I'm sorry about the delay… better late than never, right? Haha, that's what the person who writes Carpe Diem said when they updated a few days ago… after two years...

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling does. Also, if you see something that you did in one of your stories, it was not intentionally copied.

Thank you to my Beta, (who I can't really call new anymore) HP Slash Luv.

Twin Trios

Chapter 5

After all of the students came back from the holidays, Harry's peace and quiet was over. Over the holidays, he had become accustomed to the quiet while eating breakfast. Now that was all over, and he had to share his table again. To make matters worse, it actually was his table- The Slytherin table.

Harry listened to the chatter that broke the Great Hall's silence. All around he could see couples reuniting with a kiss, friends with a hug and some people just chatted. He watched as his brother was hugged by Gabriel, in which he responded with a push, not wanting the contact with a girl. He spotted Ron's red hair and Hermione's bushy brown, and then waved them over.

"How were your holidays?" He asked them, and then waved his wand, while non-verbally casting Muffliato.

"They were horrible!" Ron said at the same time that Hermione said "They were pretty good."

"One at a time please," he said. Ron started first.

"My family was horrible! When we got home, Ray started to tell them a bunch of lies about things I've done to the Gryffindors at school! The punishment was no food for all of the holidays, and if presents weren't magically delivered, I bet they would've taken them too so I wouldn't of got any! Actually, thanks for the present Harry. You too Hermione." Ron said in one big breath. Harry and Hermione just stared at him. Harry because he had thought that his punishments were bad and Hermione because she was horrified that someone could do that to their own flesh and bone.

"Well," Said Hermione, with one last uncertain look at Ron. "Right after I got home for the holidays, my parents sat Gabriel and me down for a talk. They had noticed that we hadn't been talking during the whole ride home. My parents are bright people, so they figured out that we had had some sort of fight. After some discussion, we agreed to peacefully ignore each other for the holidays. So we did, and it was a great holiday."

"You peacefully lived in the same house as Gabriel for a full two weeks?" Harry asked in disbelief. "You have much more tolerance of Gryffindors then I do. I would be struggling not to hex Percy in less than two hours!" Hermione tried not to smile at the compliment.

Just then, the food for dinner appeared. Ron started to drool and immediately stopped paying attention to the conversation that was going on and grabbed some roast beef. Rolling their eyes in mutual agreement, Harry and Hermione started in on the food too, before Ron ate it all.

After dinner, Harry, Ron and Hermione slowly strolled back to the common room. Harry didn't even know what the password was, but he didn't need it. He had discovered that during the holidays, when the prefects had changed it and forgotten to tell him. Actually, Harry figured that they purposely didn't tell him, hoping that he would be stuck outside the common room for the holidays. But instead, the situation allowed Harry to discover a new way to get into the room.

"Harry, Ron?" Hermione said. "We don't know the password." She was a bit surprised when Harry didn't even blink, though Ron's face turned thoughtful, thinking it was a problem.

"The solution to that is simple and easy, Hermione." Harry said as he checked to make sure that nobody other then the three of them was around. Seeing that they were alone, he hissed $ Open $ while placing his hand on the stone that hide the snake nest. The stones opened and the trio walked inside.

"How did you do that?" Hermione asked with awe as they sat down it green chairs around a table. She had thought it was impossible to enter the common room without the password. It said so in Hogwarts, a History.

"It's part of my special privileges." Harry answered back, as he absently mindedly put with the customary privacy spells. A moment of confusion showed on Hermione's face, but it was quickly cleared up with understanding. Ron wasn't even paying attention.

"Hey! Ron mate, you paying attention here?" Harry questioned while snapping his finger in front of his face, shocking Ron out of his thoughtful expression.

"Sorry, I was thinking." He said apologetically. That got two different reactions.

Harry said "I knew that, that's why your face was thoughtful." And at the same time Hermione blurted out "You can think?" Ron wasn't sure if he should look embarrassed for stating the obvious, or insulted at Hermione's comment. So he was stuck in between. The expression that he had on his face was just too much for Harry, who stifled a laugh before he couldn't hold it in any longer and he burst out laughing. Soon the three of them were laughing.

Once they had calmed down, Harry asked Ron what he was thinking about.

"Oh." Ron said. "I was thinking, if you can open the Slytherin common room like you just did, could you open the other common rooms in the castle. It's obvious that you can do it to the Slytherin common room, due to your heritage, but perhaps the founders made it so you could go into all the rooms. Just think of the things we could do to the Gryffindorks!"

Hermione looked like she couldn't decide to approve of their discussion, or get angry at them. So she decided for the next best thing.

"I'm going to bed." She told them, and then walked quickly to the girl's dorm.

"What's her problem?" Ron asked Harry, after she had gone. "It's not like we had done anything. Besides, we don't even know if you can get into the common room."

"I'm not sure how much she likes pranking other people." Harry said glumly. He then brightened up. "So, want to see tomorrow if we can get into the common room?"

!#$%^&*

It turned out that Harry and Ron could not get into the common room, as it turned out that the Gryffindor common room is guarded by a portrait. Harry and Ron had followed some Gryffindors who had been talking loudly about forgetting a Charms book in the dorm. They were lead to a portrait that was called the Fat Lady, an ugly fat woman who wore a pink dress. Since she was a portrait, she knew who was and who wasn't a Gryffindor. Therefore even if they had the password, she would still be able to deny them entry. A bit put out, Harry and Ron went to breakfast.

"I hope you didn't do anything foolish." Those were the greeting words that Hermione said to the two of them. Nice to know she had so much confidence in Harry and Ron. However, seeing them disappointed must've been a good sign for her, as she relaxed. "So what do you think Snape's going to have for us to brew today?"

As the trio slipped into an easy conversation about what the school's most hated teacher would have them do, and most of the class would fail, they ate breakfast and then went to Potions.

After an hour of their head of house telling their classmates how stupid they were, along with letting the class know how "Well and precisely Draco cuts his roots" and the occasional compliment to Harry, they were finally let free. Professor Snape preferred to just ignore Ron and Hermione.

!#$%^&*

It was just after midnight when emerald green eyes opened. He didn't know why, but he didn't feel like exploring the Chamber of Secrets during the holidays. He didn't know why, he just didn't feel like it or he didn't want to get off the couch. That was why when he pulled off his covers and it was revealed that he was fully dressed.

Harry tippy toed to the door of his dorm, and then went down the stairs.

$ Where do you think you're going? $ hissed a voice from the top of the stairs. He hissed so quietly that Harry barely heard him. He turned and was only somewhat surprised to see that Callidus had detected his movements. $ Harry, did you honestly think that you would be able to get away and explore the chamber without me? $

$ No, not really. I just wasn't sure if you would like to come in the middle of the night like I want to. I can't go in the middle of the day, because then Ron and Hermione will follow me. As much as I like my friends, this is something more personal and I would rather do it alone or with you. Since I see you managed to get awake in the middle of the night, I can assume that you would like to come? $

Callidus didn't even bother to answer the obvious question. He just started to slither down the stairs. When he got to the bottom, Harry put his arm down so he could wrap himself around it. Then he turned around and left the common room.

Harry was just starting to enter the main floor when he heard it. There were two voices arguing in the entrance hall.

"You do not want to figure out how to accomplish your goal, Quirrell." said a voice that Harry soon identified as his head of house.

"I-I-I don't kn-kn-know what you're t-t-talking about, p-p-professor Snape." Said a shaky voice that only one person in the castle had.

"Don't lie to me." Snape said in a threatening tone. "I know you've been after it, and I know that you haven't been successful. I'll catch you there again, and then I will go to Dumbledore about a certain greedy Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." With that, Professor Snape walked off upstairs. Professor Quirrell stood there muttering to himself for a few minutes before he followed.

Not wanting to give them a chance to come back, Harry ran to the second floor bathroom and opened the door to the chamber; he didn't stop running until he had passed the safety of the blood wards. He was positive that no one would disturb him here.

He put Callidus down so he could go ahead as an extra precaution, as always. He didn't want to have any nasty surprises in the form of any other snake. Even though Harry should be able to control it, he wasn't prepared to go visit Salazar's basilisk.

Harry entered the tree room. He considered stopping to see the family tree again, but decided not to, thinking he could study the family tree of one of the most famous wizards in history later. He went around the table that showed the family tree and out the door that led to the library.

'I'll have to come back here,' Harry thought. 'The library will be really interesting to look at, especially that part about his life. I'll be the first wizard to find out a detailed account of Salazar's Slytherin's life!' He walked out of the library and decided that he would like to go and look at the dueling chamber tonight, then go back to the dorm.

He walked into the dueling chamber. It was exactly like he remembered it. The blue platform was being held up by stone supports that have obviously been enchanted, since they were still here holding up the platform a thousand years after construction. The faint glow around the walls was still there, along with the switches marked in parseltongue. He started to walk towards them.

As he got closer, he could tell what they meant. One said Rain, while another said Snow. There were other ones though, such as 'cold, hot, sandy and windy.' Those ones were the colour green. Perhaps they were things that the duelers could use to control the environment that they dueled in. There were four switches in purple. Each one was labeled differently. They read 'Easy, Medium, Difficult, and Master.' To Harry, they were obviously some sort of level system for something. The third colour was yellow. They read 'Wand and sword.' Harry thought that these two were probably the type of something.

Harry looked at them and considered pulling to see what it does, but quickly discarded that thought. He wouldn't do something so unprepared. Maybe the next time he was down here with one of his friends he would see what they did.

For now, he was content to just go up on the platform and look around. Callidus had gone off to do his own exploring when Harry had entered the dueling room, so he was alone. While the blue platform might've been the size of the Quidditch pitch, it had a low ceiling compared to the rest of the chamber. It was only around twenty feet high, while the rest of the chamber probably averaged thirty.

Harry got out his wand and cast a simple spell.

"Stupefy," he called out, not putting a lot of power into the spell. The red light shot out of his wand and hit the wall. Instead of hitting the wall and breaking in the stone like it probably should've, the wall just absorbed it. Harry repeated the process a few more times, always with the same result.

Harry realized after his fifth time that it might be something about the wall. Perhaps it was the glow around it? Harry then looked at his watch. It read 3AM. Thinking that he had done enough exploring for the evening, Harry went back to the common room, knowing that Callidus would find his way back eventually.

!#$%^&*

Hermione Granger was a muggle-born witch. She had always been book smart, not a people person. Her sister was the popular and athletic one, where she was the one that people picked on in the corner. Gabriel would never say things to her directly, but she would watch and laugh with the rest of them. This caused her to become isolated and independent at a young age. Though her parents treated them fairly equally, they would always have time to practice some sport with Gabriel, while only on the occasion could they take Hermione to the library. Gabriel was smart too, but she didn't have her head in a book all the time like Hermione did.

When she learned of magic, she didn't realize what the price would become. Hermione believed that people would be more opened minded and intelligent. She was wrong. Everyone she had met was just like the people in the non-magical world. Until she had crashed into Harry Potter, the boy that was never even mentioned to be related to the wizarding world's savior, on the Hogwarts Express.

Hermione had convinced her parents to buy her some extra reading material at Flourish and Blotts, though she was only aloud to get three, much to her dismay. So she had chosen two history books and a book called You want to know the wizarding world? It was the first one she had read when she got home. It was an information book, telling her about the different positions in the ministry and Hogwarts. It was a little dry, but it got her prepared.

The other two books were almost full of the same thing: this guy named Percy Potter. He had survived the killing curse, something that was thought to be impossible. The photo of Percy in the book made him look very handsome, and Hermione started to develop a small crush, like many other girls, on the savior.

Those feelings were soon squashed like a bug, however. She looked for him on the train, but couldn't find him until she ran into a guy that looked very much like the savior, though he ended up being his brother. They bonded, along with another guy, named Ronald Weasley. She was delighted to learn that they were both decently intelligent, unlike all the other guys she had seen on the train.

Her strength was in Transfiguration. Ron was good at history and Harry had multiple talents. He could talk to snakes, and was incredible at potions. Before Hogwarts, it would've bothered Hermione that someone was smart or better than her at something academic. She always thought that they would rub it in her face, like that one time Gabriel did better on a math test then she did. But Harry and Ron weren't like that.

Hogwarts couldn't afford two people that acted like Percy Potter, let alone three. What would be worse, is that Harry and Ron can actually back up their claims.

!#$%^&*

"Good morning Hermione," Harry greeted his friend as Ron and him sat down at the Slytherin table. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Hermione said. "It's just… I forgot about the Transfiguration essay that Professor Mcgonagall said we had to do. It's due tomorrow!"

"What Transfig…" He trailed off as he remembered the essay that she was speaking of. They had been so occupied with their extra studying in the chamber that they had forgotten about the essay Professor Mcgonagall had assigned them.

Hermione looked like she was fighting back tears. "I… I… I've never had a late assignment before!"

It was Sunday night, and Transfiguration would be first thing in the morning tomorrow.

"You're talking about the one about the theory of turning an animate object into something inanimate, right?" he asked her. She nodded.

"Hrme sk ti up!" came a noise from their right. They looked over and saw the third member of their trio trying to talk with his mouth full of scrambled eggs.

"Ron, don't talk with your mouth full!" Hermione scolded. "It's not proper for a Slytherin. In fact, it's not proper for anyone!"

Ron finished the steak he had been chewing and answered. "Neither is crying at the dinner table."

"Yes, well. That was a onetime thing. However, you on the other hand always eat like a pig!"

Ron didn't really want to concede defeat to Hermione, but didn't have an answer for that argument. Harry added that to his tally. Ron: 2 Hermione: 4

"So what are we going to do about the essay?" Harry asked his friends. Lowering his voice he said "I think we should sneak into the library. I mean, I know a lot of the things, but I might miss some things."

Ron and Hermione looked at him like he had grown another head.

"Mate, you always know the answers, even if you choose not to share them! Why do you want to go to the library when you have all those books in your trunk! I mean, the only person I know with more books his Hermione! Ow!"

Hermione had taken that comment as an insult and had apparently decided to hit Ron… with a book.

"Oh, Ron. You know me better than anyone I know, except for my mother. Actually, I overheard our mirror's talking about researching something in the library tonight. I don't even think it's the first time they've done it, either."

That was all it took to convince Ron and Hermione.

!#$^%&*

A transfiguration essay later, the trio walked as silently as they could, three pairs of eyes on the lookout for teachers. They went from secret passage to secret passage, trying to remain undetected like the good little Slytherins they are. Due to Harry's close call when he was going to the chamber, Callidus was slithering a bit further up the corridor, always going around the corners first to make sure no one was there. However, it the precaution was not necessary, as they made it to the library without being found.

"It's a lot gloomier at night, isn't it?" Hermione observed as they entered the library. She was right. The books looked like they had a lot of dust on them, and there wasn't any moon light coming in since the curtains were closed. Harry bent down and let Callidus slip back onto his arm.

"It's probably done on purpose," Harry whispered back. "To discourage people from coming in." They continued to walk quietly, when they heard voices. They were faint, but there.

"Follow me," Harry told the others. They got into a single file line and crept up behind a bookshelf.

Harry was not very impressed with the Golden Trio's plan for not being caught in the library at night. In plain sight with a lit lantern, they could see Percy, Ray and Gabriel pouring over books. For Harry it looked unnatural for Percy to actually look focused… looking like he's actually capable of making thoughts.

"We've been searching for almost a month, Percy!" Gabriel complained. "We are never going to find out who Nicolas Flamel is!" Harry heard Hermione gasp beside him. Unfortunately, so did Percy.

"Who's there?" He asked. Did he actually expect the person to identify themselves, even though they were obviously spying on him? "I am the Boy-Who-Lived! I command you to show and identify yourself!"

Apparently he did.

"Why doesn't one of us go check?" Gabriel suggested. "I'll go."

Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged a panicked look. Gabriel had gotten up and was starting to walk towards them. Harry pointed at Ron and Hermione, than pointed up at the bookshelf.

'Climb' he mouthed to them, hoping they would get the message. Ron picked it up right away, but Hermione looked slightly confused. However, she quickly got it when Ron started to put his foot on the bookshelf, hoisting himself onto the first shelf. She didn't look very happy about climbing a bookshelf, but she must've decided that it was better than being caught spying by her twin, because she started to mirror Ron on the opposite shelf. Harry just disillusioned himself.

He tried to breathe as little and as quietly as possible. Gabriel had almost reached the section that he and his friends had occupied moments before. He hoped that Ron and Hermione had the sense to stay still once they had reached the top shelf. Just as long as Gabriel didn't look up…

"Hello?" She called out. Gabriel then held out her wand and drew nearer to where Harry was disillusioned. Harry's heart beat in his chest, as though it wanted to take off. Gabriel had finally reached the spot where the Slytherin trio had been only a minute earlier, if that. Harry could've reached out and tapped her on the shoulder. He looked up and couldn't find either Ron or Hermione.

Harry let out a sigh of relief. Unfortunately for him, Gabriel heard him, renewing her suspicions. She started to reach around, trying to feel for an invisible body.

"What are you doing?" asked Percy, none so patiently. Gabriel hesitated then answered.

"There's no one here Percy." Gabriel called to her friend.

"You absolutely sure?" he asked. "It would just be like my Slytherin brother to go and sneak in the library at night. He was probably researching some way that he could overthrow me."

Neither Ray nor Gabriel answered to that. Gabriel walked back to the table where Percy and Ray had remained then sat down on the bench again.

"So… about Nicolas Flamel. Who is he?" Ray asked, trying to break the uncomfortable silence that had settled upon the Golden trio's table. Gabriel threw Ray an irritated look.

"I don't know! Percy doesn't know! Ray, we've already established that none of us knows who Nicolas Flamel is. That is why we've been taking these midnight trips to the library for almost a month now!"

While the exchanged was going on, Ron and Hermione had slowly creped down from their positions from on top of the bookshelf and were now standing at Harry's side. Harry had also stopped his spell, as it took quite a lot of energy to maintain.

"Quiet you two!" Percy ordered. They shut up right away. "We are going to continue to search for Nicolas Flamel until we find him. He is obviously important since he is involved in whatever the three headed dog is guarding. Now… what's this?"

A book came floating down the library, seemingly by itself. It landed softly on the table that Percy, Ray and Gabriel are sitting at.

"I think it's a book, Percy." Gabriel said while trying to hold in a snort. Percy was not as amused.

"I know that Granger! Tell me what the title is!" When Gabriel gave him a pointed looked, he put his head down at mumbled another word.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Gabriel asked. Harry could tell she had heard what he had said, but wanted to get the satisfaction of hearing it again.

"Please." Percy repeated. Harry couldn't believe it. Gabriel Granger had managed to get his brother do actually not only ask for something instead of ordering for it, but also asking politely! His level of respect went up for Hermione's sister.

"It's called Legends of the Ancient Wizarding world" Gabriel told him. Harry didn't recognize the book, but even he knew who Nicolas Flamel was. Anyone that grew up in a Pureblood house should. He didn't expect Gabriel to. Nor Ray if he was honest. Though the Weasley's were pureblood, he didn't think that they followed the lesson traditions that the others did. Percy on the other hand…

The three of them huddled around the book, reading in their heads. After about three minutes, Gabriel was finished where it took Percy and Ray another two minutes to complete whatever they had been reading.

"No wonder we couldn't find him in the more recent books." Gabriel stated. "He's sorta old."

Ray looked at her like she was an idiot. "Sorta? The book says that he is 657, and it was published almost ten years ago. Eight years, to be exact. That means he's what… 665 today! Sorta old?"

"Okay fine!" Gabriel said. "He's ancient, happy?"

Percy looked a bit scared, but for once Harry saw something in his eye that told Harry that his brother was serious about something, and for the first time in his life, he looked like he would be actually prepared to do something for it. "And he's the only known creator of the philosopher's stone."

Harry made the sign that it was time to go. He walked as quietly as he could to the exit of the library. He let Callidus back down again and gave him a nod. The snake slithered ahead, acting like the lookout once again. They made it back to the dungeons with no trouble. It was then that an idea struck Hermione.

"Harry, why don't we just put silencing charms on our shoes instead of sneaking around quietly?"

Harry was not pleased that he didn't think of that.

!#$%^&*

Dear Ginny

How are you? I hope that you didn't get into too much trouble for the present. Surely I'm not worth that much to you?

Nothing much has been happening at Hogwarts. Well, I guess there has been lots of stuff going on. I can't tell you much in case this letter is intercepted… but I'll tell you some of it. You'll just have to nag Ron for the rest at home since we probably won't see each other again until Diagon Alley.

Last night, Ron, Hermione and I overheard that Percy, Ray and Gabriel were going to be in the library during closed hours. So naturally, I was curious to see why Percy, who normally avoids libraries like they're the plague, wanted to not only go, but also to go at night. When we got there, we learned that it wasn't even the first time that the Gryffindor Trio (that's the name that was given to the three of them) had done it. They were looking for a person named Nicolas Flamel. Ring any bells?

Just in case you don't know, Nicolas Flamel is the only known creator of an object called the Philosophers Stone. This little thing can turn any metal into pure gold, and it creates the Elixir of Life. The elixir would allow anyone to live as long as they would like!

The even stranger part is that they never found the book… it came floating down the hallway as if it was being lifted by a levitation charm! I don't know about you, but that sounds like someone wanted them to find out about Nicolas Flamel… but who?

That's all I can say over a letter. Even what I've said is risky.

Your friend,

Harry

Dear Harry

I'm okay. My mum has been complaining non-stop about Ron and his 'little snake friends.' Honestly, I'd almost wonder if she's afraid he will invite you over to the burrow. As much as I would like you to come, I doubt that my parents would allow it and that Ron would be stupid enough to even try.

You call that nothing? Harry, that's a lot going at Hogwarts. I think that it is especially interesting that the book came floating down by itself. I agree with you Harry. There must be some sort of outside source trying to encourage and help the Gryffindor trio.

How are your classes going? I've heard from Fred and George that exams are really easy in first year and you will barely in need to study. But then again I've also heard from Percy that studying is important and should never be taken lightly, even in the first year.

Your friend,

Ginny

Dear Ginny,

I doubt that Ron would try to invite us over to your home, what did you call it? The burrow? He's not that dumb, and if your mum actually thinks that he is then she seriously needs to get to know your brother a bit more. I'm not dumb enough either to invite Ron and Hermione over to my home, so that would only leave Hermione's home. I hope she invites us, just so I can get out of Potter Mansion.

Speaking of the summer vacation, do you think you could do something for me? Could you sneak Ron some food this summer? I mean, he says that he gets locked in his room often, sort of like I do. The difference is that the Potter's have house elves, so I could just call the ones that I know like me and they would bring food to me. I'm sorry to say that Ron doesn't have that same luxury.

You asked how the studying is. It's terrible! Hermione made us these study schedules, then actually tried to make Ron and I follow them. Of course we didn't, we we're fine just studying at our own pace, but still, Hermione needs to loosen up a bit. I remember at the beginning of the year, she was really uptight and nervous about her school work. However, Ron and I have been able to get her more relaxed. I guess you can't change someone that much.

Your friend,

Harry

Dear Harry,

I don't really know if I can sneak in food. My mum watches Ron like a hawk, and she has for as long as I can remember. I have no idea why though! I might be able to try though. Besides, even if I get caught, I can just remind my mother of the fact that I'm the first Weasley girl in generations, so it would look bad if she were to punish me.

It sounds like Hermione is really intense about her school work. I guess that can be good and bad right? I mean, if she is interested, then it means she'll be able to learn more. You never know when that sort of thing comes in handy.

Your friend,

Ginny

!#$%^&*

!#$%^&*

Exams drew nearer and nearer for Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The OWL and NEWT students were frantically studying, trying to cram as much knowledge as possible into their heads before the examiners that would affect their lives came to test them.

Even for the younger years, the exams were sort of pressuring. Though Ron and Harry had managed to get Hermione a bit more laid back about academics, there were still times when she went back to her old ways.

"Hermione, I've told you a million times, as much as I appreciate the study schedule that you created for me, I really don't need it."

"Shut up Ron. You just don't want it. Besides, it creates good habits for when you need to study and the workload is heavier."

Ron didn't have an answer.

'Ron: 0 Hermione: 5' thought Harry. 'Wow, Ron hasn't won the weekly (unofficial) debate contest since November, and now it was almost June.'

Exams came and passed. Harry found them extremely easy. He had been breezing through his classes with a very high grade, so he wasn't really worried about the marks he would be receiving. Hermione on the other hand...

"Harry, Ron! What did you two get for number 20 during Transfiguration? I thought that the animate transfiguration would be more effective."

"Harry, Ron! How do you think you did? I'm pretty sure that I got numbers 3, 14 and 39 wrong during the charms exam. I mean, what is a Wingardium Leviosa spell really useful for? It's not like you're able to use it in a battle or anything!"

Finally, Ron had had enough after she started to rant as they left the potions exam.

"Hermione, shut up! I'm sure you did great. You're starting to give me a headache!" Harry looked at him.

"She's just starting to? She gave me one after Transfiguration. As much as I love to learn, Hermione, there are times where you should stop and just have fun. Be confident in what you know. You'll do great, don't worry." Harry said the last bit soothingly.

The final exam went by smoothly and Hermione finally seemed to shut up, about the exams anyway.

"So what will you two be doing this summer?" She asked. "Personally, I'll be in the library, trying to stay away from Gabriel as much as possible. At least we're in the house lead thanks to you Harry." It was true. Much of the house points in the Slytherin jar were due to Harry. Due to his amazing performance on the Quidditch pitch, Slytherin is basically guaranteed the title with they're 3-0 record, unless the Gryffindor's, who were 1-1, beat Ravenclaw by over 360 points. The bonus was it had put the snakes far beyond anyone's reach when it came to the house title too.

"I'll probably be left upstairs in the attic with the ghoul again." Replied Ron gloomily. "That's where I've been every year for as long as I can remember. At least Ray has a decent room as far as our family goes."

"That sounds as fun as my summer Ron," Harry told him, hoping it would cheer him up. "Ever since my family discovered I could speak to Callidus, they haven't let me out of my room, which is as big as two of our beds in the Slytherin dorm. At least now that my mum has been freed…"

Thinking of his mum made him think of his Slytherin heritage, and how she had been under that spell that Dumbledore placed on her to ignore him… Also, thinking of that reminded Harry of how he had learned that. It was as though he had gained access to his mother's mind, and almost effortlessly. Harry knew that was possible for a powerful wizard to access someone else's mind, but he had never tried to do that, or research it.

"Harry? Harry? You still with us mate?"

Harry shook his head.

"Yeah, sorry guys. I just got lost in thought. Where were we?"

"Summer holidays and what we're going to do." Hermione told him, not really sure of his reaction.

"Oh right. Those." Harry said glumly.

Seeing that neither of her friends was big on the summer holidays like she was, though it didn't really surprise her considering how they said they were treated at home, Hermione tried to change the subject to something that she knew they both loved, though why was a bit odd to her.

"Do you guys want to play wizard chess? Winner gets first pick of deserts."

The two male heads shot up.

!#$%^&*

$ Dear Harry

I apologize for the lateness of this letter. I am aware that you sent your original letter just before Christmas and now the exams have passed. By the way, I am going to want you to tell me what was on the exams. I wonder how much they've changed.

How you are. I hope you are doing well and are still keeping a strong friendship with those two Snakes, as your twin so elegantly puts it. It is important to be able to know that you can trust some people. Remember, my son, you cannot trust everyone. However, knowing that there are some people that you trust with your life is nice.

The house is mostly peaceful now. At least, as peaceful as it can be with Sirius, James and Remus around. The house was a prank-war zone for at least two weeks. According to the book of pranking, two weeks is the minimum that a prank-war may last. Seriously Harry, they actually showed me that book. However, as soon as the clock struck midnight they knew it is over.

I am glad that you found the family chamber Harry. I'm also impressed that it took you that long to find out about it. It took me until the fourth year to realize that I could speak this unique language, and another two years to locate the chamber. Congratulations! I assume that you've explored some of it, if not all of it. I would just like to assure you that all of the things in there are safe. Just don't wake the basilisk.

Apparently there is this fellow named Tom Riddle who is also a remaining heir. He's older, but I haven't been able to find him! He probably went into hiding to protect the family line or something. I assume that he's still alive?

Now Harry, I know that it was a long time ago, but I would still like to talk to you about the Quidditch Math. After this, we don't have to speak of it again unless you want to. Percy was falling off his broom and you went and caught the snitch instead of helping him. Harry, I'm not going to disapprove of what you did, as it is what I probably would've done. However, you must remember that we are Slytherins, and we must present ourselves to the world in a certain way. We cannot afford to show the world what we think. That is why this summer, I am going to teach you how to put up conscious Occlumency shields. I believe you are a natural, but you will still need to create some shields to have the benefits of things such as keeping an emotionless face and stunning the person you just repelled. These things are very useful, especially when you go out into public and can't afford to lose your temper. For me, it's to make sure the press doesn't have a field day, but for you it will be so you don't lose yourself allies.

With lots of love,

Lily Potter $

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Harry lay on his bed, thinking about his life. Since he had come to Hogwarts, he had found friends. Growing up, he was never given that chance, always being overshadowed by Percy. He was looking forward to coming to Hogwarts, yes, but only because he loved to learn so much, not because he had great social expectations. However, ever since he crashed into Ron and Hermione on the train, he had companions. People that he felt he could trust. With that last thought Harry fell asleep.

A person stood in a chamber. Harry could tell that it wasn't the chamber of secrets. It looked like it could be a part of Hogwarts, but Harry wasn't sure. The person stood studying a mirror, mumbling to himself.

"I see myself in the mirror, with the stone. I see myself presenting it to my master, the greatest wizard who has ever lived. I see my dream, but how do I make that reality?"

Harry could see someone coming up from behind the person.

"N-n-no! I won't let you steal it!" said the voice of a person who was trying to sound courageous, and failing. The person turned around, and Harry gasped as well as you could in a dream. It was Professor Quirrell. But if that was professor Quirrell, then who was his master? Harry could only think of one wizard that people called master in the recent years and he didn't want to see him.

"Hello, Percy Potter. I was wondering if you would grace me with your presence." Quirrell said.

"Quirrell, let me speak to him, man to boy." came a weak voice out of nowhere.

"Master, are you sure?" Quirrell sounded like he didn't believe that the voice could speak to Percy.

"Yes you daft servant! I never speak without meaning it!" The same voice commanded. Still looking quite unsure, Quirrell reached up and started to unwrap his turban. What was at the end was revolting.

"Percy Potter, welcome. I am Lord Voldemort."

Percy screamed like a little girl then fainted. Lord Voldemort smiled sadistically then turned around to the mirror again.

"If only you were as easy to beat." He murmured

Harry woke with a start, knowing one thing. The stone was in danger.

And that's chapter 5! I hope you enjoyed it. I've written around 85% of it in the last week or so. I'm on a roll too, as I'm already hard at work on chapter 6.

By the way, just in case you didn't notice, I changed my name from Ayemjayis to Bright Yellow Angel Halo.