A/N : Thank you soo much for the amazing love you've shown to this fic. It warmed my heart truly! Here is the next chapter for you awesome guys, and I sincerely hope that you like it. I do not own Harry Potter; it solely belongs to J.K. Rowling!

Warnings: Drama, language.

Harriet hummed as she quietly did her Arithmancy homework that was due on Wednesday. It wasn't that long, but she'd hope to finish it on Saturday itself, wanting to enjoy the Sunday morning by exploring more of Hogwarts.

But then, Marvolo's letter has dropped in her lap with an expecting adventure waiting for them, and Harriet's Saturday plans had been rescheduled. She was only thankful that Marvolo wasn't anywhere near her when the memories came back full force. She wouldn't have been able to answer his questions in that case. She didn't know though that the said adventure would take such a toll on her.

After coming back from Gringotts yesterday, she had been drained completely. Not just physically and mentally, but magically as well. She presumed it had to do something with the Horcrux that was the Gaunt Ring.

When they'd come back to Hogwarts, Harriet bid a quick farewell to Marvolo, and went straight to her room. She didn't even have the energy to have some food. But when she'd reached her common room, her friends were already waiting for them to tell her about all the ruckus they caused at Hogsmeade.

Regulus had got her some treacle tart that she loved so much, and Barty had gotten her some pranking things that she was yet to understand. There too, Harriet had been quick to take her leave, apologizing to Lucius, Barty and Regulus, and feigning that she wasn't well.

The boys, thankfully, excused her without much prying.

The most surprising thing, however, was the plate of warm and delicious food laid on her bed, waiting for it to be devoured. The plate hadn't been there when she'd gone for her bath.

Then, Harriet had seen the note and an instant smile crept upon her face.

"I know you are very tired, but nothing is worse than going to bed with an empty stomach, and I say this from personal experience. Please have your food. I promise it's not poisoned.

Marvolo"

The man was crazy. He was sending her food, for Merlin's sake! The Dark Lord caring for Harriet Potter, what a blasphemy.

There was a clearing of the throat and she saw Sarah standing there with a pout on her face.

"Good morning, Sarah."

"No…not a good morning. Uh huh," the girl sat opposite Harriet, with a dramatic gasp.

"What's wrong?"

"Period cramps," Sarah mumbled, holding onto her stomach tightly. Apparently, Sarah having periods made her chatty because she was saying whatever was coming to her mind.

"Oh dear. Do you want me to get you a hot water bottle? Or something warm to drink perhaps?" Harriet asked in concern.

"No, just….sit with me please."

"Here, atleast have this then," Harriet passed the chocolate bar that she always carried for emergency cases.

"Thanks Harrie."

She smiled when Sarah practically moaned in happiness after having the sugary candy. Her eyes then fell upon the stillehoute of Lily Evans, standing a few feet from their table with a dubious expression on her face.

"Miss Evans?" Harriet called her out, sensing Lily's discomfort. "Is anything the matter?"

"I'm sorry…I just," Lily spoke as she reached their table, but still looked hesitant. With a deep breath she said, "I heard that there's an investigation going on. Is it true?"

Harriet's face turned somber. The news regarding the investigation was totally under wraps, and the students were warned not to discuss it with the teachers. It was understandable, and seeing if word got out, there will be consequences for all.

"It is. Do you have anything to report?" Harriet asked the young Gryffindor carefully.

"What if my name comes in between. I don't want that," Lily spoke her mind and Harriet understood her completely.

Taking out the parchment and quills from her back, she showed it to Lily. "These are enchanted quills and parchment. The quill will note your query word by word, without any mangled words in between. As for the parchment, when your complaint is done, it will fold itself and can only be opened by the Board Members or one of the assigned teachers. Your name and identity will remain anonymous throughout. So, you do not have to worry at all."

"It's okay, Miss Evans. We too have given some complaints." This time it was Sarah who spoke. "I think it is time for all of us to come together and save Hogwarts."

With a definitive nod, Lily agreed. "I'll do it."

Harriet quickly threw some privacy and noise canceling wards around them for security purposes. She then laid down the parchment and quill in front of Lily, wrote down the date and signaled Lily to start.

"My first complaint is against Professor Slughorn. Seeing he is the head of Slytherin House, Severus told him about his housing conditions back at his home, and requested the Professor to spend his holiday at the school only. But, Professor Slughorn has never forwarded his complaint to the Headmaster. Its been happening for two years straight now."

Harriet frowned at that. She was reminded of Tom and how he was being denied a stay at Hogwarts too.

Nonetheless, Harriet nodded, permitting Lily to go ahead.

"My next complaint is against Headmaster Dumbledore."

"Why do you say so, Miss Evans?"

"I have personally witnessed him taking Gryffindor's side on multiple occasions regardless of the situation. The other day, there was a small fight between the first years-a Gryffindor and a Ravenclaw. It wasn't even a proper fight, but a disagreement. Professor Dumbledore let the Gryffindor go, but the Ravenclaw student was called to his office. The poor lad was nearly in tears seeing the anger on the Headmaster's face."

This wasn't good, not good at all.

"Do you know what happ to the student?"

"No."

"Will you be able to recognise them?" Harriet asked again, getting an affirmative nod from Lily. "I don't know their name, but I'll recognise them when I see them again."

"I'll need your help in that case, Miss Evans. Although, I think Professor Flitwick may want to take charge here." Harriet said, and it seemed appropriate since Professor Flitwick was the head of Ravenclaw house.

"There is also one other thing about Dumbledore. I'm not sure, but I have a feeling." Lily stuttered while speaking, she kept fiddling her hands in anxiousness.

"Speak without any fear, Miss Evans. All that you say, stays here. I give my word," Harriet assured the girl.

"I think it is Professor Dumbledore poisoning Heir Potter."

If Harriet was surprised, she didn't not show it just to not surprise Lily, but Sarah was the total opposite.

She has her eyes almost popped out making Lily look all the more nervous.

"What you are saying, Miss Evans is highly accusatory, so I need a little more information than that." Harriet told her.

"Professor Dumbledore tends to give Potter these candies very often, and I've seen him munching upon them frequently. I did not think much of it at first, but…"

"Then what?" Sarah's curiosity got the better of her.

"Potter was perfectly fine that morning, cheerful even, at the breakfast table. Then, he ate those candies, and his mood shifted 180. He started eyeing me in a scary and creepy way, and also started a fight with Remus. I got to know from Remus that it might be the poison, and I couldn't get that breakfast incident out of my mind." Lily looked at Harriet with hesitation.

"Well, this is not exactly full proof evidence, unless we get those candies checked." Harriet explained. "But thank you very much for bringing this to our notice, Miss Evans. It will definitely help in James' case, I'm sure. I would let Professor Nicholas know about it at the earliest."

Harriet gave her a grateful smile.

"No, thank you, for all that you've done for Severus. Truly," Lily seemed truly happy for her friend. "You don't know how much it means to him."

"It was all Severus' hardwork and talent, and Lord Potter's efforts. I haven't done anything, Miss Evans…."

"Lily….my friends call me Lily." Harriet was interrupted mid-sentence by the young witch.

"I'm sorry, Miss Christopher, that I was so rude to you. I guess, I let the stupid house rivalry get to my mind as well," Lily earnestly apologized to Harriet, and extended her hand. "Can we be friends, Miss Christopher?"

Harriet smiled so widely that her cheeks hurt, accepting her handshake, "Harrie, my friends call me Harrie."

"And I'm Sarah," Sarah too shook her hands, not wanting to miss out on this new found friendship.

Just then a shrill whistling sound made the girls look towards the intruder, and Lily visibly stiffened upon seeing James Potter coming towards their table.

She shifted nervously in her seat, not wanting the boy to disturb her yet again. But the said boy had different plans.

"Oye Harrie," James grinned at her, his eyes falling upon Lily and Sarah sitting there too. His grin fell a little.

"Good morning, Miss Fawley. Good morning, Miss Evans." James greeted the two girls, making sure to not look at Lily, but also making sure to maintain appropriate courtesy.

"Harrie, we are waiting for you. Come in," James packed Harriet's things quickly for her, not even waiting for her answer.

"Who are we?" Harriet inquired, knowing that she wouldn't be completing her Arithmancy assignment anytime now.

"Barty, Regulus and Remus." James answered easily, quickly throwing Harriet's bag over his shoulder. He completely missed the look of surprise on Lily's and Sarah's face. "They told me you were in the library, but of course, I couldn't let you miss out on my awesome company."

"Wait," Harriet stumbled upon as she tried to keep up with James' enthusiastic pace. She looked back at the two girls left behind, budding them and apologetic goodbye.

"Did it seem weird to you?" Sarah asked Lily.

The redhead nodded in reply, "Very weird."

But as soon as James Potter maintained his distance from her, Lily wasn't complaining.

"May I come in, Sir?" Nicholas looked up from the newspaper to see a timid Remus Lupin standing in the doorway.

"Ah yes, Mr Lupin. Right on time you are." He signaled the boy to come in and take a seat.

"You asked for me, Professor?" Remus was nervous, it was obvious. He was concerned that he was perhaps being called for another Dumbledore or James fiasco.

"Nothing to worry about, Mr Lupin." Nicholas assured the boy, whilst he got up and took a vial of potion out of his bag.

"I called for you to give you this," he passed the vial to a confused looking Remus.

"As you must know, Mr Lupin, Mr Snape has recently joined Mahoutokoro school of magic in Japan. I, initially, went with him to settle Mr Snape there. And my visit turned fruitful because I found this potion."

"What is this potion, Professor?" Now Remus was curious.

"Wolfsbane Potion, Mr Lupin," Nicholas answered simply. "I know about your furry little problem."

He described Remus' lycanthropy as Harriet had said, but he could see the fear in the young Werewolf's eyes. The boy was frightful, thinking that his secret was going to be out now.

"Do not fret, Mr Lupin. Your secret is safe with me just as it is with all the other teachers." Nicholas looked him in the eye, making sure to dissipate all the nervousness. "You are a brilliant and a dedicated student of Hogwarts, it would be a shame if we would not be in a position to help you adjust with this condition of yours."

Nicholas stayed quiet as he allowed the boy to contemplate his situation.

"What does this potion do, Professor?" Remus asked with a little hope in his voice.

"The potion doesn't cure your condition, unfortunately. Though, it will allow you to retain your human consciousness whilst being in your animalistic physical form. Your mental status will be that of a human, like your wolf is sleeping." Nicholas explained to Remus what he'd learned about the potion himself. He could see the slight look of disappointment when he'd said that it doesn't cure lycanthropy.

Remus nodded and Nicholas continued with the instructions. "Now for the potion to be consumed, it must be taken each day for a week preceding the full moon; if you miss it even for a day, all the preceding doses will be invalidated. So, you have to be very cautious with it."

"Yes, sir. What will be the cost of it, sir?" Remus asked straightforwardly, because surely such a potion would not be cheap. It was only fair since he needed to know if his family could afford it or not.

"The potion's cost will be covered under your Hogwarts Trust fund. I have talked to your Head of House, Madame McGonagall.

She has agreed to the same and written a letter to Gringotts bank regarding the same. You wouldn't have to pay a dime." Nicholas passed the young werewolf a genuine smile this time. He could see why Harriet was so attached to him, it was the innocence, sincerely and earnestness that Remus held.

The boy had tears of relief in his eyes. He stared disbelievingly at the teacher in front of him. He could believe his luck; first he got such good friends in the form of James, Sirius and Peter, and now, this teacher who was genuinely trying to help him.

He didn't know if the teacher had a motive behind helping him or not, Remus just knew that he was grateful to Nicholas Grey.

"Thank you, sir. Thank you so much."

"No need, Me Lupin. There was a time I was in your place, but unfortunately, no one to help me. I do not want any of those mishappenings befalling upon my students."

Nicholas bid the boy good day after that, and went to the safe confinements of his office.

He was happy. Why shouldn't he be? That was one more student on his side, and away from Dumbledore's clutches.

Now, he just had to wait for all the reports to come in and the Board Members to take action. For that, he had to be patient.

Nicholas sighed, removing the glamor from his face. He looked in the mirror, theek was something amiss. Something he couldn't pinpoint, and it was apparent after his visit to Riddle Manor.

His face looked exhausted from the strain on his soul, the soul that hadn't been whole for a very long time now. It was burning in both punishment and need. The need to be whole again.

Then, he felt her. He felt her before he even saw her, and with her came the calmness and the sanity that he so desperately needed.

"Come in," Marvolo spoke in a grave voice, knowing well who was behind the door.

Harriet's face popped in and she was surprised to see Marvolo not wearing his glamor.

"Someone might see you like this." She commented. "What's wrong?"

Marvolo turned around to look at Harriet. Really, just look at her - the girl who had brought chaos and uncertainties with her, and single-handedly changed Lord Voldemort's plans.

She had done nothing and everything, she was making him feel things that he wasn't supposed to, and it was confusing Marvolo to no end.

"What did my future self do to you in that Graveyard, Harriet?" Marvolo asked untethered. He couldn't keep the question to himself anymore. He could see her getting stiffened and anger palpable in her veins.

"Nothing," Haariet lied through clenched teeth. Both of them knew it.

"Harriet…." Marvolo rounded the desk to stand in front of her now.

"Were you reading my mind again?" There was an unknown fear burning in her eyes.

"I wasn't, you were reflecting your thoughts," he replied. And it wasn't a lie, he could see the memories because Harriet's mental barriers were blown off at that moment.

"You shouldn't have seen that," Harriet said in finality, hinting to Marvolo that it was the end of discussion from her side.

He got that, and he decided not to drag the situation any further.

"Then give me one answer. Just the one, truthfully." He looked at her earnestlt. "Did I ever hurt you Harrie?"

His question seemed personal, as if he was begging to hear a 'no' from her.

But he wanted the truth, "So many times that I've lost count."

Marvolo inhaled sharply. It seemed that his future self had done more damage than he'd thought.

Abruptly turning away from Harriet, he went to sit on his chair, "Why are you here?"

"To give you this," Harrieth handed the complaint letter of Lily Evans to him. "One of the students decided to file an official complaint against Slughorn and Dumbledore. She also thinks that Dumbledore is the one poisoning Heir Potter."

His brows scrunched, even more surprised when he saw that the complaint was filed by Lily Evans.

"I'll send this one personally to Lord Potter. Also, I won't be in school tomorrow, so if any other complaint comes up, forward it to Professor Flitwick. Wednesday is the last assigned date to complete all of this."

"Where are you going?" Harriet asked in surprise.

"You forget I'm the Dark Lord, darling. I have some urgent business to attend to." Harriet bobbed her head.

"Would there be torture or killing of any kind?"

"No."

"Good." Marvolo smirked at her. He never knew that he needed her approval, but he sure was enjoying it.

"We'll, I should get going then," Harriet spoke as she started opening the door.

"Oh, Marvolo," Harriet said, but he was already looking at her.

"Your ring, the Gaunt Ring. Keep it away from Dumbledore, as far away as possible." With that she walked away from the room, locking the door behind.

A/N: Let me know what you guys think about this one! Reads, followers, favorites and reviews are always appreciated! Good day to all! :)