CHAPTER 5

Harry had a blast in charms, he was able to perform his spell and was rewarded 5 points by Professor Flitwick. He was especially satisfied with his achievement, because he was able to do it faster than Draco. Ron was getting slightly annoyed and Seamus exploded his feather once more. He was having a blast. But he couldn't wait for the day of classes to be over. He had a new friend which he was longing to see. But he had Transfigurations first, and then he was supposed to do his homework assignments and then he had a 2 hour lesson with Snape. It didn't say what he was going to learn. Mighty annoying in Harry's opinion, but something he would have to deal with.

"Those of you, who were not able to accomplish the charm, please read the chapter on the levitating charm again and practice. Those of you who performed it flawlessly. Practice , practice and practice. Good job." They were dismissed.

"Great, now I have to read this stupid chapter again. It was boring enough the first time!" Ron whined as they made their way to their Transfigurations classroom. Harry ignored his whining as they sat down at their desk.

"Good evening. Today we will continue practicing our spell. Miss Granger, you will take this pea and try to transform it into a stone. The others, continue with your needles." Harry still wasn't able to transform his needle into a toothpick. It took the form of a toothpick but it was still metal, not wood. He sighed and tried again.

"You are to write an essay on the chapters 3-5 handed in next monday." Harry breathed a sigh of relieve. He had already read the chapters, so he would simply have to re-read them.

"Are you coming to the Common-room with us, or are you expected in the dungeons?" Hermione asked as the stood by the set of stairs.

"Snape wants me down there. But I am allowed to come up after dinner until 6:30 p.m.." Ron huffed in annoyance, but for once didn't complain.

"Okay, see you then." Hermione said as Harry made his way to Dumbledore's office. He wasn't supposed to be seen anywhere near the dungeons. So right now, when every student was out of class, it wouldn't be a bright Idea to run there. He needed no password, the portal opened as soon as Harry advanced it.

"Harry," Dumbledore greeted as soon as he bid the boy entrance to his office, "how has your first night been?"

"It was okay sir." Harry said and tried to keep his eyes of Salazar's portrait. "I am glad to hear that." Dumbledore said and decided to not say anything else.

"I have to go to the dungeons, sir." Harry said meekly as the silence grew uncomfortable.

"Yes, I am working on a different idea, of how you could get to your room in Professor Snapes chambers right now. You will not have to come up here, as soon as I finished it." Dumbledore said and glanced at the necklace that lay on top of his desk. It had belonged to James Potter once. One of the things that James wanted Harry to get, as he had stated in his will.

"This belonged to your father, Harry. He wanted me to give it to you. I am right now charming it, to be a port-key. A port-key is a device that will allow to travel from place to place. Much like the fireplace. I will set it to your room. You will have to activate it with a password of your choice. No one else, is allowed to know it. You shall only use it, if you are either in danger, or in privacy. You do understand that if you would vanish in eye-sight of someone, it would be most awkward." Harry nodded and walked towards the necklace. It was pretty, rather thin and silver.

"It is not quiet done yet, I still have to place some security charms on it. But you may come here tonight and it should be ready by then." Harry smiled and thanked him.

"Well, then you proceed to your masters quarters." With that an invisible forced pushed him towards the fire yet again.

"Snapes private Chambers." Dumbledore said after throwing in a handful of powder. The Flames roared and changed neon green and Harry yet again yelled in fear, as he was pushed into it.

He was thrown out of the fireplace only a second later and landed hard on his knees coughing out a lungful of ash. He swore under his breath as he got up and brushed the ash of his robes. Stupid, he could do it by himself if Dumbledore would show him how. But he didn't need to learn this anymore, did he? He would get the necklace later, would he? Dumbledore called it a port-key. A device that would allow him to travel to Snapes quarters.

He slowly walked into his room and placed his bag by his desk. Should he call Salazar now, or finish his assignments first? Wouldn't it be suspicious if Salazar would vanish from his portrait upstairs shortly after harry had arrived down here? He wanted it to remain a secret, so he shouldn't risk being found out. He sighed and pulled out his transfigurations textbook. Boring.

Snape sat in the chair in his office. He dreaded the upcoming 2 hours with the Potter-brat. Why did the foolish Headmaster trust him with that task? But he still hadn't decided what to do with the boy. He had not even talked with the headmaster about the sport he wanted Harry to do. He should do that right now. Instead of using the floo, which he despised, he walked up to the headmasters office, scowling at every single student who crossed his path.

"Severus, Harry just went through 30 seconds ago." Dumbledore said the moment Severus walked through the door.

"Well, I am glad the boy can follow simple directions. No, I am here to talk to you of an idea of mine." Severus said while declining the offered lemon-drop jar with a wave of his hand and an annoyed shake of his head.

"No, thank you Albus." he snapped as Dumbledore wanted to offer him one vocally.

"Aw, Severus. Well, then I shall enjoy them myself. How may I help you then, as you obviously didn't come here to simply have tea and biscuits with me?"

"I want Potter to learn some sort of Self-defense. I don't know. The Muggles offer tons of them. Karate, or Kung-fu. There are thousands as far as I know."

Dumbledore frowned, "That is a good idea, indeed. But isn't it dangerous for Harry to be unprotected?" It wasn't a question and Snape knew it.

"Yes, it is. But thats why I thought of an Muggle Club. We need someone who is familiar with us, but does not have social connections. You have your eyes and ears everywhere, Headmaster, I am sure you will find a suitable Candidate." Snape said and stood back up.

"Wait. Have you considered that Harry might want to take a friend or two? It wouldn't be so hard for him. And I bet young Mr. Weasley would enjoy it. Perhaps even Miss Granger." Snape closed his eyes in annoyance.

"Well, you are the Headmaster, Albus. Why don't you figure that out? I don't mind the boy taking his friends, as long as they don't come near my rooms." Snape snapped. But he did mind. He wanted Harry's entire focus on what he was doing. Nothing else. He would have to make sure that his two friends understood that.

"Good day," Snape said and walked out of the office without waiting for a reply. The boy best sat at his desk doing his homework now.

_____________

"Harry Potter," Salazar greeted smiling slightly as he saw the brat reading his textbook while chewing on the nail of his left thumb.

"Professor," Harry greeted happily and jumped up.

"You are fine, as I see." Salazar chuckled while sitting down in his armchair. "Yes sir. Classes were boring mostly though. How are you?"

"I am good. I simply came down here to tell you that your Master is coming." Harry blanched and hurried back to his desk. He hadn't even started on his essay.

"Thank you," he whispered as he heard the portrait to their chambers close and Salazar nodded, before leaving.

"Potter, come here." Snape called and harry quickly put down the book and hurried to the living room.

Snape scowled at him and indicated for him to sit down. How should he start this?

"Potter, the Headmaster decided for you to be placed into my care, so you have the chance to learn things, others don't. I will teach you advanced Magic in offense. Defense and other things, we shall come to later. As you are still in your first year of Hogwarts, your knowledge is not advanced enough for us to actually start practicing dueling classes. It may seem prudent to you, but the first couple of weeks shall be mostly theory at first. As soon as I think that you mastered the theory of certain aspects. I might be willing to teach you." He paused and put his copy of the schedule down on the table. The Potter brat seemed to accept his terms, so he continued.

"In the two ours after classes everyday, I want you to read at least 3 Chapters of whichever book I decide to give you. I shall quiz you every night on your progress before you are going to bed. So I expect you to read carefully. I will not accept laziness. Should I even think for a minute that you are not following my orders, and trust me I will know, you might face consequences you might rather not?" The boy gulped, Severus realized approvingly. A little fear always helped.

"The first book you are to read is your current school book. As soon as you have finished that I expect you to read this one." Snape put down a book on the table. 'Defense against the dark arts, how is it done?' There was no author name as far as Harry could see.

"I expect at least one essay per book. I might add some more assignments should I get the impression that you are not taking this seriously," he added as an afterthought.

Potter nodded and looked at the schedule. "Is there something that is unclear to you?" Snape asked annoyance clearly marking his words. Harry swallowed hard. There was nothing after dinner. But he was expected here at 6.30. Why should he be here if there was nothing he was supposed to do?

"Yes, sir," Harry said and blushed, he sounded so afraid. Snape sighed, stupid annoying little brat. "I wondered what I am expected to do after dinner. I mean after 6.30."

Snape looked at the schedule, and frowned. "The Headmaster and myself are currently trying to figure that out." He said and got up. He left, cloak billowing behind him. Harry sat there, shocked for a second. The man was so mad, all the time.

"Salazar," he called and knocked on the portrait lightly. He had tried knocking for the last 15 minutes but the man simply didn't show up. He sighed and sat back down. He finished his Transfigurations essay and reread the first three chapters in his defense book. Those were actually boring. They didn't say a thing about defense. They simply quoted opinions of important former wizards, speaking of the dark-arts and that one is best at defense if one knew the history. But all they learned about in History was goblin-wars. Harry sighed. He should write an essay on that. Just in case Snape expected one tonight. Who knew, the man always found a reason to torment him.

But it really annoyed him that Salazar was ignoring him. Why didn't he come. He had knocked a couple of times already. It had worked before, why wasn't it working now?

He dipped his quill into the ink and started writing the essay. Boring, stupid textbook. He looked at the other book longingly but decided to follow Snapes orders and read his book first. The essay wasn't long, but the chapters weren't long either. And they barely had something worth writing about. Harry huffed as he finished his essay and saw that he had another hour left. He grabbed the book, kicked of his shoes and laid down on his bed. He started reading the fourth chapter and was pleasantly surprised. There, spells and their uses. That sounded way more interesting.

__________

Salazar groaned in annoyance as the brat knocked again. Dumbledore demanded their presence at other places once in a while, and today was his turn. He sighed in annoyance as Igor Kakaroff exited his office. Finally.

"Mr. Potter," Salazar hissed the second he walked into the portrait. He hid a smirk as the boy almost fell of the bed in fright. "One knock does suffice. I was otherwise occupied," he continued and the boy blushed and his face fell forward in shame.

"I am sorry sir, I was simply wondering why you didn't come. It never took you that long before." He mumbled and Salazar almost felt sorry for his tone, almost.

"Well, the Headmaster sent me elsewhere. I shall be able to return in a few minutes though. Please be patient." He said and left again. The boy could brood on a bad conscience for a while.

"Headmaster. Durmstrang is calm. Igor had a talk with one of his students, can't pronounce the boys name. Everything seems in the ordinary." Salazar said the moment he returned to his portrait.

"Thank you Salazar. Is he still in his office?" Dumbledore asked, fully intending to send Salazar back.

"No, he went to his chambers. It is time for them to reside to bed now. As you know." Dumbledore nodded and paid no further attention to Salazar.

___________

Harry sat on his bed, heat creeping up his neck. He hadn't meant to annoy Slytherin.

'Ah, Mr. Potter, why the long face?" Salazar asked and smiled as the boy jumped yet again.

"I am really sorry, sir. I didn't mean to annoy you." Harry said as fast as he could and tried to look as sorry as possible. He didn't want the man to be mad at him, he was after all the only nice company he had.

"You are quiet alright, Mr. Potter, just remember that I hear the first knock and will come as soon as I can." He said and allowed his face to relax. A stern posture really was more comfortable as he was drawn that way, but he was not going to frighten the boy further.

"Thank you." Harry said and then got up and walked towards the portrait.

"Professor Snape talked to me. And he told me what he expects of me now," Harry started and then sat down in his desk chair picking up his essay.

"He said that he expected at least one essay per book and that I had to read at least like 3 Chapters in my 2 hours everyday. I did that and wrote my first essay on that. Because I just don't want him to nag me later than I am lazy. He did say that he did not like Laziness at all." Harry went on and smiled up at Salazar.

"Yes, I can't imagine him taking that to well." Salazar agreed and told Harry to read out his essay. It was good. He had never read the new Defense school book, but the essay sounded rather good to him. "There is nothing really on defense in the book, so I couldn't put it in the essay. Chapter number 4 is better though." Harry said as soon as he finished reading his essay.

"It is quiet good Harry. Why don't you continue reading your Defense book, you could read it out loud and I could help you write your essay on the next three chapters then?" Salazar offered.

"But I only have to write one essay per book." Harry said slightly confused.

"Yes, that is what he said, But I would like you to right an essay every three chapters. And I bet your Master would be pleasantly surprised if you wrote more then one essay."

Harry shrugged and started reading the fourth chapter out loud. He almost reached the 6 chapter when Salazar had him stop.

"You are a fascinating reader, Mr. Potter." He praised. And it was true, the pronunciation Harry used made the words come alive. It was way easier that way to remember the text. "You should always read out loud when you try to study something. It helps," he said as Harry smiled lightly. He was rarely praised, and when he was he dwelled in it.

"But now, it is time for Dinner. And please Mr. Potter, spend the time with your friends. I will be here when you come back!" Salazar said and winked at him before walking out of the portrait.

Harry sighed. Time for dinner. But he was allowed to spend time with his friends then. And Dumbledore wanted him to go to his office and try out the necklace after that. He could have it ready, now.

Harry walked over to the chamber exit and glanced through the portrait. Drat, there were people in the hall. He would be late to dinner. He sat down in the living-room and decided to wait a couple of minutes. He could try the floo and floo up to Dumbledore's office, but he had not done that by himself and didn't really trust himself with that just yet.

The Bell chimed indicating that Dinner started now. How humiliating would it be to come to late. Everybody would look at him. But students had to be present at every meal, so he couldn't just skip it. And Snape was for sure going to notice.

He walked back over to the portrait and looked through again. Great. There were still Slytherin hurrying by the hall. They were running late as well. He couldn't leave now. The others would notice him. And a Gryffindor down alone in the dungeons wasn't a good idea. Fred and George had told him and Ron. And he really didn't want to be trashed.

He looked out again. It looked empty. Should he dare it? The other times when he left he knew the other students be either in class or at lunch. He almost stepped through when he saw another figure running past the portrait. Great, that would have been just great. Being caught. But the longer he stood there, the more nervous he got. He waited another two minutes and nobody ran past. He squeezed his eyes shut and jumped through. Nobody, he inhaled in relief before running up to the Great hall.

He ducked his head and blushed as other students looked at him and snickered. This was so humiliating. He should have just skipped dinner. He quickly found his seat between Ron and Neville.

"Why are you so late?" Ron whispered and looked around. Harry shrugged as he saw Lavender Brown leaning in to eavesdrop.

He silently ate his dinner, not speaking. He blushed again as he saw Percy getting up and walking towards him.

"Harry, being late to dinner is against the rules." Percy stated quietly. "Oh Percy, leave him be." Fred called over and George faked puking behind his hand.

"Just don't let it happen again." Percy said and shot Fred and George a warning glare.

Harry nodded and leaned back over his plate. This was so humiliating. He hated Snape. This was all Snapes fault. He wouldn't have been late if he would have found a way for him to exit their chambers without having to fear to be caught by some crazy snakes. Harry got up as soon as he finished and quickly walked out of the great hall, ignoring Ron calling after him. He ran up the Marble stairs and only stopped in front of the fat lady. Ron caught up with him only a few seconds later.

"Man, what was that all about?" He coughed, trying to get some oxygen into his lungs. "Just open the portrait, all right? I don't know the new password." Harry said and hurried into the common-room the second the fat lady swung open.

"What's wrong, harry? First you came late and then you stormed off." Ron said and sat down in the armchair by the fire.

"Nothing really, it was just that I was embarrassed I was late. But that wasn't even really my fault, and then everybody looked at me, and you know that I don't like that. So I just got out of there." Harry said and exhaled in a huff.

"Well, why were you late to dinner? Snape was already there." Ron asked.

"Well, First Snape like gave me a lecture of what he would expect and then he told me what my assignments were. I just got caught of with one of the things he had me do. And then it chimed dinner, but I couldn't leave the rooms, because there were slytherin lingering in the hallway. And I personally don't want to run into a bunch of them." Harry finished and Ron chuckled.

"Yeah. You could get infected with stupidity." They soon were giggling together.

"This is how it should be you know. You should be here all the time." Ron said as the others walked in. Harry shrugged. Ron wasn't helping. There was nothing he could do about that. And Ron should accept that. He was giving Harry a hard time with this.

"Leave him be Ronald." Hermione said as she sat down on one of the coaches immediately hiding her face behind one of her books. Ronald rolled his eyes.

"Leave me be, Granger." He said and Harry opened his eyes. What the heck was that all about? He knew that Ron didn't really like the girl, but that was no reason to be impolite. But he couldn't tell him, because he didn't want to loose the only real friend he had.

Hermione tightened her lips behind her books, but otherwise showed no sign of recognition.

"Want to play chess?" Ron asked harry and rolled his eyes meaningfully. But Harry hesitated. That was really mean and Harry didn't like bullies at all. Not after being bullied himself. But Ron was already setting up the board and soon he was engaged in the game. He always lost, normally. But he was playing a really good game tonight. He was so focused on it that he did not watch the time.

"Harry didn't you say you had to be gone by 6.30?" Hermione suddenly asked, her voice quite squeaky. Harry froze. He knew he was late before he looked at his watch. He felt fear once again creeping up his spine.

"No, come on. Let's finish the game. I don't want you to go yet." Ron whined, not grasping the seriousness of the situation.

"You are being selfish." Hermione spat and Harry silently agreed with her. It was 6:35 p.m.. He was five minutes late already. And he still had to see Professor Dumbledore.

"Nobody asked you, Granger." Ron spat back, his ears turning read.

"Well, I got to go. See you at breakfast." Harry said and pushed Ron back into the coach as he ran off.

His hands were shaking violently as he knocked on Dumbledore's office door. "Come in."

"Good evening, sir." He panted as he closed the door behind him.

"Mr. Potter, take a breath. Calm down. I didn't tell you a time, did I?" Harry shook his head no. Still panting.

"No, but Professor Snape did, I was supposed to be in the quarters 10 minutes ago." He said. He was close to tears by then. He truly did not want to fight with Snape. the man hated his guts.

"Oh, we best hurry up in that case," Dumbledore said and stood of levitating the necklace in front of him. He slowly levitated it over Harry's head and then nodded in satisfaction at his hung secured on the boys neck.

"Very well. I want you to think of a password now. A word no-one can guess. That will be your activation code." Harry closed his eyes. 'Salazar Slytherin' he thought with all his might. He stuttered as he felt the necklace warming considerately.

"Good, you need to think the word three times in order, without pausing to activate it." Harry nodded, bode fare-well and then thought the name three times. He squeaked in surprise as something tugged him at the navel. He found himself flung onto his bed a second later, feeling quiet dizzy. The next thing he knew his door was crashed open and he jumped of the bed in fear.

"Am I not worth your time, Potter? Do you think you can simply ignore me?" Snape hissed. Harry blanched 'sssimlply'.

"No sir, I am sorry." He stuttered while backing up. The man scared him witless.

"Yes, you will be." Snape spat. Harry couldn't suppress the shiver 'yesss'.

"Your are confined to your room tomorrow. No free time." Snape spat before closing the door behind him. Harry closed his eyes and exhaled in relief.

He was grounded. He could live with that. It wasn't the first time. And it was a day. He had been grounded for weeks before.

"You should have paid attention to the time Mr. Potter. Tardiness is not acceptable." Salazar chided and Harry ducked his head. This was so much worse than Snapes hissing.

"I am sorry, sir. I and my friend were playing chess and I just didn't pay attention to the time. And then I had to see Dumbledore." Harry mumbled.

"Well, as I said. You should have paid attention to the time. You brought the grounding to yourself." Harry nodded sadly. But that was okay. He still had Slytherin. Or would the man not talk to him, while he was grounded?

"I should really stay away tomorrow, for you to learn the consequences of tardiness. But I guess, you will learn them just as good with me reminding you every now and then." Salazar said smiling, as if he heard Harry's thoughts.

"Thank you, sir. I will really try to do better. I promise." Harry said and for the first time looked up into the black orbs, sealing his promise.

"I do believe you. But Harry, you can be happy, that I am not your Master." He said chuckling to himself.

"Why is that sir?" Harry asked, not certain if he really wanted to hear the answer.

"Well, I guess I would have handled the situation a little more harshly." Was all the man said, never loosing his smile.

___________________

Snape fumed as he sat down in the living-room. So the boy took advantage of him. He had granted him free-time, and what did the brat do? Extend it. Snape got out of his chair and strode towards the boys room, only to stop and retreat. No, he would not do it. He was just angry now. The grounding was enough. The boy was late, that was all. It happened to many kids in that age. The boy would learn of this when he wouldn't be allowed to leave his room the next day.

Snape sighed. "Potter," he called.

He heard something heavy fall to the floor and a hushed swear but then the boy emerged. Snape watched the boy as he stood in the doorway. He was looking at his feet and really did look ashamed. Was it possible that the boy was sorry for his tardiness?

"I believe I deserve an explanation and apology." He said. The boy cringed under the stern tone.

"I-I was playing chess with Ron, and- and I- I forgot the t-time." Harry blushed. "And I st-still had t-to see Du-Dumbledore." He added and then inhaled deeply.

"'m sorry," he said and blushed crimson.

"Excuse me? I do appreciate eye-contact when spoken too." He said. the boy got even smaller.

It seemed to be a great struggle for the boy to lift his eyes of the carpet. But their eyes only met briefly. "Sorry, it won't happen again, sir." he said quickly before his eyes focused back at the carpet.

"I do hope not, Mr. Potter. You might find yourself with a very sore behind. Am I understood?" Harry blushed again. Snape would beat him? Snape -could- beat him? Harry blanched. Fear reined into his every bone.

"Yes sir." Harry answered. So it would be no different then? It was the same?

Snape frowned as he saw the play of emotion on the boys face. Good, he should be scared. He would not allow the brat to bend the rules with him. It was enough that every single person in this school bowed to the boy.

"Your tardiness is an annoying habit. First you are later to dinner, and then you are late for your evening lesson." Snape spat. Harry lifted his chin, defiantly. It was not his fault that the stupid Slytherins lingered in the stupid dungeon hall. He would not take the blame for that.

"That wasn't my fault. The hall was crowded." Harry snapped. It took him less than a second to regret his tone as Snape glared at him.

"Watch-your-tone!" He barked and Harry jumped.

"You are to speak to me in a respectful tone, or I shall cut out your tongue and use it in my potions. Am I understood?" he said advancing him.

"Y-yes, sir." Harry squeaked. His fingers started trembling and he hid them behind his back. Why was he so afraid? He knew that he wasn't allowed to cut out his tongue.

"Straighten up." Snape said, he was surprised. He had never noticed before how small the boy was. He barely reached his rips. Draco was almost a head taller than him. He watched the boy as he stood up straight, confusion on his face. He would have to get the boy checked by Pomfrey later on.

"Tell me about the three chapters you read today." He said and watched the boy squirm under his glare.

"I wrote an essay on them." Harry said nervously.

"Even better. Bring it to me. I will read it over." Snape was impressed. He had not expected the brat to willingly do some work. That made things easier for him. But what was he to do for the next one and a half hours? He had planned on making the brat write the essay on the three-first chapters.

Harry hurried to his room and grabbed the essay. Salazar was not in his portrait. He laid it on the table where snape sat and then waited. He felt stupid standing of to the side. But he didn't know if he was allowed to sit and he for sure didn't want to stand somewhere close to the man.

"Sit down Potter." Snape snapped as the brat kept on squirming. Why could they never just be still? He read over the essay and was again surprised. The brat had actually paid attention to the text. His writing was still outrageous but that was not something he wished to take care of.

Harry looked at his knees, he could see Snape reading the essay out of the corner of his eye and got more agitated by the second. Why didn't he at least say something? Yell, or scream. The silence made him feel on edge. He stiffened when Snape stood up. But expect of the expected slap, came nothing. Snape had simply walked over to a bookshelf.

Harry watched him as he took out a big folder and brought it back to the table.

"This is your folder. Every time you have written an essay or something you might have to write, I expect you to put it in here and place it on the Living-room table. I will know that you have handed in something, that way." Harry nodded silently. What had he expected? Praise? For sure not. Snape was just the evil git of the dungeons, a stupid selfish sea fish, with greasy hair and a crooked nose.

Snape slammed the folder shut and was satisfied when the little brat jumped at least a foot high. "You still have an hour of lessons left. Go to your room and continue reading." Harry found himself sitting by himself a minute later.

His essay was good, Salazar thought so too. Why couldn't Snape at least let him know something? He stomped all the way back to the room and closed his door, at least loud enough to sooth his angry blood. He threw himself on his bed. He could be in the Gryffindor tower now, with his friends. But no, he had to sit here and read the stupid book, just because Dumbledore was Paranoid. Tears welled up in his eyes. This was so unfair. Why was he always the one being sorted out and picked on? It has always been like that. He rubbed the tears of his cheeks in annoyance. He was not going to cry. That's what Snape wanted. He wanted to see him break, but he wouldn't.

"Oh dear," Salazar said and Harry jumped. "Why does everyone enjoy scaring me?" Harry yelled. Salazar raised his eyebrows.

"I am sorry if I frightened you Harry. That was not my intention. I simply have no other way of getting your attention. I have to make noise." Harry sighed.

"I am sorry." He said and sat up.

"How are you feeling, Mr. Potter?" Salazar asked, smirking slightly.

"I am sore." Harry replied. And it was true. His throat ached terribly and he had a bad pressure behind his eyes. His nose was also a little stuffed.

Salazar chuckled, totally misunderstanding the situation. "Well, it wouldn't be worth nothing, if it wouldn't sting, now would it?" he said. Harry looked at him confused.

"What? There is no sting. My throat is sore. I think I am getting a cold." He said, "What are you talking about?" But then it dawned on him.

"No, he- what? He isn't allowed to hit me. Teachers aren't." Harry said. This was a weird talk. But then Snapes words came back to his mind. Hadn't he threatened him with a beating?

"Oh, you are mistaking Mr. Potter. Heads of Houses are allowed to physically punish students." Salazar said. The boy didn't know? How in the world was Minerva punishing her lions? No wonder they were out of control.

"No, I think you are mistaken. McGonagall never does that. And that's something with the Weasley twins in our house." Harry argued. That was simply not true. Snape had only wanted to scare him. There was no truth in that.

"Mr. Potter, do trust me when I tell you something. Physical Chastisement is allowed. Don't question me." He said. Harry ducked. He hadn't meant to offend Salazar Slytherin. This was just new to him. No one had ever told him. And he was sure that if McGonagall would be allowed to beat them, she would have resorted to that, at least in Fred's and George's case.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude." Harry said but was quiet after that. So Snape was allowed to beat him? How come he hadn't? He had been late after all. His uncle wouldn't have hesitated for a second. But then Snape, even if the man was even more scary than his uncle, wasn't his uncle. Snape seemed to have control over his temper, something uncle Vernon was missing entirely.

"Don't worry about that, harry. Professor Snape won't resort to that unless you give him reason too."

Harry sighed and leaned back. "Come on, read to me." Salazar said and Harry did as he was told.

Snapes wife to be: Thank you, the idea of Harry talking to the founder of Slytherin house just jumped on me and I thought, okay I will go with that. And thank you. I am trying hard to improve everyday.

Visitkarte; Harry will try his best to keep it secret, like we all know. And yes, he will improve in school. There is some good influence around him now. He no longer feels the need to be on Ron's level. He works hard to make Salazar praise him.

Wandamarie; As before, I am glad I was able to write it to your liking and yes I am doing a little better every day now. I do dread the next session though :-(

Mooree: YES, a long one. I was pleasantly surprised as well.

kartofel: I like your penname. Kartoffel, so two f's is potato translated from german. And thank you, you made me laugh. Once I am tonedeaf I quit singing. I loved that.

Thank you, yes it is hard to write stuff in your second language, isn't it? And yes, that helped a lot.

Rislanderinks: Thank you for your help. Sush? you are american, are you? I am glad I could entertain you! I am still here, and I do hope that I will be able to post this before I return to the hospital. I am SO SICK of IT!!!

PhoenixGrifyndor; Thank you. I do too!

icul8er; thank you xD!

Huh, this is a long chapter again. I am so glad that Salazar is there to help me, he makes it so easy for me to improve Harry's scholastic career... it just doesn't seem right to me to have Snape tutor him. That's just not snapish... xD

Thanks for the reviews people!