Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chains rattled as the prisoner struggled to break free from his imprisonment. Dirt and grime covering his entire figure as a muzzle gagged his mouth, making it hard to make out all of his distinct features but one. Bright emerald green eyes burned with a fierce ferocity. If looks could kill, his glare would have killed the two people that were located on the other side of the room. One of them was currently outlying a ritual circle with chalk as the other pointed his wand in the direction of the prisoner.

“Hermione, are you almost done with the circle yet?” The male asked, not letting his eyes drift from the chained figure.

“I am working on it, Ron. This isn't as easy as it looks.” She grunted as her magic slowly tapped out near the end. A flare of desire, hope, fascination, and longing could be felt from within her, causing her magic to strengthen just enough to finish what she thought of as her greatest masterpiece. The prisoner flinched as he felt the dying echo of her magic as his rage grew from a small candle flame to the size of a bonfire.

He desperately wanted to yank off his chains and burn these so-called best friends to nothing more than ash. He didn’t know where it all went wrong. After being on the run during the war and the defeat of Voldemort, Harry thought he could finally lay everything to rest. Maybe travel the world and have a normal life for once and possibly form a family of his own. Not to be on the run from his best friends, hundred down like an animal, but that was exactly what happened. 

The night after the end of the war, the two of them raided his new bought house that he didn’t an for a single day yet, forced to go on the run yet again. Over the course of the next four years, Harry ran from from one place to another, learning any and all types of magic that he got his hands on. Some of those spells were some of the darkest magics that the old Harry wouldn't even touch with a ten-mile-long pole, but he didn’t refute them. He needed any and all the advantages that he could get. Throughout those years, Hermione and Ron managed to squirm their way into the Ministry of Magic and the daily Prophet, spreading rumors of Harry becoming the next dark lord.

With him being on the run, he couldn’t defend himself the allegations that were thrown his way. To the public, this was just as good as him admitting that those rumors were true. As much as he wanted to come out into the open with the truth, he couldn't. If he did that, they would have gotten his location and possible have caught him. Near the end of his four-year run, Harry received a letter from an unknown owl and it wasn’t just any old letter. No, it was from the two traitors. He was hesitant to open it, hearing that it could be a trap but if they were able to locate him through the owl. Then, he would have already been surrounded. With careful hands, he tore open the letter and it's contents caused his heart to freeze. In it, the letter mentioned that the two traitors had received custody of Teddy Lupin, his godson, and if Harry didn’t surrender himself to them. Then Teddy would be killed. Not wanting to lose his last remaining family, Harry complied with their demands and surrendered. After spending days on end in a cell and dragged to an unknown manor location, he ended up in this predicament and what a predicament it is indeed. Now here he was, chained to a wall in an old cellar with the traitors. The word tasted like ash on his tongue, creating some kind of ritual to drain him of his magic and make it theirs. Harry snapped out of his thoughts as he heard a shout of victory. His eyes shifted from Ron to Hermione, taking in the scene of the two traitors celebrating their success in creating the ritual circle. It was a deadly ritual that would kill its creator if not done correctly. He secretly hoped that it would kill them. They would have so rightly deserved it for all the things they put him through, but he guessed the cards weren’t in his favor.

“Hurry Ron. Grab that pathetic creature and drag him over to the center. Make sure that the chains are secure. The last thing we want is this ritual to self-destruct on itself.”

Ron nodded his head and headed towards him with a splitting grin across his face. Oh, he so wanted to wipe that disgusting smirk off his bloody face. As soon as Ron stepped in range, Harry bolted forward s much as he was allowed to get him to back off. To say it was a success was an understatement. The traitor jumped up what seemed to be twenty feet up into the air and landed on his ass. He didn’t waste any time crawling away. A laughter built its way up his throat, but was caught in his throat due to the gag. Hermione just stood there watching this with disappointment.

“Really Ron, you are still afraid of him even though he is bound, and his magic suppressed. He literally can’t do anything to you.”

Harry could feel the disgust as she spoke. With a couple of quick steps, Hermione walked past Ron and stood in front of him. Reaching out her hand, she brushed it against his cheek.

"He is as helpless as a little baby lamb.”

Without warning, she gripped his chin and forced his gaze to meet hers. Venomous rage and defiance filled his eyes, but Hermione didn’t give a damn.

"Now, you will corporate Harry because if you don’t?”

She paused to stretch out the moment as she dragged her wants down his cheek, giving the worthless little worm time to come to terms with his situation.

“Then Teddy will have to take your place and we don't want that. Do we?”

The worms widen with shock and unbridled fury. Hermione enjoyed his reaction as she watched flickers of his delicious magic spiral within those unnerving green orbs of his. She always had a habit of not meeting his eyes when they were younger due to their similarity they had to the Avada Kedavra curse. Now, it gives her so much joy to meet them with her on top and the worm below. Right where it belongs, at her feet and kissing her toes.

“Now, what will it be Harry? Will you go along with what we want, or will you allow little Teddy to take your place?”

At the mention of his godson, Harry knew he had no choice but to concede to their demands. Teddy was the last of his remaining family and he couldn't have anything happening to the child. To show his submission, he lowered his shoulders and bowed his head. He could practically feel Hermione’s satisfaction at his display. With anger threatening to overwhelm him, but Harry kept his cool. He would need his head if he wanted to get out of here. Okay, there is no way out. He knew that for a fact. When he surrendered to the two idiots, he was told that if the ritual wasn’t done, a spell on Teddy would go off and kill him. Harry knew that fact isn’t likely true, but he couldn't risk it. 

The only thing he can do though is mess up whatever this ritual that was their pride. With no amount of fighting, Hermione quickly gathered the chains, pulling them and Harry towards the ritual circle.

“Stand in the middle.”

She stated as she and Ron started securing the chains to certain places along the circle's rim. Once everything was placed, Harry became positioned in the posture that one would find in an ancient human diagram. Five points and all. As soon as the last chain popped into place, the circle glowed with a soft pulsing white light. Being the idiot that he was, Ron bent over Harry’s head and whispered into his ear.

"You know what, mate? Thanks to you and this ritual, we will both become the most powerful people in the world. All because of your magic. Once we claim it as ours, we will destroy the rest of what you love. That includes Teddy as well.”

All Harry saw was red there for a moment. So badly wanting to curse them into oblivion until nothing remained. Tears pooled up in the corners of his eyes as pain assaulted him. All three of his aspects were screaming out in torment. His body and soul felt like it was being split into two as magic from his core flooded into the ritual circle and into the traitors. It took all that he had to keep himself together as he put his plan into motion. Ron and Hermione didn’t even see it coming. Harry pulled with all of his strength and willpower to flood the magic back into himself and gave it one final command. Self-destruct. Everything happened all at once. Both, Hermione and Ron, collapsed to the floor screaming as Harry’s magic tore them apart from within, desperate to return to the source. Harry bit down onto the gag and broke it as he bore the pain of his entire being torn apart. A big black hole appearing in his gut and grew to consume the whole chamber as Harry thought one last thing.

Teddy, I love you. Please be safe.

Then the world was dyed in white.

Chapter Text

A gentle breeze ruffled Harry’s hair from side to side. A groan sounded out as his emerald eyes snapped open wide as he took in his surroundings. All around him was a forest covered in a white mist. Brush and ferns decorated the ground with bits of rocks and logs peaking out here and there. Opening out in front of him was a large meadow clearing with cattails and tall grass bordering a small creek. Feeling lost, he didn’t know what to do or where to go. That was until a voice startled him.

“Hello Harry, welcome to my home.”

Jumping to his feet and swerving his head side-to-side, trying to locate the source of the unknown voice. Everything appeared the same except for one thing. Standing next to the small creek, stood a man. 

“No need to be frightened, Harry. I don’t bite much.”

As soon as the last word was spoken, the mist parted to create a path that led straight to the man. Letting Harry to see him clearly. The figure turned out to be a dark-haired man who looked to be around his late twenties. His skin was so pale that it almost blended in with the mist. He wore a dark suit with an even darker robe overtop of it. Harry didn’t know how to describe it, but the man gave him a sense of familiarity. He didn't know exactly how to do it.

“Who are you? How am I here and why do your feel so familiar? I am pretty sure that I died.”

"To answer your questions, I am Death, and you did die in a sense.”

Before Harry could ask him to elaborate, Death continued.

“What I mean by that is that you did die but thanks to your status as the Master of Death, my master."

He pointed to himself before pointing towards Harry's chest.

"You can’t die."

Harry didn't know what to think about what he just heard

"What do you mean I did die but I can’t die?”

“Simple, since you are the Master of Death, you are immortal. Your body was in a type of status of transition. You were mortal until your time of death. The moment that your death occurred, your inactive status became active and sent you here. Now you have two choices in front of you, Master.”

Harry rubbed his head while lifting his other hand to a stop motion. 

"Wait a moment, please. What do you mean that I am the master of death? As far as I know, the deathly hallows is nothing more than a fairytale. Sure the items are real but surely there is no such thing as a master of death. Death is a force of nature, a part of the natural cycle. It should be impossible to command such a force, nor should it. If someone were to use such a force for evil, it would cause until untold damage that would be impossible to calculate."

Death just hummed, before asking a question. 

"Would you use such a force to do such vile deeds?"

Harry just looked at the man with a really expression.

"Of course not. In fact, I would rather not to handle such power. If would be best if it just stayed out of mortal hands. No one should have such power."

"Why did you collect the deathly hallows, then if it wasn't for power?"

"Easy. It was just out of coincidence. I already had the cloak due to it being a family heirloom. Dumbledore have me the stone without my knowledge and I won the wand due to defeating Draco. I didn't set off to find them. They just came-"

"Exactly!"

Death said as he interrupted the young man before him. He lifted a finger to Harry's chest. 

"They came to you because they have found you worthy of the power they will yield. Each item focuses on a certain aspect of death. The stone of reincarnation allows one to see the dead. The cloak of invisibility that hides one from all forces like a phantom and the elder wand that gives a person the power of death itself. Separate, they are only so much but together, one becomes the master of death itself. Sure, the items choose different people over the years but Harry. You are the only one that had all three choose you as their master."

Harry swallowed a hard lump that built up in his throat.

"That shouldn't be possible. I threw away the stone and snapped the elder wand into two pieces."

Death gave a little laugh before withdrawing his finger. 

"Even though that is true, master. The items themselves are indestructible. No matter of force can destroy them in the trust sense of the word."

"Even if that is true, I still can't be the master of death. I am nothing more than a mortal wiz-"

"Wrong. You are the master of death and nothing will change that."

Harry couldn't believe it. There was no way that he was the master of death. It shouldn't even be possible. 

"If I truly am the master of death, then tell me. How did it happen?"

Death crossed his arms.

"Easy enough. The deathly hallows are tied to your very soul. If you want proof, try to summon one of them?"

Harry looked at death with uneasiness. Feeling unsure, he helps out his hand and imagined the cloak to appear in his hand. One moment passed, followed by a few more, yet nothing happened. Harry looked at Death, waiting for an explanation. 

"Try calling for it with emotion."

Harry closed his eyes, sending out a feeling of need while thinking of the cloak. Suddenly, he felt a weight appear in his empty outstretched hand. His eyes opened to stare at the cloak that just appeared out of nowhere before looking over to Death, who had a large smile on his face.

"See, you are the master of death."

Harry didn't want to believe it but he had no choice to except that he was three master of death. 

"Death?"

He asked in a quiet whisper but to the man in question, he heard it as clear as day.

"Yes?"

"Is there anyway that I can get rid of this status? I don't want it"

Death made a sad smile. 

"Unfortunately not. Once the deathly hallows except a true master, there is no way to change masters. The reasons for this is because they tie themselves to the soul of their owner. Once this process is complete, there is no way to reverse it. Once one is accepted as the master of death, it becomes impossible to return to being a mortal."

Harry grabbed onto Death's cloak, begging.

"It can't be. Please, just let me die to return to my love ones on the otherside."

" I'm sorry but I can't."

Harry broke into a fit of sobs, at the lost of reuniting with his family in the beyond, at the chance of finally getting some peace, and his mortality. Death silently rubbed his master's back as he came to terms with his new reality. Harry didn't know how long he stood there crying, but by the time he did stop, he came to terms with the situation at hand.

"Death, you can let me to now."

Death released the boy, who quickly recollected himself.

"You said that I now had two choices. What are they?"

Death smiled softly as he looked at the boy. “Either you go back to your eleventh birthday, or you start a new place in time. You won't know where, only I will know but I can guarantee that you will be happy. You will also be happy to know though that you will still have your original body. So, what will it be master?”

Death watched as many emotions crossed his master’s face. He had a good idea as of what he would choose but he still wanted to be sure. How to do that? Give him a choice. Whatever he will choose though will change his destiny forever. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Death could feel his sister, Lady Fate, nod in agreement. Oh, he can’t wait to see what the future has in store for his master but no matter what. He knows for a fact that his master will shake the world to it's core.

Harry had a hard time wrapping his head around what was happening around him right now. It all seems like a dream, even though he know that it was in fact reality. What he did know was that he currently had two choices right now and he had to decide. If he went back to his eleventh birthday, he would have to see everybody who betrayed him, including the those two idiots. If he went with opinion two, then he would begin a new life, but he wouldn’t know what the era he would end up in or what would be current situation at that time. Choosing opinion one would give him more handle on the situation but was that truly what he wanted.

"Death, what happened to the traitors when they dead?"

"Their souls were sent to the darkest depths of my domain to live out their punishments for their sins all eternity."

True joy enveloped him smile for a brief moment, stunning Death to a standstill. If death was a mortal, there would be no doubt have fallen in love at the moment.

"Thank you, Death."

"Of course master."

With that weight off his mind, he made his decision.

“Death, I will go with the second option.”

“Excellent!” Death snapped his fingers and the mist that covered the entire area swarmed all over Harry, making him drowsy. Death last words smearing themselves into his mind. 

“Don’t worry Master. Sleep for a while and when you awaken, you will be in your new life. If you have any questions at all, you only need to reach out and I will come. Goodbye for now and good luck, Master. You will need it.”

Harry descended into unconsciousness as everything descended into darkness.

********************************

Harry stirred as a slowly rocking woke him up from his dreamless slumber. Moving his hand to grip his head, he shook off the weariness. Just as he was about to get to his feet, a loud roar echoed throughout the space, causing him to jump and reach for his wand. Only to find it not there. Right, I died and now I am somewhere in the past. The question now was what time period was he currently in and where was he? Looking around didn’t even ease his mind at all. From the rocking of the floor, he could tell that he was on some kind of boat. Not a metal one but made of wood. He was currently in what seemed like a cell of some kind. It wasn't freedom in the trust sense but at least he had free movement now. Not like the last time where he was bound in chains. Harry carefully looked around for graduate of any kind. Seeing none, he reached through the bars and casted a wandless alohomora to unlock the door. Harry held his breath as the door swing open without making a noise. Releasing his breathe, he did a quick glance around. The hallway that he found himself in was a cell block of some kind the rooms similar to the one that he found himself in. One end of the hallway lead straight to a dead end, with the other stretching down towards an intersection.

Seeing only one way out, Harry silently walked down the hallway wishing that he had his invisibility cloak to help him out. He then stumbled as he felt something drop onto his shoulders. Looking behind himself, he didn’t see anything. His figure was partially gone, then it clicked. Moving his hand, Harry dragged it across his back and a cloak appeared in his hand, his invisibility cloak. Happiness shot through him, remembering what death said about the deathly hallows. That means that he could also summon the want and stone of he had any need for them. As the thought of the items, he could feel something that was attached to his soul stretching off into the distance. If he had to guess, he would say that those were probably the wand and stone. If he looked deeper, he would see that the same bond with the cloak. As he lost himself to his thoughts, he suddenly remembered Death's last words before he fell asleep. 

"Death?"

Yes, Master? A voice sounded in his head. Harry jumped in the air and swerved around looking for Death, only to see nothing. Relax, I am in your head. Just think your thoughts to speak.

Death, what the bloody hell is going on?

Whatever do you mean?

Harry sighed, feeling a headache coming on.

Why in the bloody hell did I wake up as a prisoner on a bloody ship going who knows where?

When I transported you to your new time period, the drop off spot was set to be random. Don’t worry though, you are still currently in England. Actually, you are currently sailing down the British channel as we speak. Now if that is all matter, I got to go round up some souls. Bye and don't try to not have too much fun now.

Before Harry could stop him, the connection snapped, and he was left alone in his head once again.

“God damn it, Death.”

Harry mumbled under his breath. Well at least he got some answers. If they were currently sailing down the British channel, then there was a chance that this ship hasn't left England territory yet. Now, he just needs a way to get to shore. As if answering his prayers, another roar sounded. This one was much clearer than the last, giving Harry an idea of what was on this ship with him. If he was correct, then there was still a chance. Without a moment to lose, He draped the invisibility cloak over himself and hustled down the hallway towards his destination.

Chapter Text

Upon reaching  the intersection, he tried to find any signs that indicated where he need to go. All that he was met with were similar hallways that led to more cell blocks of various sizes. Peaking in-between the bars, Harry could make out magical creatures of various shapes and sizes. Some were familiar to him but many, he only ever seen in books. From what he has seen so far, he could confidently say that he was on a smuggler ship. They were probably a nonregistered vessel that is either heading towards France or in the direction of the United States. Either way, it wasn't good for him. As much as he wanted to help all these creatures, if he opened up the cells, it will alert the smugglers that there was a stowaway on board. With a heavy heart, Harry could only turn away from the trapped creatures and head towards the source of the roars. Or at least, he tried. His heart grew heavy with every step until he could no longer handle it.

Releasing a sigh, he turned around and headed towards a nearby cell to cast the alohomora onto the lock but with a twist. Instead of unlocking the door immediately, the spell had a timer on it set for an hour. Once that hour was up, the door would swing open to release the creature within. Harry repeated the cycle until he reached the last cell. Unlike the others that had bars, allowing one to see threw them, this cell had no such things. Instead of bars, there were heavy steel plates that block the view of the creature within. He was about to cast his spell when a mournful melody reached his ears, causing him to freeze in place. There was no way that these smuggler could have caught one but there was no denying that song. It was so familiar to him, bringing forth the memories of the chamber of secrets. He quickly cast aside his plan and opened the cell instead. The door squealed under the heavy weight of the steel. Listening for anyone approaching, he released a breath that he didn't know that he was holding as he slipped into the room. The room within was pitch dark but thanks to the light from the hallway, Harry could make out the cell's occupant and he was stunned. Sitting on a perch was a beautiful blue phoenix with a silver chain hooked to it's clawed talons. What was once pristine feathers were now bent and broken with a few scattered on the ground. His heart went out to the poor creature. The moment that Harry stepped into the room, the phoenix puffed out it's chest as it raised it's wings in defense. Raising his hands out, he softly whispered. 

"Hey, hey, hey, it is going to be alright. I am not here to hurt you but to free you."

The phoenix lowered it's wings slightly before lifting them higher to attack. 

"Hold on, hold on, listen to my heart. I know that you guys can hear the truth by listening to my heart. So, please listen to it, for it will tell you the truth."

The phoenix hesitated before dropping it's wings to a defensive position and listened. Harry didn't move an inch, waiting for the birds reaction. Finally, after a couple of moments, the phoenix dropped it's graduate and sang a hopeful melody. Knowing that the bird trusted him, he approached slowly until he next right next to the phoenix.

"You poor thing. You shouldn't be caged but instead of flying free, going where you wish."

He broke the chain off of the phoenix. The phoenix burst out into excitement, flying around the room. It was about to head for the door, Harry called out for it. 

"Hang on, please. I ask for you to wait. If you bolt out out into the he hallway right now, every smuggler aboard will catch you again. I do not wish for that. I do have a plan in action at the moment. In about an hours time the rest of the cells will unlock, freeing all the other magical creatures. When the choose is unleashed, you make a break for it. Alright?"

The phoenix settled back down onto the porch, singing out a joyful melody. Harry could feel it's agreement within it's about. Bowing down with gratitude, he turned to leave the room. 

"I will leave the door parted just enough for you to squeeze through but enough that the door looks like it is closed from a distance. Good luck, little one."

Without another word, he left the room and made his way back to the intersection. The time was counting down and he needs to interact his plan before that time hits zero. Keeping his ear out for the roars, Harry twisted and weaved through the ship, dodging any smugglers that he came across. The last thing that he needed was to get caught. Finally, he reached the source and what he came across caused his heart to twist in pain at the sight. The room that he just came to was the largest by far. Within the room, was a gigantic metal platform with a dragon chain down to it. The beast itself was a black  female Hungarian Horntail and she was quite the beauty. While he didn't know how old she was, he could tell that she was old enough to be a nesting female. Perhaps she was. Hungarian are known for being protective mothers when it comes to their eggs. He will have to approach her carefully in case that she was. 

What really appalled him was the number of wounds she had. Old scars were scattered across her ebony scales and freshest of the wounds, that were the very least a day old, were still bleeding. This dragon was obviously being abused. Her roars were growing quieter as she her strength weakened, her muscles twitched from lack of strength, and her breath came out in heavy hieves. The sight of the once mighty creature made his heart quenched. His heart screamed to help her but he couldn't. Surrounding the dragon, was a group of people who were dress differently from the smugglers. Instead of rags, they were dressed in white trench coats, holding journals in this hands. One of them in particular, who was wearing glasses, was calling out orders. 

"Finish up with the reports. You three, grab the eggs. They might be dead but they can still offer valuable information."

The three that he had pointed to saluted before approaching the dragon. She growled menacingly at the three but they didn't care. As they reached down for her clutch, she jolted forward but stop heard inches away from the group of three. The chains holding her back.

"Not the mighty beast, are we?"

Once of them taunted at her. Harry curled his hand into a first, holding back his rage. If he acted now, it wouldn't be good for the both of them. All he could did for the moment was watch as she whimpered in pain as she helplessly watched her eggs get taken away from her.

"Enough, you three. Hurry up and take them to the lab. Join us for lunch when you finished."

The three of them saluted before leaving. The rest of the strange group finished cleaning up before leaving the room. He waited abit to make sure that no one was returning for the time being, before making his move. The last thing he needed was ending up back in his cell. If that were to happen, than they all lose hope. Hopefully, she agrees with his plan as this was their only chance. They weren’t meant to be some caged animal for others to abuse and use. Harry knew that feeling well and he had enough of it. Wasting not a single ounce of breath and one last quick look around to ensure him that no one was around, he left the hallway to enter the massive room. The feeling of magic sang in his throat as he spoke the language that he long hated but was now hoping that it was the key to making everything work. Fingers crossed that he is able to speak to dragons just like snakes. You would think that it would work since dragons were reptiles, just like snakes. But with parseltongue being a magical tongue, you never knew. Magic is tricky like that. It didn’t take long for the dragon to react and when it did, Harry almost shouted with joy.

Oh, mighty beast of sky and flame, may we talk?

Who is there? Show yourself!

Demanded the dragon as she jerked her head back in surprise. Bits of flame tickled the edges of her lips, looking for the ones that spoke. Harry, not wanting to get burned to a crisp, took off the cloak. The moment the cloak left him, the dragon locked eyes with his own, bright gold clashing upon fiery green. The stare down lasted no more than a second before the dragon settled her head onto the ground due to lack of strength, breaking contact.

So, you understand me then two legs. So, tell me. Why is a speaker of serpents here among these vermin?

I am a prisoner here as much as you are.

The dragon huffed out in amusement.

I hardly doubt that seeing that you are walking around freely.

I escape my cell, hoping to find a way to escape. I didn’t know if it would work for dragons until now. I am actually surprised that it even worked. With your help, I believe that every creature trapped aboard can escape.

The dragon stayed silent for a couple of breaths, thinking over his words.

I heard of this ability, but this is my first time to experience it. Very well tongue speaker, what are you planning?

I have an offer for you that I think will benefit the both of us.

Whatever it was, she was intrigued by it. If there is a chance of getting off this cursed boat, she will take it. If not for herself, then for the little one in her care. At the thought, her claws gently tighten around the object that laid with her palm, hiding it form Harry's sight. Whoever this boy is, she had a feeling that he was connected to the item that she held. Has to wether she trusted him or not, that was yet to be determined.

Oh. Count me intrigued little speaker, do carry on.

I heard your cries of anguish and rage. Whatever those people were doing to you isn’t right. Just like you, I am a prisoner on this ship and I want my freedom back. I am pretty sure you feel the same way. So, I propose that we work together to get off this bloody damn ship and back to shore. If we do this, then I will free you from your chains and in exchange you give me a ride. Do you agree?

She tossed the words around her head, trying to see if there was another option. But not came to mind and if she stayed any longer, there was a chance that the people from before would discover what she is hiding and she didn't want to risk that.

Mmmm. I do see the benefits but what would stop you from turning on me when we reach land. As you can see, I don’t have much strength left. Probably just enough for a dozen miles worth of flight. Nothing more though. Even if I did take your offer, why should I trust you? You could easily kill me and run off with parts of my body for your creations that your kind are known for.

I see your point, miss...?

Secera. My name is Secera.

Miss Secera. I will do a magical vow not to harm you after our escape. Should I break it, my magic will be forfeited. Will that make you more at ease?

It will.

Then, I will proceed with the vow now.

He took a deep breath, feeling the magic stirring within himself. Harry didn't wait as he spoke. “I, Harry James Potter, hereby swear on my magic that I won’t harm the dragon known as Secera for any other reason, but self-defense should she attack me. This is my vow and ask for Lady Magic's approval.”

As the last word was uttered, a heavy weight pressed down upon the two of them as  the magic vow enforced itself onto the both of them.

Now it is done. Will that be enough for you?

Yes.

Taking that as his sign, Harry cast a spell that blasted the chains all part, freeing her in the process. The noise was pretty loud and would attract attention over to this location, so he wanted to move as fast as they could.

There. Now we just need to go.

One quick moment.

Secera interrupted as Harry was about to blast a hole through the deck. Secera turned her head and grabbed something from behind her wing. Harry didn’t get to see what it was and he didn’t want to know. That was her business, and he wasn’t going to be nosy. He quickly looked at what was left of the timer, seconds away from all help breaking loose. Secera's head turned back to Harry, nodding that she was ready. Harry gathered his magic and  the deck exploded. The crewmates above weren’t expecting a thing, least of all a dragon bursting out of the hold with a boy on her back. To say they were quite shocked was an understatement. They didn’t even have time to react towards the duo when the dragon spread her wings and took flight. The ship rocked back and forth, cracking bit by bit, letting water leaked through. This ship was destined to sink this day but not before all the creatures were rescued.

Harry whistled softly at the show of destruction. He knew dragons were capable of so many things and this display proved it. He needs to remember not to get on Secera’s bad side. Looking away from the ship, He took in the sights of the britain shoreline as they approached. He had no doubt that the Ministry of Magic was alerted due to the large volume of magic that appeared at their borders. That means that they didn’t have much time before the beach become swarming with aurors. As soon as Secera landed, he hopped off and turned to faced her.

You must leave quickly. The beach will be swarmed before we know it and there will be a good chance that you will be captured again. I don’t wish that for you, so fly as far as you can. Good Luck, Secera.

He turned to leave but was stopped by Secera’s fading voice.

Wait, please!

He turned back to the dragon and getting caught off guard by the lack of movement. Her body was unnaturally still, only her jaw moved..

 I us ed all of my strength to take flight and now my body is paying the price for it. I don’t have much longer left. I beg you to please take care of my daughter for me.

Harry was left utterly speechless. He certainly didn't see anything about this ahead of time. The short amount of time with this dragon gave Harry a new perspective and respect for the species. To see that she gave it her all to save a stranger and her daughter when there was little to no opinions left. She gave his plan a try and they somehow, someway managed to succeed. Of course, it helped that they had the element of surprise. It still took great courage. In some way, it kind of reminded him of his own mother.

Seeing that Harry wasn't outright refusing her request, she decided to make a choice. Hopefully, it was the correct one. She didn't want her daughter to go through what she went through in her life. If she could help it, she will take that chance. When she was on that cursed ship, she lost all hope but when this boy who spoke her language appeared and offered a deal. She took it without any hesitation. On that ship, her daughter would be treated like cattle, and she was no cattle. She was a dragon, and she will live as one. This was the one chance she was waiting for, and she will take it.

Chapter Text

I have seen your work and I know that you will care for her. There is a correction between you two. Of what, I don't know. However, what I do know is that you will care for her as family. So please.

Secera struggled to move her claw over to Harry and opened it to reveal the egg hidden within. With no time to wait, she set it on the ground letting the boy see it for the first time. This will be the last test. After meeting this boy, however brief it was, she was throwing test after test at him to make sure that he was an honest soul. He even swore upon his magic not to harm her unless it was self-defense. She heard of the ancient practice over the years and many species had the ability to swear upon their own magic but for this boy to offer spoke of his character. That was the difference between this boy and those others who chained her to the earth. No dragon or any other being she knew would never attempt to swore on their magic like this one had. There was no worry or hesitation in his voice. That one oath made her certain he was the right person to look after her daughter. That is what she believes.

As soon as the egg hit the ground, it chirped and attempted to roll over to the boy. Within Secera's eyes, she saw a thin- light golden thread form between the two of them, causing her eyes to grow watery. Truly, she made the correct choice after all.

Thank you, Lady Magic for letting me meet this kind soul.

*****************************

Harry didn’t know how to explain what was happening. The moment that the egg appeared, his eyes were glued themselves to it and couldn’t look away. The egg itself was a whitish-multi colored with splashes of black and gold veins. The more he studied it, the more it made itself known. Then a noise escaped from within as the egg rocked back and forth. Fear coarse its way throughout his entire being, reaching for it. The moment his skin made contact, his magic burst from his core and right into the egg with the egg returning it's own magic in the process. Over and over again, the cycle repeated until Harry felt his soul open up the three egg before him. Forging a bond that would last for eternity. It wasn’t a painful process but Harry was confused. Lifting his head, he looked towards Secera for some answers. As if sensing them, Secera spoke in a raspy voice, evident that she was deteriorating faster than he thought.

What just happened, little speaker, is that my daughter forged a bond with you, making you her other half. The bonding of two cores between two legs and a hatchling is a sacred thing and hadn’t taken place for centuries. To have one form between you and my daughter is an honor. Take care of her for me, please.

Harry couldn’t speak for the words refused to come out. So he borrowed his head in gratitude, wiping away his tears before placing his hand onto her brow. Finally, words came.

I have no way to thank you for what you have for me- for us. What I can grant you is a peaceful passage to the world beyond.

I thank you, little speaker. Before I go, I must warn you. I was part of a breeding experiment to crossbreed with other species of my own kind. As you know, any and all eggs that come from such pairings have never hatched alive. All but my daughter that is. As you are aware, I am a Hungarian horntail with her sire being an antipodean opaleye before he died in a dragon fight. I originally had a clutch of six. They took five of them while I hid the only one with a heartbeat. I don’t know what they would want with them but if my guess is correct, it isn't good. They wish to make a hybrid for a reason and if they learned that my hatchling lives, then both of you will be in danger. Please be careful.

We will Secera. Thank you. I hope you have a restful sleep.

Thank you and tell my daughter that I love her.

The sound of her voice drifted off as she went to the beyond. Hopefully flying free as she desired. 

Death. 

Harry called out from his mind.

Yes, Master.

Take care of Secera for me. She deserves better than this and I want her to have it.

Of course. I will take extra good care of her. You have no need to fear.

Good and Death?

Yes.

After everything has settled down, we need to talk.

Of course. Until then I wish you luck with the hatchling.

Feeling Death crawl out of his mind sent shivers down Harry’s spine. Yeah, he will never get used to that. Knocking the shivers away, Harry shifted his focus back to the egg. He could see cracks in the shell as it tried to hatch, and this freaked him out. Out of desperation, he spoke to her.

Please wait, my little hatchling. It is not safe to hatch yet.

Surprisingly, it worked. The wiggling and cracks stopped but he swore that he heard a growl of frustration. Just in the nick of time as well. Out of nowhere, he hear the sound of about a dozen aurors appearing behind him. Since his back was to them, he took the chance to stuff the egg inside his dirty robe before turning to only find a wand pointing at his throat at his throat.

The person who held the other end was a woman who looked to be in her prime but with magic, one could never tell. Without waiting for Harry to explain, she demanded a question. One that should have sent his world spinning but lucky didn’t.

“Who are you and why is there a dead dragon behind you?”

Harry lifted his hands up into the air to show them that they were empty and not a threat as he answered.

"My name is Harry Evans and I was a prisoner aboard a smuggling ship. I managed to escape with the aid of the Hungarian Horntail behind me. Due to her constant abuse by the people aboard, she unfortunately didn't make it. The ship is currently smoking about six miles offshore. You should be able to find the wreckage but beware, there are magical creatures aboard that they tried snuggling over the border.”

Looking the auror in the eyes, he could tell that she didn't believe him. 

"Look, I am tired and in need of some sleep. I am not sure how this is normally done. So, I will make it simple. I, Harry Evans, hereby swear on my magic that everything that I said is true. Upon Lady Magic’s vow.”

With the last word spoken,  a heavy pressure of the vow could be felt by everyone in the area. Harry casted a quick lumos spell to show that he still had his magic. Seeing this, the woman hesitantly lowered her wand. Keeping an eye on him, she looked back at the others.

“Well, you heard what he said. Find that wreckage! The last thinking we need is for muggles to see those magical creatures!”

The others snapped out of their daze before running off to do what they were told. The woman turned back to him, extending out her hand out. Knowing what she was trying to do, Harry obliged and shook it.

“Hello, as you know my name is Harry Evans.”

He knew he should have been more creative with his name but due to being put on the spot and thinking on the fly, he took his mother's maiden name to replace the potter. He didn’t want attention due to his messed-up error and had no connections to the Potter family. That would only cast suspicion onto himself, and he didn’t want that. He had enough to deal with already due to guys ship incident.

“Well Mister Evans, will you tell me why a thirteen-year-old is out here by himself.”

Harry almost dropped himself to the ground out of pure shock. He was 22 years old, not 13. What the hell is going on? As if like magic, Death came a calling.

Chapter Text

Master, due to you going back in time, your body was forced to de-age so you wouldn’t get injured in the process. It aged you back nine years so that your magic core would develop with the magic that comes with being the master of death. It is a good thing since you are now bonded to a hatchling as well. Both you and her will grow stronger together as time goes by.

Not wanting to distract himself, he closed himself off to death after a quick thank you so that he could focus on the auror. Now that he knew the situation, it did help keep him at ease and stay calm.

“Ma’am, I was kidnapped from my home after some people killed my parents. I was then knocked unconscious and found myself waking on the ship. If I had to guess about what they wanted, then I can’t say because I have no idea.”

The woman hummed to herself as she put her thoughts together.

“Well Mr. Evans, you don’t have to worry now. Nothing can hurt you now but there are some concerns. I am assuming you know what I am applying to.”

A grim expression made its way onto Harry’s face. It wasn't as hard as one would think to fake grief. Harry knows that the auror is pointing to the fact that he had no parents, but Harry was thinking about his current situation. He had no allies right now, a homeless child with no family, and had a dragon to take care of. Right now, he needed a somewhat safe place to get his bearings before he planned his next step. Right now, he needed a safe place to hunker down at. He also needs to figure out the situation that concerned with the scientists from the ship. From the mention of the the experiments concerning, he know has a target painted on his back due to the egg. Not that he would regret forming a bond with the little thing. Harry answered her unasked question.

“I do ma’am. I have no home or place to return to. Where do I go next or what do I do now?”

Tears filled his eyes as the situation threatened to overwhelm him. Normally, Harry wasn’t one to show his emotions but when the situation called for it, he was willing to use them to manipulate people to get what he wanted. This just happens to be one of those so-called moments. Once the woman saw his expression, her exterior melted for being a prickly thorn to a kindhearted woman.

“Hey, it's going to be okay. For now, how about you come with me, and we can figure out what to do from there.”

She reached out her arms and engulfed Harry into a hug. Being caught off guard, his emotions spilled the opportunity to break free. He gripped onto the woman and cried out all of his frustrations from the times he had to run, fight just to survive, his supposed death and finally finding himself now here. He let it all go. The egg felt distress upon feeling everything break free and sent over comfort through their newfound bond. It gave him a sense of safety to know that he was no longer alone in this situation that he found himself in.

Master, doing forget about me.

Yes Death. You are here too, aren't you?

What is that suppose to mean?

Harry smile softly has he listened to Death's rant in the back of his mind. The tears dried up as he pulled himself away. Man, he was twenty years old inside, how could he cry like that. Pushing it out of his mind, he looked the woman right in the eye, wiping away any remaining tears. This gave the Aurora the impression that he was a helpless little boy, reminding her of her own son back at home. Without her knowledge, she began to start caring for Harry. 

“So, what now?”

Surprised by his straightforwardness, she collected herself together as well and went straight to the point.

“As you now Mr. Evans, you are a minor so we can’t just let you go. The first step is to place you somewhere for the rest of the summer. Someplace safe. Did you go to school, or have you been home schooled?”

“Home schooled.”

“Alright. So, we will need to enroll you in a magical school then. Were you born and raised in Britain?”

Harry just nodded his head to reply. He really wasn’t in the mood to speak. The raw emotions that took him off guard earlier still stunning and he was still recovering. Sensing that he wasn’t in the mood to talk, the woman took the nod as an answer.

"Since you are from here. I am going to try to get special permission to have you enroll at Hogwarts. Have you heard of it before?”

Once again, Harry nodded his head.

“So, no introduction will be needed then. For now, you will come with me to the Ministry to process some paperwork. After that, we will see to your housing arrangements. Okay?”

With one last nod, the woman was about to turn around but stopped. As if realizing something, she turned back to Harry.

“Sorry, I just realized that I didn’t introduce myself. My name is Angel Crimson. You may call me Angel when we are alone but when in public you will call me Auror Crimson. Nice to meet you, Harry.”

She reached out her hand for a handshake, which Harry took happily.

“Nice to meet you Auror Crimson, my name is Harry. I hope we can get along.”

Seeing the small smile on Harry’s handsome face, Angel couldn’t help but blush but quickly cleared it. This boy was going to be a real lady killer when he grows up. 

“I hope so as well. Now, let's get going. The faster we get this done, the faster we can get some rest.”

With that all said and done, Auror Crimson gave some orders and let the others know the situation. Then she went back to Harry’s side and led out her hand. Knowing what she wanted, he grabbed a hold of her arm, before the air spanned into twists and swirls. If Harry was so used to it, he would have definitely thrown up his guts. After taking a quick minute to gather himself before taking a look around, recognizing where he currently was. They were in the ministry of magic. Auror Crimson dropped her arm and mentioned for him to fellow her before walking off. With one quick check to make sure the egg was safe; he ran off after her. He couldn’t wait to get some sleep when this was all over, but he doubted that it would be soon. After everything he just went through and still has to do, it was going to be a long day.

******************************************************

It was nightfall when Harry found himself booked into a room at the Leaky Cauldron. He just got the paperwork finished and it was official. He was going to Hogwarts. Man, he didn’t know how to feel about that. The last time he was there, it was the final battle and when he vanquished Voldemort. That feels like a whole another lifetime ago and in a sense, it was. At the very least, one good thing happened besides bonding with the egg. He finally found out where Death sent him. It is now August 13th of 1939 and that he was going to be placed in the third year. It will feel weird at first, but he decided that he was just going to take it easy in this new life of his. If anyone tries to pull something over him however, he wasn't going to be a pushover. Hogwarts better be prepared because Harry Evans is returning to Hogwarts.

Yes, he does realize that Tom Riddle will be in his school year. No, he isn’t going to try to stop him. That was the future’s problem. His plan is to hide in the shadows and stay out of sight. As long as he does this, he won’t have to worry about anything. Angel was also a great help to him. She was the one who prayed for his housing here at the Leaky Cauldron for the rest of the summer. He will have to remember to thank her next time when he gets the chance. After sorting through his thoughts, he went to lay down after setting down the egg on a nearby pillow. He went to a nearby candle to light it before heading back over to the egg.

"Don't worry Secera. I will take good care of the little one."

Harry settled down next to the egg, drifting off into a light slumber. The excitement of the day finally catching up to him. Harry woke to the noise of something cracking. He moved to rub his eye before looking at the egg. The egg gleamed in the candlelight as cracks formed around the egg. It wobbled and rocked. Concerned, Harry sat up and helped the hatchling get free. Pieces flew off bit by bit until it burst open to reveal a beautiful hatchling that took after her mother. Her body shape was that of a Hungarian horntail but her scale color took after her sire. How could he tell this? When the hatchling moved to get out of her shell, the candlelight danced off her scales in a rainbow hue. He also couldn't help but notice a gold tint at the edges of her tiny scales. Her spikes were exactly the same as her scales but were black at the edges instead of gold. Simply put, she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. 

He reached out his hand and went to pet her. The moment his hand touched the hatchling, a burst of magic exploded out from both of their magic cores and exchanged energy with each other like the first time, strengthening their bond in the process. It felt like a piece of his soul that was missing was finally found and stitched itself back together. The bond settled down to a soft hum at the back of his mind. He carefully sent over a wave of love to get the strength of the bond, looking at the little ones to see how she will respond. The dragon looked around the room curiously before setting her eyes upon her bonded. Harry could feel excitement emanating through their before she rushed into his arms, causing him to weeze out in surprise. Boy, she was heavy for a little thinking. Harry tried to pick her up from his lap but she clung to his clothes, refusing to leave.

"Come on, little one, I am pretty sure that you are hungry but I need to get up to feed you."

The hatchling looked torn between staying with her bonded and food. She was hungry but she didn't won't to let go. 

"Don't worry. I am not going anywhere . I'm just going other to the otherside of the room to get you some food."

Hesitantly, she withdrew her class and got off. He gave her a small smile before heading over to the desk. Sitting on top was a magical container that contained freshly made steak. He cut it down into tiny pieces before setting down the plate next to the hatchling. The hatching looked at the food then to Harry and back.

"Go on. This is just for you."

She doesn't need anymore encouragement before dining in. Harry blink once and the food was all gone. He turned to the little girl who fell asleep. A small smile made it's way onto his face. Not wanting to disturb her, Harry settled down on the bed, feeling up around her. Feeling that he was besides her, the hatchling purred in satisfaction and snuggled closer. Soon both drifted off to sleep with peaceful dreams.

Chapter Text

“What is this!” A loud raspy voice shouted out. Followed by a huge, loud bang. “This isn't what I asked for! Seriously, how hard is it to follow directions! I only asked for a clutch of eggs. So, where are they?!”

A small man cowardly stood in one of the corners with his hands covering his head. His entire body shivered as he tried to go unnoticed. Much good that did him there. “You're in the corner! Come here!” Demand the voice. Having no choice and fearing the consequences for being even the tiniest bit late, he rushed out and stood before the old man. If one paid attention to the grunt, they would still see bits of shivering. Whoever this man was, he was dangerous.

The grunt swallowed a hard lump before replying, “Yes, sir?”

“Maybe you can tell me. How did any entire ship housing a clutch of five eggs and a Hungarian horntail disappear without anyone noticing?” The old man was no longer shouting. In fact, his tone was calm and serene. This made the grunt even more afraid. He knew if he didn’t answer it correctly, he might not live past today. Thankfully, a report just came in on the incident. He bucked up his courage, “Sir, the how is still unknown. What I can tell you is that the vessel sank six miles off of the British shores when they were traversing the Britain Channel. The vessel was recovered by the Ministry of Magic. Our spies have reported that the body of the Hungarian horntail was found on the beach.”

Sweat dripped down his back at the lack of reaction that was shown. If he didn’t know any better, he would say that the elder man didn’t give a damn, but he knew better. Due to having countless years of work for the man, he could easily see the faint trembles of fury. His eyes were like those of a fury, even though his expression was serine. He would not want to be on the end of that hatred when it exploded.

“What about the eggs?” The man asked.

“They were found with the ship. Three were crushed by the debris and the remaining two were intact but there was one heartbeat, sir. It seems they were stillborn like the others as you presumed.” With the report finished, the grunt turned to leave but was stopped.

“What about the last?”

Confused, the grunt turned back to the man. “Sir? What do you mean the last? There were only the five that were in the report.”

“You fool!” Exploded the man. The grunt had no clue what happened, and he never would. Magic burst out of the elder man’s wand and blew off the grunt’s head, ending his life before he even knew what was happening. The man took out a rag and wiped down his wand, "Someone, come here and clean this mess and get Jonathan for me from the front lines. We have some things to discuss.”

A servant ran into the room and began to clean. The older man ignored them and got lost in his thoughts as he stared out his window to watch the rain. Where are you my little precious?

*********************************

BOOM! Thunder rang out, snapping Harry out of his slumber. He jumped straight to his feet with his wand in his hand. Pointing it around and not seeing any threats, he relaxed his posture and sat back down. He still was not used to the situation found himself in with time travel and all. Well, at least he wasn’t alone anymore. Harry shifted his gaze over to the sleeping hatchling that laid by his side. Surprisingly, she hasn’t moved much from Harry’s stunt. Without realizing it, he shifted his hand over her and petted her scales.

They weren’t as hard as he imagined them to be. Instead, they are durable with a certain amount of flexibility. They were rough but had a silky touch to them that reminded him of velvet. Her spikes weren’t prickly, but he didn’t doubt that they would strengthen over time. He was so engrossed with his petting that he jumped when the hatchling purred in delight at his touch. Feeling his hand move away, the hatchling opened one of her eyes, which he now noticed were a beautiful multi-color surrounded by a golden ring and moved her head against his palm. She continually rubbed until Harry gave in and went back to petting her head and the purring began again. This went on until Harry's eyes began to droop and his head hit the pillow, knocking himself out. Only dreamless sleep graced him with their company for the rest of the night.

The hatchling watched her bonded as he drifted off to sleep. Even though she just hatched a couple of hours earlier, she was already aware of her surroundings and of her bond. She was even aware of him when she was in her egg, and he just appeared in front of her supposed mother. She was originally a part of a clutch of six, but she was the only one that wasn’t stillbirth. Her mother, how weird that sounded to her, noticed and hid her egg so that she didn’t end up with a bad fate that the crewmembers or someone else might do to her. Even though her mother hid her egg and cared for it as best she could, the hatchling was on the brim of death. That was of course, until the boy appeared.

The moment he did, the hatchling instantly felt the connection between them and her heartbeat that once was weak, was now beating with a new heat. The first time he touched her egg itself, she almost hatched on the spot because an overwhelming desire to see her bonded was so strong. The only thing that stopped her was his request to stop due to his worry for her but when they were finally alone in a room with no one around. She couldn’t wait anymore and hatched right on his lap. The instant his hand made contact with herself, it felt like she became complete. Their magic intertwined with each other and made their bond unbreakable. She knew from that moment that it was impossible to break their bond. She was his and he was hers, for eternity. She got up on all fours and climbed up onto his stomach. Curling up into a ball, she fell asleep without a single worry.

The dawn’s light peaked its way into the room, stirring Harry out of his slumber. A yawn escaped his mouth as he stretched his arms above his head. He didn’t want to leave the comfortable bed, but he knows he has to. With a grumble of annoyance, Harry sat up and was about to get up but was stopped to realize that the little hatchling was on his lap.

Even with all of his moving around, she hasn’t even once stirred. Okay, so maybe he should stay for a while. After a half an hour going by, he unfortunately woke up his little hatchling. With a shake and stir, the hatchling grumbled with discontent as she shifted her back towards Harry. Knowing exactly what was on her mind, let's be honest, who doesn’t want to get out of bed, he continued to shake her until she lifted her head and stared hard at her bonded.

“I know you don’t want to get up, but we have things to get and do. We also have places to be. On second thought, it might be best to stay here.” Harry mumbled the last part to himself. Even though the hatchling was a baby, that didn’t mean that she didn’t hear or understand. In an instant of a second, she bounced up to her feet and roared her disagreement. Time froze for a moment before Harry registered her action, then all hell broke loose.

Chapter Text

“Oh, how cute! Your roar reminds me of a little lion cub.” Harry grabbed her figure and cuddled her against his chest. The hatchling wasn’t happy with the outcome. She wasn’t a cat; she was a mighty dragon. As if reading her mind, Harry spoke. “I know you are not a kitten, but it doesn’t help that your roar is so cute, but I understand that you have your pride.”

The hatchling lifted up her head to stare at him. She wanted to stop him hugging her but upon seeing his smile and gentle expression, she couldn’t help but think that this wasn’t so bad. Her displeasure dissolved and no more complaints from her, she settled into her bonded arms with glee. They only stayed like that for a couple of moments before Harry put her back onto the bed and got dressed for the day.

“Alright girl, I am going out for a couple of hours. Don’t worry, I will be right back.” Now, the hatchling wasn't the smartest. Especially since she just hatched not too long ago but that didn’t stop her from realizing that Harry was leaving. Fear and anxiety course throughout their bond that caught Harry off guard. He looked around for the source before recognizing it was coming from the hatchling. “Hey, it will be alright. I am just going to go out and get some things. It won’t be long. Can you please wait for me?”

Harry didn’t want to leave the hatchling here, but he had no choice. As far as he knew, owning dragons was illegal. At least, that was how it was in his time, but he guessed this new time period was his own now. Man, he had too much studying to do to catch up with the times and that wasn’t the half of it. What was the saying that muggles used? Oh yeah, no time like the present. How true that was.

Now that he thought about it, the hatchling was able to send emotions through their newfound bound. So, if he did the same, wouldn’t she be able to feel his resolve and sadness at leaving. As a little experiment, he sent his emotions through. Boy, was he in for a treat. The hatchling launched herself off the bed and grabbed his robes, refusing to let go now. Harry tried to pull and twist the hatchling to get her off of him but no such luck. Finally accepting his fate, Harry had no choice but to bring the hatchling and that is how he found himself outside, smuggling a hatchling under his robe, out in the open. Hopefully, He won’t get caught. He thought helplessly as he and the hatchling made their way out of the Leaky Cauldron.

The day was bright and sunny. Diagon Alley matched the day well as witches and wizards wandered the area looking for items of all kinds from potion ingredients to magical pets to the flying brooms. Upon seeing the brooms, Harry grew excited at first but quickly settled down when he got a glimpse of what they looked like. They weren’t like the ones he used to when he was in school. He knows that he went back to the past but that didn’t stop from wishing that he could fly again. Feeling the distrust coming from Harry, the hatchling rubbed her head against him as a sign of comfort. Harry left touched and sent his gratitude to her. Taking one last glance at the broom, he pushed himself away from the store front and made his way down Diagon Alley.

Okay, the first thing he needed to retrieve was a wand. He knows he could just summon the elder wand, but he still needed to get used to the Master of Death status. He was fine when it came to summoning the invisibility cloak because it was his for many years already. If he didn’t have it, he would have felt like a naked chicken. Especially after being on the run for years. Speaking of the invisibility cloak, he was currently wearing it as a dark green cloak. Fun fact, he could change its appearance and whether it went invisible or not. He had a fun time earlier testing its ability when he was playing with the hatchling. Anyway, back on topic, he needed a wand, and he knew just the right place to get one.

Before he knew it, he was in front of Ollivander's wand shop. Boy, this brings back memories. Shoving the nostalgia off, he opened the door and walked in. The inside was much like he remembered, just a lot less dust. Like before, Ollivander wasn’t in sight. If he had to guess, he was either in the back doing whatever he was usually doing or he was out. Since the door was unlocked, he assumes he was here. Harry moved from the entrance towards the desk to push the little bell he first noticed when he entered. His hand stopped just an inch from the bell when the man of the hour appeared. “Hmmm, a young man who appears by himself. Powerful. Mysterious. An aura seems to be emitting off you. Smells of fire, ash, and frost? Possibly. I assume you are looking for a wand, yes?”

Now this really brings back memories. A smile made its way onto his face, happiness imitated through his bond. The hatchling stirred from his impact of his emotions, trying to escape the confines of his robes. The movement caught the old man’s eye, “Hiding a little friend, are we?”

A flush rushed to appear across his cheeks when he realized they were caught, and a sigh of defeat escaped his mouth. As much as he didn't want to, he accepted their reality. He looked over his shoulder, trying to see if anyone was watching. Catching on to what Harry was thinking, Ollivander reassured him. “Don’t worry young man. The windows are shaded with a spell to stop onlookers peeking in.” Harry eyed the old man up and down, as he waved his wand. The sound of a soft click sounded out from behind him. "There now, the door is now locked. Now why don’t you let your little companion out.”

Knowing that he couldn’t put it off any longer and the hatchling was still struggling to get out, he opened his robe out to the desk. The hatchling didn’t waste any time as she jumped out onto the flat top of the desk. Her head swerved all over, catching the sights and sounds of the unfamiliar place. Once her curiosity was sainted, she turned her attention to Ollivander. Ollivander watched in silence as this all went on. Wonder and awe filled his eyes. “A dragon hatchling? Alive? How have you gotten your hands on her and why does she feel like you?”

Harry didn’t feel comfortable speaking about it, but he needs to make sure that Ollivander does run to the ministry about her. To make sure of this, he needs a vow and not just any type of vow. A vow of magic. “Before I explain anything, I need an unspeakable vow from you that states that you will not speak about anything that I am about to tell you without my permission and that you don’t mean us any harm. Do this and then, I will speak.”

This made Ollivander uncomfortable with that statement. He couldn’t help but question “And if I don’t?”

Now, the hatchling was still a baby but that didn’t stop her from picking up onto the mood. The tension was so thick that a butter knife could cut it without issues. She grabbed ahold of Harry’s robes and climbed her way up onto his shoulders. Harry didn’t know why she learned how to do that. Maybe it was something she just picked up. Once she got her advantage, she moved her head towards Ollivander and snarled a warning towards him. Seeing her reaction towards his question, Ollivander smiled. What she just did was proof of the bond between the two. What that bond was, he didn’t know but it did tell him that this strange, unknown man wasn’t a bad person.

Chapter Text

"You have a very brave hatchling sir." Another snarl sounded out. "Loyal too. Don't worry, I will happily make that vow."

Ollivander placed his wand into its holder and lifted his right hand out into the air. "I, Garrick Ollivander, swear upon my magic and Lady Magic herself, I will not say a word about anything concerning?"

He stretched out the question. Harry picked up on what he was asking. "Harry. Harry Evans." Now that he had the name of young man, Ollivander continued on with his vow.

"Concerning Harry Evans and his dragon to anyone without his expressive permission nor do I mean them any harm of any kind at all here, now, and in the future."

The tension in Harry's shoulders slowly eased out and the hatchling stopped her growling as the magic of the vow filled the air, signifying that the vow was complete. Then and only then did the both of them let down their guard completely. The hatchling rubbed her head against Harry's chin as she settled down on his shoulders. From the way that her claws were clutching his robes, he can safely assume that she wasn't getting down anytime soon, not that he minded. He could tell the situation from earlier made her become unsettled. Hopefully this wouldn't last long.

"Thank you, Ollivander if I heard correctly."

"Oh yes. Do please call me Ollivander. I take pride in my family's last name. Now that is done and over with. May I know how you came to possess such a remarkable creature like her? I have never seen a dragon like her before."

And so, Harry told him the story of how he woke up on the ship and what transpired after. Of course, he left out the part about death and that he went back in time. Now that he thought about it, he may never tell anybody after all. After what he went through, he would be very surprised if he ever trusted anybody again. Besides the hatchling of course. Even though they have only been together for a short time, he can't imagine his life without her. Speaking of the hatchling, he still had to give her a name. "So, are you saying that she is a hybrid then?"

"From what her mother said, then yeah. Apparently, her sire was an antipodean opaleye who died in an illegal dragon fight. It was unfortunate that I couldn't save her mother but at least this little one gets to live free. That was her mother's one and only wish."

The hatchling rubbed her head against Harry's jaw to comfort her bonded as he thought of Secera. Ollivander was amazed by the strong bond the two of them had. If he didn't know any better, he would say that they were a rider and dragon bonded pair but that was impossible. They haven't been around in centuries, and it wouldn't make sense if one just popped out of the blue. Looking at them again, a smile made itself known without his knowledge. Okay, maybe it's not too far-fetched.

"Alright, from what you spoke of. You lost your previous wand and are now in need of another. Am I correct?"

"You are sir. Will you be able to help?"

"Will I be able to help? Young man, you won't find any better help than me." A laugh sounded out as Ollivander waved his wand, summoning a measuring tape that floated around Harry, taking different measurements. The hatchling was not impressed by it, and she made it known by swapping at it. It didn't take long for the measuring tape to finish and Ollivander running all over the place, looking left and right for the right wand. It wasn't until mid-day that Harry was able to leave, with a wand in his hand. Not surprisingly, it was his previous wand made up of holly and phoenix feather with a length of 11 inches.

The hatchling was still on his shoulders. She refused to leave them, but he was able to compromise with her being covered with the cloak's hood that was currently invisible. He can feel that she seems to be sleeping but he knows that she is actually looking around in excitement at all of the new sights and sounds. He couldn't blame her; he remembers his first day here. Man, that feels like it was forever ago.

Now that he got his wand back, his next task was to go to Gringotts and get an inheritance test done. He was quite curious if his body was his own or does he have a new body thanks to Death. One way to do this is by taking an inheritance test. Sure, they could cost a pretty gallon, but they were so worth it. It didn't take long to reach the entrance. Not surprisingly, it doesn't look any different from what he remembered. If he was correct, the goblins were known to be traditional.

It wasn't a bad thing, but it could lead to bad things. Think of the pureblood families for example. Their traditions made them dislike mud bloods and don't take half-bloods seriously. They marry other pureblood families to avoid these impurities, not knowing that this gave their families bad genetics for magic. The way goblins do it, they honor their ancestors by decorating their halls with previous works and trophies of their greatest kills.

Turning his thoughts back to the present, he made his way over to the desk cleric. A line was there but Harry didn't mind. Patience is a virtue, and he had all the patience that he needed. Thanks, Dumbledore, for that you bloody bastard. He will need to deal with that bastard sometime but not now. For the time being, he needs to lay low for both him and his hatchlings' sake. It didn't take long for it to be Harry's turn. Upon coming up to the desk, the hatchling lifted her head and studied the strange creature. Harry didn't do anything about it because he wanted her to have as many interactions with the world as he could provide her.

Turning his attention back to the goblin, he announced his greeting. "May your enemies impale themselves and poke out all their gold to give to you, fair goblin."

The grim face of the cleric brimmed with a smile. "Ay, may your cups flow with endless gold, wizard. How may I help 'e?"

"I wish to take an inheritance test."

The clerk eyed him for a moment before rubbing his hands together. 'We can help you for a fee of course. Two gold gallons should do."

The goblin eye smiled at him. Catching onto what he wanted, Harry didn't waste any time retrieving two gallons from his pockets. He was lucky to find a treasure stash on the ship when he went looking for Secera. If he didn't then Harry wouldn't be able to afford any of his purchases that he needs to retrieve today. Giving the two gallons to the goblin, he sniffed and nibbled to see if they were real with the hatchling taking in the sight. Satisfied that they were real, he called over one of the interns. "Guide him to Rooksgorde to get an inheritance test done. He paid and all. The sooner the better. Hear that?"

The intern nodded as a reply and made a motion at Harry to follow him. It didn't take long for them to reach their destination, which Harry was happy for. There was only silence on their way here and that put him off for some reason. He couldn't be any happier when he saw the door. The intern knocked on the door and a loud 'come in' sounded out. The door opened and the intern motioned Harry to enter. The office had a homey type of feel to it. A pair of oak rocking chairs sat beside a roaring fireplace. A blood red carpet sat on the floor and a walnut desk was positioned in the farthest corner away from the door.

A stiff elder goblin sat behind the desk with a quill and a piece of parchment on top of the desk. Two cushion chairs were positioned in front of the desk, clearly put there for clients who came along. As if sensing what he was thinking, the elder goblin motioned to the chairs. Not wanting to be rude, he applied while speaking the usual greeting to not be seen as rude. "May your vaults flow with endless gold."

The goblin was certainly caught off guard. A smile showed itself, showing that Harry at least got a small amount of respect from him. "And may thee enemies gut themselves the moment the appear on your doorstep, Mr. Evans."

With greetings done and out of the way, it was time to go down to business. "Now, Mr. Evans. I hear that you wish for an inheritance test to be done and you have already paid?"

"That is correct, sir."

Harry nodded his head as he spoke, more than happy to get right down to business. "Call me Rooksgorde, none of that sir crap. Too formal for my taste."

"I hear you there, sir. If you wish, I shall use your name, Rooksgorde." This made Rooksgorde smirk at the boy. He was certainly interested in this boy. Not only does he know the way of the goblins, but he was confident in himself. For a boy his age to act this way, he was impressed. He must have been through some serious shit to have developed it. Maybe, just maybe he could some answers through this inheritance test and from the look on the boy's face, him as well.

Chapter Text

“Well, shall we get down to business then?” This time Harry didn’t speak but nodded instead. Rooksgorde picked up a sheet of parchment and laid it down in front of Harry. Next, he grabbed a nearby ritual knife and handed it to Harry. Harry didn’t wait for Rooksgorde to explain how to do the test. He done something like this so many times in his past life. Taking the knife, Harry put the knife against his left palm and took a deep breath. Not a single sound escaped his mouth, nor did he flinch as the knife dug a clean cut through his skin. Blood flooded out and dripped down onto the paper. Upon seeing the sight of the blood, the hatching made a soft wine. Luckily, Harry was the only one to hear her. The blood sizzled on the paper and vanished into thin air. In its place were letters. Seeing that the ritual was complete, Rooksgorde took the paper and dipped it in an unknown mixture. The paper duplicated into two Rooksgorde gave the original paper back to Harry. “The other paper will be stored in your file that we will keep here for your vault. Now shall we take a look at the results.”

Once again, Harry nodded his head to reply. Nerves stiffened up along his neck, not allowing him to talk. Let’s get this over with. He couldn’t help but think as he read what had appeared.

Name: Harry James Evans-Peverell

Age: 13 years old

Status: Pureblood

Mother: Lily Mirabell Peverell (Pureblood, Deceased)

Father: James Everith Evans (Pureblood, Deceased)

Birth: July 31st, 1926

Bloodlines: Gryffindor (Father’s side/Heir)

Ravenclaw (Father’s side/Heir)

La Frey (Mother’s side)

Black (Blood adoption/Mother’s side)

Peverell (Mother’s Side/Heir)

Titles: Heir of Gryffindor

Heir of Ravenclaw

Heir of Peverell

Heir of La Frey

Master of Death

Leader of the Dragonriders

Dragonbonded

Bonded: ???(Name isn’t given yet) (Hungarian Horntail/Antipodean Opaleye Hybrid)

Title: Dragon Heir/Bonded of Harry

Abilities: Parseltongue

Dragon Speech (Advanced form of Parseltongue)

Creature Inheritance (Locked, Age 16)

Natural Occlumency

Death Magic

Grey core

Magic Regeneration

Photographic Memory

Vaults: Vault #002(La Frey)

Vault #003(Gryffindor)

Vault #004(Ravenclaw)

Vault #012(Peverell)

Trust Vault #3659

Assets: Unknown (Need to be the lord)

Properties: Unknown (Need to be the lord)

Rooksgorde made an impressive whistle as he read the parchment. Harry understood why he was impressed. He didn’t understand how he had so many nonexistent bloodlines nor why he had them. No, what confused him was in the title section. More specifically the titles that had the word dragon in it and the bond section as well. He could help but lift an eyebrow at the goblin. “Rooksgorde, what does it mean to be dragonbonded and leader of the dragonriders? And the bonded part?”

Rooksgorde couldn’t help but eye the boy. Nothing screamed out to him that screamed out to him, dragonrider or leader. He wanted to doubt it, but the inheritance test ritual was never wrong. His eyes shifted to the bonded part, more to the point, hybrid. That one word should be even more impossible. Many people tried breeding dragons to different breeds, hoping to create a very powerful weapon or as a way to save a particular breed of dragon. However, no matter the crossings, there was never a living hybrid known to wizards. If this is true, then there would be many people going after this young man and his bonded. “Harry, it says that you have a dragon bonded. May I see it?”

The question caught the young teenager off guard. Before he could answer though, a little squeak that sounded kind-of like a roar answered his question. Out of nowhere, a little hatchling literally popped out of thin air. The hatching was clearly a Hungarian Horntail, but it didn’t have the correct colors. Instead of dark colors, she had the multi-color that the antipodean opaleye were known for. Rooksgorde wanted to deny that she was a hybrid but now the proof was right in front of him, and the dragon was bonded to a wizard.

That made this boy the very first dragon rider in centuries and the leader no less. Let’s not forget the fact that he was also the master of death. Rooksgorde felt like passing out, but he kept himself together. He didn’t want to embarrass himself in front of such a figure. “Lord Peverell-”

“Lord Peverell? I am not the lord just yet.”

This caught Rooksgorde off guard. He lifted his hands up to cover his mouth and grunted into it. “Mister Peverell.” He quickly corrected himself. "To answer your questions, A bonded is like a soulmate but instead of a soulmate, you have a soul bound to a magical creature. Unlike a familiar, a bonded pair has a much stronger bond. If one were to die, the other would likely follow soon after since they can’t live without them. Not only do they have a strong bond, but they also share magic and influence each other in ways not known to others. If the creature in the bond is a special kind, they normally come with a title. In your case Mister Peverell, since your bond is a dragon, your title is dragonbonded and dragonrider. Also, since you are the first dragonrider in centuries, you automatically become the leader of their order but don’t worry, you will not be forced to take up that mantle until you finish your schooling.

“As for your title, Master of Death...” Harry lifted his hand up to interrupt the goblin.

“Don’t worry about that. I already know. Now I wish to say something. I don’t want to let any information about myself be leaked to anyone. The last thing I need is for people to start paying attention to my movements or start flying towards me because of my titles or bloodlines.”

The goblin nodded in agreement to what Harry was saying. "I understand. Don’t worry about any leaks. Our security is the best around. Now that is past, would you like your Heir rings, Mister Peverell?”

“Please.” Even though Harry didn’t want attention, it didn’t hurt for him to get the rings. That was of course if they accepted him as the heir. Who knows? Maybe, they would come in handy during his time in school. As for the lord rings, since he now lives in this timeline, he needs to make a spot for himself after he graduated. The lord rings will help with this when the time comes. It didn’t take long for an intern to enter the office with four different containers, two in each hand.

He set them down on top of the desk, bowed to Rooksgorde, and then walked back out without looking back. Harry looked at the boxes. They were sleek black with the symbol of Gringotts on the lid. He wouldn’t have taken much notice of them if it wasn’t for the fact that something about them screams to his magic. Harry never told anybody before about the fact that he was sensitive to magic. It is thanks to this ability that Harry noticed the way his magic reacted to them.

Noticing the look in Harry’s eyes, Rooksgorde smirked. He knew that look well from all his years working in this position. The look of finding something that you never knew was a part of you. He had no doubt that these rings were screaming out to him right now. It seems like the rings were getting impatient, even though they just got here. All of the sudden, a spark of energy cracked out of nowhere, telling him to get along with it. “Mister Peverell, these are your heir rings.”

Chapter Text

His hand moved over the boxes and opened them all. The rings seemed to glisten with an unknown light as Harry’s eyes glued themselves to the rings, studying them. Each ring had a symbol engraved upon them. One of them was pretty simple, the deathly hallows mark. Yeah, he knew what that one was for sure. The next two were also pretty obvious. They both had the house symbols of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. The last however, Harry never saw before. The symbol was made up with a dragon surrounded by an olive wreath. He assumes that was La Frey's heir ring. The dragon looked to be a Swedish-short snout.

A grunt sounded out, drawing Harry attention back to Rooksgorde. A smile was on his face, giving Harry the image of a salesman. Oddly enough, Harry wasn’t overturned by that idea. Shaking it out of his mind, he focused once more on the goblin.

“Alright Mister Peverell, just reach out your hand to see if they accept you. Should they accept you, they will fly onto your fingers. Do keep in mind that once they are on your fingers, they can’t be taken off until you accept the lord rings which you can do should you turn of age. Which in your case, would be sixteen for all four since there had been no known lords for centuries besides the Peverell lord but that is also sixteen. The other option was for you to inherit after the previous lord died. That option is off the table for you.”

He eyed Harry before continuing, “Are you sure that you want this? Once you put on these rings, there is no going back.”

This made Harry curious about Rooksgorde. He didn’t know why the goblin was being so helpful right now. Maybe it had to do with his title, his abilities, or his bond. Hell, it could be because he liked him. He didn’t know nor did he care why, but that didn’t stop him from being touched by it. A smirk popped up onto his face as confidence built up inside him, the hatchling jumped from one shoulder to the other from her end of the excitement. “Absolutely.”

Without another word, he lifted up his right hand. The rings jumped onto the open invitation, and slung themselves onto his fingers, making themselves snug and tight, sticking to his skin. Rooksgorde was literally merlin smack by how fast the rings jumped out. If he didn’t know any better, he would say that they were excited to be in Harry’s possession.

“Very good, sir. Do keep in mind they have a notice-me-not attune to them in case you don’t want it known that you claimed the heir rings. Also, Sir, if you don’t mind. May I ask about how you are transporting your bond. I am assuming that you don’t want anyone to find out about her, correct?”

A frown made its way onto Harry. He had thought about how to get around that little issue. She was just a baby right now and she is bound to grow. He had seen how large dragons get and he could keep her with him in the castle. Both due to her growth and the fear of someone seeing her, he worried that other people would notice. He isn't saying that people were evil, but he did meet a fair share who were up pretty high on the cuckoo ladder. No, it would be better if no one noticed her at all. Maybe a notice-me-not charm was on the table, but he would need something strong to be an appropriate vessel for a dragon and that would cost him a lot of money and time. Something like that would be helpful. From their time together, he can tell that it will be tough to get her to stay in the forbidden forest, much less being seen by people. With his track record, trouble would find him sooner or later. He preferred that it didn’t find his bond and he needed something that made that happen. The question was what?

“What you say is correct. Do you have a solution to this problem?”

Andddd the salesman and his wicked eye smile was back.

“Of course, Mister Peverell. Something does come to mind, if you're interested.”

Oh, two can play this game.

“Let’s say that if I was interested, what would you have to offer?”

The goblin clapped his hands together in anticipation. Ah, the famous craftiness and greed of the goblin race.

“I have an item in my possession that will help with your current problem. It has a very powerful notice-me-not that can be recharge with nature magic, making it very sufficient for you because you don't need to use your magic to fuel it. Not only that, but it also has a miniature and enlarging runes engraved upon it. This can be used by her to pick her the right size to stay, let's say, attached to your hip.”

Now that got the hatchling's attention. Her rider was talking to her about the possibilities of what would happen when she grew larger, about how she couldn’t always stay by his side. Of course, she threw a fit over it. The very idea itself was a no go for her. She refuses to leave her bonded’s side. Thinking what the hatchling’s was thinking, Harry knew he needed that item. If he didn’t, he would have to deal with one very angry, pissed off hatchling.

“Alright Rooksgorde, you got both of our interests.”

****************************

The day lasted longer than what Harry wanted. After leaving Gringotts, an owl flew over him and landed on his arm. Luckily, it wasn't the arm where the hatchling was currently sitting. Yes, surprise surprise, Harry let her out. He only did this because nobody would notice her due to a necklace around her neck. It was the item that he got from Rooksgorde. It was a necklace made up of a golden chain with a white gem. The gem was very simple with black veins running through it. The sunlight glimmered around it as it danced off her scales. It was thanks to this little trinket, that the hatchling didn’t have to wear the invisibility cloak anymore.

Back to the owl. What it came to deliver was the school list for the third year. Harry accepted the list with gratitude and gave the owl a treat, letting it eat really quick. He spent the rest of the afternoon buying the items from the list and unfortunately, school robes. While he was at it, he even bought a custom apartment suitcase. It held three bedrooms, a large kitchen, one living room, a large library where he will put his book collection in the future, a warehouse size storage room that holds all the things that he needs for the hatchling, and finally, a large environment where the Hatchling could play around if she felt like it. That suitcase alone cost him a pretty penny when he ordered it.

Now, Harry was laying on the bed with the hatchling laying right beside him. He had a book placed out in front of him containing a list of names. He was currently in the middle of trying to find a name for the little bugger. He couldn’t just keep calling her hatchling her whole life. So, what should he do? Find a name for her but that was the problem. No matter what name he tried, she refused. A sigh escaped his mouth as she once again sent decommitment across their bond.

“You can’t just keep declining every name. How about Athena?”

Once again, shot down. 

“Really little girl?” He couldn’t help but ask. Harry bent down and went back to reading as he scoured the list of names. Suddenly, his eyes stopped on a name. After tossing it around a bit in his head, the more he liked it. Hopefully, she will take to it like he had.

“How about Isis? She is the Egyptian goddess how is known for being the goddess of magic, healing, and protection.”

Chapter Text

The hatchling looked like she was tossing the name around as a sense of acceptance and gratitude. She jumped up with glee and bounced all over the place, until she stopped by Harry’s head and rubbed against it. Love echoed across their bond, warming Harry's heart. Ever since he was a child, all Harry wanted was love and he finally had through this little hatchling, who somehow someway, fallen into his lap.

“I take it that you liked the name.” Harry lifted his hand and petted Isis’s head. “I’m glad. I was getting worried there for a moment that we wouldn’t ever be able to find a name that you would like. I love you, Isis.”

As soon as he spoke her new name, a shift took place in his core. The bond that he thought that was stable before became as firm as a stone foundation. New sensations could be felt through their ever-going bond. Feelings of happiness, joy, and love came through and Harry sent them right back to her. Just as they were about to cuddle together once again, a grumble sounded out. At first, he wasn’t sure where the sound was coming from. Before, once again, it sounded out. His face grew a flush as he realized that it came from his stomach. “I guess it’s time to eat, huh.”

********************

A train whistle sounded, signifying a warning of departure as many people rushed around the platform outside as children bid their farewells to their loved ones and the parents waved goodbye to their children. Owls flew off to Hogwarts and people flooded onto the train. Harry was grateful that he had the foresight to arrive early. He would have hated to be caught in that crowd. Earlier, He and Isis came as soon as the platform opened for the very reason of avoiding the crowd outside. He didn’t want to risk anyone noticing Isis. Speaking of the hatchling, she was currently laying on Harry’s lap. Ever since she received her name, she never left her bonded’s side except when she had reasons too. This time it was the same. Even though she could sit in the comfortable cushioned booth. She preferred Harry’s lap more and she didn’t want to be squashed should other people come in.

It’s been a couple of weeks since Isis had been given her name. Over that time, she learned many things about the world and Harry’s past. She loved learning about the world around her. She even learned about Harry's past life. All the pain and sorrow that he had to go through broke her heart. She wanted the world to burn when she learned about how Harry self-destructed himself just to stop people he once thought of as friends to save the last person he considered his family, she suddenly got a strong desire to see them burn to ash. Her bonded is a caring person and that fact proved it. To learn that there were people out there that would do that to her bonded put her on edge. Whenever she asked questions about it, he never shied away from answering, even though he clearly didn’t wish to talk about it. When those subjects do come up, feelings of hurt, rage, fury and betrayal are sent across their bond. Many of the times that it happened, he tried to conceal them so that she wouldn’t worry.

There was an incident one time where Harry was caught in the realm of his nightmares. Only with Isis’s presence, was he able to sleep comfortably. These nightmares don’t come along often but when they do, Isis is able to view them through their bond. What her bonded went through, it scarred him deeply. The first time she saw one of his nightmares, her heart ached for him. She vowed to never leave or betray him. Ever since then, she never wandered off far from his side, to scared that he would fall apart.

A hand slid down her neck, drawing her attention out of her thoughts. Opening one of her eyes, she looked at Harry whose attention was directed out to the window. Curious to what has his attention, she looked out as well. The only thing that she could see were children saying goodbye and parents kissing their children goodbye, then she got it. She turned to Harry and lifted her head up to meet his brow, kissing it like some of the parents she saw outside. This caught Harry off guard and surprise filled his eyes. Satisfied, she directed her thoughts to Harry. Don’t worry about that. I am here for you Harry and I will never leave. Both Harry and she discovered that they developed to ability to mind speak to one another. They can't do it often because it tired her out. She was a growing baby after all. With that, she lifted her wings and wrapped them around her bonded in the form of a hug, which he returned. Yeah, she will never leave her bonded. Not ever and all those that try will burn if she had anything to say about it.

**********************************

The train ride lasted until the evening. Rain poured down as the train started to slow, sparks flying as the brake took effect sooner than what he was used to. Regaining his balance, Harry shifted Isis to the side. Of course, she squealed with displeasure, but Harry didn’t mind her. He opened the booth door and took a peek. Other people walked by and traveled between the booths, getting ready before they stopped. Taking that as his cue, he shut the door. “Isis, I think it is almost time to go.”

The little dragon didn't waste any time as she jumped onto his shoulder. The necklace glowed a soft white and her size decreased by half. Harry looked at her, “Really? You can’t come with me to the great hall. There will be too many people.”

A growl sounded out of her muzzle in disagreement. “Look, I know that you don’t like this, but it must be like this.”

Her growl softened but wasn’t stopping. “You know I don’t want this either. How about you stay in the hallway where nobody will be. Once the welcoming banquet ends, I will retrieve you. I am not saying that you can’t come with me, but you can’t come with me when I need to enter the great hall. I will drop you off on a statue or something so that nobody will bump into you.”

Her growl died down, but a low snarl replaced it. “It is either this or you stay in the entrance hall until I come get you. So, what do you want?”

To answer his question, her snarl disappeared. Did that mean she liked it? Absolutely not. He could tell because her tail was whacking his back right now. She clearly didn’t want to leave him on his own nor did she like it but what could he do? He wasn’t going to sit in front of the students and have a dragon hatchling on his shoulder while he was being sorted. “You can be unhappy with me right now, but I don’t mind. I am not going to change my mind.”

To reply to his statement, a sharp whack struck his shoulder blade. He flinched a little, but he just continued to look at Isis. Seeing that her bonded wasn’t going to change his mind, she could only tuck her head between her paws and grumbled to herself. Harry didn’t mind that. Isis has her moments where she can be a drama queen.

The train shifted once again, signaling that it stopped. He quickly reached above him and grabbed his suitcase. “On second thought, you should stay in the suitcase.” He received a sharp nibble on his ear for that.

“Alright, alright, you don’t have to.”

With his suitcase in hand and wearing his silk school robes, he joined the crowd of students. Isis crawled up onto Harry’s head to stay out of reach of the wandering students, her jaw open in a hiss. Isis didn’t like others to touch her. If she had her way, they would be out of this crowd and in their own room again. Stupid humans and their dumb ways. Of course, her bonded wasn’t stupid. The others, however, are a different story. Why are humans so complicated? She didn’t know. However, they are getting in her way of protecting Harry and that doesn't make her any happier. As proof to her mood, her tail was swishing back and forth with agitation.

Harry rolled his eyes at her antics and shook his head. He quickly walked off the train and looked around to find somebody. A few hours before they arrived on the train, Harry received an owl post about a professor who was going to wait for him on the platform to take him to the castle for his sorting. It only took a moment to find the professor and he wasn't happy at all. As if picking up on his mood, which she probably did, a low hiss came out of her mouth, but Harry didn’t pay it any mind. No, his full attention was on the professor, Professor Dumbledore. Why did it have to be bloody-fucken Dumbledore?

Chapter Text

Harry can see that his taste for ridiculous clothing was still pretty much the same. Tonight, he wore dirty mustard yellow robes engraved with what looks to be bright neon green pinecone pixies. If he didn't know Dumbledore well, and he wished that he didn't, he would ask what cat threw up on him and if it was alright. Emotions swelled up within him, but he pushed them down and put a smile on his face. Secretly, he mentioned to Isis to calm down or else, they will get caught. She wasn't happy with it, but she did what she was told.

On the train ride here, Harry mentioned what would happen if they were caught. Isis would be taken away from Harry and would be taken to a dragon reserve, never to reunite with her bonded again. Harry on the other hand would most likely go to Azkaban without a trail. Just the thought of her not being able to be with Harry sent an ache in her chest. She wouldn't be able to live without him, and she was pretty sure Harry was the same. Since they were blended in the crowd and Dumbledore hadn't spotted them yet, Harry motioned to Isis to hide in his cloak. Even though she didn't like it, she complied.

After Isis was completely hidden and there was nothing out of place, he sucked in a breath, summoned his Gryffindor courage and headed towards Dumbledore. All the while, praying to lady magic that Dumbledore hadn't seen anything that just transpired. It didn't take long for Dumbledore to spot him in the crowd. With a quick thought in the moment, Harry put on a dumb look of an excited new transfer student taking in the sights. Awe and joy filled his expression, as he put on the act of looking out for the professor that he read about. Dumbledore didn't waste a moment and did a wave to catch Harry's attention.

With the look of a kind grandfather, He motioned at Harry to come over when Harry acted surprised to see him. With a soft voice, he spoke but Harry didn't miss the tone of authority hidden underneath. "Hello young man, I assume that you are Mister Evans?"

Harry just wanted to roll his eyes, but he managed to keep it off his face. He met Dumbledore's face but avoided meeting his eyes. Harry might be a natural occlumency, but he didn't want to risk it nor give it away. Having another card up his sleeve was necessary. A way to avoid the mind probing as Harry calls it is to avoid looking directly into the wizard's eyes. Just look at a point on their face and focus on it and they will be helpless without direct force when it comes to breaking into your mind. For example, the forehead or a beard. In Harry's case, he was looking between his eyes at the bridge of Dumbledore's nose and what an ugly nose it was. "That is me sir! Are you the professor that is waiting for me?"

Harry wanted to cringe. He sounded like an over excited child who is inexperienced with the world. Don't get him wrong, this is an act, but thinking about how to act and finally using the act are two different things all together but what can he do? He could only git his teeth and bear with it. If Dumbledore senses something, then he will keep a close eye on Harry's activities, just like he did with Tom. Speaking of Tom, he can't help but wonder if he was going to school yet or not. Either way, it doesn't matter to him though. He knows that Tom did mass destruction in the future but that isn't Harry's problem anymore. He dealt with it before, and his future self can do it again.

If Tom was at Hogwarts right now, Harry will only need to keep his head down and stay as far away as possible. He has enough on his plate with Dumbledore and doesn't need another thing to deal with. If he remembers correctly, Tom was in Slytherin. So, what should he do? Avoid going to Slytherin, that simple. Of course, that is easier said than done. After all, the sorting hat wanted him to go to Slytherin at first but somehow, someway, he managed to convince the hat not to put him there. It instead put him in Gryffindor, right into the hands of bloody-fucken Dumbledore to use him as he pleased.

Harry quickly turned his thoughts away before they became bloody. The last thing he needed was to rile both Isis and himself up and alert Dumbledore. Speaking of Dumbledore, while Harry was rearranging his thoughts, Dumbledore was blabbering about Hogwarts. Most of those things Harry already knew, so he wasn't worried about missing anything important.

Just in the nick of time to. "Mr. Evans."

"Yes, Professor Dumbledore?" Thankfully, he paid enough attention to know that Dumbledore already introduced himself.

"Right now, you are a transfer student. At the welcome banquet, the new people who have arrived for the first time are sorted into one of four houses. Usually, it is only the newly arrived first years that are sorted but since you are one of those few rare transfer students. The first in a century if I remember correctly. You will be sorted last, right into the third year as you know."

Even though he hated it, Harry couldn't help but nod in agreement. He was right after all, there was no use to refute him.

"As I said, there are four houses, and each house has a head. I, myself, am the head of Gryffindor. As for the others, you will meet them if you are sorted into their house. As for the houses themself are known as Gryffindor, that is the best house above all. Courage is needed to stand with the brave."

Okay, Harry will be honest. He did roll his eyes on that one.

"Next is Hufflepuff where loyalty resides and Ravenclaw where the wise stand out among the crowd. Lastly..." Dumbledore stretched out the sentence. Hatred filled his tone. "Is Slytherin. That one Mr. Evans is one that I recommend that you avoid at all costs. Nothing good ever comes out of that unique house."

Dumbledore turned to stare at Harry at the end. Harry didn't want to do it, but he did. He put on a thinking expression and looked at Dumbledore with appreciation. "I will take your consideration into account. Thank you, professor."

Seeing nothing out of place on Harry's face, Dumbledore smiled softly. "Come my boy, I am to take you to the great hall."

He almost raged that very second. He hated it when Dumbledore called him down. It was only thanks to Isis that he didn't lose his cool. He watched as Dumbledore stretched out his arm for Harry to grab a hold.

"Grab my arm and please don't throw up."

Harry showed confusion as he took a hold of the offered arm. "What do you..."

His questioned but was quickly interrupted as the air twisted and turned as they apparated into the hallway that led to the great hall. Quickly, he pulled the act of almost throwing up from his hat. Bloody Merlin, he hated this. He gained his bearings and turned to Dumbledore. "What was that Professor?"

"That boy was apparition. It is something that you will learn in your later school years. Now, please wait here. When it is your turn, we will call you in."

Chapter Text

Without waiting for Harry’s response, Dumbledore turned to the door and went inside. Leaving Harry alone with only himself and Isis. One quick look around, he was satisfied that he was finally alone. “Isis?” He whispered. Even though no one was around, he didn’t want to risk attracting someone's attention.

The little dragon shot her head out of his robe and looked around. Curiosity could be seen clearly in her expression. “No, Isis. You can’t explore right. Later, when it is just the two of us. We will explore on our own, how about that?”

Isis’s expression was down casted with disappointment until Harry mentioned the both of them going out later together. She jumped out of her bonded’s robes and licked his jaw to tell him that she was all aboard for that. When she finally settled down, she laid herself on her bonded’s shoulder and started to relax her little body. “Hold it there, little missy.”

She looked at Harry with a ‘what expression'. “Remember what we agreed to on the train. You will need to stay out here while I go in there.”

She quickly showed when she stood with that as her tail whacked Harry’s head softly. “You agreed!” He will stand firmly with this decision and to show it, he grabbed Isis and settled her down on a suit of armor nearby. She squealed in disagreement at his action and tried to grab ahold of his sleeve to jump back onto Harry’s shoulder, only to be stopped by Harry’s hand.

“You agreed little girl. Stay hidden in the armor and when everyone leaves, I will retrieve you. Alright?”

Harry knew that she didn’t like this, but he had no choice. There was a really good chance that someone would notice her during the banquet, and he didn’t want that. Being safer than sorry as others say. She will probably not be happy with him over the next couple of days, but he was happy that she was safe at least.

“I promise that I will be back.” He couldn’t help but add. Isis looked at her bonded and nodded to tell him that she knew he would. She believes that he always would. Without another action, she opened the helmet and disappeared inside, until nothing showed that Isis was hiding within the armor. Harry let out a breath of relief that she didn’t fight him. Just in the nick of time, as somebody opened the great hall’s door and whispered towards Harry. “Mr., Evans. We are ready for you.”

Without another word, the person disappeared behind the door. Harry sent one last look at the armor before entering the great hall. Only freezing a moment when Isis sent a feeling of longing through their bond. Harry wanted to reassure her, but he didn’t turn around as the doors opened wide, only to send a single thought across their bond, hoping that she could hear it. I will be back for you.

*******************************

Tom couldn’t help but be happy to be back at Hogwarts. After living in the orphanage during the summer, He finally felt a bit safer to be back to the place where he belongs, among his own. Some of the people in Slytherin started to eat as the last of the first years were sorted. Usually, Headmaster Dippet would be saying a speech at this time but strangely, he didn’t make any signs of getting up.

Just as he was putting his thoughts together, the door shifted slightly. Not many people would have noticed it but thanks to Tom’s habit that he developed during his time at the orphanage, he was able to notice this shift. Maybe someone was late, he wouldn’t be surprised by that. People would be quite surprised how many people would be late the first day but no, not this time. The person who appeared was the last person he wanted to see. He was surprised earlier when he noticed that Dumbledore was missing, but he didn’t pay it any mind. He was actually quite happy that the old man was missing from the table. If he was lucky, he wouldn’t see him until his first transfiguration class of the year.

Yeah, he shot himself in the foot with that one. The people surrounding Tom noticed where he was looking and couldn't help but sate their curiosity. They all turned to look and started talking. Dumbledore was wearing one of his usual ridiculous robes with them being completely rain soaked. He strolled up the main aisle and headed straight for headmaster Dippet. It didn’t take long for him to bend down and whisper into Dippet’s ear. Whatever he said to Dippet made him dismiss Dumbledore back to his seat and stood up from his chair like he would usually do for the welcome speech. Gaining the attention of everyone in the great hall, he lifted his wand up to his throat and started speaking to everyone present.

“I welcome all to Hogwarts for the new year. As we finished sorting all the new additions to their houses, we would usually start eating right away.”

The people who were already digging in froze and gently set down their items, trying not to cause a commotion. Nobody minded this but a few were given glances by the people nearby. Tom wasn’t one of those. No, what he was using his precious attention for was the speech. The past two years, he never heard about anything like this happening before. Something different was going on. The question though was, is it good for him or not?

“But tonight, we have received an extra addition this year. A lost soul took to these halls, looking for sanctuary during this time. Hogwarts is a place for learning and shelter to those that ask, and it is our duty to give aid to those who are in need. Tonight, we welcome Mr. Harry Evans to our halls.”

Tom was in disagreement with that. For the past two years, he asked to stay during the summer, not wanting to return to that god forsaken orphanage but he was turned-away every time. Headmaster Dippet lifted his hand and waved. The door groaned as it opened slowly but at the same time, swiftly. It was when the doors were opened by a good margin, was when Tom got a good look at what was happening. The grounds caretaker walked in with a young boy following his heels who looked to be a first year. The boy had raven black hair and startling breath-taking emerald eyes. He looked around in awe, reminding Tom of one of those tourists who come from all around just to see London.

His stance just screamed cowardly, and his shoulders were lowered and trembling. Obviously, afraid of what was going around him. How could Tom tell? The boy was trembling, that simple. His eyes were wide to the brim. All overall, nothing was very impressive about him. Okay, his looks are impressive but nothing else. The caretaker said something to the boy's ear and left. The boy froze momentarily before gathering his courage and walked towards the headmaster where the stool sat with the sorting hat in the headmaster’s hand. In no time, the boy was being sorted.

Tom closed his eyes. He was done with this. The boy clearly had none of the traits needed to survive in Slytherin and will go to one of the three houses. Oh well, at least he didn’t need to deal with that problem at least. Tom was debating what to eat when he suddenly got a shock. The hat shouted out, surprising everyone in the hall. “Slytherin!”

Chapter Text

Harry stood just before the door with who he now knew was the current caretaker of the grounds. “Alright boy. You are about to be sorted. Don’t worry about others and just walk straight ahead. The headmaster will help you with the rest depending on your house.”

The doors started to groan as they opened inch by inch. Harry prepared his act from his hat of tricks. This time he won’t stand out; he will just be one of the no faces in the background. Both for his own and Isis’s sake, and if anyone had problems with that, he would show them. For a quick second, his eyes burn with the bright emerald glow of his magic but quickly dimmed as he put on the act of a cowardly first timer to the majestic halls of Hogwarts. Yes, he threw in everything, including the far long gaze and the awkward look around. Ah man, he will need to crack his neck tomorrow. That is for sure.

The doors fully open to reveal a nostalgic sight of the great hall. Tears threaten to flow but he manages to stop them. The trembling of his shoulders only added to his act. To compliment it, he threw in, lowering his shoulders to show a picture of a slouching, trembling coward. Upon seeing his form, many looked pitiful and disgusted towards his figure, but he didn’t pay any mind. Though he could feel that Isis wasn’t on the same page. Putting her out of his mind, he prepared himself for the long haul.

The kind caretaker noticed his figure and whispered in his ear. “You got this.” He patted Harry’s back and walked out of the great hall. Leaving Harry alone, not that he minded. Taking a deep breath, he strolled down the aisle towards a kind elder man who he now recognizes as Headmaster Dippet. He once saw his portrait in Dumbledore’s office. If he was correct, he was the headmaster before Dumbledore.

Harry walked up to the headmaster. “Hello Mr. Evans.” Dippet said to him as he stretched out the one hand not holding the hat. “Please take a seat.” Knowing what was going to happen, he complied. Sitting on the stool, he waited patiently until the soft leather feel came in contact with his head.

Hello Harry potter or should I Peverell. Quite the entrance you put on there. Of course, that is expected considering with how much you been through since the last time we met.

Curiosity melted in between their conversion, announcing Isis's presence to the sorting hat.

And I see that you gained a new companion, and she is quite stunning I must say.

Pride inflated out of nowhere and Harry couldn’t help but smile at the compliment. What could he say, Isis was quite the creature, and he was lucky to have her. Isis sent a wave of love towards Harry to tell him that she thought the same way.

So, we both know the drill. What now? Harry couldn’t help but ask.

Like usual, we find the correct house for you. I am pretty sure you know what I think but let's think of your options. Based on your experience, I am pretty sure you want a quiet life, am I correct?

Yes.

Then, Gryffindor is out. Too much excitement in that house. That also leaves out Hufflepuff as your bond won’t like that as it is too quiet for her. That only leaves the last two. Ravenclaw is for the wise.

Just as he was about to explain about Ravenclaw, Isis put her input with a flat-out no through their bond. Harry was about to refute but again, a flat no. Harry could only leave it alone. He wasn’t going to a house that Isis refused. That leaves only one, bloody merlin.

Alright no Ravenclaw. That only leaves Slytherin, the house of ambition.

Just the mention of the word ambition made Isis go along with the idea of Harry being placed in Slytherin. Isis did this because she knew that this was the best place for them. They were a bonded pair of dragon and rider. Harry is also destined to be a lord and the leader of the riders at that. He shows all the qualities for leadership and the cunning needed to be there. Hell, his successful act of his cowardly nature was proof of this. So, hell yeah. They are going there. No ifs, ands, or buts. That was final.

Harry could clearly feel what Isis’s opinion was, not to mention the hat’s as well. Every argument he tried was turned down and no other arguments were made. Harry agreed to being placed in Slytherin. The next he heard was a loud ‘Slytherin’ announced by the hat. The soft round of applause told Harry exactly what the Slytherin table thought of the hat’s decision, not that he cared.

Without speaking a word, he gave the hat to the headmaster and said a quick thank you. He did a glance over at the other tables as he walked over to the Slytherin table. Noticing that the table was divided up into seven years, he walked over to the section of the third years. He almost did a once over when he noticed a certain someone among his new peers. He was smaller and not as charming as his 16-year-old self that he once battled against in the chamber of secrets. No, Tom wasn’t charming, he had more of a cute charm to him. One look at the students surrounding was all he needed to tell him that it wasn’t any the less effective though.

Before he arrived at to the third-year section, he noticed a spot had appeared to randomly show itself between the second and third years. If he was someone from a different house, they would have thought that it was just a coincidence, but he knew better. These students had been together for a couple of years already, so they already had a hierarchy in place among them.

Yet here he was, dropping up out of nowhere. In their eyes, his name is unknown to them, so they most certainly thought of him as a nobody. The lowest of the low. Either way, he didn’t care. He nodded to show gratitude to the nearest person and took a seat. It didn’t take long for others to get back to what they were talking about as Harry bent his head and began to eat. All the while, studying everybody though his hair that hid his eyes, which once again, glowed as his magic stirred within him and disappeared. 

Yes, little did they know that a dragon was in their presence for it disguised itself so well as a garden snake among the vipers.

*******************

Tom will be honest. He didn’t like the new transfer student. When he was walking to their section of the Slytherin table, he gave the order to make space near the second years. He did this because he wanted to see where this new person stood. Will he just roll over or will he ask for a different seat, challenging the power structure or will he play along and try to collect allies from among them. Whatever he does, Tom doesn’t care but when he just kept to himself, Tom became disappointed. Oh well, at least he will be a good pawn or an escape goat if he needs one for any reason.

Dropping the new student out of his mind, Tom quickly finished eating and before too long, everyone was getting up to go back to their dorms for the rest of the night. He was about to leave when one of the new prefects came up to him and asked. “Tom, could you please guide the new student to the common room. The perfects would do it, but we are juggling with the first years and have no one else available to do it?”

Tom was extremely tired and didn’t want to play the part of being a guide but decided to do it anyway. The perfect was offering a favor and a favor from a perfect was extremely useful to him. So, if he had to deal with the new kid, then he would. Who knows he might even stir the newbie towards his cause. The more pawns he had, the more pieces he had to play on the board. Especially against Professor Dumbledore.

Chapter Text

Directing his thoughts back to the new kid, he scoured the crowd for him. It didn’t take long. After all, who could misplace the coward who was currently sitting down at the table, waiting for someone to guide him where to go. A smile crawled its way up onto Tom’s face as he walked towards Harry. “Hello there, my name is Tom. May I ask for yours?”

He lifted his head and looked Tom over, as if searching for something. Tom did the same back. Now that he had a closer look at the boy, he was certainly a stunner. His face features were sharp but at the same soft. Pieces of his hair were covering parts of his face but didn't hide the vibrant emerald eyes. Speaking of hair, his raven black locks looked somewhat silky as they somehow stayed evenly straight where they reached to the base of his neck. His cheeks still showed evidence of baby fat. All overall, he had potential to be a beauty in the future. Even his voice had a lovely tone to it, but Tom wasn’t interested in the student, Tom never felt any kind of love for anyone nor would he ever. “My name is Ha-arry Evans. Nice t-oo meet you.”

He smiled at Tom, but Tom just ignored it. “Come on. The perfect asked me to take you to the common room. I am currently going there right now, so follow me.”

Harry quickly gathers himself together as he stumbles after Tom trying to catch up. As soon as they reached the hallway, Harry somehow tripped on his school robes, and face planted directly straight into a suit of armor. Scattering the pieces all over the place. “Oh! my head. I am so sorry; I didn't mean to knock it over.”

Tom only sighed in frustration at harry. Really, why did he even say yes to the perfect. Oh yeah, for their favor. Tom bent down and offered his hand. “Come on. It's almost time for curfew and we had to be back to the common room before then. Don’t worry about the armor. Someone will fix it.”

After hauling Harry back onto his feet, Tom turned around and started walking. Never turning back again until they came to the entrance of the Slytherin common room, completely missing the new addition on Harry’s shoulder.

************************

Tiredness and nostalgia filled Harry as they made their way down to the dungeon. He remembers the time that he and the traitor were hunting down clues of the chamber of secrets. It was quite the puzzle back them. It took all three of them and an entire year just to find it. Speaking of the chamber, Harry looked ahead of himself right into Tom’s back. If he was correct, Tom is currently looking for the chamber. From what he remembers of his old life, Tom heard about the chamber in his first year here and found it in his fifth.

Chamber of secrets?

Isis was quite curious about what that meant. She remembers something about it from her bonded’s memories.

Is that the place where the big snakey lives?

Do you mean the Basilisk?

Yeah, the big snakey. In the big space that has little snakey stones. I wish to meet the big snakey.

So, you are talking about the chamber of secrets then. If you want Isis, we can go sometime. Just the two of us.

Yes! Yes! Yes! I want to meet the big snakey! Can we go now?!

No, Isis. Not now, we just arrived and need to settle down for the time being. When everything settles down, I promise to take you to meet the basilisk. Okay?

Okay. I will wait but remember, you promised!

I will remember my little dragon.

While Harry was having a conversation with Isis, his eyes never left Tom’s back. Tom certainly wasn’t acting the way Harry was expecting. He wasn't sure what to expect. Maybe some madness, a wicked grin with temperament issues, or possibly some kind of weird snake obsession. Well, never mind, on the last part. Snakes were all he had for a friend and Harry knows what that is like now. His eyes shifted over to Isis who was curled over his right shoulder. Thanks to the necklace, Isis was able to shift her weight as she saw fit. Most of the time, she likes to keep herself small enough to lay on his shoulder comfortably without hurting him.

Her eyes opened when she felt Harry looking at her. She met his gaze and yawned to show that she was tired as well.

Hold on you little firecracker. We will be able to sleep soon.

It didn’t take long to reach the entrance to the Slytherin common room. When it came into view, Tom slowed down and turned his head to Harry. “I am pretty sure that whatever professor brought you to the school told you about the houses. Am I correct?”

“Yes, you are Tom.”

“Good. Did they tell you about how to get into the house?”

“No, isn't it just as simple as opening a door and going inside?”

Tom sighed. He could feel a headache coming on but quickly put it out of his mind. Harry could tell Tom wasn’t pleased with this, not that Harry cared. In fact, it actually brought him a little bit of joy that he was being a headache to Tom. After what Tom did to him before in his old life, he could consider it as a bit of pay back. Obviously, Harry wasn’t going to go on a mass killing spree, his hero complex wouldn’t allow it, nor did he want Isis to be involved in that kind of thing if he could help it.

“It's kind of like that but much more complicated. Each house has a common room as well as a set of dormitories for each gender. In order to give each house their own privacy, the door of each house requires a password in order to enter. This password for the Slytherin changes every week, so do keep that in mind and look at the notice board at the end of the week to stay on the up and up. Not only is the password posted but any and all events that are planned for the house will be there and yes, that includes school events as well.”

Tom turned his head to stare at the section of wall that Harry remembered was the entrance of the Slytherin common room.

“This is where the entrance is located and the password for the first week is viridescent. Why don’t you try it?”

Harry didn’t want to, but he quivered his voice once and lowered the tone, putting his acting cap back on. You think after all the years he was on the run; he would be used to this already. Yeah, no. Back to the topic at hand.

“Viridescent.”

Harry's tone was quiet and trembled slightly. He even jumped in fright as a snake slithered and maneuvered its body to form a door. The door swung open, revealing the elegant Slytherin common room. A soft dusky green illuminated the room. The source of that light came from the large window panel that looked out to the lake.

Oooh. So, pretty.

Iris jumped off Harry’s shoulder before he could stop her. He froze, afraid that all the people in the common room would spot her since she ran straight through the middle of the common room to the window. Isis didn’t notice what she just did due to her excitement. What really caught Harry by surprise was that no one reacted. Confused, he turned to Tom.

“Hey Tom, did you notice something moving just now?”

Harry wanted to confirm if he saw Isis. If he didn’t then Harry might not have to be too strict about Isis’s movements and possibly let her move around on her own when she grew up more. Seeing how Harry’s first reaction to the common room made a frown appear on his face. Eyeing up Harry’s cowardly frame, Tom couldn’t help but think about how weak Harry really was. The hat seemed to have made a mistake he couldn’t help but think. He will need to keep his distance from this new student. After all, Tom was just gathering his forces and if everybody sees him socializing with a nobody from who knows where, they won’t take him seriously.

Chapter Text

“Harry, I will only say this once. There are rules when it comes to the hierarchy in Slytherin. Everybody has a rank in this house, the higher the rank, the more power one has in the house. Right now, the highest rank is the king and queen of seventh year. There is a king and queen in each year that can be replaced through the process of a duel. King is first place among the ranks with the queen being second.”

Tom gave Harry a moment to digest the information.

“Don't be surprised if a king is female or the queen is a male. They are just titles. Now since you are a newly arrived third year, you are at the bottom of the ranks among our year, until you prove your worth through a duel from someone higher rank than you. Should you win, you replace the person in that rank that dueled against you. Do keep in mind that there are two categories of rankings. There is House overall and Yearly.”

Tom paused for a second time and studied Harry. After taking in his overall appearance, he continued on.

“As for your rank, it's not very good. Since you are new, you are dead last in the third-year rank list and are unranked on the House Overall rankings. So, to everybody, you are nothing. Remember, if you want power in Slytherin, you must fight for it. Now, I believe that you can find the dorm on your own.”

As Tom finished off, he started to walk away. Before he got too far though, he talked over his shoulder to Harry one last time. “Also remember, we are united outside the common room but within, it’s every man for themselves.”

Harry didn’t reply to Tom. After all, he had a hatchling to find. Knowing her, she is near anything that she finds most interesting. Seeing that she was running towards the window, he figured that was where she currently was, and he was right. After he maneuvered around the common room, staying out of sight, he arrived before the window. Even though he was focused on finding Isis, he did notice the view of the lake. It was breathtaking, that was the best way he could describe it.

Fish appeared here and there, dancing around whenever someone put their hand on the glass. Their multi-colored scales glittered in the water, reminding him of a rainbow he once saw. As he looked off to the right, there was where he found Isis. She was currently sitting on the window seal, watching the fish. Knowing that her bonded was watching, she sent over a question that was on her mind.

Is this what flying looks like, with grace and a sense of freedom?

In a way, yes. Whenever I flew, I always felt free. It was the only time I ever felt free, away from all my fears and responsibilities as the boy-who-lived.

Do you think that we will be able to fly together someday?

Of course, why wouldn’t we. We just need you to grow some, then we can try.

A toothy grin appeared on her muzzle and with a quick leap, she jumped back to Harry’s shoulder.

Shall we find out where our dorms are and who we sleep with?

Yeah, but they better know their place though. If they wake up a sleeping dragon, they might just get bit.

Harry could only roll his eyes but didn’t correct her. The two of them had their way over to the male dorms and didn’t take long to find out which one was Harry’s. Four beds made up the room with a trunk at the bottom of them was all that was in the room. Green was the main color scheme, with bits of silver here and there. Harry’s bed was located in the far back. The green curtains were drawn back, and his suitcase was on top. The other beds looked like nobody touched them yet. Made sense since everything was just settling down now. Seeing no one was around, Harry quickly dressed into his pajamas and put his trunk away. Obviously, he also activated the protection on it before he put it away. The last thing he wanted was to have someone digging through his things.

Happy with everything secured and put away, Harry settled himself down and closed the curtains. A small flick of his wand reassured him that the curtains would stop peakers and keep any conversations between the two bonded as quiet as a mouse. The moment the curtain closed all the way, Isis deactivated her minimizing charm, returning her to her original size, which was now as big as a husky. She wandered around the bed, finding the best spot to lay on.

Finding no spot comfortable enough, she decided to lay in her favorite spot. Right beside Harry. She curled like a cat into a ball and left her head resting on her tail, facing Harry's figure. Something was on her mind and debating whether to tell him about it or not. With her mind made up, she reached out.

Harry.

Isis’s voice echoed in Harry’s head. He moved his head that was about to drift off to sleep to look at her.

Yes, Isis?

I couldn’t help but wonder what our lives will be like from now on. A week has passed since I hatched and so much has happened. Since I hatched, you read up on dragons. As much as you could and told me about them. Ever since then, I couldn't help but ask. Am I unnatural? Not meant to be.

This caused Harry to go still. Worry and unease traveled through their bond, almost making Harry overwhelmed. Tossing the emotions aside, he lifted himself up and patted her head. Isis’s orbs looked Harry in the eye as she waited for his answer. Once he gathered his thoughts together, he calmly but firmly reached out to his bond.

Isis. Nothing will go wrong because you will have me there.

But, how do you know that? I didn’t want to bother you with this. With everything going on but at the same time, I can’t help but wonder what I am. I know you told me that I am something called a hybrid but what does that mean? You have been trying to research everything you could find about dragons but everything you found mentioned nothing about what you were looking for. Am I a burden, Harry?

Tears filled her eyes at the thought of this. Here she was, a dragon, who should be proud and arrogant at that fact, but she can’t help it. Thoughts like was she a freak of nature and was she even supposed to exist, and why was she the only one among her siblings who hatched filled her head. Swelling up like a balloon. She doesn’t want to reveal this to her bonded, but something is telling her that she should.

All of a sudden, hands wrapped around her, and Harry pulled her into his arms. He tucked her into a hug and silence reigned for a time, allowing her tears to flow out of control. They both sat like this until her tears drained themselves dry and her whimpering quieted down to mere whimpers.

Isis, no matter what happens. I will stay by your side and weather any storm that comes our way. It is true that I am trying to find anything that is related to anything that has to do with bondeds, dragons and their riders. I am not doing it because I think you are a burden. I am doing it to make sure of our situation and form a plan on what to do from there.

So, I am not a burden?

Please, don’t think of yourself as a burden because you are not. You are the most precious thing to me. It’s thanks to you that I even have the courage to face this new life with everything I have.

This time Harry was the one to cry and he wasn’t much for tears. In fact, he hasn't cried ever since the battle for Hogwarts. This showed his true character with everything he has been through.

Don’t cry Harry. I won’t think of myself as a burden anymore. Please, don’t cry.

The two of them sat like that, a crying thirteen-year-old boy, clutching a week-old hatching. The two of them, readying to face whatever life was going to throw at them, yet at the same time. Two delicate lights that can be snuffed out at any time. Harry's eyes glaze out into a view that nobody can see. A fierce determination flared within them, ready for what’s to come.

Chapter Text

Tom sat by the fire in his favorite chair. It was a green cushion chair that had the right amount of fluffiness and cushion to make him relax. To make it even better, it was near the fireplace. The time in the common room was around midnight. Since it was the first night in Hogwarts, Tom wanted to sit by the fire and take the time of taking in the fact that he was back at Hogwarts and not back in that god-forsaken orphanage.

Earlier in the night, after everyone went to bed, Tom’s closest aides and himself held a meeting. The content that they were focused on was mainly recruiting for their little group and seeing if there were any noticeable people among the new first-years. Obviously, Harry wasn’t on that list. In fact, everyone in the meeting was having fun finding out who the new wimps were. Many people already had plans on pushing Harry around. Some were as extreme as bullying him.

In Tom’s case for this, he couldn’t care either way. Harry was just a nobody that he had the unfortunate pleasure of guiding around today. When all was said and done with the meeting, Tom had told everyone to settle in for the rest of the night and that was how Tom found himself by the fire.

Just as he was about to make a move to head for bed, a scaly friend popped out of nowhere and climbed onto the teen’s lap. It was a beautiful Burmese Python in a color pattern of green, brown, and gray. She lifted her tongue and sniffed her master.

Tom. Why do you smell different?

Tom looked at the python with mild confusion. With a quick glance around to make sure that no one was around, he opened his mouth, and a strange but familiar sound came out of his mouth as he spoke. It was the language of the snake, parseltongue. Tom was a parselmouth.

What do you mean, Nagini? Don’t I smell the same as usual?

Your body and magic are the same but there is another scent among them. Hiding in sight but one I don’t recognize. It smells of sky, flame, frost, and possibly death. It isn’t very pungent and should have vanished long ago but even as it disappears, it sticks to you. Have you been around anything different or done anything unusual, Tom?

No, I don’t believe so. I did guide this one student around to the common room, but he can’t be the source. Is it something that I should be worried about?

No, I wouldn’t worry about it. Who knows, it just might be something that is brief.

Tom only hummed to himself as he collected his thoughts on the matter. His hand stroke Nagini’s back. They stayed like that for about an hour before Tom felt like it was time to get some sleep.

Nagini, I am going to bed. Would you like to join me?

No, I prefer to stay by the fire.

Fair enough.

Without another word, he moved Nagini down to the floor before he got up and headed off to his dorm room. It didn’t take long before he located it. He twisted the knob and entered the room. Like usual, the dorm had a total of four beds. Two of those beds had Notts and Malfoy sleeping in them and the third had its curtains closed. Curious to see who his third roommate was, he tried to move the curtain only to have it not move an inch.

Curious as to who needs to charm their curtains closed, he was now even more determined to find out who his roommate was. Charming like this is highly advanced. If he was correct, then there was also a charm of silence casted upon it as well. Spell craft like this requires skill. Skill that only he has among the third year, so someone must be hiding the abilities. Just then, an image of Harry flashed across his mind but quickly casted it off.

That would be impossible. From what he has seen, Harry was a cowardly existence. There was no confidence to be found to be that experience in spell craft. From all of his experience, if someone has the ability to do something they would have the confidence to back it up. Harry didn’t have that confidence, not at all.

So that would leave it to be some else. Someone who dares to hide their abilities from his eyes, someone among his peers. The question now is, who is it?

****************************

The fall autumn wind blew in through the wide opening up in the Astronomy Tower, rustling Harry robes. A book laid open in his hands with Harry reading its contents. Harry was currently sitting down on the railing that overlooked the grounds with one of his feet up with him. Laying on the ground besides his other foot, was Isis who was now the size of a dog. Her head was lifted, enjoying the sudden breeze.

Two months have passed since Harry arrived at Hogwarts. Over that time, Isis’s growth explored substantially. Her original size is now the size of a small apartment. Harry wasn’t expecting her growth to be that fast. He thought that it would take longer to get to the size she currently was. He knew that dragons grew fast but not this fast. If he had to guess what the cause was, then he would say that the strange bond that the two shared was the cause. As for how big she would get, he didn’t have a clue. He was spending time in the library over these past two months trying to read anything that he could find about dragons. He found many things about them but most of them were theories and guesses. So, he couldn’t take it as a matter of fact.

That only left one place left in the school where he could possibly find any answers, the chamber of secrets. Salazar Slytherin was a parselmouth. Since dragon speech was advanced parseltongue, it made sense that he would have notes on dragons. It didn’t have to be much; Harry would take anything that he could find. Plus, Isis has been begging to meet the basilisk or as she put it, the big snakey. No matter how much she grew or how wise she became, she sometimes referred to things as simple as she could.

Isis?

The dragonling lifted her head up in acknowledgement to her bonded’s call.

Yes, Harry.

Do you wish to meet the basilisk?

The big snakey?

Harry sighed at what she called the basilisk, but he couldn’t help the smile as it appeared.

Yes, the big snakey.

A look of excitement appeared on her muzzle. She jumped to her feet and bounded around in front of Harry.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes, please.

Impatient, Isis grabbed the edge of Harry’s robe with her mouth and pulled. Trying to make Harry move faster than he currently was.

Alright. Alright. I hear you. I am coming.

Chapter Text

Harry got up from the ledge and started walking in the direction of the dungeon with Isis following along at his heel. As they walked by other students, no one once looked down in Isis’s direction. This was because of the notice-me-not charm. At first, Harry wasn’t very confident in the charm. Now that Harry knew how powerful the charm was, he let Isis stroll around him as she pleased. She could even wonder the halls as she pleases but she never left Harry’s side once in fear of him getting hurt.

She knows that her bonded was powerful but that didn’t stop her fears. What would happen if she wasn’t around? Harry gave her permission to view his memories of the past when they found out that they could and when she did. She realized just how much trouble her bonded could get into if there was no one to watch him. So, what did she do? Never let Harry leave her sight.

If they were in a big room where Isis could explore, she would let herself do just that as long as she could see Harry. If not, then it was a no go and she would stick herself to Harry’s heels, not wandering far. As he walked, she never left his side, weaving her way around others when they walked by.

Before long, they found themselves before the girl’s lavatory in the dungeon. With a quick look around to confirm that nobody wasn’t around or inside, he entered the bathroom. It looks the same as he remembered. Just cleaner and not a bunch of water. He walked over to the sink and did a once over. Locating the faucet with the snake on it, he sent a thought over to Isis.

Are you ready, Isis?

Yes.

Harry didn’t waste any time and spoke ‘open’ in parseltongue. The top of the sink groaned as it lifted itself up into the air and expanded. The sink bowl in front of him, lowered and disappeared beneath a grate. Isis looked over the edge and asked.

How are we going to get down? I can glide but what about you?

As you know my dear, I can just jump down but I do agree. I need another way. I don’t want my robes to get all dirty. Since this opens with parseltongue. Maybe a different word can do the trick.

Suddenly an idea came to mind. Without disclosing it to Isis, he spoke ‘Stairs’ in parseltongue. Surprisingly, it actually worked. Going down along the pipe, bits of it extended down its walls in the form of stairs in a circular pattern.

There. Now I don’t need to get my robes dirty. Do you still want to glide down or follow me down the steps, Isis.

I will follow you, Harry. Don’t want something to happen to you if I leave you unsupervised.

What is that supposed to mean?

Isis only hummed to herself as she heads bumped Harry’s legs to get him moving. Harry, getting her meaning, could only laugh at her antics and started walking down the stairs with Isis on his heels. As soon as he was halfway down the tunnel, the entrance closed itself, bathing the two of them in darkness. Harry wasn’t worried about it though. He grabbed his wand from its holster that was located on his right arm and casted a Lumos spell. A ball of light bright enough to light a room the size of the common room appeared at the end of Harry’s wand. With a little bit of intent, it lifted itself off of his wand and levitated above them. Now that they had a source of light, they continued on their way.

When they reached the bottom, Harry recognized where they were. The floor was covered with small rodent skeletons and slime, just as he remembered. He made his way through the tunnel system and came in front of the entrance of the chamber. Excitement flooded through their bond, even though this time she didn’t show it but if Harry looks closely enough. He would notice that her tail tip was twitching.

Are you pulling a page out of that arrogant Tom Riddle’s book?

Whatever do you mean, Harry? Why in the hell would you associate me with that profuse ass?!

Over the last two months, Tom has been acting as if Harry didn’t exist at all. It got to the point that Isis would growl at his figure whenever he enters a room with Harry in it. If he ever grew closer then she thought was comfortable, her growl would increase in warning. Harry didn’t mind Isis’s antics. Nobody could hear her anyway.

Speaking of Tom, Harry was quite surprised that he was one of his roommates. He found out about when He got up early on the second day he was here. He was in the middle of grabbing some fresh clothes when Isis alerted him about Riddle, who was currently sleeping in one of the beds right next to his. In order not to get Riddle’s attention, he went to bed early and woke up early. Of course, he made sure that his curtains were charmed with their usual charms to stop him from peaking in. No doubt Tom was interested in who his other roommate was because Harry caught him one time trying to get into his suitcase.

Good thing he put protections on that thing. Ever since then, Harry made sure to summon his invisibility cloak if Tom or any of the other two were in the room as well. He was, after all, trying to stay out of sight and mind. There have been times when people intentionally looked for him with bad intentions. Thankfully, he stayed out of everyone’s way because no one knew where to find him and Isis.

Isis's head bunted Harry’s legs to tell him to hurry up. Harry smiled at her actions and spoke to the door. It opened at his request to reveal the massive chamber beyond. The both of them climbed or in Isis's case glided, down to the bottom. The floor was slick with dew and moss. There was a massive head of Salazar Slytherin at the end of the chamber with a massive pool of water beneath it. No sign of the basilisk though.

Where is the big snakey?

To answer Isis’s question, he spoke out loud instead of through their bond.

“I don’t know. There was a saying that Riddle spoke of in the past. Now what was it? Umm. Speak to me Slytherin. What was the last of it? Oh yeah, now I remember.”

Harry grunted in his throat and spoke out in parseltongue. Speak to me Slytherin, Greatest of the four.

At first, nothing happened. Isis sent a look at her bonded that asked what happens now. Just as Harry was about to respond, the area where the mouth was dropped down to reveal an opening. Looking at it, all they could see was an empty blackness until the slightest bit of movement stirred within it. Then, a head appeared, and a giant snake dropped out and into the pool. It rose itself from the water and bent down to stare at the two of them.

Thanks to Harry warning about the big snakey’s eyes. Isis didn’t stare straight into them but instead to the side but that didn’t stop her from taking in the majesty of the huge serpent. She was in awe at her size. Harry was a bit on guard but didn’t show any signs of attacking her. In fact, he was hoping that everything went well so that Isis could have a friend.

Who summons me?

Chapter Text

From the way that they spoke, Harry could tell that the basilisk was female. Gathering his Gryffindor courage, He took a couple of steps closer to the serpent.

It was I who summoned you. May I ask for your name, of great serpent.

The basilisk was caught off guard by his voice, then excitement coursed its way throughout her entire being. A speaker. A speaker has finally appeared and before herself no less. It's been so long since she had anybody to talk to.

A speaker. How exciting. It's been too long since I had anybody to talk to. Oh sorry, my name is Selensai. May I know yours, little speaker.

She looked down at Harry and noticed the little dragon who was hiding behind Harry’s legs, who was peaking from behind her bonded's legs.

And who is this little one?

Hello Selensai. My name is Harry and this little dragonling is named Isis. She is my bonded.

That caught Selensai off guard. She lowered her head and studied the two of them. That was when she noticed their down casted gaze. Curious, she asked.

Why are you looking down?

Forgive us, Selensai. I have heard about the infamous gaze of the basilisk and wish no harm upon us.

Oh, Little speaker and hatchling. You don’t need to worry. A speaker is immune to my gaze and if you are correct about the bond, you guys share, then the little hatchling is also immune. So, don’t be afraid to meet my gaze. Actually, I would prefer it if you did.

Harry was torn with trusting her words. With his experience with her in the past, his first reaction was to attack but his instincts were telling him that he could trust her. Having learned that his instincts are always correct, he decided to trust her and looked, straight into her glowing yellow eyes. Shocked that nothing happened, he quickly shook it off.

It’s alright, Isis. You can look.

Isis, now with her bonded’s permission, looked straight at the basilisk and the first thing she said was.

Oh my gosh, you are so pretty!

Isis ran up to the serpent and looked at her scales. Selensai chuckled at the hatchling’s reaction and decided to speak to her.

Thank you, little hatchling.

I am no hatchling. I am two months old; I will have you know!

Selensai grew warm with the two of them. It truly has been too long since she spoke to someone. Looking at Harry, she sees a warm look on his face. She looked back at the hatchling and back to Harry. They truly do have a powerful bond; she couldn’t help but think.

So, why did you come to the chamber?

She noticed that this question threw the speaker off guard, but he pulled himself back together and answered.

To tell you truthfully, I just came here because I was hoping to find some answers to some questions that I have. About dragons, their riders, and if possible, bonds. I scoured the library but found no answers. Only theories and guesses, no facts. Then, I remembered about the chamber of secrets. So, I went looking and managed to find it.

Her eyes looked straight into his own emerald orbs, studying him for a long moment before continuing their conversation. While this was happening, Isi was admiring Selensai's scales.

There is something that you are leaving out. May I ask what it is?

This caused a breath to get caught in Harry's throat, but he ignored it. Can I ask for a magic vow? Otherwise, I won’t say anything about it because our safety will be in jeopardy.

I see. Selensai collected her thoughts before deciding. Very well, you trust me with your hatchling so close. I will trust you with a magic vow. I, Selensai, the former familiar of Slytherin, vow upon my very being and Lady Magic herself, not to speak a word about what you say to anyone without your permission.

The moment the last word left her mouth, her entire body lit up as magic of the vow flared out to complete the vow and then dimmed, showing Harry that the vow was complete. Tension eased out Harry’s body, even Isis had some built up tension and the awkward atmosphere faded. Harry quickly asked Isis about whether he should share the whole story, which she pushed for.

So, Harry ended up explaining the entire story to Selensai and yes, that included the whole thing with death and his past life. Surprisingly, the basilisk wasn’t upset with the fact that Harry killed her in his past life. In fact, she took it with a grain of salt. When Harry asked her about it, she said.

Why bother? It was in the past and I understand. You were just defending yourself, but I am excited to learn that there is another speaker within Hogwarts walls. I wonder if I will meet him in the future.

Believe me, you will. He is also the heir to Slytherin.

Really, then I am even more excited to meet him but first Harry?

Harry raised his head to meet her gaze. Yes?

I wish to become your familiar.

Harry was expecting something but not this. He was flabbergasted.

Why? I mean Tom is the heir, so why ask me?

Many reasons actually. You've been through so many things, and I respect that. Your bond tells a lot about who you are as a wizard, and you had the courage to tell me the truth without leaving anything out. Tom may be the heir, but I get to choose who I wish to have as my master. In this case, I wish for you to be my master.

Uncertainty could be seen on his face but was soon replaced by determination.

Alright, I agree. I need all the help that I can get if I want to make a place for myself in this world and this way here. You can leave with me if you wish too when I graduate.

Selensai nodded her head with approval, please with the results.

Good, now I just need a drop of your blood to make the contract.

There was no hesitation when Harry pricked his finger. Blood pooled up at the end and he offered his hand to her. Without wasting a moment, she swallowed the drop and a magic circle appeared around her. A symbol that looked to be the mark that stood for the deadly hallows appeared on her brow. The green scales that were underneath where the mark overlaid turned to an albino white that had a multi-color sheen on it. The mark branded itself, signaling that she was now a contracted familiar that belongs to Harry, the master of death and dragonbonded.

When the mark materialized on her bore, he instantly felt the connection. It was as strong as the bond between him and Isis, but it was noticeable. After testing it out for a bit, he put it out of mind and turned to Selensai.

So, what now?

Whatever you want to master. I now belong to you. Should you wish to leave this place, I will follow. If you want someone dead, I will do my best to see it done.

This threw Harry for a loop but at the same time, it did make sense. But did he really want to use her like a slave, no he didn’t. He wasn’t that kind of person.

Selensai, I want to ask you a question.

What is it master?

What do you want to do?

This question caught Selensai off guard for she wasn't expecting. Her eyes grew wide as she struggled to find an answer. Only after a while, she finally pulled her thoughts together and answered.

I want to go with my master. I wish to see new sights and experience new things. I have been down here for many years, and I wish to see the sun, moon, and stars. To feel the grass on my scales and swim freely in water.

Harry smiled a soft smile as he patted her scales and spoke.

I will honor your wish. Are you able to shrink your size to that of a small snake?

I can, master.

Then, please do. I will take you out of here and see the sun like you wish.

Selensai's eyes watered and rubbed her head against Harry's body, whispering as tears threaten to spill.

Thank you, Master.

Chapter Text

Without another word, her body shines with a bright white glow. It sank from her great size of 90 meters to the size of an adult garden snake. When the process was complete, she moved to Harry’s legs and climbed up onto where she was sitting around Harry’s neck.

Master?

Yes, Selensai.

Feel free to use the chamber as you see fit. There is a library down the right tunnel that might have the answers that you may have been looking for.

Thanks, Selensai. Just a quick question for you. What about your eyes?

If you are talking about my gaze master, then you don’t need to worry. If you didn’t know, basilisk has two different eyelids. The first is our normal eyelid and the other is for our gaze. The eyelid is see through for our sight, but it stops the killing part. As for my venom, you don’t need to worry. I won’t bite anyone without your permission.

Selensai rubbed her head against Harry’s jaw in gratitude. Isis, being Isis, wasn’t going to miss out on cuddle time. She jumped up onto his shoulder while shrinking her size.

Alright, you two. Just let me go check out the library really quick and then we can leave.

Even though the two of them got the message, they did not get down. In fact, if he didn’t know any better. He would say they became even more attached to his clothes. Selensai did a second curl around his neck and Isis dug her claws even further into the fabric of his school robes. Good thing they have a self-repair charm sewed into its stems. Oh well, I guess I will just leave them be. It was pretty clear neither were going to get down any time soon.

Following Selensai’s directions, he made it to the library without getting lost once. The library was massive as it was tall. Rows upon rows of books stretched out, making him almost drool. Without waiting, he picked up the first book within reach. A quick glance over later, and his mind was taking everything in. Now, in the past Harry wasn’t much of a reader but since his time on the run, he learned the enjoyment of picking up a book. He grew the passion of picking up good books because it was the only entertainment he had. Between the book genres, he loved learning new things the most.

Selensai, is it alright if I take a couple of books with me back to the dorm rooms.

Go right ahead, master. These books are yours to use as you please.

Now with permission, he gathered a couple of books, clutching them to his chest and left the chamber of secrets. Just as they were about to leave through the same entrance they came in through, he paused for a moment and talked to Selensai.

Hey, Selensai.

Yes?

Just so that you are not caught off guard, I am going to cast a disillusion charm to make you appear as a scarf. Alright.

When Selensai nodded her head in agreement, Harry didn’t waste any time and the charm was placed. He nodded in satisfaction that the charm worked so well. It made her appear as a slytherin style scarf. Happy now, Harry didn't waste any time and left the chamber. Not a single soul noticed, and no sound was made as the three of them made their way back up to the astronomy tower or at least that was the plan if it wasn’t for one teeny tiny problem. Actually, make that three.

Two of them were on him, hissing, and the last happened on their way through one of the courtyards. Harry was just minding his business when out of nowhere, a group of Slytherins appeared around the corner that he needed to take. Upon sighting them, Harry made a split-second decision and went towards a different corner but was stopped upon hearing his name.

“Hey Harry. We have been looking for you for a while now.” Harry turned around and faced the ones that called out to him. Looking upon them, there weren’t any faces among them that were recognizable, meaning that they weren’t a part of the third years. Since they are taller than him, they are at least fourth years or above. For some reason, they appear to have a bone to pick with him. He doesn’t know why but if he has to guess, he will say that someone in his year wanted something from him. What that something was, he couldn’t say but it doesn’t mean anything good.

Quickly putting up his act and that his tone was even, straight, and flat, he spoke. “What can I do for you?” His eyes were glowing an eerily emerald glow that showed how intense magic his magic was. It riled beneath his skin, threatening to burst out and cause havoc. It was only thanks to his incredible control that his magic didn’t rage out of control, but he was unaware what kind of effect his magic had on his eyes. It was only thanks to his hair that covered his eyes that it didn’t give him away.

Feeling his raging magic had put Isis and Selensai on edge. They hissed in warning to the students. Harry had to quietly mutter underneath his breath in parseltongue to get them to unsettle down. They did so but Harry could hear them complaining which he chose to ignore. Instead, he focused his attention on the others. They neither sensed nor noticed the built-up magic that stirred under his skin, which gave them the ability to act all cocky. Instead of being fearful, their believed that they held all the cards.

“Come now, Harry. We are all friends here.” Said the boy who Harry picked out as the group leader. “My younger brother wanted to meet you and become friends. Perhaps do some roleplaying with a couple of his friends.”

A.K.A. My brother wants to play around with you. Harry knew that his looks were on par with a beautiful woman. Thanks to this, some boys noticed and wished to play around with him, perhaps make him a boy toy. This wasn’t the first time something like this happened, no. He has plenty of experience with this kind of thing and he wouldn’t stand for it.

“I get what you are playing at and no thank you.” With all said and done, Harry turned to leave. Then, out of nowhere, a sense of danger enveloped his entire body and he acted upon his instincts which had years' worth of battle experience. His body jumped to the side as a stupefy flashed by and slammed into a nearby pillar. He twisted his body and launched a wandless expelliarmus at the one who attacked him.

Time seemed to freeze for a moment before everything went to hell. More spells were launched in Harry's direction as he played a dance of dodging and protego shield from any spells that he couldn’t dodge. While at the same time, Harry launched spells of his own at them, knocking them down one after another until everyone was knocked out. Seeing the sight, Harry couldn't help but frowned. “I am not supposed to attract attention.”

He did a look around before continuing. “Oh well, at least nobody was around, nor will they complain about this. They have their pride to consider after all.”

Harry picked up the books he dropped and started walking towards the common room, having to decide that it would be best to go to the dorms instead of the tower.

Chapter Text

Harry’s figure disappeared around the corner as he made his way back to the common room. Back to the courtyard where the fight went down. The courtyard stood silent, not even the students who were groaning earlier, didn’t even stutter. Down the open hallway, at the corner that Harry was going to take as an alternative to avoid the others, a figure showed up from the shadows of that particular corner. His eyes gleamed with newfound interest as he thought back to what just happened.

The way that Harry’s cowardly appearance flipped like a light switch and stood his ground with students older than himself. Not to mention, the way he reacted when the first spell was flung. His instincts have to have years of experience for them to react like that. At first, when he came upon this scene. He was going to leave it alone until he heard the last statement coming out of that filth's mouth. Tom didn't like people who went after people with somewhat good looks, thinking that they could play with them as they like. He was going to defend Harry when the spell was about to hit but in that instant. The power of the spell caused Harry’s hair to blow around, like it would in a gust of wind, revealing his emerald eyes.

At that moment, Tom’s entire body froze. His own eyes made contact with the glowing-determined filled eyes that pulsed with powerful magic. His own magic screamed out at him to embrace the boy and who knows he probably would have if not for the fact that Harry held his ground so dazzling. The power and brilliance he showed blew him away but before he could reveal himself, Harry had already left the area.

With nothing much left to do, Tom huffed and left the area as well. His thoughts repeating what he saw back there. He doesn’t know what to think about him. Why is he here? Who was Harry Evans? A smile found its way up onto his face. No matter the answer, one thing was true. Harry Evans has caught his attention. That was for sure. In the back of his mind, an image of his emerald eyes laid engraved.

******************************

Fortunately, the dorm room was empty when Harry arrived, which would have made him happy. He hated dodging around other people when he didn't need to. Quickly, he made his way to his bed and motioned to the others to jump down. Knowing that Harry was in a sour mood, they did what was asked and settled down on the mattress. Selensai dove under the covers and Isis claimed Harry’s pillow as if it was her own. She twirled once and twice to curl up into her signature ball.

Selensai pushed her head out and watched her master walk back and forth, as Isis trailed her gaze on his figure, waiting for his adrenaline to settle down. Fortunately, it didn’t take long. The signs that gave it away was when the aura of his magic slowly but surely sunk its way back under his skin until not a single bit of aura was sensed. When it was completely gone, then and only then did Isis perked up and spread her wings. Patience completely gone, she made a mighty leap and landed on his shoulder. The impact hadn’t moved Harry’s body an inch. Isis maneuvered her head until it settled against her bonded cheek, using only her presence to calm him. They stayed like that for a while until Harry felt better to speak.

Thank you, Isis.

The little dragon did filch when she heard Harry’s voice. She was so used to it that she was no longer by its sudden appearance. At this point in time, their bond developed to the point of not being able to cut one another off. It intertwined with both of their body, mind, and soul when Isis first hatched. It only grew since and now it was impossible to separate them. The only way was to kill one of them. If that happened, the other would follow without any hesitation. That was just the nature of those bonded. Live as one, die as one.

Whatever for, Harry. I am only doing what you would have, if it was me. I am afraid to ask but are you okay?

I don’t know. My anger has subsided for now but it still shimmers under the surface. Another interaction like that and I just might burst. I am trying to stay out of sight out of mind but that doesn’t mean that I just take it as it comes.

Then don’t.

This caught Harry off guard. No not off guard, flabbergasted.

What do you mean by that, Isis?

You shouldn’t take it as it comes, Harry. I understand that you want to lay low but sometimes, laying low isn’t the answer.

Isis shifted herself until she was directly staring her bonded straight into his emerald eyes. Multi-opal rimmed with gold met emerald. The multi-opals were only filled with love and security for her bonded.

Harry, you are bonded to a dragon and now, the chosen master of a basilisk but not just any basilisk, but Salazar Slytherin’s basilisk. Death bows his head to you. You have more than enough reasons to stand above everyone. I believe that it is time to show them who you truly are.

A fierce fire burned within Isis. Her bonded had a hard enough life already the last time around. She wouldn’t know what he would have done if they weren’t bonded but since she is his and he is hers, she won’t let it repeat. The only reason Harry was being so soft-hearted until now was due to his past experiences. Sure, the two traitors were trigger points but that doesn’t mean that Harry should stop there. He needs to let go of the old Harry and embrace the new. The jewel within the rough will be polished until it shined and dazzled all who saw.

No one will ever belittle her bonded again, not if she has anything to say about it. If anyone ever did then they will feel the wrath of a dragon. Not only a dragon, from the look on Selensai’s face, they would have to deal with a basilisk’s wrath as well. No one will be able to lay a single finger on Harry with the both of them there.

I don’t know, Isis. I don’t want to be respected because of what titles I have or who I am. I want to earn it, to have people respect me for what I accomplished.

Then earn it, Harry. Think about it. You are so good at your act that everyone thinks that is who you truly are. I think that it is a good idea to drop the act. The jig is already up since you floored the upper years.

That is different. They are too prideful to tell anyone that they lost to someone who is younger than them.

Yet, if we do nothing, it will happen again. Me and Selensai did nothing because you wanted to do it yourself but should it happen again, we will not sit on the side. We will do something about it.

No, I can handle that, Isis. You don’t need to waste your time on things like that.

Isis huffed with displeasure and instead of speaking through their bond, she spoke out loud to let Selensai hear.

You need to think about it from our view. You are my bonded, my other half and not to mention, Selensai’s master. Our first instinct in that situation is to defend you, not sit on the side and risk your health. We will defend you even if you don’t want us to.

Master, what she says is correct.

Selensai decided to jump in after she got an idea of what they were talking about. She wasn’t going to not stay out of this discussion. What Isis was talking about is true. If Selensai had the decision to pick between listening to her master or his safety. She would pick her master’s safety without a second of hesitation, even if it cost her life.

Chapter Text

Harry didn’t know what to do. He understood where the two of them were coming from but that didn’t stop his worry. First, Isis was a dragon. If anyone saw her, word would spread fast and far before he could do anything about it. The ministry would come and take her away from him. That wasn’t something they both wanted. On the other hand, there was Selensai. Sure, she was a basilisk, but she did look like a regular snake. Wait, hold up. Suddenly an idea came to mind.

Alright both of you. Alright. I hear you.

Hearing him speak, both of them became silent. Waiting for him to continue. Harry tossed the idea around a bit, trying to figure out how to phrase it correctly without Isis's misunderstanding.

I have an idea right now. I understand that you guys won’t standby if I am attacked again but I don’t wish for that because the consequences are too great to risk.

Both of the girls were about to interrupt him, but Harry put his hand up to stop them, wanting to finish what he had to say first.

I am not saying to, I am willing to compromise to the point that everyone is happy. Isis, Selensai, if I am correct? You guys are unhappy because you felt like I had a chance of getting hurt and I stopped you from helping me with the situation. Am I correct?

Isis didn’t say anything, but he could tell that he was correct because her body language said everything. Selensai gave Isis a moment to reply and saw that she wasn’t going to. Selensai spoke up.

Master, what you said is correct. When you were attacked, my first instinct was to defend you from the others. Before I could, you told me to stand down. Since you are my master, I respected your command and did nothing. While you were able to deal with the situation, I would have liked to show them that you were somebody that should be respected, not a play toy.

Selensai lifted her head off the bed and looked her master straight in the eye.

Master, you are a powerful being. You may act like a mouse, but your true self cannot stay hidden much longer. Sooner or later, somebody will notice. What will you do then? Will you stay down and let them walk all over you? No! That isn’t in your nature. What just happened earlier is proof of that.

As soon as the final word was spoken, she moved her entire body towards Harry and joined the both of them by wrapping around Harry’s neck, making herself nice and comfortable. Then, Selensai bumped Isis with her nose to encourage her to speak her mind. Isis looked a little uncomfortable but decided to speak her mind with her newfound friend’s encouragement.

Harry, just like how you don’t like me doing risks. I worry whenever you risk yourself. When I saw you being attacked, my heart felt like it was about to drop, afraid of you getting hurt. I was scared, Harry and I don’t like that. Harry, we are bonded. Another half of the other. I know that you don’t want anything to happen to me but please, think of it from my view.

Her head dropped as the emotions that overwhelmed her earlier finally ended its course. Tears split from her eyes as she met Harry’s gaze, then to Selensai and back to Harry. Making it pretty clear about how she felt about the whole thing.

Harry, I don’t want to see anything like that again! I know that you are used to dealing with everything alone but please, look to us for help. You are my bonded, Selensai’s master. You are no longer alone.

Memories flashed across their bond from Harry’s end. The dreams of his parent’s dying and hearing their screams, the events of his first year with Quirrell, the chamber of secrets, Sirius and his death, the Triwizard tournament with Voldemort’s revival, death of that bastard Albus Dumbledore, battle of Hogwarts, and finally, the betrayal of those he thought that he could trust. The emotions that came with the memories were so intense that even Selensai, who doesn’t have as strong of a bond with Harry as Isis does, could feel. The pain and sorrow echoed out in waves.

For one second, Isis could have sworn that she had felt another colder presence appear. It had a type of pressure that promised death to all but at the same time in this case, offer everyone their protection from every time for a brief moment. She didn’t know who it was because she was grateful. Whoever they were, they were able to calm Harry down a bit. Taking this as their queue, Isis and Selensai laid their heads against Harry’s face. Silence ranged supreme for a long period of time as Harry cried his eyes out. Not ashamed to show them his vulnerability that he had hidden for many years.

After some time, he calmed down to the point where he could speak without having to stop every few seconds. Taking a deep breath, he spoke parseltongue so that both could understand him.

I am sorry. I didn’t mean to have you guys feel like you were helpless. I just don’t want anything to happen to you guys. I once had my family ripped away, the one person I felt like a father to me died in front of my own eyes, the friends I trusted took that trust and crushed it to dust. I know that the pain of it is over with, but it is still there, refusing to leave no matter how hard I try to make I disappear, it always come back.

The tears that were once dried up, again started to flow. Isis licked his tears away as a way to comfort her bonded. Selensai took the time to rub his cheek to let him know that she forgave him.

Harry.

Isis spoke again when the tears stopped. The look on her bonded's face broke her heart but she must continue.

I know that you have good intentions, but I think it is best that you step out of the shadows that cover you. I agree that the act that you have been putting on should stop because it's not you. I understand that you have been putting an act on ever since you came to Hogwarts for the first time, but you need to stop. You are not that scared little boy anymore. You are not alone; you have us now. So please, show them who Harry Potter- No, who Harry Peverell truly is. It is time to shine.

Chapter Text

It has been about two weeks since the day of the attack. These past two weeks have been busy, busy, and even more busy. Halloween has come and gone. That particular night, death came to visit and introduce himself to, as he put it, his two colleagues. When the two girls first saw him, they had no idea of who he was. They knew that Harry was his master, but they didn’t have a clue about what death looked like.

So, yeah. Death had a fun time fooling around with the girls by dropping the bomb about who he really was. If Harry didn’t know any better, he would say that their souls went flying. After having his fun, Death spent some time with Harry informing him about the girl’s new status since they were now connected to his soul and things that he had no clue about himself. Surprise, surprise, he was fucken immortal. Thanks a lot death. That was the last thing he needed. There goes the hope of having a normal life with a normal lifespan and dying to old age.

Well, at least, he won’t be alone though. Yeah, it turns out that since he and Isis are bonded, she is also immortal with infinite age and since Selensai chose Harry as her master of her own free will. She will also share his life span but still has the risk of death. Just the fact that he was immortal nearly blew Harry’s mind.

Anyway, let’s just push that to the side. Besides Death stopping by to say hi, Harry has been thinking about his moves very carefully. What Isis said about his act was correct and he can’t hide all the time. So, he decided to drop it all together. He will still keep his distance away from everyone for now, but he won’t act like his cowardly self anymore. Thank God too. To be honest, he was getting sick with all the acting and now that he decided to pull off his cap, a sense of relief came upon him. It felt like a mountain had been lifted from his shoulders.

Now, just because he decided to drop his act doesn’t mean he changed his routine. He still woke up early and went to bed early. After all, he doesn’t want to interact with the little Voldemort. He had enough of him all ready, enough to last a lifetime if he had any say to it. When Harry told Isis and Selensai about all this, they were in agreement that this was the best way, but they did ask that Selensai stay with Harry all times just in case an incident like the last one happens again. Their reasoning being that since Selensai looks like a regular snake, she could pass off as one in public. If they saw the snake, it would cause them to avoid him then interact with him. Plus, Selensai could defend her master out in the open this way since Isis couldn’t.

Harry wanted to argue but decided against it since it would make them more at ease with him walking around. So, that is how Harry started carrying Selensai around his neck out in public. Many people at first asked about the strange snake but Harry managed to deflect them all by saying that she was his pet and no, he wasn’t a parselmouth. Apparently, if anyone sees someone else with a snake with them, their first instinct is to ask whether they were a parselmouth. Since all three of them thought that it wasn't a good idea to let everyone know that he was in fact a parselmouth, Harry decided just to say that he can’t speak to snakes. Just admit that she was in fact his familiar. This way the teachers can’t take Selensai away from him. But he will say, fucken Dumbledore didn’t have the best expression on his face when he first saw Selensai.

Harry enjoyed that when it happened but now Dumbledore’s opinion was the best about him, not that he cared. To him, Dumbledore was just a crazy half-driven lunatic who seemed to have lost his mind halfway to the town of Looney Toons. When Isis heard that comment, she literally dropped down to the ground in a laughing fit. She could even stand as her laughter rang uncontrollably. When Selensai finally got the joke, she soon joined Isis on the floor. He could only shake his head at their antics while thinking about why he even knows them.

Harry noticed it wasn’t only Dumbledore who changed his opinion about him. Over the past week, he noticed from the corner of his eye, Tom paying close attention to him. That fact alone by itself made Harry feel uneasy. Tom seems to be a little suspicious about him. He wouldn’t have noticed if it wasn’t for the fact that whenever Harry enters the same room that he was in, his eyes trailed Harry’s tracks, no matter where he was. This has put Harry on edge. He tries to avoid Tom whenever he sees him and so far, he has been successful with his efforts, but it doesn’t help that he shares a dorm with the guy. That leaves them with the situation at hand.

Hmmm. Isis, do you think we can request a change of dorms?

Would they even allow that? Don’t get me wrong Harry, I wish to leave the dorm as well. If we leave, we get more time to ourselves, but my concern is if they will even allow it.

Selensai, hearing the current conversation, decided to put her opinion into the ring.

I don’t think they will. I don’t know about you, but I never heard of anyone switching dorms just because they ask. That is only done in extreme cases of harm from other people, or someone is expelled. How about instead of sleeping in the dorm master, you sleep in the chamber. It comes with its own sleeping quarters, and it gives you more time to research in the library.

Harry took her input into consideration. Selensai is correct. It would get him away from Riddle and give him some necessary peace and quiet. On the other hand, the chamber of secrets rightfully belongs to Riddle. It was already bad enough that Selensai became his familiar, not that he doesn’t love her. He enjoys her company and if he had to explain what she means to him. She is like the older sister of his mismatch family.

She makes sure him, and Isis are always okay and can be quite the mother hen when he or Isis gets hurt. Trust him, there were times when Harry got scolded because he was losing sleep to search the chamber’s library. When Selensai found out, she threatened to close off the chamber until he caught up on his sleep. Harry now goes to sleep at a specific time after that. Even though they only met a couple of weeks ago, all three of them still somehow became the family that he always wanted. Now back to the chamber.

Because Selensai was originally from the chamber itself, if Riddle finds out about her, Harry was certain that he would be put at the top of Tom prime target list. He might be immortal, but he doesn’t want to be chased for the remainder of Riddle’s life. Now if Harry stayed in the chamber, he would instantly become number one of his hit lists. So yeah, no. He wasn’t going to stay in the chamber. It was already bad enough that the basilisk became his familiar and he was using the library. He wasn’t going to push any further into the viper’s pit. Plus, Harry knows that feel of people stealing what was his and he wasn’t doing that to Riddle.

Thank you for offering, Selensai.

I am sensing a but though.

But I don’t want to use the chamber any more than I have to. The chamber is Riddle’s inheritance by right and I don’t want to interlude on that any more than what I have already.

Selensai nodded her head in understanding when he listed his reasons but that didn’t stop her face from taking on a sadden expression. Harry noticed her expression before it disappeared to a more neutral one. He lifted his finger and bumped the tip of her nose. Selensai wasn’t expecting his reaction. She gave him a blank stare at him with a stunned expression.

Selensai, I appreciate your suggestion and thanks to you, I have a good idea where to look for new sleeping quarters.

I did?

Of course, you did. Thank you Selensai.

Chapter Text

A smile spread across her muzzle as she happily danced her way to her favorite perch, his neck. She curled around a couple of times and finally settled her head down on his left shoulder. Isis was laying on the floor when curiosity overtook her lazy mood at the mention of Harry's idea. She rushed to her feet and jumped on top of her bonded, making Harry oppphm sound as her weight landed on top of his stomach.

Isis, I understand that you are curious but please, shrink your size or get off entirely. I can hardly breathe with you on me.

Not wanting to get off, Isis complied with Harry and shrunk down from the size of a chocolate lab to the size of a cat. She laid herself back down with all of her attention fixed on her bonded impatiently waiting for him to speak. Harry didn’t pay attention to Isis’s actions. Truthfully, he was just thankful that he avoided death from suffocation. After taking a few happy lungful breaths of air, he finally got started to talk about what he was thinking to the girls.

There is a place in the castle that has a type of magic like no other. In fact, Selensai, you might know what I am talking about, but I won’t be spilling the details though.

Isis was about to make a fuss, but Harry stopped her when he spoke again.

Tonight, just right before curfew, I will make the bed appear that someone is sleeping within with its usual charms to stop anyone from snooping. Once that is all done, we are going to the place that I am talking about. And I don’t want to hear any fuss about it.

His eyes stared at Isis in particular when he mentioned the last part, which she huffed at.

Now it is about time to get up. Selensai?

Hearing her name, her head perked up. She always felt happy when her master wanted her to do something. This way, she felt useful and not a burden. Though she knows that Harry would never think of her as that way, that didn't stop her from wanting to help when she could. She doesn't want her master to run himself into the ground after all.

Yes, master.

Can you please go check to see if anybody is awake, especially Riddle. He has been trying to catch us leaving the dorms recently. I believe he is acting quite suspicious. Keep out of sight and don’t get caught. I would like us to get some breakfast before the others awaken.

Of course, master.

With that, Selensai snuck off to do a survey of the room. After doing a quick glance around, she soon followed up with a more in-depth look. Satisfied with what she saw, she returned to Harry’s side and gave her report. Happy with her work, Harry quickly grabbed his invisibility cloak and left for breakfast as not a single person stirred.

**************************

Tom was becoming frustrated. For two whole weeks he had been keeping an eye on Harry, but either his acting was too good, or he was just that smart. Tom actually had to put effort in trying to find the smaller boy, who keeps on avoiding him. He doesn’t know what it was, whether Harry was cautious around everyone, or he just doesn’t like him in particular, or perhaps both. But whatever it was, one thing was clear, Harry was hard to track down.

He had tried it all, stalking, trailing, and eavesdropping. All that he got for his efforts was just the fact that Harry disappears like a ghost. You could see him one second out in the open and the next he would be gone. Tom knows that he wasn’t the only one searching for him. Other students their age tried looking for Harry because they wanted to have him as their little errand boy or just for the thrill of bullying. The students that fought Harry before are looking for him desperately as well for payback and this time, it's with a bigger crowd.

The only time that Tom ever sees the boy out in public is when everyone is eating or in classes. He swears that the boy is a ghost or some other type of specter. But he won’t give up easily, Harry will screw up sooner or later. All he has to do is wait for the right time. After all, he always gets what he wants. The more exciting the case is, the greater the prize will be.

******************

The day has passed by quickly for the group of three. Isis has been bugging Harry if they could go every five seconds it seemed like, with Selensai laughing with glee as Harry said no at every attempt. He could swear that a headache was coming on as the day came to an end and before he knew it, it was time.

Dinner was coming to an end and the students that went to bed early for an early rising tomorrow left to get some sleep. Harry was usually one of those students, but he would normally stay until everyone was gone through before he went to the dorms but tonight was different. Instead of going back to the dorms, the three of them headed towards the seventh floor. At first Isis was confused as to why they were going up when something clicked within her memories. In Harry’s memories, there was a room on the seventh floor that appeared to those in need of something.

She didn’t remember what it was called but the idea of a room being able to turn into anything that a person need is kind of pretty sick. If she was correct, Harry didn’t confirm. All he did was glance at her then went back to looking ahead so that he didn't trip over his own feet. Feeling that Harry wasn’t going to answer her question, all she can do is wait and that was what she did.

It didn’t take long to get to the seventh floor. Harry didn’t wait as he made his way to the familiar spot to where the entrance was and froze in front of it. Years worth of memories concerning the room itself surged out of nowhere. The time Luna introduced him to the room, the DA classes and everyone’s smiles, and finally, the room’s destruction. That last bit stung when it came to mind. When the room’s destruction was confirmed after the battle of Hogwarts, it felt like he had lost a close friend. That room was his sanctuary when he needed to get away when everything grew too much. He had regrets over its destruction.

Now that they are in the past, the room was still there. The moment he sent his longing for a home and a much-needed sanctuary through his thoughts as he took the last step, a familiar door appeared out of nowhere. Upon seeing the door, many emotions flooded throughout Harry and in return, Isis. The little dragon wasn’t expecting so many emotions from her bonded, but she didn’t block them. Instead, she accepted all of his emotions and returned them with love. Harry blinked as he realized that he accidentally sent his emotions over when he didn’t mean too but he was happy for Isis's encouragement. 

After all the years of suffering he went through, it was finally nice to have someone there for him and to ensure that Isis knew how much Isis meant to him, he sent his appreciation over their bond. He could tell that Isis was thrown off by this as she was blinking her eyes and stood frozen in place, stunned by the vastness of the feelings he had sent over. It didn’t take too long before she snapped out of it and when she did. She took a page out of the cat book and rubbed against his leg, growling in happiness.

Harry smiles at her antics before looking at the door. Many feelings rushed through his mind all at once and finally settled down on excitement. Selensai watched her master in contentment as his hand reached out and gently pushed open the door. Without a sound and with ease, it swung open with no resistance as if to welcome him home. Harry wasted no time in delaying and walked in.

Chapter Text

The room was as familiar as he remembered. It took after the warmth of his old Gryffindor dorm room but with slytherin colors instead of the old red and gold. The room was divided into three different sections. Off to the right was a massive queen size bed. Straight ahead was a large window overlooking the grounds. In front of the window was a plush pillow bed the length of a large mansion, surprisingly. He quickly had an idea as for who that was for. On the left, was another room that had another plush pillow the same size. Instead of it being next to a window, the walls took on a scaly texture with a glossy green that matched Selensai’s own scales. The floor of that room was made of stone while the rest of them was a type of oak wood if he had to guess.

In the middle of it all, connecting all the rooms together, was a type of common room. A dark oak wood table sat in the middle between two emerald chairs. In the corner of the room that contains the large window, and the bed was a fireplace that Harry had no doubt would give the room warmth for when the snow comes. Speaking of the fireplace, the fire was blazing right now. It must have been very warm because Selensai jumped down and settled right beside the raging flames.

Harry continued to look around, but he couldn’t help but overhear Selensai murmuring about how warm the fire was. Shaking his head, he made his way over to a curved staircase that laid in the corner between the two rooms with the pillows. It was entirely made out of wood. The stairs were a lighter shade of tan with the railing being made of a darker tan. Looking at the stairs, one could make out some kind of vine engravings in the railing. Harry put one of his hands up to some of the engravings and studied them. Upon seeing them closer, Harry realized that they weren’t actually viny but instead, tiny little green and silver snakes. If he moved his hand, he could even feel the texture of scales, just like Selensai’s own.

Pulling himself away from the intricate designs, he made his way up the stairs. A massive library that ran along the walls appeared on the balcony. A ladder sat to one side that Harry could on a later date to help him reach the higher titles. That will be something that he will attack later on but right now, his priority is to see the rest of his room.

He moved away from the books, as painfully as it was, and continued up the stairs. The next stop didn’t go to another balcony but a whole entire floor instead. Positioned to one side was an entire shelf hosting potion ingredient of all kinds, most of which Harry recognized thanks to Snape’s hellish potion lessons. Off across to the other side, was a gigantic potion lab which Harry has some uses for in the future. Satisfied with this discovery, Harry moved onto the next floor. This time, there was no potion lab or shelves. Instead, the entire chamber was empty but one thing. A huge array decorated the floor, telling Harry that it was a ritual room. That will be very handy later but for now, Harry headed back down the bottom floor of his new room.

The first thing that Harry saw made him want to ah at the sight. There lying by the fire were Isis and Selensai. Isis was curled into her usual ball with Selensai over top of her, giving Harry the impression of a sort of a doggy pile. The sight made Harry want to join them, but he couldn’t join due to having too many things to do. Harry decided that since there was still two hours left before curfew, it didn’t hurt to go to the library to read for a while. Harry quickly grabbed his cloak and left the room, leaving the two to sleep by the fire.

The light cold air kissed Harry’s skin as the door closed behind him and disappeared from view. The invisibility cloak covered Harry’s entire form as he made his way to the library. As always, the library took his breath away as he took in the massive volume of the room. A quick glance around told him that thankfully, he was the only one. Not that he found that surprising since nobody wanted to be near any books when it was about time to go to bed, wanting to relax instead of studying. Of course, that bushy tailed rat was the exception when he was in the future. It's kind of rewarding to think about all kinds of records that he could leave and make her frustrated for not being able to beat them.

Of course, that was in his thoughts. Even though he could stand out in class, he made it a habit to stay about as average as he could get in class. Not standing out too much as a certain Riddle or being at the bottom of the barrel to where people would see that he was weak enough to be bullied and if they did see him as that sort of person. Well, let's just say that he will deal with it. The talk from the two girls popping into his mind. A smile gazed at his lips, forming a smirk. Oh, yes. If anyone thinks that he could be pushed around as they see fit, then he will show them why he was the so-called master of death. He might keep his distance away from everyone and stay out of sight as much as he can due to not wanting to attract attention, but that won’t stop him from dealing with anything that becomes an obstacle in their way.

Yes, Harry and his newfound family will defend each other. With that thought in his head, Harry hit the books with a determined fire until curfew came and went. When he returned to his new room, he was of course, scolded by the girls about leaving the room without one of them. No matter what he said, they wouldn’t listen. Clearly worried over his own being and he wouldn’t want it any other way. Before the both of them finished their scolding, Harry scooped them up and gave them a big, fat huge. The two girls were caught off guard by his action since they knew he wasn’t one to make the first move. Normally, they were the ones encouraging him to show affection due to his past making him a closed-off person. It was only thanks to the two girls that Harry was even comfortable to be around other people as long as they were there, right with him. With him leaving on his own, it shows that he was comfortable to be by himself for once and even though they are somewhat upset with him leaving them behind. They couldn’t help but be proud of him for taking that much needed first step to get out of the shadow of his past. He finally started shedding his skin for a new and stronger him. Soon everyone will know who their Harry was, and they will be there every step of the way.

Chapter Text

Time flew by and before Harry Knew it, it was already the spring holidays. Over the course of the last few months, many things took place. News of the war reached Hogwarts, setting off panic throughout her halls. It took a while for everything to settle down but when it did, it didn’t return to the light atmosphere before. Instead, it was filled with a type of tension so thick that one could cut it with a butter knife. This impacted most of the students around him, not that he really cared. Examples of this would be that more fights broke out in the Slytherin common room out between the other houses. Especially between Gryffindor and Slytherin, thanks to dumb ass Dumbledore. Still, Harry tries not to have anything to do with the two. He is after all here to have the normal school life that he wasn’t able to have the last time due to some meddling.

Sure, he has plans of his own. They just don’t concern Dumbledore and Riddle. If he was to be honest, Harry was actually thinking about how he wanted to make his way in this world. There was no way that he was going to side with Dumbledore or Riddle. When and not if, the fact about Isis gets out, he will draw both of their attention. Riddle would most likely want him for Isis’s power and so would Dumbledore. If he didn’t side with Dumbledore, then he would most likely try to say that he was going dark due to him being in Slytherin. Riddle would most likely use this to his advantage and try to get him to join him, which he will absolutely not. So, what will he do if he can’t join any side? Just don’t join any, period. Instead, he plans on creating his own side. Isis, Selensai and himself will be quite the force all on its own. Let's not forget about his heirships that he has. Riddle wasn’t the only heir here. Even now as he reads a book outside on the grounds in a spot where no one goes, Harry can feel Hogwarts magic calling out to him.

He was first surprised by the intensity of the call when he first arrived. It was when he was being led to the Slytherin common room by Riddle when he felt it. It was like hitting a wall for a moment there, but Riddle didn’t even flinch when it came. At first, Harry thought that Riddle couldn’t feel it but instead he would say that it wasn’t as tense as Harry’s own, and he was more used to it than Harry. It did make sense to Harry. Riddle was only the Slytherin Heir, while Harry was the Heir of both Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. Speaking of heirs.

I don’t get it. Why don’t you use your status as the heir to help yourself? I bet that there will be many who would be happy to help you, Harry.

Isis, you must understand that humans are complicated.

But you aren’t. I know you inside and out.

Of course, you do Isis, but we are bonded. You can hear my every thought, but others don’t think the same way as I do. All actions have outcomes. Sure, if I did reveal my status as an heir, then people would flock to me but at the same time, there would be people who would flat out go against me.

What do you mean by going against you? If you mean by attack, then both me and Selensai would defend you.

Harry couldn’t help but sigh. He loved the two girls, he really did but sometimes, it can be difficult to communicate due to him being a human and them being reptiles. He had nothing wrong with that, it is just that when he tries to explain human nature around these two, it is quite the experience. They mostly think like they would if they were living out in the wilderness. Harry was okay with that. He had nothing against that. No, the only times that things get complicated is why Harry is still hiding the fact that he had an advantage up his sleeve, which would be the heirships.

Isis, the reason why I won’t reveal them is because the moment I do, repercussions will accrue. First, the people in my own house would turn against me and ask why the hell a lion is in the snake’s den. Second, Dumbledore will focus his full attention on me and try to convince me that the House of Slytherin isn’t the correct place for me. If I did go to the Gryffindor house, I will place myself to the whims of Dumbledore again and I am against that. There are other things too that I won’t mention right now because that is something that I will need to worry about when I leave Hogwarts.

I see. I'm sorry Harry. Even though I know you inside and out, there are times that I forget that Humans are complicated creatures.

It’s totally fine. Now, come on. Selensai is probably wondering where we are, and I don't know about you but I don’t want to be on her bad side again.

The mention of Selensai’s bad side sent shivers down both of their backs. One time, Harry and Isis got injured for attempting an experiment for their bond and accidently injured themselves. Harry had to go to the medical wing for a very bad injury and when he returned to the room. Selensai was right there in the shadows, waiting. They both didn’t get a wink of sleep that night when Selensai was done scolding them. After that, they try not to do anything to get on her bad side. Before they left, Selensai asked them to be back right before curfew and the time was almost there. Without wasting a second, Harry and Isis raced inside with the invisibility cloak covering them. Luckily, they made it back in the nick of time. Just the thought of Selensai being angry sent shivers down their backs. Speaking of the devil, Selensai was lying in one of the armchairs when they returned. Her head pricked up when she heard the door open.

Welcome back you two. Did you have fun outside?

Isis, back to her usual dog size, leaped up to Selensai and joined her in the comfy looking chair.

Yeah, we sure did but now I am super tired Selensai. I am going to take a nap with you. You don’t mind right?

Isis gave Selensai her dragon version of puppy eyes. Selensai did a literal sweat drop and looked to her master for some help. Harry decided to act oblivious to what was happening. In return, Selensai stared at her master’s back. It was so intense that Harry could actually feel it through his robes. They stayed like that for a couple of seconds before Selensai relented her gaze and turned her attention to the tired dragon. Isis was already curled into a ball with Selensai’s own body curled around her. From how slow her breathing was, Selensai could tell that the little one was already asleep. Contentment enveloped Selensai as she took in the sight of the small dragon and her master who had moved to sit in the other seat. For so long Selensai had lived in the underground chamber of secrets. There was only the cold and dark to keep her company.

From the moment she had met her new master and his bonded, her life had taken a change for the best. The cold and dark that used to be her company were quickly replaced with light and warmth that came from being around them. Now, she can’t imagine her life without them. Selensai shifted her head and dropped it on top of Isis, caging the dragon within the confines of her body. Isis didn’t move an inch when Selensai settled herself down with the young dragon.

Happiness flooded Harry’s heart as he took in the sight of the two resting girls. Who would have ever thought that He would have found himself in a world that he knows nothing about, betrayed by people who meant the world to him and now have a family containing a so-called man-eating basilisk, one of the world’s most dangerous creatures know as a dragon, and a people-hating wizard. Yeah, they were definitely one weird family.

Chapter Text

Harry could only shake his head at that fact. Even though they were a weird family, he couldn’t stop loving them. With everything that happened to him in his last life, he was truly surprised by the fact that fate somehow or someway gave him a second chance to have the life that he always wanted. It might not be normal with having a dragon as his bonded and a basilisk familiar, but it is his life where he has full control. There was no bloody fucken bastard who controls every step he takes to make him a sacrificial pawn or a hideous dark lord who was out for his head. Sure, he had to deal with a little dark lord, but he will take that over Snakeface any day.

Speaking of the little dark lord, Harry has been rearranging his thoughts these past few weeks about how to deal with him. When Harry first arrived at Hogwarts, he was honestly surprised to see him at the Slytherin table and in his own year no less. He even gave him a tour and explained the house rules, which Harry was thankful for, but that only made him feel a bit peculiar about the little dark lord. The following weeks after, Harry managed to keep his head down and not attract attention, but around the time that he put those upper years in their place, that all changed.

He wasn’t sure when or what caused it, but somehow, he attracted the attention of the last person he wanted attention from. The following weeks after to now, Riddle has been doing everything he could to keep an eye on Harry whenever he was out in public. There were a few times he almost approached Harry but whenever Harry saw him, he quickly disappeared from sight. He will say that there were a couple of close calls that Riddle almost cornered him in a place where there was nobody in sight. He somehow managed to weasel his way out of it but Harry knows. Sooner or later, he will be trapped, alone with Riddle. Harry needs to do something about the present situation, but he can’t move on his own. The last time that he did, the girls were quite upset about it. Not wanting to have a repeat of that, he thinks that it was best to talk about it when they wake up from their nap. Speaking of naps, Harry could feel one coming up as he was arranging his thoughts.

With a stretch of his arms and popping of joints, Harry got up from the chair and made his way over to the bed. The past couple of nights, he stayed up late going over materials from class. While he does have advantages over his other classmates by repeating the year, there were other materials that were introduced in class that were entirely new to him. This gave him newfound excitement that caused him to be obsessed over it, which caused him to stay up many nights. When this first happened, Isis and Selensai were concerned with his well-being. They tried to get his attention away from what held his attention at the time but had no success.

It was only thanks to his stomach that he was able to turn his attention away from his project and get some late-night dinner from the kitchens. After that, Selensai and Isis hid his materials when he got back. He was quite upset by that but quickly forgave them when they explained their worries. Promising to keep track of time and not to stay up too long, they finally gave him back his things. Since then, one of them would remind him whenever it became too late, and it was time for bed. Yeah, these last couple of nights were exciting.

Harry pulled back the cover, making himself comfortable in the bed. It didn’t take long for sleep to claim him, giving him a peaceful dream for the first time in a while.

*************************************

Hours passed by, by the time that Harry stirred from his slumber. He stretched his arms and moved to get up, only to realize that he couldn’t move an inch. Confused, he looked down to see that on top of him was not just Isis, but Selensai as well, who was on top of him. Without realizing it, he easily slipped into parseltongue.

What are you two doing?

Upon hearing his voice, the two girls’ heads snapped up and turned towards him.

Master, you are awake.

Selensai maneuvered her way from her position on his stomach to the pillow that laid right beside him.

How was your sleep, Harry?

Isis asked. She stayed where she was on his chest, but she did move her head to lean it against his head, her growl purr drumming up. Harry lifted his hand and petted her head.

It was great. I now feel well rested.

That's good. We both started to get worried that you weren’t getting enough sleep but now I can see that it was for not.

Yeah. I will admit that I was getting carried away with my homework. I just can’t help it. The material from class is just so interesting that I can’t put it down.

Master, I understand your feelings but please do pace yourself. The last thing we want is for you to collapse because you are not getting enough sleep.

I will keep that in mind. Speaking of doing things, can I please get up?

Isis looked a little sheepish at Harry before she got up and moved off him. Harry rubbed her head one last time before he got off to the bed and went to sit in one of the two chairs.

Please, sit both of you. I have some things on my mind that I wish to discuss with you guys.

The two girls looked at each other before going over and sitting themselves down from across Harry. Silence hung in the air as Harry tried to start the conversation, but he didn’t exactly know what to start with. Thankfully, Selensai came to his rescue.

What was it that you wish to talk to us about, master?

Harry cleared his throat before he spoke.

As you both know that I wish to stay low and not attract attention but the likelihood that will happen is very low. Over these past few weeks, I noticed that a certain someone was paying close attention to us or should I say me.

Before He continued, Selensai decided to state her observations that she noticed.

It is Tom Riddle, isn't it?

Shaking his head in agreement, he stated.

That is correct. It started around the time that I have dealt with those upper years. I can’t say that he saw what happened or the fact that he must have heard of it from someone who was among the group but whatever happened to catch his attention, it won’t be so easy to lose it. I know that from experience, unfortunately.

Is it even possible to lose it? She questioned before continuing after a little pause. Even if you do lose it, what would stop him from regaining it? If you got it once, there is no doubt that you will regain it. It's just who you are. You can try to stay low but sooner or later, you will attract attention.

Chapter Text

At this point, Isis thought it was a good time to jump in and give her opinion.

Harry, what she says is correct. I have seen it happen in your past life and it even happens now. When you shine in class, you draw everyone’s eye. They pay attention to you whenever you show up in public. So yes, I think Selensai is correct. It is a waste of your time to lay low because it won’t work. Your very being attracts attention to you.

Now this caught Harry off guard. This whole year he tried to lay low and now, he was being told that those efforts were being wasted by his very being. He had a hard time wrapping his head around that.

What do you mean that I attract everyone’s attention? I am very sure that I am doing a good job with what I have been doing so far.

This time, it was Selensai who answered.

Master, to answer your question I am going to use a few examples. As you know, the Slytherin house is aware of my existence as your familiar. This fact alone makes people in the Slytherin house pay attention to you. Let’s mention your grades in class, even though you keep your grades average, that doesn’t stop you doing well in class. Your accomplishments there alone also give you attention. Word has also gone around about you defeating some upper years. At this point master, I think it is useless to try to stay low. You are just an outstanding person, master.

I completely agree, Harry.

With the facts laid before him, he couldn’t help but face the truth. He wasn’t going to ever have a normal life. Isis, hearing his thoughts, decides to comment.

Harry, you never had a normal life, and you never will. You are the Master of Death, the master of a basilisk, and the bonded of a dragon. Not to forget the last heir to four prodigious families. Two of which are the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw bloodlines. To Hogwarts, you are a prince. Just like Riddle.

Isis starred up straight into Harry’s eyes, showing him her conviction in her words.

Harry, I know that you heard this before, and you are pretty tired of hearing it but it is true. You, Harry, are destined for great things. I am not just saying this to you to manipulate you like some bloody bastard we all know but because of who you are. In your past life, the odds were stacked against you but still you managed to somehow defeat Voldemort and ended a war. Your closest allies betrayed you but still, you adopted and survived to the best of your abilities. The one thing that got you in the end was your heart. To choose between your own well-being or the person you loved, you choose them over yourself, sacrificing yourself in the end for the one person that you loved with all your heart. That is who you are.

This time, it was Selensai who spoke.

Like we said Master, you are destined for great times, and we will be there every step of the way.

With all said and done, Isis and Selensai got off the chair and joined Harry. Using their actions to tell him what they thought, they cuddled up on his side with Isis in a ball and Selensai curled around Harry's neck like usual. She lifted her head close to Harry’s ear and spoke once more.

Now that we got that out of the way, back to topic. What was it that you needed our opinion on, master?

It took a while for Harry to arrange through all the emotions that were going through him. Once he did though, he went to the topic at hand.

It is about Riddle. I need advice about how to deal with him. If we go on the assumption that I won’t lose Riddle’s attention, then we need to find a way to deal with it. The question right now is how to deal with it. I don’t know about you guys, but I personally don’t want his attention.

But you don't have a choice.

It was Selensai who answered. Isis only stayed silent while she sat. She might be a smart little cookie, but she was still only a few months old. So, what did she do? She did what she thought was best and stayed silent, leaving the discussion to the two older ones.

Correct, so I have been thinking and this goes along with your guys' thoughts. I believe that you guys are correct. Staying low isn’t doing me any good. Especially since I did it in the first place to avoid the attention of that bloody-bastard Dumbledore and Riddle. Now that I got Riddle’s attention, there is no point in continuing with it.

Selensai's face brightened with realization.

You are going to drop the act?

Yep. Now I just need a good way of doing it.

Many thoughts and ideas came and went as Harry tossed ideas around. Some that sounded good, he decided to talk them over with Selensai. All were tossed straight into the garbage bin. With ideas running out, Harry and Selensai were at a standstill at what to do. All this time, Isis stayed silent, listening to Harry’s thoughts when one just popped up out of nowhere. Harry remembered something in the back of his mind but quickly forgot it the next second. Isis, however, saw it. She dived into Harry's memories of the tour that took place on the first night at Hogwarts. Spotting the valuable information, she brought it up to the other two.

Excuse me. I know that you guys are talking about some very important plans, but I thought that it would be best to mention something that might help.

Now, that got both of their attention. It was Selensai who spoke first, however.

What is it, little dragon?

Harry, do you remember the tour that Riddle gave you?

Yeah, what about it?

Well, I sensed a memory about something that you guys discussed that day during the tour. It was when you both came into the common room. Do you remember what it was?

A frown decorated Harry’s face as he tried to remember. It took a moment before Isis sensed through their bond that he remembered. The moment he did, Harry’s face brightened. Selensai, sensitive as ever, noticed the change and couldn’t help but ask. What?

Selensai, I don’t know if Slytherin had these rules back in the day but right now, there are certain rules that we can use to our advantage.

What kind of rules would that be?

While one would say that curiosity killed the cat but, in this case, one should phrase it as it killed the snake because Selensai was deadly curious. A grin popped up on both Harry’s and Isis’s face as they spoke at the same time.

Why, the rules of the rankings.

Why, the rules of the rankings.

Chapter Text

Back in Harry’s old dorm room, Tom was sitting on his bed. Parchment, tomes, and a journal were positioned in front of him. Some of them were class materials, while others were written in a strange unknown text that his other roommates couldn’t read. If Harry was there, he would recognize it as the written form of parseltongue, parselscript. Tom currently had the tip of a quill in his mouth as he was trying to decide on something.

A moment later, his expression cleared up and he continued writing in parselscript. Just as he was done with the final word, a low hissing sound popped up out of nowhere. It was so low that neither of the other two could hear it. Not wanting them to be here, he motioned them to leave, which they didn’t hesitate to do. Ever since the beginning of the year, Tom made sure that he established the hierarchy of the dorm room where he was positioned at the top. The two idiots who just left ate it all up and followed his every command, so there were no problems there.

No, the problem was the third roommate. He knew that there was a third person who belonged to their dorm. The evidence of this were the charms on the last bed that show signs of being casted over and over on a daily basis. Not only that but there were also clothes and even a suitcase had held no name. Believe him, he looked. Whoever the last person is, he can tell that they have skills, both for sneaking and spell craft.

Just as Tom was collecting his thoughts, the source of the hiss grew louder and louder until it came in the sightline of Tom. It was Nagini and Tom can tell that she comes with news of some kind by the speed she was moving at. Without another thought, Tom dropped his hand down onto the floor as she got closer. Knowing the routine, Nagini didn’t waste a single second and climbed up Tom's arm and positioned herself onto the bed right next to him.

Hello, Nagini. What newsssss do you bring?

Tom decides to get straight to the point. He was never one to sidetrack from things that he feels that needs his immediate attention and when it does happen, he wants to get the things that distracted him from his task over with so that he can return to what needs to be done. This is one of those times.

Massster, the one that you assssked me to pay close attention to is making a move.

Now this got Tom’s attention. He lifted his head up from the parchment he was writing on and shifted it to look in Nagini’s direction.

Oh, pray tell. What isss he doing?

I have no clue, but he is currently confronting sssomeone at the moment in the common room. One of the older years I believe. You remember massssster. The one who wass the ringleader of the group that attacked him.

Hmmm. Tom hums to himself. Tom remembers who she was talking about, Gellert Black. He was not part of the main family but someone who was from a branch family. He is a very prideful person who is proud to be a pureblood. Gellert loves pushing around this fact onto those who he feels is beneath him or filthy mudbloods. Mudbloods were what the so-called purebloods called muggleborns. A filthy term that he absolutely despises with all of his being and one that he doesn’t want to associate with.

The problem that Tom has with this term is that it was insulting what he might be. Over the past few years, he has been looking for any signs of who he could really be. His last name came to a dead end and from all the records that he looked through, not a single one of them held the last name Riddle. From these, he can tell that his father was a muggle but what of his mother.
He read that the ability of parseltongue was passed down in a bloodline. One had to be born with it, not developed. From this fact and the text that talked about Salazar Slytherin being a parselmouth, Tom has formed a hypothesis that he is a descendent of the founder. Now all he needed to do was find proof to back it up.

He was currently writing down some things that he heard about and what to research, but since Nagini came with news about him, it can wait. It’s not like it can run away nor could anyone read what he was writing. He found out about that little detail back when he was a first year. No one could read what he was writing unless they had an ability like his own. Putting everything away, he got up and grabbed Nagini.

Shall we go watch the ssshow?

Nagini hissed softly, licking her tongue out to the air, smelling Tom’s excitement.

Let'sss.

She hissed before shifting herself to hide beneath Tom’s robes. Tom didn’t stop her, in fact, he encouraged it. He doesn’t want the knowledge of her existence out and about just yet. Without another word, Tom and Nagini left the room to go watch the show.
*************************
A few hours earlier……….

Harry, are you sure you want to do this?

For the fifth time, yes, I am Isis. You guys have been just talking about how laying low wasn’t working for me.

But that doesn’t mean you need to do something like this. I was thinking that you would do it when there are a few people around. Not in front of the whole fucken common room.

Isis, language.

You know what I mean.

Yes, I do but that won’t stop me. If we want to make everyone know that I am not a pushover, we need to set an example to all who want to harm us.

Excuse me, massster. You two ssssseem to know what you guysss are talking about but I don’t have a clue. May I asssk what you guysss are talking about?

This caused both, Isis and Harry, to stop and look at Selensai. Without realizing it, they were both talking to each other without including Selensai through but at the same time, outside of their bond. A sheepish look crossed Harry’s face once he realized what happened.

Sorry, Sselensssai. It looks like we were so engrosssed with our idea that we forgot you were even there.

Isis gave the basilisk a look of algology.

Oh, it'sss alright Harry. I am just confusssed with what you are discussssing between the two of you.

This time it was Isis who spoke.

Oh, we were discussssing the ruless of the rankingsss.

Rankingsss?

Yeah. Ssselenssai, you weren’t here then but on my first night here, riddle gave me a tour of the housse and explained its rulesss. You are probably familiar with the usssual rulesss where all Sslytherinsss ssstick together outsside their common room and all disputess should be dealt with in the common room, Correct?

Selensai nodded her head yes in response to the question. Harry, taking that as encouragement to continue, did.

Ssso, I don’t think you are familiar with the rulesss of the rankingsss. Basically, the rankingsss are just how they determine the hierarchy of the housse. There are two different kindssss of rankingssss that take place. The firssst and simplest is the yearly ranking. The yearly rankss only involve the occupantsss of a certain year. Let'sss take my situation ass an example. I am a new transssfer thiss year and since I never fought any duels to rise in the hierarchy, I am ranked lasst in my year. This gives everybody the idea that I am a weak powerlesssss nobody with a cowardly appearance but in reality, I am actually very ssstrong, bonded to a dragon and masster of a basssilissk. I only look cowardly becaussse I don’t want to prove my worth. There is no point if someone doesn’t look passst all that glam to ssee the truth.

Selensai decided that now was a good point to ask a question that was plaging her mind.

I f this is the source of the problems, then all you need to do is challenge the one who started all of this and stake your claim. So, why don’t you?

At this point of time, Harry lifted a finger towards Selensai to ask for a moment as he collected his thoughts to answer her question. Thankfully it didn’t take long before he answered.

Please underssstand it from my point of view.

The small, yet not small basilisk nodded her head in agreement. She didn’t want to stress her master out but at the same time, she couldn’t help but be extremely interested in her master’s point of view with the entire situation. Selensai sat calmly, waiting for her master’s response.

When we firsst arrived at Hogwartsss, all I wanted to do wass to keep my head down and not attract attention. I originally planned to avoid the Ssslytherin house and possibly join Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw but due to that blasssted hat, consstant wearing done from Isissss, and the fact that I wanted to avoid Gryffindor.

Harry gave Isis the side eye, which she clearly ignored.

Combined, they manage to pussh me to accept the Sssslytherin house as my new home here in Hogwartsss. Ever ssince then, I have been cautiousss with every move I made. I managed to keep low-key thanksss to this but due to this latest ssssituation. I have to make a move and I want to end thisss quickly.

And the only way that thisss will all end is to finish it in one fell swoop.

Exactly.

How will you do that?

By taking advantage of the house rulesss, of coursse. We need to take a stand and prove that we aren't pushoversssss.

And if that bringsss even more attention to you?

Ssso what? At this point, I will attract attention no matter what. I will just have to ssshow them what happens when they crossss the line.

This got Isis' attention, tail wagging with excitement.

When do we start?

He looked back and forth between the two, his eyes gleaming with green fire.

We start now!

Chapter Text

Harry walked into the Slytherin Common Room. Unlike the other times where it is empty when he comes and goes, people were scattered about the room. Most of them were people grouped among their yearly peers, while a rare few were mixed in with the upper years. One of these such groups are the people that Harry was looking for. The room that was once filled with noise suddenly became quiet upon spotting the the new third year, surprised that he was actually walking among them. Ever since Harry started the year, he as been avoiding the others to the point that one could mistake him as a ghost. This gave the others the impression that he was a weak coward and clearly didn't belong to the powerful house of Slytherin. His proud shoulders and spine made of steel ticked off a lot of fellow classmates that wished to put him in his place. Unfortunately, due to his disappearing act, nobody could act upon that wish and if they did, he would disappear again this next moment that one would lose sight of him. One group had managed to confront him but due to the embarrassing experience, they didn't tell anyone about it besides their group leader. The room fell silent upon sighting the third year. Whispering could be heard among the crowd but it was one of Harry's fellow third years who sighted him first from Harry's targeted group. 

"Gellert, isn't that the boy that we tried to teach a lesson to?"

Gellert lifted his head to see who they were talking about, only to have his blood burn with fury upon sighting the Evans brat. He had not forgot what had transpired back in the courtyard. His pride has been torn asunder as Evans humiliated him in front of all of his lackeys. That mutt should have just gone along with them, to know his place. But no, he just had to escalate the situation. Well, now he asked for it. Now that he was here out in the open, it was time for him to collect some revenge. After telling the others the plan, the group rounded up and headed over to Evans with Gellert in the lead.

"Hello Evans. Nice to meet you here of all places."

Evans turned to look at them. 

"Hello, Gellert. How is your day going?"

A tick mark appeared in the corner of his forehead upon hearing what Evans called him. 

"I believe that is Senior Black to you Evans."

"Oh, why would I do that?"

Harry tilted his head in a confused manner, as if to show that he didn't understand. Gellert's tick mark grew triple it's size as his gentlemen's smile began to twitch. Harry lifted his sleeve as if to think but he was in fact, hiding his smile behind his sleeve.

You're having fun with this, aren't you? 

Of course, I am. Do you see how heard he is trying to keep up the act but everyone can see through this fake play.

Must you really have to pick on the poor boy, Harry? 

Don't lie. You are enjoying this too. 

Fine, you have caught me, but I wish I had some snacks to munch while watching the drama unfold. At this point Harry, your life will become my favorite soap opera.

Next time, I will ask the elves to prepare some snacks.

You better!

Harry returned to paying attention to Gellert, not noticing as Riddle sneaks into the common room from the dormitory entrance.

"Why wouldn't you Evans when I am a seventh year?"

"Really? I wouldn't have notice since you look like a second year, not to mention acting like one."

Ohhs and Burns could be heard throughout the crowd at his statement. Gellert was shaking with rage at the insult. 

"Evans!"

"Yes. Is there something that I can help you with Black?"

"You and me, outside know!"

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear that."

This time laughter echoed all throughout the crowd. Even some of his fellow yearmates were apart of it. Upon seeing that sight, he losted all control. 

"Evans, I invoke the rules of the house."

This caused everyone to fall quiet. Tension filled the air, so thick that one could cut it with a butter knife. One of the people stepped out from the crowd, looking at Gellert.

"Gellert! You are aware of what you are doing, correct?"

The teens voice was stern, filled with authority. Curious, Harry glanced off to the side only for his heart to freeze. Starting at Gellert, was a face that was familiar to his godfather's own before he pasted on. Gellert regained his cool as he faced the man and bowed in respect. 

"Of course, Young Lord Black. I am entirely aware of what I am doing?"

"And if you were to loose?"

"Then the blame would fall entirely onto me."

"It wouldn't just end there."

"I know but I am confident in my abilities."

The teen lord's face relax upon hearing those words.

"Remember those words, the future is never set in stone."

Harry watch the exchange with interest. This teen was able to calm his subordinate down with just a few words. What a bummer! It was just getting good. Oh well, at least he achieved his goal. The Young Lord Black disappeared back into the crowd as Gellert turned his attention back to Evans. The name tasting like dirt in his mouth.

"I will repeat! I invoke the rules of the house, cross-year duel!"

The crowd dissolved into tiny whispers and mummers as they listened in, taking bets on who would win or remembering that last time that something like this took place.

"I'm sorry but what do you mean by rules of the house?"

Snickering and taunts were tossed towards Harry about him being uncivilized and being nothing more than a stupid mudblood. If Isis and Selensia hadn't known ahead of time about this play, they would have started the world's roughest fist brawl than and there just to prove Harry's dominance is supreme to everybody there. Yes. This includes the little dark lord. Gellert burst into smug laughter at Evans' question. 

"You call yourself a Slytherin and yet you don't know one of the most important things that is related to our house. Well, you did crawl out of the mud from who knows where. Maybe your mother decided that it was best to fuck muggles left and right until you were conceived."

For a brief moment, a heavy presence pressed down onto Gellert, causing him to chock on his own laughter. Cold sweat dropped down his back as he struggled to recover from his near choking hazard. He looked around for the source but it already withdrew. Harry struggled to contain his magic in his tight control, as his magic became reaction to his sudden flash of rage. He really needs to get it under his control. If it suddenly reacted in the wrong time and place, he didn't even want to image it. Sure, he agreed to drop the act but that doesn't mean that he must become a people person. He'll interact more with the people around him but he will still keep his cards close to his chest. Gellert quickly recovered his posture as Harry struggled to reign in his magic. 

"It doesn't matter what you think they are. All you need to know is that this is a battle of supremacy. If you win, you will earn respect but if you loose, you will be taught your place like the filthy mutt that you are."

Harry rubbed his jaw, pretending to be indecisive.

"What's in it for me?"

"Like I said, you will win respect is by some miracle that you win."

"I don't care about respect. I am asking you, yourself, what is in it for me to except this duel?"

Gellert became flabbergasted at the question. As if that question was an entire new language all to him. Harry took this chance to state his terms. 

"How about this. If you win, you can do what ever you want with me. I won't fight back but if I were to win. I want you to roll over and bark like a dog whenever you come across another Slytherin until you leave Hogwarts at the end of your seventh year."

Gellert's face instantly flushed red with anger. 

"How dare you!"

Harry only shrugged at the pointless outburst. 

"It's not like you will lose, right?"

He happily egged on Gellert, who lost all sense of reason in that moment.

"Fine, if you want to play it that way Evans. We will do it your way. I can't wait until you become my plaything. I will make sure that you will always be filled to the brim until the point that you become a bitch in heat and happily beg for it."

Harry's eyes narrowed in silent rage but didn't break that act.

"Fine. It's agreed upon."

Tom took this opportunity to step out from the crowd, in-between the two.

"As the victor of the last yearly-cross ranked duel, I shall take place as the referee and judge this duel."

Harry didn't expect this outcome but it doesn't matter not did he care. If he gains Riddle's attention, he is confident that he can loose it again. After all, he was just a nobody in the background when it came to him. Riddle raised his arm up into the air. 

"Form a thirty meter circle for the duel."

The crowd compiled to the demand happily. Excitement could be felt from the people as something like this was rare. Even more so since it is a seventh year verses an unknown third year.

"Constants, step forward."

Harry and Gellert stepped forward until there were just three feet between the two. 

"Make the vow to unfold the terms of the duel."

Since Gellert was the one who made the challenge, he went first.

"I, Gellert Black, swear upon my magic that should Harry Evans wins this duel, I will roll over and bark like a dog whenever i meet or come upon another Slytherin until I leave at the end of my seventh year. Lady magic, hear my vow."

Tom turned to Harry, indicating for Harry to do his. 

"I, Harry Evans, swears upon my magic that should Gellert Black wins this duel, I will be at your becking call and won't fight back. No matter what you wish to do with me."

The air trembled under the weight of the vows as they took hold onto the two duellists, just waiting for the inevitable outcome that is yet to be determined. Harry's eyes flashed with viciousness as he prepares for what was yet to come.

Chapter Text

He stepped back to the edge of the crowd to stay out of the way. The two contestants stared each other down, waiting for a weakness to appear but none revealed themselves. The crowd started to grow antsy as time flew by. Harry himself was starting to grow bored. So, to relieve this. He decided to show an opening to see if Gellert would take it. To say that he took it hook, line,and sinker. Well, let's say that he clearly wasn't one of the biggest tools in the toolshed. A grin made itself known as black lifted his wand and shouted out loud. 

"Confirngo!"

A small ember grew from the top of his wand, releasing sparks and smoke before being released in a firey stream that headed straight towards him. His instincts were screaming to cast a barrier charm. Instead of doing that. Harry silently casted a slippery hex upon himself, followed by atmospheric charm that created a breeze that only affected him, making it go unnoticed to the other people in the common room. This combination gave the appearance that he only able to dodge the curse by accident and proved to the crowd that he is a complete amateur when it comes to dueling. 

Shifting his move slightly to this left activated the slippery hex, causing him to stumble to the opposite side, while the breeze created from atmospheric charm giving him enough room to avoid the familiar curse as a loud explosion erupted from his previous position. Harry could feel the heart from the explosion, as the smoke enveloped him as he took the opportunity to take in his situation. Right now, he was in a duel that would affect his the house would treat him and his very fate all together. Know that he saw it, he even put both Isis' and Selensia's lives in danger. He should be more careful with all decisions moving forth but first he must deal with this. So, should he make a fool of black, or should he be the reasonable grown up and teach him his place. 

His eyes wondered over the watching crowd, noticing that the were no expressions of shock or concern. He guess that it wasn't surprising that they aren't concerned with him using curses. Black is a notorious family when it came to the dark arts. While most of it was kept hush hush under lock and key, Harry knew for a fact that curses were just the bare minimum entry when it came to the dark arts. What does that mean? Harry has no doubt that at the very least, that all the children that belong to those family were most likely already had at least one curse under their belt. Heller was no exception to that but to think that he knew the confringo. Now that brought memories back. He could practically smell smoke from the battle field, the smell of burning flesh, and cries of grief as people fell in battle. No matter how heard he tries to leave those memories behind, he could never escape from the ghost that having him. Hell, he even tried escaping back in time. Good that did him seeing that Riddle wasn't standing to far away from him. Harry's eyes shifted over to his opponent. 

Gellert was wearing a massive smirk on his face with an arragance to match that was brimming with certainty of winning. Harry just wanted to rip that smirk off that face of his. Maybe he should be the grown up in this situation but does he really want to. Not really. Guess that means that he is going the other way. With his decision set, he mubbled a spell under his breath. He never understood why people shouted out their spells when one only needed to speak it softly or even chantless. Though that last bit was difficult to achieve without training. The volume doesn't matter as long as one casts with intent. Now, as for whether one understood what they intended to do with that intent. That was the question that all wizards and witches had to deal with, but what Harry did know was that he was going to kick Gellert's ass while giving him a taste of his own medicine. His wand glowed as it sensed his intentions, excited to do battle with it's wizard. A plan quickly formed in his mind, which he quickly began to implement.

Gellert watched as his confringo exploded, filling the surroundings with thick smoke while blocking his view of Evans but he didn't care. While Evans was a talented three year, Gellert was a seventh year with life experience. Evans didn't have that, giving him the advantage of that was suppose to be that way. So, why did he feel uneasy? He was winning, and he will continue to be on top. Evans is destined to be his slave for the rest of his life, wether he liked it or not. His magic vow would see to that. But, why? Why did he feel like this wasn't going to plan? 

Just as he started to think of what could be causing this feeling, a bright red glow illuminated the smoke before a red flash appeared, heading straight towards him. Acting on instinct, he casted a barrier spell which deflected the spell. Only for the spell to shoot upward, exploding into green and silver fireworks. The loud boom caught black off features that he didn't notice a second spell heading straight towards him. Speaking into him head on, Gellert was launched back to the edge of the circle.

"It's that all you have, Black? I thought that you were some high, powerful seventh year wizard. Don't tell me that it's all you got?"

Gellert released a grown as he climbed back to his feet. Looking at Evans, he patted down his clothes to remove any dust that hasd accumulated on his clothes.

"You got a big mouth Evans! You better watch it or else?"

"Or else what?"

Harry couldn't help. Maybe he shouldn't have but he couldn't help it. Who knew that it would be so fun poking the bear when it came to Gellert.

"That's it! Just you wait until after this duel, I will make you regret all this! Just you wait!"

And there he goes, huffing and puffing like a grumpy puppy or would it be hatchling in this case? Harry almost laughed out in amusement as Gellert started casting another spell, leaving him wide open. Harry could feel his left eye twitch in as he held back his instant attack response. He wanted to enjoy the show some more but he was having a very hard time holding himself back. It was begging him to attach and bring down this boy a notch or two. No Harry, you can't attach right away. If you do, some people, more practically Riddle, will realize that you have experience when it comes to dueling when you just want to come across as someone who just so happens to be lucky to win this duel. But that doesn't mean that he couldn't have fun while he was at it, right? Of course not, just head to be careful not to give away to much. 

If he did, it would show his experience, his true self that he struggles to hide. The warrior trained by fire, blood, and ash that hides beneath the mask of an innocent school boy who just happens to be talented enough while being lucky at dueling. The confirngo spell slammed into a shield that he casted last moment, that deflected the spell to the side, giving the appearance that it misfired instead of being blocked. With a swish of a flick, he sent a harmless hex towards the boy as a counter attack, which Gellert ignored. He was a seventh year after all, why would he need to use the effort to deal with it when it was harmless anyway? The most that it would do to him would be making him sneeze or his skin itch. A simple spell would remedy it. So, what did he do? He ignored it. The spell made contact, but nothing happened. The room seemed to be holding it's breath, waiting to see if anything changed. When nothing did, Gellert broke into fits of laughter at the attempt.

"Really Evans! That's all you got. Just a harmless jinx. Where is all that bravo and courage that you had? Did you loose it to those cowardly kittens upstairs? Don't tell me that the hat accidently put you in the wrong house. Oh my, that would be most pathetic I ever seen is it did. What else are you going to do? Oh, I know! How about getting on your hands and knees to beg for forgiveness. How about this as a good start? I am so sorry, master. Please forgive this pathetic bitch in heat!"

He once again, bent into fits of laughter to the point that one could mistake him off rolling on the ground. His group of gunnies on the other hand felt uneasy. Something just didn't feel right to them. One of the younger boys, one of Harry's year mates, whispered into an older seniors ear.

"Is Gellert going to win?"

The elder one's face twisted into an unreadable expression while watching their group leader antics before answering. 

"It certainly looks like it, but something doesn't sit right with me?"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know. I might just be imagining it. Let's just watch the duel."

He and the younger ones returned their attention back to the duel, but at the edge of their minds. That bad feeling silently lurked, awaiting to bring not only Gellert down but his group with him.

Harry was starting to get bored. While it was exciting at first, the two of them have been dancing back and forth for what seemed to be eternity, but was actually ten minutes in reality. In the back of his mind, he could feel Isis starting to stir from boredom.

Harry, can you stop playing with him please and just finish it.

Uhh. Is someone getting bored?

Not necessarily. It's just that this is not exciting. The power difference between you two is just real but big. The battles from your memories are more exciting. 

Well yeah, those were life and death situations back then and this isn't. 

Yeah, yeah. When can I battle with you like that?

That question through Harry off guard, allowing a spell to land on him. This boosted Gellert's ego even more. 

"You see Evans. This is my power. Just give up and surrender. If you do, them I wouldn't abuse you to much!"

Harry wipe his mouth to hide some blood that appeared from that last bit. He didn't want to give Gellert any satisfaction from the fact that he got him.

"I don't think so Black, we are just getting started and I don't want to ruin the party just yet."

Gellert's grease narrowed down dangerously at him. 

"Don't say that I didn't give you a chance."

"I wouldn't dream of it."

"Evans!"

Harry only smiled as a reply while Isis burst out into full-blown laughter in his head at the screaming pig. 

Okay. I take back what I just said. This is pretty entertaining. I can see way you are going through all this effort to put on this show. 

Right! While this duel will show that I am not easy to push around, it would have been boring if I took care of him within the first five minutes. If I want to make a good impression while watching everyone, I need to put a good show for everyone. What is better than an underdog? Give him the momentum at the beginning and show him off at his best where he thinks that everything is going his way, before I pull the rug right out from underneath him. Dropping him down a pit so deep that he won't ever think about challenging me again. To the watching crowd, they will think it was just luck but to those that is taking this chance to figure me out will understand that I am an opponent that one doesn't want on their bad side, much less as enemy.

I love the way you think. 

Thank you. 

By the way, you haven't answered my question. 

This time, Harry made no reaction in the world beyond his mind. 

What question was that? 

About us fighting together in battle? 

Isis, if I had my way that will never happen.

But that isn't possible, my heart. We both know that even though these next few years will probably be peaceful, fate will never stop chasing. Soon or later, there will be a time when we are needed upon the battle field. Especially, since we both know that there is an organization out there that will stop at nothing to get their hands on me when they learn of my existence. It's something that we should think on. 

I understand Isis, but now it's not the time. 

Of course, my favorite show is on right now. Beat his ass my heart. 

Isis, language. 

Did you say something, Harry?

Isis-

Sorry Harry. I think you are breaking up. 

Isi-

The connection dimmed, telling Harry that she was no longer paying attention.

"Damn it, Isis."

He said under mumbled breath, shifting his entire focus back to the duel.

I think that this has been going on long enough. I should wrap this up.

Harry eyes glued to his opponent, fire burning bright within. If one was paying close attention, they could have swore that they were glowing within their depths. Bracing himself, harry began the finale to this little show of his. He hasn't been idle as he has seemed to be this whole duel. Sure, he has been throwing little hexes here and there, but mixed in with them were ones that were key to his plan. Starting with a slippery hex, making every single movement of his difficult to execute. At first, it was just small things here and there but as time sped by, it grew worst to the point that it was affecting his grip on his wand. Unfortunately, that wasn't all that it was affecting. Just as Gellert was about to cast another confirngo spell, it's the only spell that he had been along around the whole duel, his pants slipped down to reveal heart imprinted underwear. Yeah, if anyone was wondering what that first hex was. Well, let's say that Harry had inherited George's and Fred's sense of pranking. If anyone ever asked Harry about it, he would deny it with everything he has but sometimes he just can't help it.

At first, Gellert was confused. Why did his pants fall down? His second thought was what was everyone laughing at? Confused, he bent to look down to see everything on display. With a shriek of embarrassment, he bent down to pull up his pants, only to slip and fall onto his face. A painful groan could be heard as he tried to pick himself up. His hands trembled with effort but it didn't matter. When he was at the point of gettint to his knees, he slipped once again to fall flat onto his face. A loud crunch could be heard to everyone in the crowd. Gellert sat up, rocking back and forth in pain, holding his nose as he sent a death glare at him. 

"Evans!"

His once arrogant voice, now filled with pain as he lifted his wand at Harry. Before he could launch a spell, Harry sent one of his own, causing all his hair to fall off until all that was left was a shiny half head that could rival a baby's shiny bottom. Gellert shook as he lifted his hand up to feel his head, only to scream out in rage upon feeling his scalp. He swished his wand at Harry, only for his wand to slip from his hand. Before the wand hit the ground, Harry casted a silent levioso onto the wand, sending it straight into his hand. With quick movement, he drew close to Gellert, holding both wands to his throat. Gellert froze like a sheep before a dragon, gulping in fear. Their eyes meet. 

"Surrender."

Gellert bit his lip, refusing to say a word. 

"Surrender!"

Harry command with a fierce ferocity, his magic responding to his intentions. Gellert was about to say something but stopped. Starting deep into Evans eyes, sweat began to drip down his brow. An immense fear built up within him the longer their stare down continue,, as Harry's eyes began to glow with magical might. A roar from a mighty beast sounded right beside his ear, as an image of a dragon appeared behind Harry. Before he knew it, the words were leaving his mouth without his knowledge.. 

"I surrender! Please don't hurt me!"

Harry's grim expression quickly morphed from being frightful into a happy smile as he dropped both wands, returning Gellert's own. The Black reached up for his wand and taking it, confused to what just happened.

"It was a fun duel, Black. We should do it again sometime."

Without waiting for a reply, Harry turned to exist the common room. Stopping just before the door, shouting over his shoulder to Gellert. Not caring if others heard.

"Remember your vow, Black. We don't want you to loose your magic after all. I expect a warm welcome from you next things."

Without another word, he left the common room behind to get something to eat.