Previously…

Ciaran knew that look. It was a Slytherin's plotting face. Draco had an idea and he knew that he was going to love it! A smirk fell upon his face as Draco turned towards him.

"The Vanishing Cabinet, we can use the Vanishing Cabinet since it links to a twin cabinet in a shop in Knockturn Alley called Borgin and Burkes. We'll have to fix it up since the kid Marcus pushed through only was stuck in the middle however after that is done all the Death Eaters would have to do is walk into Borgin and Burkes pay the man and walk through the cabinet straight into Hogwarts. It would be like a tunnel beneath the castle."

Ciaran laughed. It was brilliant. The plan would work now. Nothing could go wrong now!

~ Chapter Eleven ~

"Dray, that plan is excellent but do you know where the Vanishing Cabinet is?" Ciaran asked after a moments of silence.

They had a rough idea of what they were going to do to cause disruption in Hogwarts. Now all they had to do was refine their plan and locate all of the elements. Not only that but they would have to inform the Dark Lord of their plan and have him order his Death Eaters to Borgin and Burkes when the time was right. Everything needed to be pieced together delicately before being executed.

Draco nodded his head. Oh, he knew where it was alright. That was one piece of information that he had not overlooked.

"The Vanishing Cabinet was moved from the hallway after Marcus' stunt. Many Slytherins wondered where it was relocated to but I figured it out a few months later after witnessing you disappear into the Come and Go Room also known as-"

"-The Room of Requirement." Ciaran completed Draco's thought.

It was quite an ingenious move on the headmaster's part. After all the only people who ever used the room were those that truly needed it. Not only that but it became whatever the person needed at that time whether it was a place to stash something or a broom closet to snog their girlfriend. This room within Hogwarts was truly the best room ever created.

"What do you have to think to get inside?" Ciaran asked eagerly.

"I use 'I need a place to hide an item', however any variation of that should work."

Ciaran nodded. That sentence was broad enough to have numerous variations so that other students could access the room. Something about that sentence was bothering him. Perhaps it was too general for his liking? No, that wasn't it either. Wait… yes it was…

"Draco, exactly how many items are in the Room of Requirement when opening the door to that room?" Ciaran asked cautiously.

Ciaran sighed as Draco twitched. Obviously it was a high amount.

"With all that clutter in the way how did you plan to move it if we needed to? Draco it would be near impossible."

"I'm positive there is a simple way around that small problem, Cia. To begin with, we could ask the room to move the other items since it is the Room of Requirement. If we needed something, it should provide it. However if that does not work out then we could always levitate it out of the room or use a darker spell that Hogwarts won't detect. Relax, Cia, moving the cabinet is the least of out worries."

Scowling at the nickname, Ciaran acquiesced. There were far more important things to think of rather than how they were going to move it. They would have to find a solution to that later when they weren't attempting to piece together their plan.

"Alright we'll think of that later, the next thing would be where we would place the Cabinet for the most effective place to wreak havoc?"

Draco relaxed back against the sofa. That was an interesting question. There were numerous locations that they could place the cabinet for the best attack however they would also have to work on it at that location. That thought cut out a number of locations already.

"Well, we'd need a place that is hardly accessed by other students or teachers. Not only that but this room would also have to be in the best position to affect the entire school and not just certain areas. Sure the Slytherin Common Rooms may be left alone since we shall be aiding the Death Eaters so the dungeons aren't the best bet. We can't place it somewhere high either. That would just lead for an easy escape for the students allied to the Light and we can't have that. No this has to be placed in the optimum position."

"So basically we need a room that is free from other students and teachers and close enough to the other Common Rooms to gain their attention swiftly when the Death Eaters eventually enter." Ciaran summarized.

They would need to set up a large location for the Death Eaters to gather as well. Then when all of the Dark Lord's supports stormed the castle no one would be safe. That left the lower levels of the castle for their main location. If they went too high their plan would be foiled and if they were too low it would be the same. The location of this cabinet was something that had to be planned carefully otherwise everything would be completely ruined.

"The main location I can think of is the room on the third floor corridor that Dumbledore warned us away from in first year. That would work since no one dares to travel down there because of the numerous stories. It's also in the best position for what we need."

Draco seemed doubtful though. "It's to open. Anyone could follow us into the room using a Disillusionment Charm and figure out what we are doing."

"The only other place that we could possibly place it is here, in the Chamber of Secrets, but there are flaws to that as well." Ciaran said, biting his lip in frustration.

"What kind of flaws?" Draco asked cautiously.

There was no way he could handle it if something were to happen to Ciaran. If this plan brought any danger to Ciaran, he would veto it immediately. Not to mention if anything happened to Ciaran on his watch then he would have a very angry Potions Master and Dark Lord towering over him with painful curses on their lips. No, Ciaran would be protected at all costs.

"Well if we decided to work on it independently on occasion you couldn't get in. Then there is the danger of any traps Slytherin left in here. If either of us fell into one the other wouldn't know. It's just too dangerous to work alone."

"Then we don't work alone."

Ciaran looked at Draco incredulously. If they worked individually as well as together they would get their task done in half the expected time leaving the rest of the time open for other activities. Couldn't Draco see this was to their benefit?

As if reading his mind, Draco glared at him.

"I don't care if it takes longer to fix. We won't be placing each other in danger. I would rather we never completed it at all and faced the wrath of the Dark Lord than see you harmed in anyway."

Ciaran couldn't help the slight blush that crossed his cheeks. Why did Draco always make him feel this way? Sure his father and grandfather were this protective but they didn't cause such a reaction in him that Draco did. Could this be what it feels like to love someone? Ciaran didn't know but even if it were close, he would make sure that he had this feeling with him always. To feel truly loved was warming and comforting. Nothing would jeopardize this.

"Alright Draco."

"Honestly Ciaran you can't keep rushing head first into- wait… what?"

Draco was absolutely flummoxed. Had Ciaran just agreed to give in?

"I said, alright Draco. I agree that this idea would have been foolish. We should work on this project together to avoid any possible mishaps." Ciaran suggested. Of course the added bonus was spending more of his time with the one person he was coming to love.

The silly grin that spread across Draco's mouth almost had Ciaran laughing. He had seen that same look upon Weasley's face when Granger agreed with him or told him he was correct. Draco Malfoy was love sick. Ciaran would find it hard to believe if Draco hadn't spoken about how much he desired to have him. Quite honestly, Ciaran was warming to the idea. He enjoyed Draco's company and the warmth that flowed between them both was something he would never have with anyone else. In time he could definitely fall irrevocably in love with the Malfoy heir.

"So it's settled then. We'll use the Chamber of Secrets for the location of the Cabinet, we won't work on it alone and we won't have specific times to work on it making it harder for people to guess what we are attempting to do." Ciaran said.

Draco nodded happily. That plan at least kept Cia safe while he was in Draco's company. He couldn't say the same for other people though. They would simply have to look out for Cia and if anything happened to him then he would make sure that they paid. But he couldn't be thinking these thoughts with Cia so near.

If he caught a vibe from Draco then Ciaran would wonder what had caused him to be so angered. He would wonder what it was that he had done to cause such a reaction even though he'd done nothing wrong. Thank Merlin those muggles were already dead or Draco would show them a whole new meaning of pain for causing Ciaran to react this way.

"Well now that the easy discussion is out of the way," Draco joked, "How was Divination with that fraud Trelawney and Pansy?"

He needed to get away from this topic otherwise it would go down a path he definitely wasn't prepared for. However he got a feeling that this topic wasn't the smartest choice either.

Ciaran scowled. Yes he knew that Divination was one of the easiest subjects in Hogwarts (discounting Muggle Studies) but there was a reason they were taking it. Why couldn't Draco and the other Slytherns understand this?

Ever since the other Slytherins had discovered they were taking Divination, they had continuously payed them out at every opportunity. Of course that wasn't in sight of the other houses. That would go against everything their house stood for but when they were alone that was when the joking began. It wasn't only out loud either. Ciaran had to suffer through it all when listening to their thoughts as well. It was enough to send him slightly batty.

"Draco, you can't call her a fraud." Ciaran insisted.

He wasn't going to put up with this. As long as Draco had any hope of being with him then he had to understand. He had to understand that occasionally he would do things that weren't what Draco expected, occasionally he would be questioned by all but there was always a method to his madness. Many would just have to wait for the final product to witness it.

Draco however didn't appear to be easily convinced by merely the word of the one he supposedly loved.

"You're actually standing up for that fraud? She has never uttered a single prophecy in her life! I can't believe this especially after the year she spent predicting your death every lesson, you still believe she is worth something. Honestly if the Dark Lord had any inkling that she was indeed what she profess to be then he would have already kidnapped her for his own use. He wouldn't allow someone that special to be around Dumbledore let alone be hired by him. I don't think you know the Dark Lord as well as you think you do, Cia." He reprimanded.

This was simply ridiculous. Ciaran couldn't understand why they were arguing over this. Honestly everyone thought that Trelawney was the sharpest pencil in the box but that wasn't what made Ciaran so frustrated. Perhaps it was merely the fact Draco didn't have any faith in him that got him so upset? He didn't know but it caused him to become very angry and when he was running high on emotions he tended to say things he didn't mean to utter in front of certain people.

"She has spoken true prophecies before!" Ciaran shouted in frustration.

Draco froze in shock. Never had he bared witness to Ciaran or Harry when they were truly angered. In all honest, everyone in Slytherin had believed Harry Potter to be quite apathetic when he wasn't attempting to be heroic. So to witness this was truly an astonishing sight to behold. It meant that Ciaran was opening up to him. Ciaran was beginning to place more trust into Draco and he couldn't have been more pleased. This was the start for them. This was their true beginning.

"Just because someone doesn't confer to the norm doesn't mean that they aren't who they say they are!" Ciaran continued. "Why can't you see that it's not only Slytherin that often hide their true selves away? Not everyone is as black and white as you would like to think! Pansy and I know that Trelawney is a seer. She may not be as successful as her predecessor but she is one and she has made two known prophecies both of which have played out."

Wow. Ciaran was completely serious about this. Draco hadn't realized how important this was to his beloved and he had to admit he was being a little close-minded. He knew not everything was black and white, right and wrong, yet he had gone and applied the same principles to someone else. This was not the person he wanted to be. This was not the person he wanted Ciaran to be with. More than anything he wanted Ciaran to be with someone he was proud of, someone he could trust.

"Why do you have so much faith in her?" he couldn't help but ask.

He was a Slytherin he needed a bit more information than that to do on before he placed his faith in anything. He wanted so much to believe Ciaran but his ideals were holding him back.

"I have heard her make those two known prophecies." Ciaran sighed. "The first she made before me. It predicted that Wormtail would return to his master before the end of the night during third year. It happened as well. In all the confusion with Remus transforming, Wormtail used his dropped wand and transformed into a rat and scurried away. The second prophecy I head second hand. This one predicted the child with the power to defeat the Dark Lord would be born to those that had thrice defied him and would be born as the seventh month dies. There is obviously more to it but I don't plan on speaking about it till this war is over if then."

Honestly, Draco felt horrible that he had forced Ciaran to reveal that. Not only had these two prophecies directly affected Ciaran's life but they had both been the cause of much pain. It was terrible that this one person could screw up someone else life so easily. No wonder Ciaran believed in her so much. Yes it would be in the best interest of the Dark Lord to provide information that she gives even if it were only about Ciaran's life. She may be able to provide something useful for them.

"Very well I trust you both to keep an ear out for this information however I feel I should warn you, Pansy is more of a gossip than a spy. It is more than likely she would spread the word rather than keep it." Draco cautioned.

Ciaran frowned at that. Pansy's gossiping ways could become a hindrance rather than an aid if that ever occurred. They would need her to be focused on another task to keep her occupied. That way she wouldn't let slip the wrong information to the wrong people.

"Then we'll just have to give her something to do so she can utilize her gossip queen abilities while keeping the correct information secret. What do you think Draco? What should she do?"

Draco smirked victoriously. Oh, he knew the perfect thing for Pansy.

"I think Pansy should try to subtly convert people from other houses. That way we don't' have to kill as many of our fellow classmates when the time comes for the raid. The Dark Lord would despise destroying all those that deserve to be here."

Ciaran nodded. If she started with the Ravenclaws and moved her way through then it would be far easier to convert the other two houses. After all Ravenclaws were the neutral, logical house that everyone seemed to turn to for answers. If any of the Hufflepuffs or Gryffindors began to question their loyalties, they would immediately turn towards the Ravenclaws for answers. It was as simple as that. With all Slytherins working this angle subtly to aid Pansy, the other houses would be easy picking leaving the Order of the Phoenix with fewer recruitment options.

"I think this idea is perfect! It would be easy to convert the other houses if we go about it correctly. Then Dumbledore won't have anyone apart from his current members and the children of those members to turn to."

Ciaran hugged Draco excitedly. He only enjoyed killing people who truly deserved it and only then he would torture if they riled up his emotions. The thought of killing all of those innocents wasn't a pleasant thought but if his grandfather had told him to do it, he most likely would have.

"Lunch will be over soon. We should leave after all you have to get down to the Greenhouses for Herbology while I leave for Arithmancy." Draco sighed, standing.

He would have loved to spend more time with Ciaran especially after the hug. He was getting close to where he wanted their relationship however something always interrupted them. This was just one of many but at least he was making progress.

Ciaran reluctantly nodded and together they headed up out of the Chamber and into the school. Once they reached the stairs they smiled to each other before Ciaran headed down to Herbology and Draco headed up towards the Arithmancy room.

As soon as Draco was out of sight, Ciaran walked forlornly to Herbology. This was the first and only class that he didn't share with Draco. Quite honestly, being separated from Draco was not something that he enjoyed terribly. With Draco he felt himself acting like a regular teen. He wasn't expected to be the Potion Master's son or the Dark Lord's grandson, nor was he expected to be Gryffindor's Golden Boy or the Chosen One. To Draco he was just Ciaran, an average teen that wanted to enjoy his life to the fullest.

Ever since he was little all he had wanted to be was, just Harry. No one ever called him Harry. His relatives were partial to boy or freak. His teachers often called him troublemaker. The children in school and around the neighbourhood called him weird and strange. Then he had entered Hogwarts believing it would get better. He was wrong.

To them he was the Boy-Who-Lived. He was the Chosen One destined to destroy the Dark Lord Voldemort upon his return. Never was he simply Harry, not even to his closest friends. No, to them he was just a way to make money from spying on him.

Everything he had with Draco was different something which he was eternally grateful for. Never again would he be known by those numerous names which didn't seem to suit him at all. Now he could only hope that others would begin to realize this as well.

Upon entering the grounds, Ciaran noticed someone very familiar before him. Neville was also heading towards the greenhouses. Ciaran smiled. This was finally the chance he'd been waiting for.

Neville was one of the few people Ciaran hoped was on his side regardless of his parentage. Yet he hadn't had the chance to speak with his friend since arriving. Where ever he went it seemed like Weasley and Granger were always there, watching him, waiting for him to make a mistake and reveal to them that he was either evil or someone he said he wasn't. It was frustrating that the Headmaster would allow them to get away with this but what else had he expected from that horrid old man.

Realizing, no one else was around, Ciaran hurried towards his friend before he made it to the greenhouses.

"Neville!"

Ciaran could see that Neville didn't recognize the voice that called him yet as he turned around and saw who it was his face showed understanding. This could only mean that Neville had recognized the significance of Citren in Potions and connected the cat to who Ciaran truly was.

"Hello Ciaran, how are you?" Neville answered calmly.

It had been quite a while since he had seen Harry - Ciaran. Sure his appearance may have changed yet his personality remained shockingly the same, so much so that Neville couldn't quite understand why Ron and Hermione hadn't picked up on it yet. Then again with those two, anything could float by their notice.

"I'm… happy." Ciaran began. "For once in my life I have a loving family and a home I feel safe in. I've never experienced this before and to finally have it is amazing."

Neville nodded. He completely understood. Having a normal family was something that even he dreamed of. Having no parents was hard on children especially as they grew older and began to realize why he no longer had any parents. It was tough made even tougher on the people razing said children.

"I'm glad that you're finally enjoying your life, Ciaran. So are you going to explain anything or are we going to continue this pleasant conversation?"

Ciaran laughed. That was Neville a complete nervous wreck when addressing new people yet bold as a lion with people he was familiar with.

As they entered the Herbology greenhouses, Neville and Ciaran chose a seat further to the back knowing that only the people who truly needed help with their plants chose to sit in the front. This way they could focus on what they were doing as well as speak without others hearing them and spreading rumours.

Once they had their assignments from Professor Sprout, Ciaran and Neville turned away from the others and began to pot their Devils Snare seeds.

"As usual everything happened on my birthday-"

He was interrupted by Neville's snort which received a glare in return.

"Sorry but's it's hardly surprising is all."

Huffing, Ciaran continued.

"I received a letter from my mother - yes Lily is still my mother - saying that my father was none other than our resident Potions Master and dweller of the dungeons. Saying I was shocked as an understatement. I was speechless. By then I just decided to leave. Gathering all of my belongings, I took off, after all only a few of my friends truly cared where I was and I no longer trusted Dumbledore to keep his word truthful so I simply left without telling anyone."

Ciaran sighed as the seeds for his Devils Snare vibrated in his hand. When this plant was fully grown it would be a nasty one to contend with maybe he could use it as a defence of some kind at the Manor.

"From there I went to Diagon Alley, met Griphook, and went shopping. Of course I stopped by the Weasley Wizarding Wheezes to see Fred and George who immediately knew who I was. I trust them and they trust me so my secret was more than safe with them. Once I left I was forcefully apparrated away by my father who eventually took me to see my grandfather which was unbearably awkward the first time."

"Obviously everything worked out though." Neville commented, taking everything in.

"Well… I wouldn't say it has worked out more like it will eventually work out. There are still many things that we all refuse to speak about but we'll get there." Ciaran smiled lightly.

Neville watched as his friend smiled. It was soft and almost childlike something he had never witnessed on Harry's face before. All of his smiles had been forced to keep up appearances. On the inside however Neville could see that he was still a child in much need of proper guidance. Now he had his chance.

"As I said before, I'm glad that everything is working out for you. I will support you in everything you do but don't expect me to join the Dark Lord. On that front all I can do it become neutral."

Ciaran didn't even have to ask why. Bellatrix Lestrange was a topic that many didn't want to speak about whilst in the Longbottom heir's presence. He just couldn't handle anything to do with the woman that had robbed him on his parents without actually killing them. Ciaran would never ask his friend any more than what he had already given. Even this was more than he had originally hoped possible.

"Thank you," was all he could say in reply.

x-x-x-x-x

Neville and Ciaran had left Herbology half an hour earlier than their year mates. Quite honestly that class was going to be boring what with them seemingly breezing through the curriculum. However this only meant that they could enjoy more time together before the dinner rush began and they had to return to their own house seating. It was annoying but school rules were meant to be obeyed.

"Hey Ciaran!"

"Mate!"

"Oh no…" Neville groaned.

Ciaran looked at Neville in confusion as he turned to see the last two people he wanted to talk to running at full speed towards him. Honestly did they ever give up? Behind him were Weasley and Granger. They had only just entered the castle and already they were on his case. Had they even gone to their classes or were they just waiting there for him to turn up? That was just creepy.

"Have they been annoying you, Neville?" he asked, curious at Neville's reaction.

"No, but they definitely will be now. All they could do was talk about you and how it would be worth getting to know you. It's almost like they figure if one of the Gryffindors are friends with you, by right, everyone else should be as well."

Ciaran cringed. He didn't want to put up with these idiots, not today especially if they were attempting to use their fellow Gryffindors to get what the Headmaster wanted. It was something only a true Slytherin would do.

"Can I help you?" Ciaran enquired coolly.

"We couldn't help but notice you're speaking with our good friend Nev here and were wondering if we could join you." Hermione said after catching her breath again.

The look Neville gave them for mentioning he was their friend was hilarious.

"Where did you get the idea I was your friend? The only time you ever spoke to me was when Harry was around. Once he disappeared I was just unneeded. Some friends you are especially since Harry isn't here and you're all over poor Ciaran now some loyalty from the Gryffindors there." Neville snorted.

As they reached the doors to the Great Hall, Ciaran turned to Neville. He hated to leave Neville like this but there was absolutely no way he was sitting at that table with Weasley and Granger there.

"If you want to join me at the Slytherin table Neville your more than welcome along with anyone you bring however I think it would be best if I refrain from journeying to you table. I'll speak with you again later. Bye Neville."

"I'll see you later Ciaran."

Nodding, Ciaran turned away from the pouting Granger and red Weasley and headed over towards the Slythering table. Not even five metres away and the two had begun to badger poor Neville for information regarding him. Dear Merlin did those two have any tact at all? He could still hear them.

Shaking his head in disbelief, Ciaran took his place beside Draco who was already surrounded by friends or supporters of the cause.

"What was all that about?" Draco asked glaring at the Weasel and Granger.

They were now sitting alone at their table while Neville was with Seamus and Dean. It appeared as if they were completely unsuccessful in their information gathering. Ciaran smirked.

"Relax Draco, I'll tell you later when we go to see father. It's nothing that needs worrying over now."

Draco growled and Ciaran withheld a sigh. Sometimes Draco could just be too much. If there was one thing he needed to learn it was control.

"Please, leave it Dray. I just want to eat right now." Ciaran begged.

Nothing more was said throughout the meal, even the other Slytherins reframed from speaking too loud in case they angered their master's only heir. If he had been back in Gryffindor, everyone would have been suspicious about their behaviour. As it was, they were Slytherins, no one really payed any attention to their quiet and sneaky ways. Ciaran was more than thankful for the reprieve. Now if only his father would cease staring.

Ciaran knew that if anyone knew there was something different it would be his father, the Head of Slytherin. Not only was he a successful spy but he was one of the sneakiest and well-hidden men that he knew. Not even the great Albus Dumbledore suspected him of betrayal. If that didn't boost ones confidence nothing would.

'What is the matter?'

Ciaran knew immediately when he looked into his father's eyes that he would attempt to use Legillimency on him. He was only looking out for his son after all.

'As I told Draco it's nothing serious, so it can wait til after dinner.'

Thankfully Severus nodded slightly and went back to his dinner, leaving Ciaran in peace as well.

x-x-x-x-x

"How was your day today?" Severus asked as he and Draco entered the room.

Draco didn't speak a word. Obviously he was too upset from dinner to even get a coherent sentence out. Ciaran merely shook his head as his father raised an eyebrow in question at him. If Draco was going to act this way every time he said later it wasn't worth attempting to figure out why.

"It was a pretty ordinary day under the circumstances." He replied.

As he entered into the room intent on sitting away from Draco, his plan failed. Draco grabbed a hold of his wrist and led him over to the leather sofa. Once they were seated he wrapped an arm around Ciaran and held him there still sulking in anger. Severus could only roll his eyes at his godson's temperament.

"At least nothing was stirred that made the Dark Lord appear today. I'm not entirely sure if the wards would permit that again without allowing the Headmaster to know. It was a miracle he did the first time."

Ciaran sighed. He seemed to accumulate people around him that were overprotective to a shocking level. It wasn't that he didn't enjoy it but occasionally it got tiresome.

"How have your plans been progressing?" Severus enquired.

Ciaran smirked at Draco who returned his sentiments.

"Everything is going smoothly so far. If we can get everything moving swiftly then we can have more time to work on the minor details or the parts that might take longer than originally calculated."

"How long do you expect this plan to take shape?" Severus asked frowning.

If they took too long in what they planned then the Dark Lord would not be pleased. He always wanted results at the time he demanded for them regardless of who you were.

"This plan, with a bit of tweaking, should be ready to enact early next year perhaps after Yule if we are even better prepared." Ciaran answered. "However even if we are prepared the Dark Lord could postpone what he has planned for another date to make sure that everything falls into place nicely."

Severus nodded in acceptance.

"Very well, you both should return to your common room and get some sleep."

Ciaran and Draco agreed.

"Good night father"

"Good night Severus."

"Good night, now go before curfew if over, Slytherin shall not be losing points this early in the year."

The young Slytherins laughed to themselves as they left their Head of House's quarters. Slytherin would never lose a house point over something as trivial as that. They were just too sneaky and that would be the downfall of Dumbledore and his band of merry little lions.

Honestly it feels like years since I've updated this story... don't quote me cause it actually might be years... Anyway I obviously got my inspiration back for the story so I should be updating every now and then. Thanks for all the support.

~MidnightEmber