The tunnel was dank, dewy, and horribly uneven until it opened onto a high vaulted chamber with a smooth grey stone floor. Great pillars flanked him on either side, entwined with carved wood. It was wet, having been flooded at some point in the past. At the far end of the room, there was a massive statue of what could only be Salazar Slytherin.

But what concerned him most was the body lying still not far from the base of the great statue. Hurrying across the chamber, water splashed around his feet with every step. He pulled up short when he saw a tall, handsome young man of twenty years or more standing in the light staring up at the founder's statue. He had dark hair and wore Slytherin robes. He'd never seen the man before, but he knew who he was all the same, "Hello Tom."

Here was the person that he knew one day would grow up to kill his parents, the one who was responsible for hurting his classmates this year, and the one quickly sapping the strength from Ginny for himself. The young Voldemort gave him a small, cold smile, "You don't seem surprised to see me."

"Dumbledore never could find the Chamber, but he knew that it was you that opened it. Did you think he wouldn't tell me?"

"The old man like to keep his secrets, but that might just have been because it was me. I always had to be awfully careful around him," Tom scowled, "But now he's been driven out of this castle by the memory of me."

"He's been driven out of this castle by the stupidity of a Minister more concerned with appearances than results and corrupt bastards who still believe in your misguided principles." Harry countered, "Dumbledore told the Minister outright that he thought it was a Basilisk being used to harm the students… by you, and that the school should be shut down after the first attack. But Fudge would hear nothing of it."

Tom laughed mirthlessly, "Of course he wouldn't. Politicians rarely do what's best for people. With the right amount of gold, they can always be counted on to do what's best for the interests of those around them, and barring that the best interests of themselves."

With a jolt, Harry came back to himself, and he found himself in the comforting confines of the Headmaster's Office. There was a light sheen of sweat on his brow and he breathed heavily. Dumbledore placed his wand upon his desk and smiled across at him, "Well done, my boy. You've made outstanding progress in just a few short weeks."

Harry rubbed at his temples irritably, trying to get rid of the headache that was starting, "Doesn't feel like it." They'd been testing his occlumency for hours now. While at first he'd been mildly successful at repelling and recognizing the probes sent his way, growing fatigue made it more and more difficult. And so, with each renewed assault, the Headmaster found it easier to see into some of his memories.

"Remember the very first chapter of the book I gave you. It takes time to master the Mind Arts. That you managed to recognize my attacks and force them out already is a show of steady progress. And it shows in your control of your magic." At least that much is true. While it still wasn't perfect, he wasn't hurting anyone in lessons anymore and that'd been his main goal.

The Headmaster looked lost in thought. He still regretted the way that things had gone during his second year, and rightfully so. Despite his best efforts, he'd made mistakes, some of his own making and some not, that led to his students getting hurt. Harry coughed lightly to get the other man's attention, "Is everything all right, sir?"

"Yes… yes, Harry. I'm afraid I've already kept you more than long enough. Well done again. The same time Wednesday." With that, Harry stood and made his way out of the office. The eyes of the former Headmasters and Headmistresses were all on him as he left. Most of them had become fascinated with their lessons. It must be more interesting than watching Dumbledore read letters and take meetings all day.

When he reached the common room, it was already empty. It was a Sunday morning, and Dumbledore was right in that they'd gone longer than usual. Cleaning himself up quickly, he made his way down to the Great Hall for some much needed food. The tables were packed with students, no one in any particular hurry to leave on the weekend. I must be one of the last one's down

Looking along the tables, he tried to find somewhere that he could squeeze in and found the perfect place. Walking down the aisle between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables, he threw his leg over the bench and plopped himself down beside Susan and across from Daphne.

"I'm not going to just pull him…" It was his Slytherin friend that noticed him first and she went quiet. He quirked an eyebrow, as she quickly looked away from him and found her plate incredibly fascinating.

Turning to look at him, he got a big smile from the redhead, "I was wondering where you were." Her hand went to his leg beneath the table and gave him a light squeeze. It didn't leave his thigh after the affectionate gesture though. Since their encounter in the Hufflepuff Basement, these casual displays of affection had become more common.

"I had a lesson with Dumbledore." Harry told them both, filling his plate with food. He started scarfing it down, happy to refuel after an already long morning.

Daphne snorted at his explanation, while Susan could only shake her head in disbelief. Chewing on a piece of bacon, he looked between the two expectantly. It was Daphne that answered his silent question with a fond smile, "Only you could casually mention you had a lesson with one of the most famous wizards in the world like it was nothing."

Susan continued that line of thinking, "You realize that most of the students in this school have never shared more than a dozen words with him, right?"

"I've never given it much thought." Harry admitted, "I've known him since I was a child, and always treated him like he was just another… friend, I guess. We talk, we joke, we tell stories. it's just the way things have always been between us." Both girls could only shake their heads at that.

Further conversation was interrupted by an owl that dropped in front of Harry. The bird offered its leg and the letter on it. He didn't recognize the bird, so with brow furrowed in confusion, he untied it. It was only a short letter.

We heard back from the Conclave. Come down to the village as soon as possible so we can discuss it. Today if possible.

Orina and Anya.

Both Susan and Daphne were looking at him expectantly, hoping he would tell them what was in the letter. If it was Hermione, she would've just read over my shoulder. Running a hand through his hair, he gave both a relaxed smile, "Just a message from a couple of friends."

"Oh, come on! Your eyes lit up when you read it. It must be more than that." Daphne didn't look the slightest bit pleased with his simple explanation.

"It's probably another one of his many… many lovers planning their next liaison." Susan said with a giggle. All three laughed at that, Harry a bit woodenly. Well, she's half right. It's from my lovers just not to schedule any illicit liaisons. He still needed to talk to Susan about Orina and Anya, but things had been so busy with the upcoming tournaments that he'd hardly had a moment alone with her.

People were starting to meander out of the hall. I have a few hours before quidditch practice later. I should be able to get down to the village and back. Susan gave Harry's thigh another squeeze to get his attention as he ate the rest of his meal absently before breakfast finished, "Daphne and I were gonna head to the library, we've both put off our Arithmancy assignment too long already. Did you want to join us?"

"No… I have something I need to take care of. I'll see you two later." Both girls looked disappointed at the news, but neither of them protested.

Susan leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, "You know where to find us if you change your mind."

"Of course." With that the two lovely ladies left together.

Finishing up the last bit of his meal, he stood and headed toward the head table, "Professor," he stood in front of Dumbledore and showed him the message he received, "I would like permission to go down to the village this morning."

Looking at him over his half-moon spectacles he chuckled, and handed the paper back to Harry, "I'm afraid I can't give you permission. Without your guardian accompanying you, it would appear as preferential treatment. I'm sure Severus would be in my ear before lunch if you were allowed to leave the grounds when others aren't." Leaning in, the Headmaster spoke so that only he could hear, "Of course, if you had some other means of reaching the village without anyone being any the wiser… that would be none of my business."

Keeping a straight face, he gave a stiff nod, "I understand. Thank you, professor." He beat hasty retreat from the hall, knowing it would take a while to get to the village down the passage he had in mind. Thanks to Sirius, he knew of a couple passages out of the castle. The safest he'd been told of was on the third floor behind the statue of Gunhilda of Gorsemoor.

Hurrying back up to the dorms, he was stopped in the common room by Ron, "There you are mate. Didn't see you at breakfast."

"You don't see much other than your meal at breakfast." Harry needled at his friend.

Ron chuckled, "True, but I was looking for you. I wanted to talk about some of our quidditch strategies before practice today."

"I'm a bit busy right now." Harry tried to push past his ginger friend but was stopped.

"With what? You've been more on top of your assignments this year than Hermione since you barely seem to sleep anymore." Harry quirked an eyebrow at his friend, who shrugged his shoulders, "What? I can be observant when I want to be."

He was saved from coming up with a lie when Ginny spoke from his side, "He promised to help me with some dueling before quidditch practice later. Right, Harry?"

"Exactly." He agreed.

"There see." Ginny gave her brother a look, and while it seemed like he was going to protest for a moment he thought better of it.

"Fine, but we're discussing it after practice." He moved over to the other side of the room and joined Parvati and Dean in conversation.

Turning to the youngest Weasley, he gave her smile, he gave her a quiet, "Thanks."

"Don't mention it." She gave his bum a light smack, "I've known you long enough to be able to tell when you're up to some mischief."

"Hey, I resemble that remark."

Ginny rolled her eyes at him, "Normally, I'd be all for joining you, but I don't have your insane energy and I don't want to be knackered before practice later so… I'll wait down here. Still need my brother to think we're headed off together." He bounded up the stairs and retrieved his invisibility cloak.

When he came back down, Ginny was waiting for him by the portrait hole with a big smile on her face, "Ready?" He gave her a nod and they exited the portrait of the Fat Lady and stood alone in the corridor, "So where are you off to?"

"Hogsmeade, to see Orina and Anya." He told her the truth.

"Oh…" she bit her bottom lip before giving a small shake of her head, "That's almost enough to make me want to come with but… I really do want to relax before I practice so… next time?"

Harry chuckled, "Sure… if that's what you want."

"Very much want." She leaned up and gave him a kiss on the cheek, and reached around to give his bum a squeeze, "Off with you before I change my mind and do something I'll really enjoy… but regret later." Ginny turned and headed toward the enchanted staircase while Harry made for a secret passage that would get him to the third floor quicker.

A few minutes later he found himself standing in front of the statue of the One-Eyed Hag, "Dissendium." Just like Sirius said, the hump of the statue opened to reveal a short slide down to a passage.

It took him nearly an hour on foot to reach the other end. With his invisibility cloak on, he opened a hatch in the basement of Honeydukes and hurried inside. No one was down there as he made his way up the stairs and through the sweet shop. He slipped out the door and hurried toward the Three Broomsticks.

It'd become such a normal part of his life, happening nearly every day, he didn't even pay it any mind as his cock hardened in his trousers. Though he was rather surprised at the timing of it, it'd become rather predictable in the last week or so. Unlike before when it could be any hour of the day, it happened at night, after dinner and luckily for him, when he was alone. Or not I suppose if what's happened with Ginny and Susan is anything to go by.

He followed behind a middle-aged witch as she went into the Three Broomsticks. He didn't really care if Rosmerta saw him. She likes me well enough that she wouldn't tell anyone up at the castle anyway. But he wasn't there to make small talk with the innkeeper, not to mention the situation in his trousers. So, he just made his way to the stairs and headed toward the rooms where he knew he'd find his veela lovers.

When he reached the door, he tried to open it only for it to be locked. There were charms on each of the inn's rooms that meant they only opened from inside or with the right key. So, all he could do was knock and hope one of them was inside. Knock. Knock. Knock. He could hear nothing within, the rooms were also charmed to ensure the privacy of the patrons within. But he was in luck as the door opened to Anya's beautiful face, her blue eyes peered through the crack in the door, but she kept her body hidden from view.

"Who's there?" He heard Orina ask from within.

Sounding irritated, Anya replied, "No von." Before she could close the door, he removed the cloak from his head.

"That's not nice, I'm right here." He watched as her sapphire eyes lit up in joy, "I came as quick as I could." She quickly pulled him into the room, closing the door and locking it behind him.

REDACTED

Speaking in Bulgarian, she looked at Harry with piercing blue eyes. Her voice was like honey, and whatever she said caused Orina and Anya to giggle. Looking at Anya, she told him, "She says that we chose well."

"Well… you didn't really choose."

"If I could've chosen. I would've chosen you." His heart swelled at that, even as he offered her a hand up from her knees. He got a wide grin for the gesture. Both young women were completely at ease naked around their elder, and it made him feel a bit more at ease. Though I would prefer not to be standing here with my fuckin' knob out.

Leaning in, he whispered, "Who is she?"

"Iliyana, one of the Matriarchs of our Conclave." She must have noticed his discomfort as she grabbed his cock, and put back into his trousers for him, "We asked for help from them, and they sent her."

"Is that a good thing?"

"It means that they are confused by our circumstances, too. Someone needed to come personally to get better… understanding of things."

"Oh."

Iliyana spoke again, her gaze still boring into him. Whatever she said caused both Anya and Orina to drop their jaws in shock, "What?"

It took a moment for Anya to snap out of it to answer him, she swallowed and looked at him still obviously dazed by what she'd heard, "She… she says that you have an allure."

"What?" How the fuck did that happen?