mild stinging hexes. Harry was fast, he was a seeker after all, but more than half of Flitwick's hexes hit him. After ten minutes Professor stopped firing and Harry sat down on the floor, panting heavily. This was worse than Wood's Quidditch practices!

"I won the European championship five times in a row, Mr. Potter, and most duels I won because the opponent couldn't hit me once." Flitwick was looking at him with a smile "I was not as strong magically as were most of my opponents, but I balanced it with speed and agility. When you fight with magically stronger opponent, your shield is often useless, because it can be easily overpowered with a few stronger spells."

He gestured towards Hermione. "Your turn Miss Granger." She gulped. This wasn't what she expected. "Don't be disappointed Miss Granger. If this will be the only thing I ever teach you, one of you will still win that tournament." He said her with understanding smile. She nodded and he started casting again.

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DADA classroom

Harry and Ron were forced to play another scene from Lockhart's book, Wandering with Werewolves. They finally finished the howling scene and sat down.

Hermione lifted her hand in the air. "Yes, Miss Granger?" Asked Lockhart with his typical smile. "Professor, on the page 293 you said that you were hunting the werewolf for three days and he was constantly in his wolf form. Is that right?" She asked interested.

"Why yes, Miss Granger, I wrote it personally." He answered with confidence. Hermione smiled with somewhat cruel smile. "But professor, everybody knows that werewolves are in their wolf form only at the full moon." She said.

Lockhart's smile faded a little. "I am sure it is only publisher's mistake Miss Granger." He didn't look nearly as confident as moment before and was trying to change a topic.

"And professor?" She asked again with sweet voice. "On the page 294 you wrote that you forced him back into human form, but mentioned spell is used to reveal animagus form. So he was an animagus?"

Lockhart flashed again his fake smile. "A perfect deduction Miss Granger, 20 points to Gryffindor!" He said hoping that she will be satisfied.

"But Professor," She asked faking confusion, "I asked Profesor McGonagall, who is transfiguration mistress and she said that animagus can't be a magical animal." Hermione was really satisfied with herself.

"Ehm, um.. well, you know...right.." Lockhart was stuttering while the others were snickering aloud. "And Professor, on the page 393..." And she continued like that until the class ended.

Dumbledore stood in the corner and was laughing like mad. He had to cast a silencing charm on himself. Miss Granger apparently took it personally. Poor Gilderoy...

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"That was brilliant Hermione!" Shouted Harry in the same time as Ron shouted "Bloody hell Hermione!" She was blushing furiously. "Let's go to Hagrid" she said quickly changing the topic.

They came to the Hagrid's hut and knocked. The door opened, and Hagrid invited them inside. There on the chair beside the window was sitting Remus Lupin. "Ehm, Hagrid, we can come later." Harry said and started to leave.

"Nonsense Arry! Remus here is no stranger," He said. "He was one of the people who sent me photos for your album Harry. Come, sit down. Wan' a tea?"

"Ehm, okay." Said Harry uncertainly. He turned to Lupin. "So you knew my parents?" He asked hesitantly.

Sadness flashed through Lupin's face as he answered. "I was in the same year." He said finally. "That's understatement!" Said Hagrid and put a cup of tea in front of Harry. "They were best friends!"

Hermione stood up. "I forgot I have to finish my essay from transfiguration." She said suddenly. She elbowed Ron, who understood. "Yeah, nasty biznis. See you at the dinner Harry." And they left.

Harry was talking with Remus and Hagrid about his parents for a long time. Finally he learned something more than "You look like James but have Lily's eyes." Apparently they started dating at their 7th year. And he was a Head boy a she a Head girl. And that for six years his father was an idiot. And that he continued cursing Snape in 7th year in secret, because his mother hated it.

Suddenly Remus looked at his watch a stood abruptly. "Blimey, it's already after curfew. Let's go Harry, I will walk you to the tower so you won't have problems. Good night Hagrid."

They were walking in silence, when Harry asked a question, which was bothering him. "Uhm, Mr. Lupin." He started hesitantly, but he wanted to know.

"What is it Harry?"

He took a deep breath. "If you were such good friends with my dad, why didn't you come to see me? At least for a visit. Or something?" He asked and fought back his tears.

Lupin stopped and looked really sad. He was quiet for a while. "I was abroad Harry." He said finally. "New laws practically forced me. With my condition, I had a problem to find work." He suddenly looked afraid of something.

Harry could see that he accidentally slipped something he hadn't wanted to tell. "What condition?" Harry asked the obvious question. He just wanted to know. Eleven years at Dursley while somewhere was his dad's best friend.

"I am not sure if a should tell you Harry. It's serious." Lupin was hesitant. He fell in his own trap.

Harry felt a chance so he continued. "You didn't care for years, so why now?" He knew it was cruel but he wanted to know. "You better have a good reason." He continued angrily.

Lupin smiled sadly. "Now you sounded just like your mother when she caught James doing prank." He laughed softly but still hadn't answered, so Harry took another way. "Did my father know? About your condition? And did he care?"

Lupin looked at him and nodded. "Yes Harry, you father knew. And didn't care..." He took a deep breath and said: "I am a werewolf." He blurted finally.

To his suprise Harry laughed. Remus looked at him curiously. "What?" Asked Harry. What did you think? That I will run or something? I am sure Professor Dumbledore know about it and still hire you. Although he hired a man with Voldemort sticking out on the back of his head too." He said and Lupin paled, but Harry only laughed again.

Remus looked relieved. "The wards at Dursleys won't let through a dark creature Harry." Harry nodded. He was satisfied. He just wanted someone to care about him. Then he realized something what Hermione said in the Lockhart's lesson.

"You know that Lockhart claims that he hunted a werewolf in his wolf form for three days in a row? His books are really popular. I can see why people are afraid." Lupin looked thoughtfully and slightly angry. They stopped in front of Fat lady.

"Good night Harry...and thank you." Harry nodded with a smile and entered the common room.

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Room of Requirement, 7th floor

Harry and Hermione knocked on the door and came in. They found themselves in something that looked like partially destroyed classroom, but the walls weren't damaged. On the floor were shattered pieces of wood, rocks, metal, in short - chaos. "Welcome to your first special transfiguration lesson." Came a stern voice from behind them. They turned around quickly and she continued. "Professor Flitwick told you that these lessons are focused mainly on fighting." Professor McGonagall looked nothing like during their ordinary lesson. They shuddered.

"I will show you another fighting style. While Profesor Flitwick relies on his speed and agility I have entirely opposite style. Drew your wands please." She walked away from them, so there was around thirty feet gap between them. "Now I want you to cast stinging hexes at me. When I tell you to stop, you will stop, understand?" They nodded and she motioned them to start.

Harry and Hermione were just as confused as they were with Flitwick, but shrugged and started firing stinging hexes. The hexes flew straight at McGonagall, when suddenly two rocks came and the hexes hit them and were reflected away from her. Another hexes were intercepted by small birds which came seemingly from nowhere. Hexes, which weren't intercepted by either rocks or birds were stopped by pieces of wood which Professor McGonagall was lifting from the ground and banishing straight at them. After 15 minutes she told them to stop and they looked at her gaping. They didn't hit her once.

McGonagall gave them a rare smile. Truth to be told, she was enjoying it. Miss Granger was her favourite student and Mr. Potter was like a grandson for her. She liked Lily and James very much and their death was a huge blow for her. She was glad she could spend more time with their son. When he was a baby, she sometimes babysit him. Frankly, she didn't really enjoyed her transfiguration lessons. It was just too boring. She snapped quickly from her thoughts.

"As you could see, there are more ways to shield yourself from hexes and curses than basic protego shield. Rocks, birds, pieces of wood, metal, anything can do the work. Even that little conjured bird can intercept anything short of the unforgivable curses." She paused for a while. "First charm I will try to teach you is a summoning charm. Incantation is accio. You have to visualize what object you want to summon." She shown them right wand movement and continued.

"It is easier, but slower, when you say the name of object you want to summon. For example," She flicked her wand and said: "Accio stone." Small stone flew to her hand. They nodded. Twenty minutes they were trying to summon single objects with no success, when Hermione finally summoned a piece of wood. McGonagall beamed at her. "Excellent Miss Granger! I would give you points if this was regular lesson." She then looked at Harry. "Mr. Potter, don't worry. We will continue next time." Harry was visibly dissapointed with himself.

"Don't worry about it Mr. Potter. This spell is taught at the end of forth year, so it is no shame for you." He nodded but his mood didn't improve. McGonagal smiled at this new Harry, who actually wanted to learn something other than Quidditch tricks. "We have last few minutes. Next spell is easy. Incantation is avis. It will conjure flock of birds." They both were successful with this charm and little birds were flying around them. "Excellent!" She told them. Next lesson you will learn a spell to make them attack, or at least fly towards your opponent. "Continue practicing the summoning charm." They nodded and left.

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Great hall, dueling club

Draco Malfoy called Harry to a duel, and while Harry didn't really want to fight him, he also didn't want to look weak, so he accepted. They were glaring at each other. Professor Dumbledore wasn't there this time, at least not visible and Lupin was on the other side. Malfoy started firing and Harry was only avoiding his weak attempts. He wanted first to know his strategy. Suddenly Malfoy casted serpensortia. Six feet long snake erupted from his wand, flew through the air and fell right in front of Harry. Malfoy looked smug for a while, until the snake suddenly vanished and angry Professor Dumbledore appeared seemingly from nowhere.

"Serpensortia is originally spell translated from parseltonque, but problem with this spell is that if you are not one, you don't really command the snake, and he can turn against you." He lectured them. "Because of that this spell is dangerous and considered nearly dark. And I don't remember Mr. Lupin teaching it, Mr. Malfoy." He said in a stern tone. "That will be twenty points from Slytherin. Next time you will be banned from dueling club." He finished and motioned them to continue.

This time Harry didn't hold himself back and quickly started casting disarming and stunning charms. Malfoy at first conjured a shield, but it quickly dissipated under the pressure of Harry's spells so he was forced to dodge. Harry quickly casted another two stunning spells which Malfoy dodged, but was hit by quick silencio. Harry smirked and stopped firing for a moment. Malfoy was livid. He tried to cast something, but no sound came nor spell. Harry hit him with expelliarmus. Malfoy flew backwards, his wand safely in Harry's hand. All students with an exception of Slytherins applauded. Though some of them smirked for a second before they put back their usual indifferent face. Finally Malfoy got what he deserved.

Harry gave Malfoy's wand to Remus who winked at him. Harry grinned. Ron was throwing around his typical speech like "Blimey!" "Crikey!" and "Bloody hell!", while Hermione was smiling proudly at him.

Professor Dumbledore looked at Harry with satisfaction. "Old Harry" would not wait for Malfoy to get annoyed. He was clearly more balanced this time. Dumbledore realized that it weren't only Dursleys and horcrux responsible for his unstable power, but also his stress at school. Each year there was something that stressed him. First year the stone, second year there was that "Slytherin's heir" thing, third year dementors, forth year Triwizard, fifth year everybody though he was an attention seeking lunatic...He realized it was a wonder he didn't go dark or that his mind withstanded the pressure.

"Mr. Longbottom!" He called. He noticed that despite right wand movement and pronunciation, Neville could't get the spell work. Something was wrong.

"Y-yes, s-sir?" Neville stuttered frightened that Headmaster wanted to talk to him.

"Do not worry Mr. Longbottom, you did nothing wrong. Is that your wand?" He gestured at his wand.

"Uhm, yes sir, it belonged to my father.." Said Neville hesitantly. Dumbledore was raging inside.

"And were you at Ollivander's to check if it is suitable for you?" He asked calmly.

"N-no, sir." Neville was still frightened because Dumbledore was now frowning.

Dumbledore nodded. "I see. You need to know Neville, that if the wand isn't suitable for you, it won't work properly. I must apologize to you on behalf of the school. At least one teacher should have noticed your problem. Would you mind to come with me? We can take it straight to the Diagon Alley."

Neville looked terrified that Dumbledore was apologizing to him. There weren't many things he wasn't terrified after all. So he nodded and hoped he will be alright. During the trip to his office, Dumbledore was asking questions about his childhood and what Neville told him, enraged him even more. They took the floo to the Leaky Cauldron and then to the Ollivander's. After ten minutes, Neville was a proud owner of a new wand. Cherry and unicorn hair core, thirteen inches. Dumbledore was curious if his marks will improve. He will keep close eye on young Neville. And definitely will speak to Augusta and Algernon.

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Harry and Hermione continued with their lessons with Professor McGonagall and Flitwick. Flitwick taught them banishing charm (depulso), fire-making spell (indendio), minor severing charm (although its power depends on intent) and reductor curse. At Flitwick lessons they were now constantly dueling against each other while Flitwick often interrupted them and pointed out their wrong movement or other errors.

Lessons with McGonagall were harder. They mastered avis oppugno, which conjures flock of birds and sent them to attack the opponent, and she also taught them to combine summoning and banishing charm in battle. She sometimes dueled with them, and they occasionally hit her with some spell, but of course they didn't stand a chance. Minerva McGonagall wasn't some amateur. She was the best transfiguration mistress in the whole world and only Professor Dumbledore was better.

They were of course frustrated a little, but McGonagall and Flitwick both assured them that they could easily win against fifth-year students. That helped a little.

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Christmas day

Harry woke up because of Ron shouting. Last few weeks were pretty boring. Dueling club was too easy for him and Hermione and their lessons with McGonagall and Flitwick were paused three weeks now. They will continue after winter holidays. He didn't really know what to expect. He would not be sad if he didn't get anything at all. Last few months were the best of his life.

He bought Ron a book about Quidditch strategies and new keeper's gloves and Hermione a book about defensive charms and book that describes wizarding equivalents of muggle health service. He thought that Hermione would find it enlightening. He starter unwraping his presents. Ron gave him box of chocolate frogs and Hermione book abut transfiguration and a book called "Muggleborn guide," which he was later really grateful for.

His introduction to wizarding world came from Hagrid, and while Hagrid is a good bloke, he forgot to say him many useful and important 'details'. He also got a book from Dumbledore called "Protect your mind," which described something called occlumency with a note that he should learn the basics.

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Albus Dumbledore was sitting in his office and humming some christmas melody. On the table was Tom Riddle's diary, his christmas present. He lifted the Sword of Gryffindor and cut it in half. The diary gave a short high shriek. "Merry Christmas, Tom." Dumbledore said satisfied. One down, one to go. He walked on the 7th floor and stopped in front of the wall, where the Room of Requirement was. 'I need a place to hide horcrux' he thought while pacing back and forth three times. The door appeared and he entered.

There was a room larger than the Great hall and there were mountains of furniture, trunks, piles of junk, old jewels, books, weapons, old brooms. Finding a single thing as small as Ravenclaw's Diadem would be pretty hard. Dumbledore sighed, but then an idea occured to him. "Dobby!" He called.

Dobby appeared with his usual pop. "What can Dobby do for master Whiskers?" He asked with his ears flapping. Dumbledore chuckled at the hyperactive elf.

"I need to find a silver diadem with zafirs and a raven on top of it." He said."It feels the same as the diary Dobby." He added.

"Yes master Whiskers!" Squeaked Dobby and vanished. He appeared again after twenty minutes and was levitating the diadem.

"Thank you Dobby." Dumbledore pulled one of basilisk's fangs and stabbed the diadem. Horrible shriek again and the horcrux was destroyed. Dumbledore left the Room of Requirement and walked to the Great hall. There were only a few students staying during the Christmas.

Dumbledore came to the Harry, who was sitting there with Ron, Fred and George. Their parents were visiting their eldest son Bill in Egypt. Of course, they didn't know that over the summer they will go there again. "Harry, my boy. Could I speak to you for a moment?" Harry nodded and Dumbledore added "Outside." He shrugged and followed him to the entrance hall. "Happy Christmas Harry. I just wanted you to ask about that incident with Mr. Malfoy at the dueling club, if you remember it."

Harry was nervous. "Ehm, what about it, sir?" Surely Dumbledore didn't mean...

"That snake Harry. Did you understand what he said?" He asked with a twinkle. He know what Harry was thinking now. 'Dumbledore always know everything!'

"Uhm, yes sir. She was enraged and wanted to kill everybody in the hall." He said sheepishly and Dumbledore chuckled again.

"Curious." He said. "I suspected as much, and I wanted to give you something." He pulled a small emerald green book from his pocket. "This is a book written by Salazar Slytherin, the only one I ever found. It is about some theories and spells casted in parseltonque. It is also useful only for parselmouths, because while I understand the theory, I can't speak parseltonque. I wanted to give it to you personally, because it will do no good if someone saw it. Parseltonque is considered a dark ability, so be careful with it. Don't say anybody, don't show it anybody with except maybe Miss Granger." He finished with a wink and Harry blushed. Yeah, he was starting to understand that Hermione is in fact a girl, but how did Dumbledore know?

"So, you don't think parseltonque is dark ability?" Harry asked even if it was obvious. Dumbledore chuckled. "No Harry..It is a gift. Now let's taste this little sausages which are waiting for us." Harry laughed and returned to his place.

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Note:

I have found solution for Harry's scar! I hope it will be pleasant suprise for you. Now I just don't know what to do with Hufflepuff cup at Gringots. Any ideas?