An: Another Chapter, hope you enjoy.

The Mystery

Harry sighed as he dropped down into his seat beside Terry, his attention never leaving his book while the other boy was already scuffing down his breakfast. Harry took a spit second to look over the table with weary eyes, scanning over the usual possibilities to start his day. He didn't even care about the looks his friends had given him as he reached over the table to grab some toast before continuing his reading.

"You seem tired Harry." Said Padma, her voice full of concern. Harry just nodded in response. He could easily feel the bags under his eyes from lack of sleep during the week. He had stayed up late every night studying his text books, mostly potions, so Snape couldn't target him like he did on the first or the second, plus third and fourth days. For the most part it worked. He wasn't able to get them all right, but he did manage enough to get Snape to be irritated, a real plus in Harry books.

"Of course he's tired; he doesn't know how to shut a book." Terry replied between bites of bacon, Anthony nodding in agreement, his observant eyes focusing purely on Harry. "He's getting as bad as Stephen over there."

"Stephen?" Lisa asked with titled of her head.

"Yeah, you know, the only other kid buried in a book." Terry replied, gesturing to the Burnette. Sure enough, he had a large book in hand covering his face. It was a wonder why he had the book so close to his face, surely he couldn't read it, but then again, the boy seemed to manage to stick a fork in a pancake and managed to stuff in his mouth… or at least that what Harry presumed, just fine. He couldn't, see the books was in the way. All he knew was one second the fork had food, it disappeared behind the book and when it came back, no more pancake.

"You may be right this time." Mandy sighed, reaching over the table and pulled the book out of Harry clutches. There was a little fight between the two but it only lasted long enough for Mandy to sit up straight again. "It's not even the end of the first week and you're already a mess."

"Hey, you'll be the first guy to die by reading books." Terry grinned, turning around to face the gloomy child. "Which would be ironic since you're in Ravenclaw. They're meant to be our best friends."

"I'm a Ravenclaw, I'm sure many others have died by such a cause if it's possible." Harry replied moodily as he watched Lisa grab several different kinds of food, place it on a plate, lean over the table using a hand to balance herself, preparing to place it in front of him as she reached over, only to lose her balance, throwing the food which landed on the already irritated Potter child.

"You'll be the first recorded death." Mandy replied, holding back a laugh as she picked up a piece of bacon that managed to stick to his face. "If you're not killed by food first."

"I can see the grave now, Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, Died by food dot, dot, dot, or maybe reading, uncertain." Anthony chuckle, almost going into a laugh noticing the egg faced glare Harry gave him.

Harry was about to say something, but as he opened his mouth, the mail arrived. Though he had seen it five times, he couldn't get over the sight of thousands of owls clustering in several directions, circling around tables as they searched for their owners.

Like the first day, Hedwig hadn't brought him anything during the week, not that he would expect her to. Who would write to him, the Dursleys? He lost all hope of ever getting mail, at least during school time, and just admired the flapping of the different coloured wings overhead and greeted his white feathered friend as she landed with ease and grace. She usually ended up nibbling on his ears and stealing his food when he wasn't looking, the latter being antics of a young Mr Boot Harry assumed his beautiful friend had adopted.

Shockingly this time, as Hedwig spotted her owner, she altered her tail feathers and dived down urgently. At first, Harry figure she saw the food on his face and wanted a taste, though that thought quickly vanished as Hedwig shot back up after throwing a parchment onto his lap before landing effortlessly on his plate.

After getting over the initial shock, Harry torn open his letter, any form of tiredness vanishing like the wind as his adrenaline ran through his veins. Besides the letters he got from Hogwarts to attend said school, Harry never received a letter before, and if it was anything like the last one, he knew he was going to love it.

Once Harry had opened the letter he read right through it only to reread it another two times before it was then tugged away from his grips, just like his book, as Terry retreated his arm.

"Sorry Harry, I don't want you dead in the first week." Terry replied with a mischief smile before taking a quick glance. "So is this a secret admirer letter?"

"Really? Who could it be? Give it here" Lisa almost squealed as she reached over the table excitedly trying to gasp the parchment.

"It's not." Harry said with a roll of his eyes, taking the parchment back, a cheerless Lisa falling back into her seat and a somewhat disappointed Terry grumbling under his breath about having no fun . "It's from Hagrid."

"The Gameskeeper?" Mandy asked, getting a nodded from the distracted boy, his eyes scanning over the letter with gleam.

"Yep, he wants me to have a cup of tea after class today." Harry replied happily with a bright smile.

"You should go to it." Kevin replied, passing over a quill for Harry to borrow which he happily took.

"Yeah, it'll get you away from the books." Padma chimed in softly. Not needing anymore encouragement, Harry wrote his answer on the piece of paper, saying yes please, looking forward to it, and sent Hedwig back off.

It was a good thing Harry had Hagrid's tea to look forward too; his day was the hardest yet. He had Transfiguration with the Hufflepuffs and Professor McGonagall for first period. This was the first class he had where he was allowed to whip out his wand. Harry couldn't help but feel pleased and excited.

Ever since he learnt magic existed he'd wanted to do a spell, but the second he boarded that train, he couldn't help but worry at how good he'd be. Sure, with the Muggleborns in class, he wasn't going to be the only one to have trouble in using magic, but he couldn't help but ask what if he was the worst, that the great Boy-Who-Lived epically fails? People were sure to hear it and he would be humiliated.

EOAE

"Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts," she started. "Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned."

Then she changed her desk into a pig and back again. A cheap trick Harry quickly learnt was a ploy to get the students interested. According to Mandy it would take them, as Terry put it, forever to learn how to do it.

They were then forced to take notes before being given a single match which they would simply turn into a needle. Harry gave it his best shot, but as he figured, his best shot wasn't good enough. "Figures." Harry sighed.

"It didn't work because you didn't do it right." Said Mandy beside him. "You have to do this." Mandy calmly twisted her wand in her hand with a quick flick and zapped the match was change. Mandy sat up smugly in her seat, at her accomplishment. "Ha, I did it"

"I think you should look again." Harry snicked, trying to supress a laugh. Mandy looked down, her eyes going as wide as dinner plates as she stared at the match that now had holes going down it. "I think you made swish cheese." This ended up making Mandy pout and try again only to make branches to grow out of it.

"Now she's trying to make a tree." Terry laughed across from her, getting a nasty, choleric glare thrown his way, not that he noticed.

"Alright Boot, what about you?" Mandy shot back irritated. "Where's your needle?"

"Right here." Terry answered showing a perfectly good needle. Neither of the two Ravenclaws could believe their eyes. Terry Boot, the guy who never seemed to pay attention in class, managed to do the spell.

Mandy fell back into her seat, completely astonished as Terry snickered with the toothiest grin Harry ever saw as Mandy tried to speak, to say something, but even with her mouth opening and closing no sound came out.

"Mr boot." Terry casually turned around at the announcement of his name, seeing Professor McGonagall towering over him.

"Came to congratulate my achievements Professor McGonagall?" He asked, kicking back in his chair, looking quite pleased with himself.

"On the contrary Mr Boot, the next time you claim to achieve something I recommend of getting rid of any form of evidence that says otherwise." Professor McGonagall replied, moving his book and picking something up from his desk before showing it to him. It was the match, his actual match that was meant to be the needle he bragged about.

"Hehehe, busted." Terry laughed.

"This one doesn't even deem a response." Anthony responded from his seat, uncaringly as he returned to his own match.

"You cheater!" Mandy shouted, spring to her feet so fast her chair flipped over. She raised an arm, about to hit him in the back of the head, but stopped herself, remembering the Professor in front of her. Taking one look of the frown on the Professor face was all Mandy needed to quickly fix her seat and dropped back down into it, shutting her mouth.

"You couldn't let me look good in front of Mandy, could you?" Terry asked, still not showing fear, nervousness or worry as Professor McGonagall turned her disapproving scold back on him. Her tactics were a lost on the dark haired boy.

"A point is taken off of Ravenclaw." McGonagall replied before walking off with the needle Terry acquired.

"Terry, where did you even get the needle?" Michael asked.

"A girl in Gryffindor." Terry responded with gleam. "She was the only one that managed to get it right in her class."

"And she let you cheat?!" Mandy said in disbelief and outrage.

"No, I kinda of burrow it without asking." Terry admitted, instantly getting the attention of all nearby Ravenclaws. "What? I was going to give it back after class, probably."

No one else was doing better. At best, some of the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs managed to change their matches' colours or give them a bit of point. Anthony was the closest; making it the right shape, but it was still made of wood and had a red tip. For a while they thought that would be the best anyone of them could do, until Lisa shot out her seat squealing with joy at managing to do what seemed like the impossible.

Professor McGonagall examine the needle and though she was weary, Lisa had managed to make it and she smiled none the less. Frankly though, why McGonagall let her keep the weapon was completely over Harry's head. From ramming him into a book shelf, blowing up a potion and just this morning making Harry's breakfast fall on him, He knew something would go wrong in a matter of seconds.

Don't get him wrong, he liked Lisa, she's a nice, caring, and a friendly girl, which Harry hoped for the best for, it was just that he also hoped not to lose an eye before the day ends because Lisa had tripped.

He did look on the bright side though. He was currently nowhere near her. She had to get through Terry and Michael first. Can't say the same for Kevin though. Harry did wish him well for sitting beside her.

EOAE

During lunch, Harry's plans of quickly skimming through his potion book was again denied as Terry slipped it away with ease from his hands, promising to give it back when Potions came around. Harry, in dismay, tried to argue, but failed as Terry told him to shut up and eat, that he liked Harry to be around longer than a week.

Being that that was the nicest and most caring moment in his life, which Harry found quite sad, it was more than enough to make him irritably pick up a fork and dig into the food Lisa had placed in front of him. They talked a little while before Terry dragged the group out the Great hall and towards the lake.

Harry thought it was a good idea, their last bit of freedom and fresh air before entering the gloomy den of the Snake King with the possibility some of them wouldn't come out alive. Harry felt Terry must of known this as well, he took a deep breath and soaked in the warmth of the sun's rays, taking full advantage of the time he had left.

The rest consisting of Lisa, Kevin and Padma, the others wanting to stay in the Great Hall, were sitting on the ground laughing. They were enjoying their free time with Kevin telling a story from an old in depths to the two girls. Lisa seemed interested, asking many question as Kevin went along, though Padma seemed to only be faking interest. Her gaze often drifted to the lake or Terry, but Harry didn't pay it much mind.

"So you're heading to Hagrid's place after Potions, aren't you?" Terry asked snapping Harry out of his thoughts.

"Yeah, at three."

"Great, I'll go with you." Terry stated, shocking Harry with his forwardness. It wasn't 'can I go' or 'do you mind' or any other heads up, it was just 'I'm going'.

"What? Why?" Harry asked, not that he didn't like the idea of company, but Harry thought tea wasn't on Terry's top ten favourite things to do list. In fact Harry doubted it was even close to his hundred things to do list.

"I've been hearing stories about the guy all week, he apparently has really wicked animals running all around the joint and been in the Forbidden Forest." Terry replied with a toothy smile. "I hope he's seen some werewolves, that'll be so cool."

"Of course it's about werewolves." Harry shrugged before looking back up to the dark hair teen. "You can come if you want, you know as long Snape doesn't give you detention again."

"Dude I'm not getting detention again." Terry defended pouting.

"You probably are, you have a big mouth."

"Dude, be positive."

"Alright, I'm positive you have a big mouth that will get you in detention after class." Harry replied smugly, smiling at the glare Terry gave him.

"Whatever man." Terry said waving the boy off and looking out toward the fields. Something must of caught his attention, his eyes narrowed to get a better look before pointing off into the distance . "Hey isn't that Daphne?"

"Daphne?" Harry asked looking where Terry pointed and sure enough, it was. The young brunette was laughing with a group of Hufflepuffs, saying something which made the Hufflepuff burst into laughter as well as they walked their way. "It is."

"See you guys later, you know, if I survive Snape's wrath, woops!" Daphne said breaking off from the Hufflepuff, walking backwards before ramming into Harry. Startled, she spun around on her heel, looking curious before smiling at the two Ravenclaws. "Oh, hey guys."

"Hey Daphne, I thought you're in Slytherin?" Harry greeted, sharing a glance with Terry.

"I am in Slytherin." She replied cheerfully, her hand covering the badge on her cloak as she made it hug to her more.

"Then why are you with the Hufflepuffs? No offense, but the two houses usually don't mix." Terry asked, just as confused as Harry. Sure, the boy didn't believe there was anything wrong with Slytherin, but most people don't have that prospective.

"Because they like me."

"And why did you say you had potions? The next class is Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff." Harry asked this time. Daphne seemed to blinked confusingly at the question, before hitting herself in the head with smile.

"What? Oh right I forgot, it's Fridays today. I have…," She said as she dug through her bag for her timetable. It only took her a few seconds to give up. "I don't know what I have. I better go find Banks and see where he's going, nice seeing the two of you again, we have to do something some time."

"Yeah okay." Harry said waving and watching as the girl ran off as fast as she could back to the castle. "She's weird."

"That's a Slytherin, always hiding something." Terry noted, nodding his head as he went along.

"That sounds stereotypical of you." Harry teased with a grin.

"Hey, some things are just facts." Terry responded loudly. "Slytherin are always hiding something and it's not like I said she was hiding something bad. It could just be she has a crush on me and can't stand near me to long without revealing her true feelings!"

"Uh-huh, right." Harry replied sceptically before walking back to the others.

"Hey, I could be right!"

EOAE

Potion class was as insufferable as the first class. It was as if Snape's whole life's goal was to humiliate Harry. The second Harry entered that room Snape set his eyes on him, asking him every question that came to mind. Lucky Harry did bother to open his potion books, otherwise he'd be red in the face by now.

Harry was thrilled to see the look of distaste on Snape's face every time he answered a question right and how he stormed off with a growl. Hufflepuffs started to look at him in admiration, not many could do that to Snape. Sadly, Snape made a point to be around Harry when the potion was actually being made, circling back around every few seconds, criticizing him for every mistake no matter how big or small. If it wasn't for Terry and Anthony, who lost more house points and got another detention, and the thought of going to Hagrid's after class Harry doubted he would have made it through without snapping at Snape.

By the time Harry was climbing the steps of the dungeon, he was disheartened at losing more points. He knew it was silly, being the Ravenclaws would understand it. It was after all Snape's class, from what he heard only the Slytherins were safe in their crypt and compared to Anthony and Terry, the points he lost were nothing.

Still, Ravenclaw couldn't afford to lose more points. He wasn't sure why Snape hated him so much but it didn't matter, he needed to get better, so Snape couldn't pick on him anymore.

"Harry wait up!" Harry stopped and turned around watching as Kevin raced up the stairs, his notes spilling on the floor. Harry quickly went down the stairs as the young brunette kneeled down to get his papers.

"What's up?" Harry asked as he picked up the remaining pages and gave them back to young wizard.

"You're heading to Hagrid's right?" Harry nodded his head in response. "Mind If I come?"

"Sure, but why?"

"Well he's half wizard half Giant isn't he?" Kevin asked, Harry passed a look at Kevin, a bit shock.

"That's the rumour around Ravenclaw Tower." Harry answered truthfully. He was unsure if it was true or not. Like he said, it was only a rumour among the older Ravenclaws.

"Well he must have a life time of heroic journeys. I mean the strength and durability of a giant and the magic of a wizard, how couldn't he be a hero? I bet you he wore an awesome costume!"

Though Harry was sceptical of the idea of Hagrid dressing up like superman, he still agreed to the young man accompanying him. It was a long walk and he needed someone to talk to, or at least help with directions, and since both Terry and Anthony were in detention Kevin was the next best person.

The two walked out of the castle and made their way across the grounds. Hagrid of course, lived on the outskirts of the dark forest in a small, wooden house you'd expect to be too small for someone his size.

By the time the duo reached the cabin, they were surprised to see the wooden door open. Kevin first thought that Hagrid had sensed their arrival, but was disappointed once Professor Quirrell came out.

"I'm s-sorry Hagrid, I've have no idea what could be the cause, maybe vamp-ires." The man stuttered, his face as pale as always.

"Thanks anyway Professor for ye help." Hagrid replied shaking the man's hand. Professor Quirrell gave him a forced smile as returned to gesture.

"Y-your welcome Hagrid." The man then turned around noticing the two Ravenclaws, gasping in fright.

"Ye alright Professor?" Hagrid asked, though Professor Quarrel didn't give him much mind.

"Y-yes of cour-se. Mr Potter, Mr Ent-w-w-whistle." He assured, nodding his head to the two boys before leaving, going around Harry and creating as much distance between them as he could as he headed back for the Castle.

"Hello Hagrid." Harry greeted, which the giant returned before inviting them in to his small home. Entering, Harry took a quick looked around, noticing it was a single room house. Hams and pheasants were hanging from the ceiling, a copper kettle was boiling on the open fire, and in the corner stood a massive bed with a patchwork quilt over it.

What Harry found really intriguing though was the enormous black boarhound that bolted off the floor and tackled Kevin to the floor. The Burnette yelped in surprise as the dog started to lick his face.

"Get off im' Fang." Hagrid ordered grabbing the dog collar as he didn't move and dragged him away, letting Kevin get back to his feet.

"Make yerselves at home," Hagrid said, gesturing to the table and chairs which both boy did, taking a seat.

"This is Kevin Entwhistle." Harry said as Hagrid put tea and rock cakes on the table.

"Entwhistle? Never heard that name before." Hagrid said, stroking his chin in thought.

"I'm a Muggleborn sir." Kevin replied politely, his eyes never leaving the man the second he got Fang off him.

"That's explains that then."

"So Hagrid, why was Professor Quirrell here for?" Harry asked as the large man took his seat.

"Nothing for yeh to worry about." Hagrid waved off. "Just had some trouble in the forest and wanted his opinion."

"You do realize that was Professor Quirrell right? The man is useless." Kevin commented.

"Now, yeh shouldn't be insultin' yeh teachers, especially that one." Hagrid defended. "Professor Quirrell's been through a lot, stories say he has dealt with vampires, and apparently they were close calls."

"If you say so." Kevin said though didn't fully believed it. "Hey can you tell us about your hero days?"

"Me what?" Hagrid was confused, Hagrid must of felt like Kevin started speaking in a second tongue as he glanced over at Harry.

"He wants to know if you saved anyone or went into some battle to make you a hero."

"A hero? Me?" He asked blankly at Kevin, who nodded his head enthusiastically. "Well, I never would consider meself a hero, never went out of me way like that. Though I did send some Death Eaters through a few walls in the last war."

"That's so cool."Kevin said in awe. "Did you have any cool equipment like a car, weapon or bike?"

"I had no car or weapon, besides my umbrella, but I did have a cool bike." Kevin went on asking more and more questions with Hagrid happily telling him of his adventures. Some of them consisted of wild and dangerous magical creatures, those were stories Harry was sure Terry would love. Maybe he would have to bring Terry along the next time he came to see Hagrid.

While the two continued to laugh at a griffin incident, Harry eyes started to wander, quickly noticing the words GRINGOTTS BREAK-IN LATEST on a piece of paper that was lying on the table under the tea cosy. He quickly realized it was a cutting from the Daily Prophet.

Intrigued, Harry scanned the page. 'Investigations continue into the break-in at Gringotts on 31 July, widely believed to be the work of Dark wizards or witches unknown. Gringotts goblins today insisted that nothing had been taken. The vault that was searched had in fact been emptied the same day.

"But we're not telling you what was in there, so keep your noses out if you know what's good for you," One of the Gringotts goblins said this afternoon.'

Gringotts. Harry recognized the name. It was the wizard bank Hagrid had taken Harry to back on his birthday.

"Hagrid!" Harry said, interrupting Hagrid story about a manticore. "That Gringotts break-in happened on my birthday! It might've been happening while we were there!"

Hagrid eyes quickly drifted away, avoiding contact with Harry. The young wizard watched the giant wizard's eyes dart from side to side before pushing the rock cakes in front of him. Not getting an answer Harry continued to read the story and was surprised to realise it was the vault Hagrid had stopped at, getting the package for Hogwart business.

"Hagrid could it been the package you received that day could be what they're after?" Harry asked but gotten no answer, instead Hagrid bolted to his feet after checking the time.

"Well it's getting late; yeh better be going before Fitch catches you." With that both Harry and Kevin were forced out of his home. The two tried to stay, to get more out of Hagrid but he was quite determined to get them out his door. Then again, the idea of coming back to the castle late and being found out by Snape or Fitch would convince anyone to run back to the Castle.

"Well that was strange." Harry said along their walked back to the castle, Kevin nodded his beside him.

"True, but you probably shouldn't have asked about the vault, not as direct." Kevin stated calmly keeping up with Harry pace.

"What you mean, I was only curious."

"And there's nothing wrong with that." Kevin replied, looking seriously at Harry. "It just that, its feels like a sensitive issue in which the hero, which I mean you, cunningly get them to spill the beans. On the bright side you did find out that whatever the package is, Hagrid doesn't want to talk about it, which usually means a good mystery."

"So I'm right." Harry asked. "They are after the package?"

"Seems so." Kevin shrugged. "Any idea what it is?"

"No, Hagrid just said official Hogwarts business." Harry replied, thinking back to the moment at the vault.

"Then there's nothing to worry about."

"What why?" Harry asked, staring a his friend curiously.

"Because if it's Hogwarts Business then it's under Dumbledore protection and I've heard the stories, no one wants to mess with him, well, except You Know Who."

"Voldemort." Harry stated nonchalantly rolling his eyes as Kevin winced at the name.

"Yes, and you shouldn't be saying his name out loud like that, or at least not as casually." Kevin yelled jolting from his place beside Harry, staring wide eyed at the boy.

"Why not, it's just a name and he's gone now remember?" Harry stated matter of factly. He still wasn't sure why everyone was so jumpy over the name. It was just a name.

"Never mind, come on let's get to dinner, I can't wait to see Terry's face when I tell him I heard an awesome story about a griffin." Kevin then bolted down the hall with Harry not too far behind, a benefit of running away from Dudley and his friends; he's able to keep up with most people. Though as he ran he couldn't stop wondering why the package was such a big deal.

AN: Another week, another chapter. hope you enjoyed this chapter. Remember if you have any in put or questions please asked away, though with the questions you also have to remember I don't want to spoil anything.

Thanks Katconan and Renata MM for the reviews they mean a lot.

Chapter five: A Day with Slytherins will be out by the 17th of August

See ya around Potter Fans.