Chapter 9 is here! I hope you all enjoy thank you for all the amazing comments and reviews, they are wonderful to read and help to motivate me to write. I just want to clarify that Harry is not a horcrux in this but that there is still a magical connection between Harry and Tom due to the fact that he used to be a horcrux. Just didn't want people to be confused Also, I do apologise if there are any errors, I am currently sick, and my brain is a little foggy.

Chapter 9

Harry spent most of the next day in a state of abject worry. He ate, went to classes and chatted with his friends but on the inside his stomach twisted and churned. He had agreed to go to the study group tonight, but he was still unsure if this was an actual study group or just a front for a Voldemort meeting. He knew he would have to do something about that whole situation at some point, but he just wasn't ready or even sure what the right course of action would be.

Theo seemed excited about his coming though, which was nice.

After dinner the pair walked into the common room to find a small group of Slytherins sitting around the fire. There were male and females from his year but there was also a few from the years above and below.

Harry noticed Alphard hovering in the group, and he instantly felt himself relax slightly. He made a bee line for the older Black, who greeted him with a warm smile before pulling him into a quick hug.

"Tom will already be waiting, the rest of us usually walk over together" Alphard said quietly, and Harry nodded in understanding.

"We use an old classroom that Tom has done up a bit for us" Theo explained, as he stood on Harry's other side. There's plenty of room for practising spells, but also tables to work at and armchairs and a fire to sit and talk by."

"That sounds really good" Harry said sincerely, liking the sound of the space, Theo looked pleased.

"Shall we go?" A new voice asked, and Harry looked over his shoulder to see Orion standing there, his usual cheeky grin in place though Harry noted that his grey eyes were serious. A firm hand pushed into Harry's lower back, and he found himself being guided out of the room by Orion. Alphard and Theo trailing behind.

Harry glanced up at the other Black but chose not to say anything, instead wrapping his own arm around Orion's waist as they walked, hoping to offer some comfort to the other who was clearly upset about something. Orion looked momentarily surprised before he moved his hand from Harry's back and instead wrapped it around his waist, pulling the younger tight against his side. Harry tensed at first, not expecting the movement, but as they walked, he felt himself relaxing and even leaning into the comforting warmth.

They walked into the room and Harry couldn't help but feel impressed. How had Tom managed to create such a place? Like literally where had he got everything from and how had he got permission to have a classroom, that is assuming that he even asked. It was warm and inviting, with a huge rug in front of the fireplace and a variety of comfortable looking armchairs. Theo had been right, there was plenty of space to practice spells as well as tables to work at, though the other Slytherin had failed to mention the bookshelves that lined one whole wall. Harry had a sneaking suspicion that many of the volumes had been liberated from the library and Harry couldn't stop the grin that was sneaking up on his face at the thought of what Hermione would say if she was here. Orion let him go as they moved further into the room.

"Welcome" Tom greeted, and Harry refocused his attention on the other Slytherin, watching cautiously as the others made their way over and settled into various lounges and armchairs. He joined them, finding himself sat next to Abraxas, who merely sniffed at him before turning away. Harry couldn't fight the grin that broke out on his face at the action.

A throat clearing had Harry glancing over to find Tom looking at him intently, he felt his insides squirm at the attention.

"Tonight, we will be working on non-verbal casting as I know a few of us have been struggling with it" Tom went on melodically and Harry felt himself blush as he knew he was one of the ones struggling the most.

"Please be aware next session we will be working on ancient runes, so make sure you bring what you need with you."

For the first time Harry could see how Voldemort may have done well in a teaching position at Hogwarts. Tom gave a brief example and explanation on non-verbal casting, explaining that it was mostly focus and intent as well as practice.

Harry found himself paired with Abraxas as they stood and moved to a place in the room to begin practising. He swallowed thickly, knowing how accomplished the other was. He watched intently dodging out of the way as Abraxas sent a silent spell flying towards him.

"For those of you who can already cast non-verbally you are working on making sure your spell is as strong as it would be if you cast verbally" Tom's voice rang out as Harry attempted to send a tickling jinx back at Abraxas. Nothing happened and he felt his cheeks warm in embarrassment.

"Focus, Harry" Abraxas called out and Harry jolted in surprise at the others use of his first name. That moment of distraction allowed Abraxas to hit him with a jelly legs curse and he wobbled around for a moment before collapsing to the ground. The spell lifted immediately with a wave of Abraxas' wand and Harry stood up, determination flooding him. Unfortunately, determination wasn't enough.

"Feel your magic," Abraxas instructed, "take hold of it, it's only in your mind that you feel like you need to say the spell for it to be effective."

Harry dodged a few more spells sent his way before he finally managed to send something back. He focused on his magic, sending it down his wand and straight toward Abraxas. The other was so surprised that he wasn't able to dodge in time and was hit squarely with a hair colour changing jinx. Long blonde locks now a soft orange.

Harry let out a shout of delight. "Abraxas! It worked, it worked!" Harry cried as he ran across the room and threw himself into Abraxas' arms. Reaching up to run his hands through the soft and silky orange strands.

"You look like a Weasley," Harry laughed, causing the Malfoy heir's expression to sour considerably. "I think I prefer you blonde though" Harry said honestly and with a wave of his wand and a quietly muttered spell, removed the jinx. Orange hair slowly faded back to blonde, and Harry ran his hand through it a few more times, "there, all better" he said quietly.

Green eyes looked into blue, and Abraxas opened his mouth to say something, but before he got the chance a spell came flying out of nowhere and hit the taller in the side of the face. Harry took a step back as Abraxas' hand flew to his mouth, taking another hurried step back as the other belched loudly before a torrent of slugs fell from his mouth. More slugs continued to spew from Abraxas' mouth, splattering on the ground as Harry had a flash back to second year and Ron. Unlike Ron though, this spell was cast correctly so it wasn't difficult for Harry to stop it.

Abraxas looked pale and sickly as the spell stopped, burping up a few more slugs as Harry stepped closer again. Abraxas glared viciously around the room as Harry cleaned up the mess, noticing that they had managed to garner the attention of everyone at this point. His gaze fell on Orion who was looking vindictively happy as he looked at the sheen of sweat that covered Abraxas' face and the slime that still coated his chin. Abraxas felt his hands clench into fists as he made eye contact with the Black heir, his lip curling up into a snarl. A soft hand on the side of his face had him focusing back on Harry, his expression softening.

"Are you OK?" Harry asked and Abraxas managed a weak nod, playing it up just a little bit.

"You don't look OK" Harry said decisively. "Come on, let's head back to the dorm, I'll take care of you."

Harry linked his arm through Abraxas' to help hold him steady before turning to Tom.

"Abraxas isn't feeling well, I'm going to take him back. Thanks for tonight, it was really helpful."

Tom nodded in understanding, "I'm glad you found it useful, you're welcome anytime, Harry."

"Ah, thanks" Harry said awkwardly as he started to steer the tall blonde out of the room. "We may want to think about a few shield charms between pairs next time though, just to make sure this kinda thing doesn't happen again."

"Yes, shield charms" Tom said quietly, amusement coating his tone as he watched their newest member lead Abraxas out.

Abraxas sat on his bed quite befuddled as Harry ran a warm face washer over his face, wiping away sweat and slime and helping to calm his ire. Don't get him wrong, his blood still boiled that Orion would dare to attempt such an underhanded trick just to make him look bad. But for the moment it was hard to care too much. Abraxas wondered why Harry didn't just cast a cleansing charm on his face but couldn't deny the appeal. A freshening charm was cast in his mouth as Harry passed him a glass of water. After he'd downed the whole thing, he was feeling pretty much back to normal.

"Feeling better?"

"Yes, thank you" Abraxas said somewhat stiffly, he wasn't really sure how to react to someone taking care of him.

"Good, I'm glad" Harry said with a fond look, before moving away and starting to get himself ready for bed. "Just wake me if you need anything during the night" Harry said as he climbed into bed, it had been a long day after all.

Anything? Abraxas' mind supplied, before he shook away the thought. As soon as Harry pulled his curtains shut Abraxas stood and made his way over to Orion's bed, the Black heir was in for a nasty surprise during the night, he cast a silencing charm on Orion's curtains so no one would hear him scream before quickly getting ready for bed himself. The Black heir would rue the day he tried to make a fool out of a Malfoy.

There was a strange tension in the dorm when Harry awoke the next morning. Orion looked haggard and kept shooting murderous looks at Abraxas, while the Malfoy heir simply looked smug. Harry decided it was in his best interest to stay out of whatever was going on between those two. Instead, he walked with Theo down to breakfast, both discussing the study session from last night.

Harry had only just sat down to breakfast when several small potion vials appeared before his plate. He looked at them with trepidation for a moment. These must be from Madam Raston he thought with a grimace as he ignored them for the moment, going back to buttering his toast. A few of the Slytherins cast him curious looks but were too polite to outright ask what the vials were, and Harry offered no explanation, simply drinking them one after another after he had finished his toast. Washing the horrible taste down with a big glug of pumpkin juice. Blech why did they always have to taste so horrible?

"How are you feeling this morning?" Harry asked Abraxas as the other members of their dorm settled onto chairs around them.

"Very well, thank you. Though I'm not sure if Orion can say the same" Harry took in the haughty look on the blondes face and knew that whatever had kept Orion up had probably been Abraxas' doing.

With a roll of his eyes Harry looked over at Orion, who was sitting two seats down from him on Theo's other side. The black heir looked exhausted, his face pale and waxy and his hair a mess. The usual cocky smirk was gone, replaced with a dark grimace. Harry gasped, it felt like a punch to the gut as he was forcibly reminded of Sirius when he was recovering from Azkaban. Sure, it was nowhere near as bad, but there were definitely similarities.

He moved from his seat, shuffling Theo down so he could sit next to Orion and start buttering him some toast and making him a cup of tea. The Slytherin's around them, Orion included, stared in shock at this open level of care.

"Here, have some breakfast" Harry said quietly as he put the toast and tea in front of Orion, "it will help you feel better."

Orion tentatively started to eat as harry ran his hands over Orion's uniform, straightening it out before running his fingers through dark curls, trying to get them back to their bouncy gorgeous self. It worked somewhat.

Harry smiled in relief, patting Orion's back in a soothing manner as the other seemed to come back to himself. Harry knew he was feeling better when a large hand snaked around his hip and pulled him tight against the others side. Harry didn't shove him off, instead laughing at the others antics.

"Feeling better?"

"Mmm, might need you to stick close for the day, just so I don't have another relapse" Orion smirked, and Harry laughed brightly.

"Eat all your toast and we'll see."

Harry found himself settling into life in Slytherin over the next week. He took a different view of things now that he knew he would be staying. Making more of an effort with other students and in class. Alphard had agreed to tutor him in ancient runes, seeing as how he had literally no experience in them, thankfully the older didn't question his lack of knowledge merely sitting with him during their first study session, carefully explaining the basics. Harry made sure to take extensive notes, to show Alphard that he valued the effort he was putting in to help Harry. He also snuck up to the kitchens, returning with a plate of eclairs that he promptly presented to Alphard with a bright smile.

"Thank you for helping me" Harry said as he handed over the plate and Alphard had boggled for a moment before taking the offered treat.

"It's my pleasure Harry" Alphard said around a large bite, batting away one of his friend's hands as they tried to reach for one. "But please feel free to bring me sweets as often as you like."

"Me too, Harry" the boy to Alphard's left chirped with a grin.

Harry waved goodbye with a laugh as he went to join his own friends all of whom were sitting around the fireplace. They were discussing their study session for the following evening which would be on ancient runes. Even though he was grateful for the extra study time his stomach churned in embarrassment if anyone other then Alphard learnt how dismal he was at the subject. He made a mental note to talk to the other in the morning about pairing up for the study session.

The next morning as Harry walked into the Great Hall his attention caught immediately on a large, towering figure seated at the Gryffindor table. The whole hall was abuzz, and it didn't take Harry long to realise what was happening. His heart started pounding in his chest as he sat down at the Slytherin table, and several students leaned in to gossip.

"Hagrid's had his expulsion revoked!"

"He's re-joining Gryffindor as third year as that was when he was expelled, even though he's a few years older now."

"Apparently, he didn't release the monster that killed Myrtle, it was a basilisk, a team of magizoologists are coming to remove the snake from the school."

"A basilisk!" several other students murmured in surprised awe and fear.

Harry felt a swell of happiness warm his heart, he had done it, he had made a difference. Now Hagrid would be able to finish Hogwarts, his whole life would be different. Though, it saddened him to think of a future Hogwarts that didn't have Hagrid.

A swell of anger erupted from where his scar used to be, so strong and fierce that Harry found himself leaning over the back of his chair and vomiting violently. He knew where the anger was coming from, but it shouldn't have been possible, he no longer had his scar, but there was obviously still a magical connection between himself and Voldemort. Firm hands rubbed his back while someone got rid of his vomit. He felt himself being turned toward the table again and found that it was Orion helping him sit up.

"Come on, Harry, let's get you to the hospital wing" the Black heir said gently. Harry didn't even try to fight him as he was gathered up close to a firm chest and nearly dragged out of the hall. His legs weak and unable to hold his weight properly. His head pounded but it was more the fear running through his veins that had him stumbling. He clung to Orion and let himself be manhandled up to Madam Raston, who quickly had him settled in a bed.

"I'm fine" he finally managed to grumble, only just noticing that Theo, Alphard and Abraxas had followed them up. "Just got a bad headache and it made me feel sick."

Madam Raston looked dubious, casting a few spells before producing a pain and calming potion for him to drink.

His new friends stayed beside him, keeping him company as the potions took effect. Harry felt the pain recede, his body and mind relaxed, allowing him to think more clearly. He needed to talk to Tom, but first he needed occlumency lessons.