Chapter 2: The hidden facet

Harry was in his room at the Dursley feeling extremely frustrated, it has been a week since the end of the term. This year has been particularly harsh, first he was branded as a lying attention seeking brat, then the ministry meddling with the school affairs but the last and most sorrowful part has been his godfather's death.

He has yet to hear about his so call 'best friends', the only person that already contacted him is his secret friend. He never told anyone about her even though they were friends since first year. He remember the first time he met her.

Flashback:

Harry Potter was once again looking in the mirror when a soft voice interrupted him

"Do you know what's that mirror?" a girl asked him.

He turned back to see a cute girl he recognised as a Slytherin from his year.

"No, but it shows the image of my parents; though i don't understand how, i never saw a photo of them before" Harry was a little surprised at how easily he was conversing with her considering Slytherins reputation.

"It's called the mirror of Erised, the reverse of desire. A very dangerous item because it showed you not your face but your heart's desire; and you certainly knew your parents so if i take a guess it must use something similar to ligilimency to access the mind and view the person wishes" she told him.

Harry was confused "What is legilimency?"

The girl looked at him like he was crazy but responded "Legilimency is a mind art used to extract emotions and memories from another person's mind. I know at least Snape and Dumbledore are accomplished legilimens so a bit of a advice never look at them in the eyes when they talk to you"

Harry was shocked that such a thing exist but was also intrigued "Do you know how i can detect if someone is trying to read my mind and how to prevent that?"

"Well there is another mind art called occlumency, it creates a barrier around your mind to detect and prevent intrusions, it also helps with the control of your emotions. Most purebloods are taught the basics before Hogwarts mostly to protect family's secrets. It's also the main reason true Slytherins appears aloof and have blank expressions" Answered the girl.

Harry was analysing every detail the girl mentioned and he really wanted to learn more so he asked her "i realize it's rude of my part as you don't know me but would you consider teaching me?"

The girl was stunned, it was clear she wasn't prepared at that but collected herself quickly "Do you realize that you, a Gryffindor, just asked a Slytherin for help?" she stated amused and somehow curious.

Harry shrugged "I didn't grow up into this world so houses rivalries don't mean a great deal to me like others, of course i heard the rumours about all Slytherins are evil but it would be preposterous, we are only eleven; not to mention the sorting hat wanted to put me in Slytherin and i don't think i'm evil. The only raison i begged the hat to put me elsewhere was because i didn't like that prick Malfoy and he was sorted into that house"

The girl looked at him for a while like he has grown another head then smirked "i agree on one condition" Harry nodded to her to continue "i want our sessions to stay secrets, it will do me no good if anyone was to find out"

Harry thought few seconds, sure he didn't like not sharing that kind of secrets with his friends but he can see her point so he nodded and hold out his hand "Hi my name is Harry Potter, nice to meet you"

The girl took his hand smiling "Likewise Potter, i'm Daphne Greengrass"

End flashback.

That day onward, he would meet Daphne secretly and the two became quickly best friends. She taught him everything she knew about his family and heritage, afterall he was an heir of a most ancient and noble house. She also taught him occlumency, etiquettes, politics and everything else an heir needs to be acquainted with (Daphne herself being the heiress of the most ancient and noble house of Greengrass)

He learned there was only 7 families with that statue and that they hold an enormous political and financial power, they were 'Greengrass, Potter, Black, Bones, Longbottom, Peverell and Macmillan'.

As Harry's lessons with Daphne carried on, he began to suspect the headmaster's manipulations. Being a Slytherin, Daphne brought up his canning side and taught him to be calculating. So while he was sorting his memories he remembered his meeting with the Weasleys it was easy to detect a set up. The headmaster likely didn't want him associated with someone that could inform him about his heritage, he wanted him to be a moldable weapon to do all his bidding. He learned how to put his occlumency shields behind his common memories as Dumledore and Snape use legilimency on him periodically to 'ensure that he still on the right side' Harry thought bitterly.

As the years passed and Harry harbouring his Slytherin side he became good at reading the personalities of people around him, Ron was a jealous git who wanted the fame from being the boy who lived mate, Dumbledore wanted him as a little weapon who worshipped him and saw him as a saviour, Snape was Dumble's lapdog, Molly Weasley was an overbearing mother who desired to hook him up with her daughter and was always pushing words to make her appear perfect for him, he didn't grasp with certainty her motives but probably fame and money. He didn't know the rest of the Weasleys that well to form an honest opinion apart from the insufferable Percy, the obsessive fan girl Ginny and the twins who seemed to genuinely care about him. The other person who was also sincere to him is Hermione and he was a little guilty to keep secrets from her but he was conscious about her worship for authority and was sure she would easily spill his secrets to the headmaster if she thought it would keep him safe and that was confirmed in third year with the broom.

Harry and Daphne had trained together through the years, they were proficient in duelling, occlumency, silent casting and learned the basics of wandless magic and legilimency. Harry's favourite subject for practice was his so called best friend, he really enjoy listening to the idiot thoughts and schemes. They both discovered they were elementals, Harry could manipulate fire, earth and surprisingly shadows whereas Daphne was a water elemental. They didn't master them yet as it takes decades but they were quite good at principal manipulations. Harry's other rare ability was a natural healer, he contemplated that was probably what kept him alive at the Dursley.

Another thing he learned from Daphne is Dark doesn't mean evil, it depends on each person predisposition to magic: light wizards use mostly light magic and if they delve deep in the dark arts they would become crazy it's the primarily reason the dark arts were made illegal. Dark wizards who find the dark arts easier and finally the grey wizards who don't have preferences and use all type of magic.

He never told anyone about his friendship with Daphne not even Sirius. His thought moved to his deceased godfather, he was feeling extremely guilty it was partly his fault. He could have easily prevented Voldemort from sending him any thoughts, he was an accomplished occlumens unlike what Snape and Dumbles believe. In his 'lessons', he was feeding Snape the impression of accessing his mind via false or unimportant memories. He was naive to consider a good idea to spy on Voldemort via their link and forgot the opposite then he went like a brainless Gryffindor to the department of mysteries right to Voldy trap, endangered the lives of many people and caused his godfather's death.

He was aware the fault lies also on several people: Dumbles for not telling him about the prophecy, he has yet to figure the headmaster's game, yes he knows the old goat has his own agenda but nonetheless he couldn't understand. Why wasn't he training him if he wanted a weapon? Then there is Voldemort for sending him the false vision, Kreacher for lying to him, Bellatrix for casting the curse that send him through the veil and of course his godfather for not taking the fight seriously. He was playing and taunting his cousin, he could remember them sending only non lethal curses, it was like a dual between rivals not enemies who wanted to kill each other. He wondered about their reasons, Sirius didn't like to speak about his family but it was clear that Bellatrix didn't mean to kill him it was a simple stunner that send his godfather through the veil but even though his mind knows that, it couldn't lessen the hatred he fell toward her; she was the one who murdered his godfather.

Harry was pulled from his musing by the arrival of an owl, he quickly let him in then took the letter.

Dear Mr. Potter

We wish to give our condolences to the passing of your godfather Lord Sirius Orion Black, Lord Black was a good man who died before his time, next week will be the reading of his will and since you are the main benefactor it is important that you come. The reading will occur at Gringotts next Thursday at 2pm.

Sincerely

Ranook

Account manager of the Black estate

Harry looked at the letter then sighed heavily, here was the confirmation that his godfather was indeed gone, he was still in his thoughts when Fawkes appeared in his room.

'what the old goat want this time?' he asked himself

He went to Fawkes, petted his head affectionately and picked the letter

Dear Harry;

I just received a notice to attend Sirius Blacks will reading and I am sure that you also have received one as well. I am sorry to say that I can not allow you to attend. I will take care of everything concerning your inheritance. With the war starting it would be a good thing that you remain at Privet Drive for the rest of the summer. I may be able to bring you to Grimmauld Place for your birthday on July 31st but I can not make any promises yet. I will try my hardest though. Hope you are enjoying your summer, I hear it's nice in London this time of year. See you on September 1st at the welcoming feast.

With Respect,

Headmaster Albus Dumbledore

Harry groaned "What the fuck!"

A/N: Thanks for the reviews, i will try to update periodically.

paulaa90: I too feel sorry for Lily but she never discovered the truth and died thinking Harry was her baby.

Just Another Aceves: A blood test would identify him as a Black, James didn't blood adopt him he just cast a very strong permanent glamour charm on him. The blood adoption occurred to me but I'm assuming James was afraid that Lily discover the truth then they went into hiding and they were murdered so he never had the time. I would be happy to clarify any point you may have.

jabarber69: Actually i have a plan concerning the Potter estate but until now he didn't need a blood test, his key was sufficient to access his trust vault.