Severed

The dark of night covered the forest. Slips of moonlight piercing through the trees from the clouded sky as a light breeze played with the snow covered limbs overhead. Eerie shapes and shadows changed in the cold night. Silence reigned in the still of the night and is both comforting and disturbing. Most of the creatures slept. However, one creature was aiding in disturbing the night as it ran for its life.

The sounds of it running are music to my ears. Panic and fear running rampant in its veins as I hunt; soon it will be mine. Good, I want it scared. I want to feel its fear and be bathed in it. It makes my pulse race to give chase. My prey was running and I would soon catch it and feast.

I don't want to hunt. I want to protect. I feel sick thinking I will soon kill. I will eat my kill. I will look into its dead eyes with glee. That is not me. I cannot take life. I am not a killer. I am not a murder.

Right?

I feel the excitement as I give chase. It flows through my veins as a drug driving me on. This game of cat and mouse ends when I want it to not before. I see the creature now. The white horse is several times my weight. Its physical strength dwarfs my own. Its speed and agility remarkable, and yet I gain on it.

I cannot stop myself. I give chase knowing the ending. I want to turn and leave. Yes, head for a nice comfy bed and sleep the night away. I don't want to do this!

I have the power. I control life and death. I will end this pathetic creature. Its life force will serve to sate my need. I will gain some measure of strength because of its end. My weakness is abhorrent to me. It sickens me that I have need of such a beast. I do as I must for now. Soon I will have my prize and need these lowly creatures never again. Once returned to my place of power I will slaughter all these creatures. There will be no reminder of my weakness.

No, they are innocent. They must be spared. I cannot destroy a species. I must save them. I have to protect them from evil.

The end is near now. I cannot strip its very soul from the beast's body or lose what I came here for. Magic aids me in pursuit. Magic is the true power of the world. It obeys me as all must and will. I command and all listen to and obey my word.

I point the wand and shatter a leg bone into splinters inside the flesh. The destroyed limb is as limp as a vine swaying in a breeze. The beast screams in pain. The delicious panic of a weak creature in pain sends a pleasant shiver down my spine. Its tormented scream sings in my ears. I destroy a front leg. I smile and relish its agony. The creature stumbles and falls… painfully. Stupid beast could have at least broken its neck. It screams in pain and desperation. I move to it head standing tall over its fallen form. I win. I will have my reward now.

I stare at the unicorn's horn now. The symbol of the powerful magic flowing in its veins and the reason I have chosen such a worthless creature. I will take what I need and intentionally waste the rest on the ground to show my disgust.

I move to the neck. The lowly creature tries to kick at me and force me to abandon my meal. I return the favor. It may have missed me, but I succeed kicking it in the face. Several kicks to show this worthless garbage its place at my feet, I find it pitiful this creature cannot properly beg for its life against an obviously superior adversary. It should have known its place the insignificant beast will finally serve a great purpose.

I point the wand and cut into the throat. I put my hands and knees on the ground. I curse the beast and its kind once again. No wizard has ever forced me to lower myself, yet this beast demands it for my reward. I bite onto the flesh and seal my mouth around the cut and begin to drink.

Harry bolts up in bed. Tossing the covers to a side he runs to the adjoining bathroom. He empties last night's dinner from his system. Completing this he stands and moves to the sink and cleans his mouth. Taking a towel and cleaning first his mouth and then wiping the sweat off his body he looks into the mirror.

"It was only a dream," Harry tries to convince himself. "I am not like that. I would never do anything like that!"

Harry leaves the bathroom in Neville's Manor. He likes being here for the break. The whole place is warm and inviting. Harry stares at the bed for a moment.

"Right," Harry turns and begins dressing, "the day begins a bit early for me today." Harry checks the time on the wind up clock nearby. It is almost one in the morning. He sighs deeply. "Very early today it seems."

Leaving the room quietly he heads to the kitchen. In the dead of the night the silence is enveloping. He is nervous thinking back to the dream. A small pop behind him sends him almost out of his skin.

"Young master needs to sleep." The old house elf named Misty told a rapid heart hammering Harry.

Recovering his composure Harry looked accusingly at the innocent eyed Misty. "I just wanted a drink. I might have a bit to eat as I think I can't get back to sleep now." Harry put his hand over his heart hoping to make the elf feel bit guilty for scaring him.

"Young master is hungry?" Misty looked excitedly expectant. Harry cursed in his head. Misty had taken personal offense to how little Harry ate during his stay at the manor so far. Harry knew he had no chance of getting out of this meal until the demon chef in front of him could stuff him no more.

"Misty will have a proper meal on the table in just a moment. Young master will sit and wait." Harry was not sure how Misty sounded so happy and commanding in the same tone. Accepting his fate he makes to the dining room table.

Madam Longbottom is a very welcoming and hospitable hostess Harry notices. He constantly feels everything she does is to make his stay the best possible. Neville is confused every time she smiles at Harry. He swears she is not normally like this. Augusta overhearing this reminds Neville he has never had anyone over for longer than an afternoon and it was usually forced on him.

Harry sits at the table thinking of what hellish nightmare the small creature in the kitchen will force him to consume. He ponders the small creature willing to make a full meal at this hour of night. She is polite, friendly as long as you eat, helpful, and always there when you need her. Harry can't think of one minute she has not been right next to him. It is like she hovers over him ready for anything.

Suddenly a meal for five people covers the table. Everything he could have ever wanted was in front of him.

"Misty, I don't think Neville and I could eat all this if we were starving." Hoping the elf will not take offense when Harry barely ate any of the meal. He hoped in vain.

An almost angry scowl crossed her face. "Young master never eats enough. Young master will finally eat his fill." Harry began eating, he was quite sure his 'fill' is going to consist of three grown men's appetite after hard labor. Misty continuously refilled his drink and adds more to his plate. The food from the demon chef is delicious. Harry finally begs to stop claiming he might get sick if he continues. Misty eyes him before allowing Harry's departure from the dining room. Her parting words terrify him.

"Young master will enjoy his lunch too." A shiver runs down his spine. Images of Neville with a chubby twin returning to Hogwarts flash in his mind.

Neville's weight begins to make sense now. At first Harry thought his friend ate too much and was a little heavy because of it. So, deciding his friend could use some exercise Harry took longer ways around the castle at a much quicker pace. Neville never runs out of breath while following Harry. He then attributed the weight to baby fat. The truth is revealed now; it is the demon chef of House Longbottom.

Harry quickens his pace to the greenhouses. Maybe his work on the Longbottom greenhouses will shield him from Misty. One can hope can't they?

Walking into the greenhouses, Harry activates the runic array for light. Testing the limits he is satisfied with his work. Getting to work he uses his wand to carve more symbols in the floor of the last greenhouse. Harry absentmindedly starts working on his planned out runic array. He begins to reflect to over the last couple months.

The last few months had shown the change of the direction for one young man. Harry's work ethic had risen. He was running himself ragged each day. His mental program is just as demanding as the physical. Both are ramped up as high as he could handle. His portrait guardian continuously asks Harry to slow down. Esmeralda sees just how much Harry is pushing his limits. Harry ignores her and thanks her for her concern telling her not to worry.

Just like the portrait others notice as well. Madam Pomfrey and Professor Flitwick are not the only members of the staff to take notice of these changes. They did speak to him about it. His new drive was surprising at first. Both believe it is just another childish burst of energy that would soon return to previous levels. It is the notice of the other staff members that started to make them take notice something was different now.

By the holiday break all the staff saw how hard Harry was pushing. Some members of the staff are concerned on how this would affect him when he could no longer keep up the pace. Others want him to stop as soon as possible. Most complain to the Headmaster for one reason or the other. Harry's summons to the Headmaster's office was ignored by the boy. When asked by Flitwick why he was not going to see the Headmaster, Harry simply told Flitwick he didn't need to see the school Headmaster. He was required to see the Headmaster if he did something wrong. What had he done wrong?

Flitwick relayed the information to the Headmaster who confirmed the boy had broken no rules for the school, or the castle according to the Sorting Hat, so it was out of his hands if Harry refused an invitation. This didn't sit well with the staff. In most of the eyes of the staff Harry was being rude to the Headmaster. Harry acted like it was inconsequential and carried on.

Harry set up the rooms he talked about. No students used them besides Harry and occasionally Neville and Hermione. Harry was not concerned about it. He never expected the students to use them anyway. He wanted a place to work. Now he had one. Well, several rooms. He set up the blackboards and started leaving goals and questions to figure out. It was helping him reach his goals. No matter how short term they were. He set new ones immediately.

He had set up twelve boards in the room. One by the door, four on each side and three at the back of the room only the one at the front had one word on it. In large script and elaborately written was the single word, learn. The others all had questions from each subject he took and a few he had could not take until at least third year.

Harry knew some of the teachers were checking on him. Nothing was said about his rooms or the direction he was pursuing by any of his teachers. He was getting an uneasy feeling about his teachers though. In class most were ignoring him to some extent. He was too busy to give this much thought. He just assumed they saw what he was doing in the room. Seeing he was going in the right direction they moved on to other students.

Harry did laugh at Hermione though. She saw his efforts and started to spend most of her time in the library. The girl was showing quite the competitive side. Harry was just edging her out in grades now. She had redoubled her efforts and ended up spinning her wheels. Hermione was having trouble realizing knowledge without experience only took you so far. She only saw what she wanted in Harry's work room. She saw the questions and goals on the board with books around the room. Most of which Harry had mail ordered from Diagon Alley thanks to Hedwig. Paul had made sure after a quick correspondence that Harry's trust vault was full and ready to begin purchasing things needed.

What she didn't see was the same thing missed by all. Harry had also ordered life size statues made of Granite for target practice. He usually shrank these and stuffed them in a pocket of the ruck when he was done with them. It was not like they could be left in the work room taking up all his space. His accuracy, speed, and power were now things he could test. He was able to practice variations of spells most never bothered with. He ran arithmancy exercises to test if other variations were possible. He was not surprised how Professor Septima Vector ignored him saying he could take her course in third year as an elective. This slowed him down having to learn as he was going. He had some accidents along the way causing visits to Madam Pomfrey.

Harry also hid his potions experiments in the Visitor's Quarters. He refused to call it the Lord's Quarters still. He spent quite a bit of time, not to mention money, at night working in here. While he had no curfew like the students it was best not to cause problems leading to interrupting his work. Harry had tried very hard to ask the resident Potions Master a few questions. He came closest to asking at the holiday break feast the night before leaving. Looking at Snape for all of twenty seconds sitting at the staff table was enough for Harry to get up and leave. Harry ignored everyone the rest of the night. He just could not do it. He had looked at the man and could not see anything but hate and anger staring at him. Harry went to his quarters and kept telling his mother over and over he could not do it. Harry knew she was watching him along with his father and kept apologizing for hating her old friend. Snape was definitely a sore spot for the boy.

Harry came closest to taking a break over the holidays while staying with Neville and his Grandmother. Neville showed Harry around the house and grounds. When they got to the greenhouses Neville's obvious excitement was contagious. Harry and Neville worked in there for a couple hours before bed. Harry told Neville he already knew what to get Neville for Christmas. Harry sent off Hedwig the next day with a couple letters. A couple days later several owls with various packages arrived. Harry asked Neville to stay out of the greenhouses so he could set up the present.

Neville had argued saying the plants needed to be tended to. It was Augusta who reminded Neville Harry had experience with the plants. Harry had worked with Paul for years so Neville agreed. Once the holiday came around Neville and his Grandmother went with Harry and were both impressed with the gift.

Harry had used his talent with runes and experience with Paul's greenhouses to make the glass have a tinting feature. As some plants required different amounts of light to thrive parts or the whole greenhouse could be shaded. The range was bright cloudless sunlight all the way to a deep forest with little light getting through a thick canopy of leaves overhead. He explained how it worked and was a bit disappointed he could not set up the humidity function that Paul had on his.

Augusta was impressed with the work and asked if Harry had also set that up on Paul's greenhouses. Harry shook his head no. This was later a source of amusement as Harry told Paul what he had done and Paul demanded it be added to his in the near future. Harry teased Paul saying he would after the humidity runes were set up on Neville's greenhouses first, next Christmas. Neville and Augusta laughed with Harry as he explained Paul's response to increase training levels to hellish levels if he didn't change his mind.

"Young master," Misty's voice made Harry very nervous. Harry had gotten lost in his work. "It is time to eat."

"I just need to finish up here and I will be right in." He hoped he could pretend to get lost in his work and forget about the midday meal. He would give his apology later to the demon chef.

"Young master can stop now. Runes do not need to be powered yet. Eating will give more power for later." How the elf knew he was all finished and just needed to start the power infusing to activate the runic array surprised Harry. Reluctantly he followed Misty back inside the manor.

Augusta and Neville were already at the table when he joined them. He greeted them with a simple hello before sitting down. His hostess was the first to address him.

"Up early again, Harry?" Even smiling at Harry he notices she is fishing for information. He often thought she is more than just a little curious about him and his life. She repeatedly tells him he was absent from the wizarding world for so long many people would be curious. Sometimes he thought there was more to it though. He would dismiss it soon enough because of the inane questions she often asked.

"Yes, ma'am, I want to finish up the last greenhouse before we return to Hogwarts." The answer was true enough. He felt no need to tell her about the dream he had.

"You are a driven young wizard," she smiled towards Harry. "I don't mean to speak out of turn about a possibly sore subject, however I believe your mother would be proud of you."

"Thank you, I hope my dad is proud of me just like mom." Harry smiled gratefully.

"I am sure he is just as proud of his son." Augusta knew of James by reputation only. She had not wanted to inform Harry he would probably need to pull several pranks to receive the man's full praise.

Surprisingly lunch was light just some soup and bread before Harry, with Neville in tow, returned to work. Neville came along to be around Harry and learn more about the work Harry had done. After the explanation was done along with the last of the work the boys sat and talked.

"You know Gran was laughing hard about your 'breakfast'. Misty was so proud of 'finally feeding Harry a proper meal' she went into great detail about everything you ate." Neville sheepishly relayed.

"That why we had a small lunch isn't?" Neville's quick nod confirmed it.

"Gran is not one for big meals. Misty knows this and usually makes me eat a larger portion since Gran wont." Harry is listening to Neville. His mind is getting better at multitasking. Listening to Neville and thinking about the modifications he continued to make to some of the clothes he wears.

"Let's go for a walk around the grounds." Harry wants to try a new trick with his concentration. Leading Neville outside and walking around until Harry is satisfied at working off most of the meal. Harry smiles the whole time. He encourages Neville to talk about whatever is on the boy's mind; while at the same time keeping a mental tally of the distance they walk, Neville's state of possible exhaustion, and making several adjustments to Blackwall.

Initially, all is well with his attempt. It didn't last though. Harry soon is busy in his adjustments to Blackwall and lost track of what Neville is saying. Finishing up his work he redirects to Neville. Neville is quiet as they walk in silence.

"Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts." Harry tried to apologize. Harry quickly reviews everything Neville said. In part it looks like he at least recorded what Neville said while walking. Not the original plan, but useful.

"It is alright, Harry. I did start to ramble on there. I would ignore me too." Harry didn't like hearing this from Neville.

"No, that is not it. I allowed myself to get distracted by another thought. I like talking with you, mate." Harry firmly told the shy boy.

"Really," Neville wanted to know if this was true.

"Yep, you think about things I don't. I think the timer on the light and humidity functions would have been a good idea. I will have to see if I can find a way to add them." Harry is disappointed at not thinking about adding a timer when he set up the greenhouse runes.

"It is not a big thing really. I usually spend hours with plants anyway I can just change the settings while I am out there with them." Neville hoped he didn't upset Harry. Neville is very happy having a friend like Harry. True, he never really tried to make friends and Harry had approached him, but Neville was glad someone like The Harry Potter would want to be friends with him.

Harry was always encouraging him. What more could Neville the considered a near squib want from a friend? Harry would push him to be his absolute best and never call him a failure. Initially, Harry would get mad at Neville for even having such thoughts when Neville would even hint at it. Harry was always telling how his master would make Harry repeat any exercise in magic repeatedly until the thoughts of failure could not be remembered. Jokingly he threatened Neville with the same if he ever mentioned failure or being a failure again. That was all it took for Neville.

Neville selfishly wished Harry would take Potions with him. Neville was doing really well in every subject, except Potions. Snape just scared him. Harry told him how Snape was a bully. Neville believed if he asked Harry might just come to class Neville would do better. Could he ask his only friend to do that?

Harry is already running different patterns over in his mind on how to fix or modify the rune arrays. That is the problem with Runes in general as Harry sees it. Once a set is made altering it is usually more work that scrapping it and starting fresh. Harry and Ms. Box had discussed how changing an established array weakened the set as a whole. It was a problem that made little sense to him. Ms. Box argues with him that no such weakness occurs. Harry was adamant that it was the case. If he could not find an easy fix to the problem; it could potentially have to wait until next Christmas for a fix.

Paul had already informed him of a busy summer to compensate for the vacation to Hogwarts. Paul still made it quite clear his feelings on wasted time with the twigs. Harry actually thought he should consider seeking asylum with Neville and Augusta for the summer.

It was during this walk Hedwig made and appearance. Her screech let the boys know she was near. Harry put out his arm and she gracefully landed on it. Harry transferred her to his opposite shoulder where she dug into his shoulder and maintained a tight grip.

"Harry that is one of the scariest birds I have ever met." Neville's voice is quite subdued.

"She is to pretty to be scary Neville," Harry stroked her chest while the bird preened.

"That is because she is yours mate. Trust me the way she looks at others makes people nervous. Even Gran doesn't look her in the eye for too long." Neville told Harry making sure not to look at the bird.

"She wouldn't hurt you Neville she likes you." Harry was trying to reassure his friend. "Besides she is very protective of what is hers, just ask her."

Neville refused to mention Harry's familiars for the next few minutes. Harry having one familiar proved to most he was powerful. Having two was unheard of, as such, the boy kept it quiet. As far as anyone knew Hedwig was just a post owl. Although a very smart one and that was all they needed to know.

"Gran loves the hat and purse. I think she is going to get you something special for your birthday this summer. So, beware any gifts during that time." Neville laughed.

Harry's gift of a Runespoor handbag and hat was well received by Augusta. Neville was not sure if this was an upgrade or not. It would be a few months before the boys noticed Augusta using the handbag only. The boys spent the rest of the day relaxing. Knowing tomorrow they were headed back to Hogwarts for the second half of the year. Harry did get to enjoy one last feast before going to bed that night. He wondered if coming back with Neville in the future was worth one day possibly being confused with a ham and accidentally being prepared for a holiday meal by the demon chef.

Harry was glad they would not be taking the train. Once Neville explained how long it took to go by train Harry instantly disliked it. Augusta was kind enough to pick them up in Hogsmeade. She did mention that after the return trip any future travel would be by the train.

Harry was able to talk Augusta into a trip to Diagon Alley for a supply run he and to some extent Neville would need for the rest of their time at Hogwarts. Harry moved around the various shops like a whirlwind. The Longbottoms soon left him to his own devices and headed to Gringotts with a planned meet up for the Leaky Cauldron. Harry faked barely paying attention to their leaving. He browsed the book store some more until he was sure they were gone. Once sure he paid for his purchases and left.

Moving to London proper he found an alley and applied is younger version of Paul glamour. Once applied Harry make like a storm teleporting to various shops buying clothes and other items for future experiments. Harry knew his approach to the customers and shopkeepers touched on rude, but he was in quite the rush and was not in the mood to be polite. His list included everything from knives to food stuffs. Even impulse items he had not considered as part of his want list. After a couple hours even Harry admitted he was just trying to see if he could fill the ruck.

The damn ruck was driving him up the wall. He knew his father was somehow enjoying this annoyance. A small part of why Harry wanted the rooms was to find out how the ruck even worked. He still could not find the runic arrays to even begin to understand the functions of the ruck.

His father's ruck had abilities he really could not figure out. For an example, no matter what you put in the main pouch if you reached into any pocket you could draw out what you needed. However, the reverse was not true. Take the target statues Harry placed in one of the side pouches. He could not reach into the main and retrieve them. Proving any side pouch is independent of the main. Yet, the main could seemingly override the side pouches extended storage areas.

He was going to find out how this worked if it killed him.

Harry eventually met back up with the Longbottoms apologizing for taking so long. They kindly ignored any inconvenience. The group headed for the apparition point nearest to the pub. Once in Hogsmeade Augusta wished them well in the remainder of the year. Reinforcing the train to be used as is the custom of Hogwarts students. The boys said goodbye and walked off after the regent of House Longbottom left.

After a stop to visit and talk with Rosmerta, Harry purchases as much butterbeer and 'muggle' juice as the woman would sell them, the pair headed back into Hogwarts. Neville begged off going to the work rooms and headed for the owlery to send off a quick letter to his Gran letting her know of their safe arrival.

Despite the relaxing time Harry spent with the Longbottoms, once he was back at Hogwarts Harry was all business. There was however an unexpected present found in his room. Harry was instantly on guard. He questioned Esmeralda relentlessly over who had been allowed into the room. The portrait swore no one had been allowed into his rooms. Harry raged at her that the item wrapped and sitting on the table proved that wrong.

Esmeralda pleaded ignorance; she knew not how that could have happened. Harry went over every inch of the rooms for days looking for anything out of place or tampered with. When that turned futile he began all over again checking with magic. He found nothing. This only unsettled him more. Esmeralda constantly tried to beg for forgiveness.

Harry ignored her.

It ate at Harry who could have entered his rooms without permission. Harry eventually went to see the Sorting Hat. Harry completely ignored the Headmaster as he complained to the hat. The information Harry got from the Sorting Hat only set Harry off more.

"Mr. Potter, the only individuals with access to your room would be members of the staff." The Sorting Hat said diplomatically.

The anger in Harry's face as he glanced at the Headmaster was pure fury. It didn't matter if the man had done it or another had. It was his responsibility to keep the staff in line. Dumbledore had failed. The man could not even control his staff. Snape had only been the first example. Now his privacy had been violated and who knew how many times.

Fawkes resting on his perch sensing the distressed boy began to sing a calming song.

"Shut up, you chicken dinner!" Harry snapped at the bird. "I have every right to be upset and will not have you or anyone else telling me to stay calm."

"Harry my boy, you should listen to Fawkes." Dumbledore stated.

"If I wanted to hear what you had to say I would treat you like a nutcracker and pull on your beard." Harry went right back to ignoring the Headmaster and looked at the Sorting Hat. "Your telling me not only has my room been exposed to any number of people, but I can't do anything about it since the guard to my room was fooled one way or another?"

"I am sorry Mr. Potter. I would like to assist you in this matter. However, you have no evidence of anyone in particular. I cannot go on a witch hunt, pardon the expression, without even a starting point." The Sorting Hat had several ideas what had happened. It was not about to share those ideas with an angry Harry Potter.

Dumbledore watched closely as several whirling devices nearby started to melt slowly. Five years ago two of these same devices had stopped working leading Albus to start a search for the Boy-Who-Lived. The distance they covered had been exceeded for a long enough period they lost the connection to the embedded blood inside. It was amazing what you could do with just one drop of blood. These devices had over the years reassured him of the state of Harry. He may not have known where he was at any given time, but he knew the state of his emotions and health.

"What do you mean? You said only the staff could have gone into my room." The Sorting Hat listened to the angry boy. Harry was just as mad as anyone going to Gringotts and finding out his vault was empty through no fault of their own.

"Please forgive me Mr. Potter. There is really nothing wrong with someone entering your room and leaving a present. Yes, I understand you didn't give permission. Should I start my investigation with Santa Claus? He is known for illegally entering worldwide. However, you stated nothing was touched, moved, or altered. So, their intent was neither malicious nor intrusive. Do you really want me harassing the staff for giving you a present?" The words of the Sorting Hat made Harry feel a bit foolish.

"I guess not. I am sorry for yelling."

"No harm has been done, Mr. Potter. Although I do believe some might take offense to being an evening meal." The Sorting Hat was giving its best smile while waving its tip around and flapping its brim. Harry giggled at the hat.

Harry turned to the majestic bird on its perch. "I am most sorry for any offense spoken in the heat of the moment. Harry then bowed to the Phoenix. Fawkes replied with a song making Harry feel acceptance.

"What do you say we go for a walk? I hear it is cold outside. We may even freeze!" The hat began to shiver all the way down to its brim. Harry chuckled.

"You want me to carry you around in the snow outside?" Harry asked incredulously.

"How rude, Mr. Potter. I am a hat after all." Dumbledore perked up at this development. He almost said something to encourage Harry. His restraint was tested. Harry was showing a considerable amount of hostility towards him.

"You want me to wear you upon my head?" Harry guardedly asked.

"Of course not, Mr. Potter, I am well aware of your guardians issue with me. I do, however, require a bit of your time. That pack you carry should be good enough for me to ride on." The Sorting Hat stated clearly to all in the room.

"Oh," Harry replied intelligently, "I guess that would be fine."

A short time later Harry and the Sorting Hat were next to the Black Lake. "Tell me Harry, how are your studies going?"

"You too," Harry disparaged, "does everyone think I am pushing too hard."

"Harry, please, I am concerned just like the rest. You appear unnaturally driven lately. And believe it or not most that care for you are honestly concerned for your mental welfare. Before you say anything let me finish. Can you honestly tell me yelling at Esmeralda, the Headmaster, Fawkes, or me was the correct thing to do in this situation? While you think about that would you get out your wand?"

Harry was confused. He pulled out his wand. What did he need his wand out for?

"Thank you, Harry. Now, would you be so kind as to levitate us to a different part of the Black Lake." The Sorting Hat requested of the young wizard. Harry didn't understand why but he was curious. After levitating himself across the Black Lake the Sorting Hat asked they be put down about fifty feet from the shore.

"Good Mr. Potter, we can continue now. Please stand still for a couple minutes quietly. Keep your wand out please." The silence stretched after the Sorting Hat's last requests.

Harry was beginning to wonder why they needed to be quiet. The sun was shining. A cold slow breeze was blowing. The silence was encompassing. The snow was almost blinding in this light. Time continues to drag on, Harry was about to say something. He could be doing something right now instead of standing here doing nothing. He was about to say something to the old hat.

"Not yet Harry, please be patient."

Did the Sorting hat just read his mind? Did it even need to be on his head? Had the hat been using this opportunity to read all the secrets in him? Everything Paul didn't want them to know was possibly exposed.

"Harry calm down, I just need some time." The Sorting Hat explained to the agitated boy.

So, the hat was doing something? Wait, it can do magic? Okay, that is as stupid as it sounds. A magic animated hat could most likely do magic, duh. It was a good thing his cheeks were probably red because of the weather or they would be turning red now. He never plans telling Paul about being surprised the Sorting Hat could do magic. He continues to stand in place and say nothing. More importantly, trying to not think of anything else stupid while waiting on the hat to finish whatever it is doing. He breathed deeply and relaxed.

Eventually, the Sorting Hat spoke. "Do you feel better now, Harry?"

Surprisingly, he did feel much better. He asked how the hat knew. "You do understand I have been around children for a couple years now, right?"

Harry was feeling rather sheepish now. The Sorting Hat laughed loud before calming down. "Tell me Harry, have you decided on a House for the next year?"

"Isn't it a bit early for that?" Harry asked surprised by the question.

"Not really, we both know if you choose to return you will be a student. You will have to be in a House then. I believe you will need to consider which House of Hogwarts you will join. We also know your Master will not let you be sorted by me. This leads me to having to discuss with you which you will choose. Trying to do so during the Sorting ceremony would unnecessarily drag out the proceedings on an already long night."

"Oh," Harry honestly had not really considered it.

"That is not the only discussion we need to have. Since I have no immediate need to know your choice on the first matter we can table that for later. We must discuss your classes." The Sorting Hat smiled as Harry grunted. "Yes, Harry, you need to attend all your classes. While failing a class or even two will not see you repeat a year it can and will affect your House."

"How would that affect my House?" Harry didn't want believe he would need to attend Snape's classes.

"Your intentional absences will cost them house points. This will net you hostility in your own house for simple stubbornness. Make no mistake you will have to deal with many things in your life. Some large and some will be small, the question before you is how will you handle various situations. Would you aggravate your Housemates just to act childish? Life lessons bring wisdom, and wisdom is used throughout your life. Courage, Loyalty, Intellect, and Cunning these four attributes are the primary focus for one of each house. In truth it is hoped every young student has all of them in some degree. Can you not find a way to deal with a difficult task?"

The very next day Neville got his silent wish. Harry Potter, his friend, was sitting next to him in Potions class. Harry just walked in late to the class scanned the room and found Neville sitting alone with Snape standing over his shoulder. Harry greeted Neville.

Before he could take his seat next to Neville, Snape started in on him. Harry was having none of it.

"You're disturbing your own class." Harry's cold demeanor caught everyone's attention. "Have you considered that you are the cause of so many to do poorly? Yes, I am sure you have. Perhaps that is your intent after all. Your fear that students not in your house will outshine your own, so go on and prove to all that Slytherin House is a failure in Potions. Prove to all that Professor Snape cannot teach and the substandard purebloods will show their true colors by your continued interference." The challenge was clear.

"How dare you-," Snape started before being interrupted. Harry pulled out several letters and placed them in front of Snape on the workstation.

"Yes, how dare I? How dare I check and see that most purebloods never make another potion after Hogwarts. That most seem to find it beneath them to bother with such a menial task. How dare I check with the Ministry and see that most who fail your Potions class go on to be superb healers and aurors and are of course not Slytherins. After all that is just two careers that require a high grade on Ministry exams to enter into the fields."

Snape remained silent. Harry decided to continue while the man was off balance.

"Now if you will leave Neville alone I will assist him in getting his failing grade so that he can prove to those outside the walls of Hogwarts that you intentionally fail anyone good at Potions. I do hope you continue the current trend ensuring anyone looking at his grades, or any graduate, that failure means they have quite the potential in Potions."

"Harry," Hermione directed at the young wizard, "That is not how it works."

"Actually, it is Hermione. I sent letters to several potential interviews on behalf of myself and Neville. I explained that while I am just starting Hogwarts I wanted to know what recommendations they had for future course work. I told them of my grades to date and asked for any recommendations on studying and what would I need to know or due about my complete failure in Potions." Harry turned and smiled at Snape before continuing.

"Each and every one of the possible employers said the same thing. My Potion's grade was irrelevant unless I was in Slytherin. If I had taken Slytherin as my house I would be 'comprehensively examined' for Potions knowledge where it was applicable. That last was from Brewer's Cauldron, they currently hold the contract for potions supplied to St. Mungo Hospital. Their first reaction to getting applicants of former Slytherin House students is to deny them out right if they have sufficient applicants from other houses of Hogwarts first."

Hermione and several others looked right at Professor Snape. The man looked shocked at first then enraged.

"I commend your ability to stretch the truth Mr. Potter; many have tried to besmirch my good name. All have failed. By all means assist Mr. Longbottom. Your lack of attendance will show as you drag down an already poor student even further." Snape moved away from Neville and skulked around the room.

Harry just shook his head and turned to Neville. "So, what are you working on today," a smile across his face.

"Blemish curative," a nervous Neville glanced up at the board. Harry looked at the limited instructions. He thought for a couple minutes before turning to see Neville had started the potion.

"Neville," the boy looked up from his work, "get rid of that. We will start over and make something much better."

"But Harry, this is the assignment for the day." Neville stated.

"I understand that. I have even used it. I can see why most women won't use it either. I think we can make it while making something better." Harry moved over to the class room supplies.

Harry brought back most of the same components. "Here Neville chop this in the smallest bits you can, while I clean this cauldron for use." And so the work began anew. Harry spent a good fifteen minutes cleaning the cauldron. Occasionally stopping to get Neville to cut and measure the other ingredients.

"Harry, we are going to run out of time." Neville whined.

"So, we are going to make a curative most girls in Hogwarts will be screaming for you to make on a regular basis." Most of the girls in the class reacted to that. Luckily Neville asked what they were thinking.

"W-why would they do that?" Neville glanced around nervously.

Harry returned the cauldron and had Neville fill the cauldron with water from his wand before answering. "Every girl and woman likes her skin to look good. Some boys as well care just as much. Good now add that. The Blemish Curative is a weak potion if left on its own. Now add the pus, good… if you make certain changes in time and add ingredients beyond the basics it changes the whole potion drastically."

"Harry, are you sure about this?" Neville suspiciously asked. Harry nodded.

"I was in Belgium with this friend of my master who has the absolute smoothest skin I have ever seen on a beautiful woman. My master later told me the 'young woman' I was staring at was sixty-five. Good, now add those shredded roots. Anyway, I told him he was lying. He showed me a painting of him with a group of others when we returned home. The exact same woman was on the right side of that painting looking the exact same as I saw her when I stood in front of her. Stir this for a couple of minutes. I was shocked to see her needless to say. I asked him why he didn't use the same thing she did. He laughed and said she would not share the secret."

"Okay, but how does that help us? If you don't know how it works then it is pointless." Neville almost sighed in defeat. Several in the class were getting distracted from their own work listening in.

Harry smiled and put his hand on Neville's back. "Cheer up, Nev. You are forgetting the most important thing."

"What is that?" Neville was curious and he could not think of why any of this was relevant.

"Okay, increase the heat a bit. I was there to learn potions from her. All she taught me was the basics. I learned nineteen different interaction charts she had gathered in her travels over the world. Once she was done making sure I could not only repeat each of the parts of every chart she then grilled me on interactions of each that are rarely if ever mixed. That woman was a taskmaster. I guess it should be taskmistress."

"Harry," Neville interrupted.

"Right, Nev.," Harry looked over his shoulder, "looks good. I ended up making so many types of various potions for her that she laughed when she sold my work saying they are adequate at best. I was quite upset as you can imagine. She had me making potions from dawn until way past the need for sleep. It was quite trying."

Harry watched Neville stirring the potion. "Later I received a gift from her. It was her recipe book. Too bad I can't read it yet."

Hermione dropped all pretense of not listening like others including Snape maintained. "What do you mean you can't read it? What language is it in? Maybe I can help translate it."

Smiling at her Harry said, "Thanks, 'Mione. But that won't help. She made up her own code for it. If I ever want to use it I have to figure out the code. My master said it is some kind of magical code. If I am not real careful I will destroy it before I can break it. It is meant to take years to figure out from what he can tell. Take it off the heat now, Nev."

Harry grabbed his pack and started bringing out many test tubes. He began setting them up for filling next to Neville. Setting up two dozen vials up he looked to Neville and asked, "Has it cooled?"

Neville went to stick his finger in it. Harry struck like a snake. Grabbing his friend's hand and jerking it away harshly. Neville was sure something in his arm was pulled and the death grip Harry had on his arm had not let up. Harry's eyes wide as can be stared at Neville before narrowing. "Neville, listen very closely. It was drilled into my head many, many times. Never touch a potion meant to be ingested." The stern tone grabbed everyone's attention.

"Why?" Neville was scared by the look on Harry's face. Harry relaxed his grip on his friend. Returning to his happy relaxed tone he had maintained with Neville, Harry began to explain.

"Sorry, look Nev, a potion meant to go into your stomach will interact with the acid in your stomach that breaks down food we eat. Your finger is not covered in that same acid. Without the same interactions your stomach would have to start the process anything could happen it is unpredictable. You may get a wart or your whole body could become a wart. You see what I mean by an unpredictable reaction?" Neville nodded his head quickly. Unseen by the two boys most in the room leaned away from their potions as if they would bite them. Harry laid his hand cautiously to the side of the cauldron. When it didn't burn his hand he let it rest there for a minute.

"Alright, it has cooled enough. Start filling the vials to no more than half full. Except one, that is your turn in." Neville filled the first one full. Harry grabbed it and took it to Professor Snape's desk.

"Neville's improved and superior potion," Harry smirked. Snape looked more irate than normal. When he returned to Neville he grabbed several more and gave the first to Hermione.

"Will this really get rid of blemishes?" she asked skeptically. Harry just popped the stoppered lid and downed one.

"Yes, it will. If I am right it will have also help prevent them for up to a week." Harry responded.

"So you don't actually know." Hermione pressed him.

"I know the base is right and it will cure the initial existing ones. I can't guarantee the one week part, yet."

"Why not, do you know if you made it right?" she asked.

"Yes, Neville made it right. No, I have not had anyone test the second part. I have not meant anyone with bad enough acne to be able to test the lasting effects of the potion." Harry moved his tongue around his mouth. He turned to Neville. "Hey, Nev, we need to add one more drop of lavender oil. There is just a hint of root flavor after a couple seconds."

"Um, okay, whatever you say Harry." Neville uncertainly responded. Harry continued around the room putting a vial next to each girl.

Dean Thomas asked out loud. "Why are you only giving it to the girls?"

"Girls care about what they look like more than boys do. Even if these girls don't use it they may know someone who would try it and let Neville know the results. If you want one just ask Neville he has more." Harry finished passing out the vials packed up his belongings and was about to leave.

"Where do you think you are going, Potter?" Snape snapped. "I haven't dismissed you yet. So arrogant thinking you can just come and go as you please. Your fame doesn't give you leave to alter my class to your liking. Passing out untested potions on unwilling victims is criminal at best. At your own admission the potion is not even your work but the work of another student. You have made it very clear you intended to test this out on other students and leave another responsible for your handiwork. Not only will you receive a failing grade for you lack of effort on this classwork, but you have led another student to fail the class work as well. Quite the immoral inclinations you have there, Potter."

Harry stopped at the door. He stood with his back to the class and Snape. Taking a deep breath he turned around staring Snape right in the eyes. He dropped his ruck and slowly started walking towards Snape who was behind his desk at the far side of the room standing.

"Where am I going? Who do you think you are? Someone thinks you are capable of teaching. That is not me. I don't think of you as my teacher, so no authority there. You have insulted my family multiple times since you were in Hogwarts." Snape's eyes widened slightly, "Yeah, I know about that. In truth putting it together was easy from her diary." Harry was glad he remembered not to mention Ms. Box directly.

"I may not have the entire picture of past events, but I know I could easily call a blood feud." With that Harry's hands darted into his brown robes. Snape thinking he was going for a wand drew his. He knew legally he needed to wait for the spawn to cast before he could attack in self-defense. Snape was surprised when instead of a wand Harry drew out a pair of blades and tossed them. A burst of magic from Harry startled the professor. The speed with which they flew through the air could be compared to bullets fired from a gun.

The blades embedded themselves in to the wall on either side of Snape's head. Chipped stone grazed the surprised professor's face. Snape brought his hands up even as he closed his eyes reflexively. Most of the class was shocked and gasping. Snape heard the Granger girl call out to Harry. It took several moments before Snape could force his eyes open. One eye has blood drops in it and the other teared up due to stone dust from the impact of the blades.

When he finally got them opened he noticed the boy was gone.

It was later that evening when Harry reappeared in the Great Hall. Immediately upon entering with Perth on his shoulder Harry waited for what he thought was coming. The Headmaster and his deputy approached him. Harry simply waited calmly and examined the two. The deputy is easy enough to read. Controlled fury would describe her best. The Headmaster was more of a puzzle. He looked concerned and happy; he even has a twinkle in his eyes. Harry was not close to understanding why.

"Harry, my boy," The Headmaster started in a cheerful tone, "the event of this afternoon has compelled me to have you removed as a guest of the castle."

The deputy looked much more calmly at hearing this turn of events. Harry wondered why. He could not think of a thing that he had done to her. He paid attention to her in class. He completes all his assignments quickly and efficiently. Why the animosity towards him?

"What did I do?" Harry asked innocently.

"You attacked a Hogwarts teacher," bellowed the Head of Gryffindor.

The confused look on Harry's face only preceded his question by a couple of seconds. "Professor Flitwick and I have sparred for months now. Why is that an issue now?"

As if appearing out of thin air as his name was mentioned the pint-sized professor corrected the young wizard, "No, Harry, they are referring to the incident in Potion class earlier today. Something I feel you should have mentioned to me as well."

"I didn't hurt him. He still has both of his eyes. I merely threatened him. How does that get me into trouble?" Harry inquired of Professor Flitwick.

"You cut him. I saw the blood myself, and so did the Headmaster before Poppy healed him." Deputy Headmistress argued harshly at the Potter boy.

"I did not hit him with my blades." An angry Harry countered.

"Harry, you were seen attacking by all the students present. As that is a serious violation of the Accords we have no recourse but to remove you from the castle as a guest." The Headmaster looked solemn at delivering the punishment onto Harry. "However," The Headmaster was interrupted by Neville.

"Harry, they wouldn't listen to me! I tried to tell them you didn't touch Professor Snape."

Harry smiled at Neville. "Thanks, Nev." Harry glanced at Hermione at the Gryffindor table. She looked sadly at Harry.

"As, I was about to say," The Headmaster continued, "since you are no longer a visitor to the castle the only option to allow you to continue your education here is to enroll as a student. Once we have you enrolled you will have to face punishment for your disregard of the rules. I assure it will not be unreasonable." Dumbledore looked quite pleased Harry noted.

Neville was excited it meant Harry got to stay. He really didn't want to lose his friend. He was sure Harry could handle a simple punishment. He also needed to talk to him about that potion from earlier. Hopefully his friend would be sorted into Gryffindor.

Professor McGonagall looked aghast. How could Dumbledore allow the child to stay at Hogwarts? He attacked one professor already while blatantly ignoring that same teacher most of the year expulsion should be mandatory at this point. What could the Headmaster be up to allowing a second generation trouble maker to stay in these hallowed halls? At least his father was an excellent transfiguration student. Harry was certainly top of his class, but his grades did not make up for all the things she feared the boy is becoming.

"Headmaster, I don't think you realize what you are saying. He is a disruptive influence. He has attacked one faculty member and what is to stop him from doing it again? What if it had been a student? He could have killed someone with his reckless and dangerous childish outburst. I think you should have him escort from the grounds and turned over to the aurors for attack with a deadly weapon." The Deputy Headmistress wanted the boy off the grounds as soon as possible.

Harry simply removed his pack disturbing Perth and started digging in one of the side pouches. Perth returned to his place on the pack. Harry ignored everything around him. The Headmaster calling his name, the deputy growling at him, and even Hermione calling his name he looked to Neville with a large smile on his face and was about to speak. Just that moment Hedwig flew in. Harry extended his arm without thinking allowing the beautiful bird to land gracefully.

"Watch over Neville for me." Once commanded Hedwig looked imperiously at Harry before giving a simple screech and flying towards Neville to land on the table and stare at the boy upon landing on the table. Turning to Perth Harry ordered Perth with one word, "Continue." The monkey sprang from its place on Harry's ruck and left the Great Hall with haste.

Finally, Harry pulled a silver orb the size of a tennis ball from the pouch and put his pack back on. Harry sent his magic into the orb. A bright green glow emanating before it began to melt and fall to the floor like mercury slipping from his hand. It fell to the floor without splashing. It formed into transit circle seen on Harry's arrival months ago.

It sat there glowing for two minutes.

"Something is wrong." A concerned Harry said. The glow started to fade. Dying out Harry looked scared. Panic seemed to take over his look. Harry dug into his pack once again. He was interrupted by a pale green orb descending from the ceiling. Harry heard the tinkling bell sound it was making. Harry jumped up onto the long tables and jumped as high as he could to get the orb sooner rather than later.

Landing on the floor he frantically slammed the orb onto the ground.

A distorted image of a hooded man appeared. The image was wobbly. When it spoke the voice was deeper that Harry had heard in person when they last spoke months ago.

"I won't waste time. Currently, Celestial is down. I am seeing to his recovery. Your request is denied until Celestial may answer it. If your situation is untenable you are authorized any action necessary for survival." Harry was shocked. The image of Orion took a deep breath and let it out before continuing. "The recovery will take some time and is intensive. I recommend you be on your guard. For all intents and purposes you are on your own. Orion out." The image faded out.

Harry scanned the room looking for threats. He was scared and felt trapped now. He also felt alone. Paul had always been there when he needed him. Now he was hurt. Maybe he was dying. What is he supposed to do now? Orion's warning about being on his guard sounds good.

Harry opens the main pouch and digs around for a second. He scans the room once again. Pulling out a red robe he lays it aside on the ground. While digging around in the pack again, Neville comes over to him.

"Harry, what are you doing?"

"Master has been attacked." Harry answered as if that explained it. "Orion is obviously weakened. Anyone going after Master and Orion could be after me as well. I need to prepare in case."

"Harry, my boy, Hogwarts is the safest place you could be in at the moment." Dumbledore interjects proudly. Harry ignores him.

"What are you going to do, Harry?" Neville is curious seeing the items Harry was getting out.

"I am getting ready. I have some projects I put on hold because of Hogwarts. I have no reason to hold off on them anymore."

Harry looks at the pile of clothes he had pulled from the ruck. He nods to himself and begins gathering them up. "I will be in my room, Neville. Albus Dumbledore, I need to thank you. If you had not tried to lie to me I would not have known about the attack."

"Harry, I did not lie to you." Headmaster stated calmly.

"I am a child Albus Dumbledore. I am not a fool. I know you need the Sorting Hat to agree to remove me from the castle first. You do not have the Sorting Hat here. This means you were trying to get me to agree to your version of events to skip over any objection the hat brings." The Headmaster stood still as Harry explains his thoughts.

Harry directs his gaze to Professor Flitwick. "I will need to take a break from our sessions. Can I inform you when I am ready to start again?" Flitwick nodded to the boy.

Later that night Harry was still working on finishing up his outfit. He was working at a furious pace. Having this be completed was his top priority. Safety was something missing from him right now. Now, he felt anxious and alone. Not because he was in his room, Paul had always been there for him. Orion made it quite clear Paul could not help him at the moment. At least he hoped it was for the moment.

No matter what happened in his life since Paul entered it Harry could always count on him to be there. Now he could not even talk to him. What would he do if he lost Paul? Harry was honestly terrified of that possibility coming to fruition. Who would he turn too? Harry started to panic. He put down his wand and left the clothes right there. He headed in to the bedroom and curled up in the bed.

He did not even bother to undress. Harry lay silently on the bed. Thoughts of losing Paul ran through his head. He began to curl up into a ball. He would be all alone he thought. His parents lost already. He would not willing go back to the Dursleys. Not that he even knew where they were after Paul followed up with his threats and they moved away after he finished with them. Where would he go? What would he do?

A little boy lay in bed and started crying. He fell asleep late that evening. Harry did not have a peaceful sleep either. His dreams, no his nightmares, haunted all night. It was a bleak wizard who finally rose out of bed the next day. Nightmares of isolation and evil laughter still rang in his mind. Sleeping in his clothes did not aid his physical form either. It was a truly exhausted and depressed boy who eventually crawled out of bed the next day.

"Harry," as cautious Esmeralda gently prodded.

"What is it?" Harry's unnecessarily harsh tone demanded.

Esmeralda jumped from the tone. "You had several visitors this morning. I didn't let any of them in." Esmeralda followed this up immediately to hopeful stem another yelling from the young wizard. "You were sleeping and I thought you would not want to be disturbed. I let absolutely no one in. I swear. Ok, I let in no witch or wizard, but when I saw you starting to wake I had Guppy bring you some food so you could eat. I am sorry I just wanted to help."

"Esmeralda, its fine and I thank you for thinking of me. Actually, I think I need to say I am sorry to you instead." Harry was grumpy and trying his best to not show it to the door guardian. "So, I am sorry Esmeralda. I should not have yelled at you. You did nothing wrong. Please forgive me." Harry bowed to the painting.

"Harry, I let some-"

"No, no more Esmeralda. Just keep doing your job as you have been. Thanks for this morning. I am going to get cleaned up." He smiled at her until she left the current portrait. Heading to his bathroom he takes an extra-long time trying to get ready for the day.

It didn't work. His fears and grumpy mood didn't leave. Harry stayed locked in his room for the next week. He justified staying that long as he needed to finish adding runes to his new outfit. He knew he was lying and could have had it done in four days. No he was scared to leave. Every day in the room he tried to convince himself the message from Orion was not real. Paul was fine and everything was okay. By night time he was scared again. He would cry until he would fall asleep.

"There I am done." Harry finally acknowledged out loud to a listening Esmeralda. She watched over him relentlessly at the behest of Madam Pomfrey.

"Now, I need to test this out." He didn't need to as much as want to. He needed to vent his fear and anger. What better place to vent some anger than the Forbidden Forest?

Putting on his dark red robe with the hood up he thought he looked rather impressive. With the red hood up only his gloves and boots could be seen. He admired the look in the mirror for a minute. Taking the hood down the smiled into the mirror he liked his look a lot. The black boots and gloves both had metal rivets on them. The boots considerably more than the gloves which mainly had rivets above all his joints.

He ran magic through the gloves and boots. The rivets melted and moved to fingertips on the gloves and formed cat-like claws on the ends of his fingers. The boots molded more like a second skin to his feet and added similar if larger claws. Harry tested the movement of both. His feet are more difficult to move than his fingers. He assumes it is the thicker material in the boots.

"How is that for transfiguration?" He is very proud of his work. "Okay, now to test the robe."

His main concern was how the robe would work with the strengthened Tee shirt and pants underneath. Would they mold properly with the robe or resist? The shirt and pants were basically cloth armor. Flexible and strong and the robe by contrast was camouflage.

He added magic to the robe and slowly it melded like a second skin to Harry.

"Oops," Harry stopped the process and the robe returned to normal. Harry flipped up the hood and started again. This time he watched as all of him was covered in the second skin. He liked that. Once the second skin was complete he played with his skin. He changed its color. It had some basic colors it could change to. Mostly primary colors for now, but at least he has black and white. He had some difficulty blending them he noticed. The robe always wanted to default to black, white, or a primary. He would need to change that at a later date. He was more limited than he thought in his camouflage if he could not maintain the blended shades.

Another problem he noticed was his eyes. Lens would be more appropriate a description. They were yellow. They had little in the way of change. Mostly pale yellow to dark yellow and to make it worse he had hoped when he blinked the lens would to. They didn't. A deep sigh and he realized this was not a finished project like he hoped.

"Oh well," Harry returned it all too normal looking clothes. "Time for testing," Harry decided to leave his wand behind and the ruck. Not much of a test of them if he brought those along. He was about to leave when he notices the mysterious present that had been left in his room almost a month ago.

He grabbed it and walked over to the fireplace. His first thought was to just burn it. Instead he grabs the card on it and looks for a signature. None found he doesn't bother reading the read of it and tosses the card in the fire. He opens it and burns the wrapping.

Holding on piece of the cloth in his hand the first thing he notices is the ugly colors. On top of that is the cloth is so thin it cannot even serve as a decent blanket or cloak. The rest of the cloth dangles from his hand and spills onto the floor.

"This is a present?" Harry's disgust is evident in his voice. "Someone clearly doesn't like me." He is about to toss it in the fire when a thought occurs to him. Maybe he could use it for something later. "Whatever" Harry walks over to his pack dragging the cloak behind him and stuffs it into his rucks main pouch.

"Esmeralda, I am headed off. Not sure when I will get back." Harry happily told he portrait guardian.

"Be safe, Harry," Esmeralda looks at Harry as he leaves.

Harry walks out of the castle and heads straight into the Forbidden Forest. With classes going on he didn't want to get Neville in trouble with his teachers just to tell him where he was going. He spends most of the afternoon using the claws to climb up and down trees.

It was during dinner a screeching Perth ran into the Great Hall and jumped on the staff table and started accosting Professor Flitwick. The little man was futility fighting off the monkey. The sight was most entertaining to the children and some of the staff.

The little spider monkey had initially landed on the professor's face and started moving all around his head. Then it moved to his chest and was jumping up and down holding on to the man. The antics were even more hilarious for the assembled watching the professor trying to remove the creature as it evaded his grasp while trying not to fall out of his chair.

Making matters worse Hagrid tried to help and succeeded where the monkey failed. In an effort to remove the hyper monkey from the professor Hagrid accidentally knocked him over out of his chair. While Perth deftly jumped and landed on the table. Professor Flitwick was not so lucky in dodging the large hands of Hagrid. The hall erupted in laughter.

Hagrid was trying to apologize when Hedwig flew in. She screeched as she landed in front of Neville. Her feathers ruffled and she was wet. Wet with blood and she flapped her wings at Neville. Seeing the blood he immediately looked to see where she was hurt. Hermione and a couple older Gryffindors looked her over and could not find any wounds on her to explain the blood.

"She must have beaten off another owl that got to frisky." Seamus joked.

Hermione was looking at Hedwig and listening to the spider monkey. Hedwig kept flapping her wings at Neville. The spider monkey had moved to madam Pomfrey. Her mind going a mile a minute Hermione got up and ran to the other side of the table.

"Hedwig, please calm down a minute," a panicking Hermione begged the bird. Hedwig seemed to understand and closed her wings. When she did a bloody hand print formed on her left side you could clearly see where the fingers on the wing met with the palm and thumb shape on the bird's chest. Her talons were coated as well.

"Oh Merlin, is that Harry's blood?" Hermione yelled into to the Hall. All laughter died. Perth screeched as if to confirm her thoughts. Then he and Hedwig made for the door of the Great Hall. The familiars are followed by Neville and Hermione with several staff members hot on the students' heels.