Latest chapter is here! I hope you all enjoy it, I know it's been a while but I'm always slowly working on something would love to hear your thoughts 3

Chapter 8

Headmaster Dippet just blinked at him bemusedly and Harry was amused to see that the headmaster still had his pyjamas on, a robe obviously thrown over them in haste. He felt a twinge of guilt waking the older man up, but once he had remembered Hagrid, he couldn't wait another minute to do something to help.

"What do you mean, Harry?"

"Hagrid, he got expelled for having a creature in the castle that killed Moa- I mean Myrtle, didn't he?"

Dippet's expression started to clear.

"Yes, that's right. That was just over a year ago."

"It wasn't his creature that killed Myrtle, it was another" Harry rushed to explain, his green eyes staring imploringly up at the older wizard.

Dippet put a calming hand on his shoulder.

"Is this something that you know from the future or something that you've learned since arriving in the past?"

"It's something that I know from the future" Harry explained and Dippet's expression turned grim.

"I was afraid of this" Dippet murmured as he ran his hand gently through his beard. "You must be very careful with what you share about the future."

Harry had to hold back a snort, if he knew what the future held Dippet would be begging him to change it.

"I will be careful" Harry said quickly "but this is important. This changed Hagrid's whole life and he did nothing wrong. It isn't fair!"

Dippet looked thoughtful for a moment. Harry knew this wasn't over, but he breathed a sigh of relief when the other slowly nodded.

"Do you know what did cause Myrtle's death?"

"It's a basilisk that has lived in the school since the time of Slytherin, the entry to Slytherins chamber is in the girl's bathroom that Myrtle died in." Harry purposefully didn't mention Tom or his involvement. Not yet anyway.

"A basilisk from Slytherins chamber" Dippet breathed, his eyes alight with curiosity and Harry began to understand how the man had become the headmaster of Hogwarts.

"I can get us in" Harry said enthusiastically, excited now that it looked like he had Dippet on his side.

"We would need a team of trained magi zoologists, to assist with the capture and containment of a basilisk. I will get in touch with the ministry immediately. Rest for now Harry, if what you say is true and Hagrid is innocent this will soon be proven."

Harry felt himself slowly relax, his shoulders untensing as he relaxed back into his bed. "The creature Hagrid had an acromantula, that's been released into the forbidden forest. I'd get onto that if I were you." Harry said with a large yawn, watching carefully as Dippet's lip twitched.

When Harry awoke again, he felt much more rested. He was alone, for which he was thankful, he really wanted some time to think. His whole world was turned upside down… again. He felt like he should be used to it by now, but it only seemed to get more difficult each time it happened. All his friends were lost to him. Draco has no one to help him now he thought, as a few tears managed to escape. He tried to convince himself that things would be ok. He could make new friends, he had actual family members here who seemed to care about him, perhaps he could even do something about Voldemort. But it was hard when sadness and loneliness gripped his heart.

He half-heartedly picked at the food that was brought to him and drank all the potions Madam Raston said he needed, but he remained quiet, melancholy, as he continued to work through everything.

It was only after dinner, when Charlus arrived for a visit that he felt his mood begin to lighten slightly.

Charlus regaled him with the Gryffindors attempts to grow their hair back or at least try to make their hair grow back quicker and Harry couldn't hold back his snickers.

"Are you out of the hospital wing tomorrow?" Charlus asked, concern tingeing his expression.

"Yeah" Harry said, looking away.

"You know you can always come hang out with the Gryffindors, if you ever want to? Eat at our table, spend time in our common room. You'd always be welcome."

Harry was touched by the offer.

"Yeah?"

"Of course," Charlus said softly.

"Thank you" Harry said, glancing up and meeting Charlus' eyes, it would be nice to see the Gryffindor common room again.

"Well, I better get going" Charlus said, standing up and patting Harry on the shoulder. "I'll try to check in on you tomorrow."

Harry waved, feeling marginally better about everything. Whatever was coming couldn't be worse than what he'd already been through.

Tom sat in the Slytherin common room; he'd scared away anyone that wasn't in his immediate circle. Not like it had taken much, he'd simply swept in and cast his gaze over the room, and everyone had found somewhere else to be. He reclined back in his favourite chair, letting the warmth of the fire wash over him as he thought. His thoughts centring around one Harry Potter. The younger teens power had been intoxicating, calling to him like nothing he had ever felt before. That depth of sadness had been intense. There was much more lurking behind those green eyes then anyone knew. He rubbed his face thoughtfully, he wanted Harry to join his knights, he must have him.

Tom's eyes trailed over his… he's not sure if he would say friends… supporters? All completely loyal to him. He could already see interest from both Orion and Abraxas in the newest Slytherin. Though he wasn't sure if they were even fully aware of it themselves. Nott had also formed a close friendship with the other teen. Tom could use that to draw Harry further into their circle. That kind of power would be invaluable to him. For now, he would watch, plan, wrap Harry so tightly into the fold that it would be impossible for him to escape.

He hadn't allowed any Slytherins to visit Harry in the hospital wing, though he had heard that he'd been awake for a few days now. No one had outright asked to go but he could see that many had wanted to visit. Now that he had made up his mind on his course of action, he would stop holding them back. It all work in his favour, he wanted Harry to feel like he belonged in Slytherin, to be loyal to them, to him.

"I heard from Greengrass that Harry is getting out of the hospital wing tomorrow" Theo said looking around the group. Orion visibly perked up while Abraxas tried for aloof but failed to keep the interest out of his eyes.

"I don't trust him" Corvus said with a scowl. "There's something off about him. He knows his way around the castle too easily, has secret meetings with Dippet, seems to dislike Dumbledore on sight, claims his Godfathers name is Sirius and that he's some long-lost Potter and now this magical outburst! His power, it was something else."

Austin hummed in agreement.

"I want him" Tom said plainly, holding back a smirk at the way Orion and Abraxas stiffened at his announcement. He was not interested in a romantic relationship with the other Slytherin, he had no such time or inclination for such things. "I want him to join the ranks of my knights" he clarified. "Make sure he feels welcome, trusted, accepted. Leave me to discover exactly what he's hiding, that is no longer your concern."

Corvus didn't look surprised at the command, just nodding in understanding.

"He is a Potter, that much is clear" Tom continued, "the Potters are traditionally light, it will be invaluable to finally have a member of such an influential light family in Slytherin. Their name holds power with families that even the Malfoy's and Black's can't touch, imagine what we could achieve if we all work together."

The other teens started to lean closer to Tom, mesmerised like they always were when Tom started talking like this.

"I am making plans, and Harry Potter is essential to them."

Five heads nodded seriously, a familiar glint entered Orion's eyes and Tom smirked, he had a feeling the Black heir didn't know what he was getting himself into.

Harry left the hospital wing early the next morning, he was pleasantly surprised to find Charlus waiting for him.

"Thought I'd make sure you got to your common room OK, didn't collapse on the way or anything" the Gryffindor said with a grin.

Harry laughed, "you never can tell what's going to happen when it comes to me."

"I'm beginning to see that" Charlus said as they began their walk to the Slytherin dorms. "Do you need breakfast?"

"Nah, Madam Raston made sure I ate before I left the hospital wing. I think she was worried I would skip the meal completely if she didn't."

"She's getting to know you already."

They had reached the Slytherin common room as they'd been chatting.

"You, OK?" Charlus asked softly.

"Course," Harry wondered how convincing he sounded.

Charlus gave him a reassuring smile before turning and starting to walk back towards the great hall and breakfast.

Harry took one more deep breath, wondering just how bad the inquisition was going to be, before he said the password and entered.

The common room was nearly completely empty, which shouldn't surprise him, it was breakfast time after all. He went up to his dorm, changing into a fresh set of robes. He packed his bag before heading back to the common room. A warm hand clasped his shoulder and Harry jumped, spinning around as he reached for his wand, to find Alphard looking at him in concern.

"Oh, Alphard you startled me" Harry said smiling up at the older Slytherin, only to find himself engulphed in a warm comforting hug. It was gentle and Harry found his face tucked into Alphard neck, breathing in the scent of citrus. Alphard pulled back gently, and Harry found himself trying to follow after, he caught himself and straightened up to find Alphard looking at him softly.

"I'm not sure what happened, but I'm here if you want to talk."

Harry was flawed by the genuine offer, he glanced away, not sure what to say. He smiled shyly but was saved from answering by someone shouldering Alphard out of the way.

"Harry! Welcome back" Orion grinned. "I hope my cousin wasn't boring you too much."

"Oh, definitely not" Harry said with a small laugh, turning away from both Blacks and finding more Slytherins had entered the common room.

"Welcome back" Theo said.

"Thanks" Harry said, an awkward silence settling over the group. He waited for the questions to begin, but nothing happened.

"Potions?" Orion asked, breaking the tension.

"Ah, right" Harry said, what was going on here? Didn't they have questions about what had happened? He glanced at Orion and Theo as they walked to potions, to find that both were watching him out of the corner of their eyes. Ok, so it wasn't that they weren't curious, but are going about things in a more… Slytherin way. It almost made Harry smile, thinking of his time with Draco, before they had become friends. Slytherins rarely go for the straightforward route, he forgot who he was dealing with for a moment.

Harry felt a burning gaze on his back, he turned to find Tom, staring at him intently. Harry spun back around; he wasn't sure what to do about all that at the moment. One thing at a time he supposed and right now that meant paying attention. If he was going to be stuck in this time, he would need to put more effort into his studies, he felt a pang of sadness as the thought about how proud Hermione would have been of him. He took his seat next to Abraxas, giving the blonde a small smile as he pulled out his potion things. He stood to move to the storeroom to get the ingredients listed on the board for that day's potion.

"Sit" Abraxas said softly, but with authority and Harry found himself obeying almost immediately. "I will get the ingredients today, you've just got out of the hospital wing, I won't have you wasting time getting the wrong things because you still aren't feeling well.

Harry smiled softly; how similar Abraxas was to his grandson.

"Thank you, Abraxas. I appreciate you worrying about me" Harry said happily, finding he liked the way Abraxas scowled at him.

Harry's day ended up being disturbingly normal. He chatted with his new friends, went to class and ate lunch with his fellow Slytherins. It seems the majority of the school was unsure of his involvement in what had happened a few days ago and the Slytherins weren't talking. True to Slytherin form, they closed rank around Harry like a fortress, stopping any possible curiosity in its tracks. Harry had never been on this side of things, he had always been the one trying to find out what the Slytherins were hiding, it was actually kinda nice to feel so protected, so ensconced.

They sat around the fire that night, doing their homework. Harry was going to have to find help with his ancient runes very soon.

"We are having our study group tomorrow evening, if you'd like to join?" Theo asked, looking up from his own essay and Harry, well he couldn't think of a reason to say no.