*A/N* I had a guest reviewer ask how i know how old Dumbledore and Tom are, so because i cant reply to guest reviews directly, I'll do it here. You can skip this if you want. According to Harry Potter Wiki, Dumbledore was born in the summer of 1881. He was 115 when he died in canon, so since this story is taking place a year before he dies, i just went with 115. As for Tom, Harry Potter Wiki says he was born on Dec. 31, 1926 making him 71 when Harry kills him in canon. i say he is 70 for my story because it's a nice round number. I know im off by a year or two, so i hope you all will forgive me.

Thank you to all who have F, F, & R'd! It means a lot! Please keep the reviews coming, because it really does help me so much. Now, on with the next chapter! :)

Chapter 8

Duels, Shenanigans, and Revelations

The first week of school passed by without much incident. Dumbledore was let out of the dungeons on Thursday morning, and really hadn't been seen much inside the castle since. Rumor had it that he was recovering from Filch's torture.

The news began to spread about Molly Weasley being arrested for stealing 800,000 galleons from 'The-Boy-Who-Lived' Gringotts vault, and the backlash from the wizarding world was tremendous. Molly had claimed that Dumbledore said it was ok, and that no one would ever find out. She also claimed that Dumbledore had put her, Ron, and Hermione up to spy on Harry, and that Albus had promised her that he would take her away somewhere so they could live peacefully. She admitted that she didn't love the man, but only wanted what was best for her and her children, and she was still adamant that Dumbledore would come save her.

With the realization that that their mother was indeed going to Azkaban, and the fact that their father had received the divorce he'd asked for in in a matter of days, Ron and Ginny had become despondent. Hermione was baring her fair share of the brunt as well for her part in all of this, and Howlers had been arriving in a steady stream all day for the past three days. No one at Hogwarts had any sympathy for them.

Albus had come under investigation following his stint in the dungeons because of Molly's accusations, and the public's opinion of him took a further nose dive. However, in the two days since his release, he somehow managed to come out unscathed and not get arrested, which only made Harry and the others angry. It seemed that Dumbledore did indeed have friends in high places. Madam Bones was livid to say the least. She had tried so hard to get him arrested, but he managed to worm his way out of it again. Dumbledore had claimed the 300,000 galleons that he had stolen from Harry's vault was necessary for Harry's safety, and the public bought it hook, line, and sinker. Harry had even spoken to The Daily Prophet himself through owl correspondence, but somehow his rebuttal to Dumbledore's claim never made it to the press.

It was the first Saturday of the year, and everyone was taking advantage of the bright warm sunshine. Harry, Neville, Fred, George, and Tom were sprawled out in the grass beside the Black Lake well away from anyone else.

Harry gritted his teeth in frustration, as he read the paper. "I can't believe they haven't printed my answer to Dumbledore's claim yet."

"Maybe they have already started checking owls." Neville suggested. "I overheard from some Hufflepuffs saying that Umbridge is already starting to talk about the High Inquisitor thing."

"But I didn't even use Hedwig." Harry said. "I used a plain school owl just to be safe."

"That doesn't mean they don't check those too." Tom pointed out.

Harry looked at him and started to say something, but he suddenly did a double take. A few feet away from Tom he saw the grass being flattened as if someone was walking toward them, but there was no one there. He reached for his wand and jumped to his feet.

"Who's there?!" He demanded, as Tom and Fred also leaped to their feet with wands drawn.

"It's just me." A voice said serenely. "I'm sorry, I guess I should have spoken up."

"Luna?" Harry asked in disbelief, as he subconsciously checked for the familiar soft bulge of his invisibility cloak that he kept with him at all times.

"Yeah." Came her disembodied voice. "With being in different years and houses, I haven't seen much of you guys this week."

Everyone relaxed and sat back down. They could hear her taking a seat between Fred and Tom.

"How in Merlin's name are you invisible?" Tom asked poking at her. "Disillusionment charm?"

She laughed. "No. Death gave me a piece of his cloak, and said that it might come in handy. I suspect it's just like Harry's." She said, pulling the cloak back just a bit so they could see only her face.

"Ok, so why are you invisible?" George asked.

"Well think about it." Luna answered, as she smiled at him. "I really can't be seen with you lot. The train and carriage ride up to the school on the first day can be chalked up to coincidence, but if I'm always seen with you guys then someone is bound to put it all together. We didn't know each other before, and it would seem odd that we all suddenly started to hang out, don't you think?"

"Yeah you have a point." Neville nodded. "So how has your first week been?"

Her eyes lit up and she gave him a big smile. "Oh it's been great." She said brightly. "I still have all my things. Dobby has been a big help in that department. Cho, Marietta, and Padma can't figure out how I get my stuff back so fast."

"Wait, what?" Harry asked. "Cho? She's the one who steals your stuff and the one who is mean to you?"

Luna nodded sadly. "Yeah. She's actually the ringleader of the group. I didn't want to say anything during the last timeline I guess, because I don't have any memories about telling you. I think it's because you had a crush on her, and I didn't want you to hate her."

"Luna you should have told me." Harry groaned.

"I'm sorry." She sighed.

"You are a very good friend Luna." Harry said. "And words cannot express how thankful I am for all the things you did in the past timeline. I don't know what would have happened to me if it wasn't for you."

She dismissed his words with a wave of her hand, and she looked directly at him. "You're an honorable man Harry Potter, a true friend, and a great wizard. I am thankful for our friendship. It means a lot to me. I admit though, when Death told me everything I was worried that you wouldn't want to be my friend again, but I'm glad that's not the case."

"Why would you think that?" Harry asked, completely flabbergasted.

"Because I was afraid that I would remind you of a horrible past." She answered quietly. "With Dobby's death, and all that happened."

"Never Luna." He answered firmly. "Never. That's one of the reason's I asked Dobby to look after you. I knew you would treat him right."

She smiled brightly. "He is wonderful Harry. Dobby and I get along great. I told him about Nargles and Wackspurts, and he offered to help me look for them. He has become a great friend, and I'm so glad I get to properly meet him."

"Well I am glad you're happy Luna, I really am." Harry said with a laugh.

"Enough about me. What about you guys? What's the plan for this weekend?" She asked excitedly.

Tom laughed. "Harry and I have a plan to visit the Chamber of Secrets tonight, but first we have to go to the Slytherin common room to retrieve a potion that Salazar hid in one of the serpent statues. He won't tell us why though."

"Why both of you?" She asked.

"Salazar can't remember what statue he put it in. Do you know how many statues of snakes are in that room? There's like 30 or 40." Harry said.

"So how are you guys going to know when the common room is empty?" She asked.

"That's the problem." Tom said. "On weekends it's never empty."

"So are you just going to waltz in?" Fred asked.

"Yeah." Harry and Tom grinned.

"We do have Severus's permission though." Tom added.

"Oh. Well then in that case, waltz away." Fred laughed.

"I wish we could be there to see the Slytherins faces when you walk in." Neville laughed. "It would be brilliant."

"Only to the ones that don't know." Harry laughed. "Some will likely trip over themselves in an effort to help."

"Yeah like Malfoy." George laughed.

They sat around talking for a while, and got Luna caught up on all the things she didn't know about. She was actually happy to hear about Mr. Malfoy and Slytherin house being brought into the fray. She commented about her stay in the dungeon at Malfoy Manor, and said that Lucius and Narcissa had ordered the house elves to check on them and send food down every day. She did mention the torture that she, Ollivander, Dean, and Griphook suffered, but said that it was always Bellatrix and her husband that did that stuff. Tom asked her if Lucius ever did anything to her, but she said no. This eased Tom's mind a great deal about the whole Malfoy Manor incident.

The twins started talking about getting into full swing with the pranks. They had decided that they really shouldn't let loose with the big things such as the swamps and fireworks just yet though. They wanted to start out subtle at first, then work their way up. They mentioned teachers like Flitwick could undo all their hard work in an instant. McGonagall and Snape could too, but since they were 'in the know' they doubted that they would. They did however, have something planned for dinner that night.

Luna had informed them that their revelations about Dumbledore being responsible for Voldemort had now spread to Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Some people believed it, but most did not. She said that they still had a long way to go.

Albus stood in his office and looked out over the grounds. He frowned as he watched the five boys sitting beside the Black Lake, and couldn't understand how so much had gone wrong this past summer. He had hoped that when school had begun that things would go back to normal, but he was quickly realizing that was not going to happen.

He had, had three days to think things over while he was incarcerated, and his thoughts were not only about the mysterious circumstances surrounding Cedric Diggory, but the new boy that seemed to have become Harry's best friend overnight. Albus had asked Minerva about him of course, but she only handed him the boy's files. There wasn't much in them though. Tom Ringo was the son of a muggle father and a pure blood witch mother and he'd been homeschooled, but had decided to come to Hogwarts to get a formal education. He pressed Minerva for more details, but she couldn't tell him much. His mother had been a Slytherin at the height of Voldemort's reign, and Mr. Ringo feared ridicule at the hands of students simply because he was likely to be in Slytherin because he was a parselmouth, not to mention people would be unnerved by his eyes. He had only come to Hogwarts now because it was absolutely necessary that he get his O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s, otherwise he wouldn't have bothered. She had mentioned that he was delighted and relieved to be in Gryffindor though. Albus didn't know what to make of it all. On one hand Tom Ringo seemed like any other homeschooled transfer student. He certainly wasn't the first, nor would he be the last, but on the other hand, Albus had a feeling that this wasn't a normal boy. It was almost like he was familiar in a way, but he couldn't put his finger on it. It was driving him mad!

Albus's frown turned into an outright scowl as his gaze shifted from Ringo, Longbottom, and the Weasley twins to Harry. For the millionth time he wondered how things could have gone so wrong. Just over two months ago Harry was bringing him the dead body of Cedric Diggory (an entirely different set of problems) crying that Voldemort was back, scared out of his mind, and shaking like a leaf, but now he was acting like he didn't have a care in the world! Didn't Harry know how much the world looked to him to stop Voldemort? Fame is a good thing, and he should use that fame to his advantage. Albus needed to get the boy back on track, but it seemed like he was blocked at every turn. He certainly couldn't use legilimency to find out what had happened. He didn't want to spend another three days in the dungeons. Then there was Harry's physical changes. He was skinny wobbly legged kid two months ago, and now he looked like a man. Where had that transformation come from? Albus wasn't sure, but he was sure to find out.

"Come in!" Albus called out as a knock sounded at his office door.

"You wanted to see me Headmaster?" Snape asked as calmly as he could.

Snape noticed that the old man hadn't even bothered to turn around as he came in. Oh how he wanted to hex the man right then and there!

"Yes, I did. Thank you for coming. Would you care for a lemon drop?" He asked, even though he already knew the answer.

"No thank you."

Albus scowled again, but then quickly smiled and turned around. "Has there been any news of Voldemort?"

"No sir. All is unusually quiet. With the number of Death Eaters in Azkaban there are only a very few left, and we have not heard from the Dark Lord since a few days after his return."

"It's most unusual." Albus said sitting down in his chair behind the desk.

"Indeed."

"Any ideas?"

"None, with the exception that he simply disappeared for reasons of his own. We cannot figure out what happened. We have even tried summoning him, to no avail." He lied.

"It is very disturbing. The wizarding world knows he is back, and yet there have been no attacks. There seems, on the surface, that there is nothing to fear. There have been no whispers and no clues as to his whereabouts. The public is even starting to think it was a farce. This is dangerous. He could be anywhere. Waiting for the right moment to strike. We must find him Severus." He said desperately.

"I will do my best." Snape said with a nod, then he stood up to leave.

"Wait. Severus please." Albus said motioning back to the chair.

"You have something else?" Snape asked curiously.

"Yes. I feel I should explain my actions with regards to Miss Granger and the Weasleys."

"The spies you paid to spy on Potter?"

"Yes." Dumbledore nodded sadly. "I paid them because it would be the easiest way to keep a watch over Harry. I did it for the boys own safety."

"I've never cared for the spoiled brat Dumbledore. You know that. I know what he said during his questioning. 'The muggles beat me', and other such nonsense. They probably didn't give him enough birthday presents, so the spoiled child made a fuss. What you do to him and who you pay to spy on him matters not to me. The only reason I have tolerated him and been 'nice' to him thus far is because he is close to the Founder of my house. I have my own reasons for being pleasant with him."

"I see. I wonder how Harry and the other boy came by those paintings. They are very unusual."

"Indeed."

"Do you have any ideas?"

"Somewhat. The boy, what's his name, Ringo, said they have been in his family for generations. Apparently the stories about Slytherin and Gryffindor originated from their sons. Not the founders themselves."

"I see. Mr. Ringo is close to Harry then. When did that happen?"

"I have no idea. I care not for the everyday happenings in Potter's life."

Dumbledore chuckled. "Indeed you don't. Thank you Severus. Is there anything you require from me?"

Snape shook his head, and knowing that he was dismissed, took his leave. Dumbledore sighed with disappointment as his potions master left, and went back to staring out the window, but the five boys were no longer sitting beside the lake.

Severus was fuming as he made his way out of the Headmaster's office. He now knew exactly how he'd been manipulated in the past. Strokes to his ego, pride, and abilities. How dare the old man! He was sweeping down the staircase hoping to catch someone doing something wrong, when he heard shouting coming from the front doors of the castle. Nearly smiling with happiness, he hurried down the rest of the stairs but gaped in shock at what he saw. Longbottom was looking around scowling at something with his wand in his hand, but when Snape got closer, he saw Harry, Tom, Fred, and George face down in the dirt from what looked like a full body bind curse. He was about to step out the door, when he heard the familiar voice of Granger.

"So what now Neville?" Hermione asked. "You're little back up gang is down, and there is no one to protect you."

"Yeah Longbottom." Ron said, and Snape rolled his eyes.

Normally he would put a stop a situation like this in a hurry, but he was curious to see how this played out. Longbottom had come a long way this summer between his memories and his dueling practices, and even Tom said he had been impressed by the boy's power and willingness to learn.

"They ambushed us." A disembodied voice whispered in his ear making him jump. "Tom pushed me up the steps just before he got hit. I think that's why he got hit. They took out the others first, because they think they can take on Neville by himself. The three of them were just boasting about it."

"Miss Lovegood?" Snape asked in surprise. "Did you say three?"

"Yes. Ginny is out there too. She's standing behind Ron and Hermione, half hiding behind the steps."

"Yeah, you lot are so brave. Acting like a bunch of cowards, sneaking around and taking out the tougher competition, or rather what you think is the tougher…" He cast a shield charm, and Hermione yelped in surprise as her stinging jinx bounced back at her. "Didn't think that one through, did you Granger?"

"You've become stuck up Neville!" Ginny yelled. "You think you're so though, but you act like an arse!"

"And you lot haven't? You follow Harry around like a love sick dog, you're brother has been paid to spy, as she has! You're all a bunch of gits!" Neville shouted, casting another shield as another jinx flew his way.

"You'll pay for that Longbottom!" Ron yelled.

Suddenly a flurry of spells came flying at Neville, but he was able to keep using the shield charm. Snape however, noticed that Neville was not on the offensive, he was just defending himself. The other three were easy to counter though because they were screaming their hexes out loud.

"And…you're…thieves…on…top…of…that!" He yelled, shielding himself from the spells with each word.

Snape also noticed that Neville was leading his attackers away from the front doors, and away from the others that were down. Spells were flying everywhere and loud cracks and small booms could be heard as they all bounced off his shields. Snape was beginning to wonder what the Gryffindor was up to, as he led them even further away. A bunch of students had gathered to watch, and Snape saw that a few of his older Slytherins were watching the duel with awe inspired looks.

"What in the name of Mer…!"

"Minerva no!" Severus hissed, grabbing her arm. "I want to see how this ends."

"They started it Professor." Luna said, and McGonagall jumped in surprise.

"Severus we have to stop this." She hissed back, after realizing that it was Luna who was standing there.

"I want to see it." He almost grinned.

"….sorry lot! Some…bunch…of…friends…you…turned…out…to…be!" Neville yelled.

By now they were a good twenty feet from the front doors, and all the students that had come to watch were cheering Neville on. There wasn't a lot of them, maybe ten or so, but some had their wands out ready to help if need be. Suddenly a bright white light shot out of Neville's wand, and the ground opened up beneath the feet of the attackers with a loud commanding boom. Dirt, dust, and bits of rock went flying in all directions, and they fell into a shallow hole, screaming in surprise as they fell one on top of the other.

"Sorry lot!" Neville yelled with an angry scowl on his face. "Serves you right for trying to attack us! Didn't expect that now did you! That was for the others you ambushed!"

He brushed a hand over his dusty sweaty brow and stalked back up toward the doors, but that was when Snape and McGonagall made their presence known.

"Nice bombarda maxima spell Longbottom." Snape said, in a highly impressed tone. "Now I know why you were leading them away from the building. 50 points to Gryffindor for taking the defensive through all of that. You showed great restraint and could have easily hurt them all." Snape said, as the other students gathered gasped in shock.

"I agree Mr. Longbottom." McGonagall said, looking at Neville with pride. "You showed a lot more patience than even I would have."

"Thanks Professors." Neville wheezed, as he tried to catch his breath. Then he leaned over Harry. "Finite Incantatem." He muttered, as he aimed his wand at Harry's chest.

Snape and McGonagall revived the others and they all sat up with large grins on their face.

"Merlin Neville, I wish someone would have propped me up against the wall so I could have watched that." Tom laughed, then we looked around worriedly. "Where's Luna?" He whispered.

"I'm here. I'm ok." She answered, and he nodded with relief.

McGonagall was already halfway across the lawn by then. She rapidly made her way towards Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, shooing the other students away as she stalked over to the three of them climbing out of the hole.

"Never in my life have I ever seen such cowardice!" She yelled, swooping down on the dusty and dirty trio like a hawk. "And from three Gryffindors on top of that! Explain yourselves this instant!"

Whatever they said, Harry and the others couldn't hear, because they started mumbling their response. McGonagall grabbed Ron by the ear and began leading him into the castle. Hermione and Ginny scowled as they followed behind them, but looked down trying to avoid everyone's eyes as they passed by.

"All of you to my office. Severus, if you would be so kind as to follow us as well. You were a witness, and I want to know exactly what happened." She said through gritted teeth.

They all followed McGonagall into her office. When they got there she conjured up more chairs, but Luna, who was still under the cloak, stood off to the side and leaned against the wall.

"What happened?" She asked sternly, glaring at them.

"Professor," Fred began. "We had been sitting beside the lake all morning talking and just enjoying the fresh air, when we decided to head to lunch. We had almost reached the entrance hall when these three," He said jerking his head in Ron's direction, "decided to ambush us. Hermione took myself and George out with the full body bind curse. I think Ron got Harry, and Ginny got Tom, but I can't be sure because I was face down in the dirt by that time."

"Is this true?" She asked glaring at them, and they nodded numbly. "What happened next?"

"We exchanged words, and they tried to hex me, so I began defending myself." Neville said. "I didn't want to hurt them because I didn't want to sink to their level, but I knew I had to get them off of me, so I led them away from the castle and used the bombarda maxima spell on the ground so they'd fall in the hole."

She turned her fierce gaze upon the trio and glared at them. "Why take down the others, but not Mr. Longbottom?"

"Be-because w-we thought he wasn't as strong as the others." Hermione said staring at the floor.

"Well I guess you learned real quick that was a mistake. I expect something like that from Slytherin students, no offence Severus, but not Gryffindors. Not to mention, against other Gryffindors. Why did you think it was ok to carry out this act of cowardice?"

There was a moment of silence, but Ron spoke up. "Malfoy had been teasing me and Ginny about our Mum, but Hermione said don't fall for the bait and attack him, so we left. We started walking and saw Potter and the others, and anger got the best of me. Ginny and I came up with the plan. Hermione didn't want to bother at first, but I said Potter was the reason my Mum is in Azkaban, and she agreed. She took out Fred and George because she's best with spells, and Ginny and I took out Harry and Tom."

McGonagall glared at him. "Mr. Potter is not the reason your Mum is in Azkaban. She stole over 500,000 galleons worth of treasure from his vault. By law the goblins have to prosecute even against the wishes of the vault owner. Mr. Potter couldn't keep your Mum out of Azkaban even if he wanted to. In fact, it's your Mum's fault she's in Azkaban. No one made her steal in the first place."

"As a matter of fact Weasley," Harry said with a glare. "I asked the goblins to wait until at least you and Ginny were here at Hogwarts, so that you wouldn't have to see her get arrested, and that you wouldn't have to be sent away because your Dad wants nothing to do with you at the moment. They were not happy about that, but they agreed. So in fact, I was looking out for both of you."

"Something he didn't have to do." George added gruffly.

Ron and the others didn't say anything, they just stared at the floor.

"Punishment is thus." McGonagall said. "Detention with Mr. Filch for two weeks, cleaning anything he says without magic, and you are not allowed to go to Hogsmeade for the first two trips. Now, to make sure this does not happen again, individual punishments are thus. Mr. Weasley, I noticed you have signed up for Quidditch tryouts this afternoon, well don't bother showing up. I'm not allowing you to play this year." She said, and Ron looked like he had been punched in the gut. "Mrs. Weasley, you are not to leave the common room except for meals and classes for one month, and don't try sneaking out because I will know if you do." She said with a glare, and Harry knew she'd be watching her copy of the map. "Miss Granger, as for you, you are banned from the library for one full month starting this very minute. Is that understood?"

Hermione looked on the verge of tears. Her mouth hung open and a look of panic was etched across her face, but she nodded silently.

"Good." McGonagall said. "Now, I suggest you three head to lunch, and go right back to the common room for the rest of the day."

They shuffled out of the door silently, and as soon as they closed the door behind them, Snape cast the Muffliato charm.

"Remind me not to cross you." Tom said in awe, as he looked at McGonagall.

"Yes well, I deal out punishment that's meant to punish."

Harry glanced around the room for a moment. "Luna?"

"I'm here." She said, fully removing the cloak and sitting down in one of the empty chairs.

"Are you sure you're ok?" Tom asked glancing at her.

"Yeah, but I think I have a bruise on my knee from when I fell on the stairs. I'm fine though. No lasting damage." She said with a smile.

He nodded. "I'm glad you're ok then." He said looking a bit more relaxed.

"Since we are all in the same room, I suppose I better tell you all where I was the minutes prior to this little incident." Snape drawled.

He began explaining what all was said in the Headmaster's office. He told Harry and Tom that it is likely that Dumbledore will call them to his office in the near future to 'question' them, and they began to make plans on what to do when the time came. Snape advised against taking the lemon drops or any candy Dumbledore offered, because he was now convinced they were laced with veritaserum, but didn't really know for sure. Harry told the others that he and Tom were planning to head into the Chamber of Secrets that night, and this worried McGonagall. She kept asking if Harry was sure the basilisk was dead, and he kept having to reassure her that it was. Tom told Snape that he and Harry would be in the Slytherin common room sometime after dinner, but before curfew, and Snape said that would be fine. He was almost looking forward to hearing about the reactions of his Slytherins when they arrived.

They left after that so they could head to lunch and then to the Quidditch pitch to be there for tryouts, but not before the twins warned Snape and McGonagall not to freak out at dinner. They said it was going to be brilliant. McGonagall said she looked forward to it.

Umbridge was furiously writing a letter to the Minister for Magic. She was seriously displeased with how the school was being ran, and she aimed to do something about it. She had just watched three students simultaneously attack another student from her office window, and this was unacceptable! She was also letting the Minister know that Dumbledore had been locked in the dungeons for three days this past week, and was giving a report on her feelings about that situation. She didn't know how Dumbledore had managed to keep that information out of the papers, but she felt it her duty to see that the Minister was aware of it. She also felt that school was a place to learn, not to have fun, and school was certainly not a battle ground. After watching that attack she stood even more firmly in her belief that the students should not be taught defensive magic. She would make Cornelius listen to reason. She would get him to name her High Inquisitor, and she would take Hogwarts under her control and whip it back into shape.

Lunch passed without any major happenings, although Harry and the others kept getting glared at by Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. He didn't think they would ever get it through their heads that nothing that had happened to them had been his fault. Aside from the pranks of course.

Quidditch tryouts had been the best thing to happen to Harry so far this week, and he loved the fact that he was back in the air on his broom. He knew unsupported flight was much faster, but he had really missed his Firebolt. Besides, you can't play Quidditch flying unsupported. He had easily retained the seeker position though, and Fred and George had retained their beaters positions. Angelina, Katie, and Alicia had also retained their chaser positions, but the biggest change happened with the keeper position. In his future past life Ron had been given the keeper spot, but now that spot had been taken by Seamus Finnigan, and Harry couldn't have been happier for his Irish friend.

When dinner time rolled around, they all met in the great hall and took a seat somewhere in the middle of the table. Harry was glad that some of the Professors were there, and he almost grinned at Snape and McGonagall when he sat down.

"When do you want to start?" He asked, as Fred sat down next to him.

"As soon as all the Professors are here." Fred answered with a grin.

"Not to mention more students." George added.

They waited for about five more minutes, and by that time, almost everyone had shown up.

Fred looked at George and snickered. "I just teleported a small piece onto her fork." He grinned.

No sooner than the words left his mouth, Umbridge let out a loud shriek, and burst into a giant yellow canary. She jumped up and started to run around for a minute, but then her feathers molted and she stood at the front of the room glaring around at the students, before trying to stalk out of the room. George pointed his wand at the back of the room where there was four suits of armor, and they suddenly sprang to life. They drew their weapons and marched toward the front, forcing a shrieking and protesting Umbridge to sit back down at the table.

Harry and the others were trying to refrain from laughing, but they were not being very successful. Nearly everyone in the great hall was laughing, and Umbridge looked furious. Fred teleported another piece onto her fork, and the whole situation started over again. This went on for two more times before Umbridge had enough.

"When I find out who is doing this, and how they are doing it, I will…" She suddenly stopped when the same thing happened to Professor Dumbledore.

And it didn't stop there. Sprout, Flitwick, Babbling, Vector, and Burbage all burst into canaries in rapid succession. By this time the entire great hall was laughing so hard that people had tears running down their faces, and still the twins kept going. Umbridge, Dumbledore, McGonagall (who glared at the twins when she molted), Sinistra, and the rest also burst into canaries, and all down the length of the head table it kept going. The only one they skipped was Hagrid, because they weren't sure how the Canary Creams would react against giant blood. When it came down to Snape though, it was a test of wills. He was glaring at the twins as if to dare them, and they did it. He burst into a canary.

Snape jumped up from the table and headed their way. Laughing loudly the twins jumped up, and started running for the doors.

"Canary Creams now on sale!" They yelled, as they darted around a canary Snape who was trying to block their escape.

The entire great hall burst into laughter and applause as the twins ran out the door, with a now molted Snape right behind them, firing stinging jinxes at their backsides.

"You should have seen the looks on the Slytherin's faces, as Snape ran around as a canary. It was a cross between horror and laughter." Harry laughed, as he and the others talked to Sirius, Remus, Bill, Tonks, Moody, and Mr. Weasley via the charmed two way mirror.

Sirius had given Harry the mirror right before school started, and told him to actually use it this time, and now they were in the dorm telling them what happened at dinner. They first told them what happed earlier when they were attacked, but decided to follow it up with something funny.

"I wish I could have seen it. Snape a canary!" Sirius laughed.

"I think Colin Creevey got a picture." Neville laughed.

"Are you boys in trouble?" Mr. Weasley asked.

"Not really." Fred laughed. "McGonagall took 10 points from Gryffindor, but that's only because of what we did to Umbridge. She wouldn't have though, if Umbridge hadn't insisted."

"All of the other Professors thought it was funny, even Dumbledore." George said. "I think that is the only reason why we weren't expelled." He laughed. "Snape didn't care either, after he got his revenge with the stinging jinxes."

"Yeah, I guess Dumbledore can come in handy for some things." Moody growled.

"Has your brother figured out the counter jinx for his blue hair yet?" Tonks asked.

"Yeah, his hair is back to normal now. We think Hermione found the counter jinx in the library."

"Aww, I was hoping I'd see him with it at Christmas." She pouted.

"All right, well I hate to break up the fun, but Harry and I better get going." Tom sad. "Salazar looks like he is going to explode if we don't get this potion."

"Ok you boys be careful." Mr. Weasley said, and they nodded.

"I won't let anything happen to him." Tom grinned.

With Nagini, who had been exploring the grounds for most of the week, wrapped around his torso, Tom and Harry began making their way into the dungeons. Salazar had already headed down there, and would be waiting for them when they arrived. They weren't worried about sneaking around because they were well inside curfew, but Harry had to admit he was nervous. After all, they were fixing to walk into the Slytherin common room.

When they reached the stone wall that marked the entrance, Harry looked at Tom. "Do you know the password?"

"Don't need one." He answered. "I figured out a long time ago that Salazar charmed it so a parselmouth could get in without one." Then he turned to the wall. "Open." He hissed, then grinned at Harry.

"Well that's handy." Harry laughed, as the wall dissolved.

They walked down a short flight of stairs, and Harry stomach sank. There were more people in there than he had expected, and he hoped that they could find the potion quickly. No one noticed them at first though, until Pansy Parkinson saw them walk in further.

"Excuse me!" She yelled loudly, jumping up from a chair and making her way toward them. "This is NOT the Gryffindor common room. I suggest you both get out of here this minute!"

Harry had already decided that Tom was the best one to handle any problems, so he just ignored the girl and turned to the first snake statue, but he was blocked by a sixth year boy who looked even bigger than Crabbe and Goyle put together.

"Get out now you bloody Gryffindors!" She screamed.

Draco however, looking extremely pale and nervous, was trying to stop her tirade against the two of them, but she was ignoring him. Nagini slithered off of Tom and hissed a warning at her, but she ignored the snake too.

"I am a prefect and I said get out!"

"Pansy stop. Please." Draco pleaded, as he looked nervously at Tom, who was glaring at Pansy because of her rudeness.

"Let go of me Draco!" She snapped. "These filthy Gryffindor half-bloods have NO business here!"

Draco gasped, because of her words, and glanced nervously at Tom. "Apparently they do, or they wouldn't be here. Please just stop." He pleaded.

By this time Pansy's yelling had gained the attention of the entire room, and wands were emerging from everywhere, but Tom looked at the still yelling girl, and lazily waved his hand in her direction. She shut up instantly, but glared and lunged toward Tom. He side stepped her, and using only his hand, forcibly pushed her down into a nearby chair, and held her there.

"The girls name Draco, what is it?"

"Pansy Parkinson, My Lord. Please have mercy on her." He said, kneeling before him.

"Parkinson." Tom said thoughtfully. "Then she is not the child of a Death Eater. I shall have mercy then." Then he turned toward the rest of the room and scanned it quickly. "Nott, Crabbe, and Goyle, get over here!" He demanded.

They quickly scurried over toward them with nervous glances, and knelt beside Draco, who had not moved an inch. "Yes, My Lord?" They asked in unison.

"Make sure she does not become a hindrance to my business here tonight. Do not let her get up."

"Yes, My Lord." They said again, and jumped up to stand beside a very wide-eyed Pansy.

Tom released her, and turned to Draco. "You may get up now Draco." He said with a hint of amusement in his voice. "Return to what you were doing."

"Yes, My Lord. Thank you for having mercy on her My Lord."

"You're welcome." Tom said with indifference.

"You should have let me eat her." Nagini said, as she slithered over to him.

Harry couldn't contain himself anymore, and snorted. "I'm not sure you'd enjoy her as a meal. She might taste as bitter as her personality."

"In that case, nevermind." Nagini answered. "I prefer pastries anyway."

"Indeed you do." Tom laughed. "Ok Salazar, where is this bloody thing?"

Salazar, who had been glaring around the room, sighed. "I don't remember. I was hoping I would when I got down here, but I can't remember. I must say though, I am disappointed that Slytherin House has become as rude as it has."

"Yes well, they have always been rude." Harry answered.

"Indeed." Tom agreed. "Harry, did I tell you about the time during my third year when a poor first year Hufflepuff lad got so lost and confused that he somehow managed to make his way down here?"

"No."

"Goodness you'd have thought Slytherins had no compassion. I had to recuse the poor lad. The vile that was spewed towards him was unfathomable."

"Deplorable." Salazar spat. "That's part of the reason I haven't been down here yet. I'd lose my temper. The lot of them are lucky I'm not alive, and that I don't have a wand because I'd do a lot more than just send stinging jinxes toward backsides."

Tom laughed. "Yeah well, some Gryffindors are no better. Babies taking out powerful Slytherins. It's a horrible travesty."

Harry burst out laughing. "I have killed you three times and stopped you four, and all before the age of fifteen. That doesn't say a whole lot about powerful Slytherins."

Tom grinned wickedly. "Well I'm still here, so you haven't done that great of a job."

"Says the great and powerful Voldyshorts."

Salazar and Tom burst out laughing. "He has a point you know." Salazar laughed. "OK, you two better get moving, it's almost curfew. Remember, its parseltongue and then the spell."

"Yes sir." They chorused.

The entire house was staring at the two of them with wide eyes the entire time they were playfully mocking each other, watched with even more surprise as they set about opening each of the statues.

Harry wasn't sure how he felt about the whole house knowing who Tom was, but figured they'd be too scared to say anything. He was sure that Professor Snape would threaten them though.

They continued on, moving from statue to statue, until Harry called out triumphantly. "Ha! Found it!"

"Let me see. Let me see." Salazar said, hopping from painting to painting.

Harry held up the vial with the silver liquid in it. "This is it, right?" He asked.

"Yes, yes. Very good. Now that it has been found, you can head to the Chamber."

"That is something I'm not looking forward too actually." Harry said, wrinkling his nose. "Can you imagine what the basilisk smells like right now?"

Tom suddenly stopped. "I hadn't thought about that. We are going to have to banish it, and cast a giant fresh air charm."

"It's 60 feet long." Harry said. "We may need help. Dobby!" He called, and the little elf popped into view.

"Mr. Harry Potter called for Dobby?" He asked excitedly.

"Yeah, can you use elf magic to banish a 60 foot dead basilisk?"

Dobby shook his head sadly. "No, sir. Not by Dobby's self. It's too big for one elf, but two, maybe three could do it."

Harry nodded. "Ok. If you are willing, please go to the Fidelius location and grab a couple more elves. Tell Sirius why we need them so he doesn't worry, and meet us in the Gryffindor dorm. Please tell the others that we will be there soon."

"Right away Mr. Harry Potter sir! Dobby will meet you there!" He said excitedly, and he disappeared.

"Hey! He used to be our elf!" Draco cried.

Harry glared at him. "Yeah, I tricked your father into freeing him. Your family was cruel and treated him like crap! He is not even bonded to me, and he helps me because I'm nice to him. Dobby might be an elf, but he is also my friend."

"You'd all do well to treat your elves with more kindness." Tom said. "Least you end up dead because one of them betrayed you."

"No kidding." Harry said. "Get me to tell you about Kreacher sometime."

"Kreacher? Why does that name sound familiar?"

"Sirius's brother Regulus Black was his favorite master. Let's put it this way, locket, cave, wretched potion."

Tom's eyes grew wide. "That was the elf!? He's alive?"

Harry nodded. "But Kreacher wishes he were dead. That potion did a number on him."

"I can heal him. Is there a way to ask Sirius to ask Regulus to have him come to me? I can heal the poor thing. My goodness I can't imagine what he has been going through. It's been so many years!"

"Regulus is dead. He found out about the…objects, and died in the cave. He drank the potion after Kreacher took him back to the cave, and died because of the inferi. Kreacher told me the whole story a few years ago…if you get my meaning."

Tom sank down into a chair and shook his head. "Regulus was one of the Death Eaters who didn't know the truth. He joined because of those wretched parents of his. He was eager at first, but when he saw the vileness of what being a Death Eater really meant, he started to pull away. I noticed it and thought about telling him the truth, but shortly after that is when that particular incident with the locket happened."

Harry knelt beside Tom. "If it makes you feel any better, Regulus died trying to destroy you."

"It does not, because it was a senseless death to begin with." Tom said. "I'm surprised Sirius doesn't hate me."

"He doesn't know. He figures you killed Regulus outright, or one of the others did."

Tom shook his head. "So many families have been torn apart. Yours, mine, and countless others. All because one man wants fame and glory. It's sickening."

"Dumbledore will get what's coming to him." Salazar said softly. "We will get him."

"But you don't know what it's like Salazar. Knowing that countless people died by your hand, or because you ordered it. So many people Salazar. There was enough dead to make an entire Inferi army."

"But it wasn't you." Harry said firmly. "Dumbledore did it. Not you. You have to remember that or you'll drive yourself mad. Dumbledore killed my parents, and tried to kill me. My parents may have died by your hand, but it was Dumbledore who made you do it. Same goes for everyone else. You're not to blame."

"Sometimes I wish I didn't have my soul back. I wish I couldn't feel anymore. The guilt is unimaginable, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Except maybe Dumbledore." Tom said softly, as he stared at the floor.

"Yeah, but then I'd have to whip you're arse again, because you'd go all Voldyshorts on us way too much. I'd have a rough time keeping you in line all the time."

Tom smiled at Harry, but Salazar chuckled softly. "Listen to your Gryffindor brother Tom. He speaks truth. Without your soul, you'd be the same man you were, which by your own admission was not someone you cared to be. Guilt is a part of life, but there are those who deserve to feel it, and those that don't. You are one that doesn't. Dumbledore on the other hand does." Salazar said softly, but then his voice took on more of a command. "Now, you get up from that chair, and you hold your head up proudly as my heir, the Heir of Slytherin, and you right the wrongs that have been made. The Heirs of Slytherin and Gryffindor are united and will defeat the one who has caused pain and suffering for thousands of innocent men, women, children, and even creatures. Together, you both will bring justice for those that have suffered and died. It won't be easy, but you have each other. Just as Godric and I did a thousand years ago, and still do to this day. Get up from that chair boy, and do what is right."

Tom looked up at Salazar and nodded. "You are right Salazar. Thank you."

"Besides, you're scaring the other Slytherins." Harry said.

Tom chuckled and looked around the room at the stunned faces of everyone. "Yeah I guess so." Then he turned toward the room. "It's true. I was placed under the imperius curse by Dumbledore and was forced to do all things I have done. Some people already know this, some do not, but now you all do. Harry and I, along with many others have a plan to take him down, so it is imperative that you all don't go blabbing this information or else the plan will fail. I ask you all to help us, but the choice is yours."

"I will help you in whatever way I can." Draco said instantly, and many more followed him.

"We already don't like Dumbledore, so I will help in whatever way I can." A seventh year said, and everyone nodded.

"And of course I will make sure they don't speak a word of this as well." Snape said.

"Where did you come from?" Harry asked turning around in surprise.

Tom laughed. "Severus has a way of popping up out of thin air. I thought you knew this."

"I do, but still, it's creepy." He grinned.

"Now you see how we feel." A fourth year laughed.

After the entire house consented to being placed under a tongue-tying curse just in case one of them accidently blabbed, Harry and Tom left. There was still a lot to do, and it was five minutes until curfew, so they had to run all the way back to Gryffindor tower.