As Harry looked at the newest student he found his eyes straying to a red headed girl. She looked related to the twins. But her magic had a small black tendril wrapped around it. He eyed it a few times then returned to half listening to Hermione explain her summer with Blaise. Wasn't his problem.

.--.

Harry frowned at Lockhart. The man was a fool. He faked his way through his lessons. Harry watched as he revealed a cage of pixies. He just sat though, even as the man opened the cage and all the pixies burst out. They left chaos in their wakes. No one noticed they left Harry alone as they panicked themselves. The pixies took one look at him and see his passive face and the fire beneath his skin and they turned away. As everyone ran from the room, Lockhart yelling that Harry can handle it, he was left with the pixies. Before they can move each is consumed by a ball of fire, crying in agony as they turn to ash. Harry gave a smile. But then it fell. The only problem with burning was there was no blood. And he dearly liked the color of blood.

.--.

Harry idly stepped onto the roof of Hogwarts enjoying the small breeze and the large drop at his feet. He sat down on the rickety edge and let his legs dangle not even glancing at the five hundred foot drop with more then a dreamy look. He pulled his violin to his shoulder and chin. He set the bow on the strings and played. It wasn't a soft happy tune, or even a sad tune. Just a haunting, empty melody that drifted down. It reminded him of himself. Of how empty he was. He played the tune, half lidded eyes starring out at the dark night.

.--.

Harry signed the next letter frowning. He found a growing dislike for Lockhart. The man seemed to follow his every move with his eyes, always watching him, in class, in the halls, in the great hall. Everywhere. Earlier today he had been roughly knocked by Draco causing him-self to knock Lockhart's cup from his desk. Detention. He despised the word. He had never had a detention before. He had avoided all Snape's attempts at giving him one but the idiotic fool actually gave him one. He hated detention for one reason. It was a waste of his time, and with Lockhart it was even worse then a waste of time. Harry looked to the letter he was signing in Lockhart's name. How could anyone like this man? He looked up at the clock and saw it was late. He set the quill down and kept his wrist still not bothering to acknowledge it was tried from the sighing.

"It's late professor." Harry said.

Lockhart gave a grin.

"Why, it is, isn't it."

He stood and strode over to the desk Harry was in.

"Well I guess you should retire for the night."

Harry stood and noticed Lockhart was a bit to close for comfort.

"Professor Lockhart-"

"You can call me Gilderoy in private." The man grinned.

Harry didn't like the feeling his instincts were given him. Lockhart leaned over and put a hand on the desk, on either side of Harry.

"So Harry." Drawing his name out. "What do you think of me?"

Harry narrowed his eyes. The man was trying to seduce him. Noir had warned him he was a very beautiful child, with a face that seemed older then he was. But he could accuse Lockhart of some serious sexual abuse charges here. Harry just slipped under the arm.

"Goodnight Professor."

He vowed to never let the man give him another detention as he hurried down the hall. He was a few halls from Lockhart's office when he heard a hiss.

:Kill….hungry…feed….blood….hate…:

Harry paused listening. He had heard parseltongue enough to recognize it. He briefly wondered how a snake had gotten loose in the school, but shook it off as he walked off.

.--.

Harry stared at the message on the wall, along with most of Hogwarts. The message was written in blood which seemed to scare a lot of people. He moved his glance to Mrs. Norris, who was as stiff as board. Harry felt Ne, who was around his shoulder, hiss softly. He seemed to smell something. Another snake. A strong snake. One that Ne was wary of. Harry just let his eyes wander the ground, the water, the cat, the message. He took everything in. It wouldn't do to forget a warning he was partially targeted by. First of course the muggle-borns had to watch out.

.--.

Harry frowned as he read the book. So the chamber of Secrets held a basilisk. Interesting and dangerous. He set the book back on the shelf and left the restricted section. It would be fairly interesting to find the chamber, but he didn't completely feel like it. He sighed and realized it was time for the duelling club. He smirked. The only reason he was going was because he wished to see Lockhart make a fool of himself. He glanced around and seeing no one stopped.

"Hogwarts, can you please help me to the great hall."

The magic thrummed and a door appeared on the wall beside him. He opened it and stepped in. It vanished behind him as he stepped out another door right beside the great hall. He patted the stone wall and moved to the door. He easily slipped through the already acquired crowd and made his way to stand next to Hermione and Blaise at the front of the duelling platform. He was just in time as Snape and Lockhart were facing off. He watched with a delighted smirk as Lockhart was blown back but tsked when he got up unharmed.

"Hit him harder Snape." Harry called out loud.

For a moment everyone turned to look at him in surprise, surprised to even hear him. Then some yelled agreement. Snape looked at him in puzzlement a moment. Then turned to where Lockhart was standing, obviously having not heard the yell as he was talking like nothing had happened.

"We should get some volunteers." Lockhart said cheerfully. "Ah, Neville Longbottom and Harry."

He got a few odd looks at calling Harry, just Harry. Snape sneered.

"Longbottom messes everything up. We do not want to send everyone to the hospital wing. How about Potter and Malfoy?"

Harry swung onto the platform. Malfoy also hopped on. Lockhart was babbling on about what they had to do but Harry tuned him out as he saw Malfoy doing the same. Malfoy had a cruel smirk on. Harry had never like Malfoy Jr. The boy was much to spoiled. They both bowed then turned and walked back. As they raised their wands Malfoy cried his spell out. Harry nimbly dodged the blast that would have thrown him back and threw his own, wordlessly. Malfoy was pushed back so he landed on his butt, hard. Many were cheering him on, while some stood in awe of the wordless spell, mainly those who understood the power it took to use no incantation and wave.

Draco snarled at him and threw another curse. Harry opted to dodge. He fluidly dodged five curses before silently throwing up a shield. Even Snape was watching him with grudging respect. Suddenly Draco decided forwards spells weren't working. A snake shot from the end of his wand, hissing and spitting in irritation. It saw Harry and glared sliding towards him and hissing at the students on either side who were backing awake. Snape was stepping onto the platform now. Harry just stepped forwards and held his arm out to the snake. It looked curious.

:What doesss the ssstupid human want?: It asked itself. :Maybe I'll bite him. Ssstupid human sssumoning me from lunch!:

:Calm.: Harry said simply.

He faintly heard students crying out at his words.

:You ssspeak! Did you sssumon me ssspeaker?: The snake asked.

:No. The blonde sssummoned you to attack me.:

:Foolisssh. I'd rather take your ssside. Ssspeakersss are worth more then normal pitiful humanssss.:

Harry gave a smirk.

:Hurry around my arm. The man ssstalking forwardsss will hurt you if you don't.:

The black snake gave a nod and faster then should been possible it darted out and around his arm. 'Seems he has speed.' Harry thought. 'Makes sense. Magic wouldn't summon a non-magical snake.' Harry straightened and everyone drew back. Even Snape looked wary.

"Let me deal with the snake Potter."

Harry gave him a flat stare.

"He's fine with me."

Suddenly a spell reeled towards Harry. Harry dodged just in time, the spell brushing just past his arm, hitting the black snake. The snake hissed in pain and his hold on Harry's arm loosened. He flew back and hit the ground before he burned up from the spell. Harry stared at the ash in slight surprise. Then he spun to find it was Lockhart with his wand outstretched a victorious grin on his face.

"Don't worry Harry. I took care of the snake for you. No need to thank me."

For once Harry felt something quite strongly. Rage. He felt utter rage. He had been able to feel rage before, more then any other emotion. It came to him easier. But he hadn't known he could feel so furious. He barely noted as Snape and the students around him were shoved aside by his whirling magic, and the magic of Hogwarts itself which tried to protect them from his own magic. His eyes narrowed to slits and his hair danced around him. Suddenly the rage was gone. Harry sighed and recalled the magic. Students could breath easier. Harry turned to walk form the hall sending one last glance at a blinking Lockhart.

:I hate you.: He said simply.

He did hate him. He was the first person other then the Dursely's that he hated. As he walked from the hall he realized he could actually feel rage, hate. He wasn't as empty as he had first thought. Or maybe he was just learning.

.--.

End Of Chapter 13.