Disclaimer: I do not Own HP

Chapter 2

A Game Of Chess

A flick of my wand and the doors of the great hall opened with a loud BOOM

The entire hall went silent. All eyes were on me. I smiled innocently and tried to channel my inner Schwarzenegger.

"I'm back"

Pandemonium erupted

I admit that the reaction wasn't quite what I had expected. I was prepared for the shouts. ("POTTER","HARRY"). What I had not prepared for was the six crimson bolts rushing towards me. Bugger Dumbledore. In a split second I made my decision. I took them right to my chest and collapsed.

I seem to have a hobby of waking up in hospitals. When I woke up the hospital wing was empty. But that didn't mean I wasn't being watched. The portrait of a snoring witch hung over my bed post. She was snoring too loudly. It was obvious to me that she was merely faking it. I gently reached into my pockets. Tamsyln curled around my hand and hid underneath the long sleeves of my shirt. I can't risk communicating with her. I want her to keep quiet. She seems to understand since she was as still as possible.

Looking back, that wasn't probably a good idea to re enter the world so soon. I should have planned a little more before coming up. But, oh, well, the games afoot now.

"Harry, m'boy" the doors of the hospital wing opened and Dumbledore walked in. if I didn't know better I would have believed his happy grandfather persona. "I am sorry for the stunners my dear boy. I just acted out of reflex. Old age does make one paranoid." He really did look sorry. Tamsyln twitched for a second.

"Oh! Don't worry sir. It was my fault. I really shouldn't have done that. I was worried about Ginny sir. I wanted to know about her. But when I woke up I couldn't find her. A-And I panicked. Please tell me she's alright sir. Where's Ron? Professor Lockhart? Oh no! Did Riddle get to them? SIR, it was a diary-Riddle .Hagrid was innocent-"

"Calm down Harry. No one's hurt. Young Ginerva is fine. A little shaken but nothing time can't cure."

Oh I was killing my role. The terror, innocence, and paranoia everything added just about the right quantity. My occlumency shields projected the image of Ginny lying on cold wet floor. Even Tamsyln seems surprised by my skill. She squeezed my forearm.'May be I'm overselling it a bit'

"Oh" I looked down as if I was ashamed. He bought it. 'Take that you old coot'

"There is nothing to be ashamed of Harry. A young boy such as your self should have never suffered such terrible ordeal. I failed you m'boy. And I'm begging for your forgiveness"

This was it, the choice. I can either tell him everything and be a pawn again or carry on with my plan. He is not an evil person. But that makes his crimes more terrible. He is so sure of himself, sacrificing pawns for saving his queen. He may be the leader of light, but his hands are stained with blood of innocents. His inactions and insistence on giving second chances have resulted in the deaths of hundreds if not thousands. I know of his duel with Grindelwald. If he hadn't delayed that duel for about ten years millions of life could have been saved. He delayed a confrontation with him because great Albus thought grindelwald will eventually repent. He was not senile. No, Albus Dumbledore is a cunning ruthless man hiding beneath that mad hatter persona. He hides in plain view. And so shall I. Till my time comes I'll play his game. It's easier to manipulate the manipulator if he takes you for a different person. Let him think that I'm the same gullible Harry potter. I mustn't forgive him quickly. I need to show some teenage angst.

"I know sir. I am just confused. Why was I left down there in the chamber? I have been there for a week now haven't I? Why it is that nobody had come to see me? Do they still believe I'm the heir of slytherin?"

My hands shook in mock anger. I avoided eye contact with him. It must be due to my knowledge for I feel far more matured than I should be. 'Heh! So is maturity based on experiences or knowledge?' I was playing his game. I am now using him to get the facts without revealing what I know. Half truths and lies. I feel like we are playing a chess game. By saying that I have been down there for a week I can just skip all other parts I don't want him to know. He'll think that I have mistaken this year's end of term feast for last year. We are now playing a game that began over a month ago. A Grand master Is playing against a sixteen year old Dark Lord. Riddle's skills are mine now. A game of lies and half truth, a game that started when I realized the truth. His mistake. Now we are face to face. 'Black moves his pawn. Your move Dumbledore.'

"Harry, the truth is sometimes more stranger than fiction. And when it comes to our world, magic makes it much more. I shall tell you everything Harry. But I am afraid I don't know what happened down in the chamber." He sighed.

Wow. He turned my play on me. Knight takes pawn. Note the fact he didn't ask me a question. He need to know what happened. He is leading me with blank statements. Even with Riddle's skill I need to be careful. Tam gently flicked her tongue. She wants me to tell him. 'How can I understand her? File away for later"

I sighed and recounted my tale. When I mentioned how riddle came out of his diary I saw his eyes widening. He knew. He knew the diary was a horcrux. That means he must have known about my scar as well. Bishops take knight. I gained information from him without even letting him know. He smiled when I mentioned Fawkes battling the basilisk.' He thinks he just got something he wanted.'

"And then I passed out. Before I did I stabbed the diary with the fang." A lie. But he doesn't need to know that. "When I woke up the chamber was empty. The diary was burned to ashes. I searched everywhere for Ginny. But I couldn't find her I rushed back up."

"I see. And that bit about "I'm back"?" white bishops checks king.

'Shit. I just walked into that one'. It just didn't fit in with my story. Perhaps I can blame it on the trauma?

"I don't understand, sir, where is every one?"

I tried to evade with a question. Knight blocks bishop. 'Take the bait'

"Harry, I believe you. I trust that you have earned the truth. I think you are a strong person and can bear the burden of truth. You were in the chamber for a year Harry. Young Ginerva is a second year now. "

"WHAT!" I don't have to fake the anger and astonishment. He just told me a thing I will find out sooner or later and made it looked like he was giving me something important. He was trying to bend me again.

"The truth sometimes hurts more than the sharpest of blades Harry."

"S-So everyone thinks I'm dead. No. Ron, Hermione... "I tried hard and made a few fake tears.

"Oh no, Harry. I couldn't let them bear such a pain, Not right after what young Ginerva had to suffer. They were terrified for Ginny. If I had told them you were dead..."

He shuddered. "So I made a golem which looked like you and spread a story that you were in a coma"

White moves the pawn leaving his king unprotected. I was shocked. I didn't expect him to confess. What is his game? Tam squeezed my arm tightly. She knows what he is doing. And then it clicked. He wanted me to attack him. If I didn't he'll know I am being nice on purpose. If a man is acting perfectly the best way for one to make him slip is by changing the scene suddenly. If he is supposed to act like gentleman smash his face in. A good actor will still act politely; He'll try to avoid conflict. But that's his cover blown. A perfect one will retaliate.

"What? Why? How did you know I was alive? If you knew why didn't you rescue me?" I tore into him like a lion to a gazelle. Black knight moves. Check

"I had several unique instruments to check your conditions Harry. I confess I was worried about your health after the encounter with Voldemort last year. So I made Some Trinkets. Call it an old man's worry" he sighed.

'He was spying on me'

Had he looked at me that moment he would have noticed my face reddening with anger. I collected myself before he could notice.

"I knew you were alive if barely. I asked Fawkes to help me enter the chamber right away when young Ginerva confessed. But the chamber seems to have locked itself against Fawkes. I suspect Salazar Didn't take kindly to the attack on his basilisk by Fawkes." I know that's not the case. The high degree of magic saturated the chamber and made the wards think that they were under attack. They locked the chamber from all external intruders. It took almost an year for the magic to dissipate. Tamsyln had told me when we were travelling up the pipe. But let him draw his own conclusions.

"How did I survive sir?'

"I can only speculate Harry. I think Phoenix tears countered the Basilisk venom and the magic of the chamber preserved you in some kind of coma." Knight takes knight. This is why Voldemort feared Dumbledore. I gave him only what I knew he'll find out sooner or later yet he already guessed the truth. Not the whole truth but still that's impressive.

He was looking at me over his half moon glasses. He wants me to reveal something more.

"Sir, can I stay here for the summer?" I added a little hesitation. This was imperative to my plans. He needs to think that I'm looking up to him. I need to be in the castle. I have to some research in the chamber.

"Why do you want to stay here, Harry?"

"I'm-I'm afraid sir. I don't know how to face them all. Ron, Hermione. I'm an year behind them. And I don't know how I can face them. I want some time alone. I think I'm changing"

I just gave him a golden goose. If he accepts he will be able to watch over me. He can meddle can control me. He'll be able to make sure that I'll be changing in a direction he wants me to. He doesn't want external influence over me. This is my gambit. Queen checks King. What he doesn't know is that I want to be here. What better place to hide than in plain sight. I need to use the chamber to research, to hone my skills. Just because I know things doesn't mean I can perform them. I need to practice my skills.

His blue eyes are piercing into mine. I felt a legilimency probe. I quickly projected sorrow and desperation. He seemed to be satisfied.

"I think that is for the best Harry. But never push away your friends. Take your time. As they say time shall heal everything. I'll tell Poppy that you do not wish for visitors. Good night my boy. And if you ever want some peppermints my office shall always be open". His eyes were twinkling. And check mate. White lose the game.

The moment those wooden doors slammed shut Poppy came rushing over to me.

"You are in perfect health. Even your eyesight's perfect. How did that happen?" She was waving her wand over me and was muttering diagnostic spells. Some I could recognize. I really need to learn healing.

"You're the healer. You tell me. I'm just glad to be alive"

"It's like you have a death wish. Do you like the hospital bed so much that you prefer it over your own?" she glared at me.

"May be I like seeing you. Why else would I be down here so often?" I flashed a smile. Kind persons such as hers can be easily manipulated. A few cheeky comments and she'll be eating out of my palm.

"Get out of here you cheeky brat" She mock ordered me. I felt Tamsyln's amusement.

"Aye, Aye Cap'n "

I saluted her and ran out of the hospital wing. They see what I want them to see.

As I was walking I realized that the portraits and ghosts seem to have developed an unnatural interest in me. I tried my best to act ignorant. I need my cloak. If Hermione is anything like I believed she was she would have made sure it would be safe. She will be keeping it with her. I know I can depend on her. But can I trust her? I don't know. I tried my best to avoid the students. They were all hurrying to get the best seats on the train. I saw a bush of hair. There were no paintings or ghosts around. What I am about to do is unforgivable. I need to mean it.

"Imperio"

I felt a rush of power. Something was whispering me to do more. Dark arts, it will twist the weak minds. I hastily pulled my Occlumency shields up. I felt no remorse. I won't hurt her. I watched her as she walked towards me. Her eyes were glossed over. I looked around and ordered her to enter into a hidden passage.

"Do you have the cloak?" I asked.

"Yes"

"Hand it over" she searched her bag hand handed it over to me.

"Why do you have it?"

"I wanted to keep it safe. I didn't want anyone to know that you had an invisibility cloak" she answered without any emotions.

"Why didn't you give it to Ron?"

"We had a fall out. He hasn't talked to me for months"

I felt pity. She was my friend. I don't know whether we will be in the future.

"Sshee desserves better." Tamslyn hissed.

Funny, I think I just felt jealousy mixed with concern.

"She does" I said more to myself. She looked like hell. Her cheeks were hollow. Her skin looked so pale that she looked like a vampire.

"Why do you look like you just came out of a coffin?"

"I over used the Time-Turner given to me. The stress of all the extra courses caught up to me."

'Bloody hell' whatever I expected wasn't this. Idiot. Always thinking she can handle everything. Superiority complex is her fatal flaw.

"Assk her where isss it now?" Tamsyln hissed. She has some plan.

"Where is it now?"

"With professor McGonagall "

"Obliviate"

I hid behind a tapestry. She shook her head and proceeded to walk toward the station. I so wanted to help her. But people will notice her missing. Besides if I meet her now my cover will be blown. I made a mental note to check on her later. I'll have to owl her soon. Right now I need to speak with Tamsyln. I only have a few minutes window before Dumbledore notices that I'm missing.

I leaned back against the wall as I watched Tam morphing back to human. 'Tam. It's nice, isn't it?'

We were in an abandoned room. It was fascinating to watch her morph back. Her wide eyes, smooth skin, pink lips, she was angelic. I didn't realize that I was staring at her till her obsidian eyes were piercing into mine.

"What? Did I do something wrong? Is my face okay?" She touched her face with her hands to make sure she completed the transformation correctly.

"N-No. I just zoned out for a second" I stammered.

We both know that's not the truth. I can feel her amusement. We need to discuss this connection. But we have no time right now. "What's the plan?" I asked her.

"We need that Time-Turner. We should exploit every available resource." She just went from an angel to demon in a second. She's fascinating.

"How?"

"Smoke and mirrors. Go to her and tell her you want to complete third year. That you'll try your best to finish it before the school opens for the next year. I'll hide under the invisibility cloak and shall try to steal it. If we are lucky she'll give it to you on her own to help you."

"Okay" .It was not the best plan. But considering that we only have minutes to plan and act it'll have to do. She can do her part and I can do mine. We know the plan is not perfect. But I trust her and she trusts me. My intuition tells me to go forward. I gave her my wand. She needs it. I don't. She nodded and pulled the cloak over her head. I gestured her to follow me.

I knocked the door to McGonagall's office.

"Come in"

I took my time before closing the door. I felt Tam brushing past me.

"Good evening Professor" I said politely.

"Good evening Mr. Potter, I am glad that you are fine. You had us all worried for a bit" So she does has a soft side.

"I'm sorry Professor. I never wished for all that to happen." Let her know that I care her opinions.

"Oh, don't worry about that. If you hadn't done what you had to do a young girl might not be alive now." She feels guilty. 'It's working'

"Have a biscuit" she gestured her hand toward an open tin on her desk. The thin veil appeared behind her for a second and then it was gone. Tamsyln just made a silence ward. I took one biscuit.

"Professor, I was wondering if I can take the third year course over this summer."

Blunt. That'll distract her.

"Albus said you were staying here for the summer. I presume this was the reason?"

"Yes. I need time to adjust. A-and Hogwarts is the only place I feels at peace. "

I just played the pity card. A cabinet behind her glowed blue. Tam was breaking down the wards on it.

"Why do you want to do that? Do not take this the wrong way. But I frankly do not think you have the ability to do that. You wish to complete a year worth knowledge in two months."

"Please Professor. I'll try my best. If you think I can't do it then you can stop it at any time. And then I'll start over again along with next year's third year students."

She thinks it over and sighed.

"I suppose I can always do that. Most of the teachers stay at school during the summer, except for Professor Snape. You'll need to study that by yourself I'm afraid. I shall ask my colleagues to do the same. I can't see them refusing. It's not like we have much to do over the summer. You would do well not to disappoint me Mr. Potter." She said sternly. She never saw her cabinet being opened.

"I'll try my best Professor. "

"Have you thought about changing your electives?" She is gauging me.

"Yes Professor. I wish to take Runes and Arithmency." She smiled a rare smile. The cabinet door closed and the Silencing ward collapsed.

"Good. I suggest you go to the great hall. It's nearly Dinner time. We shall discuss the rest over dinner along with my colleagues."She dismissed me.

As I closed the door I asked out aloud. "Geminio?"

"Yes" came the reply.

As I walked into the old class room I saw another person there. I blinked once, and then blinked again. It was another Harry Potter. He just smiled at me and showed a Time Turner. It was a good thing that I didn't have a wand. Or I would have cursed my future self.

"Go down to the Chamber. Use the cloak. Six turns. Now it is 7:12. Mind the step. I'll go to the dinner. Here's your food" he threw me a cover.

"You are beautiful even when you are invisible Tam" He winked at me and strode out of the room.

Someone punched me on my shoulder. "Ouch! What was that for?" I growled.

"You called me Tam." She said as she pulled the cloak off her.

"No I didn't. He called you Tam"

"And your point is?"

Great! cheeky bastard. I just huffed and threw the cloak over both of us. We started walking towards the Myrtle's bathroom. As we walked I couldn't help notice her pale smooth skin. She smelled like sandal. Her smooth hair brushed my sides. I was disappointed when we stopped.

A familiar pipe with snake engraved stood before us. I wonder how I'm still able to speak parseltongue. She seems to be thinking along the same lines. She tilted her head sideways. 'Merlin! That lone strand of hair caressing her jaw, it was begging me to tuck it in' I almost raised my hands to tuck it in.

"You should try it" she whispered. I shivered involuntary at her tone.I wonder if she is doing this on purpose. "I did it last time. Why don't you give it a try?

"Open"she hissed. She looks like a kid given a new toy. The pipe opened revealing the slide.

"Together?" she asked

"Together" I grabbed her hand and jumped.