A/N:Hello again everyone it's been a very long while, Happy new year to one and all. I apologize for the long wait for this chapter...again lol. Procrastination and writer's block is a terrible combination and I started this chapter over twice until I felt I was marginally satisfied with it. Thank you all for the support despite my slowing updates,you've all been amazing; 267 favorites, 385 follows and 138 reviews, Passed another milestone; though I have no idea who that person was, so if you're out there, given me a pm and you'll get your cyber cookie and shoutout the next time I upload.

Finally reached that 20th chapter I mentioned, but given I'm taking so long to write nowadays, I'll fix the older chapters in between writing the next chapter instead of my original plan.

As usual,I apologize for any grammatical errors that got pass me.

Please Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Harry Potter or anything dealing with its franchise; Only the OCs.

Chapter 20

First Strike: Part Two

The morning light was strongly shining into the crimson and gold common room of the Gryffindor tower as Hermione sat in semi-isolation on a small couch near the fireplace; her fellow housemates leaving her alone to her quiet contemplation in favor of heading down early for breakfast or rallying with each other for another predicted win against Slytherin in the match later on.

The reason for her demure mood could be found in the form of a letter in between her fingers; a letter from back home.

The contents itself could've been worse, in fact, it was good news; her parents, while struggling, were seeing a therapist that was slowly helping them bridge over the chasm that was created with the discovery of her brother. No, she felt guilty of the fact that while she was here, enjoying her time in Hogwarts with her friends, with her brother; her mum was going through the turmoil of her father's betray alone.

"Her-Hermione? Hermione?" a voice registered close to her, along with something shaking her gently, causing her to jump slightly.

"Sorry!" the voice immediately replied upon seeing her strong reaction. Catching her breath and focusing on the person, she realized it to be Neville, staring down at her slightly nervous and red-faced.

"No, I'm sorry Nev, I was a world away at the moment there." Hermione spoke as she moved the letter out of his sight, and slowly tucking it away.

"A-are you alright?" he asked as he took a seat beside her.

Hermione bit her lip as she thought on how she should phrase it, if she should even mention it at all.

"Neville…If you could fix something, and you had to add another piece to it, but you're weren't sure if doing so would make things better…or worse…would you still do it?"

Neville looked at her with slight confusion on his face, "A-are you talking about Ron and your book?" he asked, glancing down at the open and blank pages of leather bound book that was resting in her lap.

Hermione couldn't blame him for thinking that. Hardly a day after leaving the Hospital Wing, after being healed from his injuries, Ronald had gotten it into his head that Liam was somehow the cause for the staircase vanishing, and had grabbed her new satchel knapsack, tearing the straps in his rush to take away one of the only physical connections she had to her ancestors and the knowledge they had reserved for her family; her reaction was apocalyptic.

She still wasn't sure which she was more disappointed in herself for; losing thirty house points for sending Ronald back to the Hospital Wing or just realizing how unprotected she was leaving such a valuable possession. Especially this one; its contents had made Liam swear her to guard it as closely as he was their wandless magic.

Shaking her head she replied, "No, my…'friendship'… with Ronald had always been rocky, he deserved every second of what he got. I'm just asking a hypothetical question."

"Yeah, well Ron has always been ornery."

"Ornery, Neville?" Hermione asked with a slightly raised eyebrow and a small smile on her face.

"W-well y-you were y-yelling at Ron while y-you were cursing him y-yesterday t-that if he r-really wanted to read a-above his comprehension l-level, you had a t-thesaurus you w-would gladly r-recommend; It sounded l-like good advise at the time." He replied while turning his beet red face away from her; honestly, she would have to find a way to improve his confidence later.

"Did I?" she replied with a small chuckle and shake of her head. It was all a haze of red to her, with the only clear things being the sound of the satchel tearing, the leather bound book in Ronald's hand, and the flash of her first spell hitting him in the face. "Well, it's good of you to take it upon yourself to improve your abilities; well done Neville."

"T-thanks." He replied, finally looking at her, positively beaming. "A-and to answer your question, I would do whatever you had in mind or recommended; I'm sure it would all work out eventually if you were planning it."

"Thank you Nev," she replied. It didn't really assure her that she was indeed going to make the right choice, but she did appreciate his effort. Looking around the common room and noticing it was much livelier than it was before, she spoke once more, "Do you know if Harry will be taking any longer?"

"Oh," Neville exclaimed as he palmed his forehead, "That's what I came to tell you, Harry wanted to avoid being hounded by Creevey today, so he used his cloak to get out, I was suppose to come get you for breakfast."

Hermione glanced over towards the entrance to the boys' dormitory, and indeed saw Colin there; the small mousy haired blonde was practically buzzing around it, his camera at the ready as its strap hung around his neck.

"I see," she replied as she got up, "well I have to make a quick stop at library before I grab something to eat, so I'll meet you two there."

"I-I'll come with you." Neville responded as he got up sharply.

"Oh no Nev, I couldn't possibly ask you to do that, you must be famished." She spoke with a slightly worried look adorning her face.

"It's al-alright Hermione, really; I have a book that I was supposed to re-return to the library, besides…" He continued with a stronger voice, "With this Heir of Slytherin still loose around the castle, I don't think we should be walking around alone."

Hermione's face had a small smile playing on her face, similar to that of her brother's; it was cute that Neville wanted to protect her. She didn't have the heart to argue with him that she was more than capable of holding her own, especially when she had to face that demon Su Li on a weekly basis.

"Ok, Thank you Nev." She replied, watching as he blushed profusely as she continued to pack away her things; if she didn't know better, she'd have thought the shy boy had a crush on her, "Well, let's go shall we."

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The walk to the library was done in companionable silence. Neville wasn't the kind to speak unless he really had to or was being addressed, and Hermione didn't mind the opportunity to get her thoughts together. As they entered, she noted that the library was a lot more emptier than usual, but that would be a given since many would be down in the Great Hall at the moment, either jeering the opposing House, making bets with the incorrigible Weasley twins or just enjoying breakfast while watching it all happen.

Walking the familiar path to Liam's table, she came upon the sight of him deeply entrenched in a folder of some sort, with Luna and the recently new addition to his little group, the Carrow twins…if she remembers correctly, each casting at the pineapples in front of them. Su Li was nowhere to be seen however, and Hermione found that fact extremely odd; the girl was practically glue to her brother's hip, with the only moments she wasn't by his side being when they had their session to learn and practice her wandless magic.

Sitting at the table with no preamble, she spoke, "Good morning."

"Mi'." Came Liam's unenthusiastic reply as he continued to bury his head into the folder, making her giggle; it was nice to see he shared her habit of shutting out the world when a particularly enticing read was before them.

"Hello Hermione Granger." Luna answered her as she continued to make her pineapple hop in place as her visible left hand moved in a odd petting manner through the empty air at her side; the Carrow twins both gave her a slight nod, as their pineapples wiggled slightly. Not that she expected to hear a reply, they always seem to become mute when she was around; Hermione wasn't sure if that was out of restraint from saying something untoward her 'hertiage' or just plain shyness…listen to her, looking for hidden motives in the people around her; she was hanging around Slytherins way too long.

"Where's Su Li?" she asked the blonde Ravenclaw, seeing that her brother was still engrossed in whatever had caught his interest.

Luna turned to face, "Su Li's about to have her period." She answered matter of factly.

"Luna!" Hermione whispered in a reproaching tone as she fought the embarrassing blush that threatened to come on her face, "You shouldn't just say things like that out loud. Besides, Su Li's…time of the month…wouldn't stop her from joining us."

Hermione watched as Luna cocked her head to the side, "Su Li's estrous cycle would make William agitated around her; making concentrating very difficult for William. William would feel he needs to stop William from ravaging Su Li, and William would attack William because he doesn't like being restrained.

Fighting with one's self wouldn't be very healthy, and I doubt Su Li would be much help in the matter from what I have seen; she likes William. So, William's idea of keeping away from her would be best option, unless he's willing to be himself."

Hermione stared agape at the girl as the twins tried their hardest to focus on the task at hand instead of trying to decipher the spiel Luna just said.

"Please don't break my friends Luna, I still need them." Hermione heard Liam chuckling out as he surfaced from what he was reading.

Hermione turned to her brother, trying her best to no longer focus too much on the words the young blonde just spoke, "What is that you're reading, Liam?" he asked, hoping to change the conversation.

"The master thesis of two very skilled potioneers on their adjustments to the 'Draught of Living Death'; their method seems to cut its preparation time while increasing its efficiency, and they go on to a detailed account on the medical ramifications this method had on sustaining a subject for longer and with less adverse effects. It's quite fascinating that a single potion could potential stall death from anything short of an instant kill."

Hermione had to physically stop herself from reaching over and taking the folder to read for herself, Liam must've seen some tell on her face as he gave her that small smile and spoke, "It'll be all yours shortly Mi', but first, how about introducing your friend there." He finished with a slight nod of his head at some point behind her.

Hermione turned to look upon whom Liam was addressing, and was greeted with the sight of Neville, standing close to one of the large bookcases, looking on nervously. She had thought he would've gone down to the Great Hall when he was finish handing over his rental, why was he still here?

"Neville, why don't you come join us." Hermione said, calling her fellow Gryffindor over. Catching Liam's eye, she watched as his wand appeared from the right sleeve of the robes he was wearing, and then the sudden appearance of another chair beside her own.

Ignoring the startled gasp of Neville, she spoke when he was within arm's reach of the recently conjured chair, "Everybody, this is Neville Longbottom, Heir of House Longbottom. Nev, this is Luna Lovegood…umm…" Hermione paused as she indicated Luna. while she knew they were pureblood from her reading 'Wizarding Houses and Heraldry', she wasn't certain how the blonde would want to be addressed given her family's…quirks.

"Writer and assistant editor of The Quibbler" Luna spoke up as she focused once more on making her pineapple dance do a queer jig.

"Right…" Hermione responded, she had chanced a glance in that…questionable…excuse of a newspaper when Liam had taken to subscribing to it. She still couldn't fathom how he could stand reading a paper that you had to physically turn its orientation to make out the nonsensical dribble that was more often than not in it.

Hermione continued onwards as she directed Neville's attention to the twins who were now focused on both of them, "These are Hestia Carrow, Heiress of House Carrow, and her sister, Flora."

"Charmed." Hestia replied with a bland look as her sister did the same, but with a slight nod towards the male Gryffindor.

"And of course, you know William." Hermione finished as she indicated her brother across the table.

"Heir Longbottom, it's been a crime that we haven't spoken before now," she heard him speak with a friendly tone, and noted what she deem as smile number three adorning his face. When there was a spike in the amount of bullying Nev was receiving, she had first thought that it was just a school thing; the crowd following what they saw everyone else doing.

But that look in her brother's eyes, a look of careful manipulation and meticulous planning, and her memories of the fact that he was looking to gain more allies for their House, caused Hermione to consider the thought that maybe it wasn't just a natural occurrence that Neville was bullied around her, and the need for her to stop it.

Did…did her brother manipulate her?

"I-it is?" she heard Nev ask nervously.

"Yes. In fact, I've been slightly jealous of your understanding of Herbology and how you so naturally apply it to the plants we work with, for some time now. If it wasn't for Susan and Hannah, I doubt I'd be able to keep up with you." Hermione heard her brother's 'humble' reply; the fact that they were tied for first in all their classes seemingly forgotten to both him and Neville.

"T-thanks." Neville replied, ducking his head to hide the smile that came on his face as he continued, "but its n-nothing special."

"Non-sense; you're quite talented; prodigious even." Hermione watched as Neville looked up in shock at Liam's proclamation as her brother continued on easily, "In fact, I've been trying to get the opportunity to invite you to a little study group I have setup for some time now. At the moment it's only myself, Su Li, a few other Ravens in our year group and Hermione here, but between the four of us, we'd have all the subjects covered."

"I-I'm not sure…I mean…y-you're a Slytherin a-and I'm a Gryffindor…" Neville replied.

"You shouldn't let our House dictate who you can or can't be friends with, Nev." Hermione spoke up encouragingly, but found herself looking towards her brother with narrowed eyes, seeing the way he had played poor Neville and to some extent...her.

"You're worried they'd start bullying you even more because we're friends." She heard him state factually to Nev, causing the shy boy to duck his head in embarrassment.

"I'm not sure what you've been told about us, but we Slytherins take care of our own, Nev; any friend of Mi's, is a friend of mine. And I don't take kindly to my friends being attacked." He finished staring intently at the nervous looking boy until he gave a shaky nod.

"I-I'll think about it." Neville replied as he continued to stare nervously into Liam's friendly yet commanding eyes.

"That's all I ask," He answered plainly as he continued, "now, while I have you here…"

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For the next few minutes Hermione sat there as Liam asked and discussed Herbology with Nev. Many of them she knew he was well aware of the answers for, because she knew them, and some were well above their current curriculum. But she could see that they were meant to build a rapport with the shy Gryffindor, to ease him into a friendship, but also to see how extensive his knowledge truly was.

And it was working. It really sunk in for Hermione when she heard Neville laugh when Luna made a comment on how Mandrakes would make excellent alarm clocks.

"I-I d-don't t-think t-that would be a g-good idea Luna." Nev replied with a stutter, but not from nervousness, but rather his inability to speak as he struggled not to laugh too loudly in the library.

"Oh poo, and I was hoping I could convince daddy to get one during our next trip." The blonde raven replied as she was currently attempting to transfigure her pineapple into a block of wood.

"That reminds me, Neville, you wouldn't happen to know of a Gryffindor by the name Peter Pettigrew, would you?" Liam asked, drawing a curious look from Nev, and the sudden attention of the twins.

"No…I can't say that I do. Why?"

Hermione watched as Liam stare intently at Nev for a second, a telltale sign of Legilimency, before he spoke, "No reason, just thought he was a friend of yours; it appears I'm mistaken."

"Sir," Hermione heard the voice of who she believed was Flora, speaking up eagerly for the first time since she sat down, earning the attention of her brother as she continued, "The Pettigrews are a pureblood family, the only Peter of that family died years ago by the hands of Sirius Black."

"Oh? Is this common knowledge?" he asked, Hermione herself was curious; if this man's death was so important that an eleven year old memorized his name, why haven't they heard of it.

"Not really," the other twin spoke calmly, "His death was all in the papers when it happened, and he earned an Order of Merlin: First Class, for his martyrdom in supposedly confronting Black for his betray of the Potters, and giving the Dark Lord their location. His body was never found, except a single finger. We only know about him because Gran-Gran enjoys speaking about the past."

"Supposedly." Liam stated plainly, but Hermione could read the undercurrent of inflection, the beginning of a second conversation between Slytherins.

"Gran-Gran also liked telling us about our parents and their friends."

"Black came up often then."

"Not Once." Hestia answered. Hermione was barely able to stop herself from gasping, and had to call upon her occlumency training as not to give anything else away. She glanced over at Neville, while it was apparent he hadn't figured what they were insinuating; he was trying to follow the conversation.

She heard Liam sigh before he spoke, "Well, isn't that interesting." She watched as he turned his head towards Luna, "While it's going against every fiber of my being, I won't do anything to you Luna."

"It's alright with me if you want to William, I wouldn't mind the wrackspurts." She replied, confusing Hermione on what the pair were talking about.

"No, you're my friend Luna, we keep each other's secrets…I trust you with this one." Liam replied with one of the few honest smiles she's since from her brother.

She watched as he turned on the twins, both of whom raised their wands up, the tip pointing towards the ceiling in a position she recognized used for oaths, and were about to say something when he spoke, "That won't be necessary you two."

It then happened suddenly; one moment he was smiling with the brightly smiling Ravenclaw, next he had his wand out with a white spell shooting from it, hitting Neville squarely in the face. Before she could say anything, he broke into a chuckle along with the twins, and surprisingly Luna as well.

"Maybe you should ask for a puppy or a puffskein instead Luna; am I right Nev?" Liam spoke as he finished chuckling.

"Umm…uh,yeah?" Neville answered bewilderedly.

"Are you alright there Nev?" her brother asked with a worried look, if she hadn't seen what just happened, she would've sworn the emotion was real.

"I think so…must've spaced out there a bit."

"Your hunger probably caught up with you." Hermione spoke, biting her lip slightly as she realized what was going on, and siding with her brother, feeling a bit of guilt for doing this to Neville.

"Luna, why don't you and the twins taking him down to the kitchen for a bite to eat. It's almost match time, and they should've finished serving breakfast by now." Liam spoke to said girl, causing Hermione to watch as she got up, taking Nev's arm in hand as she urged him up.

"Come Neville Longbottom, if we hurry up we might still be able to find seats to see the Dinkle Fairy."

As Luna was practically dragging Neville up out of his seat, Hermione watched as the twins look towards her brother, as if asking for permission, upon which he gave a slightly nod towards the promptly leaving pair.

Hermione waited until the twins got up to catch up with Neville and Luna and were well out of earshot before she sat back with crossed arms and a raised eyebrow as she asked with skepticism intoned in her voice, "Dinkle Fairies?"

"A sub species of fae that enjoy riding on the golden snitch as it flies around, and can only be seen if one's sitting at the right altitude and angle; though given its mischievous nature, I'd say it'd be more pixie than fairy." Liam answered her with a factual tone as he looked down on the folder that had held his attention before.

Hermione rolled her eyes at hearing the explanation, and quickly spoke, less she lost her brother in the folder once more, "She's a nice girl…and I'm sure she's a wonderful friend, but I can't understand how you could put up with her…vivid imagination."

"She's far more valuable resource and asset than you're aware of Mi', and she has the propensity to figure things out that are otherwised overlooked; to be quite frank, if I wasn't positive that she had casted her lot in with us, I'd have gotten rid of her by now. But I have to say, I was quite surprised in your method of introduction; been reading up on the old laws and etiquette I suppose?"

Hermione frowned at the callous way Liam just stated that he would've killed Luna if she hadn't sided with them; she didn't like the sound of that at all. Had her little brother killed before? No, stupid question, he did kill that troll in their first year…it would be better to ask had her brother killed a person before?

"Is that how you see all your friends? Is that how you see me? As assets and resources?" Hermione asked with a frown; she would ask him the question that she was truly curious about, but to be honest… she was frightened of the answer.

Liam looked up at her, focusing on her completely, "Yes, that is how I see everyone; as an asset or liability. It would be foolish to create allies that have no value or don't add anything towards our Family's goals or standing. As for you, you're family; I don't have much of that, and I treasure it. I'd do anything to keep it safe."

"I don't like the idea of you manipulating me to get what you need, you could've just asked." She replied with folded arms.

"If you're talking about what's been happening with Neville, I saw him as a better addition to your group than you current bedfellows."

"There's nothing wrong with Harry, and Ronald may have his many flaws…but he's alright as well. And I'd appreciate it if you didn't valuate my friends or calling them bedfellows." She answered defensively.

"They add nothing to your life Mi'; they're nothing but dead weighs hanging around your neck. You can do far better than Potter and the weasel." He replied nonchalantly.

Had his time at the orphanage truly affected William so badly that friends and friendship meant nothing to him? No wonder he needed her to be his conscience, look at what the world had done to her poor little brother!

"So what does that mean for the Heir? He is our family after all." She spoke, changing where their discussion was going.

She watched as Liam leaned back casually into his chair before he answered, "Tom's just doing what he thinks is right for House Slytherin; he's simply misguided or on a power trip. When we find him, we'll bring him into the fold, if not, and he's just another threat to us, I'll get rid of him."

"Wait wait wait, Tom! You found out who the heir is!?" Hermione exclaimed, but her faced quickly turned to shock when she realized that she had just shouted that out.

"Hermione. I expect better." William reprimanded her, his voice still the same calm tenure, but that just made the guilt and disappointment Hermione was feeling all the worse, "Fortunately, I've had a privacy ward up, there's no telling the damage that could've done."

"Sorry…" Hermione said demurely. She knew she had messed up, not as badly as she had first thought, but she had messed up all the same. How would she expect her brother to trust her over Su Li if she blurts out secrets like that? She would do better.

Liam gave her a small smile and a nod of acknowledgement to her heartfelt apology, and continued speaking, "To answer your question, I found out the name of the heir; Tom Marvolo Riddle. I've been scouring the castle for him to no avail."

Hermione narrowed her eyes in thought; why did that name sound so familiar…

Shaking her head mentally, she asked, "I thought Sashet was busy with spying on the Headmaster? Even then, how would she find him with just a name?"

"She wouldn't, I have a map of Hogwarts that shows all its human occupants, whether dead or alive."

"That's amazing," Hermione spoke with an awed voice, "I didn't know our Family could create something like that, it must have some incredible enchantments to be able to show so much in real time."

"Our family didn't create it; I procured it from the twins after their…tumble."

"So that's how you found this Peter Pettigrew?" Hermione asked, ignoring the reminder of how vindictive her brother could be.

"Yes. After I had finish checking through the Hufflepuff third years, I moved on to the others-" Liam spoke, however was interrupted by Hermione.

"Hang on, why the Hufflepuffs?" Hermione asked, she could understand the thought process of starting with the third years, but why them.

Liam shrugged as he spoke, "I was working with the assumption that the Slytherin magic in the Sorting Hat would've given the Heir some control on the process. If I was the Heir,the last place anyone would expect to find me, would be among the Puffs, followed by Gryffindor."

Hermione nodded her understanding.

"Well, after two days, I've been through the entire years ahead of us. Knowing all the names of the Slytherins and Ravenclaws in the first and our year, I checked through Hufflepuff and Gryffindor once more. Still no Tom Riddle, but then I noticed a name I haven't seen or heard of before in the second year dorm room last night, occupying Weasley's empty bed."

"Which led you to asking Neville about him, and then promptly obliviating him." Hermione answered with accusation in her voice.

Hermione watched as Liam raised his hands in placating fashion, "I hadn't the faintest idea it would lead to such a conspiracy. However, I couldn't allow Neville to walk away aware of such a huge political game changer."

Hermione frowned, she couldn't really think of anything else significant about the situation than the fact that an innocent man had been put in to Azkaban, and was currently serving an unjust sentence.

"So what are you going to do about this Pettigrew person?"

"I'm not certain at the moment, but I'm practically giddy at the thought of all the doors this just opened up for our House if I can play this new card correctly." Liam answered, Hermione actually giggled; the thought of her brother being excited about something as he sat there as calm as the sea, was hilarious to her.

The sound of the gong-like bell chimed throughout the library; alerting the pair of the time. Seeing her brother getting up and starting to dismantle the wards placed around his table, Hermione followed suit, by clearing two pineapples and a wooden one off the table.

"Shall we go watch my House be thrashed by yours?" Liam asked as he placed his folder in his book bag, and coming around the table to stand beside her.

"Well aren't you optimistic," Hermione answered sarcastically as she continued, "Where's your team spirit?"

"Flew out the window when Potter was pitted against Malfoy" he replied simply as they started walking out the library.

"Your team still has superior brooms Liam, while Harry is very talented on a broom and is the youngest Seeker in Hogwarts history; that still doesn't mea-." Hermione abruptly stop speaking as a memory flashed across her mind. Realizing its significance, she gripped her brother's arm and started pulling him faster down the corridor.

"Hermione." Liam said with a bit of annoyance slipping through his usual demeanor as she practically dragged him.

"Come on, there's something I have to show you." She answered with a sense of urgency, stalling her brother from reacting with force.

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It didn't take them long to reach their destination, given that today it was only a floor above them, but Hermione learnt that her brother did not appreciate being manhandled.

Not. One. Bit.

Opening the door to the Trophy Room, scanning around the ceiling for Peeves, and entering at a more sedated pace than the one she had started out with from the library, Hermione quickly brought her hand back to rub it against the wrist of the one that had held Liam; it was still smarting from the 'stinging hex' he had used on her.

"Still can't believe you hexed me." She spoke with both disbelief and slight hurt in her voice.

"You brought us here because?" he asked, ignoring her as his wand appeared in his hand, something that still intrigued her, and tapping it against the area he had hexed; healing it almost instantly.

"Because of this." She stated as she walked to one particular display case and pointing up at the upper shelf as she continued, "I knew the name Tom Riddle was familiar; I remember it catching my eye when I was researching on Harry becoming a seeker and showing him that his father had been one as well."

She watched as Liam came up beside her and looked up at the award she was indicating and read it:

Awarded to Tom Riddle

For Special Services

To the School

1943

"Fuck…" Liam whispered out as he finished reading.

"Language William." Hermione replied in a subdue tone, more out of habit than to really reprimand him. Hermione watched as her little brother leaned back on one of the other display cases behind them; his eyes flickering every now and then as he folded his arms before his chest.

"Liam?" Hermione called out to him.

"He'd have to be using a proxy of some kind…" Liam absently thought out loud.

"But that would mean Slytherin's monster would have to be controlled by some artifact…unless Tom had a child of his own?" she asked, subconsciously mimicking her brother and leaning back on the glass of the display case holding Tom's award; hands held behind her back as she did so.

She watched as he shook his head, "No, he's the last in line that's directly related to Slytherin. The mostly likely scenario is what you mentioned; it would be almost impossible to infiltrate Hogwarts with its many defensive wards and the vast amount of people around unless you're a student or professor. This gives credence to the possibility of some heirloom that was handed down through their generation similar to what our family did." He finished, pulling out the chained House ring around his neck as he did so.

"What I don't understand is, why now." Hermione spoke.

"Pardon?" Her brother focused solely on her, coming from his deep pondering.

"Why…why now; if he was here before, why didn't he make his move during his time? Why hasn't there been any moves by Tom till now and why in Hogwarts? Despite his flaws, the Headmaster is still a powerful and skilled wizard, even you won't try anything blatant with him around; why tempt fate and use whatever Slytherin's monster is here at Hogwarts."

"We'll make a Slytherin out of you yet Mi'." Her brother gave her a proud smile, causing her to use her barriers to hide the euphoric feelings bubbling up, as he continued, "You're right, it's too risky of a plan. So either he's desperate or this creature isn't something that can't be easily hidden or is bound to the grounds of the castle.

We still don't know enough about our wayward cousin or his situation, but we've got any excellent clue." He finished with a nod of his head, indicating the award behind her.

"So you don't think Pettigrew could be his proxy? He would be close to his age, and he's the only one that's suspect at the moment. Plus, he's found a way to get pass Hogwarts wards and has been undetected till now."

Liam shook his head, "That's wishful thinking Mi', leave Pettigrew to me; I want you focused on Tom. With a name and a point of reference, finding out about him on a personal and academic level should be easier than finding a fabled entrance."

She gave a nod of acceptance.

Liam gave her his signature small smile as he pushed off from the glass, causing it to give out an ominous creak, and held his hand out to her, "Well I think that's enough plotting for now, let's go down and watch the game."

Hermione leaned off the glass much more carefully than her little brother did, and took his hand.

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The walk down towards the grounds had been a quiet one so far. The pair were currently taking a shortcut down to the third floor, one that Hermione didn't know existed till now. She found the lack of sounds around them slightly eerie; given that most if not all of Hogwarts was currently around the pitch.

The only things besides the silence that were truly out of place were the two conjured Labradors, each walking four feet or so ahead and behind them; When she had asked her brother why he had created them, her only reply was that they had made unintentionally made themselves targets.

Whether it was the Heir or someone else was left unanswered by her brother.

Biting her lip, and constantly glancing every now and then at her little brother, Hermione finally decided to collect her Gryffindor courage and ask the questions that have been bothering her.

"William…"

"Yes, Hermione?" he answered back with his usual calm tenor as they walked in stride.

"Could I ask you a question?"

"You can always do that Mi', just remember that these walls have many eyes and ears."

Hermione looked around them as they came through the hidden passage and into a corridor on the third floor, taking in the many portraits that lined the walls as they moved to and fro between themselves; having murmured conversations.

Surely the Headmaster didn't spy on the students…right?

"Umm…about what you said…about Luna I mean…you didn't mean it, right?" Hermione asked, hoping that he was.

"I meant every word." He replied plainly.

"What…" She blinked a couple times, trying to wrap her head around the fact.

"I don't take threats to my family lightly Hermione; even less when it's against my person. If Luna had ended up in the hands of Dumbledore or the Dark Lord or Daphne or anyone with two knuts to rub together and the mental capacity to see her worth; she would be too great a…hindrance, to be ignored."

"But Luna is completely harmless! Yes she does tend to say some strange things, and does lack a sense of tack for public conversations, but that's it. There's nothing about her that should make you feel like she's a threat."

Liam remained silent.

Seeing that he wasn't going to answer, she decided to ask something else.

"Have…have you…gotten rid of someone before…"

"Yes." Came the casual reply.

"But that's wrong! Don't you…don't you feel guilty about it?" Hermione asked; eyes slightly wet.

"I don't prescribe to conventional society's moral compass, Mi'." he answered factually.

"Doesn't…killing…bother you? How can you sleep at night?" She chided as she wiped away the tears that were building there. She didn't want to judge her brother, she really didn't, and she truly felt for her brother, but she just couldn't…understand…how he could just be alright with something so wrong.

Liam sighed, whether out of exasperation or something else, she wasn't sure. He started speaking when they reached a stretch just before the Great staircase that was devoid of paintings.

"I don't sleep here; the snake pit is still too dangerous to attempt something like that. But when I do sleep…I see their faces; the last moments of their lives; the lights behind their eyes before I snuffed it out."

Hermione fought down the gasp that threaten to come out as she both imagined what he was probably going through, and the fact that he had said their. How many…how many were haunting her brother right now?

Liam caught her eye as he turned his head to look at her, "Don't get me wrong; I take no pleasure in what I have to do. But when I see their faces, when I remember their last moments on this earth…I sleep with relief and peaceful content in the fact that they can no longer threaten our family or be a threat to you."

Looking into his hazel eyes, she could see nothing that indicated regret or guilt…just a steely conviction that caused her to turn her eyes away.

Having reached the staircase and its many watchful eyes, Hermione whispered, "I never asked you to protect me; to murder for me."

"These worlds, both the muggle and wizarding, for all their beauty and splendor, can be an ugly and dangerous place. I won't always be there, so acting as your shield or armor would be nothing but a great disservice for you in the long run, which is why I have Sukie grind you into the ground, and taught you what you know so far"

Hermione felt him take her hand into his own, causing her to look at him and be greeted with an honest smile as he continued, "But when you rest; when the night is at its darkest. I'll be that dagger under your pillow; ready to strike at a moment's notice."

Hermione was conflicted.

Her brother had done bad things…very bad things…but they were for good reasons, weren't they? He was manipulative, charming, charismatic…her brother…her brother was a psychopath…there…there was no way she could get around that fact. But he was good; he was caring, he was kind, he was there, he was protective, and he was considerate.

Her brother was good.

He was still that same person that had spent an entire year watching over her, the same person that had taken on a mountain troll and bloody Voldemort, to keep her safe.

He was still the same little brother that had knelt before her and practically begged her to help him with the flaws that this terrible world had inflicted upon him.

He wasn't the one that was wrong; this world was.

Her brother didn't need saving. Her brother didn't need her to change him; there was nothing to change.

She just learnt he was slightly more jaded than she had first thought; the length he was willing to go to make sure she could fix everything that was wrong with this world. So that good people like her brother weren't force to do things like this again.

In the mean time…she would just have to add keeping her good brother from getting too much blood on his hands, as well as being his conscience, on the list of things she would do for him.

Hermione pulled slightly on her brother's hand, causing him to come to a stop before the second floor banister, stand a step below her as she stood there.

"I want to come with you the next time you have to do something like that again." She spoke with determination in her voice.

"I don't want or need you to do the things that I do Mi', I highly doubt the world could survive another 'me' wondering around." He quipped, but she didn't see it as that.

Hermione pulled her brother into her, hugging him tightly as the step allowed her to bring his head to her chest, putting as much love into it as she thought possible and whispered out, "You aren't a bad person Liam', and I don't see you as that…you're just my annoying little brother that likes to get full of himself. I hope you know that."

"Hadn't once crossed my mind." His muffled voice replied.

Pulling him away so that she could look into his hazel eyes, she spoke, "I'm not comfortable with the thought of you doing…that…and I doubt I ever will, but I want to see want to experience what you go through; I want to understand."

Liam shook his head at her, "You don't know what you're asking Hermione."

"Please." She asked, using the look her mum used on her dad, the one that had been successfully utilized before.

"Cute." Her brother deadpanned sarcastically as he looked at her.

She continued.

He stared blandly at her.

She continued.

Liam finally sighed, causing her to smile victoriously as he spoke with an exaggerated defeated tone, "Fiiine…but I reserve the right to obliviate you."

She played with the idea a bit in her head before she nodded her consent.

With that, she stepped down onto the banister and caused them to continue their trek to the pitch; enjoying the warm feeling that enveloped her. Ever since she started to use her magic wandlessly she could feel a comforting sensation envelope her anytime she was on the second floor or lower in Hogwarts. She would have to discuss it further with Liam sometime, but for now, she would just enjoy it.

"I think I will join you today." Her brother spoke as they stepped down the last remaining stairs, and continued out the the great doors of the Entrance Hall.

"Join me?" she asked.

"In watching the game." He explained.

"As much as I would enjoy having another friendly face around, the last time I checked, you were a Slytherin; I don't think my House would like you around, especially during a game." She replied slightly amused.

Hermione watched as Liam took out his wand once more, and tapped it against the outline of green on his robes. She watched as the green quickly bled red until it was completely changed into the crimson of her House; he did nothing to the Slytherin emblem on the left breast of the robes though.

"William, for all the faults that wizards have when it comes to noticing the obvious, there is no way this could possibly work."

The only reply he gave her was a small smirk adorning his face as he walked slightly ahead of her.

"It's not going to work!" she repeated as she walked a bit faster to catch up with him.

∞Ѻ∞Ѻ∞Ѻ∞

"I can't believe it's actually working." Hermione said, slightly dumb founded, as she looked around at her fellow housemates, astonished as they both stood amongst the cheering Gryffindors unchallenged, as they watched Angelina Johnson, a chaser for Gryffindor, manage to break through Slytherin's Beaters defense and the Keeper to score.

"Never bet against me Mi', it rarely ends well." Liam spoke in a tone that she could only identify as smug, a first from her little brother.

Shaking her head, Hermione turned her attention to the pitch, eyes immediately finding Harry's form high above as he zoomed above and around it in search of the elusive snitch; Malfoy right beside him with his faster broom, knocking him every now and then.

She never could understand the appeal of such a game, Quidditch. She wasn't exactly a girl that enjoyed sports from the start, but this was a completely dangerous and arbitrary game; its point system favoring only one player and could only be ended when, and if that player was able to end it. They used metal balls the size of her head to hit one another as they flew at nearly neck breaking speeds and the rules, the few that were there, were rarely enforced to the point she wouldn't have known the game had any if she hadn't read about it.

'But…Harry enjoys it.' She thought as she watched him come to a halt high above everyone in the middle of the field; a serene expression on his face, even though they were currently down by seventy points.

Suddenly, one of those blasted iron balls came zooming at Harry from behind, heading straight for his head. However, Harry seemed have sensed it as he turned around just in time to see it, and duck; moving once more to find the snitch.

Hermione watched on, tracking the bludger that had missed Harry by inches, and the thing suddenly did a one-eighty, and started after him once more. That…that was normal to an extent, they were charmed to fly around the field after all, it must have just been a coincidence that it was flying in his general direction; which was proven right when one of the twins came up and batted it towards one of Slytherin's Chasers zooming through the air.

Things started to settle down once more, with Slytherin pulling further and further away, even with the valiant attempts and plays being made by her House, making it clear that they could only possible win if Harry could find the snitch in time. Looking towards him as he hovered high above, Hermione could practically feel his determination, even with Malfoy circling around him, more than likely jeering him than trying to find the snitch himself.

It then happened again; a bludger that was hit by one of the Slytherin Beaters suddenly veered towards Harry heading straight for his chest. Having seen it coming from afar, he was able to get out the way, but Hermione saw the iron ball swerve towards him.

"Something's wrong with that bludger…" Hermione said mostly to herself, as she saw the thing stop abruptly once more, and started after Harry again.

"Bludgers." Her brother stated, pointing towards the second bludger that was following below Harry, shooting straight up towards him, missing by a hair as he made a sudden turn at the last possible second.

"Someone bewitched them!" She replied with a tone that was between shock and anger as the two bludgers now started chasing her friend around, even as the twins came towards him to help. "Would Slytherin actually do something like this to win a stupid game?!" she finished with a question directed to her casually on looking brother.

"He is the only valid threat to the cup right now with the brooms they have, and I wouldn't put it place a Slytherin to try anything to accomplish their goal if they're good enough. But the quidditch balls are inspected by Filius before each game and then handled by Hooch inside their chest; which is magically warded and powered by the same ones around Hogwarts. It's virtually impossible to get them jinxed in that sort time span."

"That means that the person is doing it now." She said in worried tone, eyes scanning the crowded stands, as they all look towards what was happening with Harry, in hopes of finding that person; remembering what the Voldemort-possessed Quirrell hand done last year. She looked towards Harry as he was encircled by the twins, who were doing their best to keep them off him, and she turned angrily on her brother, "Are you doing this!"

She watched as Liam' took his eyes off the pitch and the situation, and rose a single eyebrow at her, "And what would I gain from doing something like this?"

Hermione frowned, the fact that he was looking at her now, while the bludgers were still trying to attack Harry proved he was innocent, but his wording made it sound like he would've if it was a high enough reward, "You just said he was the only one stopping a Slytherin win this year."

"True, but as much as I dislike losing, even by proxy; Malfoy losing today has its own benefits. If not on the pitch, off it." He answered as he looked back towards the pitch.

Hermione shook her head as she huffed at her brother's words, she didn't have time to figure out what he was talking about, Harry was in danger!

Looking at Harry as he twisted, turned, rolled and dived to avoid the rogue balls, with the twins no longer with him, but helping the Wood defend the hoops against the Slytherins; Hooch doing nothing to call the match off due to the jinxes. Looking towards her brother as he casually watched as the events happened before him, knowing for a fact that he wouldn't lift a finger, let alone his wand, to protect anyone on that pitch unless he had need for them or she herself was on there, left her no choice but to act.

"Honestly Harry," She said to herself in both exasperation and amusement as she sat done and opened her satchel to find the leather bound book. "What would you do without me watching out for you?"

Opening the book, she stared at its blank pages for a split second before she rapt the front cover with her wand, flick the pages until she was in the middle of the book and did the same before she went to the back and rapt it again, she glanced around at the quidditch focused Gryffindors before intoning, "Duc Populum".

As she watch the black ink bleed through the pages to reveal its contents, Hermione missed the small smile on William's face as he heard the password she used to secure the book he gave her.

Hermione leafed rapidly, yet delicately, through the pages in search of an enchantment that could help Harry right now. It took a while to find something that could possibly be used in this situation, but she looked up ready to use it.

"He's moving too fast for you to track with your wand, you'll have to cast it wandlessly; are you up for it?" Hermione heard Liam' speak.

"You're not going to try and stop me?" She asked, slightly surprised.

"I know you will always use the power I give you responsibly, Mi'." he said, looking down on her with a smile on his face as he continued, "Just make sure the purpose is always worth the effort."

"Harry's always worth it." She stated with conviction, as she turned to focus on the raven haired boy, cursing him mentally to stay bloody still or at least in a straight line.

Seemly hearing her, she watched as Harry finally leveled out long enough for her eyes to see and possibly predict his next path; standing up so her concentrated gaze wouldn't be blocked, she began the sing-song enchantment as she allowed her magic to follow out towards him.

"Aeris et invisibilia

invisibilia mortiferum vi vis,

dona mihi non potentia operativa.

Surgent venti et influunt ab orientalem.

Clamatis sonantem in arboribus sicut bestia.

De meo tibi inimicos tuos devoret.

In te virtutem meam et ut cessavit.

Inimici me conventibus saepius leguntur,

sic fiat sempe."(1)

As Hermione finished, she felt her magic take such a fast dive, she almost collapsed, if not for Liam' catching her. She was panting haggardly, her vision so slowly darkening, as she felt the air become restless; she looked toward Harry worriedly.

A tempest was raised around the pitch, the wind howled and moaned violently as it twisted erratically, buffeting the players; those wearing green at least.

These were enchantments that weren't to be taken lightly; these were spells that her ancestors had used during the various battles they fought, enchantments that used the very elements against your foes. Knowing how fickle it could be, and not trusting her definition of 'enemy' she had used Harry as the medium for its intent; anything…anyone who he thought as an 'enemy', would be faced with the might of mother nature.

Hermione watched through the enclosing darkness as the Gryffindors were flying unimpeded towards the Slytherin goals, the Slytherins struggling to stay on their brooms, let alone continue playing, and most importantly, Harry, while still being chased, was leagues away from the erratic bludgers.

Hermione smiled as the darkness finally claimed her.

∞Ѻ∞Ѻ∞Ѻ∞

The sun had long since set, and it was minutes before curfew as Harry stepped tiredly inside his quiet dorm; bits of confetti sprinkled in his hair.

The quidditch match had end in Gryffindor's favor after the weird gusts of wind. While the Slytherin's had trouble managing, it seems Oliver's fanatic training regiment had done them wonders, since they had no difficulties flying through them; he had even manage to catch the snitch shortly after…though it was more like the snitch caught him, since the thing almost ended up flying down his throat when the wind's abrupt ending made it slip through his enclosing fist and towards his open mouth.

He had been happy because of the win, and had forgotten that the bludgers were still after him; something that was corrected when one of them missed his head by a hair. Remembering the spell that Hermione had used on the giant stone chess pieces a few months back, he was able to destroy the things as they circled back for another go.

After changing, and still feeling overjoyed by the win, he had made his way to the Hospital Wing to tell Ron all about it. He had been surprised, however, by the sight of a large handful of the Slytherin team in the beds located around the room, sporting various injuries from what he could see; Malfoy even had both his arms broken.

But what had really surprised him was the sight of Hermione lying motionless on one of the beds with her Slytherin friend, William, reading on a chair beside her; leg resting on his left knee as he ignored Ron's loud questions about what he did to Hermione.

He had moved to her side himself; asking William what happened as Madam Promfrey was still busy with Slytherins. All he had got out of him was that she had missed breakfast and had a faint spell; after sitting there waiting for her to wake the entire evening, in between talking with Ron and watching Madam Promfrey work, he wasn't sure if just missing a meal had caused Hermione to faint; He had missed a few of his own in the past due to the Dursleys after all.

He had found it even weirder that as Madam Promfrey was discharging Ron, when he moved towards them and stood beside him, she had looked shock that he was in the Wing; going as far as to ask if he had injured himself again.

Hadn't she noticed him sitting there all evening?

His thoughts at the time had been put to rest when he returned to the Gryffindor common room and was given a King's welcome, as the entire House was having a party in honor of their first win of the season. Both Ron and he had stayed to enjoy themselves, though he had begged off soon after; feeling the long day catching up to him and slightly annoyed by Collins' picture taking and constant flash of his camera.

As Harry moved to his trunk, brushing the loose bits of paper out of his hair, he heard a pop behind him, causing him to turn and see a sheepish looking elf standing in the middle of the room; its arms both wrapped in thick bandages.

"Dobby?" Harry asked as he looked around the room to make sure they were alone; noticing all the curtains of his dorm mates' beds open. "What are you doing here?"

"Does Harry Potter see how dangerous Hogwarts is now? Dobby's bludgers could've greatly injured Harry Potter sir."

"Bludgers? Wait, you sent those things after me!? Are you trying to kill me!?" Harry asked, almost yelling as he stepped threateningly towards the demure elf, who back stepped uneasily.

"Kill you? Never kill you sir…just injure…or horribly maim… so the Great Harry Potter sir would see he wasn't safe. Dobby had to do something to make Harry Potter sir see reason after he still went to Hogwarts after he closed the portal."

"That was you! Ron and I were almost expelled because of you." Harry replied as he charged Dobby, causing him to out a small cry and begin to run around the room to avoid him; jumping on and over the beds whenever Harry was close to grabbing him.

Panting as he came to a stop, Harry rested his hands on his knees as he looked up at Dobby who was using his bedpost as screen between them. "My letters, the wall on the platform, the bludgers; Do you have anything else to add before I strangle you Dobby."

"Dobby may have caused the staircase to collapse…" he answered with a skittish smile.

Harry sighed as he brought his hand up to his face to rub the bridge of his nose, "I'm not going to leave Hogwarts Dobby, its the only place I feel at home besides the Weasley's. Just tell me why are you doing this Dobby? What great evil are you trying to protect me from?"

"Master wants to make history repeat itself. He has the great evil Harry Potter sir, and the great evil wants to hurt the Great Harry Potter. Dobby tried writing in it; Dobby told it, 'Leave Harry Potter alone!'"

"What did it say?" Harry asked, this didn't sound like the voice he had heard twice before, and didn't Dobby say he wrote in it? What does that mean?

Harry watched as the large orbs Dobby called eyes take on a glassy, distant look, as he shivered in place. "Dobby can't remember; Dobby doesn't want to remember." He replied with a haunted voice.

Harry frowned as he asked, "Can you take me to it?"

"NO!" Dobby shrieked, "Harry Potter must never go near the great evil!"

"Well then who is your Master Dobby!" Harry yelled in frustration, "Is it Snape? Flint? Malfoy? Cunningham?"

Dobby popped away.

∞Ѻ∞Ѻ∞Ѻ∞

Meanwhile, several floors below in the dungeons, William was placing the magically exhausted Hermione gently and quietly down onto his bed, with Tabby the house elf happily waiting for further orders behind him.

He had been in the Hospital wing a few minutes prior, watching Dumbledore through Sashet's eyes as he questioned Nymeria about him.

While it was disconcerting how persistent the old man was to paint him the way he wanted; the knowledge he gained thus far wasn't anything Dumbledore didn't already have or couldn't figure out from the test he had done, and it wasn't anything William couldn't deal with now that he knew what to prepare for. Plus, it had been amusing to watch someone else have to deal with Nymeria for a change.

That amusement had been short lived however, as he heard the echoing parseltongue permeate throughout the Wing. While he wasn't sure where the Heir's proxy was or even if they were the target, he had acted quickly by calling Tabby and had the elf take both Hermione and himself here to his stronghold.

At the moment, as he warded his enclosed curtains as an additional defense to protect his sister, William watched as Dumbledore suddenly wrapped his interrogation up and flashed to his office, and was greeted to the sight of Snape waiting to inform him of the latest attack.

William listened intently on the conversation as he moved to his trunk to retrieve the map, eyes glancing at the closed curtains of Zabini's bed, before he turned to the waiting elf and spoke, "Tabby, could you take me to the third floor please?"

With a quick nod, William watched as he approached to grab his hand, and then with a small pop, and a sudden disorientating shift, William found that they were standing in a corridor devoid of any paintings or lit sconces.

Activating the map even as he walked to the scene of the latest attack, William scanned through it in search of anyone that could possibly be Tom's proxy. The corridors were empty, with the exception being the few prefects on duty tonight that were grouped together around Filius, possibly being debriefed, and the Hospital Wing which was playing host to the discussion amongst the rest of the teaching body; a conversation that held no new information with the exception being the name of the Gryffindor that was now petrified.

Keeping one eye on the active map and one on the area he was in to avoid any surprises; William scanned the area that Tom's proxy had acted.

There was nothing misplaced, it was just another corridor in the halls of Hogwarts. However, William noted that this one didn't have any portraits hanging on the walls, something that was shared with the introduction they had made earlier into the year.

He sniffed the air, taking in the fact that it was filled with the scent of reptile, which caused William to frown. A scent this strong could only be made by a long period of exposure to the source, a large gathering of the same creatures or the creature was large enough to cause its scent to fill the area; large enough that it blocked William from picking up anything else besides its scent.

The first wasn't probable, given the attack lasted mere minutes, and the time it took to find the target; the scent wouldn't have time to be this strong. Given that he couldn't really pick up any subtle differences in the scent, it brought to question of their being multiple sources of the same creature, and he highly doubted that a creature of the required size to give off such a scent would've been missed by the portraits as it came or left the area. Needing more to go on, William changed into this other side.

The instant the tiger caught the scent, its hackles rose, and it started to sprint out the corridor before it quickly changed back into a human.

William knelt there panting as his heart thundered, trying to make sense of what happened.

He was aware that when he took his animagus form his instincts took more precedents than they did when he was a human. He had smelt many different creatures; creatures that were preys, those that were fellow predators, even a rival apex predator in the form of Remus' werewolf. But…never had he smelt the scent, the mere presence of a creature that made him feel like a prey, like there was no contest on who was the alpha; the top of the food chain.

Having calmed himself, William stood up and acted; a plan forming in his mind.

'Serpensortia horribilis', He casted silently, causing a dozen small garden snakes to littered the floor in front of him.

Acting quickly, less the scent of such a large predator caused the same reaction in the snakes, he spoke abruptly, §Follow the scent. Report back when you find the source or reach the end of the trail. Do not be seen.§

As the snakes moved, his instructions overriding their instinct, William turned to face the nervous looking elf and walked the short distance he had sprinted towards it. As he reached, William knelt before him so that he was eye level with the elf, and placed his hands on both of the elf's shoulders, "I want to thank you Tabby, tonight you saved not only my life, but the life of my friend as well." He told it as he went through its foreign mind for its thoughts, burying his actions since they came to a stop in the corridor, making his mind deem them as unimportant.

"Tabby did that?" Tabby replied wide eyed.

William gave a solemn nod, "Yes, there was an attack early tonight that was meant for the both of us, my friend and I, but because you came so quickly, the thing went for someone else. So again, thank you."

"Tabbys always happy to help Master Willy sir." Tabby replied proudly, poofing his chest out slightly.

"That's good to hear Tabby, because I still need your help."

William watched as the elf stood a bit straighter, and looked at him eagerly, causing him to smile internally.

Standing up, William spoke, "I want to find this creature before it tries to attack me and my friend or any other student in the castle, but it has a… 'hidey-hole'… like the one you found Luna's wand in. Do the elves know any secret 'hidey-holes' that could keep it; any places in the castle that no one knows about?"

William watched as Tabby contemplated.

"Tabby knows a place thats like that Master Willy sir."

"Take me to it."

∞Ѻ∞Ѻ∞Ѻ∞

With a sudden shift in the orientation of the world around him, and the sound of the small pop that always accompanied Tabby's ability, William found himself standing in a corridor more brightly than the third floor they just came from.

Glancing around to scan the area for any danger, William took in the long, desolate corridor with torches lighting it in measured intervals. In front of him was a blank expanse of the castle's wall, framed by a window on the left, showing the darkened grounds and the night sky, and a man-sized vase depicting a battle of some sort, based on the scenes on its decorated surface. Turning slightly, William noted that there was a tapestry of some sort, but his focus shifted onto the elf that was staring up at him patiently.

"Where are we Tabby?" William asked as he brought the map up and began searching for their names.

"Wes bes on the seventh floor Master Willy." Tabby responded.

"And this 'hidey-hole' you mentioned?"

"Wes be in front of it Master Willy sir."

"And how do we get in." William stated as he focused on both the map and the blank wall before him. From what he could observe, there wasn't anything beyond it, but the elf had yet to fail him; he would trust its word.

"Master Willy sir has to walk passes the wall three times sir." Tabby piped up as he pointed at the wall and pantomimed the action he mentioned.

Glancing down at the elf, William stepped forward and begun walking pass the wall. It wasn't until his third pass, as Tabby mentioned, did something happen to the expanse of wall. It shifted, as if melting, to form a large wooden door. Palming his wand, William approached it; flicking the wand to send a small pulse of magic, which caused the door to open slowly and reveal the room it held behind it.

It was filled with a variety of objects and furniture, but the grandness of the room made it spacious than clustered.

The left side of the room was filled with grays and static in appearance. Bookcases lined its wall and the floor was covered by a gray carpet; taking up most of the space was a large dark table, with what William believed was a map of England encompassing its surface, while surrounding it were a small set of comfortable yet professional looking chairs. Further back, there was a large desk devoid of any contents on its surface, and a large high back chair behind it; facing the desk were four marble sculptures in varying degrees of closeness to it.

The right side was hidden by lush vegetation, making it look as if it would fit perfectly in a very dense forest. From where he stood, William could see glimpses of stationary figures, and the sound of heavily falling water.

Walking in to study it more carefully, William noticed than Tabby had followed him inside; he felt a sense of displeasure come over him in having it here, even as both his wand and 'other side' growled menacingly. Coming to a stop, and preventing the elf from taking another step further into the domain, William spoke.

"Tabby, what is this place?"

"This bes the Come and Go Room Master Willy; The Room of Requirement. It bes a room that a person can only enter when they have real need of it. Sometimes it bes there, and sometimes it bes not, but when it appears, it bes always equipped for the seeker's needs. Sir" Tabby answered.

As William digested the words Tabby just spoke, he took in the room with its new sense of meaning, and was able to put into context the strong feeling that Tabby was trespassing.

"Thank for all your help tonight my friend, but I doubt we'll find that creature in one night. I'll call you when I have a strong lead or a need for your services; good night for now." William spoke, and recognizing the dismissal, Tabby popped away.

With the elf gone, William found himself moving towards the sculptures. While he was interested in exploring the rest of the room, he would be lying to himself if he stated he wasn't curious about who were depicted in the art. As he came upon the desk, deliberately keeping his attention away from the sculptures as he had passed them, William turned to face them all as he leaned against the desk to take them in.

They were all of the same height, standing what he assumed to be at least six feet tall, and as he had noted from the door they all had varying distance in how close they were to the desk. However, he now also noticed that they varied in completion and detail as well.

Furthest away from him was the sculpture of Nymeria; It was one of the completed, and showed her body being bound in rope around her torso, above her knees and around her ankles; her arms were placed behind her, but William assumed those too, were bound. Her mouth was covered by a marble depiction of cloth, and her face was created with such detail, William could practically feel the annoyance radiating from it as it gave him a deadpanned expression, as if to say 'really?'.

William visibly gave it a smirk before he turned his attention to the next one before it.

The next sculpture was that of Luna. However, unlike the others, it could hardly be called a bust, let alone a full sculpture, as the only thing completed was the head of the large work of art. Its face was just as detailed as the one of Nymeria though; He could see her perpetually dreamy eyes staring back at him with a sense of curious wonderment, and the tendrils of her hair framing her head.

The third Sculpture had William frown as he tried to divine its meaning. It was of Hermione; she stood a few inches ahead and to the left of Luna. Like his maternal figure, she was completed; however that was where the similarity ended. His sister was free of any sort of bindings, but she stood in a defiant stance; her legs squared and her arms folded across her body. Her entire form was a big blur, making it hard to make out the art that surely lied underneath; he could only tell that it was in fact her by the bushy and uncontrolled manner of the sculpture's hair.

The final marble sculpture stood a short distance of three or four feet away from the desk, and was the most detailed of the four. It was of Sukie; she stood tall, free, prominent and open. She was wearing a loose fitting Chinese summer dress that barely reached her knees, a cheongsam he remember her calling it; the tail end of which she held a fist full of in her left hand, as she had her arm away from her body, to teasingly raise the dress up her lithe body. Her face held a playful smile as tendrils of her marble hair littered around it from the rest which was held slightly above her head by her right hand.

William could've sat there the entire night, just enjoying the view, however he made himself get up and away from the sight with little effort; there were more important things that required his attention than focusing on small sentimentalities.

Working his way across the room, and through the health foliage, William came upon the sight that had been hidden from him.

The figures that he had seen from the door were wooden training dummies, many of which littered a small patch of sandy terrain on this side of the room. Taking up a vast majority of the space was a pool of water, the freshness of which tickled his nose enticingly. However, what caught his immediate attention was the cause of the thundering water.

At the back of this side of the room was a grandiose statute of a tiger sitting on its haunches as water rushed out of its large jaws to cascade down into the pool below; its imperious stare looked down upon a lone marble sculpture that stood in knee high water.

Moving closer towards the pool and towards the pair, William glanced down into the crystal clear water. He noted the broken and distorted sculptures that rested at the bottom; he recognized many, but cared little for them all than the passing glance he gave them.

Coming up to the sculpture and the roaring thunder of falling water, William wasn't surprised to see who stood opposing the tiger above it; there, in the knee high water, was Dumbledore in all his wizened glory.

The small attention he was given the depiction of the man was taken away however, as some movement from the right wall caught it.

Working his way towards it, a bit through some more of the brush, William took in the sight of a wall completely encompassed by a variety of silent moving portraits, with its occupants in various states of undress. Looking more thoroughly, William could see that while many were for his memories, a vast majority were made from brief flights of fancy that he had yearned to act upon in the recent months.

A memory of his Sukie in her uniform, ripped open to expose her pale blue bra. Her face sweetly contorted in ecstasy as a hand, he was well aware was his own, buried itself underneath her hiked up skirt as she sat upon his lap.

Luna kneeling as she looked up dreamily at him, as she cupped her hands before her open mouth and a handful of her blonde hair being held tightly by his left hand.

Daphne and Tracey bound and gagged beside one another on his bed within the snake pit; wiggling enticing as they attempted to get out of the bindings they were in with wanton eyes

Padma resting against one of the banister's railing as she repetitively brought her knees up to her chest to reveal her darkening green knickers to him.

Rosier hanging from her thumbs as her toes barely touched the good, silently begging and pleading.

Hermione's father rioting in pain by some unseen force; his body littered with cuts and bruises.

There were many more of such portraits hanging on the wall, showing other acts of passion and depravity; some of which he happened realized he even thought of. However they all carried a central theme. As William felt a familiar stirring, and realized that his breathe was shorter; he brought his barriers up to full, despite the sudden painful backlash he received from his 'other side' and quickly turned to leave the room.

He had a work to do.

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It had taken what he had to assume were hours, given the fact that he could see dawn breaking through the window on the left of the once more blank wall, for him to finish running his tests on the Room of Requirement.

He had tested the extent of what the room could do and couldn't do; he had yet to see a more amazing feat of magic, and found himself impressed once more by the abilities of the wizards of the past, the founders in particular.

The room used a subtle form of legilimency that he had yet to experience to pick upon the 'need' of the user, and then through what he believe were a series of runes and its tie into Hogwarts and the ley lines below the castle, framed itself to suit the best form to satisfy that 'need'

William found that the clearer his instructional 'need' was, the better suited the rooms were created; it wasn't limited to in its ability to create an item to satisfy need either, since he had been able to have it conjure various items by once more thinking of a 'need', however it was limited by the conventional laws unable to change in entirety once it was occupied; something he had tested by having conjured an animal and attempted to change the configuration from outside the door.

The Room of Requirement wasn't limited to just 'rooms' however either; it could create corridors. A pathway to the dungeons or any floor he desired. A passage off the school grounds; a passage into the Ravenclaw common, but outside the other three common rooms. Another to the gargoyle that guarded Dumbledore's office.

It was limited by some kind of constraint that wasn't tied to his knowledge of the location or his will, and it was due to that last discover that he was standing before the once more blank wall with concealed anticipation.

William started his pace back and forth before the wall with one thought burning brightly within his head.

'I need a passage to the Chamber of Secrets.'

William stopped as the blank wall once more, for what felt like the hundredth time that night, melted before him into the shape of a door.

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And there you have it. Wasn't really happy with how it turned out (lol when I have ever).

(1)- Google translate is annoying, and I know for a fact that if you tried putting that in, you'd getting something completely different from what I originally wrote:

The atmosphere and the invisible, the invisible things of deadly force, you will, give to me the power of operation.

False wind flow from the east.

The loud cry of the trees like a beast. I have enemies of your enemies.

My power will be stopped when my enemies are harmed,

So mote it be.

-Not much to say again, other than the fact that there's a couple of hidden nuggets in this chapter; let's see if you find them all.

Until next time.