I do not own anything from the harry potter universe, unfortunately.

"Normal Talking"

'Thoughts'

"Parseltongue"

To say that Harry was for the first time since the beginning of this damned tournament, actually happy was not an understatement. The grimoire that he had found, or rather, the one that called out to him, was a godsend. Just the first three spells were beyond what he could've found in the library under normal circumstances.

He had practiced the Serpenmaiora spell extensively and had gotten a great feel for the spell, he had kept with the Ashwinders and found them to be unusually wise. Using the advice he had received from the first Ashwinder he summoned he had conjured a few normal snakes with Serpensortia and had ordered them to observe the castle for the organizers of the event for any information pertaining to the task.

It would seem that Madam Pince was correct that some form of magical creature was being brought in for the first task, but he was unable to figure out the specifics since his snakes could not read English. He had to remind himself at times that he was speaking in a magical language when he conversed with them.

As for the grimoire, the spells had all been conjuring spells of some form. The first spell being the greater snake summoning spell. The second spell was an evolved version of the bird summoning spell while the original spell, Avis, summoned normal birds. The spell he had learned summoned a flock of magical birds of the raven variety. From what he was able to tell with his two books on magical creatures they were a form of magical ravens. Summoning them had brought up the same magical tug that accompanied the summoning of magical creatures that he had come to expect.

The Shadow Ravens, which were what he had summoned, were a great spell to practice finding and guiding this magical tie he made when conjuring magical creatures. Which helped him greatly when he attempted the third spell which according to the book wasn't a conjuring but rather a summoning. Where the first few spells had the magical connections forged between the creator and created this new spell instead summoned something which required Harry to lasso, for lack of a better term, the creature in question and forces a temporary bond.

The third spell summoned a wolf creature. He couldn't find whatever it was in the two beast books that he had on hand but by the looks of the beast, it definitely wouldn't pass as a light creature. Currently, Harry was attempting to summon the very creature in question now.

Going over the spell once more from the book just to make sure he had got it down he walked away from the desk he managed to sneak into the classroom and walked to the center.

Holding his wand up he remembered the instruction the grimoire had spoken of. Where he would have to call upon his magic and make the connection after the spell was in effect, this spell required him to make a halfway connection so that it was ready when he cast.

Harry found it quite helpful to imagine an unplugged electrical cord in his head while forming the partial connection. The past few times he had practiced this spell he found that if he wasn't quick enough to form the connection the beast would disappear, a sort of built-in safety net for this spell. So, Harry had to form the connection in order for his summon to stick around.

Raising his wand he made a wide motion over his head as he brought the wand forward and felt the power flow into the wand and to the tip as he called out the spell.

"Canis Infernus!" he called out as a torrent of smokey black energy with hints of flames hidden within the smoke flowed from his wand and seemed to for a spherical cyclone in the center of the room. He waited, waited for that moment that would tell him that what he was summoning had fully crossed over.

There it was, as if something stepped through him and into this world he saw the sphere of shadow and flame began to morph into a lupine shape, and just as it began to take on a solid form he took the connection he had prepared and with the mental image of a lasso cast it around the creature. He felt his magic mingle with the beast's own. The beast's magic bit back at him but he didn't flinch back, that had been his biggest blunder during his first few attempts.

He willed his connection forward at the beast's own tendrils of magic and latch on as he felt the battle of wills between them play out. It was almost like something was tugging against him, not in the physical sense but that was the only way he could describe it.

Just as the beast began to settle in the physical world, he felt his magic settle in a sort of lock as he opened his eyes seeing the wolf-like creature in full for the first time. Instead of just melting in shadow and embers like before it finished materializing in front of him.

It was a large Wolf-like creature with pitch-black smokey fur and smoldering red eyes that seemed to let a few sparks fly from their depths like from burning logs in a campfire. The wolf also had a pair of rigged spindling horns that had a single wave in shape going up, down then curving back up again. And harry could see a sort of glow from the wolf that peeked from under the thick coat of fur as if there was a constant fire burning within the body of the beast. Looking down its length he saw that there was a series of spines that began at the lower spine and ran down the tail getting shorter as they reached the end of the tail.

The wolf looked towards Eyes with a curious gaze, or was that a hungry gaze? Harry slowly moved to the side and the wolf followed his motion though in the opposite direction as they began to circle on another. The beast was enormous, easily the size of a horse at the least.

As they circled Harry could feel the connection between them, he could feel the wolf's uncertainty. There was no fear just curiosity and he tried to push his own feelings through the connection. He conveyed feelings of calm and safety as best as he could.

As he did this, he slowly approached the wolf who did the same, reaching out he briefly flashed to his memories of Buckbeak when he first met the hippogriff in Hagrid's class. Though instead of a half-bird half-horse he was now reaching out to something that looked twice as fierce. Through their connection, he could feel the Wolf gently accept the connection between them as he pawed forward and bowed his head slightly as Harry's fingers brushed through its thick fur.

The warmth was expected yet still a surprise as he fell it practically radiate of the large wolf. As they connected he could feel the connection further solidify and suddenly it was as if a jolt went through both of them as it affected Harry for more than it did the Wolf.

Harry's legs very quickly felt like they were composed of nothing but jelly as he nearly fell forward but the Wolf was quick as it put its snout under Harry's arm as he grasped the horns for stability. It took him a second before he was to regain the feeling in his leg and he wobbly made his way over to the desk, the wolf aiding him along the way.

Quickly looking through the book he found the description and instruction though no mention of the counterspell. Turning the page, he couldn't help the way his jaw hit the floor at the sheer shock at what he read.

By the way, the Canis Infernus summon is permanent once the connection is properly formed, so here's to hoping you thought of a name for your new companion. Fear not, it can always hide in your shadow when needed.

What kind of mad man left that tidbit of information for the end of the instruction, and on another page too! He shut the book and with a groan he let himself sink to the floor a feeling of exhaustion filling him as the amount of magic needed to summon the wolf finally caught up to him.

Taking a few deep breaths to steady himself he reached up to grab the Grimoire opening it up back to the page he was just on.

Now, the wolf you have summoned is known by many names, the Infernal Hound, A Hell hound, Satan's wolf, and many others. As I stated before these beasts exist in a separate dimension to our own. Summoning them is rather simple, controlling them is another thing entirely. However, with the spell you have just performed has connected you in a way never attempted before. In my research, I have found the original spells and rituals simply summoned the hounds then try to gain control after they had called it to our world. While possible the hounds would most likely kill the caster before they could gain any form of loyalty from the creatures.

That is why this spell requires the use of the bonds you have been using from the past two spells you have hopefully mastered at this point. Now you have an understanding of connections in the form of the creator and the created as you have felt with the previous spells as well as now a connection being used in the form of master and servant.

However, all three of these spells require one joint thing, and that thing is the feeling of magic within you and the connection that can be created through magic. That will make the next spells and rituals far greater.

For you see, most wizards and witches believe just because we are born with magic within ourselves that we must draw power from ourselves alone. This is foolish, Magic may bloom in our souls, however, even the most beautiful blossom has to draw its water from somewhere and that is where the world comes in.

You have sensed magic in things like a connection, now you will have to feel it beyond just you and something you have either created or called but also all around you. For magic exists everywhere, even in the muggles of the world though they can never tap into it themselves. The next series of spells will be standard but instead of powering them by yourself alone allow residual magic around you to fill you up and aid you in empowering your spell.

Harry would have continued reading however he suddenly heard a shuffle of feet and voices outside. Looking towards the window he saw that the window had started to dip in the sky, and he knew that after dinner he would be expected to attend the Wand weighing ceremony. Closing his book and shrinking his other tomes he quickly stuffed them in his pockets. He then felt a tug in the connection to the wolf. Looking at it he remembered that it was here permanently.

"Guess you need a name?" he said out loud as the wolf snorted and he could feel a rush of what he could only describe confirmation through his bond.

"Well, um, let's see… are you a boy?" this time his bond went a bit cold causing him to shiver. "Okay a girl then?" it went warm "Alright a girl, you're a wolf, well the book said you're called a hell hound." He said looking at the wolf its smoldering eyes almost boring into him expectantly.

"How about… Demona?" he asked and for a second he didn't feel anything as the wolf tilted her head to the side before he suddenly felt warm.

"Brilliant, Demona it is. So, the book said you could hop into my shadow, how does that work?" he asked as Demona simply stepped forward and seemed to melt into shadowy smoke which drained into his shadow. He wasn't sure but he thought his shadow appeared a bit darker than normal.

"Can you still hear me?" he asked and felt the warmth of confirmations again as he nodded. He took his cloak and shrunk it stuffing it into his pockets along with his shrunken books. He wanted to shrink the grimoire as well, but it was still resistant to all attempts. It was comforting since that meant no one could bewitch or curse it, at least not easily.

Exiting the classroom, he was made his way towards the great hall for dinner. It didn't take him long and upon entering he saw that the Beauxbaton students and Durmstrang were scattered through the hall mingling with their own peers and Hogwarts students. Some eyes noticed his entering the great hall and greeted him with a sneer.

He hadn't actually been to a meal since the whole goblet fiasco, so he decided to check on what Daphne had told him a few days ago and took stock of the houses and found she had been correct. Despite Malfoy and his circle, it did seem that the majority of the Slytherins were greatly indifferent to his presence. Most of the animosity was from the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor table. The Ravenclaws seemed rather indifferent like the snakes had been. As he walked forward, he took a seat at the end of the table. He noticed the Gryffindors around him either move or scoot away from him. He ignored it and began to fill his plate.

Dinner went on for a while and he spent that time taking stock of his surroundings specifically the other fellows of his house. Ron, it seemed was talking with Seamus and Dean while glancing at him with sneers and scowls. He wondered what form of harassment they had planned for tonight. Shaking his head, he looked to find Hermione who was sitting away from Ron and was actually reading a book.

She didn't notice him enter the Hall, actually now that he thought about it, he hadn't really given her much of a chance to approach him, he hadn't been coming to meals and he had made it an effort to only leave his bed after everyone had left and only came back after everyone would be asleep. He made a mental note to try to talk to her later.

After dinner ended and the students began to file out the three champions and Harry stayed behind for their Wand weighing.

"Mister Potter." Dumbledore said as he approached Cedric Already at his side "if you'll follow me, we will commence with the ceremony as well as information on the first task." He said as Harry nodded and followed the headmaster as he looked at Cedric. Funnily enough, Cedric didn't seem to share his house's animosity towards him.

Entering the same trophy room that he entered during the champion selection he Saw Ludo bagman flagged on either side by Barty Crouch and Ollivander.

"Welcome champions, to the Weighing of the Wand Ceremony. Here we will have our wand expert Mister Ollivander, examine your wands. To make sure they are in proper working order for the tasks ahead!" the excitable man stated stepping aside for Ollivander to come up.

"Mister Krum if you please." He said extending his hand as Krum gave out his wand. It was lightly colored with a waved shaft, but it was the handle that drew attention for harry. Seeing as at the end of the handle the want suddenly reared back with the carved head of a bird at the end.

"Ah, Hornbeam thicker than average, one of Gregorovich's am I correct?" Krum nodded to the question as Ollivander continued his examination. "Dragon Heartstring core, Rigid, Ten and a quarter inches long." He said giving it a slight wave as the end lit up with light and with another flick, it went dark again.

"Very good Mister Krum." The wandmaker said as he handed the wand back. "Miss Delacour if you please." He asked as the French witch did so presenting her wand. It was a dark grey color and very ornate in design. The shaft seemed to have been twisted making it appear like a very slight spiral while the handle reminded Harry of those expensive ornate decorations you would see on palace doors and windows all curvy and spindled.

"Hmm… Nine and a half inches, Rosewood rather inflexible and the core… oh my…"

"Veela 'air my Grandmere." She said as Ollivander nodded.

"I see, very finicky for a core, I don't use it myself." He stated and that seemed to be slightly offensive to Fleur as her nose scrunched up. Ollivander simply waved the wand and a bouquet of flowers appeared at the end. Nodding he handed the wand back along with the flowers.

"Now mister Diggory, if I may." He said as Cedric approached and handed his wand over. It was a two-toned wand with a dark almost black color on the tip that bled into a warmer brown hue as it reached the other end. Unlike the other wands, there was no obvious break between the shaft and the handle though it did become thicker as it went towards the lighter-hued side and the thicker end was carved with decorative patterns and symbols.

"Yes! I remember when I sent you out holding this wand, well cared for too."

"Yes sir, I just polished it this morning."

"Good, twelve and quarter inches, Ash, pleasantly springy and containing the single tail hair from a proud male unicorn." He said giving it a wave and rings of silver smoke erupted from the wand. "Yes, perfect working order." He said handing the wand back.

Then his eyes fell to Harry as he recognized that familiar almost mad glint pass through the wandmakers wizened eyes.

"And finally, Mister Potter." Harry approached and handed his wand over and Ollivander took it before looking surprised. The surprise quickly melted into a smile.

"I see my message was not lost on you the day this wand chose you; great things are possible." Harry's eyes widened slightly, could he tell? Could he actually tell what Harry had been practicing with his wand lately?

"Holly, eleven inches, nice and supple, and I see the brethren Phoenix tail feather core is ripe with magic." He said a twinkle in his eye.

"Brethren?" Fleur asked not understanding what the wandmaker had meant. And Dumbledore's eyes widened slightly and mentally cursed the excitable wandmaker for revealing that bit of information.

"Yes, the Phoenix that gave the tail feather for this wand gifted one other feather and only one other." Ollivander said giving a slight wave as a shower of spark lit the end of Harry's wand before he canceled it and handed it back.

"How do we know that this brethren wand does not give him an unfair advantage!?" Igor claimed as Ollivander simply turned to him about to answer.

"I do not believe that the wand has any unnatural properties, Igor." Dumbledore stated trying to get the topic off Harry's wand.

"You can understand Albus, my concern. After all, Hogwarts has two champions, and now, what sounds to me like a dual sourced wand." Harry found this man annoying, while to two Hogwarts champion thing was unfair he knew that the owner of his wand's brother was going to be a lot of things, but helpful was not one of them.

"I assure as a master of Wand lore there is no advantage to this just simple curious circumstance." Ollivander stated before turning to Bagman. "All the wands are in fine working order Mister Bagman."

"Excellent, now champions with your wands examined and cleared the first task of the Tri wizard tournament will take place on November twenty-fourth that's eleven days from now. Use the time wisely to prepare yourself. For now, we have interviews for each of our champions! Miss Skeeter if you would" he said as a rather lavish woman approached in a bright green overly frivolous dress. She had rather obnoxious blonde curly hair and a generous amount of applied makeup.

"Yes, indeed!" she said, and Harry didn't like her eyes as she gazed upon him, like a rabid dog looking at a piece of meat. If he looked towards his headmaster, he would've noticed Dumbledore coming towards the pair but not fast enough. "Why don't we start with the youngest!" she said, and two things set Harry off.

The first is the rough manner in which the woman had grabbed his arm and the second is when she began dragging him towards a nearby broom closet. Harry's eyes widened as images flashed in his mind of his aunt dragging him to a cupboard and sensing her new master's extreme discomfort at the situation Demona made her presence known.

The first clue was that shadows began to flow upwards from Harry's own shadow forming the ghostly smoldering head of his new wolfish companion. Which released a snarl loud enough to vibrate every trophy in the room and the bones of every, now wide-eyed occupant.

Harry quickly realized that his negative emotions were riling up Demona began to push calmness through their bond getting the Hell hound to calm down and sink back into his shadow. Looking around at the frozen occupants he shrugged.

"I've been practicing." He stated simply and turned towards Skeeter.

"Ma'am don't… grab me like that again. It's uncomfortable." He stated as the woman only nodded.

"R-right, well then please." She said indicating for the closet and Harry looked at it abrasively before shaking it off and walking towards the now opened door. Skeeter for her part conjured a pair of chairs for them to sit on. Once they were both situated Skeeter pulled out a long green quill and a note pad both of which floated out of her hand and the quill seemed to look at them expectantly.

"Not a Dicta-Quill?" he asked, and Skeeter shook her head.

"This is my own quill a quick notes quill, I find this helps me best since I already have a very good memory." She said with a smirk. Harry looked between the two and know that he thought about it this would be the first time the media would be able to talk straight to him, not an offshoot or secondhand account of events involving him but his words. Looking at the woman in front of him it wasn't hard to tell that she wasn't impressed with what she saw despite the little show before.

"Now mister potter"

"Actually, Ma'am if I may?" he said interrupting her she looked annoyed but nodded. "I just realize that I don't properly know your name." he stated.

"Oh? You don't read my articles?" she asked, and he panicked for a second.

"No, it's not that I don't want to of course, but I am quite busy with my studies most of the time. Though meeting you now I'll be sure to fix that mistake." That seemed to work as she smiled at him.

"That's good to know, well my name is Rita Skeeter writer for the daily prophet." She said with a slight bow of her head.

"One of their best, right? After all I don't think they would send just anyone to interview the Champions." He said back and now she was looking very pleased with herself.

"Of course, though it's not just the interview of course, I'll be covering the whole tournament." She said with no lack of pride and slight arrogance. Harry smiled doing his best to convey he was very pleased for her.

"Then I am sure that when I read the prophet it will be nothing short of brilliant." He said hoping his enthusiasm and pandering had dissuaded the woman from righting anything frivolous. The woman smirked at the praise and was about to begin her interview before she noticed something. Harry's shadow was being cast behind him but she noticed two smoldering eyes staring at her from the depths of the shadow.

Gulping audible Rita quickly grabbed her green quill before replacing it with a standard Dicta-Quill. Rita may not be the brightest witch, or very talented but she wasn't stupid and she knew that whatever was hiding in that shadow could end her before she even had a chance to defend herself.

"Something wrong?" he asked but Rita shook her head.

"While I have a great memory, I think this interview should be word for word, don't you?" she said doing her best to keep her eyes from his shadow and towards Harry's own eyes. Bright emerald was a much better color for her than burning Devil red.

"Very much so!" he readily agreed.

"Now, Mister potter I have to ask, did you place yourself into this tournament?"

"No, I did not." He answered noting how the quill was writing down every word.

"Then how is it you have come to be in this tournament?"

"I wish I could tell you, in fact, I want to know as well. To be honest I don't want to be in this tournament at all."

"Why ever not? This is a chance at eternal glory after all not to mention the sizable prize money."

"I've didn't want eternal glory and the money doesn't interest me. If anything, I feel like someone is trying to kill me or threaten my life, again."

"Again? Are you referring to that night? The night you know who was vanquished by, well you." At this Harry deflated a bit.

"That's what that night is to everyone else, to me it's the night I lost my parents."

"Oh, I'm so sorry mister Potter I did not mean to cause you undue distress." She stated though Harry was pretty sure she was only saying that for effect.

"It's fine, but to your original question, no I'm not talking about that night. I'm talking about other things like last year."

"Ah yes with Sirius Black the mass murderer on the loose."

"Only it wasn't Black that was a danger to me." Harry hated having to refer to Sirius in such a way, but he was pretty sure if he casually called Sirius by his first name it would raise unwanted questions.

"Truly?"

"Yes, if anything, the Dementors threatened me more than anything, they tried to kill me no less than three times last year. It was so bad I had to learn the Patronus charm just to defend myself." This caught Rita by surprise.

"You can produce the Patronus?" For the first time, Harry felt that Rita was genuinely surprised and impressed.

"Yes, I can. But I wouldn't need to if the Dementors didn't try to kill me."

"Why would the Dementors try to kill you?" she asked now fully interested.

"As it was explained to me the Dementors are attracted to those who have suffered in their lives." He spoke.

"The loss of your parents, I see."

"If only." He muttered miserably.

"You don't mean to say that you are unhappy with something else. According to credible sources, you have lived quite a lavish life."

"Lavish!?" he growled out as Skeeter seemed quite surprised by that. "Miss skeeter my home life was anything but lavish. Bloody terrible more like! I was raised by my muggle relatives who treat me like… like…" he wanted to say, he wanted to tell the world the horror he had to live through, the scars on his back, and the nights nursing broken bones. How he felt uncomfortable even now in this tightly closed space which reminded him of that damned cupboard.

"I'm sorry, it just… it wasn't lavish and far from pleasant." Rita nodded before straightening up.

"Well to change topics why don't we discuss the tournament itself yes?" she said, even if she wanted to press the issue one look at the eyes within Harry's shadow told her to keep from upsetting the boy. Harry nodded and for about an hour it was a back and forth between them discussing in's and out's of the tournament.

It wasn't very late when Harry began to make his way back to the Gryffindor common room. But still after training the new spells and summoning Demona Harry felt exhausted. Approaching the portrait of the fat lady he muttered the password but was not allowed entrance. He tried again louder and clearer this time still nothing.

"Hello! Lady, I said the password." He said waving his hand in front of her face not even a hint of recognition in her eyes. He tried for the next several minutes with no luck and growled. Somehow Ron and the others had effectively locked him out of the Gryffindor tower. He was sorely tempted to have Demona tear through the portrait and bash his way in but was too tired to even care. Instead, he just made his way to the classroom that he had been using for training.

Upon reaching the door to the classroom he sighed as he entered and locked the door behind him. Looking around all he had in there was the desk and he was pretty sure that wouldn't have made a very good bed.

"Maybe I should just move in here permanently and get a bed." He muttered to himself. Quickly taking out his wand he pointed to a spot near the wall.

"Incendio." He casted and a small spot of flame came to life as he went towards it and slid down the wall. The warmth of his flames helped against the cold of the room. Pulling out his cloak from his pocket he resized it and threw it around his shoulders, it wasn't very helpful but it's not like it was made with the intention of being used as a blanket.

He wondered how he looked right now just ahead and a bit of neck laying on the floor as he scoffed at the thought. Closing his eyes, he knew even with his little fire he wouldn't be getting much if any sleep tonight against the cold unforgiving floor. It must have been just about three hours when Harry was jolted from his half-asleep state when the door opened. Blinking as his eyes were assaulted by a bright light from the door.

"Potter?" Harry groaned he knew that disapproving tone and drawl anywhere.

"Professor." He said in return his cloak falling away as he sat up. This was just what he needed right now, good old Professor Snape.

"You realize of course it is past curfew." Snape asked incredulously.

"No that had slipped my mind." Harry replied able to get one cheeky remark off despite his tiredness. The spell to summon and bond with Demona had drained him quite a bit more than he thought.

"Twenty points from Gryffindor for your snark." Snape growled at the boy though took a second to observe. This classroom had nothing of value or worth inside to capture Harry's attention. And he was sure that there were no secret passages or the like. He was surprised by the cloak but only for a second, he was more surprised that it appeared Harry was actually sleeping here. Why would the Gryffindor golden boy be sleeping in a cold dark Classroom and not in his dorm?

"What are you doing here instead of in your bed where you should be." Harry, for his part, was too tired to come up with anything snarky or smart in reply, so he just decided to ride with the truth.

"I'm not exactly welcomed in the tower anymore." He said as he began to gather his cloak and shrunk it knowing that Snape would just drag him away anyway so no point in trying to stay.

"Not welcomed?"

"Just one more thing to add on to the list of harassments." Harry stated not needing to cancel his Incendio spell as it died out on its own.

"Harassment?" Snape asked, images of a man very similar to Harry flashed through his mind. Harry simply looked at Snape his eyes showing obvious exhaustion and, despite his best efforts, Snape had felt a pang of sadness seeing his eyes bright emerald green eyes that were so familiar to him.

"Yeah, well nothing new right?" Harry said dragging his feet towards Snape. This caused snape to narrow his eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"Professor I'm really tired so let's not pretend that this doesn't happen at least once every other year. It's not like this is the first time my house treated me with coldness and all but turned their backs on me. Only back then they didn't know as many spells as they do now. Besides you hate me, so this all should make you happy." Harry said bitterly not caring at what he told Snape at the moment.

As for Snape, he could not express how uncomfortable this was making him. Harry still had that snarky attitude, but it was so diluted now. Like he was truly just fed up with everything that was going on around him. For a split ever so fleeting moment he had thought to himself and how he felt during his youth in Hogwarts.

Again, he saw Harry's eyes and he couldn't help but think of a similar set of eyes on a person he cared for deeply and failed to protect. For another fleeting moment, he allowed a thought. A treacherous thought that he tried desperately to avoid whenever Harry looked at him in the eyes with his own.

'What would Lily think right now?'

"Potter, do you feel safe in your dorm?" Snape asked as Harry managed to bring a confused expression to his face through his exhaustion.

"What?"

"Do you feel safe in your house, yes or no?" Snape asked again this time slower. Harry thought for a moment, did he expect to get attacked in his house, not really. But still, all it would take is one ill-placed incendiary or stink bomb and his prized possessions could be ruined and that alone would destroy him more than any form of bodily harm.

"Honestly Professor, not very much, no." he said and there was a moment of silence between the two as Harry tried to gauge what Snape was thinking. There was no sneer or scowl, the professor didn't even look contemplative just blank. Though his eyes did betray emotion, usually those black eyes held nothing but loathing and annoyance but now, they seemed deeper than normal.

"Come with me." Snape told Harry, not that he could conjure the energy to even argue or question the professor.

Harry for his part barely registered where they were going, he wasn't keeping up with Snape in the least as the Potions master had to constantly slow his stride for Harry to catch up. And more than once did Harry's eyelids become unbearable heavy and he stumbled almost falling asleep on his feet. It wasn't until they reached what appeared to be the dungeons did it click for Harry, even in this sluggish state, where they were heading.

With a quick mutter of a password to what harry recognized as the false wall that hid the hallway that led to the entrance of Slytherin's house. Upon entering Harry saw the common room, this being the second time he was ever here. Was much the same as when he was last here? Emerald-colored velvet sofas and chairs with black furniture embroidered with silver. A single large Fireplace much like Gryffindor only instead of the windows showing an overview of the castle grounds it instead shows the murky depths of the lake, which Harry would admit is pretty cool.

"This way." Snape instructed and Harry followed him to the far end of the common room which showed two sets of stairs which lead to two hallways. Snape led him down the left hall which held a series of doors and at the end of the hall was a flight of stairs which must have led to more rooms. Opening a door Harry was ushered in. The room was large, not overly so but enough to fit two well-sized beds and two desks.

Harry found that like the Gryffindor common beds they were the same style and make, only with swapped color palettes. Also, the window wasn't against the wall, but it was more situated at the top of the room and again showed the murky depths of the lake. Again cool.

"Try to get some sleep Potter, this room is unoccupied. We will talk in the morning." Snape said closing the door before Harry could even argue about it. Not that he was going to, instead he just all but collapsed onto the bed not bothering to even kick off his shoes as he quickly found himself drifting off into sweet, relaxed sleep.