It was only a few days until the second task would be upon Harry and he slowly felt the nervousness about it creeping into his stomach. He worked day and night, working on ideas and strategy, mostly together with Hermione, so much, that he barely saw anyone else.

It was one of these times, while they were sitting in the library when something hit the black-haired boy.

"Hey, Mione?" He asked in a low voice, leaning a little closer. Madam Pince was somewhat lenient towards him at the moment, given the stress he was under but he didn't want to push anything.

"Hrm? Did you find the passage about Stone Tigers already?" Her voice was also low but she still didn't raise her head from the book she had been transcribing for the last hour. They had looked up all kinds of animals for the task and Stone Tigers were just part of the long list of creatures that could MAYBE take the role of the Nemean lion. And while sometimes her attitude annoyed the boy, Harry was glad for Hermione's prepare for everything mindset right now.

"Um, no. I just wanted to say I am really grateful to have you you know?"

Hermione's eyes stopped, before slowly rising, showing a short smile. "I'm glad to help you with this task Harry. You are my friend."

Harry shook his head smiling. "No I didn't mean this." He gestured to the books. "Well, yes this too, but you have been my friend for three and a half years now and have always been looking out for me. I mean, I would probably not sit here right now if it wasn't for you. I just wanted to tell you to thank you and that I appreciate your friendship very very much."

Smiling, Hermione reached out and put her arm around the boy next to her, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I appreciate your friendship too Harry."

The black phoenix on the table who had up until now mostly stayed quiet, since she understood that the grumpy looking woman in the front would throw them out if she made a ruckus, raised her head, looking at the two.

Opening her beak, Dawn started thrilling her voice, raising it to a soft and sweet song that swung lightly through the bookcases and tables. Students around the large hall raised their heads when the song swept over them. The song was full of warmth and cosiness, like a warm blanket that fell over the heart of all in the room.

Two rows down from the two friends, a single blond-haired Ravenclaw raised her head, listening to the soft song. A serene smile appeared on her face as she tilted her head to the side, letting the song warm her heart. Her fingers played with the edge of the book she was currently reading about human transfiguration and a sigh escaped her lips. A slight nudge from the side took her out of her thoughts and she looked over at Katrina. The girls yellow Hufflepuff tie was a little off centre but a warm smile was on her lip. They had bonded during their time in Professor Scamanders classes and the blond-haired Ravenclaw was so thrilled by this, as the girl was her only friend. She had even stood up for Luna when the others in their class had been...' funny' again. The blond girl knew she wasn't the easiest person to be around, but Katrina didn't seem to mind at all. She didn't take everything by face value like people should do her daddy said. Always question, always ask what is there more to learn, more to find. Two hundred years ago no one believed in fire snails and all wizardkind was sure the pyramides in Egypte were tombs and nothing more and now? Totally different things were considered normal. The blond Ravenclaw knew that not all the animals she searched and believed in were real. Most of them probably weren't. But wouldn't the world be pretty boring if you knew everything and had nowhere to go anymore, nothing to explore? The girl didn't think so as she nudged her friend back, flexing her toes in the rhythm of the song.

Near the back of the library, another one of the triwizarding champions listened to the phoenix song.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" The champion was asked from the person sitting with her.

"Yes, it is."

"Do you want to go over? I'm sure Harry won't mind." Susan asked while playing with the index finger of her girlfriend's right hand.

Akiko gave her a slight smile before shaking her head. "No, I rather prefer spending my time with you Aoi." The Japanese girl leaned closer, kissing Susan's cheek. That got the girl grinning even more as she put her arm around her girlfriend.

"Someday you have to tell me what that means."

Akiko raised an eyebrow. "You could look it up, you know?" The girl said pointing at the books. Susan followed that gesture, looking up and down the aisle they were in. "Naaaa, I'm good thank you."

Akiko smirked at her, showing one of her rare emotions. "Lazy girl, that is what you are."

Susan stuck out her tongue and grinned. "Guilty!"

Akiko stared at her before looping her index finger underneath the yellow tie. "You are lucky that you are so good looking," Akiko whispered, pulling the blue-haired grinning girl into a deep kiss. But Susan wasn't complaining. She was happy being here with her girlfriend. And she didn't like to be alone at the moment, as being alone meant being alone with her thoughts and she could still feel the fingers of those assholes on her. So being not alone helped to ignore those and she just hoped with time it would get better. Which her mindhealer promised to her it would. And that woman knew what she was talking about. She could get her right on course if she had been able to fix Harry 'I get into trouble by only tying my shoes' Potter.

At the front, an elderly lady filed a book back to its place as the song drifted over to her. Her black hair with quite a few grey streaks in it was pulled back into a bun and her robes were practical and unadorned. Slowly she stepped back from the bookcase, looking through a gap, seeing the singing phoenix. She knew she had to go over there and shut this down. This was a library and noise was sacrilege in this hoard of ancient wisdom. Everybody deserved to work here undisturbed and without hindrance and noises were such a hindrance. Madam Pince knew she was supposed to go over and stop this. But, she was human too. This song made her remember her time here in Hogwarts. It filled her mind with the laughter of her two best friends, Janos and Rose. They had been in the same year in Ravenclaw and had spent quite a bit of time in here, careful not to draw the rather of Mister McHoon, the man who guarded this place before her. It also filled her with a little sadness, as it had been a long time since she last talked to Janos and Rose. It was probably six years since she last saw them. And nothing really happened to justify it. They had just drifted apart. Weekly meetings turned into monthly, turned into irregular and then they had just stopped. It just had happened. And while she thought about it, Madam Pince had a little bit of a realisation. She hadn't spent much time outside of Hogwarts for the last decade. During the year there was too much work, at least she felt like it and only in the holidays it was possible to return the great Library back to order, file in new books and do smaller researchers. Placing her hand on one of the shelves, she realised to herself, that she had spent so much time here, forgetting about the rest of the world. And she knew she had to change that or else she would be one of those people who only lived for their work and nothing else, a sad thing, even if she loved her duty here in these hallowed halls. Her eyes returned to the phoenix and a soft smile came to her face, a rare sight.

The rules said: "Students and staff shall be quiet while being in the library. Pets are not allowed." Nothing was written about phoenix familiars

That evening, Rose and Janos Thitwicker received an owl from someone that they hadn't heard from in years, reigniting a friendship that had seemed like it was only cold ashes.

In the furthest back of the library, even further than Susan and her girlfriend, was another soul. He worked hard, searching book after book after book in search of an answer. The boy wasn't working for a class or an assignment. Things that once had been important like marks were so pointless in the greater picture. No, he searched for a solution, for something that would safe him. Whipping his pale blond hair from his forehead, he turned to the next book. He needed to find something, anything, for the Dark Lord, had commanded so.

Draco knew he was in a bad spot. Yes, he despised the mudbloods with all their stupid ideas and their ignorance. They were beneath him and could all rod for all he cared. And Potter could die in a ditch. But really? He was mostly afraid at the moment. The Dark Lord had been very clear when he had described what would happen to him if he fails. It sounded very very horrible. And his father couldn't do anything. Draco had found out his father wasn't high up in the death eaters ranks, despite the stories he grew up with. The Dark Lord sneered every time Draco's father opened his mouth and looked at him with disgust. The boy was not stupid. He had no idea for what purpose the Dark Lord kept his father around but he had the sickening feeling the moment that purpose was fulfilled, his father would be in big trouble.

In the last two years, Draco had bragged that he would one day join the Death Eaters, would join the cause. His friends had been in awe of him, had hung off his lips as he sprouted words about cleansing and justice. Had hoped if the Dark Lord doesn't return, he would be their leader. But he now knew that those were just empty words from a dumb child who knew nothing. He was glad it was school again since, during the holidays, he had to go every day to that house, to 'learn'. And what had been there, what he had seen. What he had done! It made him sick and filled his dreams with horrible images. It was one thing saying the mudbloods would beg when you were done with them but it was something entirely different to have a living breathing person in front of you, begging you to stop, but you can't because the dark lord is watching and every time Draco had slowed down, a very painful curse was shot in his back by the cackling form of his own aunt. Draco was glad he wasn't strong enough to cast the torture curse himself, he had seen there what happened to people and he just hoped he stayed this weak because he didn't want to do that. But he had no choice. The Dark Lord commanded and you obey. That was what it was. Draco had seen it in the eyes of quite a few there. They were afraid. Afraid of their own lord. A feeling the Dark Lord seemed to enjoy, as he set his own followers on edge.

His father, the day before he left for Hogwarts, deep in the Malfoy manor, had told him that the Dark Lord hadn't always been this way. Powerful, yes, ruthless of course, but this? Enjoying to torment his own followers? Of course, there had been punishments to those that failed him, but now it seemed to serve no purpose. Draco had asked why his father won't walk away and for the first time in the boys live his father had slapped him, before shacking him at his shoulders, said he couldn't say that no even think something like that! The Dark Lord would know and he would come and get them! They had to weather the storm, duck their head and hope, pray to all that was holy and Merlin and the Founders that somehow in any way or form they would get out of this alive. And his father had looked so scared, had declared their conversation a family secret and told Draco to pray that the family magic was strong enough to hide this from their lord's gaze. Oh how often Draco had wished he had obeyed his father that day.

Soft notes of a song filled his ears and for the first time in weeks his shoulder muscles relaxed a little bit and the creeping cold that had been in his bones pulled back a little. His mind calmed a little bit and the warmth of the world returned a little bit. He wondered if that was what people felt when they came out of Azkaban. Maybe this was an opening? Maybe he should stand up, walk while he had the strength and tell people, beg for help, for protection. He could go to Professor McGonagall or to his mother. He had thought a lot about her since that evening when he had followed his father's footprints. How would his life differ at the moment if he had gone with her in the summer? Taken up Lord Black on his offer of protection. Was it possible to get this offer again?

Slowly, fighting with himself, Draco rose from the chair he had been sitting in, leaving behind his bookbag and all his stuff. His feet made not really a sound on the floor as he slowly sneaked closer. He had no idea why he was hiding, but he felt it was right this way. The closer he came, the harder his heart would beat. Would it be the right thing? Was this the way out? Maybe. But Dumbledore was gone. Even if Draco had grinned in glee that the old man was gone before his holidays, he knew that Albus Dumbledore was the one that could really protect him. The old man would have been the person to turn to. But he was gone so here he was, clutching his right forearm. Even though he hadn't been called, Draco couldn't shake the feeling that the dark mark was still burning, itching, reminding him of whom he belonged to. And it wasn't even a full mark. As a child, as the son of Lucius Malfoy, the Drak Lord had deemed him unfit to carry his full mark until he 'proved himself'. Only the snake was showing on his forearm, missing the signature skull that would make up a complete dark mark. And Draco wasn't sure if he wanted to prove himself since he had seen what those who were full Death Eaters did and it was sick.

He peaked around a corner, and there was the source of the music. Potter sat there with that damn Granger and his phoenix, which was singing at the moment. Draco looked at them and for the first time in a long time, he realised. He didn't hate Potter. Well, he did but not for the reasons he thought he would. Draco saw the two and he was jealous. Jealous about the ease the were sitting together. Jealous that he had no one he could trust the way those two obviously trusted each other. Each of his 'friends' would sell him out if they could, further their own agenda, get on top themselves. He knew they stuck to him for what they could gain out of it, not because they liked him, not really.

Draco frowned his face, while he watched in envy at the way the two smiled. Was their way better? He never had questioned the Slytherin way as the right way. The only person, who looked out for you were yourself and those indebted to you. That had always been his motto. But friendship? Real friendship? Supporting the other without holding back? He had always sneered on that. And right now he would give everything away, everything he had, all his families money and influence, just to go over and ask those two for help. Could he? Should he?

And while Draco fought with himself, his presence was noticed by the two on the table. Potter raised his damn green eyes and stared at him. The other boys feature hardened and he frowned, staring at Draco.

No. They would never help him, Draco realised and all the warmth that built up in his bones drained out like water running through cracks. With a jerk he turned fleeing from Potters judging glare, to return to his corner. There was no hero who would save him, no one who would catch him, he had made sure of that the last few years. He was alone and he had to survive alone.

Slow but steady the sound Dawns song started fading away leaving behind the warm feeling inside. Harry smiled as he petted his familiars back. The girl looked tired but she wasn't falling asleep right now. This was the first time this happened. It showed that she had slowly been growing and maturing and it made Harry so proud. Yeah, it also made him a little sad as she wouldn't stay small and cute forever but every achievement she reached was something he felt like celebrating since this was what growing up meant.

"That was wonderful." He whispered rubbing her under her beak and she coed a little tired but tilted her head back to give him room to nuzzle her.

Hermione smiled at the black feather ball and nodded. "That was very beautiful thank you, Dawn." The Phoenix chirped in response and fluttered up to Harry shoulder who in turn looked at the clock.

Closing his book, Harry turned to his friend. "It's almost time for dinner, maybe we should wrap it up for today."

Hermione looked over the table, nodding slowly. "I guess you are right." Putting away a few of the books she rose from her seat. Stretching her back, Hermione groaned. "Oh dear, that was a long session."

Also getting to his feet, Harry nodded. "Yeah, but we got quite a bit done. I think we will make it in time for the second task."

Hermione bit her lip thinking. "I hope so. I hope we got the clue right, with the labours and all."

Harry tilted his head and nodded. "Yeah, but I hope so. It makes a lot of sense and if anything would happen I could still pull out."

Walking down the main route out of the library, Hermione tilted her head, looking at her friend next to her. "I still don't get why you don't do it anyway."

Harry sighed, brushing through his hair. "I don't know, I think I want to prove myself you know, after the thing and all."

His friend knew he meant the attempt to end his own life as he often referred to it as the thing. "Have you talked with Mrs Tonks about that?"

The black-haired boy nodded, opening the door for his friend. "Yeah. She says as long as I am careful and pull out when it gets dangerous. There can't be a new portkey this time. So yeah, I will try to do my best."

Hermione huffed shaking her head. "I still think it is not a good idea, I know I will not change your mind."

With a lopsided grin Harry winked at her in a way the girl was reminded of a certain black-haired lord and how much influence he had on her friend. "You know me too well. But don't worry, like I said I will pull out in case anything bad would happen."

Hermione slapped his shoulder only to stop short as she turned her head back. "Oh damn, I forgot, there is this book I wanted to check out, would you wait here for a moment?"

Smirking Harry waved in the direction of the library, bowing slightly. "Of course my lady."

She smiled herself, slapping his shoulder again. "Part. It will only take a minute."

Half walking half running, Hermione sped down the corridor. Harry leaned against the wall, picking Dawn from his shoulder, setting her in his hands. She looked at him with her golden eyes and started pulling his tumb with her beak. "Oh you want to play?"

Freeing one hand, the boy started tickling her tummy as she squirmed and twisted, but still held on to his tumb. Laughing, Harry pocked her a little and she rolled over, only to drop off his hand. Luckily she spread her wings inches fro the floor and landed, only to flutter her wings and return to his hand. "Careful there. I know you can fly but if you are not careful young girl, you will hurt yourself." Harry said while walking into the middle for the corridor. Behind him he heard a door open.

"Well that was quick Her-" He began while turning, but was cut short.

"Stupify!" And all Harry saw was a red flash. Then everything turned black.

Professor Flitwick was humming to himself while he walked down the corridors of Hogwarts. He took a look at his pocket watch. Hrm almost time for the evening dinner. Still humming to himself, he turned around moving back the way he had come. While he walked he looked out of the window. Still some snow outside. He hoped that spring would come early this year. Filius had gotten a few problems with his back this winter and he hoped that when the temperatures climb so would do his feeling in his back. But it wasn't even February yet, so the warm months were still a little bit far away.

Folding his hands behind his back, Filius Flitwick was just about turning around a corner, when he saw someone hurrying in his direction. The man smiled up at one of his favourite students. Hermione Granger was probably the smartest witch he had ever the privilege of teaching. She understood concepts and ideas way over her own age and was probably on the way to a bright future, at least if she was able to keep her tongue in certain situations. While speaking out for themselves and others was quite an admirable trait, it was still needed to know when and how to speak out. Filius had tried guiding her to the understanding that she didn't know everything and not to judge quite that fast but it was difficult as the girl was quite stubborn and also been told for four years now that she was the smartest witch of her generation, a compliment that would get to everybody's head. But then what was youth if not making mistakes and learning from those?

"Ah, Miss Granger good evening." He said with a bright smile. The girl walked up to him, her smile was a bit strained and she looked worried.

"Good evening professor. Have you seen Harry? He was supposed to wait for me outside the library but I couldn't find him. I'm searching for him for twenty minutes now."

Filiusfrowned a little bit. "Well, maybe he went ahead to dinner."

Hermione shook her head. "That's not like Harry. He said he would wait. Normally I wouldn't bother you but with you-know-who at large I don't want to..."

Filius smiled nodding grimly. "Of course, I understand. Well, let's see if we can find Lord Peverell." The small man pulled his wand and cast the point me spell, which made his wand swirl in a circle on his palm for a moment like the needle of a compass and then pointed to the side.

"Well, let us go Miss Granger." With swift steps the head of house Ravenclaw started moving down the corridor. He didn't show it but he was worried. Harry Potter had a tendency of getting into trouble tat was alarming. Given the Dark Lords rise from the dead, it was something Filius took serious. But it wouldn't do to worry Miss Granger even more so he instead showed no sign of worry like he learned all those years ago. Being a master dueller came in handy at the most unexpected moments really. They walked in a quick pace and turned around a corner. Filius was just looking at Miss Granger when she blinked, came to a fullstop and started screaming.

-Before-

Suddenly the blackness pulled back. Harry groaned and blinked. Hard stone floor was under him, as rolled to the side. His head was hurting and he put the palm of his hand against it.

"Dear Lord." He mumbled as he sat up.

"Ah the sleeping beauty has awakened." A voice from behind him said. The boy turned his head and saw two people standing their both of them had their arms crossed. One of them held a simple wooden stick in his hand but a stick Harry would notice everywhere as it was his own wand.

"Fred, George, what the hell?" Trying to stand up Harry almost fell to the side as his legs were stuck to the floor.

"Hello, Harry." One of his kidnappers said. For once neither was smiling.

Trying to stand up again Harry groaned as his head started hurting again.

"Ah yes, so you know, never stun someone in a stone corridor to far away for you to catch them." The other Weasley twin said while twirling Harry's wand between his fingers. They stood away a few feet and it seemed like they were in a corridor. Judging by the paintings around, Harry would have guessed they were on the second floor, near the library.

Harry tapped his head carefully. "Yeah, that will be a big lump, probably, you went down like a sack of potatoes." Fred or George spoke his thoughts.

"What the hell are you doing? Unstick me!" Harry slowly got angry. The twirling of his wad ended as George and Fred looked at each other. They then walked over, crouched down just out of reach.

"I don't think so Prongsletty. We-"

"Have business you and us. Quite in fact." The twin waved Harry's wand and Harry opened his mouth but nothing came out of it. Then Harry's wand was tossed over his shoulder.

"You see, ickle Potty, there is something we wanted to talk about-"

"With you for quite some time now. Every since the holidays."

"But you seemed to evade us. So let us draw you a picture." They both waved while talking but the easy grin was not showing on their faces.

"You see, we were on our way home on the train. Mum-"

"Demanded everybody come home as our two oldest brothers were home at Christmas this year."

"And while being on the train, we find our dear sister, crying her eyes out." Harry flinched at that.

"Good brothers that we are we asked what was wrong. Imagine our surprise when we heard-"

"that you little shit broke her heart. That just won't do you know?"

They both glared at him. "Our brother said he talked to you at Christmas and that we should let it go."

"But really Harry do you think, we are the type of people who do what they are told to do?"

Their gazes softened a bit. "We like you, Harry. We really do. You are one of our favorite people. But she is our sister and we Weasleys protect our own. This has to happen for us to stay friends." Harry wasn't sure what to think of it.

"So it pains us more than it does you...well probably not, but you get the idea."

"But, we had a deal, didn't we?" They eyed him for a moment.

"I think you remember what our deal was right?"

"We thought we had made it clear with you. Hurt our sister."

"And we hurt you back." They rose to their feet. Harry blinked, nervously. This was bad, but worse he knew he deserved it. He hurt her sister, quite cruelly you could say and until now he hadn't gotten any real punishment for it. It was karmic sense.

Fred or Goerge pointed to the side, where a big birdcage stood. In it Dawn was fitting a feathery riot. "We are sorry to put her in there, but it had to be."

Now, this got Harry angry. He tried to shout at them, tried to tell them to leave Dawn alone. He was fine with them hurting him, he deserved it ut Dawn had done nothing wrong. His red face and silent screaming must have gotten the message across as they both looked at him slightly disgusted.

"We will not hurt her, what do you think of us. We had to put her in there so she gets you no help, nothing more. No we don't hurt innocents, but you...you are not innocent." Both of them pulled out their wands.

Hermione Granger started at the form of her best friend, hanging from the ceiling of the corridor. His face was swollen to three times the size, like someone having an allergic reaction. From his mouth, his two front teeth had grown half the way down to the floor of the corridor, almost eight feet in total. He was coloured in different flavours of rainbow, his clothes were a wedding dress, feathers were gliding over his feet and it seemed like all over his body ants were crawling. His torso was covered in slugs that were pucked up by the boy, even though he made no sound. She was also pretty sure that Harry had a very strong sunburn but it was hard to see with the changing colours. To the side was a big bird cage in which a furious phoenix was having a tantrum.

A shield dangled from his lengthened and braided hair, showing only five words:
"NEVER MESS WITH OUR FAMILY!"

Hey guys, I thought long and hard where and how I wanted to do this chapter. I am not quite sure at the moment my muse won't just come to me, I have to kind of force it out. But then again like so often once I was going I didn't want to stop.

I knew I wanted to do the twins today but I wasn't sure what to do with the rest of the chapter so yeah this came out and I am quite pleased. I like these moments when I can show off those who don't get this much screen time.

I wanted to add Luna here in a little bit. I love her character and I like this serenity but she just won't fit into this story no matter how much I wiggle it. I wanted to have her in this but I don't even get much chance to get Neville and Susan in, so she would have come short. So instead, I decided to place her here and show that the smaller ripples from the note spread out like a lake and changed lives. Some might say, Luna, deserves more than one friend, but I felt that wouldn't be right. So instead she has one person who doesn't mind her quirks and looked out for her instead.

Madam Pince is also someone I wish I could explore more. I think there is so much more that she could be instead of being the 'strict Librarian' TM. But this little part will do.

Draco...really is one of the most interesting characters to write for me. Not because I like him but because is more complex than others. I like the idea and wanted to dive deeper into the mind of him. Also, it gave me the opportunity to delve into another topic.

Some people pointed out, that no one in their right mind would follow Voldemort as he was since he treated his followers as garbage. I agree with you. He treats them like garbage. From his stint as a wraith he is utterly mad. Living 12 years as a bodyless husk has driven him completely insane. The other factor is that he mostly is seen to interact with those he doesn't really care about as he thinks they are weak and useless. Like Lucius and Alecto. Both are the bottom tear. I will try to make out the difference more clearly, by showing some more of his inner circle. But yeah, a few of them question why they ever came to his ranks in the first place. But they are too afraid to leave.

Finally Fred and George. I know there will be people out there that disagree with this. Some of the things they do there to Harry are cruel. THAT is the point. I don't want Fred and George to be only these funny happy rascals that do only good things and everybody is secretly just thinking "Oh you scondroles" but still smiling. They can be vicious and people aren't this one dimensional at least in my opinion. In most stories, I read they are either the funny loving goofs or the mean bullies but rarely do they step out of their cliche role and do something that is from the other side. And I want to do it differently. For me, they "avenging" their sister isn't a good deed. There are more productive ways than violence. But on the other hand, I think it needed to be done as Harry dropped Ginny and nothing much happened. So yeah loyal brothers and so on.

Now on another note, I read a few alternative universe stories and I noticed something. When Harry is placed in Slytherin then very often Ron takes the role of Draco. A little bit dumber but as brash and insulting and soooo not self-reflective. Sometimes with Hermione, sometimes not, but he is often depicted as this super idiotic, pig mannered dick and I find this trope very...stretched by now. What I am saying is, I want to find a story where it is more nuanced, something new, something fresh. I don't know, it is just me but are there are certain stories that feel like the author just want to shit on his most hated characters?

Anyways, I rambled enough, next up the Second Task (this time for real)