A.N. - I hate typing. If I could just scan all my handwritten stuff in, this story would be half finished by now. I'd also be able to update a lot faster.

I also don't do well in hot weather. It's not as hot as it gets in Hawaii, but it's hot enough. At least in Hawaii we had a pool and could go swimming.

Chapter Ten

Neville had frequently asked himself this question many times and even his classmates when the Pixies hung him from the chandelier. 'Why is it always me?'

The four had stratigized and decided it was up to Neville to get Lockhart's signature for the book Hermione needed. The Ravenclaw had concluded as Neville was the worst student, would lap up any help and advice the Great Gilderoy Lockhart could provide. The man was sure to eat up any flattery thrown at him.

"But why is always me?"

"C'mon, Neville. Do you want to find out who's behind this or not?"

Neville sighed unhappily as he let the red head drag him inside their DADA class. He had to keep thinking, 'Be brave. Be brave.' When Lockhart scanned the room for someone to help participate in his reenactments, the shy Gryffindore raised his hand. The man positively beamed at him and pulled him to the front of the class, mistaking his reluctance for shyness.

The twelve year old was never happier to hear the ending class bell. As the others fled the room, Neville took longer than needed to collect his things. Ron gave him an awed look. "If I didn't know you were faking, I'd have believed you actually liked helping the git."

No, Neville did not like helping Lockhart nor having to stand in front of his classmates. Yet he was happy that he'd been able to do it without fainting. He was proud of himself and nothing could dim his happy mood at the moment. That worked in his favor as he asked Lockhart to sign the note for the book Hermione needed. He recited the words she had him memorize.

"Ah, you enjoyed the book then?" The man beamed at him. Ron nudged Neville who quickly said, "Oh, yes. You were very clever."

Lockhart ate up the flattery and the boys were soon on their way to the library. They didn't have to worry about running into Cassian, as Snape had held him back after Potions. Hermione and Dudley were waiting for them and they got the book from a suspicious Madam Pince, the four went to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. The boys were introduced to the ghost who ignored them for the most part.

Dudley realizing the bathroom was near the attack, asked Myrtle if she'd seen anything on Halloween. Myrtle replied she'd been distraught because of Peeves upsetting her. She'd come back to her bathroom and tried to kill herself before she realized she was already-

"Dead," Ron stated helpfully. Myrtle's response was to wail and splash back into her toilette. She didn't bother them after that.

"Ur," Dudley said during the uncomfortable silence. "So about that potion?"

"Right." And Hermione was all business as she explained their plan. The boys exchanged looks when she mentioned 'bits of the person you're going to change into'.

"You realize how much we're going to have to steal?" Dudley asked uncomfortably.

"You can leave that part to me. I'll just need you to cause a ruckus long enough to hold Professor Snape's attention for me to get what we need."

"ME?" Dudley shook his head.

"Oh, come on. Do you honestly think Ron and Neville could do it? No offense Ron, Neville."

Snape was hard on all the houses, but more so with Gryffindore. And since Gryffindore and Slytherin had Potions together, Snape would be more wary during that class. Plus, Neville had Cassian as a partner and that could prove problematic.

Slumping in defeat, Dudley face the other two boys. "Well, its been nice knowing you. Be sure to tell my mother I love her."

Hermione rolled her eyes while Neville hid his smile. Ron shook his hand. "You're braver than me, mate. You should have been Sorted into Gryffindore."

"How long is this going to take?" Neville asked curiously.

"About a month, I'd say."

"A month!" Ron exclaimed. "Malfoy could attack half the Muggle-borns in the school by then!"

"It's the only plan we've got," Hermione retorted frostily. "Unless you'd rather go to Dumbledore and tell him who you think it is and why."

0o0o0o0o0o0o

Cassian scowled at his breakfast and was grateful of Draco's silence. The blond had been thinking over what they'd talked about the other night. Cassian's thoughts dwelt on yesterday after class. Professor Snape made good on his threat by taking him to the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey weighed and measured him with a frown. The two adults discussed altering his nutrient potions. At Cassian's expression Snape demanded to know why food was so distasteful to him as Pomfrey hadn't found an explanation.

He only relented when Snape made plans to keep him in the hospital for the weekend. Scowling, crossing his arm, eyes narrowed. He had promised Draco he would go watch him for his first Quidditch match.

"Markale and grandmother had me identify every ingredient in anything I ate or drank."

Snape understood at once what he'd left unspoken. The Potions Master eyes had widened then looked at him contemplatively. "You will see me in my office after the match tomorrow."

"Yes, sir." At least he hadn't told the nurse even though she could see the man had realized something important.

While Draco went with his teammates for a strategy meeting before the match, Cassian meandered outside. He walked along the edge of the Forbidden Forest watching the threstals flying just above the canopy. Finding a good spot to sit, he pulled out his charcoal pencils and sketchbook. He became so absorbed he didn't register Harry's voice trying to warn him.

"I like your drawing."

Cassian jumped hurriedly to his feet and stared at the girl in front of him.

"Although, most people don't see them like that though."

He couldn't help but stare. On the weekends, the students didn't have to wear their uniforms. The girl in front of him wore a necklace of butterbeer caps and radish earrings of different colors. But in the Slytherin's mind, the thing that marked her as different, was he found himself relaxing in her presence. She seemed to radiate a calm that he unconsciously reacted to.

He found himself asking, "How do most people view them?"

"Like a monster rather than a misunderstood creature."

"Do you know much about them? Other than only people who've seen death can see them?"

"They're actually quite gentle. People only fear them because they're -"

"Different," he supplied a bitterly and soft.

The girl looked at him for a moment than stated, "Yes. That's why everyone thinks you're Slytherin's heir."

"Do you?"

"Not really. I think that if you were Slytherin's heir, you wouldn't want people to know it. Not until the right moment, I suppose. You would make it look like someone else was responsible."

Cassian and Harry both stared at her. Harry smiled. "She's weird. I like her!"

Cassian agreed. "What's your name?"

"Luna Lovegood."

"Luna, the Roman Goddess of the moon?"

"Hm, your name means empty; vain."

He smiled and Luna offered her hand. "I was going to go see them. Do you want to come?"

"I promised my cousin I'd watch his game." Although he would rather go with her. But he had promised and one thing Cassian prided himself on, was he always kept his promises.

0o0o0o0o0o0o

Cassian found Dudley, Hermione, and Neville sitting together in the stands. The red headed Gryffindore was with his dormmates Dean and Seamus. Sitting with his study group, he nodded at Dudley's greeting smile. Recalling what was discussed on the train, the Hufflepuff was surprised but happy to see him.

"Have you ever seen a Quidditch match, Cassian?"

"Once. Aunt Narcissa took Draco and I to see the Pride of Portree play off against the Appleby Arrows."

The crowd booed when the Slytherins took the field and roared with noise of support when the Gryffindores joined them. Cassian sighed at the noise. Somehow, he knew it would be this way. The only ones not cheering for Gryffindore were the Slytherins. They booed the scarlet and gold clad players.

"Why is everyone against Slytherin?"

"Well," Dudley opted to answer. "Slytherin has won the Quidditch cup for the past few years."

Madam Hooch arrived and the two teams got into position.

"All three houses want to see Slytherin lose the cup this year."

"And Gryffindore and Slytherin's rivalry has been ongoing since the Founders," Hermione explained.

Madam Hooch blew her whistle and the teams went into motion. Harry watched it all excitedly. The two beaters on the Gryffindore team were good, Cassian had to admit. Actually, their only weak link seemed to be their Seeker who seemed to be reacting to Draco's taunts. The Slytherin's scored three consecutive goals before the Gryffindores got possession of the Quaffle.

"The Slytherins play dirty!" Harry exclaimed as Adrian Pucey was called on a Quidditch Foul. Alecia Spinnet, Gryffindore's Outside Chaser having been the one fouled took the shot. Miles Bletchley, the Slytherin Keeper, missed the Quaffle earning fifteen points for Gryffindore.

'It's because of their captain," Cassian replied eyeing Marcus Flint. The teen just took a swipe at the Gryffindore's Seeker in passing.

Slytherin was up by forty-five points when the Snitch was spotted. Draco ducked under a Bludger George Weasley hit in his direction. The blond sped after it with the Gryffindore Seeker on his tail. Katie Bell and Angelina Johnson shot in front of Draco blocking him. He had to swerve out of the way and the Snitch was gone.

A few more fouls were committed, mostly from Slytherin, but one was called on the Gryffindore Seeker for Blagging(1). He'd smirked when Draco glared back at him and the Snitch disappeared once again. While the blond was fuming, the Weasleys took advantage and Draco was caught unawares and hit by both Bludgers. Draco was sent flying from him broom. He landed hard on the ground, his breath temporarily stolen from his lungs.

Draco was furious and humiliated. He sat up and glared at the First Year Gryffindore snapping pictures. As he stood, he looked into the stands and winced. Lucius was definitely not happy with him. Shoving past the First Year he scowled hearing Lee Jordon announcing Gryffindore had caught the Snitch., securing the win by ten points.

Coming out of the changing room he was surprised to find his cousin waiting for him. Cassian nodded at him. "I enjoyed watching you play. You're a lot better than when we used to sneak out and play as kids."

Draco snorted. "Of course I am! I would have won us the match if that blasted Diehl (2) and the Weasels hadn't double teamed me."

"Isn't that the point of the game? Or are you upset Slytherin didn't think of it first?"

Draco was about to retort but clamped his mouth shut, shoulders stiffening. Cassian's eyes narrowed seeing the expression on his uncle's face. The man was going to berate the blond. Sure enough, Lucius told Draco how disappointed he was and that Draco should have been able to dodge those Bludgers.

"I didn't buy your team the fastest brooms to watch you humiliate your team, yourself, and the Malfoy name!"

Draco's cheeks burned with shame, anger, and resentment. Cassian's jaw clenched then spoke up redirecting the man's anger onto himself. "Oh, yes. One must always remember that a Malfoy is to remain a prim and oh-so-proper puppet. They cannot think or feel for themselves at all. And most important, one can never ever let on that they are human and make mistakes."

That speech of course led Lucius to forget all about Draco. Cassian who'd been on the receiving end of angry lectures before was only half listening. He was able to multi-task his thoughts. While he was listening to the reprimands, he was also going over something he thought might help Neville's memory.

When Lucius left, Draco scowled at Cassian, pride wounded. "I didn't need your help!"

Cassian blinked. "I don't know what you're talking about. He just irritates me sometimes. See you in the Common Room."

0o0o0o0o0o0o

Severus watched the Quidditch match in silence. Lucius sat beside him, eyes mainly on his son. Draco, in Severus' opinion, was a wise choice to make Seeker. Terrance Higgs, last year's Seeker was now a Seventh Year and working hard to get his mastery in Herbology. The teen had only stayed on the team last year because Slytherin didn't have anyone else to replace Terrance with. Draco was only allowed on the reserve team last year since he was just a First Year.

Lucius hadn't need fear Draco not making the team this year. Terrance and Draco had worked hard last year to make sure the blond was ready. Of course, the elder Malfoy would take no chances of Draco being rejected. After all, Malfoys did not fail. So, Lucius had 'donated' the new brooms to guarantee the Malfoy heir a spot on the starting team this year.

Severus glared at the Diehl boy that grabbed Draco's broom and the Weasleys hitting the blond with both Bludgers. Lucius scowled at his son as Draco lost his grip on his broom and fell. The Potions Master watched as the elder Malfoy approached the boy. His eyes narrowed seeing Ashwood step up beside Draco. When Lucius confronted his son, Ashwood's demeanor was the same as that day in Potions when he mouthed off. Ashwood behaved belligerently and even smiled at the retreating back of the Malfoy Patriarch.

Narrowing his eyes, Severus went to his office to await Ashwood. He pondered how to broach this subject with the headmaster. From what he'd deduced, no one else knew about Ashwood's problem. Poppy was sure to have said something if she had discovered this in her scan of the boy. She would also have said something if anything was written in his file form St. Mungo's.

Depending on how sever the damage was, Severus believed the damage could be repairable at least a little. Of course it would painful for the boy. He also would like to talk with Poppy since she was better at healing spells than he was. She would be best to oversee the boy's treatment. The woman never asked too many questions so the boy's privacy would be assured, more or less.

A knock on his door brought him out of his contemplative thoughts. "Enter."

Ashwood entered and waited, eyes staring an inch above Severus' head, at the wall. "You wished to see me?"

"Have a seat, Ashwood." Severus stared at the boy, watching him reluctantly sit. "Why don't we finish that discussion we started yesterday in the hospital."

"I don't see how that's relevant-"

"List for me every poison and antidote you were made to ingest."

The boy's eyes snapped to his and Severus saw that Ashwood's hands spasmed briefly as if itching to hold a wand. Swallowing, the boy blinked replying, "I don't recall."

"Do not lie to me, Ashwood!" he sharply commanded. He watched the boy's reaction intently. He had thought the boy would wince or startle as he stood and leaned over his desk to glare at the boy. He was not however expecting the twelve year old's eyes to become wary and guarded.

Severus sat back in his chair, keeping his dark eyes on his student. "You have a nearly photographic memory. I know that you recall what you've been fed, whether you'd like to or not."

Eventually, the boy gave in and wrote down the names of all the poisons, antidotes, and drugs he'd ingested. He had paused a few times, eyes darting to the side, brow furrowed. Severus was shocked at the length of the list,as well as some of the names listed. No wonder the boy didn't like eating!

"Come with me, Ashwood."

"Where are we going, sir?"

"Hospital wing."

"Why?"

"Poppy and I might be able to reverse the damage done to your tongue and mouth. I'm sure its not irreparably damaged," he muttered more to himself. "It's a good thing you are still young."

Severus led the way to the hospital wing. Ashwood followed silently, after a sigh that sounded more like a groan. The Potions Master gave the list to Poppy and she fussed and helped him with the spell. Ashwood could only sit and glower. The boy was to stay the night and Severus slipped the boy a Dreamless Sleep potion. The boy's eyes flashed in a mixture of relief and anger when he tasted the potion before his eyes closed and he fell asleep.

It always amused Severus how quickly the potion worked.

"Was the Dreamless Sleep potion really necessary?"

"It was. Have you taken a look at the boy? He barely sleeps."

Leaving the boy in Poppy's care, he went to the headmaster's office. Dumbledore listened as he told him of the conversation yesterday in the hospital wing. As well as what he discovered today and giving the boy the sleeping potion. At the headmaster's raised brow, he replied, "A few of his dormmates have told me of the boy's insomnia. When he does sleep, its not for long. He's been having nightmares. Little wonder why," he growled darkly.

Albus steepled his fingers. "I wonder what else Markale has done to the boy?"

0o0o0o0o0o0o

In the morning the faculty was told of the attack on First year Gryffindore Colin Creevey. It also found Ron, Dudley, and Hermione in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom once again. Hermione stated they needed to start to brew the Polyjuice potion. Neville had gone to visit Cassian in the hospital.

Draco was already sitting by his cousin,both had a book out when Neville entered. The blond just frowned while Cassian looked at the Gryffindore, puzzled.

"What're you doing here?"

"You weren't at dinner last night. Draco said you were here."

Cassian turned to Draco who crossed his arms. "I asked Professor Snape since you were last with him. He told me you were here and Madam Pomfey told me you'd taken a Dreamless Sleep potion."

Neville didn't ask why he had to have the potion, just sat down and talked. Mostly Neville and Draco talked, with Cassian making a noise every now and then to indicate he was listening.

"Alright, time to take your potions, Ashwood."

Madam Pomfrey came over with a few potion bottles. Cassian scowled while Draco put their books away. Cassian nearly choked as he gagged the first potion down. He looked up at the medi-witch.

"Severus made a few changes. We believe this will work better."

Scowling, he drank the rest then opened his mouth as the woman cast a few healing spells.

"Your mouth and throat might be sore for a day or so."

Everyone in the school knew of the attack on Colin Creevey by the next day. First years moved in groups and talismans were being swapped and sold all over the school. Cassian rolled his eyes when Neville entered the library carrying a pointed purple crystal.

"What is that?"

"Its to protect me form the monster."

"You're a Pureblood," he tried to reason. "Why would it go after you?"

"it went for Filch first, and everyone knows I'm almost a Squib."

Rolling his eyes, Cassian stopped then thoughtfully gazed at the Gryffindore. "Keep the crystal but none of that other rubbish will help you."

"What do you mean?"

Cassian loosened his tie and showed his necklace to him. "My father gave believed in crystal magic. All the different crystals have different meanings. Some wizards like my father believed it helps channel your power. He gave this to me when I was about six and a half, I think. Since I was born on friday, the Topaz. Peridot for August, and since I'm a Leo, my metal is gold."

"And the coin? What's that for?"

A strange look crossed Cassian's face before his expression became stoic. "Nothing. My grandfather liked to collect old Muggle coins. This one is from around the time Britannia still belonged to the tribes. I liked the coin and my father made this necklace. He put a charm on the coin so he could always locate me."

0o00o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

When McGonagall came around to collect names for those not going home for Christmas Holidays, Dudley was looking decidedly uncomfortable. Ron and Hermione had already signed their names as had Cassian and Draco. Crabbe and Goyle signed as well seeing as how they did whatever their leader did.

"What's the matter?" Hermione asked.

"My mum. She'd be disappointed if I didn't come home for the holidays."

Hermione knowing him as long as she had, understood. While Mrs. Dursley might have consented to let Dudley go to Hogwarts, there was still unresolved issues.

"She'll understand, won't she?" Ron asked. "I mean if we get Malfoy to confess-"

"You don't know my mother," Dudley stood and smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry."

Dudley did not sign his name. He was going to go home for the holidays, even if he'd rather spend it at the castle with his friends. Since he wouldn't be with them to see the potion through, he helped all he could with everything else.

During Wednesday's double Potions with the Ravenclaws, Dudley swallowed when Hermione gave a nod. Closing his eyes and offering up prayers that they didn't get caught, he took out one of Ron's brother's fireworks and prodded it with his wand. He tossed it in Ernie and Justin's cauldron.

While Snape angrily eyed them and administered a Deflating Draft to counteract the Swelling Solution, Hermione slipped into the man's private stores. She rejoined him a few minutes later while their professor was glaring murder and promising it as he held up what was left of the firework.

As they left the class, Dudley felt his heart calm down and quit trying to escape his chest via his mouth. "Please don't ever ask me to do that again."

Hermine just smiled which did not reassure him in the least. She dumped their acquired ingredients into the cauldron and began to stir. "The potion should be ready in two weeks."

0o0o0o0o0o0o

Cassian spent an entire week trying to find that strange girl he'd met out by the Forbidden Forest. He found out she was a First Year Ravenclaw. It was strange but he couldn't find her. Cassian felt wound and tense more than ever. He thought maybe he might find her in the Great Hall with everyone else.

He didn't like this large crush of people. He'd rather be the library researching the chamber. While he'd been asleep, Harry hadn't been. He told him how he'd overheard Dumbledore and McGonagall's conversation. Harry informed Cassian the Chamber had been opened before.

Draco and Harry both badgered him until he agreed to come watch the dueling club. Cassian also hoped to see Luna so he agreed. He was currently standing between Draco, Daphne, and Blaise. While the other houses mingled, Slytherins remained separated at one end of the long stage.

Cassian rolled his eyes when Lockhart stepped onto the stage. He was prepared to leave but stopped when his Head of House also stepped up. He briefly wondered if Lockhart had a secret death wish. Only a person wanting to die or a complete idiot would speak those empty words. When Lockhart mentioned they wouldn't be aiming to kill, Harry muttered, "I wouldn't bet on it."

Cassian agreed. Lockhart would be lucky to come out of this unscathed. Cassian laughed and cheered with the other Slytherins when Snape blasted Lockhart off his feet and into a wall. When the fraud staggered back onto the stage and stated it was obvious what Snape was going to do, Draco whispered to Cassian, "Its obvious Professor Snape wants to kill him."

Lockhart must have sensed that too because he quickly decided it was the students' time. Looking for a volunteer pair, Lockhart seeing Neville suggested he and Dudley partner. Snape sneered at the idea. "Longbottom causes devastation with the simplest spells. We'll be sending what's left of Dursley up to the hospital wing in a match box."

Cassian glared at his professor while Neville's cheeks went pink in embarrassment.

"How about someone from my own House? Malfoy, perhaps?"

Draco grinned a he strutted up to the stage. Snape whispered in his ear and the blond smirked. As soon as Lockhart counted down, Draco moved into action. "Serpensortia!"

Cassian watched as a black snake shot out the end of Draco's wand to land on the stage between the combatants. Dudley paled, backing away from the snake. The students who had been pressed against the stage quickly backed up as well. Cassian didn't know why, but he edged closer.

"Don't move, Dursley." Snape strode towards the snake. "I'll get rid of it."

"Allow me!" The over eager professor actually made the situation worse when he caused the snake to fly into the air and land hard. Hissing angrily the snake bared its fangs ready to strike.

"Leave him alone!" Cassian commanded it. The snake hissed defiantly and Cassian's eyes narrowed. "I said to leave him alone. You will listen to me."

The snake stopped his advance and lay docilely still. Harry nervously touched Cassian's shoulder. Looking up he saw his Head of House giving him the strangest look as he banished the snake. Justin Finch-Fletchley a friend of Dudley's cried, "What are you playing at?"

Dudley was pale and staring at Cassian with wide eyes. The other students were whispering amongst themselves and Cassian felt someone tugging the back of his robes. He let whoever it was drag him out of the Great Hall and into an empty classroom.

"Why didn't you tell me you're a Parselmouth?"

Cassian looked up at Draco's flushed face. "You never asked."

"Are you Slytherin's heir?"

"No! How many times do I have to tell you?"

"Look at it from my viewpoint! You claim you're not Slytherin's heir and yet you speak Parselmouth. A trait of Slytherin's line. The Chamber was opened the year you come to school."

Cassian glared at the blond. "I'm not he heir! I haven't done anything!"

Shoving past him he went to Myrtle's bathroom nearly hyperventilating. He slid down the wall to sit on the floor, head buried in his hands. "I'm not."

Standing, he went over to the sinks. Grabbing his wand he cut his finger and let a generous portion smear on the mirror. Waving his wand he muttered, "Revelare, meus paternum genus(3)."

Cassian watched s the blood separated and moved across the mirror. He had cast a similar spell after he turned eleven and received his mother's letter. He'd cast the spell to find out for sure who his biological parents were. Now, he had cast one to reveal his entire family line on his father's side.

Feeling both relief and dread, he smashed the mirror and slumped to the floor. Leaning his head back against the wall he let loose by screaming. Only feeling a little bit better he repaired the mirror and dropped the silencing charm.

0o0o0o0o0o0o

A.N. - Wow, three updates in one month! I don't think I'll be doing this again. I still have to work on my other story.

Speaking of updating and stories. I want to know if you guys would like me to keep this as one long story or break it into smaller bits.

Either one story for every year at hogwarts, one every two years, or one long story. Let me know what you think.

(1) Blagging- No player may seize any part of an opponent's broom to slow or hinder the player.

(2)Diehl is just a name I made up for the Gryffindore Seeker and probably won't ever use it again.

(3) Lit. Reveal my family (father's side)

And now for the poll:

Cassian X Luna – 9

Cassian X Daphne - 7

Cassian X Hermione - 4

None - 2

Other- 0

The next chapter: Another attack, the polyjuice potion, and Tom Riddle's diary. Hope you enjoyed it. Until next time! Please review!